Singing, whistling, and screaming, all the birds began to work. The brambles were removed, the stones thrown away, and the grass alone, green and tender, was left in the space they had chosen for the ball. The next day the Queen of the Birds was arrayed in the most beautiful dress imaginable. Escorted by her pages, she went to the house of Brother Tiger. Flattered by the visit of the Queen of the Birds, he vowed that he would go to the grand ball in the forest.
"I promise you a dance," said the Queen, smiling.
"Beautiful Queen," exclaimed Brother Tiger, "all the honor will be mine."
He could not sleep that night—not that he suffered from remorse for his crime, but because he was carried away by the graciousness of the great Queen of the Birds. The next morning Brother Tiger brushed his clothes, curled his mustache, and went to the spot where the grand ball was to be given. As soon as it was seen that he was coming, the Queen of the Birds exclaimed:
"Take your places for a quadrille, and let all dance with their heads under their wings. Music, play! trumpets, sound! and you, drums, beat! Whereupon, the orchestra began to play one of its most delightful airs for the dance:
"Tumpy, tumpy, tum-tum! Tum-tum, tum-tum! Tumpy, tumpy, tum-tum! Tum-tum ti!"
Then the Queen of the Birds flew and met Brother Tiger, and made him welcome.
"My dear friend, you are late!" she exclaimed. "The festivities have already begun."
"I trust your majesty will excuse me," said Brother Tiger, "my clock stopped during the night."
"That is nothing," said the Queen; "come!"
Oh, what a delicious feast! what fine music! Brother Tiger was dazzled.
"My Queen!" he exclaimed, "I am glad you thought of me. A ball like this at your court is a rare occurrence."
Long rows of birds stood facing each other, and birds of all degrees danced together.
After the quadrille the orchestra struck up a waltz, and the Queen courteously said to her guest:
Filled with pride the Tiger took his place by the side of the beautiful Queen of the Birds. Then the birds, all with their heads under their wings began to dance. Brother Tiger wanted to join in the first steps of the dance, but all of a sudden the Queen of the Birds called out to him: