Bambi
by Felix Salten
Translation Copyright (C) 2020 by David Wyllie. This is an English translation of the original German first edition from 1923.
Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 1
It was in a space in a thicket that he came into the world, in one ofthose little, hidden places in the wood which seem to be open on everyside but which in fact are completely surrounded by foliage. That iswhy there was so little room there, but just enough for him and hismother.
He stood up, he staggered on his thin legs as he wondered what washappening, looked out with eyes which were dull, wondered what washappening but saw nothing, dropped his head, shuddered severely, andwas quite numb.
“What a beautiful child!” declared the magpie.
She had rushed to the place, drawn by the breathy groans she heardforced from Bambi’s mother by her pain. Now the magpie sat on a branchnearby. “What a beautiful child!” she exclaimed again. No-one answeredher and she continued speaking excitedly. “And he can already stand upand walk. That’s amazing! That’s so interesting! I’ve never seenanything like it in me life. Well, I’m still young of course, it’sonly a year since I left the nest, but I expect you know that. But Ithink it’s wonderful. A child like this ... he’s only been born asecond and he can already stand. I think it’s very noble of him. Andmost of all, I find that everything done by you deer is verynoble. Can he already run too?”
“Of course,” answered Bambi’s mother gently. “But you’ll have toexcuse me, I’m not really in a good condition to chat with you.There’s a lot that I’ve got to do ... and besides, I’m feeling quitetired.”
“Oh, don’t let me disturb you,” said the magpie, “I’m in a bit of arush today, too! But it’s not every day that you see something likethis. I ask you, think of how awkward it is for us in these things,and how much hard work! The children just can’t do anything when theyfirst hatch from the egg, they just lie there in the nest quitehelpless, and need to be looked after, they always need to be lookedafter I tell you, I’m sure you’ve got no idea what it’s like. It’s somuch hard work just to keep ‘em fed, and they need to be protected,it’s so worrying! I ask you, just think how strenuous all that is,ge