Bambi did not hesitate. “Because you’re so wise,” he said candidly, “and despite that, you’re such fun and so friendly. And because you can frighten others so well. That’s so clever to startle others, so very clever. I wish I could do that, that would be very useful for me.”
The owlet had sunk his beak deep into his breast feathers and was pleased.
“Well,” he said, “I know that the elder likes your company ...”
“Do you think so?” exclaimed Bambi as the owlet spoke, and his heart began to beat with joy.
“Yes, I’m sure of it,” answered the owlet, “he likes your company, and that’s why I think I might dare to tell you where he is now ...” He pulled his feathers down against his body and suddenly looked quite thin again. “Do you know that deep gorge where the willows are?”
“Yes,” Bambi nodded.
“Do you know the thicket of oak trees on the other side?”
“No,” Bambi admitted, “I’ve never been on the other side.”
“Now listen carefully,” the owlet whispered, on the other side there’s a thicket of oak trees. You have to go through there and you come to an area of bushes, hazel and white poplars, hawthorns and privet. In the middle, there, you’ll need to find an old beech tree that’s been broken down by the wind. It won’t be as easy for you to find down there on the ground, certainly not as easy as it is from up in the air. That’s where the elder lives. Under the trunk of that tree. But ... don’t say I told you!”
“Under the trunk?”