We start with opening credits over a beautiful animation of the blue bird flying. The first name comes in like a star over the black screen with the silhouette of the flying bird cut out of it. The words pull in. The credits show various new age art style scenes with the bird continually flying through. We end with the bird flying through a snow storm and toward a Victorian hospital. The bird flies into a stain glass window and becomes a figure in the window. We then push into the window and through it to see a birds eye view inside a hospital.

INT HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT.

We look down at a bed with Penny, a young girl, lying there and her mother, DANA, kneeling by her. Behind Dana are two children, TYLTYL and MYTYL. Behind them is there mother.

DIANACome back to me little one.

TYLTYLWhat do I say to her?

MOMJust let her know you’re here. Let her know she has a friend and that you came to see her.

TYLTYLHi Penny. (He looks back at his mom. She urges him on) It’s Tyltyl. I came to see you. I Hope you get better soon.

DIANASee sweat heart. Your friend Tyltyl came to see you. Wasn’t that nice? (to Tyltyl and his mom) thank you.

EXT. THE HOUSE – DAY

A quick establishing shot of the kid’s home.

THE HOUSE – INT.

MYTYLTyltyl, why don’t you bring your bird so that Penny can see him again.

TYLTYLBecause it’s mine

MYTYLBut it used to be hers. They only sold it to you because they needed the money when Penny got sick.

TYLTYL

Yes, and now it’s mine.

MYTYLBut you hardly ever look at him anymore. He’s sad and misses Penny. She’s his mommy.

TYLTYLToo bad. It’s my bird. Mind your own business.

MOMIt’s time for bed kids. Say goodnight to the bird.

MYTYLBut we want to stay up for daddy.

MOMNo dear. He’ll be home late tonight. Now hurry to bed.

INT. KIDS BEDROOM

MYTYLMom, let’s give the blue bird to Penny.

MOMThat would be up to Tyltyl. It’s his bird now.

MYTYLBut, he’s selfish. Can’t you make him give the bird back?

MOMNo, we had an agreement. He worked hard to earn his money and he bought the bird. It’s his now. We won’t go back on our agreement.

MYTYLCan’t you make him be nice? I think if Penny sees her bird, maybe it will be like magic and she’ll get better.

MOMWell, perhaps, but it’s Tyltyl’s bird now. You can’t force someone to give. Kindness has to be a choice. If a gift doesn’t come from the heart, there’s no magic in it.

MYTYLMom, when will spring come?

MOMI don’t know dear. It should come soon. It has been an especially long winter this year.

MYTYLIt’s so cold. Where’s Tylette?

The mom puts a cat on the bed.

MOMHere he is. Now if he gets up and wants to leave, you let him. He likes to walk around at night. OK?

MYTYLOK mom, but I think he wants to stay with me tonight. He’s scared and I’m his mommy.

MOMOK, Goodnight sweetheart.

MYTYLGoodnight mommy.

(The mom tucks Mytyl in and gives her a hug and a kiss. TYLTYL comes into the room. He plays with the dog a bit.)

TYLTYLNight Tyvo.

MOMYou say goodnight to Tyvo and forget your mom.

TYLTYLNight mom.

(She gives him a hug and kiss goodnight and tucks him in. She blows out the light and leaves the room, closing the door.)

Insert close ups of items in the room, like the clock, the dog, the cat

MYTYLTyltyle

TYLTYLWhat?

MYTYLAre you awake?

TYLTYLOf course I am. How could I talk to you if I wasn’t?

MYTYLI think Tylette is scared.

(Suddenly the door knob begins to rattle)

TYLTYLSssh

(As they pretend to be asleep the big latch is seen to rise of itself, with a grating noise; the door half opens to admit a little old woman dressed in green with a red hood on her head. She is humpbacked and lame and near-sighted; her nose and chin meet; and she walks bent on a stick. The kids hide in their beds. She slowly walks over to them and begins to poke MYTLE with her cane. Tyltyl nervously lights a candle. He moves the light around and suddenly lands upon the face of the old had)

LIGHT (Old Lady)Eeeh

(Tyltyl screams and his scream blows the candle out. A handle lights another match. It’s Demeter lighting the candle now as Tyltyl trembles.)

TYLTYLWhat do you want?

DEMETERHave you the grass here that sings or the bird that is blue?

MYTYLWe have some grass, but it can't sing.

TYLTYLMytyl, don’t talk to the strange lady.

DEMETERAnd what about the bird that is blue; blue as a clear afternoon sky?

MYTYLTyltyl has a bird.

DEMETEROh?

TYLTYLBut I can't give it away.

DEMETERWhy not?

TYLTYLBecause it's mine.

DEMETERThat's a reason enough, no doubt. Where is the bird?

(He looks over at the cage and the lady follows his eyes.)

DEMETEROh.

(She leaves the room and comes back in with the bird. She holds up a candle to examine the bird.)

DEMETER(putting on her glasses to examine the bird)I don't want it; it's not blue enough. You will have to go and find me the one I want.

TYLTYLWhy me? I don't know where it is.

DEMETERNor do I. That's why you must look for it. I can do without the grass that sings, but I must absolutely have the blue bird. It's for my little girl, Princess Persephone, who is very ill. Look closely into my eyes.

(The old woman brings her eyes close to the kids and Persephone appears in the woman’s eyes lying in a bed of flowers. She looks like Penny.)

MYTYLTyltyl, she looks like Penny.

TYLTYLWhat's the matter with her?

DEMETERWe don't quite know; she wants to be happy. You don’t recognize me, do you?

TYLTYLWhy would we recognize you?

DEMETEROh, you are just as blind as I feared.

TYLTYLNo I’m not.

DEMETERUnderstand this; If Princess Persephone dies, there will be no more sunshine in the world. Spring will never come and the world will fall into cold darkness forever.

TYLTYLReally?

MYTYLOh Tyltyl, we must go find the blue bird!

DEMETERYou will have to start at once. I will give you a magic crown. It will allow you to see?

TYLTYLBut I can see very well.

THE FAIRY(suddenly angry)I tell you that you can't see! How do you see me? What do I look like? (An awkward silence from_ TYLTYL.) Well, answer me, will you? Perhaps you'll say I have a hump?

TYLTYL(in a conciliatory tone)No, no; It's not a big one.

THE FAIRYOh, yes, to look at you, any one would think it enormous. Have I a hook nose and have I lost one of my eyes?

TYLTYLOh, no, I wouldn’t say that. Who put it out?

DEMETER(growing more and more irritated)But it's not out! You wretched, impudent boy! It's much finer than the other; it's bigger and brighter and blue as the sky. Can’t you see the true nature of things?

TYLTYLI can see all that isn't hidden.

DEMETERBut you ought to see the rest with as little doubt! Human beings are very odd! They see nothing at all their whole life and they never suspect it. It’s only when they are lying on their death bed taking in their lasts breaths that suddenly their eyes open. Luckily, I always carry with me all that is wanted to give new light to dimmed eyes.

(She pulls a tiara out of her bag with a shiny jewel on it.)

DEMETERHere you are young man. Hold still so I can put it on you.

TYLTYLNo way! I’m not wearing that.

DEMETERVery well, then you, young lady.

(She puts the crown on Mytyl’s head.

MYTYLOh it’s so pretty.

DEMETERNow, if you turn the diamond just little clockwise, you will at once see even the inside of things: You see my dear, everything has a soul; fire, water, time and space, everything. Now, turn the diamond one turn and you shall see what I mean.

(MYTYL has no sooner turned the diamond than a sudden and wonderful change comes over everything. The old FAIRY alters then and there into a queen of marvelous beauty.)

MYTLEWow, you are beautiful.

DEMETERNow you see my true form. I am Demeter, the earthly matriarch, known by many as Mother Nature. Look around you. Everything is wonderful!

(Demeter leaves the room. The kids start following her and are stopped by th site of a man with a dopey smile where the dog used to be. It’s the dog in human form. The kids back up when they see him.)

MYTYL and TYLTYLDemeter! Mother Nature!

TYVOWhat what? Who’s there, what’s that. I protect the master. (turn to Tyltyl) Hey, there you are.

TYLTYLHere I am. Who are you? Why are you wearing my dog’s collar? What have you done with Tyvo?

TYVOOh, you’re so funny.

TYLTYLI’m not being funny. Where’s my dog?

TYVOHey, you can understand me! Oh, I love you!

(The kids scream and look at him as if they think he’s a crazy man. The dog jumps on the bed and holds out his hands.)

TYVOLook, look. It’s as if I have these; these ha, ha, haooo, ha. hands. That’s it. I’ve got hands.

(He runs over to his food. He sticks his face in the bowl and it doesn’t seem to work)

TYVOHey, hold still will ya? Don’t make me pounce you.

(The kids approach the man out of curiosity. He tries to eat his food, but his mouth won’t reach. The kids look on in horror thinking some strange man is trying to eat there dogs food.)

TYVOOh yea! I can use the hands to eat the food.

(He begins to dig in awkwardly grabbing and eating his food.)

