安徒生童话-第16部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！



〃Oh；〃　said　Jack　the　Dullard；　〃I　can　hardly　tell　you。　How　gladthe　Princess　will　be！〃

〃Bah！〃　said　the　brothers；　〃that　is　nothing　but　clay　out　of　theditch。〃

〃Yes；　certainly　it　is；〃　said　Jack　the　Dullard；　〃and　clay　of　thefinest　sort。　See；　it　is　so　wet；　it　runs　through　one's　fingers。〃　And　hefilled　his　pocket　with　the　clay。

But　his　brothers　galloped　on　till　the　sparks　flew；　andconsequently　they　arrived　a　full　hour　earlier　at　the　town　gate　thancould　Jack。　Now　at　the　gate　each　suitor　was　provided　with　a　number；and　all　were　placed　in　rows　immediately　on　their　arrival；　six　ineach　row；　and　so　closely　packed　together　that　they　could　not　movetheir　arms；　and　that　was　a　prudent　arrangement；　for　they　wouldcertainly　have　e　to　blows；　had　they　been　able；　merely　because　oneof　them　stood　before　the　other。

All　the　inhabitants　of　the　country　round　about　stood　in　greatcrowds　around　the　castle；　almost　under　the　very　windows；　to　see　thePrincess　receive　the　suitors；　and　as　each　stepped　into　the　hall；　hispower　of　speech　seemed　to　desert　him；　like　the　light　of　a　candlethat　is　blown　out。　Then　the　Princess　would　say；　〃He　is　of　no　use！　Awaywith　him　out　of　the　hall！〃

At　last　the　turn　came　for　that　brother　who　knew　the　dictionaryby　heart；　but　he　did　not　know　it　now；　he　had　absolutely　forgotten　italtogether；　and　the　boards　seemed　to　re…echo　with　his　footsteps；　andthe　ceiling　of　the　hall　was　made　of　looking…glass；　so　that　he　sawhimself　standing　on　his　head；　and　at　the　window　stood　three　clerks　anda　head　clerk；　and　every　one　of　them　was　writing　down　every　single　wordthat　was　uttered；　so　that　it　might　be　printed　in　the　newspapers；　andsold　for　a　penny　at　the　street　corners。　It　was　a　terrible　ordeal；and　they　had；　moreover；　made　such　a　fire　in　the　stove；　that　the　roomseemed　quite　red　hot。

〃It　is　dreadfully　hot　here！〃　observed　the　first　brother。

〃Yes；〃　replied　the　Princess；　〃my　father　is　going　to　roast　youngpullets　today。〃

〃Baa！〃　there　he　stood　like　a　baa…lamb。　He　had　not　been　preparedfor　a　speech　of　this　kind；　and　had　not　a　word　to　say；　though　heintended　to　say　something　witty。　〃Baa！〃

〃He　is　of　no　use！〃　said　the　Princess。　〃Away　with　him！〃

And　he　was　obliged　to　go　accordingly。　And　now　the　second　brothercame　in。

〃It　is　terribly　warm　here！〃　he　observed。

〃Yes；　we're　roasting　pullets　to…day；〃　replied　the　Princess。

〃What…　what　were　you…　were　you　pleased　to　ob…〃　stammered　he…　andall　the　clerks　wrote　down；　〃pleased　to　ob…〃

〃He　is　of　no　use！〃　said　the　Princess。　〃Away　with　him！〃

Now　came　the　turn　of　Jack　the　Dullard。　He　rode　into　the　hall　onhis　goat。

〃Well；　it's　most　abominably　hot　here。〃

〃Yes；　because　I'm　roasting　young　pullets；〃　replied　the　Princess。

〃Ah；　that's　lucky！〃　exclaimed　Jack　the　Dullard；　〃for　I　supposeyou'll　let　me　roast　my　crow　at　the　same　time？〃

〃With　the　greatest　pleasure；〃　said　the　Princess。　〃But　have　youanything　you　can　roast　it　in？　for　I　have　neither　pot　nor　pan。〃

〃Certainly　I　have！〃　said　Jack。　〃Here's　a　cooking　utensil　with　atin　handle。〃

And　he　brought　out　the　old　wooden　shoe；　and　put　the　crow　into　it。

〃Well；　that　is　a　famous　dish！〃　said　the　Princess。　〃But　whatshall　we　do　for　sauce？〃

〃Oh；　I　have　that　in　my　pocket；〃　said　Jack；　〃I　have　so　much　of　itthat　I　can　afford　to　throw　some　away；〃　and　he　poured　some　of　theclay　out　of　his　pocket。

〃I　like　that！〃　said　the　Princess。　〃You　can　give　an　answer；　and　youhave　something　to　say　for　yourself；　and　so　you　shall　be　my　husband。But　are　you　aware　that　every　word　we　speak　is　being　taken　down；　andwill　be　published　in　the　paper　to…morrow？　Look　yonder；　and　you　willsee　in　every　window　three　clerks　and　a　head　clerk；　and　the　old　headclerk　is　the　worst　of　all；　for　he　can't　understand　anything。〃

But　she　only　said　this　to　frighten　Jack　the　Dullard；　and　theclerks　gave　a　great　crow　of　delight；　and　each　one　spurted　a　blot　outof　his　pen　on　to　the　floor。

〃Oh；　those　are　the　gentlemen；　are　they？〃　said　Jack；　〃then　I　willgive　the　best　I　have　to　the　head　clerk。〃　And　he　turned　out　hispockets；　and　flung　the　wet　clay　full　in　the　head　clerk's　face。

〃That　was　very　cleverly　done；〃　observed　the　Princess。　〃I　could　nothave　done　that；　but　I　shall　learn　in　time。〃

And　accordingly　Jack　the　Dullard　was　made　a　king；　and　received　acrown　and　a　wife；　and　sat　upon　a　throne。　And　this　report　we　have　wetfrom　the　press　of　the　head　clerk　and　the　corporation　of　printers…but　they　are　not　to　be　depended　upon　in　the　least。

THE　END。

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　　　LITTLE　CLAUS　AND　BIG　CLAUS

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

IN　a　village　there　once　lived　two　men　who　had　the　same　name。They　were　both　called　Claus。　One　of　them　had　four　horses；　but　theother　had　only　one；　so　to　distinguish　them；　people　called　the　owner　ofthe　four　horses；　〃Great　Claus；〃　and　he　who　had　only　one；　〃LittleClaus。〃　Now　we　shall　hear　what　happened　to　them；　for　this　is　a　truestory。

Through　the　whole　week；　Little　Claus　was　obliged　to　plough　forGreat　Claus；　and　lend　him　his　one　horse；　and　once　a　week；　on　a　Sunday；Great　Claus　lent　him　all　his　four　horses。　Then　how　Little　Clauswould　smack　his　whip　over　all　five　horses；　they　were　as　good　as　hisown　on　that　one　day。　The　sun　shone　brightly；　and　the　church　bells　wereringing　merrily　as　the　people　passed　by；　dressed　in　their　bestclothes；　with　their　prayer…books　under　their　arms。　They　were　goingto　hear　the　clergyman　preach。　They　looked　at　Little　Claus　ploughingwith　his　five　horses；　and　he　was　so　proud　that　he　smacked　his　whip；and　said；　〃Gee…up；　my　five　horses。〃

〃You　must　not　say　that；〃　said　Big　Claus；　〃for　only　one　of　thembelongs　to　you。〃　But　Little　Claus　soon　forgot　what　he　ought　to　say；and　when　any　one　passed　he　would　call　out；　〃Gee…up；　my　five　horses！〃

〃Now　I　must　beg　you　not　to　say　that　again；〃　said　Big　Claus；　〃forif　you　do；　I　shall　hit　your　horse　on　the　head；　so　that　he　will　dropdead　on　the　spot；　and　there　will　be　an　end　of　him。〃

〃I　promise　you　I　will　not　say　it　any　more；〃　said　the　other；　but　assoon　as　people　came　by；　nodding　to　him；　and　wishing　him　〃Good　day；〃　hebecame　so　pleased；　and　thought　how　grand　it　looked　to　have　five　horsesploughing　in　his　field；　that　he　cried　out　again；　〃Gee…up；　all　myhorses！〃

〃I'll　gee…up　your　horses　for　you；〃　said　Big　Claus；　and　seizing　ahammer；　he　struck　the　one　horse　of　Little　Claus　on　the　head；　and　hefell　dead　instantly。

〃Oh；　now　I　have　no　horse　at　all；　said　Little　Claus；　weeping。　Butafter　a　while　he　took　off　the　dead　horse's　skin；　and　hung　the　hideto　dry　in　the　wind。　Then　he　put　the　dry　skin　into　a　bag；　and；placing　it　over　his　shoulder；　went　out　into　the　next　town　to　sellthe　horse's　skin。　He　had　a　very　long　way　to　go；　and　had　to　passthrough　a　dark；　gloomy　forest。　Presently　a　storm　arose；　and　he　losthis　way；　and　before　he　discovered　the　right　path；　evening　came　on；　andit　was　still　a　long　way　to　the　town；　and　too　far　to　return　home　beforenight。　Near　the　road　stood　a　large　farmhouse。　The　shutters　outside　thewindows　were　closed；　but　lights　shone　through　the　crevices　at　the　top。〃I　might　get　permission　to　stay　here　for　the　night；〃　thought　LittleClaus；　so　he　went　up　to　the　door　and　knocked。　The　farmer's　wife　openedthe　door；　but　when　she　heard　what　he　wanted；　she　told　him　to　goaway；　as　her　husband　would　not　allow　her　to　admit　strangers。　〃Then　Ishall　be　obliged　to　lie　out　here；〃　said　Little　Claus　to　himself；　asthe　farmer's　wife　shut　the　door　in　his　face。　Near　to　the　farmhousestood　a　large　haystack；　and　between　it　and　the　house　was　a　small　shed；with　a　thatched　roof。　〃I　can　lie　up　there；〃　said　Little　Claus；　as　hesaw　the　roof；　〃it　will　make　a　famous　bed；　but　I　hope　the　stork　willnot　fly　down　and　bite　my　legs；〃　for　on　it　stood　a　living　stork；whose　nest　was　in　the　roof。　So　Little　Claus　climbed　to　the　roof　of　theshed；　and　while　he　turned　himself　to　get　fortable；　he　discoveredthat　the　wooden　shutters；　which　were　closed；　did　not　reach　to　the　topsof　the　windows　of　the　farmhouse；　so　that　he　could　see　into　a　room；in　which　a　large　table　was　laid　out　with　wine；　roast　meat；　and　asplendid　fish。　The　farmer's　wife　and　the　sexton　were　sitting　at　thetable　together；　and　she　filled　his　glass；　and　helped　him　plenteouslyto　fish；　which　appeared　to　be　his　favorite　dish。　〃If　I　could　onlyget　some；　too；〃　thought　Little　Claus；　and　then；　as　he　stretched　hisneck　towards　the　window　he　spied　a　large；　beautiful　pie；…　indeedthey　had　a　glorious　feast　before　them。

At　this　moment　he　heard　some　one　riding　down　the　road；　towards　thefarmhouse。　It　was　the　farmer　returning　home。　He　was　a　good　man；　butstill　he　had　a　very　strange　prejudice；…　he　could　not　bear　the　sight　ofa　sexton。　If　one　appeared　before　him；　he　would　put　himself　in　aterrible　rage。　In　consequence　of　this　dislike；　the　sexton　had　goo　visit　the　farmer's　wife　during　her　husband's　absence　from　home；　andthe　good　woman　had　placed　before　him　the　best　she　had　in　the　houseto　eat。　When　she　heard　the　farmer　ing　she　was　frightened；　andbegged　the　sexton　to　hide　himself　in　a　large　empty　chest　that　stood　inthe　room。　He　did　so；　for　he　knew　her　husband　could　not　endure　thesight　of　a　sexton。　The　woman　then　quickly　put　away　the　wine；　and　hidall　the　rest　of　the　nice　things　in　the　oven；　for　if　her　husband　hadseen　them　he　would　have　asked　what　they　were　brought　out　for。

〃Oh；　dear；〃　sighed　Little　Claus　from　the　top　of　the　shed；　as　hesaw　all　the　good　things　disappear。

