Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Heidi
    Heidi
    Heidi
    Ebook213 pages1 hour

    Heidi

    By Johanna Spyri

    4/5

    ()

    Switch to audiobook
    Read preview

    About this ebook

    A New Life in the Swiss Alps in this Children's Classic

    "I'll always say my prayers...and if God doesn't answer them at once I shall know it's because He's planning something better for me." — Johanna Spyri, Heidi

    Heidi is a classic novel for reading aloud or for independent readers. This novel by Johanna Spyri is about a girl named Heidi and her life with her grandfather in the mountains. Celebrating the way a child's love can transform a life, Heidi is a classic novel that should be a part of every childhood.
    This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This eBook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you’ll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can’t wait to hear what you have to say about it.

    Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher. Xist Publishing creates books for the touchscreen generation and is dedicated to helping everyone develop a lifetime love of reading, no matter what form it takes

      LanguageEnglish
      PublisherXist Publishing
      Release dateJun 8, 2015
      ISBN9781681950105
      Author

      Johanna Spyri

      Johanna Spyri was born in a small village called Hirzel, southeast of Zurich, Switzerland, on June 12, 1827, as the daughter of a country doctor. She went to school and was tutored at home, then studied languages and piano in Zürich. In 1852 she married lawyer Bernhard Spyri (1821-1884) and they had a son, Bernard (1855-1884). In 1871 Spyri started to write stories to raise money for refugees from the Franco-Prussian war, and her first full length story, Heidi, was published in 1881. She wrote many other stories and though some were successful, none of them matched Heidi for popularity or longevity. She died in Zurich on July 7, 1901.

      Read more from Johanna Spyri

      Related to Heidi

      Related ebooks

      Children's Classics For You

      View More
      View More

      Related podcast episodes

      Related articles

      • Article

        ‘Net Zero’ Is But Fantasy For The Time Being

        Aug 5, 2022

        The consequences of climate change are apparent throughout the world. There have been heatwaves across Europe, for instance, with temperatures in some regions soaring to record highs. Of course, enduring heatwaves and limited rainfall have major effe

        2 min read

      • Article

        ‘Our Diverse Businesses Are Our Strength’

        Jun 9, 2023

        Over the past few decades, most urban Indian families have been touched by the Godrej brand. From locks and safes to consumer products, electronics and real estate, the group has diversified into various businesses over the years. Helming the flagshi

        10 min read

      • Article

        My Brave Boy’s FINAL WISH

        Jun 23, 2021

        My Brave Boy’s FINAL WISH
        6 min read

      • Article

        Wednesday, January 27

        Dec 17, 2020

        IT’S EASY TO GO TO work or shop or do other activities and never let anyone know you are a Christian. Usually, folks will think you’re a nice person or a good employee, and you can just peacefully coexist through life that way. But that is not what J

        1 min read

      • Article

        Fighting The War Against Germs

        Nov 4, 2021

        Your skin and antimicrobial chemicals in your tears and saliva are your first line of defence against bacteria, fungi and viruses that cause harm. These microorganisms that can make you sick are known as pathogens. You also have an army of attack-rea

        2 min read

      • Article

        Top 5 Ways To Add Value

        Sep 29, 2021

        Top 5 Ways To Add Value
        5 min read

      • Article

        Focusing On Global Growth

        Nov 5, 2021

        Focusing On Global Growth
        2 min read

      • Article

        A Home For The Ages

        Mar 17, 2021

        A Home For The Ages
        3 min read

      • Article

        Shifting The Goalposts On Israel

        Nov 25, 2021

        A PARTHEID IS A horrible word. The preferred pronunciation — “aparthate” — sums it up rather well. Afrikaans for “separateness”, it was the system that classified South Africans by race and enabled the minority white population to repress the majorit

        3 min read

      • Article

        The GIRL WHO LISTENED with HER FEET

        Apr 1, 2020

        The GIRL WHO LISTENED with HER FEET
        5 min read

      • Article

        The Good Life

        Nov 25, 2021

        The Good Life
        4 min read

      • Article

        Learning Curve

        Sep 3, 2019

        Learning Curve
        3 min read

      • Article

        The Stuff Gap

        Nov 6, 2017

        The Stuff Gap
        4 min read

      • Article

        Kiwifruit: South Africa’s Golden Opportunity

        Feb 11, 2022

        If there is one ‘Made in China’ product that is exciting consumers the world over, it’s Chinese gooseberries, also known as kiwifruit. But perhaps it’s more accurate to say that the fruit originated in that country. While China may be the biggest pro