TYVOOh yea, but today is a special day so today I get to do something special! Yes?! Today I get PEOPLE FOOD!

(He runs toward the kids and they run off screaming thinking he wants to eat them. He catches Tyltyl and puts his hands on his shoulders.)

TYVOYes, Yes OK? People food? People foood? Today I get people food.

(Tyvo tries to lick Tyltyl)

TYLTYLDemeter, help! He wants to eat me!

(Demeter laughs)

DEMETERDon't you see? It's the soul of Tyvo whom you have set free. Everything has a spirit and the diamond allows you to see those spirits.

TYLTYLEOh, Tyvo, it’s you!

THE DOGMy little god! My dear little god! Shall I do some of my tricks? Shall I beg? Shall I roll over?

(Mytyl begins to play with a yo-yo. The cat suddenly pounces on it and grabs at it.)

MYTYLOh, Tylette?

THE CAT(going up to MYTYL and putting out his hand to her, with much ceremony and circumspection)Good evening, Miss. How well you look!

(He takes her hand and he licks it. She pulls it away.)

MYTLEHey!

CATWhat?

MYTLEYou licked me!

CATYes, is that wrong? I’ve never gotten that reaction when I’ve licked you before.

MYTLEI’m sorry Tylette, that’s OK. You just seem so human now.

CATI will never be human.

DEMETERCome children. You can see the souls of everything!

(They go into the living room. They look closely into the fireplace.)

DEMETERLook, he’s dancing.

(They look closely at the fire. It turns into a dancing human figure who jumps out with great excitement. Demeter turns the faucet and droplets come out and rise. The droplets float up and drift over turning into a human water lady form.)

DEMETERFire and water, greet the children.

FIRE and WATERHello children.

WATERI am forever at the service of humans.

FIREExcept when you drown them.

WATERWhat?

FIREOh, nothing.

DEMETERCome, we have much to do. Get dressed children and we’ll be on our way.

EXT. FOREST - NIGHT

(The group is walking through the woods. Tyltyl picks up a stick and throws it. The dog runs to get it and brings it back with enthusiasm. Then Tyltyl pretends to throw it, but holds it behind his back and watches the dog run to get it and take a while to figure out Tyltyl still has it. He throws it again. The cat finds it on the ground, makes a devilish grin and throws it at the dog hitting him in the head. The dog comes after the cat angry.)

CATIt was an accident.

DOGI’m about to have an accident too.

CAT(he runs over to Mytyl for protection.)Mommy, I just wanted to play too. Now he’s scaring me.

TYLTYLTyvo, stop that.

(The cat sneaks away as Demeter goes to talk to everyone. We follow the cat and just hear Demeter in the background.)

DEMETERWe have little time for play. You must watch the dog carefully. Now children, I’ve just spoken to the ravens and it seems my sister Mother Night may have the blue bird in her vaults.

(The cat finds fire by a tree and talks to him)

THE CATWe ought to discuss the position in which we find ourselves.

(The cat sees the dog coming.)

THE CAT

I don’t want to speak too close to the dog. It's strange how I mistrust him. He had better not hear what I have to say to you.

FIREToo late, my friend.

(The DOG and WATER join the first group.)

DOGHey Fire!

(The cat rolls his eyes)

FIRELook, she's not brought her umbrella.

WATERWhat?

FIRENothing, nothing.

THE CATCome, don't let us quarrel; we have more important things to do? Our future is at stake. We must think of the fate of our race and the destiny of our children.

FIREThe Cat is right!

THE CATListen to me! All of us here present, Animals and Elements, possess a soul which humans do not yet know. That is why we retain a remnant of independence; but, if they posses the Blue Bird, they will know all, they will see all and we shall be completely at their mercy. This is what I have just learned from my old friend, Mother Night, who is also the guardian of the mysteries of Life. It is to our interest, therefore, at all costs to prevent the finding of that bird, even if we have to go so far as to endanger the lives of the children themselves.

THE DOGWhat? Just say that again, will you, to see if I heard right?

WATERExcuse me. Don’t quarrel. This is a serious moment. We must, above all things, decide what measures to adopt.

THE CATYes, we must decide what to do about the humans.

THE DOG

This is ridiculous! There are humans and that's all! We have to obey them and do as they tell us! That is the one and only fact! I recognize no one but them! Hurrah for humans! Humans for ever! In life or death, all for humans!

FIREI agree with the Dog. Go dog, bard for humans, bark for humans.

TYVOYes! Yes! Bark for humans! Ruff! Ruff! Bark for humans!

THE CAT (to the DOG)But at least give your reasons.

THE DOGThere are no reasons! I love them and that's enough! If you do anything against them, I will throttle you first and I will go and tell them everything.

WATER (intervening sweetly)Excuse me. Let us not embitter the discussion.... From a certain point of view, both of you are right. There is something to be said on both sides.

FIREYea, I agree with water. Tell them soppy.

THE CATAre we not, all of us, Water, Fire and Dog victims of a nameless tyranny? Do you remember the time when, before the coming of the despot, we wandered at liberty upon the face of the earth? Fire and Water were the sole masters of the world; and see what they have come to! As for us puny descendants of the great wild animals. . . Look out! Pretend to be doing nothing! I see Demeter coming. Mother Earth has taken sides with the humans; she is our worst enemy. Here they are.

Demeter, TYLTYL and MYTYL arrive

DEMETERWell? What is it? What are you doing in that corner? You look like conspirators.

THE CAT (hypocritically)That is just what I was saying to them, madam. I was encouraging them to do their duty bravely and conscientiously; unfortunately, the Dog kept on interrupting me.

THE DOGWhat's that? Just wait a bit I. . .

(He is about to leap upon the CAT, but TYLTYL foreseeing his intention, stops with a threatening gesture)

TYLTYLDown, Tyvo! Take care; and, if ever I catch you again.

THE DOGMy little god, you don't know, it was he who.

(TYLTYL gives another threatening look.)

DEMETERCome, that will do. There’s no time. We must continue on our journey. Follow me.

(All the characters follow her into the next scene.)

EXT. MYSTY FOREST - NIGHTA thick fog, from which stands out the trunk of a large oak, with a board nailed to it. A vague, milky, impenetrable light prevails_. TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL _are atthe foot of the oak_.

MYTYLThere’s a sign on that tree, but I can hardly read it. Wait, It says, "Land of Memory." (to Demeter) Land of Memory?

DEMETEROh, yes, it is a very special place.

MYTYLIt looks so creepy.

DEMETERIt is where the spirits of the dead live.

MYTYLYou mean ghosts?

DEMETERYes, if that’s what you wish to call them.

MYTYLOh, I don’t want to meet any ghosts.

DEMETERDon’t be afraid, child. The spirits of the dead are no more harmful than the living.

(She disappears into the dark.)

DEMETERGo in, they are waiting for you.

(The fog surrounds the children. They can no longer see Demeter.)

DEMETERYou have until midnight. I will leave you for two hours. Do not

stay past midnight. You must remember me and call my name before midnight and I will come.

TYLTYLMother Nature, wait. Where are you?

DEMETERDon’t be afraid children.

TYLTYL and MYTYL(ad lib) Mother Nature! Don’t leave us.

MYTYLI can’t see anything! I can't see my feet or my hands. I'm cold! I want to go home.

TYLTYLCome on, stop your crying.

(The mist begins to move; It grows thinner and lighter, disperses, evaporates. Soon, in a more and more transparent light, appears, an elderly man and woman. The kids are scared thinking they are seeing ghosts or zombies.)

MYTYLTyltyl.

(The dark figures get closer. Mytyl squeezes Tyltyl’s hand. The dark figures come into the light revealing an elderly man and woman.)

GRANDPA(ad lib)Look, it’s Mytyl and Tyltyl, They’ve come to see us.

GRANNYHave they really?

TYLTYL (suddenly recognizing them. Ad lib)Grandad! Granny!

MYTYL (clapping her hands. Ad lib)Yes! Yes! It’s them! It’s them!

TYLTYL and MYTYL (rushing up to them)Grandpa! Granny!

(The_ GRANDPARENTS and the CHILDREN exchange frantic embraces.)

GRANNY

How tall and strong you've grown, Tyltyl!

GRANDPAAnd Mytyl! Just look at her.

GRANNYWhy don't you come to see us oftener? It makes us so happy! It’s been months and months now that you've forgotten us.

TYLTYLWe couldn't, granny; and to-day it’s only because of the Fairy.

GrandpaFairy?

TYLTYLShe means Mother Nature.

MYTYLOh yes Granny and Granddad, it was wonderful. Mother Nature gave me this magic crown and now fire and water and even and and Tyvo and Tyelette and they all talk to us like real people Granny.

GRANDDADThey talk to you?

MYTYLOh yes Granddad with real true people words.

GRANNYOh that sounds precious. Tyvo is such a good dog.

MYTYLAnd Tylette too!

GRANNYWell, I never trusted that cat. You kids be careful. I think he’s up to no good.

