Translated Part
Web Copy :P
Ash :3

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 1
 Le Petit Nicolas
 Sempe-Goscinny
 Denoël editions, I960
________________________________________
 Page 2

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 2
 1.  A memory we will cherish
 This morning we all arrived at school very happy, because we will
 take a picture of the class that will give us a memory we will cherish
 all our lives, as we said the mistress.  She told us to come as well
 neat and well groomed.
 With lots of pomade on his head as I entered the courtyard of
 recreation.  All my friends were already there and the lady was being scolded
 Geoffroy, who came dressed in Martian.  Geoffrey has a rich daddy to him
 buys all the toys he wants.  Geoffroy said he wanted the mistress
 absolutely be photographed on Mars, and that otherwise he would leave.
 The photographer was there, too, with his camera and the teacher told him he
 had to act quickly, otherwise we would miss our course in arithmetic.  Agnan, which is the
 first class and the teacher's pet, said it would be a shame
 not have arithmetic, because he liked it and he had done all his
 problems.  Odo, a friend who is very strong, wanted to give a punch on
 Agnan nose, but has Agnan goggles and we can not strike him as often
 we would like.  The lady started screaming that we were unbearable and
 that if it continued there would be no photos and we would go to class.  The photographer,
 then said: "Come, come, come, calm, calm.  I know how it is
 talking to children, everything will go fine.  "
 The photographer decided that we had put in three rows, the
 front row sitting on the floor, the second standing around the teacher who would
 sitting on a chair and the third, standing on boxes.  He really
 good ideas, the photographer.
 Boxes and we went looking for them in the basement of the school.  We had a good laugh,
 because there was not much light in the basement and Rufus was a
 old bag over his head and shouted: "Wow!  I am the ghost.  And then we saw the arrival of
 mistress.  She did not look happy, so we quickly left with the
________________________________________
 Page 3

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 3
 boxes.  The only one who stayed, it Rufus.  With his bag, he did not see what is
 going on and he kept screaming: "Wow!  I am the ghost, and it is the centerpiece
 removed the bag.  It was awfully surprised, Rufus.
 Back in court, the lady dropped the ear of Rufus and has
 struck his forehead with his hand.  "But you're all black," she said.  It was true,
 by the horns in the cellar, we had a little soiled.  The mistress was not
 happy, but the photographer told him that it was not serious, it was time to
 wash while he had boxes and chair for the photo.  Apart
 Agnan, the only face was clean, it was Geoff, because he had his head in
 Martian's helmet, which resembles a jar.  "You see," said Geoffrey with the
 mistress, they came all dressed like me, there would be no stories.  "
 I saw that the lady had a mind to pull the ears of Geoffrey, but there
 had no effect on the jar.  It combines a stunning, this costume Martian!
 We came back after we had washed and combed.  It was a little
 wet, but the photographer said it did not matter, as the photograph it does
 would not.
 "Well, we told the photographer, you want to please your mistress?  "
 We said yes, because we really like the lady she is
 awfully nice when we do not put angry.  "So said the photo-
 graph, you will wisely take your seats for the photo.  The largest on
 funds, means standing, sitting small.  "We went there and
 photographer was trying to explain to the lady that got any children
 when we were patient, but the lady could not listen to the end.  She had
 separate us, because we all wanted to be on boxes.
 "There is one big here, that's me!  "Cried Odo and he uttered those
 wanted to climb on the crates.  As Geoffrey insisted, Eudes gave him a
 blow on the jar and it went very badly.  We had to make several for
 remove the jar Geoffroy who had jammed.
________________________________________
 Page 4

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 4
 The lady said she gave us a final warning, after this
 is arithmetic, then we said we had to keep quiet and we
 begun to settle.  Geoffroy approached the photographer: "What is your
 device?  "He asked.  The photographer smiled and said: "It is a box which will
 out a small bird, man.  - It's your old gear, "said Geoffrey, my dad
 he gave me one with para-sun, short focal length lens, telephoto lens, and, of course,
 screens ...  The photographer seemed surprised, he stopped smiling and he told
 Geoffrey returned to his place.  "Do you have at least one cell
 Photoelectric?  "Asked Geoffrey.  "For the last time back in your place!  "
 yelled the photographer who, suddenly, looked very nervous.
 It was installed.  Me, I was sitting on the floor, next to Alceste.  Alceste is
 my friend who is very big and eats all the time.  He was biting
 in a jam sandwich and the photographer told her to stop eating, but
 Alceste said that although he was fed.  "Drop that sandwich!  "Shouted the
 lady who was sitting just behind Alceste.  That was so surprised, Alceste, he
 dropped the bread on his shirt.  "It's won," said Alcestis, trying
 to scrape off the jam with his bread.  The lady said there was only one
 thing to do was to Alceste in the last row so we do not see the
 stain on his shirt.  "Odo said the lady, leave your seat to your
 comrade.  - This is not my friend, said Odo, he will not have my place and
 it has to do is back for the picture, like that we will not see the spot, or his
 fat face.  "The teacher got angry and she was given as punishment to the Eudes
 conjugation of the verb: "I must not refuse to cede my place to a friend who
 spilled on his shirt a jam sandwich.  "Odo said nothing, it is des-
 cendu of his body and he came to the front row, while going to Alceste
 last row.  It was a little confusion, especially when Odo crossed and Alceste
 gave him a punch on the nose.  Alceste wanted to give a kick to
 Eudes Eudes dodged but it is very agile, and it Agnan who received the foot,
 Fortunately, where he has no glasses.  That did not prevent Agnan to
 start crying and screaming that he could not see, that nobody loved him and he Vou-
 milk die.  The lady was comforted, was blowing, and repainting was punished Alceste, it must
________________________________________
 Page 5

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 5
 write a hundred times: "I can not beat a fellow that I do not want noise and
 who wears glasses.  "It's good," said Agnan.  So the teacher gave
 lines do, too.  Agnan, he was so surprised he did not even
 cried.  The mistress began to distribute oddly, punishment had been
 all lots of lines to and finally, the lady told us: "Now
 you will decide to keep you quiet.  If you are very nice, I'll raise
 all punishments.  So, how are you to pose, make a pretty smile and
 sir we will take a beautiful photograph!  "As we did not want
 to hurt the teacher, and they obeyed.  We all smiled and picked the pose.
 But for the memories that we cherish all our lives, we've failed, because
 we realized that the photographer was not there.  He had left without saying anything.
________________________________________
 Page 6

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 6
 2.  Cowboys
 I invited friends to come home this afternoon to play cowboy
 boys.  They arrived with all their belongings.  Rufus had put the range of agent
 Police offered him by his dad with the cap, handcuffs, revolver, the
 white stick and whistle; Eudes was old hat for his Boy Scout
 big brother and a belt with lots of wood and two cartridges in cases
 where there were terrible guns with sticks made in the same kind
 bones than the powder that Dad bought Mom after they have played in
 Because of roast meat was overcooked but mom said it was because Dad was
 late.  Alceste was Indian, he had an ax wood and feathers on
 head, he looked like a big chicken Geoffroy, who likes to dress up and who
 a rich daddy who gives him everything he wants, completely dressed in cowboy
 boy with a sheep pants, a leather vest, a plaid shirt, a large
 hats, caps revolvers and spurs with peaks terrible.  Me
 I had a black mask that I was given for Mardi Gras, my gun and arrows
 a red handkerchief around his neck which is an old scarf to my mom.  It was
 cool!
 It was in the garden and Mom told us she would call for us
 taste.  "Well, I said, then here, I am the young man and I have a white horse
 and you, you are bandits, but in the end I win.  The others, they
 disagreed, that's what's annoying when playing alone, we do
 not fun and when you're not alone, others are doing a lot of fights.  "
 Why is it that this would not be me the young man, "said Odo, and then
 why I should not have a white horse, too?  - With a head like
 yours, you can not be the young man, "said Alcestis.  "You, the Indian, shut up or I'll
 gives a kick in the rump!  "Said Odo who is very strong and loves
 give good punches on the nose of friends and hit it on the rump
 surprised me, but it's true that Alceste was like a big chicken.  "In any case,
 me, "said Rufus, I'll be the sheriff.  - The sheriff?  Geoffroy said.  Where have you seen
 a sheriff with a cap, you make me laugh!  "That just does not like to Rufus, whose father
________________________________________
 Page 7

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 7
 a police officer.  "My dad, he said, he wears a cap and he makes fun person!
 - It would be fun if everyone dressed like that in Texas, "said Geoffroy and
 Rufus gave him a slap, then, Geoffrey has released a revolver from the holster and he said: "You
 regret, Joe!  "Rufus and gave him another slap and Geoffrey fell sitting
 the ground by Pan!  with his revolver, then Rufus relied on hands
 belly, and he made lots of faces and he fell, saying, "You got me coyote
 but I will be avenged!  "
 I galloped into the yard, giving me pats on the rump for
 move faster and Eudes approached me.  "Get off that horse, he said.  The
 white horse, it's me who did!  - No sir, I said, here I am at home and
 white horse, it was I who, Eudes and gave me a punch on the nose.
 Rufus gave a great blow whistle.  "You're a horse thief, he
 said Odo, and Kansas City, horse thieves, they are hung!  Then, Alceste is
 came running and he said: "Minute!  You can not hang him, the Sheriff is me!  -
 Since when poultry?  "Asked Rufus.  Alceste, who nevertheless do not
 fight, took his ax and with wooden stick, knock!  He gave a blow on the head
 Rufus was not expecting that.  Fortunately, the head of the Rufus there was
 kepi.  "My cap!  You broke my cap! "He cried Rufus and he started to run after
 Alceste, while I galloped back around the garden.  "Hey, guys," said
 Eudes, stop!  I have an idea.  We will be good and Alceste Tribe and
 he tries to capture us and then he took a prisoner, but we are coming and we
 the prisoner and then delivers Alceste is defeated!  "We had it all for this idea
 which was really nice, but Alceste disagreed.  "Why is it that
 I would do an Indian?  "He said Alceste.  "Because you have feathers on the head, idiot!  has
 Geoffroy responded, and then if it does not please you, you do not play well, it's true that, in the end
 you bother to us!  - Well, since that's how I do not play, "said Alcestis
 and went to sulk in a corner and eat a little chocolate bread he had in
 his pocket.  "He must play," said Odo is the only Indian that we have
 Besides, if he does not play, I pen!  "Alceste said good, he was willing, but
 provided it is a good Indian at the end.  "Okay, okay," said Geoffrey, what you
 can be annoying, anyway!  - And the prisoner, who will?  I asked.  -
________________________________________
 Page 8

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 8
 Well, it will Geoffroy said Eudes, we will attach to the tree with a clothesline.  -
 It will not, right?  Geoffrey asked, why me?  I can not be
 prisoner I'm the best dressed of all!  - So what?  Eudes said, it is
 not because I have a white horse that I refuse to play!  - The white horse is me
 who have!  "I said.  Eudes became angry, he said that the white horse was him and that if it
 I did not give me another blow on the nose.  "Try!  "I
 said, and he succeeded.  "Do not move, Oklahoma Kid!  Shouted Geoffrey, and he fired shots
 revolver everywhere Rufus He gave the whistle and said, "Yeah, I'm
 sheriff, yeah, I arrest you all!  "Alceste and gave him an ax on
 cap, saying he was a prisoner and Rufus was angry because his whistle
 roulette had fallen in the grass, I cried and I told here I was Eudes
 my home and I did not want to see it, everyone cried, it was great, we
 laughed well, terrible.
 And then Dad came out of the house.  The air not happy.  "Well children,
 What's that noise, you do not have fun nicely?  -
 It is because of Geoffrey, sir, he will not be a prisoner!  "Said Odo.  "
 You want my hand on her face?  "Asked Geoffrey, and they began to
 fight, but Dad has separated.  "Come, children, he said, I'll show you
 play it right.  The prisoner will be me!  "We we were awfully glad!  It
 my dad is great!  We attached to the tree with Dad the clothesline and
 we barely had finished, we saw Mr. Blédurt jump over the
 garden hedge.
 Mr. Blédurt is our neighbor who likes to tease Dad.  "Me too
 I want to play, I'll be the Red Bull skin up!  - Get out of here Blédurt So you did
 not come!  "Mr. Blédurt it was great before he started with Dad
 folded arms and said: "That pale face retains its language!  "Dad was doing
 Funny efforts to detach from the tree and Mr. Blédurt started dancing
 around the tree and shouting.  We might have liked to stay and see Daddy
 Mr. Blédurt fun and make the puppets, but it was not possible because
 Mom called us for tea and after we went to my room to play
________________________________________
 Page 9

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 9
 an electric train.  What I did not know is that Dad loved playing so much
 cowboys.  When we went down in the evening, Mr. Blédurt had left
 time but Dad was always attached to the tree screaming and making faces.
 It's great fun to know all alone like that!
________________________________________
 Page 10

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 10
 3.  Broth
 Today, at school, the teacher has failed.  We were in the yard,
 ranks, entering the classroom, when the supervisor told us: "Your mistress is
 sick today.  "
 And then, Mr. Dubon, supervisor, led us in class.  The
 supervisor, it is called the broth when it is not, of course.  It's called
 like that, because he says all the time: "Look into my eyes," and the
 broth there are eyes.  Me neither I did not realize right away is the
 great that I have explained.  The broth has a big mustache and he often punishes,
 with him, do not laugh.  That's why we were annoyed that we come on-
 sure, but, fortunately, when arriving in class, he said: "I can not
 stay with you, I have to work with Mr. Director, then, look at me
 in the eye and promise me to be wise.  "All our lots of eyes looked in
 his and it was promised.  Moreover, we are always so wise.
 But he seemed to distrust the broth, then he asked who was the
 best student in class.  "It's me sir!  "Agnan said, proudly.  And it's true
 Agnan is the first class, it is also the darling of the lady and we
 we do not like it too, but you can not whack it as often as
 would, because of his glasses.  "Well," said Bouillon, you will come to sit
 instead of the mistress and you watch your comrades.  I come back from time to
 time to see how things go.  Review your lessons.  "Agnan while
 happy, went to sit in the office of the mistress and the broth is gone.  "Well, has
 Agnan said, we must have arithmetic, take your books, we will make a
 problem.  - You're not a little crazy?  "Asked Clotaire.  "Clotaire, shut up!  "Has
 shouted Agnan who really seemed to take to the teacher.  "Come tell me
 here, if you're a man!  "Said Clotaire and the classroom door opened and we saw
 Bouillon enter any content.  "Ah!  he said.  I stayed behind the door
 listen.  You over there, look into my eyes!  "Clotaire looked, but what he
 Having had no air to make him so happy.  "You're going to conjugate the verb: I
________________________________________
 Page 11

