The Straw Bed Was The Perfect Place To Sleep

 Peter, the goatherder, grinned at his new little friend. She was so funny. She had taken off all her clothes except her petticoat and was asking him so many questions it made his head spin. But he thought she was fun and cute and answered her questions as best he could. She wanted to know everything about his goats; how many and where they were going, and what he did with them once they got there. It had been a lonely life for Peter with only goats to not only herd, but to talk to.

Heidi had forgotten about her aunt Deta since she was having such a new and interesting adventure with Peter. However, soon she was reminded by the cross voice of her aunt when she had discovered her clothes and shoes and socks in a pile. Heidi had taken her clothes off and left them in a spot that was a good half hour's walk to collect them. Her aunt was so unhappy and told Heidi so in no uncertain words. After a moment Heidi's aunt offered Peter a nickel to gather Heidi's clothes. Even though he was late he was excited to have the extra money and scrambled down the mountain to get the clothes.

The rest of the trip up the mountain took about forty-five minutes. It was a steep climb, but to Heidi it was worth every minute. Overlooking the meadow she could see mountains and steep cliffs. She also saw an old man sitting on a bench with a pipe in his mouth. He had been watching the three visitors and the goats climb to where his home was.

Heidi walked over to him and said, "Hello, grandfather!" He took the child's hand and said, "What does this mean?" Heidi's aunt told the old man that Heidi was his granddaughter. She said that she was the daughter of his son whom had died almost four years ago.

True to his grouchy and mean reputation he shouted, "Take her away! I know nothing of caring for a child. She will cry and beg for you. And you, Peter, you are late with my goats. Get them now or...Peter saw the angy face and scurried to get the alm-uncle's goats.

Deta said, When the baby, Heidi, was left in my hands a few years ago I found a way. Now is my chance for a good job and I intend to take it!"

Oh this made Heidi's grandfather angry. He stood up and yelled, "Go then. Go on and don't come back.!"

Deta hurriedly said good-bye to Heidi and and started down the mountain. Well the people that told her not to leave Heidi with the old man, now yelled at her when she came down to the village. "How could you leave that child with that mean man?" Deta couldn't wait to get away from this mountain and nosy people. She would be so glad to move away and earn money. She soon would be on her way to Frankfurt.

Heidi decided to walk around the hut that her grandfather called home. Behind the hut were fir trees. The wind blew through them and made a marvelous sound that made Heidi so very happy. She went back to talk to the large and strange man she was now to live with. He said, "What do you want to do now?" She said, "I want to see where I will sleep at night." He said, "Alright, go in and see where you would like your bed. Bring your clothes with you."

Heidi picked up her clothes, socks, shoes, hat, coat, and a shawl. And looked around the inside of her new home. It was large inside. It had a fireplace, a table and only one chair, and a bed that her grandfather slept in.

"Give me your clothes and I will put them away. They will be there for you to wear tomorrow." "Oh, no. I don't want to wear them anymore." Her grandfather's big bushy eyebrows grew together to make almost one huge eyebrow. "And why is that?" he asked. "Because I want to be light footed like the goats," she laughed. For some reason the old man was pleased with her answer and showed her where to put her clothes. It was a very large and tall cupboard. It held towels, soap, food like bread and eggs, and also clean clothes.

As Heidi looked around she saw a ladder. She climbed up the ladder and much to her surprise she saw another whole room. It had fresh straw scattered about, it had a window, and most of all she felt fresh air from the fir trees. She could hear the birds chirping. She could hear the goats in their shed; she could see the wildflowers growing everywhere! She knew that this was the perfect place.

"Here, Grandfather. Here is where I want to sleep." For only being five years old she knew exactly how to gather the straw to make her a very comfortable bed. One thing was missing. She needed a sheet. "Grandfather, do you have a sheet for my bed? He chuckled and said, "Yes, I do. A pillow as well. Are you sure this is where you want to sleep?" She assured him it was and together they made a bedroom that Heidi just knew she would never want to leave.