        5 min read

      • Article

        Seven Climate-change Myths

        Nov 19, 2021

        Seven Climate-change Myths
        1 min read

      • Article

        The World Outside

        May 4, 2021

        The World Outside
        1 min read

      • Article

        Business At The Summit

        Dec 24, 2022

        Birla Group patriarch Ghanshyam Das Birla, or GD as he’s often referred to, was one of the architects of India’s industrial growth. By the time GD was born, on April 5, 1894, the family was well established. Later, as a young man, he wanted to divers

        5 min read

      • Article

        Maye’s Day

        Sep 4, 2020

        Maye’s Day
        7 min read

      • Article

        Nesting Instincts

        Apr 8, 2021

        Nesting Instincts
        6 min read

      • Article

        ‘They Treated Us Like Animals’: Haitians Angry And In Despair At Being Deported From US

        Sep 26, 2021

        When Evens Delva waded across the Rio Grande with his wife and two daughters, he had dreams of starting a new life in Florida. But less than a week later, he and his family stepped on to the tarmac in Port-au-Prince, the sweltering and chaotic capita

        3 min read

      • Article

        The Princess Of Red Barns

        Aug 2, 2023

        The Princess Of Red Barns
        4 min read

      • Article

        Two Become One

        Nov 10, 2021

        Two Become One
        5 min read

      • Article

        From The Editor-in-chief

        Oct 15, 2022

        Bangalored. Coined sometime in the early years of the 21st century, the word used to mark out a unique Indian success. At the height of the outsourcing boom, an American would use the word to convey defeat in a long-distance economic competition. Ban

        4 min read

      • Article

        The BOSS

        Sep 22, 2021

        The BOSS
        2 min read

      • Article

        King Alfred And The Cakes

        Apr 1, 2022

        King Alfred And The Cakes
        2 min read

      Related categories

      Reviews for Heidi

      4/5

      1,534 ratings59 reviews

      What did you think?

      Tap to rate

      Review must be at least 10 words

      • 4/5
        After a recent trip to Switzerland, was motivated to re-read after about 50 years. - and it's amazing how much comes back to me. Even the names of the goats, the nasty Fraulein Rottenmeier...Reading it as an adult, it IS a tad saccharine and religious ; but it's not aimed at adults, and I loved it as a child.When orphaned Heidi is dumped on a curmudgeonly grandfather, living apart from the rest of the village on a mountain, the neighbours foresee her having a tough time. But the old man gradually unbends, and Heidi soon adores the outdoors life, helping goatherd Peter with the animals and visiting his blind grandmother. But then Heidi's aunt whisks back into their life, having found the child a 'situation' as companion to a well-to-do wheelchair-bound girl in Frankfurt...Much homesickness, a taking on board of the precepts of Christianity...and a successful ending for all.
      • 4/5
        Heidi by Johanna Spyri was written around 1880 and for this reason the wording is very old fashion and stiff to read. Yet, knowing the era the story is set in suits the formal writing. I found it easy to accept and even to ignore.Heidi is about a young girl who lives in the Swiss mountains. Everyone who meets her falls under her spell as she is a girl of innocence and loves helping people. Her loving nature and giving heart result in people depending on her more than they should.The story is well known by most people, as it was to me. What I didn’t know was that the book is heavily religious orientated. These days, a writer is warned to be subtle in the messages they wish to share with their audience. The messages within Heidi were not subtle! The messages are clear and strong, sometimes even a bit overpowering, but I didn't allow that to ruin the story."Give with a willing heart.""Remember God in all that you do and the reward will be greater than your wish."I’m glad I read the ebook for no other reason than the fact that I can now say I’ve read it. It was good to revisit a childhood story and discover new things within it.
      • 4/5
        I loved "Heidi" as a little girl and having just revisited it, it was still a sweet read. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful Swiss Alps, which I was lucky enough to visit last year.
      • 5/5
        My mother read Heidi to me when I was 5, and I reread it every year until I went to college.
      • 4/5
        Reread this as background reading for a trip to Switzerland. Yes, it's rather sickly sweet, and a bit heavy with God making all right, but I still enjoyed this tale of the irrepressibly good Heidi
      • 5/5
        I loved it, but then again - I have a high threshold for sentimental stories. Heidi’s innocence reminded me of Little Lord Fauntleroy. They change everything around them with their boldness and joy. They are kindred spirits. Both are helping to dig out the heart of gold thats buried deep inside a gruff, reclusive man. In Heidi’s case its Alm Uncle who lives in the mountains and who reluctantly have to raise orphaned Heidi all alone. This story also let me reflect upon the providence of God as it is one of the themes in the novel. The book is filled with “God-talk” - too preachy? Maybe. But somehow nothing beats the simple straightforward faith of a little child. The grandmother in Frankfurt teaches Heidi to pray and talks in length about God’s providence - and Heidi reflects several times upon it later in the book and talks to Alm Uncle and her friend Clara about it: “We must go on praying for everything, so that God may know we do not forget that it all comes from Him. If we forget God, then He lets us go our own way and we get into trouble; grandmamma told me so. And if He does not give us what we ask for we must not think that He has not heard us and leave off praying, but we must still pray and say, I am sure, dear God, that Thou art keeping something better for me, and I will not be unhappy, for I know that Thou wilt make everything right in the end”. Well, thanks Heidi. For your love of goats, flowers and for reading all those hymns for your blind grandmother and for bringing her soft white bread to eat and pillows so she can sleep. And for always praying as your grandmother in Frankfurt told you to - and for believing - even when God does not answer - that he is keeping something better for you.
      • 4/5
        I read this when I was a child and reread it recently. I hadn't realized the Christian sensibility; it turns out many of the books I read as a child had this perspective. But Spyri excels at describing the mountain and the natural settings, exquisitely.
      • 5/5
        I checked this book out from the library numerous times in my elementary school years. Something about the warm-hearted and spirited mountain girl Heidi always kept me running back to this book, though it was perhaps the beautiful descriptions of the mountains and the goats that most fascinated me - I had no trouble reading and then re-reading some of the best passages for hours on end. Finally bought my own copy a couple of years ago when walking through a used books store contemplating purchasing possibilities: I passed the children's section and Heidi jumped to mind, and, luckily, it was in stock. I read it again and found it every bit as enjoyable as I did when younger, though I find myself even more drawn to the outdoors imagery as opposed to the people than I did before. If the book has any fault, it is that its innocent-girl-changes-all-the-bitter-people-around-her story is a little too sweet, sometimes bordering on the preachy, and is, at times, almost laughable. But it's difficult to really hold this against the work, as it is rather a moral story for children. In that light it succeeds brilliantly. Any child that doesn't get to experience the simple joy that is Heidi is missing out on a treasure among books.
      • 4/5