〃Is　any　one　up　there？〃　asked　the　farmer；　looking　up　anddiscovering　Little　Claus。　〃Why　are　you　lying　up　there？　e　down；and　e　into　the　house　with　me。〃　So　Little　Claus　came　down　and　toldthe　farmer　how　he　had　lost　his　way　and　begged　for　a　night's　lodging。

〃All　right；〃　said　the　farmer；　〃but　we　must　have　something　to　eatfirst。〃

The　woman　received　them　both　very　kindly；　laid　the　cloth　on　alarge　table；　and　placed　before　them　a　dish　of　porridge。　The　farmer　wasvery　hungry；　and　ate　his　porridge　with　a　good　appetite；　but　LittleClaus　could　not　help　thinking　of　the　nice　roast　meat；　fish　and　pies；which　he　knew　were　in　the　oven。　Under　the　table；　at　his　feet；　laythe　sack　containing　the　horse's　skin；　which　he　intended　to　sell　at　thenext　town。　Now　Little　Claus　did　not　relish　the　porridge　at　all；　sohe　trod　with　his　foot　on　the　sack　under　the　table；　and　the　dry　skinsqueaked　quite　loud。　〃Hush！〃　said　Little　Claus　to　his　sack；　at　thesame　time　treading　upon　it　again；　till　it　squeaked　louder　than　before。

〃Hallo！　what　have　you　got　in　your　sack！〃　asked　the　farmer。

〃Oh；　it　is　a　conjuror；〃　said　Little　Claus；　〃and　he　says　we　neednot　eat　porridge；　for　he　has　conjured　the　oven　full　of　roast　meat；fish；　and　pie。〃

〃Wonderful！〃　cried　the　farmer；　starting　up　and　opening　the　ovendoor；　and　there　lay　all　the　nice　things　hidden　by　the　farmer's　wife；but　which　he　supposed　had　been　conjured　there　by　the　wizard　underthe　table。　The　woman　dared　not　say　anything；　so　she　placed　thethings　before　them；　and　they　both　ate　of　the　fish；　the　meat；　and　thepastry。

Then　Little　Claus　trod　again　upon　his　sack；　and　it　squeaked　asbefore。　〃What　does　he　say　now？〃　asked　the　farmer。

〃He　says；〃　replied　Little　Claus；　〃that　there　are　three　bottlesof　wine　for　us；　standing　in　the　corner；　by　the　oven。〃

So　the　woman　was　obliged　to　bring　out　the　wine　also；　which　she　hadhidden；　and　the　farmer　drank　it　till　he　became　quite　merry。　He　wouldhave　liked　such　a　conjuror　as　Little　Claus　carried　in　his　sack。　〃Couldhe　conjure　up　the　evil　one？〃　asked　the　farmer。　〃I　should　like　to　seehim　now；　while　I　am　so　merry。〃

〃Oh；　yes！〃　replied　Little　Claus；　〃my　conjuror　can　do　anything　Iask　him；…　can　you　not？〃　he　asked；　treading　at　the　same　time　on　thesack　till　it　squeaked。　〃Do　you　hear？　he　answers　'Yes；'　but　he　fearsthat　we　shall　not　like　to　look　at　him。〃

〃Oh；　I　am　not　afraid。　What　will　he　be　like？〃

〃Well；　he　is　very　much　like　a　sexton。〃

〃Ha！〃　said　the　farmer；　〃then　he　must　be　ugly。　Do　you　know　I　cannotendure　the　sight　of　a　sexton。　However；　that　doesn't　matter；　I　shallknow　who　it　is；　so　I　shall　not　mind。　Now　then；　I　have　got　up　mycourage；　but　don't　let　him　e　too　near　me。〃

〃Stop；　I　must　ask　the　conjuror；〃　said　Little　Claus；　so　he　trodon　the　bag；　and　stooped　his　ear　down　to　listen。

〃What　does　he　say？〃

〃He　says　that　you　must　go　and　open　that　large　chest　which　standsin　the　corner；　and　you　will　see　the　evil　one　crouching　down　inside；but　you　must　hold　the　lid　firmly；　that　he　may　not　slip　out。〃