GRANDDADDon’t be silly. He’s just a cat.

MYTYLYea, he’s a baby Granny.

GRANNYWell I don’t know. There’s just something dark in his eyes.

EXT. WOODS – NIGHT

(We see the cat duck behind a tree)

GRANNY V.O.

I just have a bad feeling about that cat.

EXT. PALACE OF NIGHT – NIGHT

(The cat makes his way through the trees. He then looks up to see the palace of night in the background. The camera then swoops around to show the palace. Thunder roars and lightning flashes.)

INT. THE PALACE OF NIGHT - NIGHT

A large and wonderful hall of an austere, rigid, metallic and sepulchral magnificence, giving the impression of a Greek temple with columns, architraves, flagstones and ornaments of black marble, gold and ebony. The hall is trapezium-shaped. Basalt steps, occupying almost the entire width, divide it into three successive stages, which rise gradually toward the back. On the right and left, between the columns, are doors of somber bronze. At the back, a monumental door of brass. The palace is lit only by a vague light that seems to emanate mainly from the brilliancy of the marble and the ebony. At the rise of the curtain, NIGHT, in the form of a very old woman, clad in long, black garments, is seated on the steps of the second stage between two children, of whom one, almost naked, like Cupid, is smiling in a deep sleep, while the other is standing up, motionless and veiled from head to foot. Lightning flashes.)

(The cat enters)

NIGHTCome forth child of darkness. What ales you?

(The cat comes out from the shadows.)

THE CATOur secret is at stake! It's the beginning of the end! I have managed to escape for a moment to warn you; but I greatly fear that there is nothing to be done.

NIGHTWhy? What has happened?

THE CATI have told you of Tyltyl and Mytyl, the woodcutter's children, and of the magic diamond. Well, they will be coming here to find the Blue Bird.

NIGHTThey don’t have it yet?

THE CATThey will have it soon, unless we perform some miracle. This is how the matter stands: Mother Nature, who is guiding them and betraying us all, for she has placed herself entirely on the side

of humans, has learned that the Blue Bird, the real one, the only one that can live in the light of day, is hidden here, among the blue birds of the dreams that live on the rays of the moon and die as soon as they set eyes on the sun. She knows that she is forbidden to cross the threshold of your palace, but she will send the children; and, as you cannot prevent humans from opening doors of your secrets, I do not know how all this will end. In any case, if, unfortunately, they should lay their hands on the real Blue Bird, there would be nothing for us but to disappear.

NIGHTWhat times we live in! I never have a moment's peace. I cannot understand humans, these last few years. What are they aiming at? Must they absolutely know everything?

THE CATI know, Mother Night, I know, the times are hard and we are almost alone in our struggle against humans. I see only one way as they are children, we must give them such a fright that they will not dare to persist or to open the great door at the back. The secrets of the other caverns will be enough to distract their attention and terrify them.

Cross fade to.

EXT. LAND OF MEMORY – NIGHT

GRANNYWe are always here, waiting for a visit from those who are alive. They come so seldom! The last time you were here, let me see, when was it? It was on All-hallows, when the church-bells were ringing.

TYLTYLAll-hallows? We didn't go out that day, for we both had very bad colds.

GRANNYNo; but you thought of us.

TYLTYLYes.

GRANNYWell, every time you think of us, we wake up and see you again.

TYLTYLWhat, is it enough to think of you?

GRANDDADBut come, you know that.

TYLTYL

No, I didn't know.

(Church bells strike midnight)

TYLTYLWe’re late! Mother Nature expected us at a quarter to nine. It's extremely important. I'm off!

GRANDPAGoodness gracious, how tiresome the Living are, with all their business and excitement!

TYLTYLGood-bye, grandad. Good-bye, granny. Don't cry, granny; we will come back often.

(They hug and say goodbye. Then the kids start leaving.)

GRANNYCome back every day!

TYLTYLYes, yes; we will come back as often as we can.

MYTYLGood-bye! Good-bye!

(The grandparents fade off into the mist.)

TYLTYLDemeter!

MYTYLWhere is Demeter?

TYLTYLI don't know.

MYTYLOh Tyltyl! I think we’re too late.

(Demeter appears in the fog.)

DEMETERHurry children. There’s so little time now. The palace of night will disappear to the other end of the world soon. Climb the hill and at the top you will find a giant fortress.

MONTAGEWe see the children approaching the fortress. The dog runs in and joins them. Then we see their silhouettes trying to get up the hill. Then we see them pass along a cliff face and pass a cave.

Bats fly out of the cave. Mytyl screams. They help each other up onto the platform.

EXT. THE PALACE OF NIGHT - NIGHTThe cat comes from the fortress to greet them as Fire and water magically appear.)

THE CAT(rushing up to TYLTYL)

This way, little masters, this way.... I have told Night you are coming and she is delighted to see you.

INT. PALACE ENTRY HALL – NIGHTWe look from overhead seeing them enter.

INT. PALACE OF NIGHT – NIGHT

TYLTYLGood day, Mrs. Night.

NIGHT(She stirs slows as if waking up)

Good day? I am not used to that. You might say, Good-night, or, at least. Good evening.

TYLTYLI beg your pardon, ma'am. I did not know.

MYTYL(Pointing to the two CHILDREN)

Are those your two little children? They are very nice.

NIGHTThis is Sleep.

MYTYLAnd the other? Why does she veil her face? Is she ill? What is her name?

NIGHTThat is Sleep's sister. It is better not to mention her name. The Cat tells me that you have come here to look for the Blue Bird

TYLTYLYes, ma'am, will you tell me where he is?

NIGHTI don't know, dear. All I can say is that he is not here. I have never seen him.

TYLTYL

Demeter told me that he was here; and she knows what she is saying. Will you hand me your keys?

NIGHTBut you must understand, dear, that I cannot give my keys like that to just anyone. I have the keeping of all Nature's secrets and I am absolutely forbidden to deliver them to anybody, especially to a child.

TYLTYLYou have no right to refuse them to humans when they ask you for them. I knowthat.

NIGHTWho told you?

TYLTYLDemeter

NIGHTHow dare she, how dare she?

THE DOGShall I take them from her by force master?

TYLTYLHold your tongue, keep quiet and try to behave. (To_NIGHT) Come, madam, give me your keys, please.

NIGHTHave you the sign, at least? Where is it?

(TYLTYL pulls his sister forward to show the crown with the jewel. The diamond shines.)

’NIGHTSo it’s true. Well, then. Here is the key that opens all the doors of the hall. Look to yourself if you meet with a misfortune. I will not be responsible. Follow me.

INT. CAVE – NIGHTWe look at the group from overhead as they walk along.

MYTLEIs it dangerous?

NIGHTDangerous? I will go so far as to say that I myself do not know what I shall do when certain bronze doors open upon the abyss. All around the hall, in each of those basalt caves, are all the evils, all the plagues, all the sicknesses, all the terrors, all the catastrophes, all the mysteries that have afflicted life since

the beginning of the world.

(The groups walks through a door and into a large area over a lava pit.)

INT. LAVA PIT – NIGHT(There’s a red glow as soon as they enter the chamber. The group walks across a bridge and onto a floating bolder.)

WATERIn case of danger, which is the way of escape?

(Strange and fiery shadows are cast on Night’s face.)

NIGHTThere is no way of escape.

(The platform begins lowering. We see the platform lowering from overhead then from the distance with strange carvings in the foreground. Then overhead again as the platform nearly plunges into the lava pit, but suddenly a hole opens in the pit causing the lava to sink in and leaving a space to pass through. Characters look around as they are surrounded by a cascade of lava. We see there various reactions. Then we see the cascade from a distance as the platform stops by another bridge. The cascade thins out and eventually clears. The characters are led across another bridge. We see them from the distance and then overhead. Mytyl looks down. She watches a pebble fall into endless space. Night opens a full moon shaped door. The partial opening forms the shape of a crescent moon with a golden glow coming from the room behind.)

INT. VAULTS – NIGHTThe kids peek in. The room is a great hallway with giant bronze vault doors on either side. The ceiling is covered in a beautiful mural of night images or astrological scenes. Tyltyl goes up to a giant door.

TYLTYL(taking the key and climbing the first steps)Let us begin here.... What is behind this bronze door?

NIGHTIt's the Sicknesses. Just make sure they do not touch you. They are deadly, unclean spirits. Open if you wish.

(TYLTYL looks at night and then back at the door. He puts the key into the slot. The key lights up and sends streaks of light onto the door. The door opens. He enters and disappears into the fog.)

INT. SICKNESS VAULT - NIGHT

(It’s all just green fog. Then he starts to hear faint coughing sounds. Suddenly a leprous face.)

SICKNESSUnclean, unclean.

(They start appearing more and more behind him.)

SICKNESSESUnclean, unclean.

INT. VAULTS – NIGHTTyltyl comes out again immediately looking very disturbed. The door closes behind him.

TYLTYLThe Blue Bird is not there. They look very ill, those Sicknesses of yours. How can a person bare to live like that?