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 11
 must not be rude to a fellow who is responsible and who watch me
 wants me to do arithmetic problems.  "Having said that, the broth is
 out, but he promised he would return.
 Joachim volunteered to watch the supervisor at the door, we were all
 agree, except Agnan shouting: "Joachim, for you!  Joachim drew the language
 Agnan, he sat at the door and he started to look through the keyhole.
 "There is nobody, Joachim?  "Asked Clotaire.  Joachim said he saw
 nothing.  Then Clotaire got up and he said he was going to eat his book
 Agnan of arithmetic, which was really a funny idea, but it did not please
 Agnan who shouted "No!  I have glasses!  - You'll eat them too!  "Said Clotaire,
 who insisted qu'Agnan eat something.  But Geoffroy said he did
 should not waste time with nonsense, we'd better play ball.  "
 And the problems, then?  "Asked Agnan, who did not look happy, but we
 we did not pay attention and we started to make passes and Yup
 nice foil between the benches.  When I grow up I'll buy a class,
 just to play it.  And then we heard a scream and saw Joachim, sitting by
 earth and stood nose with your hands.  It was the broth that had just opened the
 Joachim door and could not have seen it coming.  "What you got?  "Asked
 Bouillon, astonished, but Joachim did not respond, it was ouch, ouch, and it
 all, then the broth was taken in his arms and took him outside.  We were
 picked up the ball and we went back to our seats.
 When the broth came back with Joachim, who had a swollen nose, we
 said he was getting enough and that if it continued, we would see what
 would.  "Why do not you take example on your fellow Agnan?  he
 requested, it is wise to him.  And the broth is gone.  Joachim was asked what he
 had happened and he told us he was sleeping dint of looking through the hole
 the lock.
 "A farmer goes to the fair, said Agnan in a basket, he is twenty-eight eggs
 five hundred francs a dozen ...  - It's your fault, the blow of the nose, "said Joachim.  "
 Yeah!  said Clotaire, we'll make him eat his arithmetic book, with the farmer,
________________________________________
 Page 12

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 12
 eggs and glasses!  "Agnan then started crying.  He told us that we
 were wicked and he would tell his parents and they would make us all
 Bouillon has returned and opened the door.  We were all sitting in our seats and we do
 Bouillon said nothing and looked Agnan crying all alone sitting in the office of
 mistress.  "So what, he said Bouillon, who you dispel it now?
 You'll drive me crazy!  Every time I come, there's another one that makes the clown!
 Look me in the eye, all!  If I come back again and I see
 something wrong, I sévirai!  "And he left again.  We, we said
 that this was no time to make the horns, because the supervisor when he
 not happy, he gives funny punishments.  We did not move, we heard
 Agnan only sniff and chew Alceste, a friend who eats all the time.  And
 Then we heard a little noise on the side of the door.  We saw the door knob
 going very slowly and then the door began to open little by little,
 grating.  All we see and not breathing often even stopped Alceste
 chewing.  And all of a sudden there was one who shouted: "It's the broth!  The door
 opened and the broth is entered, all red.  "Who said that?  "He asked.  "It
 Nicolas!  "Said Agnan.  "It's not true, dirty liar!  And that was true it was not
 true, whoever said it was Rufus.  "It's you!  It's you!  It's you!  "Screamed and Agnan
 he started to cry.  "You'll be holding!  "Bouillon said.  So I started
 to cry, I said it was not fair and that I would quit school and that I
 well sorry.  "That's not it, sir, is that Agnan said Bouillon!  "Screamed
 Rufus.  "It is not I who said the broth!  "Shouted Agnan.  "You said the broth, I
 've heard the broth, perfectly, the broth!  - Well, it goes like this, "said
 Bouillon, you will all the dirt!  "Why me?  asked Alceste.  I
 Bouillon said no, me!  "I do not want to hear what ridiculous nickname, you
 understood?  "Shouted the broth, which seemed awfully upset.  "I will not come in
 restraint!  "Shouted Agnan and he rolled on the floor crying and he had hiccups and
 it became all red and then blue.  In class, nearly everyone was shouting
 or crying, I thought the broth was also trying it when the Director is
 entered.  "What does the Bouil ...  Mr. Dubon?  "He asked the Director.  "
 I do not know, Mr. Director, said the broth, there is one that rolls
 by land, another bleeding from the nose when I open the door, screaming the rest, I
________________________________________
 Page 13

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 13
 never seen it!  Never "Bouillon going hand in her hair and
 mustache moving in every direction.
 The next day the lady came back, but the broth has failed.
________________________________________
 Page 14

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 14
 4.  Football
 Alcestis gave us an appointment at a bunch of friends from the class for this
 afternoon in the empty lot not far from home.  Alceste is my friend, it is
 Basically, he loves good food, and if he gave us an appointment, because his
 Dad gave him a brand new soccer ball and we play a game
 terrible.  It is nice, Alcestis.
 We found ourselves on the ground at three o'clock in the afternoon
 we were eighteen.  He had to decide how to form teams for there to be
 same number of players on each side.
 For the referee, it was easy.  We chose Agnan.  Agnan is the first
 class, we do not like it too, but as he wears glasses can not
 whack it, which an arbitrator is a good combination.  And then, no
 team did not want to Agnan because it is not very good for the sport and he cries too
 easily.  Where we discussed is when Agnan asked to be given a
 whistle.  The only one who had one, it was Rufus, whose father is a police officer.
 "I can not lend my whistle," said Rufus, is a memory
 family.  "There was nothing to do.  Finally, we decided qu'Agnan would prevent
 Rufus Rufus and whistles instead of Agnan.
 "Well?  We're playing or what?  I begin to feel peckish!  "Shouted Alceste.
 But where it got complicated, it was as if Agnan referee, it was
 more than seventeen players, that made him one too for sharing.  So, it was found
 the trick: there's one that would linesman and waving a little flag,
 Whenever the ball leaves the field.  It Maixent was chosen.  One
 linesman, that's not much to watch all the land but Maixent
 runs very fast, it has very long legs and skinny, with big knees
 dirty.  Maixent, he would not know he wanted to play ball, him, and then we
 said he had no flag.  He nevertheless agreed to linesman
________________________________________
 Page 15

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 15
 for the first half.  For the flag, he waved his handkerchief, which was not
 own, but of course he did not know coming out of his home that his handkerchief was
 serve as a flag.
 "Well, here we go?  "Shouted Alceste.
 After it was easier, it was only sixteen players.
 He was a captain for each team.  But everyone wanted to be
 captain.  Everyone except Alceste, who wanted to be goalie, because he does not
 run.  We are agreed, it is well, Alceste, as goalkeeper and is very broad and
 covers well the goal.  That still left fifteen captains and it was in
 too many.
 "I am the strongest," cried Odo, I must be captain and I will give a shot
 punched on the nose of one who disagrees!
 - Captain's me, I'm the best dressed!  "Shouted Geoffrey, and Eudes
 gave him a punch on the nose.
 It was true that Geoffrey was well dressed, her dad, who is very rich, it
 had bought a complete outfit of a football player, with a red shirt,
 white and blue.
 "If I'm not the master, Rufus screamed, I call my dad and it puts you
 all in jail!  "
 Me, I had the idea to draw lots with a coin.  With two
 coins, because the first got lost in the grass and we did
 never found.  The room was Joachim who had paid and he was not happy
 for her loss, he began to seek, and yet he promised that Geoffroy
 his father would send him a check for the refund.  Finally, the two
 Captains were chosen: Geoffrey and me.
 "Say, I do not want to be late for tea, shouted Alceste.  We play?  "
________________________________________
 Page 16

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 16
 After it took the form teams.  For all, it went pretty well, except for
 Eudes.  Geoff and I, we wanted Eudes, because when he runs with the ball,
 nobody stops him.  He did not play very well, but it's scary.  Joachim was very con-
 tent because he had found his coin, so we asked him for the
 Eudes draw lots, and it has lost the room again.  Joachim was delivered to the
 look, really angry this time, and that's the short straw that Geoffrey won
 Eudes.  Geoffrey was appointed as a goalkeeper, he said that nobody would dare
 approach the cage, let alone put the ball inside.  Odo is upset
 easily.  Alceste ate cookies, sitting between the stones that marked his
 goal.  It did not look happy.  "So it's coming, yes?  "He shouted.
 It was placed on the ground.  As it was only seven on each side, to
 Apart from the goalkeepers, it was not easy.  In each team began to
 discuss.  There were plenty who wanted to be forward-center.  Joachim wanted to be
 rear-right, but that was because the coin had fallen into this corner and
 he wanted to continue the search while playing.
 In the team that Geoffrey has arranged very quickly because Eudes gave
 lots of punches and players have put in their place without protest and
 rubbing his nose.  Because he hits hard, Odo!
 In my team, we could not agree, until
 Eudes said he would give us some punch on the nose also to us:
 Then, it was placed.
 Agnan said Rufus, "Whistle!  "And Rufus, who was playing in my team, booing
 kickoff.  Geoff was not happy.  He said: "It's smart!  We have the sun
 in the eyes!  There is no reason that my team plays on the wrong side of the field!
 "
 Me, I told him that if the sun does not please him, he had only to close
 eyes, he would play maybe even better that way.  So we
 beaten.  Rufus began to blow his whistle.
________________________________________
 Page 17

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 17
 "I have not ordered the whistle screamed Agnan, the referee's me!  "It has
 not pleased that Rufus said he did not need permission to Agnan to whistle
 he hissed when he would feel like c, but not all the same.  And he began to whistle Tra
 like crazy.  "You are evil, voi what you are!  "Shouted Agnan, which began
 cry.
 "Hey, guys!  "Alceste said in his order.
 But nobody listened.  Me, I continued to fight with Geoffrey, I
 had torn, beautiful red shirt, white and blue, and said: "Bah, bah, bah!
 Never mind!  My pap he'll buy lots more!  And I must Ualt of
 kicked in the ankles.  Rufi Agnan ran after shouting: "I have
 I telescope glasses!  Joachim, it sounds busy pe he sought his
 currency, but do not always VAIT third.  Eudes, who had remained quietly ment
 in its purpose, has had enough and began to distribute fisticuffs on
 nose: were closest to him, that is to say about his team's irc.  All
 world screaming, running.  C really fun, it was great!
 "Stop, guys!  "Shouted Alceste again.
 Eudes was so angry.  "You were anxious to
 play, he told Alceste, eh!  Well, we play.  If you have something to say
 wait halftime!  "
 "The half-time for what?  asked Alceste.  I just noticed that
 we do not have the ball, I forgot it at home!  "
 We had an inspector
 The lady came into class all nervous.  "Mr. Inspector is in
 school, she told us, I count on you to be wise and make good
 printing.  "We were promised we would be well, moreover, the teacher is wrong
 worry, we're almost always wise.  "I would point out," said
 mistress, it's a new inspector, the former was already familiar to you, but he
________________________________________
 Page 18

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 18
 retired ...  And then the lady gave us lots and lots of
 recommendations, we were forbidden to speak without being questioned, laughter without his
 leave, she asked us not to drop the ball like
 last time the inspector came and he found himself on the floor, she
 Alceste asked to stop eating when the inspector is there and she told
 Clotaire, which is the last of the class, not to get noticed.  Sometimes I
 wonder if the teacher does not take us for puppets.  But, as
 like him, the mistress, he promised everything she wanted.  The teacher
 looked to see if the class and we were very clean and she said that
 class was cleaner than some of us.  And then she asked Agnan
 which is the first class and the pet to put the ink in the ink,
 if the inspector would have us do a dictation.  Agnan took the large bottle
 ink and it would begin to pour into the inkwells of the first bench, where are
 Cyril and Joachim seated when someone shouted: "Here the inspector!  "Agnan was
 so afraid that he spilled ink all over the bench.  It was a joke
 the inspector was not there and the lady was very angry.  "I've seen, Clotaire,
 she said.  You are the author of this stupid joke.  Go to post!  "Clotaire
 started crying, he said that if he went to the stake, it would be noticed and
 the inspector was going to ask lots of questions, and he knew nothing and was about to
 to cry and it was not a joke, he saw the inspector pass
 in the courtyard with the director and as was true, the lady said, well, it
 going to this time.  What was annoying is that the first bench was all
 full of ink, the lady said when he had to go the bench in last place, there
 where we would not see him.  We got to work and it was a strange case because
 need to move all the benches and we had fun though and came with the Inspector
 the director.
 We did not have to get up, because we were all standing, and everyone had
 looks very surprised.  "These are small, they ...  they are somewhat allayed, "said the director.
 "I see, said the inspector, sit down, my children.  "We all sat, and,
 as we had returned to their bench to change it up, Cyril and Joachim
 turned their backs on the board.  The inspector looked at the lady and asked her
________________________________________
 Page 19

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 19
 if these two students were always placed like that.  The lady, she made the head
 Clotaire when asked, but she did not cry.  "A small incident ...  "She
 said.  The inspector did not look very happy, he had bushy eyebrows, close
 eyes.  "We must have some authority, he said.  Come, my children, put her to the bench
 place.  "We all stood up and the inspector started shouting:" Not all at once: you
 only two!  "Cyril and Joachim returned the bench and sat down.
 The inspector gave a smile and he supported his hands on the bench.  "Well, he said,
 were you doing before I came?  - We changed the bench space, "said
 Cyril.  "Do not speak over the bench!  cried the inspector, who seemed to be nervous.
 And first, why do you change the bench space?  - Because of the ink, "said
 Joachim.  "The ink?  "Asked the inspector and he looked at his hands that were
 all blue.  The inspector gave a deep sigh and wiped his fingers with a
 handkerchief.
 Us, we saw that the inspector, the teacher and the director did not seem
 laughing.  It was decided to be pretty wise.
 "You have, I see few problems with discipline," said the inspector to
 mistress, he must use a little basic psychology, "and then he turned
 towards us with a big smile and he has alienated his eyebrows of his eyes.  "My
 children, I want to be your friend.  Do not be afraid of me, I know you
 like fun, and I also love a good laugh.  Besides, look, you know
 the story of two deaf: deaf said to the other: you go fishing?  and the other says:
 no, I'm going fishing.  Then the first says: oh good, I thought you were going to
 fishing.  "It's unfortunate that we have defended the mistress of her without laughing
 permission, because we had a terrible time to remember.  I'm going to tell the story
 Dad tonight, it'll do laugh, I'm sure he does not know.  The inspector,
 who did not need anyone's permission, laughed a lot, but as he saw
 nobody said anything in class, he gave up his eyebrows, he coughed
 and he said: "Well, enough laughing at work.  - We were studying fables, said
 the mistress, The Raven and the Fox.  - Perfect, perfect, said the inspector, well,
 continue.  "The teacher pretended to look at random from the class, and
________________________________________
 Page 20

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 20
 Then she showed Agnan finger: "You Agnan, we recite the fable.  But
 Inspector raised his hand.  "May I?  "He said to the mistress, and then he
 Clotaire shown.  "You there, in the end, I recite this tale.  "Clotaire has
 opened his mouth and he started to cry.  "But what did he?  "Asked
 Inspector.  The teacher said he was sorry Clotaire, he was very shy,
 then, is that Rufus was interviewed.  Rufus is a buddy and his dad, he is an agent
 police.  Rufus said he did not know the story by heart, but he knew
 about what it was and he began to explain that it was the story of a
 raven holding in its beak a Roquefort.
 "A blue cheese?  "Asked the inspector, who looked increasingly
 surprised.  "But no, said Alceste was a pie.  - Not at all, "said Rufus, the
 Camembert, raven he could not keep it in its beak, it runs and then it
 not feel good!  - It smells bad, but it's nice to eat, replied Alceste.
 And then it means nothing, the soap that smells good, but it's very bad to eat,
 I tried once.  - Bah!  said Rufus, you're stupid and I'll tell my dad
 give lots of tickets to your daddy!  And they fought.
 Everyone was up and screaming, crying except Clotaire still in its
 Agnan corner who went to the table and recited The Raven and the Fox.  The
 mistress, the inspector and the director shouted "Enough!  .  We all laughed a lot.
 When it stopped and everyone sat down, pulled out his inspectors
 handkerchief and wiped his face, he put the ink everywhere and it is unfortunate
 we had no right to laugh, because it will hold back until recess and it
 will not be easy.
 The inspector approached the lady and he shook hands.  "You
 have my sympathy, Miss.  Not like today, I did
 overview of how our profession is a vocation.  Go!  Courage!  Bravo!  And he
 went very quickly with the director.
 We are like him, our teacher, but she was awfully unfair.  It
 with us it has been welcomed, and it has put us all the dirt!
________________________________________
 Page 21

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 21
 5.  Rex
 On leaving school I attended a small dog.  He seemed lost, the little dog
 he was all alone and it made me much trouble.  I thought the dog would
 glad to find a friend and I struggled to catch up.  Like the little dog
 did not seem to have really wanted to come with me, he must be wary, I told him
 offered half of my chocolate bun and the dog ate the bun
 chocolate and started to wag his tail in all directions and I called him
 Rex like a thriller I saw last Thursday.
 After the bun, that Rex has eaten almost as quickly as would have done
 Alceste, a friend who eats all the time, Rex followed me all happy.  I thought
 it would be a nice surprise for dad and mom when I would arrive with
 Rex in the house.  And I would learn to do tricks with Rex, he would keep the house,
 and also, it would help me find the bandits, like the movie last Thursday.
 Well, I'm sure you will not believe me when I arrived at the
 home, Mom was not so happy to see Rex, she was not happy
 at all.  I must say it's a bit of Rex's fault.  We entered the
 living room and mom came, she kissed me and asked me if everything was fine
 spent in school, if I had not done anything stupid and then she saw Rex and she started
 shouting: "Where did you find this animal?  "Me, I started to explain that it was a
 poor little lost dog that would help me stop a lot of bandits, but Rex, instead
 to keep quiet, jumped on a chair and began to bite in the
 cushion.  And it was the chair where dad has no right to sit, unless there
 invited!
 Mom continued to scream, she said she had forbidden me to bring back
 animals at home (that's right, mom forbade me the time I brought a
 mouse), it was dangerous, that this dog could be rabid, he was going
 bite everyone and we all would become enraged and she fetched a broom
________________________________________
 Page 22

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 22
 to put this animal out and it gave me a minute to leave the dog
 the house.
 I had trouble deciding Rex release the cushion of the chair, and again it has
 kept one end in the teeth, I do not understand that he likes it, Rex.  And I'm
 out in the garden, with Rex in his arms.  I had wanted to cry, then, is
 what I did.  I do not know if Rex was sad too, he was too busy spitting
 bits of wool cushion.
 Dad came and found us both sitting at the door, me
 crying, Rex spitting.  "Well, he said Dad, what is
 happening here?  Then I explained to my dad that mom did not want Rex and Rex
 was my friend and I were the only friend of Rex and he would help me find a lot of
 bandits and tricks that I would learn and that he was very unhappy and
 I delivered a blow to cry while Rex scratched an ear with
 hind leg and it's awfully hard to do, we tried once at school and
 the only one who succeeded was Maixent which has very long legs.
 Dad, he stroked my head and then he told me that Mom was right, that
 it was dangerous to bring the dogs home, they may be sick
 they start to bite you and then after, bang!  everyone starts drooling and
 to be mad and that later I would learn in school, Pasteur invented a
 drug, is a benefactor of humanity and can be cured, but it is very
 evil.  Me, I said to dad that Rex was not sick, he liked to eat and
 it was awfully clever.  Dad then looked at Rex and he scratched his head,
 as I am to myself sometimes.  "It is true that he looks healthy, this little
 dog, "said Dad and Rex began to lick his hand.  It made him strangely happy
 candy.  "He's cute," he said Dad, and then he turned the other hand and said: "The
 paw, gives paw, come, the paw, give!  "Rex and gave him the paw and
 Then he licked her hand and then he scratched his ear, he was really busy, Rex.
 Dad, he laughed and then said, "Well, wait for me here, I'll try to fix it
 with your mother, "and he entered the house.  It is nice daddy!  While Dad
 arranged it with Mom, I amused myself with Rex, who started making the beautiful
________________________________________
 Page 23

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 23
 and then as I had nothing to feed him, he began to scratch his
 ear, it is terrible, Rex!
 When Dad left the house, he did not look so happy.  He
 sitting next to me he scratched his head and he told me that Mom did not want the
 dog in the house, especially after the coup of the chair.  I was about to cry,
 but I had an idea.  "If mom does not want Rex in the house, I said, we
 could keep it in the garden.  "Dad, he thought for a moment and then said that
 was a good idea, as Rex in the garden would not damage and it was
 build him a niche immediately.  I kissed my daddy.
 We went to look for boards in the attic and dad appporté
 tools.  Rex, he began to eat begonias, but it is less serious than
 for the chair of the show, because we have more seats than begonias.
 Dad, he began to sort the boards.  "You'll see, he said, it will make him
 a great niche, a true palace.  - And then I said, we'll teach him to make
 lots of turns and it will keep the house!  - Yes, Dad said, we will prepare to drive
 intruders, Blédurt example.  "Mr. Blédurt is our neighbor, and her dad, they
 like to tease each other.  We had fun though, Rex, me and Dad!  It has a
 little spoiled when Dad yelled, because of the hammer that was given on
 finger and mom is out of the house.  "What are you doing?  "Asked
 Mom.  So me, I explained that we had decided, Dad and I keep
 Rex in the garden, where there were no chairs and that he manufactured a dad
 niche and he would learn to bite Mr. Rex Blédurt, to enrage.
 Dad, he did not say much, he was sucking his finger and looked mom.  Mom
 was not happy at all.  She said she did not want to fool with it and
 look at me a little of what this animal has made my begonias!  Rex raised his head and he
 Mom came over, wagging his tail and then he made the beautiful.  Maman
 and then she looked down and stroked the head of Rex and Rex has licked
 one hand and rang the door of the garden.
________________________________________
 Page 24

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 24
 Dad went and open a gentleman entered.  He looked at Rex and he said: "Kiki
 !  Finally there you are!  I seek you everywhere!  - But, sir, "asked papa,
 do you want?  - What I want?  said the gentleman.  I wish my dog!  Kiki has
 escaped while I was making him do his little walk and I was told that
 had seen a boy take him here.  - It's not Kiki is Rex, I said.  And all
 Together we will catch bandits like in the movie last Thursday and we will
 prepare to make jokes Blédurt sir!  But Rex looked very happy
 and he jumped into the arms of the gentleman.  "That proves to me that this dog is yours, has
 asked Dad, it's a lost dog!  - And the necklace, replied the gentleman, you
 did not see her necklace?  There is my name on it!  Jules Joseph Hardened, my
 address, I really want to complain!  Come, my dear Kiki, but not!  "And
 Mr. Rex is gone.
 We stayed quite surprised, and then Mom started crying.  So, Dad, it
 mother consoled him and promised that I will bring another dog, one of those days.
________________________________________
 Page 25

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 25
 6.  Djodjo
 We had a new classroom.  In the afternoon, the teacher came
 with a little boy who had hair all red, freckles and
 blue eyes as I lost the ball at recess yesterday, but has Maixent
 cheated.  "My children," said the teacher, I present a new small
 comrade.  He is a foreigner and his parents put him in the school so that learning
 not to speak French.  I count on you to help me and be very gentle with him.  And
 then the lady turned to her again and she told him: "Say your name
 your classmates.  The new has not understood what he called the
 mistress, he smiled and we saw he had a lot of terrible teeth.  "The
 Lucky you, ditAlceste has a big friend, who eats all the time, with teeth
 like that, he must bite funny songs!  "As the new did not say
 nothing, the teacher told us his name was George McIntosh.  "Yes," said
 Again, Dgeorges.  - Excuse me, miss, asked Maixent, it is called
 George or Dgeorges?  "The teacher told us his name was George, but
 in its language, it is pronounced Dgeorges.  "Well," said Maixent be called
 Jojo.  - No, said Joachim must decide Djodjo.  - Shut up, Djoachim, "said
 Maixent mistress and put them both at stake.
 The teacher made him sit beside Djodjo Agnan.  Agnan seemed to
 beware of once again, as it is the first class and the darling of the
 mistress, he was always afraid of new, which may become the first and
 scrunchies.  With us, Agnan knows he is quiet.
 Djodjo sat, always making her smile full of teeth.  "It
 pity that no one speaks his language, "said the teacher.  "Me, I have
 rudimentary English, "said Agnan which, it must be said, speaks well.  But after
 qu'Agnan was released to its basics Djodjo, Djodjo looked at him and then he started laughing
 and he tapped his forehead with his finger.  Agnan was very upset, but Djodjo was right.
 After it became known qu'Agnan told him things about his tailor who was rich and
________________________________________
 Page 26

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 26
 the garden of his uncle who was taller than the hat of his aunt.  It's crazy,
 Agnan!
 Recess rang and we left, all but Joachim and Maixent
 Clotaire, who were punished.  Clotaire is the last of the class and he did not know his
 lesson.  When Clotaire is questioned, he never recreation.
 In the yard, we started all around Djodjo.  He was asked many
 questions, but he, all he did was show us a lot of teeth.  And then,
 he began to speak, but we did not understand, it was "oinshouinshouin" and it
 everything.  "What is said Geoffroy who goes much to the movies is that he speaks in
 original version.  They really need subtitles.  - I might be translated, "said
 Agnan who wanted to try his basics once again.  "Bah," said Rufus, thou art
 crazy!  "That it has pleased him, the new one, he showed Agnan finger and said:" Aon!
 Dinguedingue-crazy!  He was quite happy.  Agnan him, he left in tears, he
 crying all the time, Agnan.  We began to find it awfully nice,
 Djodjo, and I gave him a piece of my piece of chocolate from the recess.  "
 What do we do as a sport in your country?  "Odo asked.  Djodjo, although
 course, did not understand, he continued to say "crazy, crazy crazy, but Geoffroy
 replied: "What a question, they play tennis at home!  - Species of horn,
 Eudes screamed, I'm not talking to you!  - Species horn!  Dinguedingue!  "Shouted the
 again that looked a lot of fun with us.  But Geoffroy had not
 liked how it had responded Eudes.  "Who is a puppet?  "He asked and
 was wrong because Odo is very strong and he likes to kick his fist on
 the nose and it has not missed one for Geoff.  When he saw the punch,
 Djodjo stopped to say "dinguedingue" and "crank case."  He looked Eudes
 and he said: "Boxing?  very good!  And he put his fists to his face and he
 started dancing all around Eudes like boxers on TV in
 Clotaire, because we we did not and I would love for Dad
 buys.  "What it takes?  "Odo asked.  "He wants to box
 with you, wise guy!  "Said Geoffroy, who rubbed his nose.  Eudes said "good" and
 he tried to box with Djodjo.  But oddly Djodjo was doing better
________________________________________
 Page 27

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 27
 Eudes.  He gave her a bunch of shots and Eudes began to get angry: "If
 do not let his nose up, how do you want me to fight?  "He screamed and
 bing!  Djodjo gave a punch to Eudes who has sat down.  Eudes was
 not angry.  "You're strong!  "He said, rising.  "Strong, crazy, kind puppet!
 "Replied the new, awfully fast learner.  Recess ended and,
 as usual, Alceste has complained that left him no time to finish
 four rolls filled with butter that brings home.
 In class, when we entered, the lady asked if Djodjo
 had a good time, then Agnan rose and said: "Miss, they him
 learn big words!  - It's not true, dirty liar!  "Shouted Clotaire, who was
 not released for recess.  "Crazy, crank case, dirty liar," said Djodjo all
 proud.
 We can not say anything, because we saw that the lady was not
 happy at all.  "You should be ashamed, she said, enjoying a comrade
 know your language!  But I asked you to be nice, but we can not
 not trust you!  You have behaved like little savages,
 ill-bred!  - Crazy, crank case, dirty liar, wild, rude, "said
 Djodjo, who looked increasingly happy to learn so many things.
 The lady looked at him with round eyes.  "But ...  but, she said,
 George, do not say things like that!  - Did you see, miss?
 What did I tell you?  "Said Agnan.  "If you do not want to remain successful,
 Agnan, screamed the mistress, I beg you to keep your thoughts to yourself!  "Agnan has
 started crying.  "Ugly cockroach!  "Shouted someone, but the teacher did not know who
 it was, otherwise I would have been punished, then Agnan has rolled on the floor screaming that
 nobody loved him, that was awful and he was dying, and the teacher had
 go out with him for him to pass water over the face and calm.
 When the teacher returned with Agnan, she looked tired, but
 fortunately, the bell rang the end of class.  Before leaving, the teacher has
________________________________________
 Page 28

