WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:05.599 Chapter one of The Magic Umbrella. This is a LibriVox recording. 2 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:10.400 All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more 3 00:00:10.439 --> 00:00:16.440 information or to volunteer, please visit librivoxt dot org. Read 4 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:23.640 by Larry Wilson, The Magic Umbrella by David Cory, Mister Forefeathers. 5 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:28.079 Jimmy had a little garden. He liked to watch things 6 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:31.719 go all but the weeds, which came up in abundance. 7 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:36.000 Mother had explained to him that unless they were taken out, 8 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:39.960 the things he had planted would not grow strong and sturdy. 9 00:00:40.880 --> 00:00:43.840 It had been very hot, and Jimmy had been working hard. 10 00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:48.000 Now and then the sun slipped behind a cloud, and 11 00:00:48.079 --> 00:00:50.759 although it was a relief to escape from its hot 12 00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:55.079 rays even for a few moments, Jimmy felt the gathering 13 00:00:55.119 --> 00:00:58.399 clouds meant rain, and he wanted to finish weeding his 14 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:03.039 garden before the storm. Here and there a butterfly lit 15 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:06.040 on a flower, or a bee buzzed drowsily as it 16 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:10.840 flitted by the honeysuckle. I'll sleepy, Jimmy began to feel, 17 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:15.400 but he kept on diligently until his quiet reverie was 18 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:22.120 disturbed by the voice of his mother calling Jimmy, Jimmy, yes, mother, 19 00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:26.319 I'm coming. Quickly, throwing down his little hoe, he ran 20 00:01:26.480 --> 00:01:30.439 up to the house. Jimmy, I must have some aches 21 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:34.519 to finish the baking. Don't delay, because before long we're 22 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:38.400 sure to have rain. Now, no one can be expected 23 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:42.480 to enjoy going to the store, especially if it upsets 24 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:46.120 one's plans. And the way to the store leads along 25 00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:49.480 a dusty road, and one must hurry and not follow 26 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:52.239 a little chipmunk to find out in what spot it 27 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:55.640 makes its nest, nor take the time to catch frogs 28 00:01:55.640 --> 00:01:58.560 and lizards to carry home to stalk a pond in 29 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:01.599 the meadow like the one in which Jimmy already had 30 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:05.280 a fine collection. But Jimmy was a good boy and 31 00:02:05.480 --> 00:02:09.599 liked to please his mother. With a cheerful I'll hurry 32 00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:12.439 all I can, mother, He ran down the path and 33 00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:16.159 out to the road. He had covered half the distance 34 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:21.719 when suddenly a little rabbit darted across his path. Perhaps, 35 00:02:21.800 --> 00:02:24.879 if Jimmy hadn't been so tired from weeding his garden, 36 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:28.159 he would not have said just what he did. But 37 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:32.240 suddenly he exclaimed, I wish that I was far far 38 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:36.360 away from here. The little rabbit stopped suddenly on the 39 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:39.599 other side of the road and looked at him. And 40 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:43.919 what do you think? Jimmy plainly saw the rabbit wink 41 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:48.159 at him. It was growing dark, although Jimmy knew that 42 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:51.560 it was still early in the afternoon. Looking up into 43 00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:54.599 the sky, he noticed the fast lowering clouds, and a 44 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:58.560 big drop of rain fell upon his upturned face. He 45 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:01.240 looked down to where the little rabbit had been, and 46 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:03.719 on the very spot where he had seen it when 47 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:07.960 it winked at him, stood a little old man. He 48 00:03:08.039 --> 00:03:11.919 had a long white beard and such merry eyes. In 49 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:15.080 his hand, he held a black umbrella with a crooked handle, 50 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:18.639 just like one Jimmy's father had, only the handle looked 51 00:03:18.680 --> 00:03:23.400 bigger and stronger. You'd better take this umbrella, Jimmy, else 52 00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:27.240 you'll get very wet. And with these words, the little 53 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:31.960 old man pushed the umbrella into Jimmy's hand. Jimmy wanted 54 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:35.120 to thank him and ask who he was, because mother 55 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:38.639 would wish to return it, but he was nowhere. About 56 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:42.439 All Jimmy could see was the little white tail of 57 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:47.639 a brown rabbit scurrying away through the underbrush. What a fine, 58 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:51.560 strong umbrellas it was. The large drops of rain came 59 00:03:51.639 --> 00:03:55.879 faster and faster as Jimmy opened it. There on the handle, 60 00:03:56.400 --> 00:04:02.039 What did those letters spell in A gee I see 61 00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:08.280 you M b R E l l A. Jimmy's eyes 62 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:12.439 grew wide with wonders he read the two words. Down 63 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:16.759 came the rain in torrents and with it whew, how 64 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:20.519 the wind blew? Could he hold on? Or in one 65 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:24.959 of those wild guests? Would he lose his magic umbrella? Finally, 66 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:27.360 he decided he had better stop and wait for the 67 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:31.000 shower to blow over. As he pulled the umbrella well 68 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:34.079 down over his head, Jimmy thought, how like a seat 69 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:37.680 the large handle looked. Why not sit down in it 70 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:42.720 until the rain stopped? No sooner thought than done. How 71 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:47.800 comfortable it felt? And now let it blow, laughed Jimmy. 72 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:51.560 No sooner had he spoken than a great gust of 73 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:55.360 wind caught the umbrella in the very center. Jimmy tried 74 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:58.480 to slip off, but the ground was spinning before his eyes, 75 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:02.759 and he clutched at the handle. The next instant he 76 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:07.160 realized that the magic umbrella was carrying him away. Where 77 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:11.879 would it take him? Now he was far above the road. 78 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:15.079 How pretty it looked with its green banks and hedges, 79 00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:19.920 all fresh and dripping and shiny from the shower. The 80 00:05:19.959 --> 00:05:23.759 birds began to chirp. A flock of blackbirds circled around 81 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:27.000 Jimmy under his magic umbrella, and then flew off in 82 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:32.160 the opposite direction. In the soft, gentle breezes, Jimmy sailed 83 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:35.639 silently on above the big meadow with the pond and 84 00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:39.920 the gay wild flowers nodding in the sunlight, now passing 85 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:43.399 over chimneys and steeples. No doubt the town Jimmy had 86 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:47.079 heard his father tail about. The buildings were tall, and 87 00:05:47.160 --> 00:05:50.519 there were a great many. You wish to take me further, Yet, 88 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:54.519 my magic umbrella, said Jimmy, you seem to know just 89 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:58.199 where you are going, at least I hope you know. 90 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:04.639 But no matter, lead me wherever you will. On and 91 00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:08.879 on they traveled together, Jimmy holding firmly to the handle, 92 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:11.879 until they reached a beautiful garden, in the center of 93 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:17.120 which stood a magnificent castle. Jimmy felt the umbrella descending 94 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:21.040 nearer and nearer It came to the ground, until Jimmy 95 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:24.720 felt his feet touch the soft green grass. Slipping off 96 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:28.040 the handle, he closed the umbrella and then, stretching his 97 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:30.639 arms into the air, looked up at the height from 98 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:34.800 which he had just come. What should he do now? 99 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:37.959 He stooped to pick up the umbrella, which had fallen 100 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:41.680 on the grass. It was gone, but as I caught 101 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:44.959 sight of a little white tail belonging to a little 102 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:49.360 brown rabbit, scurrying off into a clump of bushes. As 103 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:53.000 Jimmy stood in the beautiful garden, uncertain what next to do, 104 00:06:53.839 --> 00:06:56.160 he heard the song of a bird, sweet and clear. 105 00:06:57.319 --> 00:07:00.160 The King of the palace is looking, they say, poor 106 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:03.560 little throne boy, who is happy and gay. So why 107 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:06.399 don't you try, my little sir man, to wait on 108 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:10.319 the throne the best that you can. I think I'd 109 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:13.240 like that, thought Jimmy, and he ran around to the 110 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:15.680 rear of the castle to peep into the kitchen door, 111 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:19.600 But the cooks were far too busy to notice him, 112 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:22.639 for it was a feast day and there were over 113 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:26.160 forty lambs to be roasted. So he entered a side door, 114 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:29.720 passing from room to room until all of a sudden 115 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:32.360 he stubbed his toe on a gold nail in the floor, 116 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:35.759 when out jumped a man from behind the velvet curtain 117 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:40.639 twenty feet long. He had three