Snoutie and His Friends

“Yes, yes, I was – my unbearable little nephew Julienne ⁽¹⁰⁾,” answered Goose. “Unfortunately, he didn’t inherit anything good from his parents. For example, he never cleans his beak, saying that he prefers everything à la naturelle ⁽¹¹⁾.”

When it came time to leave, Goose untied his bow.

“This is for you, Michelle, in case you ever need to wrap a gift with a beautiful ribbon. I feel a little badly giving it away: a red bow ga-ga-ga-goes so well with my white feathers.”

And with these words, Goose handed the ribbon to Michelle.

“Oh, no, Goose, I couldn’t. It really does suit your white feathers,” objected Michelle, who understood perfectly well that Goose wanted it for himself. “You keep it.”

“How nice it is to be a guest at someone’s house,” said Snoutie on the way home, stroking his noticeably rounder tummy. “I feel so calm and relaxed right after lunch, even if I still feel slightly hungry when I leave the table.”

“Well I don’t think a feeling like that does anything to help the poetic process,” objected Goose. “Which reminds me: I didn’t even get the chance to work on my Ode today, and I still have to deliver the paper to Madame Partridge! She’s probably tired of waiting.”

Snoutie said goodbye to his Very Ceremonial Gift and bounced happily off down the path between the green hills that led to his house, singing one of his songs as he trotted along.

Notes to Chapter Two

Clafoutis⁽¹⁾ – from the French; a pie made of fruit or berries (usually cherries)

Tarte tatin⁽²⁾ – from the French; an upside-down apple pie

Profiterole⁽³⁾ – from the French; small pastry made from choux dough with a filling

Coiffeur⁽⁴⁾ – from the French; hair stylist

Charmant⁽⁵⁾ – from the French; charming, delightful

Magnifique⁽⁶⁾ – from the French; magnificent

“Flea Invasion!” ⁽⁷⁾ – from the French: Les poux arrivent!; literally: The fleas (or lice) are coming! Flea Invasion!” A sign that can be seen in the windows of French pharmacies, usually at the beginning of every school year.

Comme il faut⁽⁸⁾ – from the French; literally: as necessary, as proper (following certain fashionable trends)

Charme ancien⁽⁹⁾ – from the French; literally: charm of old times/things (for example, antique furniture)

Julienne⁽¹⁰⁾ – from the French; a dish, served either as a hot appetizer in a small pot or as a salad

À la naturelle⁽¹¹⁾ – from the French; something that has a genuine, natural appearance

CHAPTER THREE,

IN WHICH EVERYONE IS SURPRISED BY SNOUTIE’S DISCOVERY, A PUMPKIN TURNS INTO A LITTLE HOUSE, AND BALLOONS FLY OVER THE FOREST

It was a typical summer morning—the kind of calm, sunny, warm morning that does not promise any sort of adventure whatsoever. Snoutie was swinging on his swings, deep in thought. Butterflies fluttered gaily around the garden, and the fragrance of orange blossom and tea rose hung in the air. Snoutie was looking far off into the distance and wondering what kind of creatures lived beyond the Big Forest, where the sun was always shining and it could get quite hot.

“They are probably nothing like us,” he thought, trying to imagine exactly how they might look. “I wonder what they eat for breakfast. Does sorrel grow there, too? And what about the corn? Is it juicy?” he asked himself.

But here his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar smell that caused his mouth to water. His snunk trembled happily in anticipation of a delicious lunch. Snoutie jumped off the swings and bounced happily into the living room, expecting to find food spread out on the table. But, strangely enough, there was no food to be found. (Snoutie remembered that his parents weren’t even at home.) The pleasant smell had disappeared when Snoutie’s eyes landed on the calendar.

“Oh, of course, it’s Wednesday! Cabbage Day!” remembered Snoutie. “How could I have forgotten?” He sensed that the tasty smell was coming from the direction of the tall hill near the edge of the Forest, which was not very far away. “Royal Chef Rabbit is expecting everyone at his restaurant!” Snoutie looked excitedly at his watch, which was showing Almost Lunch Time, and happily started getting ready to go to the restaurant.