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 28
 look at the new and said: "I wonder what your parents will think.  -
 Ugly cockroach, "said Djodjo giving hand.
 The lady was wrong to worry, because the parents had Djodjo
 think he had learned French at all he needed.
 The proof is that Djodjo never returned to school.
________________________________________
 Page 29

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 29
 7.  The nice bouquet
 It is the anniversary of my mom and I decided to buy him a gift
 like every year since last year, because before I was too small.
 I took the sub was in my wallet and there were many,
 Fortunately, because, by chance, Mom gave me money yesterday.  I knew
 the gift I'd Mamma to the laugh to put in the blue vase
 lounge, a terrible bunch, as big as any.
 At school, I was oddly eager to finish the class to go
 buy my gift.  Not to lose my money, I had my hand in my pocket
 all the time even to play football at recess, but since I do not play
 no goalkeeper, it did not matter.  The goalkeeper was Alceste, a
 friend who is very big and loves to eat.  "What you have to run with
 one hand?  "He asked.  When I told him it was because
 I would buy flowers for my mom, he told me, he would have preferred some
 something to eat, cake, candy or white pudding, but, as
 gift was not for him I did not notice and I put a goal.  Was
 won by 44 to 32.
 When we left school, I was accompanied to the Alceste
 florist by eating half of the bun chocolate that was left of the class
 grammar.  We entered the store, I put all my money on
 counter and I told the lady I wanted a very large bouquet of flowers for my
 Mom, but not begonias, because there are lots in our garden and this
 not bother to go buy elsewhere.  "We want something good
 "Said Alceste and went poking her nose in the flowers that were in the shop window,
 to see if it smelled good.  The lady counted my money and she said she
 could not give me many, many flowers.  As I looked very
 embarrassed, the lady looked at me, she thought for a moment, she told me that I was a
 cute little boy, she gave me a pat on the head and then she told me
________________________________________
 Page 30

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 30
 she would fix it.  The lady chose flowers to right and left and then
 has lots of green leaves that, it has pleased Alceste, because he said that these
 leaves were like the vegetables you put in the pot-au-feu.  The bouquet was
 very nice and very big, the woman was wrapped in transparent paper
 made a noise and she told me to be careful when wearing it.  Since I had my
 Alcestis had finished bouquet and smell the flowers, I said thank you to the lady and we
 went out.
 I was very happy with my bouquet when we met Geoffrey,
 Clotaire and Rufus, three buddies from school.  "Look Nicolas said Geoffrey, what
 may look andouille with flowers!  - You have the vein that I have flowers, I
 told him, otherwise you would get a slap!  - Give them to me, your flowers, Alceste said, I
 am willing to take the blows while you Geoffroy.  "So I, I gave the bouquet
 Alceste and Geoff gave me a slap.  We fought and I said he was
 Later, when we stopped.  But I had to stay a little longer, because said Clotaire
 "Look Alceste, now it was he who looked like a fool, with the flowers!  "
 Then Alcestis gave him a blow on the head with the bouquet.  "My flowers!  I
 screamed.  You'll break my flowers!  "It's true, too!  Alceste, he gave a lot of
 Loved my bouquet and the flowers were flying from all sides because the paper
 Clotaire had torn and shouted: "It does not hurt me, it does not hurt me!  "
 When Alceste stopped, Clotaire's head was covered by leaves
 green bouquet and it's true that it looked like an awfully pot-au-feu.  I, I
 started to pick up my flowers and I told them, my friends, they were
 wicked.  "Yes," said Rufus, it's not nice what you did to the flowers
 by Nicolas!  - You, you did not get struck!  "Said Geoffrey and they started
 to give blows.  Alceste, he, left his side, because the head of Clotaire
 gave him hungry and he did not want to be late for dinner.
 I am left with my flowers.  It lacked, there was more vegetables
 or paper, but it was still a beautiful bouquet, and then later, I met
 Eudes.
________________________________________
 Page 31

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 31
 "You make a game of marbles?  "He asked me, Odo.  "I can not, I
 I answered, I must go home to give these flowers to my mom.  But
 Eudes said it was still early, and then me, I like to play
 ball, I play very well, I aim and bang!  almost always, I win.  So I arranged the
 flowers on the sidewalk and started to play with Eudes and it's nice to play
 marbles with Eudes, because he often loses.  The trouble is that when he loses it
 is not happy and he told me that I was cheating and I told him he was a liar,
 then he pushed me and I fell sitting on the bouquet and it does not make them the
 many flowers.  "I'll tell mom what you did to her flowers," I told him to
 Eudes Eudes and was very upset.  So he helped me choose which flowers were
 less crushed.  I like it Eudes is a good friend.
 I went back to walk, my bouquet, it was not very big, but
 flowers that remained, it was going, a flower was a little crushed, but the other two
 were fine.  And then I saw Joachim arrived on his bike.  Joachim is a
 school friend who has a bike.
 So there, I have decided not to fight, because if I kept
 compete with all the friends I met on the street soon, I do
 remain more flowers to give to my mom.  And then, after all, it does
 not look at my friends if I want to give flowers to my mom, my right and
 then me, I think they are jealous, simply because my mom will be
 very happy and it will give me a good serve and she will say I am very
 nice and then what do they all have to tease me?
 "Hi, Nicolas!  "He said, Joachim.  "What is wrong with my bouquet?  I cried
 Joachim.  An-socket yourself!  Joachim stopped his bike, he looked at me with
 round eyes and asked, "What bouquet?  - This one!  "I said and I
 I sent him flowers to FIG.  I think not ^ Joachim did not expect to receive
 flowers on the figure, in any case, it has not rained at all.  He threw the flowers
 in the street and they fell on the roof of a car that was going on and they are
 parts with the car.  "My flowers!  I screamed.  The flowers of my Mom!  - Do not worry,
 Joachim said, I take the bike and I catch the car!  He is kind, Joachim, but he
________________________________________
 Page 32

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 32
 do not pedal fast, especially when it rises, and yet he trains for the Tour de
 France he will do when he grows up.  Joachim came back telling me that he had
 unable to catch the car, she had dropped into a neck.  But I brought a flower
 which had fallen from the roof of the car.  No luck, it was one that was crushed.
 Joachim went very quickly, it comes down to his house, and I am
 came home with my flower all crumpled.  I like a big ball
 in the throat.  Like when I bring my notebook to class at home with
 zeros in it.
 I opened the door and I told mom, "Happy birthday, Mum and I
 I started to cry.  Mom looked at the flower, it looked a little surprised, and
 then she took me in her arms, she kissed me lots and lots of times, she
 said she had never received such a beautiful bouquet and she put the flower in the
 vase blue room.
 You say what you want, but my mom, she is great!
________________________________________
 Page 33

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 33
 8.  Books
 This afternoon, at school, we did not laugh, because the director came
 class we distribute books.  It did not look happy, the director, when he
 came with our books under his arm.  "I've been in education since the
 years, he said, the director, and I've never seen a class also dissipated.  The
 comments made on your books by your mistress are authentic.  I will
 begin distributing the books.  And Clotaire began to cry.  Clotaire is the
 bottom of the class and every month, in his book, the teacher writes numerous
 things and dad and mom to Clotaire are not happy and deprive
 dessert and television.  They are so used, Clotaire told me that once
 per month, his mother does not desert and his dad will watch television in the
 neighbors.
 On my notebook with me was: "Student turbulent, often distracted.  Could
 do better.  "Odo was:" Student dissipated.  Fights with his classmates.  Could
 better.  For Rufus, was: "Persist in class playing with a whistle,
 repeatedly confiscated.  Could do better.  "The only one who could not do better,
 Agnan it.  Agnan is the first class and the teacher's pet.  The
 Director has read the book Agnan: "Student applied intelligent.  Happen.  The
 Director told us that we should follow the example of Agnan, we were small
 scoundrels, we would end up in prison and it would surely with difficulty
 our fathers and our mothers had to have other plans for us.  And then
 left.
 We were left very annoyed because the books, our fathers are the
 sign and it is not always very funny.  So when the bell rang the end of
 class, instead of running all at the door, we shove, push us and
 we cast our binders head as we usually do, we are
 out slowly, saying nothing.  Even the lady looked sad.  We, we do it
 wants not to the teacher.  It must be said that this month was a bit done and the horns
 Geoffrey then should not have reversed his ink by Joachim, who was on earth
________________________________________
 Page 34

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 34
 dropped by a lot of tricks because Eudes gave him a shot
 fist on the nose when it was Rufus who had pulled the hair Eudes.
 In the street, we walked not rapidly, dragging their feet.  Before the
 pastry was expected that Alcestis had entered buy six chocolate buns
 he started eating right away.  "I must make provisions, we
 Alceste said, because tonight, for dessert ...  "And then he heaved a deep sigh,
 while chewing.  It must be said that the book Alceste, it was: "If this student
 put as much energy at work and feed himself, he would be the first class, because
 he could do better.  "
 One who seemed the least bothered, it was Odo.  "I, he said, I do not
 fear.  My dad, he tells me nothing, I look straight in the eye and then him, he signs
 the book and then voila!  He has a vein, Odo.  When we arrived at the corner, it was
 separated.  Clotaire left crying, eating and Alceste, whistling while Rufus
 down his whistle.
 I am left alone with Eudes.  "If you're afraid to go home is
 Easy, said Odo.  You come home and you stay the night at home.  "It is a
 Eudes boyfriend.  We started together and told me how he Eudes
 looked at his dad in the eye.  But the more we approached the house Eudes
 Odo spoke less.  When one has found the front door of the house, not Eudes
 said nothing.  We stayed there for a while and then I said to Odo "So, we enter?
 "Odo scratched his head and then he said:" Wait for me a little while.  I
 come back and get you.  And then Eudes came home.  He had left the door
 ajar, so I heard a slap, a loud voice saying: "In bed without
 dessert, sweet bum "and Eudes crying.  I think in terms of eye
 his father, Eudes did not have a good look.
 What was annoying is that now I had to go home.
 I started walking, being careful not to set foot on
 lines between the stones, it was easy because I was not going fast.  Dad, I knew
 what I say.  It seems to me that he was always first in his class and his
________________________________________
 Page 35

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 35
 his dad was very proud of my dad to me and he brought the school a lot of
 honor rolls and cross and he would show me, but he has
 lost in the move when he got married.  And Dad would tell me that I
 happen anywhere, I'd poor and people would say it is Nicolas, this
 who had poor grades in school, and they point the finger at me and I
 'd laugh.  After, Dad would tell me he was bleeding to four veins for me
 give a good education and I am armed for life and that I was
 ungrateful and I do not even suffer the pain that I was doing to my poor
 parents and I will not have dessert and that is the cinema, we await the
 next book.
 He will tell me everything, my dad, like last month and the month before,
 but me, I've had enough.  I'll tell him I am very unhappy, and since it
 like that, well I'll leave home and go very far and I regret it
 much and I will not go back in a lot of years and I have a lot of money
 and dad is ashamed of me that I will say anything and people will not dare
 show me the finger for fun with my money and I'll take the mom and dad
 cinema and everyone will say: "Look, it's Nicolas who has lots of money and
 Cinema is he who pays his dad and his mom, even if they were not very
 nice to him "and the movies, I'll take also the teacher and the director of
 school and I found myself in front of me.
 Thinking about all this and telling me stories of owls, I forgot
 my notebook and I walked very fast.  I had a big lump in my throat and I
 told myself that maybe it was better to leave immediately and return only in
 lots of years but it was getting dark and mom does not like me to be
 outside when it's late.  So I entered.
 In the living room, Dad was talking with Mom.  There were lots of
 papers on the table before him and he did not look happy.  "It's unbelievable," said
 Dad to see what is spent in this house, you'd think I'm a multi-
 millionaire!  Look at these bills!  The butcher's bill!  That of the grocer!
 Oh, of course, money is I who must find it!  "Mom was not happy either
________________________________________
 Page 36

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 36
 more and she told Dad that he had no idea of the cost of living and that one day he
 should go shopping with her and she would return with his mother and he
 should not discuss this in front of the child.  Me, so I gave the book to Dad.
 Dad, he opened the book, he signed and gave it to me saying: "The child has nothing to
 do with it.  All I ask is that you explain why the Leg
 costs that price!  - Monte play in your bedroom, Nicolas, "said Mom.  "That's
 that's it, "said Dad.
 I got into my room, I lay on the bed and I started
 crying.
 It is true that, if my dad and my mom loved me, they would deal a little
 Me!
________________________________________
 Page 37

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 37
 9.  Louisette
 I was not happy when mum told me that her friends would
 have tea with her little girl.  Me, I do not like girls.  It's stupid, it knows
 not play anything but the doll and the market and it cries all the time.
 Of course, I also cry sometimes, but for serious things, like
 both the living room where the vase broke and Dad scolded me and it was not fair
 because I had not done on purpose and then the vase was very ugly and I know
 my dad does not like me playing ball in the house but outside it was raining.
 "You will be very nice with Louisette, mom told me, is a charming
 little girl and I want you to show him that you are very high.  "
 When Mom wants to show that I am well educated, she dressed with
 blue suit and white shirt and I look like a joke.  I told my mom that
 I would rather go with friends to the movies to see a movie cowboy, but
 Mom made me her eyes as if she did not want to laugh.
 "And I beg you not to be brutal with this girl, otherwise you will
 matter to me, "said mom, okay?  At four hours, friends mom came
 with her granddaughter.  Mom's friend kissed me, she said, like everyone
 world, I was a big boy, she also told me: "That Louisette.  "Louisette
 and I, we looked at.  She had yellow hair, with plaits, eyes
 blue, a nose and a red dress.  It has given the finger, very quickly.  Mom served
 tea, and that was fine, because when there are people for tea, there are
 chocolate cakes and we can resume twice.  During the tasting, Louisette
 me and nothing was said.  We ate and we did not look.  When it has finished
 Mom said, "Now children, go have fun.  Nicolas, takes Loui-
 sette into your room and show him your beautiful toys.  "Mom she said that with a
 big smile, but at the same time it made me eyes, those with which it is
 best not to laugh.  Louisette me and we went to my room and there, I do
 did not know what to say.  Louisette who said it, she said: "You look like a monkey.  "
________________________________________
 Page 38