feathers in his cap, 118 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:44.079 and as Jimmy didn't know his real name, he called 119 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:48.680 him mister three feathers. They tell me the king is 120 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:52.680 looking for a throne boy. Mister three feathers, said Jimmy politely, 121 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:57.560 an angry flush overspread the man's face. Is the king 122 00:07:57.639 --> 00:08:00.959 looking for a throne boy? Mister three feathers, I would 123 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:04.279 like to be a throne boy? Now. The man was 124 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:08.079 so angry at being called mister three feathers that he 125 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:11.279 took little Jimmy by the collar and began running him 126 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:14.120 out of the castle. But just then a man with 127 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:17.639 forefeathers called out, what are you doing with the boy? 128 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:21.800 What does he want? He hushes to be a throne boy, 129 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:27.720 answered mister three feathers. Well, said mister forefeathers, Why turn 130 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:31.199 him away? Don't you know that we need a throne boy? 131 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:34.559 He might just tickle the fancy of the king. He 132 00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:37.159 then led Jimmy to the King, who was seated on 133 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:41.559 his beautiful crimson throne. No sooner did his Royal Highness 134 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:45.360 see Jimmy than he began to smile. Have you brought 135 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:48.559 me a throne boy? He asked mister forefeathers For the 136 00:08:48.679 --> 00:08:51.440 King was a very bright man and could read people's 137 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:55.639 thoughts before they could speak them. Yes, your Highness, answered 138 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:59.600 mister Forefeathers. So Jimmy was hired to be the throne boy, 139 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:05.080 and was given a beautiful court dress with little gold slippers. 140 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:06.799 End of chapter. 141 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:16.639 One Chapter two of The Magic Umbrella. This is a 142 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:20.679 LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. 143 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:26.440 For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. 144 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:32.120 Read by Jonathan Kirk. The Magic Umbrella by David Cory, 145 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:37.279 A long journey. It was Jimmy's duty to take care 146 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:40.559 of the ornaments which adorned the throne. He rubbed the 147 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:44.759 golden candlesticks, and dusted the ivory steps, and beat the 148 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:49.120 purple cushions. But every morning, before he did all these things, 149 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:53.039 he had to dip his hands in perfumed water. The 150 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:55.639 King was so pleased with the way he did his 151 00:09:55.679 --> 00:10:00.000 work that every week he gave him a gold piece. 152 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:03.000 And and after a while Jimmy had so many gold 153 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:06.440 pieces that he said to the King one day, where 154 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:10.159 shall I put my gold pieces? Whereupon the King gave 155 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:13.559 him an ivory spade and an apple tree in his 156 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:17.159 own private garden, under which he might dig a hole 157 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:21.360 for his gold pieces. When evening came and his work 158 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:24.720 was done, Jimmy would sit under the tree and sing 159 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:29.559 to himself, for of course he grew very lonely at times. 160 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:33.080 But he said to himself that someday he would take 161 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:35.919 all his money and go back to his dear mother 162 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:39.720 and buy a pretty little house in which he and 163 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:44.480 she would live for the rest of their lives. One day, 164 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:47.559 after Jimmy had lived for several years in the palace, 165 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:51.159 the King said, as I find that you are one 166 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:54.200 to be trusted, I shall employ you to go on 167 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:57.200 a long journey. As soon as Jimmy was ready to 168 00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:59.759 take the long journey, the king summoned him to the 169 00:10:59.799 --> 00:11:03.639 throat and said, you see this letter. It must be 170 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:08.320 taken to the great governor Gioriando. Where he lives, I 171 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:12.600 do not know, but you must find that out for yourself. 172 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:16.679 The letter was very square and large, and sealed with 173 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:20.519 a great deal of red sealing wax. Put this letter 174 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:24.720 inside your inner vest and button it tight, said the king. 175 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:29.840 You see it is marked private, And then, wishing Jimmy 176 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:33.039 good luck, he waved him away with his royal right hand, 177 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:36.799 on which he had twelve rings, three on each finger. 