        This was my first chapter book, which my dad read to me nightly as a seven year old because I could never get past the first chapter on my own. I remember liking it, but had no recollection of the plot beyond the fact that Heidi is a little Swiss girl. As it turns out, there's not much more to it.Rereading as an adult, I still enjoy the book, but it lacks the weight of great literature that accompanies some other children's classics. It is a simple moral tale and does a marvelous job of presenting the world through a child's eyes. Heidi seems to warm the heart of everyone she meets, and points to God as one who will do good to the faithful in His perfect timing. The message is saccharine but not cloying, and helped by the refreshing respite of descriptive detail provided about Heidi's Alpine home (and if you've ever visited Switzerland, you'll know that it is just as rejuvenating a place as Spyri claims). The characters at times could have been better fleshed out; you never find out why, for example, Heidi's grandfather has turned his back on the town, and though the heroine is equal parts ornery and adorable, she lacks the spunk of an Anne Shirley or a Jo March. However, this is a nice book to introduce children to rich descriptive language about places and not just about plot details or characterisation, and an adequate precursor to those beloved novels. Think of it as a fine Christmas dessert, to be enjoyed, in moderation, at a specific time in life, but not to be feasted on regularly, and you and your children will probably have as much fun with it as I did as a seven year old.
      • 4/5
        Heidi lives with her grandpa in his little wooden house, high up in the mountaines of Switzerland.One day her aunt comes and takes her to Frankfult. And then, Haidi met Clara,who has lost the use of her legs.This story is very famous in Japan. so, I watched many times on the TV when i was little.no matter i know this story well, i would enjoy this warm story.
      • 5/5
        Heartwarming tale lived up to my memories. Narrator Marnie MacAdams did a good job except for the voice of Frau Rottenmeier, which I didn't like.
      • 4/5
        I loved this book as a child, but now... Heidi is a little bit over the top in her 'high on life in the mountains' approach. Also, there is the strange scene where Peter must learn to read and is 'encouraged' by rhymes that tell him he'll be beaten or shipped off to the Hottentots if he doesn't succeed! Still worth reading, but... just the tiniest bit psycho, IMHO.
      • 4/5
        I liked this when I was a child. Now I'd find it a little to simple and wholesome.
      • 4/5
        I was actually surprised at how much the kids really enjoyed this book. This story has a very simple charm although for me I will have to say the charm was tainted a little when I read that it was supposedly autobiographical. It just seems wrong to paint yourself as a saint. But as a fictional character Heidi is the epitome of sweetness, light and charity. Even the antagonists in the story are very mild. Everything about this story was a little saccharine but apparently the kids enjoy that because they begged for more. Oh and the goats, we loved the German names of the goats!
      • 4/5
        This story is that a little Swiss girl Heidi goes to live with her grandfather (ancle Alp) His home is a little house on a mountain . He loves Heidi and he sometimes angry and feels sad .I think that almost of the people know this story and I have been looked anime on TV when I was a junior high scholl student . I like a cirtai scene that Clara was able to walk herself !! This is a wonderful surprise . If my best friend asks me help , I will work hard for my friend .
      • 4/5
        I loved this book in a way I could never love Little Women or Anne of Green Gables, and I have no idea why. I think something about it just appealed to me. However, the sequel is actually BETTER.
      • 5/5
        recommended for: girls of all agesI reread this story frequently as a girl. One of the most evocative and effectively descriptive books I’ve ever read. A wonderful story about a young girl who goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Loved the side story that takes place in town away from her grandfather as well. I always craved cheese and bread as I read the story, and there was nothing more satisfying than curling up with Heidi and some cheese & bread. When young, I didn’t understand that the goat cheese described in the book was different from the cow’s milk cheese I ate. (Now that I’m a long term vegan, I would no longer crave any animal procured cheese, but I think I’d still enjoy the story.) A worthy children’s classic. The sequels: Heidi Grows Up and Heidi’s Children were written by a different author – the original author’s translator. I enjoyed them, but they were not as pleasurable to read as Heidi.
      • 4/5
        That was pleasant. I had a mind to read Heidi ever since I saw the 1993 Disney film with Noley Thornton as Heidi and Jason Robards as her grandfather. Wonderful movie I watched several times (much better than the 1937 version, I'd say), but I never got around to reading the book in childhood. I recently figured it wasn't too late, so I got my hands on a copy. Glad I did (though there's not much accurate about the long-haired girl standing next to a pond or lake or something, on the cover of my copy. Should be a short-haired curly top on a mountain!)I found I liked the overall pacing of the 1993 movie better than the book, which seemed to have a lag in the middle, but then I learned that the book was originally published as two works. Knowing the second half of the story was originally a sequel explains the pacing, and I was surprised and buoyed by the God-lessons present in the book. Reading it answered some questions I had as a child when I watched the film, namely: "What's supposed to happen to Heidi in a few years though, since her grandfather is old?" The book did have an end or two that could be described as loose, and though the next volume of Heidi's story was not written by Spyri, and I wouldn't call myself the hugest fan of writers writing continuations to other people's stories, I'm tempted to check out the next book to see what's what in it, since it seems to be a pretty accepted sequel.Again I say, pleasant reading. Definitely a book I'd recommend for children--and maybe even other adults who didn't get around to reading it earlier, like me.
      • 5/5
        I first read this when I was 8, and have read it to/with my own daughters. This is a firm favourite and even now, it's part of my "comfort reading". I most recently read it again just before xmas after a bout of flu. Better than chicken soup!
      • 5/5
        A wonderfully written children's book that this "boomer" still loves to read.
      • 4/5
        So, okay, Heidi's one of those characters that're excessively perfect, but the story is captivating nonetheless. Heidi's creative, and her fun in the Alps was fun to read about. What I remember perhaps the most about this book was that she learned to read after she discovered the value of reading- that the letters held words and stories.
      • 5/5
        My copy of Heidi is actually a hardback with beautiful illustrations. I loved this book. Probably very unrealistic, with an overly idyllic picture of the setting -- but lovely all the same.
      • 5/5