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 38
 It does not please me, too, so I told him: "And you're a girl!  "And she
 slapped.  I had wanted me to cry, but I restrained myself,
 because Mom wanted me to be very high, so I pulled one of the mats
 Louisette and she gave me a kick to the ankle.  There he still took
 I make "ouch, ouch" because it hurt.  I was going to give him a slap,
 Louisette when conversation has changed, she said: "So these toys, you me
 watches?  "I was going to say it was boy toys, when she saw my bear
 Teddy, the one I once shaved half with a razor Dad.  I had
 shaved only half, because the razor dad did not survive.  "You
 cheeks with dolls?  "She asked Louisette, and then she started laughing.  Going
 shoot him a mat and Louisette raised his hand to put me on the figure, when the
 door opened and both our mothers came.  "Then the children said
 Mom, you're having fun right?  - Oh, yes ma'am!  "Said Louisette with eyes
 wide open and then she moves her eyes and quickly kissed her mom
 saying: "Adorable, she is adorable!  It's a real chick!  "And Louisette
 worked hard on your eyes.  "Watch your beautiful picture books to Louisette"
 I told my mom and another mom said we were two little chicks and
 they are parties.
 Me, I pulled out my closet of books and I have given Louisette, but
 has not looked at it and threw them on the ground, even one where there are lots
 Indians and that is terrible: "It does not interest me your books, she said, Louisette,
 you do not have something more fun?  "And then she looked in the closet and
 saw my airplane, the owl, one that has an elastic band, which is red and flies.  "
 Leave it, I said, it's not for girls, it's my plane!  "And I tried
 resume, but Louisette departed.  "I'm the guest, she said, I have the right
 play with all your toys, and if you do not agree, I call my mom and see
 that's right!  "I do not know what to do, I do not want her to break it, my
 plane, but I did not feel she calls her mom, because that would make
 stories.  While I was there, thinking, Louisette rotates the propeller
 the elastic back and then she dropped the plane.  She dropped by my window
 room that was open, and the flight departed.  "Look what you did, I screamed.
________________________________________
 Page 39

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 39
 My plane is lost!  "And I started to cry.  "It is not lost, your plane,
 beta, Louisette said, look, he fell in the garden, one has only to go
 search.  "
 We descended into the living room and I asked Mom if we
 could play out in the garden and Mom said it was too cold, but
 Louisette was the shot of the eyelids and she said she wanted to see the pretty flowers.
 Then my mom said she was a cute chick and she said well we
 cover to exit.  It will take me to learn, for the eye, it looks to walk
 oddly, that thing!
 In the garden, I picked up the plane, which was not, fortunately, and
 Louisette said, "What do we do?  - I do not know me, I said, you wanted
 see the flowers, watch them, there's a lot there.  But she said it Louisette
 laughed at my flowers and they were lousy.  I had wanted to slap him on
 the nose, Louisette, but I did not dare, because the living room window overlooks
 garden, and in the living room there were the moms.  "I have no toys here, except the ball
 Football in the garage.  "Louisette told me it was a good idea.  It is
 went for the ball and I was very annoyed, I was afraid that my friends
 are playing with a girl.  "You put yourself into the trees, said Louisette, and you
 trying to stop the ball.  "
 There, she made me laugh, Louisette, and then she has gained momentum and, boom!  a shoot
 terrible!  The ball, I could not stop it, she broke the glass window of the garage.
 Moms are out of the house running.  My mom saw the window
 the garage and she understood immediately.  "Nicolas!  she said, instead of playing
 rough play, you better t'occu-per of your guests, especially when they are
 Louisette nice that!  "Me, I looked Louisette, it was later in the garden
 now feel the begonias.
 The night I was deprived of dessert, but it does not matter, it is nice,
 Louisette, and when we get bigger, we will marry.
________________________________________
 Page 40

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 40
 She has a terrible shot!
 Was repeated for the Minister
 It made us all take to the court and the director came to us
 talk.  "My dear children, he told us, I am very pleased to announce that
 during his stay in our city Excellency will give us
 the honor to visit this school.  You know, maybe not that Mr.
 Minister is an alumnus of the school.  It is an example for you, an example
 proves that by working well you can aspire to the highest destiny.  I
 insist that the Minister receives an unforgettable welcome here and I look
 you to help me in this goal.  And the director sent to Clotaire and Joachim
 stake because they were fighting.
 After the director has met all the teachers and supervisors about him
 and he told them he had terrible ideas to receive the minister.  To
 First, we would all sing La Marseillaise and then later, three small
 advancing with flowers and they give flowers to the minister.  It is true that
 has nice ideas and the director would be a good surprise to the Minister
 receiving flowers, it surely does not expect it.  Our teacher has seemed restless,
 I wonder why.  I found the nerve, in recent times, the mistress.
 The director said that we would start rehearsal immediately and there was
 was roughly satisfied, because we did not go to class.  Miss
 Vanderblergue, which is a singing teacher, made us sing the Marseillaise.  It
 Apparently it was not too successful, however, it was a funny noise.  It's true
 that we, we were a little ahead of the great.  Them, they were the day of
 glory has arrived and we, we were already in the second bloody banner
 is raised, but Rufus does not know the words and that was "lalala" and Alceste
 that does not sing because he was eating a croissant.  Miss
 Vanderblergue made sweeping gestures with his arms to silence us, but
 Instead of scolding children alike that were late, she scolded us that we had
 gained and what is not fair.  Perhaps what angered miss
________________________________________
 Page 41

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 41
 Vanderblergue is that Rufus sings, closing his eyes, he had not seen
 had to stop and he continued to "lalala".  Our teacher talked to
 Director and miss Vanderblergue and then the director told us that only
 great sing, would seem small.  We tried and it worked very well
 market, but there was less noise and the director told it was not Alceste
 the penalty for making faces like pretending to sing to him and Alceste
 said he did not pretend to sing, he chewed and the director
 heaved a deep sigh.  "Well, the director said, after the Marseillaise, we will do
 three small forward.  "The manager looked at us and then he chose Eudes Agnan
 which is the first class and the teacher's pet, and myself.  "Damage
 that this is not for girls, said the director, they could dress in blue, white
 and red, and then what happens sometimes, they put a bow in her hair is
 the best effect.  "If I put a bow in her hair, it's going to smoke," said
 Eudes.  The director has turned his head quickly and stared with one eye while Eudes
 large and one small, because of the eyebrow that he had put on.  "What you
 you say?  "Asked the director, then our teacher said quickly:" Nothing
 sir, he coughed.  - No, miss, said Agnan, I
 Naturally, he said ...  "But the teacher did not let him finish, she said she did it
 had not asked for anything.  "Exactly, dirty blues," said Odo, you did not get struck.  "
 Agnan started to cry and say that nobody loved him and he was very
 unhappy and he felt ill and that he would talk to his dad and we were going
 see what we would see and the lady told Odo not to talk without having the
 permission and the director has spent hand over his face as if to wipe it
 asked the teacher if this little conversation was over and he could
 continue, the teacher became very red and it suited him very well, it is
 almost as pretty as mom, but here it's more dad turns red.  "
 Well, said the director, the three children will advance to the Minister and
 will bring her flowers.  I need something that looks like bunches of
 flowers for the rehearsal.  The Bouillon, who is the supervisor, said: "I have an idea
 sir, I'll be right back "and he ran away and it is
 back with three feather dusters.  The director looked a little surprised and then said that
 Yes, after all, to repeat, it would do.  Bouillon gave us a
________________________________________
 Page 42

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 42
 duster to everyone, Odo, and Agnan to me.  "Well," said the director, now
 children, we will assume that I am Sir, then you, you
 you go and you give me the feather dusters.  "We do as he said,
 director, and he was given the feather dusters.  The director stood in the dusters
 arm, when suddenly he got angry.  He looked at Geoffrey and told him: "You there-
 down!  I saw you laugh.  I would like you to tell us what is so
 funny, so we can all benefit.  - That's what you said, sir,
 Geoffroy said, the idea of nodes in the hair of Nicolas, Eudes
 and the darling of Agnan dirty, that's what made me laugh!  - Want a punch
 on the nose?  "Odo asked.  "Yeah," I said, and Geoff gave me a slap.  We
 began to fight and the other guys have gotten too, except that Agnan
 rolled on the ground, shouting that he was not a dirty pet and no one
 loved him and that his dad would complain to the minister.  The manager waved his feather dusters
 and shouted: "Stop!  But stop!  "Everyone was running around, miss
 Vanderblergue fainted, it was terrible.
 The next day when the minister came, it went well, but we are
 has not seen, because we had put in the laundry, and even if the minister
 wanted to see us he could not because the door was locked.
 It has some funny ideas, the director!
________________________________________
 Page 43

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 43
 10.
 I smoke
 I was in the garden and I did nothing when it came to me and Alceste
 asked what I was doing and I replied: "Nothing.  "
 So Alceste said, "Come with me, I have something to show you, we will
 laugh.  "Me, I immediately followed Alceste, it plays well both.  Alceste, I
 do not know if I told you, it's a friend who is very big and eats all the
 time.  But there he was not eating, he had his hand in the pocket and while
 we walked in the street, he looked behind him as if to see if we can not
 not follow.  "What you want to show me, Alceste?  "I asked.  "No
 yet, "he said.
 Finally, when we turned the corner, Alceste has emerged from his pocket a large
 cigar.  "Look, he said, and it is real, not chocolate!  "That he was not
 chocolate, it did not need to tell me if the cigar was made of chocolate, Alceste
 I do not have the show, he would have eaten.
 I was a little disappointed, Alceste told me they were going to laugh.  "And what
 we gonna do with that cigar?  "I asked.  "This way!  replied Alceste
 we shall smoke, of course!  "I was not so sure that's a good idea
 smoking a cigar, and then, I have a feeling it would not please my mom and
 Dad, but Alceste asked if my dad and my mom forbade me
 cigar smoking.  I thought, and here I must say that dad and mom forbade me to
 draw pictures on the walls of my room, talking at the table when there are
 without my guests asked, to fill the tub to play with my
 boat, eating cake before dinner, to slam the doors, put me
 fingers in the nose and say bad words, but, smoking a cigar, that, Dad and
 Mom does not have defended myself.
 "See, I told Alceste.  Anyway, so we had no stories, we
 we will hide somewhere where we can smoke in peace.  "Me, I
 suggested that we go in the vacant lot not far from home.  Dad, there
________________________________________
 Page 44

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 44
 never will.  Alceste said it was a good idea and we were already proceeding with the
 fence to enter the open field, when Alceste has hit the front.  "You
 have a light?  "He asked, I told him no.  "Well then, said Alcestis
 how do you go to smoke, this cigar?  "I suggested we ask the fire
 a man in the street, I've seen it done to my dad and it's great fun, because
 the other gentleman that always tries to light his lighter and the wind can not
 not, then he gives his cigarette and Dad Dad supports his cigarette against that of
 Mr. and Mr. cigarette is all crumpled and the man is not
 so happy.  But Alceste told me that I had fallen on his head and never
 gentleman would not give us the fire because it was too small.  Damage, it
 would have amused crumpling a cigarette from a gentleman with our big cigar.  "And
 if it was going to buy matches at a tobacconist?  "I said.  "You got
 sub?  "Asked Alceste.  I said that I could contribute and at the end of
 year, at school, to buy a present to the mistress.  Alceste was angry, he said
 him that he put the cigar, it was fair that I pay the matches.  "You have paid the
 cigar?  "I asked.  "No," said Alcestis, I found it in the drawer of the desk
 my dad, and as my dad does not smoke cigars, it's not going to deprive him and he
 will never see that the cigar is gone.  - If you do not pay the cigar, there is no
 Because I pay the matches, "I said.  Finally, I agreed to buy
 matches, provided that Alceste come with me into the office of tobacco, I
 a little scared to go alone.
 We went into the tobacco shop and the lady asked us: "
 What you want, my rabbits?  - Matches "I said.  "It is our
 dads, "said Alcestis, but that it was not smart, because the lady was distrusted
 and she said that we should not play with matches, she did not want
 we sell and we were little rascals.  I liked better before,
 Alceste and me when we were rabbits.
 We left the office of tobacco and we were very annoyed.  It
 difficult to smoke cigars when you're small!  "I have a cousin who is a Boy Scout,
 Alceste said.  It seems that he has learned to make fire by rubbing sticks.
________________________________________
 Page 45

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 45
 If we were Boy Scouts, we would know how to smoke a cigar.  "I did not know
 not being taught these things, in the Boy Scouts, but we should not believe everything
 that tells Alceste.  Me, I've never seen Boy Scout cigar smoking.
 "I'm tired of your cigar, I said to Alceste, I'm going home.  - Yes, said
 Alceste, in fact I'm getting hungry and I do not want to be late for
 taste, there's absolutely amazed.  And all of a sudden we saw the floor, on the sidewalk, a box
 match!  Quickly, we picked it up and we saw that there were a match inside.
 Alceste was so nervous that he forgot his baba.  And forget Alceste
 a baba, he must be awfully nervous!  "Come quickly into the wasteland!  "Has
 Alceste shouted.
 We ran and we had the fence, where it lacks a
 board.  It is nice wave field, we often go to play.  There are
 all there: grass, mud, cobblestones, old crates, boxes
 canned, cats, and especially, especially, a car!  It's an old car, of course, she
 has no wheels, no engine, no doors, but we're having fun in there,
 VROM is made, VROM and it also plays to the bus, ding, ding, end section, complete.
 It's terrible!
 "We will smoke in the car," said Alcestis.  We entered and,
 when we sat down, the springs in the chairs have made a funny
 noise, like grandpa's chair, in itself, that even does not want to settle
 because it reminds him grandpa.
 Alceste has bitten the tip of the cigar and he spat.  He said he had seen
 that in a movie villains.  And then, there has been careful not to spoil
 the match and everything went well.  Alceste, such as cigars he had, it was he who
 began, sucked by a lot of noise and there was lots of smoke.  The
 first time, it surprised him, Alceste, it has been coughing and it gave me a cigar.  I
 sucked, too, and I must say that I have not found it so good and it made me
 cough, too.  "You do not know, told me Alceste, look!  Smoke through the nose!  And
 Alcestis took the cigar and he tried to pass the smoke through his nose, and that, that
________________________________________
 Page 46