178 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:41.200 After traveling a long way, Jimmy came to a sandy 179 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:45.000 desert across which were no paths and no one to 180 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:47.840 point out the road. And it happened that he came 181 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:50.679 out on the wrong side of the desert, where he 182 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:54.399 met a soldier clad in armor with tall, waving plumes. 183 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:58.440 Can you tell me where the great Governor Goriando lives? 184 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:03.080 Asked Jimmy. No, I can't tell you, answered the soldier, 185 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:06.639 but I have heard of him. Just then a trumpet 186 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:11.279 sounded and the soldier hurried away. Well after that, Jimmy 187 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:14.879 walked the country up and down, asking all the people, 188 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:18.200 can you tell me where the great governor Jorando lives? 189 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:22.039 And some turned away, and some just stroked their faces 190 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:26.720 and smiled. At last, Jimmy grew weary of wandering about. 191 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:29.879 In one day, as he was passing through a field, 192 00:12:30.440 --> 00:12:33.799 he threw himself down to rest against a haycock, when 193 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:36.799 all of a sudden, up jumped a pale looking man 194 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:40.120 on one arm. He carried a basket with the cover 195 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:45.200 tied down. Are you very tired, he asked? Yes, very, 196 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:48.960 answered Jimmy. Can you tell me where the great Governor 197 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:53.399 Jorando lives? The traveler shook his head, and, sitting down, 198 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:56.200 began to talk in a friendly way. He was a 199 00:12:56.279 --> 00:13:00.559 sad man with a low and sorrowful voice. Even when 200 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:05.120 Jimmy whistled a merry air, the stranger remained sad. After 201 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:08.720 a time, he said, what do you say, little man, 202 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:12.000 since you do not know where to go? Will you 203 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:17.120 go with me? With all my heart? Answered Jimmy. So 204 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:20.440 off they started, Jimmy to deliver the letter from the 205 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:24.519 king to the great Governor Jorando. And the stranger, well, 206 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:27.120 I can't tell you yet what he was going to do, 207 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:31.159 but you will soon find out. After traveling together for 208 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:36.399 many days, along highways and byways, by banks of little brooks, 209 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:39.799 and through little pleasant woods, where birds sang and the 210 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:43.720 leaves rustled in the breeze, meeting no one, not even 211 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:48.000 a little fairy nor a dwarf. At last, one evening, 212 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:51.120 just as the moon was rising, they came to a 213 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:54.240 steep hill, on the top of which stood a great 214 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:59.159 white rock. It was very large and high and smooth, 215 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:03.799 and on one part was carved in big letters white Horse. 216 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:07.080 So they stood by this rock and looked down into 217 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:10.759 the valley where lay a large city, bright and beautiful 218 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:14.120 in the moonlight. On one side were piled up the 219 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:17.840 dark mountains, and on the other side was the wide sea. 220 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:22.080 The stranger stood very still with his arms folded for 221 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:26.759 a long time. At last, turning to little Jimmy, he said, 222 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:30.960 what do you think I have something to tell? Will 223 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:35.919 you listen? Gladly answered Jimmy, for he felt sorry for 224 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:39.919 the strange, sad man. Then the stranger, pointing to a 225 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:43.399 spot just outside the city, asked, do you see those 226 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:48.039 turrets which point up so high among the green trees. Yes, 227 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:52.519 answered Jimmy, I see the turrets. They belonged to a 228 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:56.919 grand old castle, went on the man, and in that 229 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:00.840 castle dwell a noble old couple who have lived their 230 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:05.840 lives there very happily for more than fifty years. When 231 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:09.919 the fiftieth year came