        Beautiful- a classic, a simple story of a little girl growing up in the mountains.
      • 5/5
        Digital audiobook performed by Johanna Ward. 4.5**** This classic of children’s literature tells the story of Heidi, a young orphan girl who lives with her gruff grandfather up on a Swiss mountain. She befriends Peter, the goatherd, and becomes beloved by all the villagers. I’d seen the Shirley Temple movie about a million times when I was a child and absolutely loved it, but I had never read the book. It’s a wonderful story about a child who has lost much but relishes all that she has. She’s intelligent, open-minded, hind-hearted and has a great generosity of spirit. She comes across several mean-spirited (and downright nasty) people, but her cheerfulness wins over many people and she eventually prevails. I listened to the audio performed by Johanna Ward. She does a marvelous job, with clear diction and a pace that isn’t too fast for younger listeners to absorb.
      • 5/5
        Heidi, by Johanna Spyri, is one of my favourite books. It is heartwarming to read about Heidi’s sweet personality and how she brightens the lives of her grandfather, Clara, and so many others. I can easily imagine Heidi’s adventures in my mind, and find Heidi a very memorable story.
      • 4/5
        This book is famous story. Main character's name is Heidi.But true name is not Heidi, but Adelheid.She lives with her grandfather in his little wooden house. Miraculously,people often change when they meet little Heidi!!This story made me feel happy and moved me.Especially, when you are not fine, I want you to read this book!!
      • 5/5
        You can taste this novel. You can breathe it. You can feel the embraces of the grandfather and Peter's mother. Your own legs tingle as Clara's come to life and she begins to walk. Heidi may be just a shade on the corny side (and the movies are even worse), but Spyri's classic is uniquely alive, incredibly sensuous. You are genuinely thrilled when Heidi gets back to the mountains, genuinely moved when Clara walks and the reclusive grandfather is brought back into his community. A beauty.
      • 3/5
        Normally I have a very high tolerance for old-fashioned stories featuring unrealistically saccharine children; I'm very fond of A Little Princess, The Five Little Peppers, and the like. I have to say, though, Heidi exceeded my limits. Part of it is that I have a distinct dislike for preachy characters; Heidi gets religion partway through the book (for no reason other than that someone tells her to do so), and for the rest of the story is prone to breaking out in lectures about how good God is and how one must never forget to pray. It isn't so frequent that I couldn't have overlooked it, but I didn't find the rest of the story charming enough to make up for it. There's far too much telling rather than showing in the narration; aside from one cute interlude in the schoolroom, we are generally only informed that Heidi shakes up the Sesemann household and makes it more interesting and cheerful. Mostly what we are shown is Heidi moping around and bursting into tears because she's homesick for the Alps, and it's not terribly clear why most of the household seems to find her such a treasure. When she's in the Alps, she tends to be a bit of a broken record about how beautiful everything is or how she wants to do X to help Y/is going to do X to help Y/is so happy she got to do X to help Y; it gets extremely repetitive, even for a children's book. The other characters weren't any more interesting; Heidi's friend Peter is a sullen little thing who rarely does anything aside from get violently jealous whenever Heidi pays attention to someone else (to the point that it's vaguely disturbing), and the grandmother apparently exists only to be an object of pity. Heidi's grandfather is supposed to be a grouchy old man melted by the sheer force of Heidi's charisma, but seeing as this transformation takes place more or less five minutes after they're introduced, it's not terribly convincing; even the infamous Little Lord Fauntleroy pulled it off more gracefully. The Sesemanns don't get enough dialogue to be very interesting as individuals, aside from Fraulein Rottenmeier, who is intended to be unlikeable. I did like Sebastian the butler, but then I also kept accidentally replacing him with Sebastian from Black Butler in my mind's eye - which was a terribly entertaining thought, of course, but had little to do with the story as written. The plot is fairly meandering, and not enough really happens to compensate for the weak characters. (It did make me laugh once, though, when Heidi's Aunt Dete comes to the grandfather's hut in her floor-length, sweeping skirts and the narration points out that there are things on the floor of a goatherd's hut that do not belong in a dress.) The descriptions of the Alps were lovely, of course, and if all you're interested in is the scenery, go ahead. Otherwise, there are plenty of books about adorable, cheerful little girls spreading sweetness and light in their wake, and I'd choose a different one.
      • 3/5
        The best part of the books was that the grandfather opened his heart.
      • 4/5
        "Heidi". Can you believe I'm reading freakin' "Heidi"? Is that desperation, or what? Actually, I have to confess that lack of reading material doesn't figure into this. "Heidi" is on the list of books that my younger daughter has to read/have read to her for school. To be a good teacher, I figure I should read the literature the curriculum is foisting upon my kids. But whatever the motivation, I have perused "Heidi" and have to admit that I enjoyed it. I didn't think I was going to. I mean, I think that repeated exposure to "The Brady Bunch" in my formative years has permanently prejudiced me to "nice" stories and characters. So I was expecting "Heidi" to be a drag. It didn't start out so great. This book was originally written in German and the characters speak and act a bit off from what I'm used to. And the lead character was, as expected, a sweet, innocent little girl who spreads sunshine wherever she goes. But for some reason, that didn't annoy me so much. Maybe it was her way of innocently challenging the status quo, be it by tossing her fancy clothes aside when she got hot or by tweaking the ever restrictive Fraulein Rottenmeier. (love that name...) Or maybe it's that Heidi didn't manage to totally redeem the world--some sadness remained and some people resisted the child's charm. Whatever it was, by the end I was willingly reading the novel, wondering how it would all end. I even have to recommend that you check it out. You can always go watch "The Simpsons" later.--J.