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 46
 has roughly cough.  I've tried my turn and I have done better, but
 Smoke stung my eyes.  We laughed well.
 We were there to pass the cigar, when Alceste said: "It makes me all
 thing, I've had enough.  He was green, Alceste, and then, suddenly, it was
 awfully sick.  The cigar, he was thrown for me, my head was turned to me and I
 a bit like crying.  "I go home my mom," said Alceste and left in
 holding his stomach.  I think he will not eat tonight baba.
 I'm back home, too.  It was not very strong.  Dad sat
 in the lounge, smoking his pipe, Mom was knitting and I have been sick.  Mom was
 very worried, she asked me what I had, I told him it was smoke, but
 I could not continue to explain the scope of the cigar, because I have been
 ill.  "You see, Mom said to Dad, I've always said that this pipe stank!  "
 And at home, since I smoked a cigar, Dad no longer has the right to smoke a pipe.
________________________________________
 Page 47

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 47
 11.
 Tom Thumb
 The lady told us that the school principal was leaving, he took
 retirement.  To celebrate, terrible things are prepared, at school, we will do
 as for the prize: the moms and dads come, we will
 chairs in the large class of seating for the director and teachers
 garlands and a platform for representation.  The comedy, as
 usual, it will be us, students.
 Each class is up to something.  The children go to the gym
 they are all over each other and whoever is the highest, he waved a small
 flag and everyone applauds.  They did it last year for the
 distribution of prizes and it was very nice, even if in the end it was just missed for the
 flag, because they have fallen before the shake.  The class above ours
 going to dance.  Fis are all dressed as peasants, with hooves.  They will get in
 round, will type on the dais with hooves, but instead of waving a flag, they
 waving handkerchiefs, shouting "youp one!  "They too have done this year
 last was worse than the gym, but they have not fallen.  There
 a class that will sing Frere Jacques and a former student who will recite a
 compliment and say that's because the director gave him good
 advice he became a man and secretary to the mayor.
 We gonna be great!  The lady told us we were going to play
 a play!  A piece like in theaters and television Clotaire,
 because daddy would not even buy one.
 The piece is called Tom Thumb and Puss in Boots, and today in class
 we are the first rehearsal, the teacher should tell us what roles we will
 play.  Geoffrey, at random, came dressed as a cowboy, his dad is very rich and
 he buys a lot of things, but the teacher did not really enjoy the
 Geoffroy disguise.  "I've already warned, Geoffrey, she told him that I do
 not see you come to school dressed.  Besides, there are no cowboys in this
________________________________________
 Page 48

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 48
 room.  - No cowboys?  asked Geoffrey, and you call it a play?  Okay
 not be ugly!  "And the mistress has been picketed.
 The history part is very complicated and I do not quite understand
 when the teacher has told us.  I know there's Tom Thumb who seeks his
 he met the brothers and Puss in Boots and there is the Marquis de Carabas and an ogre who wants
 eat the brothers of Tom Thumb and Puss In Boots helps the Tom Thumb and the Ogre is
 overcome and it becomes nice and I think in the end it does not eat the Little Brothers
 Thumb and everyone is happy and they eat anything.
 "Come," said the teacher, who will play the role of Tom Thumb?  - Me
 miss, said Agnan.  This is the main role and I am the first class!  "
 It is true qu'Agnan the first class is also a favorite and a bad
 friend who cries all the time and wears glasses and can not be him
 beaten up because of them.  "You got a head to play the Tom Thumb, like me
 making lace!  "Said Odo, a friend and Agnan started crying and
 Eudes mistress has picketed beside Geoffroy.
 "It takes me an ogre, now," said the lady, an ogre who wants to
 eating Tom Thumb!  "Me, I suggested that the ogre is Alceste, because it is very
 big and eats all the time.  But Alceste disagreed, he looked Agnan
 and he said: "I do not eat it myself!  "This is the first time I see him air
 disgusted, Alceste is true that the idea of eating Agnan, not so much
 appetizing.  Agnan was annoyed that we do not want to eat it.  "If you do not drop it
 you said, shouted Agnan I complain to my parents and I'll return to
 School!  - Silence!  shouted the teacher.  Alceste, you will make the crowd of villagers and then
 also, you will be the prompter, to help your classmates during the performance.  "
 The idea of blowing with friends, like when they are at the table, it was fun,
 Alceste, he took a biscuit in his pocket, is placed in the mouth and said: "
 D'ac!  - What a way to express themselves, screamed the mistress, do you mean
 correctly!  - D'ac, miss, "corrected Alceste and pushed a mistress
 sigh, she looks tired these days.
________________________________________
 Page 49

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 49
 For Puss in Boots, the first lady had chosen Maixent.  She told him
 he had a nice suit, a sword, whiskers and a tail.  Maixent was
 agreement for the beautiful costumes, mustaches, and especially the sword, but he did
 know anything about the tail.  "I'll look like a monkey," he said.  "What Ben said Joachim
 thou shalt be natural!  "Maixent and gave him a kick, Joachim has made a
 slap mistress has put both the stake and she told me that Puss in Boots
 it would be me and if I did not like it was the same price, because it
 was getting tired of this gang of scoundrels and she complained
 many of our parents having to raise us and if it continues like this we
 end up in prison and she complained the guards.
 After choosing Rufus to the ogre and the Marquis de Carabas Clotaire, the
 teacher gave us sheets typewritten, where there was what we
 had to say.  The teacher saw that there were lots of actors picketed, then it
 They were told to return to help Alceste to the crowd of villagers.  Alceste was
 not happy, he wanted to make the crowd alone, but the teacher told him to shut up.  "
 Good, "said the teacher, it will start, read your roles.  Agnan is what you
 gonna do: you come here, you're desperate, it's the forest, you want your brothers and you
 to find Nicolas, Puss in Boots.  You guys, the crowd, you say, all
 whole: but this is the Tom Thumb and Puss In Boots!  Let's go.  "
 We got to the blackboard.  Me, I had a rule in my
 belt to pretend that it was the sword and began to read Agnan role.  "
 My brothers, he said, where are my poor brother!  - My brothers, yelled Alcestis, where
 my poor brother!  - But, Alceste, what are you doing?  "Asked the mistress.  "
 Ben whereof said Alceste, I am the blower, so I breath!  - Mademoiselle, a
 Agnan said, when Alceste breath, he sends me cookie crumbs on my glasses
 and I do not see anything!  I shall complain to my parents!  And removed his Agnan
 glasses to wipe them, then quickly Alceste has benefited and it gave him a slap.  "
 On the nose!  shouted Eudes, slap on the nose!  "Agnan started screaming and crying.  He said
 he was unhappy and wanted to kill him and he rolled on the floor.  Maixent
 Joachim and Geoffrey began to the crowd: "But Tom Thumb, they
________________________________________
 Page 50

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 50
 said, and Puss in Boots!  "I was fighting with Rufus.  I had him as a ruler and
 pen.  Repetition walked pretty darn well, when suddenly, the teacher has
 shouted: "Enough!  To your places!  You will not play this piece during the party.  I do
 not want Headmaster way that!  "We all stayed mouth
 open.
 It was the first time we heard the mistress punish the director!
________________________________________
 Page 51

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 51
 12.
 Cycling
 Dad would not buy a bike.  He always said that children are
 very careless and they want to do stunts and they break their bikes and
 they are evil.  Me, I told Dad that I would be careful and then I cried and
 Then I sulked and then I said that I was leaving the house, and, finally, Dad said
 I have a bike if I was among the top ten in the composition of arithmetic.
 That's why I was very happy yesterday while returning from school, because
 I was tenth in the composition.  Dad, when he knew he opened his eyes wide and
 said: "Gee, well, gosh," and kissed my mom and she said that Dad
 buy me at once a beautiful bike and it was great to have succeeded in my
 composition of arithmetic.  I must say I was lucky, because we were
 eleven to the composition, all other friends had the flu and
 eleventh was Clotaire is always the last but it is not serious because
 he already has a bike.
 Today, when I got home, I saw Mum and Dad
 waiting in the garden with big smiles on their mouths.
 "We have a surprise for our big boy!  "Said her mom and
 had eyes that were laughing, and Dad went into the garage and brought it, you do
 guess not: a bike!  A bike that glowed red and silver, with a lamp and a
 bell.  Terrible!  Me, I started running and then I kissed Mom, I
 Dad kissed and I kissed the bike.  "We must promise me to be careful," said
 Dad, and do not do stunts!  "I promised, when mom kissed me, she
 I said I was his big boy to her and she would prepare a cream
 chocolate for dessert and she came into the house.  My mum and dad
 are the coolest in the world!
 Dad, he stayed with me in the garden.  "You know, he told me that I was a
 Funny cycling champion and if I had not known your mother, I might be
 professional background?  "That I do not know.  I knew that Dad had been a cham-
________________________________________
 Page 52

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 52
 pawn terrible football, rugby, swimming and boxing, but the bike was
 again.  "I'll show you," said dad, and he sat on my bike and he
 began to turn in the garden.  Of course, the bike was too small for dad and
 had trouble with his knees he went back to the figure, but he
 got by.
 "It shows the most grotesque that I have ever
 to attend since the last time I saw you!  "He who spoke was Mr.
 Blédurt, looking over the garden hedge.  Mr. Blédurt is our
 neighbor, who likes to tease Dad.  "Shut up, Dad told him, you know nothing
 the bike!  - What?  shouted Mr. Blédurt, knowledge, poor ignorant, I was
 Interregional amateur champion and professional background that I would if I had not
 met my wife!  "Dad laughed.  "Champion, you?  he said, Dad.  Do not make me
 not laugh, you know you barely fit on a tricycle!  "That it has not rained in Mr.
 Blédurt.  "You'll see," he said and he jumped over the hedge.  "Pass me the bike," he
 said Mr. Blédurt putting his hand on the handlebars, but Dad refused to let go
 cycling.  "You were not a sign, Blédurt said dad enters your lair!  - You
 lest I make thee ashamed before thy unhappy child?  "Asked Mr.
 Blédurt.  "Shut up, well, you make me the trouble, that's what you do to me!  "Dad said he
 ripped hands from the handlebars Mr. Blédurt and he started to turn
 in the garden.  "Grotesque!  "Said Mr. Blédurt," These words do not envy
 not reach me, "replied Dad.  Me, I ran behind him Dad and I
 asked if I could take a ride on my bike, but he did not listen, because
 that Mr. Blédurt began to laugh while watching daddy and daddy went wrong on
 begonias.  "What you have to giggle?  "Asked Dad.  "I can do
 a turn now?  "I said.  "I laugh because it amuses me laugh!  "Said Mr.
 Blédurt.  "This is my bike, after all," I said.  "You're a complete idiot, my
 Blédurt poor, "said Dad.  "Oh yeah?  "Asked Mr. Blédurt.  "Yes!  "Has
 Dad replied.  So, Mr. Blédurt approached Dad and he pushed Daddy
 who fell with my bike in the begonias.  "My bike!  "I screamed.  Dad was
 up and he pushed Mr. Blédurt who fell in turn, saying: "No, but
 try a little!  "
________________________________________
 Page 53

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 53
 When they continued to push each other, Mr. Blédurt said: "I
 an idea, I make you a race against the clock around the block, we'll see
 which of us is the greatest!  - No way, said Dad, I forbid you
 get on the bike Nicolas!  Moreover, as big as you are, you'd break the bike.
 - Deflated!  "Said Mr. Blédurt.  "Deflated?  me?  yelled Dad, you'll see!  "
 Dad took the bike and went out on the sidewalk.  Mr. Blédurt and I have
 monitoring.  Me, I started getting tired and then I did not even sit on
 the bike!  "Well, Dad said, we each made a tour of the block and we
 stopwatch, the winner is declared champion.  This is indeed a formality,
 for me it's a foregone conclusion!  - I'm glad you recognize your defeat, "said
 said Mr. Blédurt.  "And me, what do I do?  "I asked.  Dad was
 returned to me in surprise, as if he had forgotten I was there.  "You?  he said
 Dad, you?  Well, thou shalt be the timekeeper.  Mr. Blédurt will give you his
 watch.  But Mr. Blédurt did not give his watch, because it
 said that children that broke everything, so Dad told him he was stingy and he
 gave his watch to him which is nice with a large needle that goes very fast but
 I would have preferred my bike.
 Dad and Mr. Blédurt drew lots and it is Mr. Blédurt
 the first party.  How true that is big enough, we saw almost no
 bike and people passing in the street turned around laughing for
 look, sir Blédurt.  He was not going very fast and then he turned the corner and he
 disappeared.  When we saw back in the other corner, Mr. Blédurt was red, it
 his tongue and he did a lot of zigzags.  "How much?  "He asked when it is
 arrived before me.  "Nine minutes and the big hand between five and six," I
 responded.  Dad started to laugh.  "Well my friend, he said, with you, the Tour de France
 it would last six months!  - Instead of you engage in infantile jokes, has
 replied Mr. Blédurt who had trouble breathing, try to do better!  "Dad
 took the bike and left.
 Mr. Blédurt who resumed his breath and I looked over the watch
 expected.  Me, I wanted Dad wins, of course, but the shows progressed and we
________________________________________
 Page 54

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 54
 saw nine minutes and then after ten minutes.  "I won!  I am the champion!  "Has
 shouted Mr. Blédurt.
 At fifteen minutes, we saw Dad always come back.  "It's curious," said
 Mr. Blédurt, we should go see what happened.  And then we saw dad
 arrived.  He arrived on foot.  He had a torn pants, he had his handkerchief to his nose
 and he kept the bike in hand.  The bike had the handlebars sideways, the wheel all
 twisted and the broken lamp.  "I got into a trash can," said Dad.
 The next day I spoke to during recess Clotaire.  He said he was
 arrived at about the same thing with his first bike.
 "What you want, he said, Clotaire, dads, it's always the same, they
 are the horns, and, if not careful, they break the bikes and they are
 evil. "
________________________________________
 Page 55

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 55
 13.
 I'm sick
 I felt great yesterday, the evidence, I ate lots of caramels,
 sweets, cakes, French fries and ice, and in the night, I wonder
 why like that, I was very sick.
 The doctor came this morning.  When he came into my room, I cried,
 but more from habit than anything else, because I know him well, the
 doctor, and he is rudely nice.  And I like when he puts his head on my
 chest, because he is bald and I see his head that shines right under my nose
 and it's fun.  The doctor did not stay long, he gave me a pat
 on the cheek and said to Mom: "Put him on a diet and most importantly, he is lying,
 it rests.  And he left.
 Mom told me: "You heard what the doctor said.  I hope you
 be very wise and very obedient.  "Me, I told mom she could be quiet.
 It's true, I love my mom and I always obeyed.  It is better, because
 that, otherwise it makes trouble.
 I took a book and started reading, it was great with images
 everywhere and it was about a little bear who was lost in the forest where there were
 hunters.  I like the best stories of cowboys, but Aunt Pulcherie at all
 my birthday, give me books full of little bears, little rabbits,
 kittens, all kinds of critters.  She must like it, Aunt Pulcherie.
 I was reading, where the big bad wolf would eat the little bear when
 Mom came followed by Alceste.  Alceste is my boyfriend, who is very big and
 who eats all the time.  "Look," Nicolas told me mom, your boyfriend Alceste
 came to visit you, is not it nice?  - Hello, Alceste, I said was
 nice being here.  "Mom began to tell me that we should not say"
 owl "all the time, when she saw the box under his arm Alceste.  "What
 have you got there, Alceste?  "She asked.  "Chocolates," said Alcestis.  Mom,
 then told that Alceste was very nice, but she did not want to give me
________________________________________
 Page 56