around, they said, let us celebrate 232 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:13.840 our golden wedding, and since it falls on Christmas, we 233 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:18.279 will have for our grandchildren a golden Christmas tree, and 234 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:22.440 all the presents shall be of pure gold. So they 235 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:27.399 bought of a countryman a fine green fir tree, quite tall, 236 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:31.799 because the walls were so high. Very soon came the 237 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:35.559 joyful Christmas Eve, and not an old couple in the 238 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:39.919 kingdom were so happy as they not one little grandchild 239 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:43.720 was missing at their golden wedding. It was a happy sight. 240 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:48.000 The grandmother was dressed in a velvet gown and a 241 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:51.679 feather in her turban, and her face was smiling all over. 242 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:56.279 The grandfather had his arms full of little children and 243 00:15:56.480 --> 00:16:00.679 sang and laughed and wiped the happy tears from his eyes. 244 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:05.399 Are you listening, little man, asked the traveler, brushing away 245 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:10.200 a tear. Yes, answered Jimmy, I'm listening. Please tell the 246 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:14.279 rest I will, said the traveler. I have made up 247 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:18.000 my mind to tell the rest, and I shall tell it. 248 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:22.039 Just then, Jimmy thought, he felt the great white stone 249 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:27.159 move ever so little. After a pause, the strange sad 250 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:30.639 man said, let me think, where did I leave off? 251 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:31.879 Oh? 252 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:35.799 Yes, it was Christmas Eve. And two of the mothers 253 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:37.799 went up in the room in which the tree had 254 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:41.279 been placed, to hang upon at the presence and to 255 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:45.200 light the candles, And oh soon it was a dazzling 256 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:55.080 sight to behold. There were bracelets, coronets, charms, watches, lockets, clasps, rings, vases, 257 00:16:55.399 --> 00:17:01.159 buckles all made of gold and long golden chain, and 258 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:04.599 the light from the candles sparkled on them, and the 259 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:07.839 great room of the stately old castle was as bright 260 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:12.799 and even brighter than day. And after that was finished, 261 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:16.480 the two mothers went up to the grand banquet hall 262 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:20.799 to see that nothing was lacking for the golden wedding feast, 263 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:24.880 leaving the tree with all its golden presence in the 264 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:29.079 care of a servant whom they fully trusted, for he 265 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:32.640 had been their servant a long time, and they had 266 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:37.079 been very kind to him. Again, the strange sad man 267 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:41.400 paused in his story, and, bowing his head, remained silent 268 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:46.160 for some time. When he spoke again, Jimmy thought that 269 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:50.440 his voice was lower and sadder than before. And that 270 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:56.119 servant went on the strange sad man, that servant whom 271 00:17:56.160 --> 00:18:00.799 they trusted. When he was left alone there, thought to himself, 272 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:05.440 how many fine clothes all these would buy? How many 273 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:09.920 good things to eat? And a coach and horses. Besides, 274 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:14.000 if I only had them for my own and was 275 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:19.039 far away from here, then I should be happy. And now, 276 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:23.200 what do you think? He took all those golden things, 277 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:25.880 and when the doors were thrown open, and the people 278 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:28.839 came in haste to see the golden Christmas Tree in 279 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:34.960 all its glory. Why those presents were miles away among 280 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:39.519 yonder mountains, and the wicked Robber was looking for a 281 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:56.039 place to bury them in end of chapter two. 282 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:55.160 Chapter three of The Magic Umbrella. This is a LibriVox recording. 283 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:59.440 All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more 284 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:05.079 information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Read 285 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:10.440 by Christina Muschado, The Magic Umbrella by David Cory, the 286 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:15.319 Raven Jimmy started back and held on to his gold pieces. 