(He goes to the next door. Focus on Tyltyl with Night in the background.)

TYLTYLWhat’s in here?

(Rack focus to Night.

NIGHTTake care! It is the Wars. They are more terrible and powerful than ever. Heaven knows what would happen if one of them escaped! Fortunately, they are rather heavy and slow-moving. Take a rapid glance into the cavern, but be warned, there is unimaginable rage, pain and suffering within the vault.

(TYLTYL places the key in the slot. Door starts to open with fog and many colors bouncing off the fog and yelling and explosions.)

We see his shocked expression and colorful lights flashing on his face. He at once doubles his back against the side of the door, shouting).

TYLTYLQuick, shut the door!

(Fire bursts through the doorway as Tyltyl covers his ears. The door closes.)

TYLTYLThose things I saw. Those things, they can’t be real. People can’t be that horrible, that cruel. I’m sure they don’t have the bluebird in there.

NIGHT

You may be sure they haven't. If they had, they would eat him at once. Well, have you seen enough? Such horrors are not meant for the eyes of children. You will become old before your time. Stop now and remain an innocent child.

TYLTYLI must see everything. Demeter said so. Let us go to the next vault.

NIGHTIt will be worse if you go on.

TYLTYLAnd this one?... Is this terrible also?

NIGHTDo not open that one...

TYLTYLWhy not?

NIGHTBecause it's not allowed.

TYLTYLThen it's here that the Blue Bird is hidden; Demeter told me so.

NIGHTListen to me, child. I have been kind and indulgent. I have done for you what I have never done for any one before. I have given up all my secrets to you. I like you, I feel pity for your youth and innocence and I am speaking to you as a mother. Listen to me, my child, and believe me; relinquish your quest, go no further, do not tempt fate, do not open that door.

TYLTYLBut why?

NIGHTBecause I do not wish you to be lost and destroyed. Because not one of those, do you hear, not one of those who have opened it, were it but by a hair's breadth, has ever returned alive to the light of day. Brave soldiers who faced the wars you saw in the last vault peeked in only to have their brains melted by the sheer terror. Because every awful thing imaginable, because all the terrors, all the horrors of which men speak on earth are as nothing compared with the most harmless of those which assail a man from the moment when his eye lights upon the first threats of the abyss to which no one dares give a name. So much so that I myself, if you are bent, in spite of everything, upon touching that door, will ask you to wait until I have sought safety in my windowless tower. Now it is for you to know, for you to reflect.

THE CATYou are sacrificing the lives of all of us if you continue.

TYLTYLI must open the door.

(Mytyl grabs him and tries to stop him.)MYTYL

I won't!... I sha'n't let you!

TYLTYLTylette and Tyvo, take Mytyl and run away with her. I am going to open the door.

(Tylette pulls her away.)

(TYLTYL starts to puts his hand on the door and then pulls away. Again he cautiously puts his hand on the door. There’s a silent pause and then suddenly bang! Bang! Bang! He jumps back scared.)

NIGHTRun for your lives!

(She runs out the door and the others follow her.)

THE CATWait! Wait!

(They hide behind the door at the other end of the hall TYLTYLremains alone with the DOG by the monumental door. They grip hands.)

THE DOGI shall stay, I shall stay! I'm not afraid! I shall stay! I shall stay with my little god! I shall stay! I shall stay!

TYLTYLThat's right, Tylo, that's right! Now, steady!

(He places the key in the lock. The door lights up. The other characters peek from the doorway. A blue glow comes out. When it opens all the way n they see a beautiful glow in the dark garden bathed in nocturnal light, where, among stars and planets, illumining all that they touch, flying ceaselessly from jewel to jewel and from moonbeam to moonbeam, fairy-like blue birds hover perpetually and harmoniously down to the confines of the horizon, birds innumerable to the point of appearing to be the breath, the azured atmosphere, the very substance of the wonderful garden. We see a close up of the characters reaction and pull back to see the fantastic garden. They enter carefully.)(Everything starts glowing as they enter.)(They pass by giant mushrooms)

(The mushrooms tilt their head revealing faces underneath and then drop back down as they notice people coming.)(We look up from fish perspective on the dog and Tyltyl showing the ponds glow on their face.)(We see the glowing fish in the pond.)(We follow Tyltyl’s perspective as he looks from the pond to the waterfall and over to the blue trees.)(He looks carefully at the trees.)(The trees are covered in blue birds.)(Tyltyl realized what he’s seeing. He gets excited but stays silent. He pulls Tyvo over, gives him the quiet finger and points to the birds. Tyvo gets excited and Tyltyl reminds him to stay quiet with his finger.)

TYLTYLMytyl come quickly.

(Tyltyl points to the birds.)

MYTYLOh! Wow!

(Tyltyl puts his hand over her mouth.)(The birds start flying away.)

TYLTYLCatch them!

MYTYLThere are too many!

(The screen is covered in blue birds.)

TYLTYLMytyl where are you? So many blue wings!

MYTYLI’ve caught seven! I can’t hold them.

TYLTYLNor can I! I have too many of them! They're escaping! Tylo has some, too!

MYTYLThey will drag us with them! They will take us up to the sky!

TYLTYLWhere are you?

MYTYLOver here.

(Tyvo grabs Tyltyl’s hand.)

TYVOThis way master.

TYLTYLWhere’s Mytyl? We’ve lost Myty!

MYTYLTyltyl where are you?

(Tyltyl grabs Mytyl’s hand.)

TYLTYI’ve got her Tyvo.

TYVOThis way!

(They escape through a cave.) EXT. FOREST – NIGHT

Everyone comes up to Demeter with the birds they caught.

DEMETERWell, have you caught him?

TYLTYLYes, yes! As many as we wanted! There are thousands of them! Here they are! Do you see them?

(The kids look down to discover that the birds have crumbled into a blue powder that pours out of their hands.)(The kids look down utterly disappointed.)

MYTYLWhy, they are dead! What have we done to them? Oh, this is so bad? I am too unhappy!

(Demeter pulls the kids over to her.)

DEMETERDo not cry, my child. You did not catch the one that is able to live in broad daylight. He has gone elsewhere. We shall find him again.

(We cross fade to)

EXT. KNARLY FOREST – SUNSET

Old trees of various kinds with one really large scary tree. Up high in the big scary tree sits the blue bird.

.(The CAT enters alone and bows to the trees.)

CATTo all the trees here present, greetings! This is a great day. Our enemies are coming to set free your energies and to deliver themselves into your hands.

(rustling from the trees.)

CATIt is Tyltyl and Mytyl, the children of the wood-cutter, who have done you so much harm. They are seeking the Blue Bird, whom you have kept hidden from humans since the beginning of the world and who alone knows our secret.

(leaves rustling)

CAT They possess a diamond which has the virtue of setting free our spirits for a moment; he can compel us to hand over the Blue Bird and thenceforth we shall be definitely at there mercy.

(A murmuring in the leaves)

CATYes, they have the Dog with them; there is no keeping him away. Demeter is on the human's side; but she won't come. I made the children believe that they ought to steal away while she was asleep. There never was such an opportunity. Quiet, they are coming.

The kids and Tyvo enter the woods. The cat goes to greet them.

TYLTYLIs this the place?

THE CATAh, there you are, my little masters! All is going well. We shall have the Blue Bird tonight, I am sure. But why have you brought the Dog? I have told you he is on the worst terms with everybody, even the trees. I fear that his odious presence will spoil everything.

TYLTYLI could not get rid of him.

(The kids follow the cat and the DOG trails behind nervously.

TYLTYLGo away!

THE DOG

Why? What have I done?

TYLTYLI tell you, go away! We don't want you here and there's an end of it. You're a nuisance, there!

THE DOGI sha'n't say a word. I shall follow you at a distance. They sha'n't see me. Shall I beg?

THE CATDo you allow this disobedience? Hit him on the nose with your stick; he is really unbearable!

TYLTYLThere, that will teach you to be more obedient!

THE DOGOw! Ow! Ow!

TYLTYLWhat do you say?

THE DOGPlease, I’ll be good.

TYLTYLGo away!

MYTYLNo, no; I want him to stay. I’m afraid.

THE DOGOh, the dear little girl!

THE CATWhat an idiot! Well, we shall see!

(All four characters enter from behind the camera and approach the tree.)

CATLet us lose no time. Turn the diamond.

(MYTYL turns the Diamond. It shines. A long drawn out rustling shakes the leaves and branches.)(The trees turn into druid like figures with long robes and tree branches instead of hands.)(A face appears in the big knarly scary tree.)(The main characters look up in awe.)(Close up of Tyltyl looking up and noticing the blue bird.)(Tyltyl’s view of the blue bird perched on the giant tree.)

TYLTYLHe has the Blue Bird! Hey! Hey! Quick! Quick! Here! Give me the blue bird! Down here.

THE OAKSilence!

ALL TREESSilence!

THE OAKWho are you that enters my forest?

TYLTYLI am Tyltyl, sir. When can I have the Blue Bird?

THE OAKTyltyl, the wood-cutter's son?