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 56
 chocolates, because I was on a diet.  Alceste told Mom that he did not
 give me chocolates, he had brought to eat itself and if
 I wanted chocolate, I just had to go buy me, but not really.
 Mom looked Alceste, a little surprised, she sighed and then she came out in
 telling us to be wise.  Alceste sat beside my bed and he looked at me without
 say nothing, eating chocolates.  It made me feel oddly.  "Alceste, I
 words, you give me of your chocolates?  - You're not sick?  "Replied Alceste.  "
 Alceste, you're not cool, "I said.  Alceste said he should not say "
 owl "and he started two chocolates in the mouth, then we fought.
 Mom came running and she was not happy.  She has
 separated, she scolded us, and then she told Alceste leave.  Me, it prevent me
 bêtait to see from Alceste, although we had fun, both, but I realized that
 better not talk to mom, she really did not seem to laugh.
 Alceste shook my hand he told me soon and he left.  I like it, Alceste
 it's a boyfriend.
 Mom, when she looked at my bed, she began to cry.  It must be said that
 beating us, Alceste and I was crushed some chocolates on the sheets, there
 also had on my pajamas and my hair.  Mom told me I was
 unbearable and she changed the sheets, she took me to the bathroom, where she
 I scrubbed with a sponge and the cologne and it made me clean pajamas,
 blue stripes.  Afterwards, I slept mom and she told me not to bother her.  I
 I am left alone and went back to my book, the one with the little bear.  The ugly wolf
 he did not have the little bear, a hunter was lost because the wolf, but
 Now, it was a lion who wanted to eat the little bear and little bear, he saw
 not the lion, because he was eating honey.  All that, it gave me
 increasingly hungry.  I thought to call Mom, but I did not want me
 scold, she told me not to bother her, so I got up to see if
 there would not be something good in the cooler.
 There were lots of good things in the cooler.  We eat very well to
 home.  I took her in my arms a chicken leg, it's good cold, the cake
________________________________________
 Page 57

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 57
 cream and a bottle of milk.  "Nicolas!  "I heard shouting behind me.  I was very
 I dropped everything and fear.  It was mom who had entered the kitchen and do
 probably not expecting to find me there.  I cried, just in case, because
 Mom looked angry as hell.  Then Mom said nothing, she took me
 in the bathroom, she rubbed the towel and cologne and she
 Pajama changed, because on the one I wore, milk and cream cake
 had splashes.  Mom put me red plaid pajamas and
 sent me down in a hurry because she had to clean the kitchen.
 Back in my bed, I did not want to take the book with the little bear
 everyone wanted to eat.  I had enough of this species bear me
 was getting into trouble.  But that does not amuse me to stay like that, nothing
 do, so I decided to draw.  I went to get everything I needed in
 Dad's office.  I did not take the beautiful sheets of white paper with
 Dad's name written in bright letters in the corner, because I would have
 scold, I preferred to take his papers where there were things written on one side and
 who used more safely.  I also took the old pen dad, who does
 risk nothing.
 Hurry, hurry, hurry, I returned to my room and I went to bed.  I
 started drawing great stuff: warships which fought
 with cannon fire against aircraft that exploded in the sky, castles
 with lots of people who attacked and lots of people who threw their
 things on their heads to prevent them from attacking.  I did not like noise
 for a while, Mom came to see what was happening.  She started to cry
 again.  It must be said that the pen Dad loses a bit of ink, that is why indeed
 that Dad no longer uses.  This is very useful to draw explosions, but I
 put myself in ink everywhere and also on the sheets and bedspread.  Mom was
 angry and it has not rained papers on which I drew, because it seems
 that what was written on the other side of the drawing, it was important things for
 Dad.
________________________________________
 Page 58

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 58
 Mom made me get up, she changed the sheets on the bed, she took me in
 bathroom, she rubbed with a pumice stone, sponge and what remained to
 bottom of the bottle of cologne and she put an old shirt of Dad's
 instead of my pajamas, because of clean pajamas, I had none left.
 That evening the doctor came to put his head on my chest, I shot him the
 language, he gave me a slap on the cheek and told me I was healed and I
 could get up.
 But it really has no luck with the disease, at home,
 today.  The doctor found that Mom had a bad mine and told him to
 bedtime and put themselves in the diet.
________________________________________
 Page 59

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 59
 14.
 We had a good laugh
 This afternoon, going to school, I met told me that Alceste: "If we
 did not go to school?  "But I told him it was wrong not to go to
 school, the mistress would not be happy, my dad told me he had
 work if we wanted to happen in life and become an aviator, it would grieve
 Mom and it was not nice to lie.  Alceste told me that this afternoon
 noon we had arithmetic, so I said "good" and we have not gone to school.
 Instead of going in the direction of the school, we ran away
 in the other direction.  Alceste, he began to blow and he could not follow me.  Must
 Alceste tell you it's a big who eats all the time, so of course it bothers him
 to run, especially me, I'm very hard on forty meters, which is the
 length of the school yard.  "Hurry up, Alceste," I said.  "I can not," I
 Alceste said he made lots of "pouf-pouf" and then it stopped.  So, I
 told him he better not stay there, because otherwise, our dads and our
 Moms might deprive us and dessert and then there was
 inspectors from the school and they would take us to prison and we would
 to eat bread and water.  When he heard this, Alcestis, it gave him a funny
 courage and began to run so fast that I could not catch him.
 We stopped far, far beyond the grocery store who is Mr. Compani
 very nice and in which mom bought strawberry jam which is great because
 there are no glitches, it's not like apricots.  "Here it is quiet," said
 Alceste said, and he pulled out biscuits from his pocket and began to eat,
 because, he said, running immediately after breakfast, it gave him
 hunger.
 "You had a good idea, Alceste, I said, when I think of friends who
 are in school doing the arithmetic, I want to laugh!  - Me too, "
 Alceste said and we laughed.  When we had finished laughing, I asked Alceste
 what we would do.  "I do not know, I said Alceste, we could go to the movies.  "
________________________________________
 Page 60

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 60
 That too was an awfully good idea, but there was no sub.  In our
 pockets were found in the string of beads, two rubber bands and crumbs.  The
 crumbs we did not keep them because they were in the pocket of Alceste and
 ate them.  "Pshaw, I say, it does nothing, even without movies, other
 would love to be with us!  - Yeah, said Alceste, after all, I did not
 really want to go to the Revenge of the Sheriff.  - Yeah, I said, this is a film
 cowboy.  And we went to the cinema to watch the images.  There was
 a cartoon too.
 "If we went to the square, I said, it could be a ball of paper and we
 could train.  "Alceste replied that it was not stupid, but that square
 there was the goalkeeper and if he saw us, we ask why it is not
 at school and it would take us to jail and that we would blow the bread and
 water.  Just thinking about it, it gave her hunger Alceste and he pulled out a sandwich
 cheese of his satchel.  We kept walking down the street and ended when Alceste
 his sandwich, he said: "The other, at school, they do not laugh!  - Yes, I
 said, and then, anyway, it's too late to go, we would be punished.  "
 We looked at the windows.  Alceste explained to me that the deli and then
 was making faces in front of the perfume where there is ice, but it is
 parties, because we realized that people in the store and looked at us
 they seemed surprised.  In the case of the watch we have seen time and was
 still very early.  "Great, I said, we still have time to laugh before returning to
 home.  "As we were tired of walking, Alcestis offered me to go into the
 vacant lot there, and no one can sit on the floor.  It is very good,
 the wasteland, and we started having fun by throwing stones against the boxes
 cans.  And then we had enough rocks, so we sat down and Alceste
 started eating a ham sandwich, the last of his satchel.  "At school,
 he said, Alceste, they must be open to problems.  - No, I said earlier
 it is, it must be the playground.  - Pooh, you find it fun, the playground?  "He told me
 asked Alceste.  "Pooh!  "I told him and then I started to cry.  It
 true that, in the end it was not fun to be there, all alone, and can do nothing and
________________________________________
 Page 61

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 61
 being forced to hide and I had reason to want to go to school, even with
 problems, and if I had not met Alceste, I'd be at recess now
 and I would play with marbles and cops and robbers and I'm terrible at marbles.  "
 What makes you cry like that?  "He asked Alceste.  "It's your
 fault if I can not play cops and robbers, "I said.  Alceste, it does
 it has not rained.  "I did not ask you to follow me, he said, and then if you had
 refused to come, well, I would have gone to school, all that, it's your fault!  - Really?  "
 I told Alceste, as stated in Mr. Blédurt dad who is a neighbor who likes
 tease Dad .. "Yes," replied Alceste, as Mr. Blédurt meets dad, and
 we fought like dad with Mr. Blédurt.
 When we had finished fighting, it started raining.  We
 ran away from the vacant lot, because there was no where to go for not
 be wet and my mom told me she does not want me to stay in the rain
 me, I almost never disobey my mother.
 Alceste and I we went to put against the window of the watchmaker.  It rained
 very strong and we were all alone in the street, it was not very funny.  We waited
 like that time to go home.
 When I arrived home, Mom told me I was everything and that Palot
 I looked tired and if I wanted, tomorrow I might not go to school, but
 I refused and my mom was very surprised.
 Is that tomorrow, when Alceste and I will tell them it was as well
 laugh, friends from school, they will be awfully jealous!
________________________________________
 Page 62

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 62
 15.
 I frequent Agnan
 I wanted to go out and play with my friends, but Mom told me that
 no, it was no question that she did not like little boys
 I attended, we were doing stupid things all the time together and I was
 Agnan invited to tea at which he is very nice, well bred and that I'd better
 to emulate him.
 Me, I did not really want to go home Agnan taste, or to take
 example from him.  Agnan is the first class, the teacher's pet, he
 is not good comrade, but it does not hit too much on him, because he wears
 glasses.  I would rather go swimming with Alceste, Geoffroy, Odo and others
 but there was nothing to do, Mom did not seem to laugh, and, anyway, me
 always obey my mom, especially when she did not seem to laugh.
 Mom made me bathe, comb, she told me to put the blue suit
 Navy, who has creased trousers, white shirt and silk tie
 peas.  I was dressed as for the wedding of my cousin Elvira, a time "when I was
 ill after the meal.
 "Do not look like that, Mom told me, you're okay with Agnan fun!  "
 and then we left.  I was most afraid to meet with friends.  They
 would be made fun of me if they saw me dressed like that!
 This is the mother of Agnan who opened the door.  "Because he's cute!  "
 she said, she kissed me and then she called Agnan "Agnan!  Come quickly!  Ton
 Nicolas boyfriend is here!  "Agnan came, he too was strangely dressed, he had
 velvet breeches, white socks and black sandals funny
 shining lot.  It looked like two horns, him and me.
 Agnan did not look so happy to see me, he gave me his hand and
 it was very soft.  "I entrust you," said Mom, I hope it will not do too much
 nonsense, I'll come back for six hours.  "The mom said she was Agnan
________________________________________
 Page 63

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 63
 sure we'd have fun and that I would be very wise.  Mom is a party, after
 looking at me as if she was a little worried.
 We've tasted.  It was good, there was chocolate, jam,
 cakes, biscuits, and we do not put your elbows on the table.  After the
 Agnan Mom told us to go and play nicely in the bed Agnan.
 In his room, Agnan began by telling me that I should not
 whack it, because he wore glasses and he would begin to cry and that its
 Mom would put me in jail.  I replied that I had wanted him
 beaten up, but I would not do it because I promised my mom
 to be wise.  That seemed to please him Agnan and he said we were going to play.  He
 started going out a lot of books, geography, science, arithmetic and
 I suggested that we read and that we get the trouble
 time.  He told me there were problems with owls leaky faucets
 in a bathtub uncorked and emptied at the same time it fills up.
 It was a good idea and asked if I could see Agnan the bathtub
 might be fun.  Agnan looked at me, he removed his glasses, wiped them,
 thought for a bit and then he told me to follow him.
 In the bathroom there was a large bathtub and told that Agnan
 could fill it out and play with small boats.  Agnan said he had never
 thought it, but it was not a bad idea.  The bath was filled
 quickly to the edge, it must be said that we had one bite.  But there was Agnan
 very annoyed, because he had no boats to play.  He explained that he had
 very few toys that were mostly books.  Fortunately, I do know
 paper boats and we took the leaves of the book of arithmetic.  Of course, it was
 tried to pay attention to qu'Agnan can pick after the pages in his
 book, because it's very naughty to hurt a book, a tree or a beast.
 It was fun.  Agnan made waves by turning the arm into the water.
 It's a pity he did not identify the sleeve of his shirt and did not
 removing the wristwatch he had for his last composition of history where it has
________________________________________
 Page 64

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 64
 first and who was now four twenty ET mark is not moving.  After
 a time, I do not know how much, this shows that no longer worked, it has
 had enough, and then there was water everywhere and it would not make too much mess,
 especially since it made the ground of mud and sandals were less Agnan
 brilliantly before.
 We returned to the room Agnan and there he showed me the
 map.  It's a big metal ball, which was painted on the seas and
 land.  Agnan told me it was to learn geography and where
 were the countries.  That I knew, there is a world map like this in school and
 teacher showed us how it works.  Agnan told me they could unscrew
 the map and then it looked like a big ball.  I think that's me
 I had the idea to play with, it was not a very good idea.  We had fun throwing themselves
 the globe, but Agnan had removed his glasses to avoid risking the
 break, and without his glasses, it is not clear, then he missed the globe who
 went knocking on the side of Australia against the mirror broke.  Agnan that
 had handed his glasses to see what had happened, was very upset.  Were given
 the globe in its place and it was decided to be careful, otherwise our moms
 might not be too happy.
 We tried other things to do and Agnan told me to study
 science, his father offered him a chemistry set.  He showed me and it is very
 owl.  It's a big box full of tubes, bottles funny round,
 small bottles filled with things of all colors, there was also a stove
 alcohol.  Agnan told me that with all that, we could make experiments very-ins
 structive.
 Agnan began to make small powders and liquids in tubes and
 it changed color, it turned red or blue, and from time to time, there were
 a small white smoke.  It was oddly informative!  I told Agnan we de-
 Vrioni try other experiments more informative and yet it has been agreed.  We
 have taken the biggest bottles and we put in all small
 powders and liquids all, after we took the alcohol stove and it was heated
________________________________________
 Page 65

