The Never Bird

           ThelastsoundsPeterheardbeforehewasquitealonewerethemermaidsretiringonebyonetotheirbedchambersunderthesea.Hewastoofarawaytoheartheirdoorsshut;buteverydoorinthecoralcaveswheretheyliveringsatinybellwhenitopensorcloses(asinallthenicesthousesonthemainland),andheheardthebells.

           Steadilythewatersrosetilltheywerenibblingathisfeet;andtopassthetimeuntiltheymadetheirfinalgulp,hewatchedtheonlythingmovingonthelagoon.Hethoughtitwasapieceoffloatingpaper,perhapspartofthekite,andwonderedidlyhowlongitwouldtaketodriftashore.

           Presentlyhenoticedasanoddthingthatitwasundoubtedlyoutuponthelagoonwithsomedefinitepurpose,foritwasfightingthetide,andsometimeswinning;andwhenitwon,Peter,alwayssympathetictotheweakerside,couldnothelpclapping;itwassuchagallantpieceofpaper.

           Itwasnotreallyapieceofpaper;itwastheNeverbird,makingdesperateeffortstoreachPeteronhernest.Byworkingherwings,inawayshehadlearnedsincethenestfellintothewater,shewasabletosomeextenttoguideherstrangecraft,butbythetimePeterrecognisedhershewasveryexhausted.Shehadcometosavehim,togivehimhernest,thoughtherewereeggsinit.Iratherwonderatthebird,forthoughhehadbeennicetoher,hehadalsosometimestormentedher.Icansupposeonlythat,likeMrs.Darlingandtherestofthem,shewasmeltedbecausehehadallhisfirstteeth.