287 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:18.319 As the strange sad Man came to this part of 288 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:22.160 his story, he began walking backwards and forwards, and at 289 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:26.039 every turn he came a little nearer Jimmy. At last 290 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:29.720 he came close up, and, stooping over, whispered. 291 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:32.279 I myself am that wicked robber. 292 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:36.920 When Jimmy heard that, he started back, thinking about the 293 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:39.759 gold pieces and the leather bag which hung about his neck, 294 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:41.960 and he put his hand up to where they hung. 295 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:45.960 And this made the sad eyed man smile, although it 296 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:49.599 was only a little ghost of a smile. Don't be afraid, 297 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:52.519 he said, I know you have something of value there 298 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:56.000 because you raise your hand to it so often, don't 299 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:58.400 you know that's the very way to let your secret 300 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:01.400 be known. But i'd don't want your gold. I'm sick 301 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:04.119 of gold. I want you to hear the rest of 302 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:07.720 my story. And he went on to tell how he 303 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:10.839 had buried them in a low secret valley, and then 304 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:14.880 wandering about among the mountains, had never again dared to 305 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:20.519 show his face. But one day, said the strange sad man, 306 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:25.720 looking at Jimmy very sorrowfully. I sat down besides a 307 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:28.920 little fir tree, and maybe I fell asleep, for I 308 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:33.480 was very tired. But anyway, I heard the little fir 309 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:38.920 tree singing these words. Here on God's mountain, close under 310 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:43.079 the stars. I'm striving to grow big and tall. I 311 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:46.480 mind not the heat of the fierce summer sun, nor 312 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:50.400 the snow and the wild wintry squall. For I've just 313 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:54.559 one plan, and that is to be a beautiful, wonderful 314 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:59.599 Christmas tree. And now what do you think? Shall I 315 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:02.759 tell you what is in this basket? All those golden 316 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:06.000 things are here. For as soon as that little fir 317 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:09.079 tree ended its song, I went to that low secret 318 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:12.359 valley and dug up all those golden presents, and I 319 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.160 said to myself, I will return them to their owner. 320 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:19.720 And now the castle stands before me, but I cannot 321 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:21.839 meet those old people who are so good to me. 322 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:24.720 Do you know why I asked you to travel with me, 323 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:27.960 to bring you here, so that I might show you 324 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:31.160 the castle and beg you to give these golden presents 325 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:34.279 into the Baron's own hands, and to tell him all 326 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:37.519 that I have told to you. And as the strange 327 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:40.880 sad man finished speaking, he handed the basket to Jimmy 328 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:43.839 and pointed to a tall fir tree that grew near by. 329 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:48.160 There stands the fir tree. It has now grown and 330 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:51.759 will make a beautiful Christmas tree. Tell the Baron how 331 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:55.359 it wishes to be a Christmas tree. Suddenly, as the 332 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:58.240 strange sad Man leaned on to a great white rock, 333 00:21:58.640 --> 00:22:02.960 it changed into a white horse with wonderful wings, which 334 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:07.720 slowly bore upward, carrying away the sad strange man, until 335 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:11.759 they were both lost in sight amid the clouds. In 336 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:16.440 wonder and amazement, little Jimmy gazed into the sky. Then, 337 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:19.880 being very tired, he lay down in a sheltered spot 338 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:22.519 and slept till morning, when he set out for the castle. 339 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:26.200 On reaching the garden in which stood the beautiful building, 340 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:29.880 he set his basket down by a little fountain. As 341 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:32.839 he bent over to drink of the clear, sparkling water. 