TYLTYLYes, sir.

THE OAKYour father has done us much harm.

ALL TREESMuch harm!

THE OAKIn my family alone, he has put to death six hundred of my sons, four hundred and seventy-five uncles and aunts, twelve hundred cousins, three hundred and eighty daughters-in-law, and twelve thousand great-grandsons!

TYLTYLI know nothing about it, sir. He did not do it on purpose.

THE OAKWhat have you come here for; and why have awakened our souls?

TYLTYLI beg your pardon, sir, for disturbing you. The Cat said that you would tell us where the Blue Bird was.

THE OAKYes, I know that you are looking for the Blue Bird, that is to say, the great secret of things and of happiness, so that humans may make our servitude still harder.

TYLTYLOh, no, sir; it is for mother nature’s little girl, Princess Persephone. She is very ill and if she doesn’t get better, Spring will never come. . .

THE OAKEnough! Are you with me trees?

ALL TREESYes! We are with you! Yes! We are with you!

THE OAKOn the day when humans hear what we have done, what we are about to do, there will be terrible reprisals. It is right, therefore, that our agreement should be unanimous, so that our silence may be the same.

TREESWe are with you! We are with you!

THE OAKYou know, my brothers, the nature of our business. The child you see before you, thanks to a talisman stolen from the powers of Earth, is able to take possession of the Blue Bird and thus to snatch from us the secret which we have kept since the origin of life. Now we know enough of humans to entertain no doubt as to the fate which they reserve for us once they are in possession of this secret. That is why it seems to me that any hesitation would be both foolish and criminal. It is a serious moment; the children must be done away with before it is too late.

TYLTYLWhat is he saying?

THE DOGDo you see my teeth, you old cripple?

THE BEECHHe is insulting the Oak!

THE OAKIs that the Dog? Drive him out! We must suffer no traitors among us!

THE CATSend the Dog away. It's a misunderstanding. Leave it to me; I will arrange things. But send him away as quick as you can.

TYLTYLWill you be off!

THE DOGAll right, all right, I'm going. I'll come back when you want me.

THE CATIt would be a good thing to chain him up, or he will commit some folly; the Trees will be angry and all will end badly.

TYLTYLWhat can I do? I have lost his leash.

THE CATIvy will do the job just fine.

THE DOGI'll come back, I'll come back! It's the Cat who's at the bottom of all this!

THE CATYou see, he insults everybody.

TYLTYLYes, he is unbearable and one can't hear one's self speak.

(He turns behind him.)

TYLTYLMr. Ivy, will you tie him up, please?

THE DOGWhat am I to do, my little god?

TYLTYLLie down flat! Obey the Ivy. Let him bind you.

DOGThey mean mischief

(Ivy starts covering him.)

DOGTake care, my little god! Take care.

(He is stopped from talking by the ivy covering his mouth)

THE OAKWell, now that we are rid of this inconvenient witness, of this renegade, let us deliberate in accordance with justice and truth. I will not conceal from you the deep and painful nature of my emotion. This is the first time that it is given to us to judge humans and make them feel our power. I do not think that, after the harm which he has done us, after the monstrous injustice which we have suffered, there can remain the least doubt as to the sentence that awaits them.

ALL THE TREESDeath! Hanging! Death! Hanging!

TYLTYLWhat is he driving at?

(Mytyl and the cat start stepping back.)

THE CATI don't know what is the matter with them; but things are

beginning to look badly.

(The trees start moving in toward the children. They back up looking on scared and grab hands. TYLTYL takes his knife from his pocket.)

TYLTYLDon't be afraid! Stand behind me!

THE OAKYou can say your prayers; your last hour has come.

(The vines cover Mytyl while Tyltyl isn’t looking.

TYLTYLCome on! Just try.

(Tyltyl turns around.)

(He sees Mytyl looking scared but too covered in vines to scream.)(Vines overtake Tyltyl)(Cat subtext “What have I done/)(Extreme close up of Mytyl’s eyes getting overrun by vines.)(Mytyl holding the cats hand.)

THE OAKIt is done.

(The cat steps back in horror)(stepping back in horror and running off behind the tree.)

(The forest is quiet for a while.)

IVYI can’t hold him much longer!

(The vines start to bulge out until the dog breaks free totally ferocious and enraged)

THE OAKThe dog is loose. Stop him! Catch him!

(vine grabs him and he breaks free.)(They grab his arms and he breaks free.)(Three vines grab and he breaks free.)

THE DOG

alone against all of you! True to the gods, to the best, to the greatest!

(He breaks Tyltyl free.)

TyltylGood boy!

(Tyltyl breaks Mytyl free and helps her up.)

THE DOGNow then, who wants some more?

(Tyltyl and Tyvo grip hands. Subtext, “we’re in this together.” Tyltyl smiles at Tyvo. Tyvo smiles back.)

MYTYLWhere’s Tyllette

THE OAKHa ha ha.dog, ever loyal to the humans. Than you can die with them!

(Vine around the wrist.)(around the ankle)(around the waist.)(another ankle)(cuts the vine.)(bites through)(shooting through the air anime style)(Tyltyl cuts vines from his other hand.)(Vines shoot across the ground.)(Vines pull tight around Mytyl’s legs.)(Vines pull dogs neck)(Mytyl drops to the ground. Tyltyl turns around seeing her fall.)(Mytyl gets dragged across the ground.)

TYLTYLMytyl!

MYTYL(getting dragged across the ground.)

TYLTYL

(The dog breaks free.)(High angle of Mytyl getting dragged as Tyltyl and dog chase after her.)(Mytyl’s perspective of dog and Tyltyl chasing after her.)(Mytyl nearing a cliff.)(Tyltyl grabs Mytyl’s hands.)

TYLTYLTyvo help. I can hold her.

(Tyvo jumps on vines and then tears them up.)(They get up.)

THE OAKNow trees! Now! Attack!

(Trees turn into soldier trees.)(They march forward.)(resume tree form)

TYLTYLThey’re pushing us off the cliff!

(Mytyl out of fear, goes too far back and steps off cliff.)(Tyltyl grabs her hand before she drops.)

TYLTYLTyvo!

(Close up of Mytyl holding on.)

OAKSurround them!

(Trees marching toward them as they pull Mytyl up.)

MYTYLWe can’t make it!

(Trees getting closer)

MYTYLLook Tyltyl, The Blue Bird!

TYLTYLHe’s showing us the way! Come on!

(Running toward the bird.)(Running between trees.)

OAKCrush them!

(Branches crashing down on characters.)

(half cross fade to Demeter.)

DEMETERTrees, you must stop this!

(Mother Nature, fire and water watching on a hill in the distance.)

(over the shoulder from elementals looking down at children running.)

DEMETERThe children are innocent.

DEMETERObey your queen and stop this at once!

(Spikes shooting up.)

DEMETERYou leave me no choice. Fire, you must save the children.

(They duck as a branch passes over.)

FIREWith Pleasure.

(He morphs into flames and flying into the air.)(Vines crossing and trying to close in on bird.)(vines come across and characters jump through.)(lightning hits oak and starts fire.)(Bird flys over as vines shoot up.)(Vines block characters, then fire burns the vines.)(Oak in flames yelling)

OAKFire!

(Other trees on fire.)

OTHER TREESWe cannot stand fire!

(Bird flying between flames with characters following.)

DOGIt’s Demeter!

OAKFire! We are doomed.

(Kids run up hill and are greeted by mother nature and water.)(Over the shoulder viewing forest fire.)

DEMETERFire, the children are safe. You can stop now.

MYTYLLook! The Blue Bird!

TYLTYL

He’s getting away!

DEMETERDon’t worry children. I know where he is going. He is flying toward the entrance to the enchanted palaces where all Joys and Happiness are gathered together in the charge of Fate. I will take you there.

(The cat looks on sorrow full and ashamed.)

MYTYLBut where is Tyllette.

DOGTrust me, the cat is fine.

DEMETERFire, you must go and find the cat. Water, you must take the rest of us to the enchanted palaces.

EXT. SKY – DAY

Camera starts close on Demeter and gradually pulls back.

DEMETERGenerally the joys are very good. Some are little and some are great. But just remember. To never eat anything from the table of the luxuries.

(cloud passes a beautiful tower.)

INT..- The Palace of Happiness - Day

(into decorative hall.)(Big hall with giants seated in the distance.)

MYTYLGiants!

TYLTYLWho are they?

DEMETERThey are the biggest Luxuries of the Earth, the ones that can be seen with the naked eye.

MYTYLWhat beautiful cakes they have!

DOGAnd such sausages! People food!

DEMETER

Let us find out if they have seen the blue bird. Water, take us to the table.

(water carries the children, light and dog over to the table as a cloud and then returns to a human shape)

RICHHey you there. Little people.

(The children and dogs eyes widen in fear as they realize they’ve been spotted by the giants.)

DEMETERHave no fear, they are very affable. They will probably invite you to dinner. Just do not accept. Do not accept anything, lest you should forget your mission.

