Short Stories » Birth and Infancy of Ourson

Birth and Infancy of Ourson

THREE months after the appearance of the toad and the cruel sentence of the fairy Furious, Agnella gave birth to a boy whom she named Ourson, as the fairy Drolette had commanded. Neither Agnella nor Passerose could decide if he was ugly or handsome for he was so hairy, so covered with long brown bristles, you could see nothing but his eyes and his mouth, and not even these unless he opened them.

If Agnella had not been his mother and if Passerose had not loved her like a sister, poor Ourson would have died from neglect for he was so frightful no one would have dared to touch him he would have been taken for a little cub and killed with pitchforks. But Agnella was his mother and her first movement was to embrace him lovingly and, bathed in tears, to exclaim :

"Poor little Ourson ! who can ever love you well enough to deliver you from this horrible curse? Alas! why will not the fairy permit me to make this exchange, which is allowed to another who may love you? No one can ever love you as I do."

Ourson did not reply to these endearments; he slept peacefully. Passerose wept also in sympathy with Agnella but she was not in the habit of afflicting herself for a long time on any occasion so she dried her eyes and said to Agnella :-

Dear queen, I am very certain that your dear son will be clothed but a short time with this villainous bear-skin and from this day I shall call him Prince Marvellous." "I beseech you not to do so," said the queen, anxiously; "you know that the fairies love to be obeyed."

Passerose took the child, clothed it in the linen that had been prepared for it and leaned over to embrace it but she pricked her lips against the rough bristles of Ourson and drew back precipitately.

"It will not be I who will embrace you frequently, my boy," said she, in a low voice ; "you prick like a real hedgehog."

It was Passerose, however, to whom Agnella gave the charge of the little Ourson. He had nothing of the bear but his skin: he was the sweetest-tempered, the most knowing, the most affectionate child that ever was seen. Passerose soon loved him with all her heart.

As Ourson grew up he was sometimes permitted to leave the farm. He was in no danger for no one knew him in the country. The children always ran away at his approach and the women repulsed him. Men avoided him they looked upon him as something accursed. Sometimes when Agnella went to market she put him on her donkey and took him with her and on those days she found more difficulty in selling her vegetables and cheese. The mothers fled from her, fearing that Ourson would come too near them.

Agnella wept often and vainly implored the fairy Drolette. Whenever a lark flew near her, hope was born in her breast. But the larks, alas, were real larks, fit only to make pies and not fairies in disguise.

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Birth And Infancy Of Ourson - Takeaway for Class 1,2,3

Ourson learned that being kind and helpful to others makes the world a better place.

Birth And Infancy Of Ourson - Takeaway for Class 4,5,6

Bravery and kindness can thrive even in unexpected places, as shown by the compassionate care given to the stranded baby bird, Ourson.

Birth And Infancy Of Ourson - Takeaway for Class 7,8,9

Changes in life, like moving to a new country, can be challenging but also offer exciting opportunities to learn and grow, as shown through the adventurous upbringing of Ourson.

3 Fun Facts

• Ourson was born with the appearance of a bear, but his mother never stopped loving him, seeing him as her precious child.
• Ourson had a friend named Violette, who was the daughter of a kind fairy and was very fond of him despite his unusual appearance.
• The fairy Rageuse gave Ourson the appearance of a bear as punishment for his father's kindness to others, but his true nature shone through his gentle heart.

Quiz for Class 1,2,3

• What did the mother do when the baby Ourson was born?
• Who took care of Ourson and helped him grow up?
• What animal is Ourson closely connected with in the story?

Quiz for Class 4,5,6

• What did the king and queen desire more than anything else before the birth of Ourson?
• How was Ourson different from other children when he was born?
• What was the special gift that Ourson received, and how did it affect his life?

Quiz for Class 7,8,9

• What special precaution did Temai take to ensure her husband would want to stay with her, despite her earlier concerns about him being bewitched by their neighbors?
• How did Temai's family honor the birth of their child during the celebration that took place?
• What significant changes did the villagers observe in Ourson as he grew older, setting him apart from other children?