342 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:36.119 Along came the high and mighty steward of the castle, 343 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:39.799 all dressed out in gold lace and ruffles. On seeing 344 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:42.960 the basket, he lifted the cover with his silver pointed cane. 345 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:48.200 Don't meddle with that, sir, cried Jimmy. Indeed, I will 346 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:51.680 meddle with it, answered the gold lace steward, seeing that 347 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:54.279 all of these golden things were marked with the crest 348 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:57.119 of the family. Although Jimmy began to tell where he 349 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:59.359 had gotten them and what he was going to do 350 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:01.960 with them, the steward only laughed and said, hush your 351 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:06.839 silly tale. You think anybody will believe that. Then, after 352 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:10.000 searching Jimmy, he took away his bag of gold pieces 353 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:12.400 and the letter marked private, and shut him up in 354 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:16.240 a cell. But when the baron returned, he said to 355 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:20.079 his steward, let me see this boy. After listening to 356 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:23.279 Jimmy's story, the old baron was very happy to know 357 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:26.319 that the strange sad man had repented of his bad deed, 358 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:29.720 and he promised Jimmy that when Christmas came, he would 359 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:32.200 have the fir tree brought in and decked with candles 360 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:36.720 and presents. Suddenly Jimmy remembered the letter marked private, which 361 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:39.880 the king had given him. Turning to the Baron, he asked, 362 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:43.480 can you tell me where the Great Governor Gioriando lives? 363 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:46.119 I have a letter for him. Of course I can, 364 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:49.920 replied the Baron. He's my son, and at once he 365 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:52.359 gave orders that a messenger be sent with the letter 366 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:55.720 to the Great Governor. Then, returning the bag of gold 367 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:58.759 to Jimmy, he kindly invited him to remain over night 368 00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:03.680 at the castle. About midnight, as Jimmy lay asleep, he 369 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:06.880 was awakened by a gentle tapping on the window. No 370 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:09.680 sooner had he opened it than in fluttered a raven. 371 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:12.799 I have brought you a cone from the fir tree 372 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:15.759 on the mountain side, said the bird in a hoarse whisper. 373 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:19.079 Jimmy noticed that it was fitted with a little cover, 374 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:22.640 beneath which lay a gold ring wrapped in a piece 375 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:26.559 of paper, on which was written, where this ring twill 376 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:31.160 keep away evil? And when Christmas comes, remember the little 377 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:36.880 fir tree who longed to become a beautiful Christmas tree. Ah, 378 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:39.599 this is a happy ending to my journey for the king, 379 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:42.960 thought little Jimmy. The baron and his wife will have 380 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:46.279 their Christmas tree with all the golden presents, The fir 381 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:49.400 tree will have his wish, and the strange sad man 382 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:53.599 will be sorrowful no longer. And then with a happy smile, 383 00:24:53.920 --> 00:25:03.160 little Jimmy went to sleep. End of chapter three. 384 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:08.720 Chapter four of The Magic Umbrella. This is a LibriVox recording. 385 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:13.519 All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more 386 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:18.960 information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Read 387 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:24.319 by Unshrug The Magic Umbrella by David Cory Jolly Tom. 388 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:28.440 Early next morning, Jimmy set out once more in search 389 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:31.319 of new adventure, and by and bye he came to 390 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:33.960 a village where lived a man and wife who had 391 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:37.160 a very beautiful daughter. But oh, dear me, she was 392 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:39.880 so vain and proud of her good looks that she 393 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:42.839 never would help her parents, but sat all day long 394 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:45.599 by the window waiting for a prince to come by 395 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:48.799 and ask her to marry him. It seemed strange to 396 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:52.200 little Jimmy that one with so lovely a face. Should 397 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:55.000 not be sweet tempered, but think only of her looks, 398 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:58.160 leaving her old parents to do all the work while 399 00:25:58.200 --> 00:26:01.759 she sat idle looking at her face in the mirror. Well, 400 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:05.079 one day a prince came along and saw this pretty 401 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:09.200