BEING RICHCome here. Welcome little ones. I am the biggest of the Luxuries, the Luxury of Being Rich; and I come, in the name of my brothers, to beg you and your family to honor our endless feast with your presence. You will find yourself surrounded by all that is best among the real, big Luxuries of this Earth.

(They look behind them eyeing the cake.)(Cake close up)

TYLTYLNot even a tiny cake?

MYTYLThey look so good,

TYLTYLso fresh,

MYTYLso well iced with sugar,

TYLTYLcovered with candied fruits

MYTYLand brimming over with cream!.

DEMETERThey are dangerous and would break your will. Refuse politely, but firmly.

BEING RICHAllow me to introduce to you the chief among us. Here is my son-in-law, the Luxury of Satisfied Vanity, (gives a patronising nod snobbish nod.)

RICHThere is the Luxury of Drinking when you are not Thirsty and the Luxury of Eating when you are not Hungry: they are twins. Here are the Luxury of Knowing Nothing and the Luxury of Understanding Nothing. Lastly, here is Fat Laughter.

FAT LAUGHTERAh Ha, ha, ha

BEING RICHBut come along! They are beginning the banquet all over again. It is the twelfth time since this morning. We are only waiting for you.

(High angle looking down)

TYLTYLThank you very much, Mr. Luxury but I am so sorry. I can't come for the moment. We are in a great hurry. We are looking for the Blue Bird. You don't happen to know, I suppose, where he is hiding?

BEING RICHThe Blue Bird? Wait a bit. Yes, I remember. Some one was telling me about him the other day. He is a bird, that is not good to eat, I believe. At any rate, he has never figured on our table. That means that we have a poor opinion of him. But don't trouble yourself; we have much better things. You shall share our life. You shall see all that we do.

TYLTYLWhat do you do?

BEING RICHWhy, we occupy ourselves incessantly in doing nothing.

FAT LAUGHTERAh ha ha ha

RICHWe never have a moment's rest. We have to drink, we have to eat. We have to sleep.

LAUGHTERAh ha ha ha

RICHIt’s most engrossing.

LAUGHTERAH ha ha ha

EATINGYum yum yum

DOG and Mytyl sneak off.

TYLTYLIs it fun?

RICHWhy, yes. It's all there is on this Earth.

DEMETERYou really think so?

RICHWho is that ill-bred person?

(Mytyl eating wildly.)

MYTYLI can’t eat fast enough!

(TYLTYL suddenly sees the dog and Mytyl eating.)

DOGMe too! Me too!

EATINGYum yum yum

LAUGHTERAh ha ha ha!

TYLTYLDEMETER! They are eating!

DEMETERCall them back, or this will end badly!

TYLTYLMytyl, we have to find the blue bird! Tyvo! Here, Tyvo! Come here at once, will you? Do you hear? Who told you to leave me? What are you doing there, without permission?

THE DOGWhen I'm eating, I hear nothing.

THE LUXURYYou see! They are setting you an example. Come, we are waiting for you. We won't hear of a refusal. We shall have to resort to a gentle violence.

(Vanity turns toward Tyltyl with a wicked grin. Drinking turns toward Tyltyl.)

LAUGHTER(laugh turns scary)

Ah ha ha ha!

EATINGYum yum yum

RICHLet us force them to eat and drink, so that they may be happy in spite of themselves!

(All the LUXURIES start reaching for Tyltyl).

EATINGYum yum yum

LAUGHTERHa ha ha

DEMETERTurn the diamond quickly!

(TYLTYL grabs his sister and turns the diamond on her crown. The luxuries become monsters.)(vanity screams. Mirror breaks.)(laughter turns to waling.)(they run off in shame.)

TYLTYLWhat have I done to them?

DEMETERDo not be ashamed child. You have only shone them their true nature. You have unveiled the illusion they have hidden behind and revealed the ugliness that lies beneath unrestrained indulgences. We would have become the same as them if we had lingered here eating and drinking from this table. You’ve saved your sister and your dog from sharing their fate.

(Mytyl looks at the cake in her hand and sees it has turned to slime. She throws it on the floor. Dog throws the slime down.)

TYLTYLWhere are they going?

DEMETERThey are going to take refuge with the Miseries, where they will stay for good I fear. Come we will speak to those more divine.

INT. HALL OF JOYS – DAY

(It’s a shiny crystal hall with robed figures wearing smiling masks at the end.)

TYLTYLOh, what a beautiful hall, what a beautiful hall! Where are we now?

DEMETERWe now behold the truth of things; and we shall perceive the soul of the Joys that endure the brightness of the diamond. Ssh, they are giving thanks.

(They walk in a line holding candles.)

JOY 1Welcome Tyltyl and Mytyl. 

TYLTYLYou know our names?

(He bends down.) 

JOY 1We are the joys. We know many things.

TYLTYLAre you like the luxuries?

JOY 1We are different. We find our joy in that which is eternal; that which runs deep through the roots of time and space. We do not need the simple earthly pleasures the Luxuries love so much.

JOY 2We are the spirits of eternal joys like love,

JOY 3hope,

JOY 4dreams,

JOY 5And imagination.

JOY 3Tell us children, why you are so sad even as you bask in our glory.

TYLTYLWe have to find the blue bird. 

MYTYL

We’ve been looking for such a long time. Do you know where he is? 

JOYS 2Why do you seek the blue bird? 

TYLTYLWe must find him. 

MYTYLIf we don’t then Demeter’s daughter Princess Persephone will die and 

TYLTYLAnd then spring will never come again. 

JOY 2Do not worry so much little ones. All will be well in time.

TYLTYLWell, it won’t be if we don’t find the Blue Bird.

JOY 1You can find the blue bird, but you can never keep him.

JOYSNo, never keep him.

JOY 4If you cannot understand this, you will follow the blue bird for eternity

JOY 3and never have him.

JOY 1You will grow old following the blue bird

JOY 2through endless time

JOY 4never knowing the joys that surround you.

TYLTYLWe will find the blue bird. We will never give up.

MYTYLPlease just help us.

TYLTYLJust tell us where he is.

JOY4

He has gone away for now.

.JOY 3Now you can only find him .

JOY 1In the kingdom of the future.

TYLTYLKingdom of the future.

MYTYLHow can we ever get there? It sounds so far away.

JOY 2No

JOY 4It is right here.

TYLTYLWe are in the future?

JOY 1You are always in the future.

JOY 2And the past.

JOY 3And the present.

JOY 1But you only perceive one moment at a time.

JOYS(Ad lib)

Oh yes. One moment at a time. Yes, so true.

JOY 4So the correct question is. . .

DEMETER“How do you perceive the future?” Of course, I should have realized sooner. You must turn the diamond further. But wait. You must go alone. Father time is very strict. But you can hide undetected in the hall of children. Don’t let him see you. I will make sure Tyvo gets home and find Tyllette. Good luck children.

(A joy reaches forward and turns the diamond.)(Bright light consumes the shot.)

EXT. The Kingdom of the Future - DAY(when everything clears they find themselves in the Kingdom of the future.)(subtest “Wow”)(They walk under giant stork statues.)(They run up to giant doors.)(They enter.)(Children’s voices in the distance.)

MYTYLI hear children.

TYLTYLRemember mother nature mentioned the hall of children.

(Mytyl looks in as they pass)(Kids with goggles look at a bright light.)(Tyltyl looks in another door.)(A child gardening with giant fruits.)(They enter a small slit door way with bright light coming out. As they walk through, the scene washes out.)(The scene washes back in to reveal a beautiful grecoRoman room with a pond and robed children surrounding it engaged in small groups and various activities. The scene can be similar to the Raphael painting, “The school of Athens.”)(Mytyl and Tyltyl come into frame.)

(A group of kids huddled together looks up.)

CHILDRENLive children!

(Another group that was talking, look over.

CHILDRENLive childen!

(A child by pond looks over.)(Kids playing chase, stop and look over.)

CHILDRENLive children!

(Kids swarm around Mytyl and Tyltyl as they enter.)(Dolly along the crowd seeing all the faces of amazed kids looking at Tyltyl and Mytyl.)

CHILDREN(Ad Lib)

Live children. Why are they hear? Are they visiting us? Will they tell us about earth? They look so strong.

TYLTYL

Why do you call us live children?

CHILDBecause we have not been born yet.

TYLTYLHaven’t been born yet? How is that possible?

CHILD 1We are awaiting the hour of our birth.

TYLTYLThe hour of your birth?

CHILD 2Yes; all children must pass through here.

CHILD 1When the fathers and mothers want children, the great doors are opened and we go down when it is our time.

CHILD 3(Pointing to Tyltyl’s hat)

What’s that?

TYLTYLThat? That is my hat. Have you no hat?

CHILD 3No; what is it for?

TYLTYLIt's to say How-do-you-do with. And then for when it rains or when it's cold.

CHILD 2What does that mean, when it's cold?

TYLTYLWhen you shiver like this: brrrr! brrrr! and go like this with your arms.

(The kids try to copy him.)

