Chapter 4 Out with the Goats Heidi awoke the next morning with a smile on her face.
She felt so happy in her new home.
She remembered all the things that she had seen the day before and was excited to see them again today.
She quickly jumped out of bed and ran outside, joyful at the sound of Peter's voice.
While Heidi washed and made herself tidy, Grandfather packed a good lunch for her.
In minutes, she was out on the mountainside with the goats.
Come along, Peter yelled to Heidi.
Your grandfather gave me orders to watch you.
Heidi listened to what he said and followed the boy until he slowed to rest his goats.
Peter checked on his herd and then fell asleep on the warm ground.
Heidi sat near him.
Suddenly she heard a loud cry overhead.
Lifting her eyes, Heidi saw a bird.
It was larger than any she had ever seen before.
It had great spreading wings and was wheeling around and around in wide circles.
Peter, Peter, wake up, called Heidi.
See the great bird?
Look, look.
Peter got up and they watched the bird together until it disappeared behind the mountaintops.
Where has it gone?
"'Come on,' asked Heidi.
"'Home to its nest,' said Peter.
"'Let's go see,' Heidi answered with glee.
"'No,' Peter said firmly.
"'Even the goats can't climb that high.
Stay here while I get lunch.'
Heidi frowned, but only for a second.
The goats were playing about her, and she wanted to join them."
Tell me their names, she sang to Peter as he placed her bread and cheese before her.
That one with the big horns is Turk.
He always wants to ram the other goats.
Most of them run when they see him coming.
The only one who stays is Greenfinch.
She's the little goat there.
She's very brave and so quick that Turk often doesn't see her coming.
All of a sudden, Peter leaped to his feet and ran after one of the goats.
Heidi followed him as fast as she could.
They dashed through the middle of the flock and toward the side of the mountain.
By the time Peter reached the mountainside, Greenfinch was leaping in the direction of the cliff.
Peter threw himself down and grabbed one of her hind legs.
The goat was surprised and began to bleat angrily.
She tried to get free and wriggled so much that Peter had to call Heidi for help.
Heidi ran right up.
She saw the danger both Peter and the animal were in and quickly gathered a bunch of sweet-smelling leaves.
She held them under Green Finch's nose, saying, Come on, Green Finch, you must not be naughty.
Look, you might fall down there and break your leg.
The young animal quickly turned and began to eat the leaves out of Heidi's hand.
Meanwhile, Peter stood up and took hold of Green Finch by the band around her neck.
Heidi took hold of her other side in the same way.
Together they led the wanderer back to where the rest of the flock was feeding peacefully.
Now that they were back to safety, Peter wasted no time in scolding the animal.
He lifted his stick as he yelled, ready to give her a good swat as punishment.
No, no, Peter, Heidi cried out.
You must not hit her.
See how frightened she is.
She needs it, Peter growled and lifted his stick again.
Heidi quickly put herself between the boy and the goat.
You have no right to touch her.
It will hurt her.
Leave her alone.
Peter looked with surprise at the little girl.
He thought about how kind she was.
Heidi had given him most of her lunch today just because she thought he looked hungry.
No one had ever done such a nice thing for him.
And now she wanted to spare this naughty animal.
Peter put down the stick.
I will let her go if you will give me some more of your cheese tomorrow, he said.
He was still frowning about the scare the goat had given him.
You shall have it all tomorrow and every day, replied Heidi.
I don't want it.
And I will give you bread too, a large piece like you had today, but then you must promise never to hit Greenfinch or any of the other goats.
All right, said Peter.
It's a deal. and it seemed the boy really did mean to keep his word.
