Next moment there was a soft cracking sound; the egg burst in two, and out of it came a flame-coloured bird.

It rested a moment among the flames, and as it rested there the four children could see it growing bigger and bigger under their eyes.
Every mouth was a-gape, every eye a-goggle.
The bird rose in its nest of fire, stretched its wings, and flew out into the room.

It flew round and round, and round again, and where it passed the air was warm.

Then it perched on the fender.

The children looked at each other.