安徒生童话-第30部分

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ing…everything　can　be　acquired　here　quite　as　easily；　so　I　stayed　athome。　I　have　not　obtained　what　I　know　from　supernatural　beings。　I　haveneither　swallowed　it；　nor　learnt　it　from　conversing　with　owls。　Ihave　got　it　all　from　my　reflections　and　thoughts。　Will　you　now　set　thekettle　on　the　fire…　so？　Now　pour　the　water　in…　quite　full…　up　to　thebrim；　place　it　on　the　fire；　make　up　a　good　blaze；　keep　it　burning；that　the　water　may　boil；　it　must　boil　over　and　over。　There；　now　Ithrow　in　the　skewer。　Will　the　mouse…king　be　pleased　now　to　dip　histail　into　the　boiling　water；　and　stir　it　round　with　the　tail。　Thelonger　the　king　stirs　it；　the　stronger　the　soup　will　bee。　Nothingmore　is　necessary；　only　to　stir　it。〃

〃Can　no　one　else　do　this？〃　asked　the　king。

〃No；〃　said　the　mouse；　〃only　in　the　tail　of　the　mouse…king　isthis　power　contained。〃

And　the　water　boiled　and　bubbled；　as　the　mouse…king　stood　closebeside　the　kettle。　It　seemed　rather　a　dangerous　performance；　but　heturned　round；　and　put　out　his　tail；　as　mice　do　in　a　dairy；　when　theywish　to　skim　the　cream　from　a　pan　of　milk　with　their　tails　andafterwards　lick　it　off。　But　the　mous

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　　　THE　ANGEL

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

〃WHENEVER　a　good　child　dies；　an　angel　of　God　es　down　fromheaven；　takes　the　dead　child　in　his　arms；　spreads　out　his　greatwhite　wings；　and　flies　with　him　over　all　the　places　which　the　childhad　loved　during　his　life。　Then　he　gathers　a　large　handful　of　flowers；which　he　carries　up　to　the　Almighty；　that　they　may　bloom　more　brightlyin　heaven　than　they　do　on　earth。　And　the　Almighty　presses　theflowers　to　His　heart；　but　He　kisses　the　flower　that　pleases　Himbest；　and　it　receives　a　voice；　and　is　able　to　join　the　song　of　thechorus　of　bliss。〃

These　words　were　spoken　by　an　angel　of　God；　as　he　carried　a　deadchild　up　to　heaven；　and　the　child　listened　as　if　in　a　dream。　Then　theypassed　over　well…known　spots；　where　the　little　one　had　often　played；and　through　beautiful　gardens　full　of　lovely　flowers。

〃Which　of　these　shall　we　take　with　us　to　heaven　to　be　transplantedthere？〃　asked　the　angel。

Close　by　grew　a　slender；　beautiful；　rose…bush；　but　some　wickedhand　had　broken　the　stem；　and　the　half…opened　rosebuds　hung　fadedand　withered　on　the　trailing　branches。

〃Poor　rose…bush！〃　said　the　child；　〃let　us　take　it　with　us　toheaven；　that　it　may　bloom　above　in　God's　garden。〃

The　angel　took　up　the　rose…bush；　then　he　kissed　the　child；　and　thelittle　one　half　opened　his　eyes。　The　angel　gathered　also　somebeautiful　flowers；　as　well　as　a　few　humble　buttercups　andheart's…ease。

〃Now　we　have　flowers　enough；〃　said　the　child；　but　the　angel　onlynodded；　he　did　not　fly　upward　to　heaven。

It　was　night；　and　quite　still　in　the　great　town。　Here　theyremained；　and　the　angel　hovered　over　a　small；　narrow　street；　inwhich　lay　a　large　heap　of　straw；　ashes；　and　sweepings　from　thehouses　of　people　who　had　removed。　There　lay　fragments　of　plates；pieces　of　plaster；　rags；　old　hats；　and　other　rubbish　not　pleasant　tosee。　Amidst　all　this　confusion；　the　angel　pointed　to　the　pieces　of　abroken　flower…pot；　and　to　a　lump　of　earth　which　had　fallen　out　ofit。　The　earth　had　been　kept　from　falling　to　pieces　by　the　roots　of　awithered　field…flower；　which　had　been　thrown　amongst　the　rubbish。

〃We　will　take　this　with　us；〃　said　the　angel；　〃I　will　tell　youwhy　as　we　fly　along。〃