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 65
 bottle.  Initially, it was not bad: it began to foam and
 then after a very black smoke.  The trouble is that the smoke does not feel good and
 dirtied it everywhere.  We had to stop the experiment when the bottle exploded.
 Agnan started screaming that he did more, but fortunately it was
 simply because his glasses were all black.  While the
 wiped myself I opened the window because the smoke made us cough.  On
 carpet, the foam was making funny noises, like boiling water, the walls were
 all black and we are not clean.
 And then mom came Agnan.  For a little while, it did
 said nothing, she opened her eyes and mouth and then she started screaming, she removed
 glasses of Agnan and she gave him a slap, after she took us by the hand
 to take us into the bathroom to wash.  When she saw the room
 bathroom, it has not rained so much, the mother of Agnan.
 Agnan him, it was hard to his glasses, because he did not want to receive
 another slap.  So, mom is part of Agnan running telling me that she
 would call my mom to come and pick me up right away and
 she had never seen such a thing and it was absolutely incredible.
 Mom picked me up very quickly and I was glad, because I
 began to not have fun in the house Agnan, especially with his mom
 looked awfully nervous.  Mom brought me home telling me all the
 time I could be proud of me and for dessert tonight, I should have
 not.  I must say it was fair enough, because with Agnan was still done
 a lot of nonsense.  In short, Mom was right, as always: I
 had fun with Agnan.  Me, I'd be back to see, but now it
 Apparently it's the mom who does not want Agnan that I frequent.
 I would still like that moms get to know what they
 want, we do not know who attend!
________________________________________
 Page 66

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 66
 16.
 Mr. Bordenave do not like the sun
 Me, I do not understand Mr. Bordenave when he says he does not
 Beautiful weather.  That's true, the rain is not nice.  Of course, we can have fun
 also when it rains.  We can walk in the gutter, you can look up and open
 mouth to swallow lots of water drops and at home is good, because it
 hot and playing with the electric train and Mom is chocolate with
 cakes.  But when it rains, there is no recess at school, because it leaves us
 not descend into the courtyard.  That's why I do not understand sir
 Bordenave, since it also takes advantage of good weather, he's watching us to
 recess.
 Today, for example, it was very beautiful, with lots of sunshine and we had
 Recess a terrible, especially that for three days it had rained all the time and we
 had to stay in class.  We arrived in court in a row, as for every
 Recess and Mr. Bordenave told us, "Break," and started laughing.  "We
 playing cops and robbers!  "Cried Rufus, whose father is a police officer.  "You
 bother to us, "said Odo, we play football.  And they fought.  Odo is very strong
 and he likes to kick his fist on the nose of friends, and as Rufus
 it's a boyfriend, he gave him a punch on the nose.  Rufus was not expecting it,
 then he fell and hit his Alceste on who was eating a sandwich
 with jam and sandwich is dropped and started screaming Alceste.  Mr.
 Bordenave came running, he separated Eudes and Rufus and he put the stake.
 "And my sandwich, asked Alceste, who will make me?  - You want to go to
 stake as well?  "Replied Monsieur Bordenave.  "No, I want my sandwich
 jam, "said Alcestis.  Mr. Bordenave became very red, and he com-
 began to blow through your nose, like when he gets angry, but he could not
 continue to talk with Alceste, because Maixent and Joachim were being
 beat.  "Give me my ball, you cheated!  "Joachim cried and pulled the tie
 Maixent Maixent and gave him blows.  "What is happening here?  "Asked
 Mr. Bordenave.  "Joachim does not like losing, that's why he cries, if you
________________________________________
 Page 67

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 67
 like, I can give him a punch on the nose, "said Odo, who had
 approached to see.  Mr. Bordenave Odo looked in surprise: "I'm
 you were at stake?  "He said.  "Oh, yeah, it's true," said Odo, and is
 returned to the stake, while Maixent became very red, because Joachim
 let go of the tie, and Mr. Bordenave sent them both to the
 picket join the others.
 "And my jam sandwich?  "Asked Alceste, who was eating a
 jam sandwich.  "But you're trying to eat one!  "Said Mr.
 Bordenave.  "That's no reason, screamed Alceste, I bring sandwiches for the four
 Cool stuff and I want to eat four sandwiches!  "Monsieur Bordenave did not have
 Time to get angry, because he received the ball on his head, pof!  "Who did this?  "Screamed
 Mr. Bordenave, holding his forehead.  "Nicolas is, sir, I saw it!  "Said
 Agnan.  Agnan is the first class and the teacher's pet, we are
 do not like it too, is a nasty cockroach, but he wears glasses and can not
 whack it as often as we would have wanted.  "Ugly cockroach, I screamed, if you had
 no glasses, I'll send you one!  "Agnan started crying, saying he was
 very unhappy and he would kill himself and then he rolled on the floor.  Mr.
 Bordenave asked if that was true it was I who threw the ball and I
 I said yes, we played ball in the hunter and I missed Clotaire, and
 it was not my fault because I did not want to drive Mr.
 Bordenave.  "I do not want you to play these games brutal!  I confiscated the ball
 !  And you're going to post!  "He said, Mr. Bordenave.  I told him I was
 awfully unfair.  Agnan him, he made me "bisque, bisque, rage" and he looked all
 happy and he left with his book.  Agnan not playing during recess, he takes
 a book and he returns her lessons.  It's crazy, Agnan!
 "So, what we do for the jam sandwich?  asked
 Alceste.  I'm on my third sandwich recess will end, and I will
 miss a sandwich, I warn you!  "Monsieur Bordenave going to start
 answer him, but he could not and that's unfortunate, because it looked interesting
 what he had to say to Alceste.  He could not answer because qu'Agnan was on the ground and
________________________________________
 Page 68

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 68
 he shouted terrible.  "What now?  "Asked Mr. Bordenave.  "It
 Geoffrey!  He pushed me!  My glasses!  I die!  "Said he spoke as Agnan
 in a movie I saw where there were people in a submarine that could
 not go back and people fled, but the submarine was ruined.  "But no,
 Sir, this is not Geoffroy, Agnan fell alone, it makes no sense, "said
 Eudes said.  "What are you meddling?  asked Geoffrey, you have not been struck, it's me
 who pushed him and then?  "Monsieur Bordenave began shouting back to Eudes
 at stake and he said to Geoffrey to join him.  And then he picked up that Agnan
 bleeding from the nose and crying and it took him to the infirmary, which followed Alceste
 spoke of his jam sandwich.
 Us, we decided to play football.  What was annoying is that
 already played great football in the yard, and with the great, there is no consensus
 always very good and they fight often.  And there in the yard, with both balls and
 Both sides of football to be mixed, it did not miss.  "Leave the ball, dirty
 brat said a large Rufus, she is ours!  - It's not true!  "Rufus shouted, and
 it was true that it was not true, and a great set a goal with the ball and the small
 large slapped Rufus and Rufus gave a kick in the leg large.  The
 battles with the great, it always happens like that, them, they give us
 and slaps us we give them a kick in the legs.  There, we gave
 full and everyone was fighting and it was a funny noise.  And despite the noise, we
 heard the cry of Mr. Borde-nave returning from the infirmary with Agnan and
 Alceste.  "Look," said Agnan, they are no longer at stake!  "Monsieur Bordenave
 seemed really angry and he came running towards us, but it did not happen,
 because he slipped on the jam sandwich of Alceste and he fell.  "Bravo,
 Alceste said, it earned him walk over to my jam sandwich!  "
 Mr. Bordenave got up and rubbed his pants and he started full
 jam on hand.  We had to fight again and it was a Recess
 awfully nice, but Mr. Bordenave looked at his watch and he went
 limping bell.  Recess was over.
________________________________________
 Page 69

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 69
 While they began in a row, the broth has come.  The broth is a
 another supervisor, called like that because he always says: "Look at me
 in the eye, and as in the broth there are eyes, it is called the broth.  This
 are major who found it.
 "So my friend Bordenave," said Bouillon, it was not too bad
 past?  - As usual, replied Monsieur Bordenave, what you want,
 I pray for rain, and when I get up in the morning and I see he is doing
 beautiful, I'm desperate!  "
 No, really, I do not understand Mr. Bordenave, when he says
 he does not like the sun!
________________________________________
 Page 70

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 70
 17.
 I leave the house
 I left home!  I was playing in the living room and I was
 wise, and then, simply because I spilled a bottle of ink on the carpet
 nine, mom came and she scolded me.  So I started to cry and I said
 said I'd go and that I regret very much, and Mom said, "With all
 it is getting late, I must go do my shopping, "and she left.
 I got into my room to take what I need to
 leaving home.  I took my bag and I put in the little red car
 Eulogy aunt gave me, the locomotive of train spring, with the car
 goods, the only remains for me, other cars were broken and a piece
 chocolate that had kept the taste.  I took my wallet, you never know, I can
 in need, and I left.
 It's a vein that Mom was not there, she would surely defended
 leaving home.  Once in the street, I started running.  Mom and Dad
 will have much trouble, I'll come back later when they are very old,
 as well, and I'm rich, I'll have a great airplane, great car and a carpet
 me where I can spill the ink and they will be awfully glad to see me.
 That way, running, I arrived at the house of Alceste Alceste is
 my boyfriend, who is very big and eats all the time, I told you maybe
 already mentioned.  Alceste was sitting outside the door of his house, he was being
 eating gingerbread.  "Where are you?  "I asked, biting good Alceste
 blow in the gingerbread.  I explained that I left my home and I told him
 asked if he would not come with me.  "When you come back in a lot of year-
 born, I said, we will be very rich, with planes and cars and our dads
 and our moms will be so happy to see us, they scold us
 again.  But Alceste did not want to come.  "You're not crazy, he told me
 said, my mother made sauerkraut tonight with bacon and sausage, I can
________________________________________
 Page 71

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 71
 not leave.  "So I said goodbye to Alceste and he waved his hand was
 free, the other was busy pushing the gingerbread in her mouth.
 I turned the corner and I stopped a bit, because Alceste
 gave me hungry and I ate my piece of chocolate, it will give me strength
 for the trip.  I wanted to go far, far away, where mom and dad to me
 not find in China or in Arcachon where we spent the holidays this year
 Yup last and far from home, there is the sea and oysters.
 But to go very far, you had to buy a car or airplane.  I
 sitting on the curb and I broke my piggy bank and I counted my pennies.  Car
 and for the plane, it must be said that there were not enough, so I went into a
 pastry and I bought myself a chocolate eclair that was really good.
 When I finished the flash, I decided to continue on foot, it will take more
 long, but since I did not go home or to go to school, I have all the
 time.  I had not thought about the school and I told myself that tomorrow,
 teacher in class would say: "The poor Nicolas left all alone, all alone and very
 further, it will be very rich, with a car and a plane, "and everyone would talk about
 and I would be worried about me and Alceste regret not accompanying me.
 It will be awfully nice.
 I kept walking, but I was getting tired, and then, things were
 not very fast, we must say that I do not have big legs, it's not like
 Maixent my friend, but I can not ask her to lend me Maixent
 jambes.Ça, it gave me an idea: I could ask a friend to lend me
 his bike.  I passed just before the house of Clotaire.  Clotaire has a nice
 cycling, while yellow and shining well.  What is annoying is that Clotaire dislike
 lend things.
 I rang the doorbell of the house and it Clotaire himself who came
 open.  "Look, he said, Nicolas!  What do you want?  - Your bike, "I said, then
 Clotaire shut the door.  I rang again, and did not open as Clotaire I
 left finger on the doorbell button.  In the house I heard the mother
________________________________________
 Page 72

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 72
 Clotaire crying, "Clotaire!  Will open this door!  And opened the door Clotaire
 but it did not look so happy to see me still there.  "It takes me your bike,
 Clotaire I told him.  I left home and my dad and my mom will have
 punishment and come back in a lot of years and I am very rich with a car and
 a plane.  "Clotaire told me that I should come see my return when I am
 very rich, then he will sell me his bike.  It does not really suited me, told me that
 Clotaire, but I thought that I had found in, for money, I could
 Clotaire buy the bike.  Clotaire likes the money.
 I wondered how to find some money.  Work, I do
 could not, it was Thursday.  So I thought I could sell the toys that I had
 in my satchel: Eulogy aunt's car and the locomotive with wagon
 goods, which is the only remains for me because other cars are broken.
 On the other side of the street I saw a toy store, I told myself, now, this
 might interest my car and train.
 I entered the store and a very nice gentleman gave me a great
 smile and he said: "You want to buy something, my little man?  Of
 ball?  A ball?  "I told him I did not buy anything at all, I wanted
 selling toys and I opened the bag and I put the car and the train on the ground before
 the counter.  The gentleman looked nice, he looked, he seemed surprised and said
 "But, my dear, I do not buy toys I sell.  Then I asked him where
 he found the toys he sold, I was interested.  "But, but, but, he said,
 the gentleman, I do not find them, I buy them.  - So, buy me mine, "I
 said the gentleman.  "But, but, but, he is again, the man, you do
 not understand, I buy them, but not yours, yours I sell, I buy them
 factories, and you ...  That is to say ...  He stopped and then said: "You will understand
 later, when you grow up.  "But he did not know the gentleman is that
 when I grow up I will not need money because I am very rich, with
 a car and a plane.  I started to cry.  The man was very annoyed, then
 he looked behind the counter and gave me a small car and then he told me
 leave because he was late, he had to close the store and that customers
________________________________________
 Page 73

 Le Petit Nicolas - Page 73
 as I was tiring after a workday.  I left the store
 with the train and two cars, I was glad indeed.  It is true that he was
 Later, it was getting dark and there was nobody in the streets, I
 started running.  When I got home, mom scolded me because I was
 late for dinner.
 Because that's how it is promised tomorrow I leave the house.  And Dad
 Mom will have much trouble and I will not go back in a lot of years, I
 I'm rich and a car and a plane!