〃Will　you　e　and　help　me　hold　it？〃　said　the　farmer；　goingtowards　the　chest　in　which　his　wife　had　hidden　the　sexton；　who　now　layinside；　very　much　frightened。　The　farmer　opened　the　lid　a　verylittle　way；　and　peeped　in。

〃Oh；〃　cried　he；　springing　backwards；　〃I　saw　him；　and　he　is　exactlylike　our　sexton。　How　dreadful　it　is！〃　So　after　that　he　was　obligedto　drink　again；　and　they　sat　and　drank　till　far　into　the　night。

〃You　must　sell　your　conjuror　to　me；〃　said　the　farmer；　〃ask　as　muchas　you　like；　I　will　pay　it；　indeed　I　would　give　you　directly　a　wholebushel　of　gold。〃

〃No；　indeed；　I　cannot；〃　said　Little　Claus；　〃only　think　how　muchprofit　I　could　make　out　of　this　conjuror。〃

〃But　I　should　like　to　have　him；〃　said　the　fanner；　still　continuinghis　entreaties。

〃Well；〃　said　Little　Claus　at　length；　〃you　have　been　so　good　asto　give　me　a　night's　lodging；　I　will　not　refuse　you；　you　shall　havethe　conjuror　for　a　bushel　of　money；　but　I　will　have　quite　fullmeasure。〃

〃So　you　shall；〃　said　the　farmer；　〃but　you　must　take　away　the　chestas　well。　I　would　not　have　it　in　the　house　another　hour；　there　is　noknowing　if　he　may　not　be　still　there。〃

So　Little　Claus　gave　the　farmer　the　sack　containing　the　driedhorse's　skin；　and　received　in　exchange　a　bushel　of　money…　fullmeasure。　The　farmer　also　gave　him　a　wheelbarrow　on　which　to　carry　awaythe　chest　and　the　gold。

〃Farewell；〃　said　Little　Claus；　as　he　went　off　with　his　money　andthe　great　chest；　in　which　the　sexton　lay　still　concealed。　On　oneside　of　the　forest　was　a　broad；　deep　river；　the　water　flowed　sorapidly　that　very　few　were　able　to　swim　against　the　stream。　A　newbridge　had　lately　been　built　across　it；　and　in　the　middle　of　thisbridge　Little　Claus　stopped；　and　said；　loud　enough　to　be　heard　bythe　sexton；　〃Now　what　shall　I　do　with　this　stupid　chest；　it　is　asheavy　as　if　it　were　full　of　stones：　I　shall　be　tired　if　I　roll　itany　farther；　so　I　may　as　well　throw　it　in　the　river；　if　it　swims　afterme　to　my　house；　well　and　good；　and　if　not；　it　will　not　much　matter。〃

So　he　seized　the　chest　in　his　hand　and　lifted　it　up　a　little；　asif　he　were　going　to　throw　it　into　the　water。

〃No；　leave　it　alone；〃　cried　the　sexton　from　within　the　chest；　〃letme　out　first。〃

〃Oh；〃　exclaimed　Little　Claus；　pretending　to　be　frightened；　〃heis　in　there　still；　is　he？　I　must　throw　him　into　the　river；　that　he　maybe　drowned。〃

〃Oh；　no；　oh；　no；〃　cried　the　sexton；　〃I　will　give　you　a　wholebushel　full　of　money　if　you　will　let　me　go。

〃Why；　that　is　another　matter；〃　said　Little　Claus；　opening　thechest。　The　sexton　crept　out；　pushed　the　empty　chest　into　the　water；and　went　to　his　house；　then　he　measured　out　a　whole　bushel　full　ofgold　for　Little　Claus；　who　had　already　received　one　from　the　farmer；so　that　now　he　had　a　barrow　full。

〃I　have　been　well　paid　for　my　horse；〃　said　he　to　himself　when　hereached　home；　entered　his　own　room；　and　emptied　all　his　money　into　aheap　on　the　floor。　〃How　vexed　Great　Claus　will　be　when　he　finds　outhow　rich　I　have　bee　all　through　my　one　horse；　but　I　shall　nottell　him　exactly　how　it　all　happened。〃　Then　he　sent　a　boy　to