'You know you'd never have been hatched at all if it hadn't been for mother wanting a carpet for us to walk on.' 'You needn't have walked so much or so hard!' said the bird, 'but come, dry that crystal tear, and I will relate to you the story of the Princess Zulieka, the Prince of Asia, and the magic carpet.' 'Relate away,' said Anthea--'I mean, please do.' 'The Princess Zulieka, fairest of royal ladies,' began the bird, 'had in her cradle been the subject of several enchantments.

Her grandmother had been in her day--' But what in her day Zulieka's grandmother had been was destined never to be revealed, for Cyril and Robert suddenly burst into the room, and on each brow were the traces of deep emotion.

On Cyril's pale brow stood beads of agitation and perspiration, and on the scarlet brow of Robert was a large black smear.
'What ails ye both ?' asked the Phoenix, and it added tartly that story-telling was quite impossible if people would come interrupting like that.
'Oh, do shut up, for any sake!' said Cyril, sinking into a chair.
Robert smoothed the ruffled golden feathers, adding kindly-- 'Squirrel doesn't mean to be a beast.

It's only that the MOST AWFUL thing has happened, and stories don't seem to matter so much.

Don't be cross.