“What Garden?”
“The Garden in the depths of the Forest.”
“What Forest?”
“The Forest beyond the Woodlands.”
“Is your home there?” asked David.
“Not a very great way from it,” said the old Woman. “You will see a Blue Bird some day, little boy; I am sure of that. I am glad that I met you. Thank you for bringing me the cool, refreshing water. Now I must go on my way, since I have told you about the Blue Bird. Remember, David: seek for it and follow it. You will know what it really means only when you have reached the end of the trail.—Help me lift the basket to my back again.—Thank you.—Now I must be off.”
“Here,” said David, “take this birch cup: you may grow thirsty again before you reach home, and if you come to a brook or spring, you will be glad to have this with you.”
“Thank you, boy.—I am sure you will see the Blue Bird some day, for you have the seeing light in your eye. But don’t forget to look for it!”
She turned and walked slowly down the wooded path.
David returned to his father’s home. For many, many days the memory of the old woman remained with him. Indeed, he never really forgot her, though a very long time passed and strange things happened,