And　as　they　flew　the　angel　related　the　history。

〃Down　in　that　narrow　lane；　in　a　low　cellar；　lived　a　poor　sick　boy；he　had　been　afflicted　from　his　childhood；　and　even　in　his　best　days　hecould　just　manage　to　walk　up　and　down　the　room　on　crutches　once　ortwice；　but　no　more。　During　some　days　in　summer；　the　sunbeams　would　lieon　the　floor　of　the　cellar　for　about　half　an　hour。　In　this　spot　thepoor　sick　boy　would　sit　warming　himself　in　the　sunshine；　andwatching　the　red　blood　through　his　delicate　fingers　as　he　held　thembefore　his　face。　Then　he　would　say　he　had　been　out；　yet　he　knewnothing　of　the　green　forest　in　its　spring　verdure；　till　a　neighbor'sson　brought　him　a　green　bough　from　a　beech…tree。　This　he　would　placeover　his　head；　and　fancy　that　he　was　in　the　beech…wood　while　the　sunshone；　and　the　birds　carolled　gayly。　One　spring　day　the　neighbor's　boybrought　him　some　field…flowers；　and　among　them　was　one　to　which　theroot　still　adhered。　This　he　carefully　planted　in　a　flower…pot；　andplaced　in　a　window…seat　near　his　bed。　And　the　flower　had　beenplanted　by　a　fortunate　hand；　for　it　grew；　put　forth　fresh　shoots；and　blossomed　every　year。　It　became　a　splendid　flower…garden　to　thesick　boy；　and　his　little　treasure　upon　earth。　He　watered　it；　andcherished　it；　and　took　care　it　should　have　the　benefit　of　everysunbeam　that　found　its　way　into　the　cellar；　from　the　earliestmorning　ray　to　the　evening　sunset。　The　flower　entwined　itself　evenin　his　dreams…　for　him　it　bloomed；　for　him　spread　its　perfume。　Andit　gladdened　his　eyes；　and　to　the　flower　he　turned；　even　in　death；when　the　Lord　called　him。　He　has　been　one　year　with　God。　During　thattime　the　flower　has　stood　in　the　window；　withered　and　forgotten；till　at　length　cast　out　among　the　sweepings　into　the　street；　on　theday　of　the　lodgers'　removal。　And　this　poor　flower；　withered　andfaded　as　it　is；　we　have　added　to　our　nosegay；　because　it　gave　morereal　joy　than　the　most　beautiful　flower　in　the　garden　of　a　queen。〃

〃But　how　do　you　know　all　this？〃　asked　the　child　whom　the　angel　wascarrying　to　heaven。

〃I　know　it；〃　said　the　angel；　〃because　I　myself　was　the　poor　sickboy　who　walked　upon　crutches；　and　I　know　my　own　flower　well。〃

Then　the　child　opened　his　eyes　and　looked　into　the　glorioushappy　face　of　the　angel；　and　at　the　same　moment　they　foundthemselves　in　that　heavenly　home　where　all　is　happiness　and　joy。　AndGod　pressed　the　dead　child　to　His　heart；　and　wings　were　given　him　sothat　he　could　fly　with　the　angel；　hand　in　hand。　Then　the　Almightypressed　all　the　flowers　to　His　heart；　but　He　kissed　the　witheredfield…flower；　and　it　received　a　voice。　Then　it　joined　in　the　song　ofthe　angels；　who　surrounded　the　throne；　some　near；　and　others　in　adistant　circle；　but　all　equally　happy。　They　all　joined　in　the　chorusof　praise；　both　great　and　small；…　the　good；　happy　child；　and　thepoor　field…flower；　that　once　lay　withered　and　cast　away　on　a　heap　ofrubbish　in　a　narrow；　dark　street。

THE　END。

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　　　THE　BEETLE　WHO　WENT　ON　HIS　TRAVELS

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

THERE　was　once　an　Emperor　who　had　a　horse　shod　with　gold。　He　had　agolden　shoe　on　each　foot；　and　why　was　this？　He　was　a　beautifulcreature；　with　slender　legs；　bright；　intelligent　eyes；　and　a　mane　thathung　down　over　his　neck　like　a　veil。　He　had　carried　his　master　throughfire　and　smoke　in　the　battle…field；　with　the　bullets　whistling　roundhim；　he　had　kicked　and　bitten；　and　taken　part　in　the　fight；　when　theenemy　advanced；　and；　with　his　master　on　his　back；　he　had　dashed　overthe　fallen　foe；　and　saved　the　golden　crown　and　the　Emperor's　life；which　was　of　more　value　than　the　brightest　gold。　This　is　the　reason　ofthe　Emperor's　horse　wearing　golden　shoes。

A　beetle　came　creeping　forth　from　the　stable；　where　the　farrierhad　been　shoeing　the　horse。　〃Great　ones；　first；　of　course；〃　said　he；〃and　then　the　little　ones；　but　size　is　not　always　a　proof　ofgreatness。〃　He　stretched　out　his　thin　leg　as　he　spoke。

