How the Calenderique Bird Beat Bouqui


house, every pillowcase, every burlap bag, every sheet was
made into bags; every basket was collected; and the whole
family started out with him.
 When the procession arrived at the birds' nest they filled
their bags and baskets, leaving one lone egg. They started
back home, but on the way Bouqui asked them to wait for
him. He went back, and picked up the lone egg. aIt's a
shame to leave it behind when it might be the most deli-
cious one of all.,
 cLeave one, no, so she can lay more,, Madame Bouqui
called to him.
 eBon, Ti-Chate for good measure,, he agreed.
 At sunrise the calenderique came to her nest to lay.
She thought she must have missed her direction, but she
looked for some signs and soon saw that she was not lost.
 But all her eggs except one had gone. She was sad
 indeed. She called to the birds and asked, aDid you see
 who came to my nest?)
 cNo, Commere Calenderique, they replied.
 Commere Calenderique rolled her big eyes and tears ran
 out of them.
 aSome one is trying to put an end to the calenderique
 race, mused the bird.
 She set out to the only spring in the country, where
 all living creatures had to go for water. She sat there and
 asked every animal and every human being who came for
 water.
 ,What have you eaten to make you thirsty?>