Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Itread:

           Karlssonthrewthedoorwideopenandshouted,"Welcome,mydearKarlsson…andyou,too,Eric!"ThenherushedinaheadofEric.

           "I’vegottogettobed!I’mtheWorld’sIllest,"heshouted,takingaheadlongleapontoaredcouchwhichstoodalongonewall.Ericfollowedhimin.Hewasdyingwithcuriosity.ItwasniceatKarlsson’s—Ericcouldseethatatonce.Apartfromthecouch,therewasaworkbenchwhichevidentlydoubledasatable,andthereweretwochairsandacupboardandafireplacewithanirongridaboveit.ThatwasprobablywhereKarlssondidhiscooking.

           Buthecouldnotdiscoveranysteamengines.Erictookathoroughlookaround,buthecouldnotseeasingleone,andfinallyheasked,"Wheredoyoukeepyoursteamengines?"

           "Hmm!"saidKarlsson."Mysteamengines…they’veallexploded.Somethingwrongwiththesafetyvalves,that’sall.Butit’sasmallmatterandnotworthgrievingover."

           Ericlookedaroundagain.

           "Butyourroosterpictures?…Havetheyexploded,too?"heaskedwithsomesarcasm.

           "Youcanseetheyhaven’t,"saidKarlsson."Whatdoyousupposethisis?"hesaid,pointingtoapieceofcardboardwhichwasnailedtothewallbesidethecupboard.Quiteright!Inacorneratthebottomofthecardboardtherewasarooster—atinylittleredrooster.Otherwisethecardboardwasempty.

           "Thetitleofthispictureis‘AVeryLonelyLittleRedRooster,’"saidKarlsson.

           Ericlookedatthelittlerooster.