CHILD 4Is it cold on earth?

MYTYLYes, sometimes, in the winter, when there is no fire.

CHILD 5Why is there no fire?

MYTYLBecause it's expensive and it costs money to buy wood.

CHILD 2What is money?

TYLTYLIt's what you pay with.

CHILD 2Oh,

CHILD 5I am going to be born soon. I shall be born in twelve years. Is it nice to be born?

MYTYLOh, yes! It's great fun!

CHILD 5How did you manage?

MYTYLI can't remember. It is so long ago!

CHILD 4They say it's lovely, the earth and the live people!

MYTYLYes, it's not bad.

(Child holds a strange toy like thing.)

TYLTYLWhat are you playing with?

CHILD 6That's for the invention which I shall make on earth.

TYLTYLWhat invention? Have you invented something?

CHILD 6Why, yes; haven't you heard? When I am on earth, I shall have to invent the thing that gives happiness.

CHILD 7Would you like to see mine?

MYTYLYes, what is it?

CHILD 7

The thirty-three remedies for prolonging life, here, in this blue phial.

CHILD 8I will show you a light which nobody knows of!

(He holds his nose and lights himself up entirely with an extraordinary flame. Tyltyl is shocked.)

CHILD 8It's rather curious, isn't it?

(Two kids pull at Mytyl’s arms.)

CHILD 9Do come and look at my machine which flies in the air like a bird without wings!

CHILD 10No, no; mine first! It discovers the treasures hidden in the moon!

THE CHILDREN(ad lib)

No, no, come and see mine! No, mine is much finer! Mine is a wonderful invention! Mine is made of sugar! His is no good! Hestole the idea from me!

CHILD 11I shall be the gardener of the King of the Three Planets.

TYLTYLThe King of the Three Planets?

CHILD 11The great king who for thirty-five years will bring happiness to the Earth, Mars and the Moon.

CHILD 8You can see him from here.

TYLTYLWhere is he?

CHILD 11There, the little boy sleeping at the foot of that column.

CHILD 8He will bring pure joy to the globe

CHILD 11and that little girl over there will discover the fire that will warm the earth when the sun becomes pale.

SISTER(running up from the back of the hall and elbowing her waythrough the crowd)Tyltyl, Mytyl! Let me through! Let me through!

(She hugs Mytyl and Tyltyl.)

TYLTYLHello! How do you know our names?

SISTEROf course I know your names. Don’t be siily. Don’t you know; I will be your little sister.

MYTYLOur little sister! Really? Oh, isn’t it wonderful Tyltyl.

(She hugs them again.)

SISTERDon't tease me too much when I am little.

TYLTYLOK, I’ll try to be nice.

SISTERYou’ve got to give me lots of love, because I won’t be around very long.

MYTYLWhat?!

TYLTYLWhy not?

SISTERI’m bringing scarlatina, whoopig-cough and measels, and then I’ll leave you.

MYTYLCan’t you stay longer?

SISTERWe can’t pick and choose. But I get to be with you a little while. I’m so happy for that.

MYTYLOK, we’ll just have to be the best sisters ever while we can

(A hush with quieted chatter and excitement fills the room like a shows about to start.)(Kids point at a giant clock.)

TYLTYLWhat’s happening?

SISTERThat's Time! He is going to open the gates! This is the hour when the children who are to be born today, go down to earth. Quick, hide behind the columns. Time will be very angry if he sees live children here.

(They run off.)

MYTYLBye little sister. See you soon.

SISTERSBye. See you in nine months.

(clock getting closer.)(running behinnd pillars.)(clock strikes and chimes.)

CHILD 14He’s here.

(Pulls a rope and rings a bell.)(kids are hugging and getting excited.)(Some hold hands.)(Mytyl and Tyltyl running up steps to hide.)(Side doors start to open with myst behind.)(Kids nervous and hugging.)

MYTYLI want to watch.

TYLTYLWe’ll get in trouble.

MYTYLJust a little while. I want to see father time.

(excited and nervous kids.)(The clock bots enter through the myst first appearing as silouettes.)

CLOCK BOTSMake way for father time. None may pass but those whose hour has com.

(Mytyl and Tyltyl watch through the bars.)(His silouette appears behind the clock. The clock chimes.)(Clock dissapears to reveal fog. Father Time steps forward.)(Taps his staff.)

TIMEAre they ready, those whose hour has struck?

(Kids move forward.)

TIMEOne at a time! Once again, there are many more of you thanare wanted! It's always the same thing! You can't deceiveme! None may pass, but those whose hour has come.

(Boy tries to pass. Time pushes him back.)

TIMEIt's not your turn; not for anther ten years! You boy, what are you bringing to Earth.

(the boy whisphers in his ear.)

TIMEAnother Lawyer! How many times do I have to tell all of you; they have enough lawyers down there. Enough lawyers! Alright, I’ll just this one today, but no more. Not for anther five years. There are too many already; they are grumbling about it on earth. And you, what are you bringing? Alright, go on. And you. Yes, go on. Yes you too. Come on, it’s your turn. ... Nothing at all, empty-handed? Then you can't go through. Next. Yes, go on. Well then, Prepare something, a great crime, if you like, or a fine sickness, I don't care. but you mast have something. Yes, you may go. Alright, yes, you too. And you. Hurry up. Well hurry then. Well, what’s the matter with you?... You know that the hour has come. They want a hero to fight against injustice; you're the one: you most start. They need you.

CHILD 12He doesn't want to, sir.

TIMEWhat? He doesn't want to? Where does the little monster think he is? No objections, we have no time to spare.

THE CHILD 14No, no! I don't want to go! I would rather not be born! I would rather stay here!

TIMEThat is not the question. When the hour comes, it comes! Now then, quick, forward!

CHILD 15Oh, let me pass! I will go and take his place! They say that my parents are old and have been waiting for me so long!

TIME

None of that! You will start at your proper hour, at your proper time. We should never be done if we listened to you. One wants to go, another refuses; it's too soon or it's too late. You are in a hurry now; later, when your turn comes, you will be frightened and hang back. We have only six hundred and twelve seconds left. The galley of the Dawn is already flapping her sails to show that she is waiting.

(Laying hold of a CHILD who tries to pass between his legs to reach the quay.)(low angle)

TIMEOh, no, not you! This is the third time you've tried to be born before your turn. Don't let me catch you at it again, or you can wait forever with my sister Eternity; and you know that it's not amusing there! Come, are we ready? Is every one at their post? There is still one missing. It is no use hiding, I see you in the crowd. You can't deceive me! Come on, you, say good-bye to your sweetheart.

THE BOYlet me stay behind with her!

THE GIRLOr let me go with him!

TIMEImpossible! We have only three hundred and ninety-four seconds left.

THE BOYI would rather not be born!

TIMEYou cannot choose.

THE GIRLI shall never see him again!

THE BOYWe shall be alone in the world!

TIMEAll this does not concern me. Address your entreaties to Life. I unite and part as I am told.

(He picks up the boy.)

TIMECome!

THE BOY

No, no, no! Not without her!

THE GIRLLeave him with me! Leave him!

(He carries the boy over his shoulder.)

THE GIRL(stretching her arms out frantically to the CHILD that is being carried off)A sign! A sign! Tell me how to find you!

THE BOYI shall always love you!

THE GIRLI shall be the saddest thing on earth! You will know me by that!

(She falls and remains stretched on the ground. The crowd fills the gab after time passes. She becomes concealed in the crowd.)

TIMEAnd now, that is all. We have only sixty-three secondsleft.

(He puts hour glass down on pedestool.)

CHILDREN(ad lib)

(for example) Good-bye, Pierre! Good-bye, Jean! Have you all you want? Announce my idea! Have you got the new turnscrew? Try to know me again I. I shall find you! Don't lose your ideas! Send me your news! They say one can't. Oh, try, do try!. Try to tell us if it's nice! I will come to meet you I. I shall be born on a throne!

BOYGoodbye Maria. I’ll always love you.

GIRLGoodbye Pierre.

TIMEThe anchor's raised!

(The hour glass sands are almost out.)(Woman’s voice are heard singing in the distance.)

TYLTYLListen to that singing.

MYTYLIt’s the mothers welcoming their new child.

TIMEGoodbye children.

(Fog returns. Time goes back into the myst. The blue bird flies into the myst.

MYTYLTyltyl! The blue bird! The blue bird!

(Hour glass almost out.)(They run down.)

TYLTYLCome on! It’s closing!

CHILDRENGoodbye.

(hour glass almost done.)(Running through.)

TYLTYLExcuse us!

(Just as clock is solidifying they run through.)

CLOCK BOTSForbidden! Forbidden!

(Hour glass time runs out.)

CLOCK BOTSNONE MAY PASS BUT THOSE WHOSE HOUR HAS COME. FORBIDDEN!

TIMEWho dares defy time!

TYLTYLHurry! The ship is leaving!

MYTYLMy crown! The diamond.

(The crown falls off the bridge.)

TYLTYLLeave it!