〃And　pray　what　do　you　want？〃　asked　the　farrier。

〃Golden　shoes；〃　replied　the　beetle。

〃Why；　you　must　be　out　of　your　senses；〃　cried　the　farrier。〃Golden　shoes　for　you；　indeed！〃

〃Yes；　certainly；　golden　shoes；〃　replied　the　beetle。　〃Am　I　not　justas　good　as　that　great　creature　yonder；　who　is　waited　upon　and　brushed；and　has　food　and　drink　placed　before　him？　And　don't　I　belong　to　theroyal　stables？〃

〃But　why　does　the　horse　have　golden　shoes？〃　asked　the　farrier；　〃ofcourse　you　understand　the　reason？〃

〃Understand！　Well；　I　understand　that　it　is　a　personal　slight　tome；〃　cried　the　beetle。　〃It　is　done　to　annoy　me；　so　I　intend　to　goout　into　the　world　and　seek　my　fortune。〃

〃Go　along　with　you；〃　said　the　farrier。

〃You're　a　rude　fellow；〃　cried　the　beetle；　as　he　walked　out　ofthe　stable；　and　then　he　flew　for　a　short　distance；　till　he　foundhimself　in　a　beautiful　flower…garden；　all　fragrant　with　roses　andlavender。　The　lady…birds；　with　red　and　black　shells　on　their　backs；and　delicate　wings；　were　flying　about；　and　one　of　them　said；　〃Is　itnot　sweet　and　lovely　here？　Oh；　how　beautiful　everything　is。〃

〃I　am　accustomed　to　better　things；〃　said　the　beetle。　〃Do　youcall　this　beautiful？　Why；　there　is　not　even　a　dung…heap。〃　Then　he　wenton；　and　under　the　shadow　of　a　large　haystack　he　found　a　caterpillarcrawling　along。　〃How　beautiful　this　world　is！〃　said　the　caterpillar。〃The　sun　is　so　warm；　I　quite　enjoy　it。　And　soon　I　shall　go　to　sleep；and　die　as　they　call　it；　but　I　shall　wake　up　with　beautiful　wings　tofly　with；　like　a　butterfly。〃

〃How　conceited　you　are！〃　exclaimed　the　beetle。　〃Fly　about　as　abutterfly；　indeed！　what　of　that。　I　have　e　out　of　the　Emperor'sstable；　and　no　one　there；　not　even　the　Emperor's　horse；　who；　infact；　wears　my　cast…off　golden　shoes；　has　any　idea　of　flying；excepting　myself。　To　have　wings　and　fly！　why；　I　can　do　thatalready；〃　and　so　saying；　he　spread　his　wings　and　flew　away。　〃I　don'twant　to　be　disgusted；〃　he　said　to　himself；　〃and　yet　I　can't　helpit。〃　Soon　after；　he　fell　down　upon　an　extensive　lawn；　and　for　a　timepretended　to　sleep；　but　at　last　fell　asleep　in　earnest。　Suddenly　aheavy　shower　of　rain　came　falling　from　the　clouds。　The　beetle　wokeup　with　the　noise　and　would　have　been　glad　to　creep　into　the　earth　forshelter；　but　he　could　not。　He　was　tumbled　over　and　over　with　the　rain；sometimes　swimming　on　his　stomach　and　sometimes　on　his　back；　and　asfor　flying；　that　was　out　of　the　question。　He　began　to　doubt　whether　heshould　escape　with　his　life；　so　he　remained；　quietly　lying　where　hewas。　After　a　while　the　weather　cleared　up　a　little；　and　the　beetle　wasable　to　rub　the　water　from　his　eyes；　and　look　about　him。　He　sawsomething　gleaming；　and　he　managed　to　make　his　way　up　to　it。　It　waslinen　which　had　been　laid　to　bleach　on　the　grass。　He　crept　into　a　foldof　the　damp　linen；　which　certainly　was　not　so　fortable　a　place　tolie　in　as　the　warm　stable；　but　there　was　nothing　better；　so　heremained　lying　there　for　a　whole　day　and　night；　and　the　rain　kept　onall　the　time。　Towards　morning　he　crept　out　of　his　hiding…place；feeling　in　a　very　bad　temper　with　the　climate。　Two　frogs　weresitting　on　the　linen；　and　their　bright　eyes　actually　glistened　withpleasure。

〃Wonderful　weather　this；〃　cried　one　of　them；　〃and　so　refreshing。This　linen　holds　the　water　together　so　beautifully；　that　my　hindlegs　quiver　as　if　I　were　going　to　swim。〃

〃I　should　like　to　know；〃　said　another；　〃If　the　swallow　who　fliesso　far　in　her　many　journeys　to　foreign　lands；　ever　met　with　a　betterclimate　than　this。　What　delicious　moisture！　It　is　as　pleasant　as　lyingin　a　wet　ditch。　I　am　sure　any　one　who　does　not　enjoy　this　has　nolove　for　his　fatherland。〃