      Book preview

      Heidi - Johanna Spyri

      place.

      WITH THE GRANDFATHER

      After Deta had disappeared, the Uncle sat down again on the bench, blowing big clouds of smoke out of his pipe. He did not speak, but kept his eyes fastened on the ground. In the meantime Heidi looked about her, and discovering the goat-shed, peeped in. Nothing could be seen inside. Searching for some more interesting thing, she saw the three old fir-trees behind the hut. Here the wind was roaring through the branches and the tree-tops were swaying to and fro. Heidi stood still to listen. After the wind had ceased somewhat, she walked round the hut back to her grandfather. She found him in exactly the same position, and planting herself in front of the old man, with arms folded behind her back, she gazed at him. The grandfather, looking up, saw the child standing motionless before him. What do you want to do now? he asked her.

      I want to see what's in the hut, replied Heidi.

      Come then, and with that the grandfather got up and entered the cottage.

      Take your things along, he commanded.

      I do not want them any more, answered Heidi.

      The old man, turning about, threw a penetrating glance at her. The child's black eyes were sparkling in expectation of all the things to come. She is not lacking in intelligence, he muttered to himself. Aloud he added: Why don't you need them any more?

      I want to go about like the light-footed goats!

      All right, you can; but fetch the things and we'll put them in the cupboard. The child obeyed the command. The old man now opened the door, and Heidi followed him into a fairly spacious room, which took in the entire expanse of the hut. In one corner stood a table and a chair, and in another the grandfather's bed. Across the room a large kettle was suspended over the hearth, and opposite to it a large door was sunk into the wall. This the grandfather opened. It was the cupboard, in which all his clothes were kept. In one shelf were a few shirts, socks and towels; on another a few plates, cups and glasses; and on the top shelf Heidi could see a round loaf of bread, some bacon and cheese. In this cupboard the grandfather kept everything that he needed for his subsistence. When he opened it, Heidi pushed her things as far behind the grandfather's clothes as she could reach. She did not want them found again in a hurry. After looking around attentively in the room, she asked, Where am I going to sleep, grandfather?

      Wherever you want to, he replied. That suited Heidi exactly. She peeped into all the corners of the room and looked at every little nook to find a cosy place to sleep. Beside the old man's bed she saw a ladder. Climbing up, she arrived at a hayloft, which was filled with fresh and fragrant hay. Through a tiny round window she could look far down into the valley.

      HERE A NEAT LITTLE BED WAS PREPAREDToList

      I want to sleep up here, Heidi called down. Oh, it is lovely here. Please come up, grandfather, and see it for yourself.

      I know it, sounded from below.

      I am making the bed now, the little girl called out again, while she ran busily to and fro. Oh, do come up and bring a sheet, grandfather, for every bed must have a sheet.

      Is that so? said the old man. After a while he opened the cupboard and rummaged around in it. At last he pulled out a long coarse cloth from under the shirts. It somewhat resembled a sheet, and with this he climbed up to the loft. Here a neat little bed was already prepared. On top the hay was heaped up high so that the head of the occupant would lie exactly opposite the window.

      The grandfather was well pleased with the arrangement. To prevent the hard floor from being felt, he made the couch twice as thick. Then he and Heidi together put the heavy sheet on, tucking the ends in well. Heidi looked thoughtfully at her fresh, new bed and said, Grandfather, we have forgotten something.

      What? he asked.

      I have no cover. When I go to bed I always creep in between the sheet and the cover.

      What shall we do if I haven't any? asked the grandfather.

      Never mind, I'll just take some more hay to cover me, Heidi reassured him, and was just going to the heap of hay when the old man stopped her.

      Just wait one minute, he said, and went down to his own bed. From it he took a large, heavy linen bag and brought it to the child.

      Isn't this better than hay? he asked.

      Heidi pulled the sack to and fro with all her might, but she could not unfold it, for it was too heavy for her little arms. The grandfather put the thick cover on the bed while Heidi watched him. After it was all done, she said: What a nice bed I have now, and what a splendid cover! I only wish the evening was here, that I might go to sleep in it.

      I think we might eat something first, said the grandfather. Don't you think so?

      Heidi had forgotten everything else in her interest for the bed; but when she was reminded of her dinner, she noticed how terribly hungry she really was. She had had only a piece of bread and a cup of thin coffee very early in the morning, before her long journey. Heidi said approvingly: I think we might, grandfather!

      Let's go down then, if we agree, said the old man, and followed close behind her. Going up to the fireplace, he pushed the big kettle aside and reached for a smaller one that was suspended on a chain. Then sitting down on a three-legged stool, he kindled a bright fire. When the kettle was boiling, the old man put a large piece of cheese on a long iron fork, and held it over the fire, turning it to and fro, till it was golden-brown on all sides. Heidi had watched him eagerly. Suddenly she ran to the cupboard. When her grandfather brought a pot and the toasted cheese to the table, he found it already nicely set with two plates and two knives and the bread in the middle. Heidi had seen the things in the cupboard and knew that they would be needed for the meal.

      I am glad to see that you can think for yourself, said the grandfather, while he put the cheese on top of the bread, but something is missing yet.

      Heidi saw the steaming pot and ran back to the cupboard in all haste. A single little bowl was on the shelf. That did not perplex Heidi though, for she saw two glasses standing behind. With those three things she returned to the table.

      You certainly can help yourself! Where shall you sit, though? asked the grandfather, who occupied the only chair himself, Heidi flew to the hearth, and bringing back the little stool, sat down on it.

      Now you have a seat, but it is much too low. In fact, you are too little to reach the table from my chair. Now you shall have something to eat at last! and with that the grandfather filled the little bowl with milk. Putting it on his chair, he pushed it as near to the stool as was possible, and in that way Heidi had a table before her. He commanded her to eat the large piece of bread and the slice of golden cheese. He sat down himself on a corner of the table and started his own dinner. Heidi drank without stopping, for she felt exceedingly thirsty after her long journey. Taking a long breath, she put down her little bowl.

      How do you like the milk? the grandfather asked her.

      I never tasted better, answered Heidi.

      Then you shall have more, and with that the grandfather filled the little bowl again. The little girl ate and drank with the greatest enjoyment. After she was through, both went out into the goat-shed. Here the old man busied himself, and Heidi watched him attentively while he was sweeping and putting down fresh straw for the goats to sleep on. Then he went to the little shop alongside and fashioned a high chair for Heidi, to the little girl's greatest amazement.

      What is this? asked the grandfather.

      This is a chair for me. I am sure of it because it is so high. How quickly it was made! said the child, full of admiration and wonder.

      She knows what is what and has her eyes on the right place, the grandfather said to himself, while he walked around the hut, fastening a nail or a loose board here and there. He wandered about with his hammer and nails, repairing whatever was in need of fixing. Heidi followed him at every step and watched the performance with great enjoyment and attention.

      At last the evening came. The old fir-trees were rustling and a mighty wind was roaring and howling through the tree-tops. Those sounds thrilled Heidi's heart and filled it with happiness and joy. She danced and jumped about under the trees, for those sounds made her feel as if a wonderful thing had happened to her. The grandfather stood under the door, watching her, when suddenly a shrill whistle was heard. Heidi stood still and the grandfather joined her outside. Down from the heights came one goat after another, with Peter in their midst. Uttering a cry of joy, Heidi ran into the middle of the flock, greeting her old friends. When they had all reached the hut, they stopped on their way and two beautiful slender goats came out of the herd, one of them white and the other brown. They came up to the grandfather, who held out some salt in his hands to them, as he did every night. Heidi tenderly caressed first one and then the other, seeming beside herself with

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1