(Crown falling through the clouds.)

TYLTYLJump!

(They jump off the bride.)(Hour glass explodes.)(slow motion jumping. Background flashes between the ship there and just darkness. Finally background goes dark and they fall.)(Kids falling through darkness.)

TYLTYLMytyl!

MYTYLTyltyl!

(falling side view.)(spiral falling away from camera. Bird in background.)(They grab hands.)(Tyltyl’s perspective looking at Mytyl)(Mytyl’s perspective looking at Tyltyl)(ticking and breaking cloud sounds as they fall into a space of floating clocks.)

TIMEYou cannot defy time. I build and destroy civilzations.

(clocks flying out of control. Some collide and explode on impact, some break on their own.)

TIME make rivers change course.

MYTYLTyltyl, the blue bird!

TIMEBuild and devour mountains.

TYLTYLHang on!

TIMEYou cannot defy time.

(They fall into a field of clocks and start running and jumping on the clocks.)(clocks behind them collide and explode.)(They duck as an out of control clock flies by their heads.)(Bird flies through a gauntlet of clock arrows.)(Kids doge giant clock arrows swinging past like pendulums.)(The clock path turns.)(Kids run up spiral.)

MYTYLWe’ve almost reached him.

(Tyltyl reaches for the bird.)(He jumps off clock, misses and falls.)

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

(They crash onto their beds.)

TYLTYLWhere are we?

DEMETERHow odd people are when they dream. They do not recognise their own hands.

TYLTYLWho is dreaming? Am I?

DEMETERWho can tell? However, this room is in a house which you have seen more than once since you were born.

TYLTYLA house which I have seen more than once since I was born?

DEMETERWhy yes, sleepy-head! It is the house which we left one evening, just a year ago, today.

TYLTYLBut I haven't got the Blue Bird!

DEMETERYou did what you could which is more than you realize. Now we must say goodbye.

(We see the image of fire’s human form speak as he dissolves into the fireplace fire.)

FIREGood-bye, children! I am always you friend. Think of me if ever you want to set fire to something. I shall always be there, in the hearth and in the oven.

WATERI shall always be kind and gentle to you. Listen to the brooks and rivers.

(push into her face and slowly cross fade to a river. Her face dissapears.)

WATERI shall always be there.

MYTYLTylette!

TYLETTEI love you as much as you deserve.

(cross fade from person cat to real cat.)

(The dog is sitting on the floor with his hands on Tyltyl’s lap. High angle.)

THE DOGSoon, you will only hear my barking, but remember that when I bark, what I’m really saying is that you are my little god, my morning sunshine. You are everything to me.

(He fades into a real dog barking.)

DEMETERGoodbye, children, I will be with you through the forests and in the earth and in the air. Thank you for helping me. Thank you.

(She fades away and a breeze blows through the trees as we pan up.)(kids close their eyes.)

(Light changes from night to day.)

INT. CHILDREN’S BEDROOM - DAY

(The mom enters)

MOMUp, get up.

(Tyltyl opens his eyes.)

MOMGet up, you little lazybones! (Tyltyl sits up and rubs his eyes.)(Mytyl sits up.)

TYLTYLMommy, mommy! It's you!

MOMWhy, of course, it's me. Who did you think it was?

MYTYLIt's you. Yes, yes, it's you! We’re home.

(They get up hug her.

MYTYLOh, how nice it is to see you again! I am back at home!

TYLTYLOh, it was such a long journey?

MOMWhat journey?

TYLTYLWhy, last year.

MOMLast year?

MYTYLWhy, yes! When we went away.

MOMWhen you went away? You haven't left the room. I put you to bed last night, and here you are this morning. Have you dreamed all that?

TYLTYLBut you don't understand! It was last year, when I went away with Mytyl. Wait, Mytyl, we fell through time and now we’re back where and when we left.

MYTYLYay! We’re back

(They dance around.)

MOMWhat are you talking about?

MYTYLOh, we have had such adventures! We saw grandad and granny.

MOMGrandad and granny?

TYLTYLYes, in the Land of Memory. It was on our way.

MYTYLThey are dead, but they are quite well.

TYLTYLAnd Tyvo was a hero. He saved us from the trees.

(He goes and pats Tyvo)

TYLTYLGood boy Tyvo.

(Their dad enters.)

TYLTYL and MYTYLDaddy! It's daddy!

MYTYLListen, I can hear water speaking to me.

(Mytyl runs out of the bedroom and over to the water faucet.)

MYTYLGood morning to you too, water!

(Tyltyl is by the fireplace.)

TYLTYLAnd good morning to you fire.

(Mytyl looks into the bird’s cage. It has turned very blue.)

MYTYLTyltyl, the bird. It’s bluer.

(Tyltyl joins her and looks in.)

MOMChildren, it’s the same color it was last night.

TYLTYLNo, it’s bluer.

MYTYLYes, it is. It’s much bluer.

MOMDon’t be silly. Birds don’t change color.

MYTYLBut this one did.

TYLTYLIt’s the blue bird. The one we were looking for.

MYTYL and TYLTYLThe blue bird! The blue bird!

TYLTYL

We went so far and he was here all the time! Oh, but it's wonderful! It was not a dream and I know exactly what I must do now. Mommy, can we go see Penny today, Please, please, please!

MOMNow I know something’s strange. You begging to see Penny.

TYLTYL and MYTYLOh please, mommy, please! Please, please.

MOMAlright, how can I refuse. I usually have to drag you to see her. You’re acting very strange this morning.

TYLTYL and MYTYLYay, we’re going to see Penny!

MOMHurry up then and get dressed. We have a busy day today.EXT. HOSPITAL – DAYEstablishing shot.

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY(Penny lies in the same bed still in a coma. Her mom is by her side.)(High angle on Dana. Hand goes on her shoulder. Diana looks up and gives a smile.

MOMAny change?

DANAShe’s getting so thin and pale. I’m scared, I’m really scared.

MOMTyltyl asked to see her.

DANAThank you Tyltyl.

(he steps forward and goes to Penny’s bedside.)

TYLTYLHi Penny. I want you to have the blue bird back.

DANANo, Tyltyl. The bird is yours now.

TYLTYLBut I must. She needs the bird to get better, so that spring will come again.

(Dana smiles at their mom who rolls her eyes and shrugs her shoulders.)

MOMHonestly, I didn’t tell him anything, this was completely his decision.

(Close up on the bird and then on Penny’s face. She opens her eyes slowly. She stares at the bird and it stares at her. We see quick glimpse of a human like bird face.)

MOMHe thinks the bird will help her get better.

MYTYLLook, she’s awake.

(Suddenly they notice Penny opened her eyes and everyone gets excited.)

DANADarling, welcome back. Tyltyl gave you the bird back. Wasn’t that nice of him.

(She finishes opening the cage door and the bird flies out.)

MYTYLIt got away again.

(High angle over everone looking at the bird.

(The bird flys out a crack in the window and into the sky. The others become alarmed at the bird flying away.)

MOMOh, Dana, the bird.

DANAOh darling, your bird got away! We’ll get a new bird.

PENNYGoodbye mommy. I love you.

(Penny lies down. Her eyes roll back in their sockets. Dana grabs her wrist.)

DANAShe’s cold. She isn’t breathing! No! God no! Not now! Help! Nurse! Nurse! Come back, come back, don’t leave me!

(Camera pulls up and pushes through the crack in the window.)

EXT. CLOUDS – DAY

Bird flies through clouds. Clouds become;

EXT. CLOUD TUNNEL – DAY(We follow as the blue bird flies through a spiral tunnel of clouds. He morphs into a human form, stops and turns around. Light shines behind him.)

BIRDWhy are you following me little one?

(We see Penny floating behind him.)

PENNYI want to go with you.

BIRDWhy? Why do you want to follow me?

PENNYI want to always be happy.

BIRDNo child. It’s not like that. Just as you cannot keep me in a cage for I would wither and die, you also cannot follow me. If you do, I will always be just out of reach and you will spend eternity chasing after me, but never reaching me. Go back to your family. It’s not your time to leave. Stay with your parents for they will be so sad without you. You must let me go on without you for now.

PENNYWill I ever see you again?

BIRDI Promise I will come back again someday. As long as you never try to catch me and put me in a cage I will come visit you from time to time. For now you must go back. Go back little one.

(We pull away from the bird.)

INT. HOSPITAL - DAYEverythings the same as it was before.

DANACome back little one, come back.

(Penny slowly opens her eyes.)

DANAYes, that’s a good girl, yes. Don’t you leave me.

PENNY

I won’t leave you. I love you mommy.

MYTYLTyltyl, the blue bird got away again.

TYLTYLIt’s OK. Let him go. Everything will be alright now.

(He walks over to the window and looks out.)

EXT. HOSPITAL – DAY(We see him up close in the window and then camera pulls back. We see a flower by the window with melting snow dripping off. We pull back further to see the grounds around the hospital with lots of flowers blooming. Crossing fade to the blue bird flying off into the sunset and closing credits roll.)