〃Have　you　ever　been　in　the　Emperor's　stable？〃　asked　the　beetle。〃There　the　moisture　is　warm　and　refreshing；　that's　the　climate　for　me；but　I　could　not　take　it　with　me　on　my　travels。　Is　there　not　even　adunghill　here　in　this　garden；　where　a　person　of　rank；　like　myself；could　take　up　his　abode　and　feel　at　home？〃　But　the　frogs　either　didnot　or　would　not　understand　him。

〃I　never　ask　a　question　twice；〃　said　the　beetle；　after　he　hadasked　this　one　three　times；　and　received　no　answer。　Then　he　went　ona　little　farther　and　stumbled　against　a　piece　of　broken　crockery…ware；which　certainly　ought　not　to　have　been　lying　there。　But　as　it　wasthere；　it　formed　a　good　shelter　against　wind　and　weather　to　severalfamilies　of　earwigs　who　dwelt　in　it。　Their　requirements　were　not　many；they　were　very　sociable；　and　full　of　affection　for　their　children；so　much　so　that　each　mother　considered　her　own　child　the　mostbeautiful　and　clever　of　them　all。

〃Our　dear　son　has　engaged　himself；〃　said　one　mother；　〃dearinnocent　boy；　his　greatest　ambition　is　that　he　may　one　day　creepinto　a　clergyman's　ear。　That　is　a　very　artless　and　loveable　wish；and　being　engaged　will　keep　him　steady。　What　happiness　for　a　mother！〃

〃Our　son；〃　said　another；　〃had　scarcely　crept　out　of　the　egg；when　he　was　off　on　his　travels。　He　is　all　life　and　spirits；　I　expecthe　will　wear　out　his　horns　with　running。　How　charming　this　is　for　amother；　is　it　not　Mr。　Beetle？〃　for　she　knew　the　stranger　by　hishorny　coat。

〃You　are　both　quite　right；〃　said　he；　so　they　begged　him　to　walkin；　that　is　to　e　as　far　as　he　could　under　the　broken　piece　ofearthenware。

〃Now　you　shall　also　see　my　little　earwigs；〃　said　a　third　and　afourth　mother；　〃they　are　lovely　little　things；　and　highly　amusing。They　are　never　ill…behaved；　except　when　they　are　unfortable　intheir　inside；　which　unfortunately　often　happens　at　their　age。〃

Thus　each　mother　spoke　of　her　baby；　and　their　babies　talkedafter　their　own　fashion；　and　made　use　of　the　little　nippers　theyhave　in　their　tails　to　nip　the　beard　of　the　beetle。

〃They　are　always　busy　about　something；　the　little　rogues；〃　saidthe　mother；　beaming　with　maternal　pride；　but　the　beetle　felt　it　abore；　and　he　therefore　inquired　the　way　to　the　nearest　dung…heap。

〃That　is　quite　out　in　the　great　world；　on　the　other　side　of　theditch；〃　answered　an　earwig；　〃I　hope　none　of　my　children　will　ever　goso　far；　it　would　be　the　death　of　me。〃

〃But　I　shall　try　to　get　so　far；〃　said　the　beetle；　and　he　walkedoff　without　taking　any　formal　leave；　which　is　considered　a　politething　to　do。

When　he　arrived　at　the　ditch；　he　met　several　friends；　all　thembeetles；　〃We　live　here；〃　they　said；　〃and　we　are　very　fortable。May　we　ask　you　to　step　down　into　this　rich　mud；　you　must　be　fatiguedafter　your　journey。〃

〃Certainly；〃　said　the　beetle；　〃I　shall　be　most　happy；　I　havebeen　exposed　to　the　rain；　and　have　had　to　lie　upon　linen；　andcleanliness　is　a　thing　that　greatly　exhausts　me；　I　have　also　painsin　one　of　my　wings　from　standing　in　the　draught　under　a　piece　ofbroken　crockery。　It　is　really　quite　refreshing　to　be　with　one's　ownkindred　again。〃

〃Perhaps　you　came　from　a　dung…heap；〃　observed　the　oldest　of　them。

〃No；　indeed；　I　came　from　a　much　grander　place；〃　replied　thebeetle；　〃I　came　from　the　emperor's　stable；　where　I　was　born；　withgolden　shoes　on　my　feet。　I　am　travelling　on　a　secret　embassy；　butyou　must　not　ask　me　any　questions；　for　I　cannot　betray　my　secret。〃

Then　the　beetle　stepped　down　into　the　rich　mud；　where　sat　threeyoung…lady　beetles；　who　tittered；　because　they　did　not　know　what　tosay。

〃None　of　them　are　engaged　yet；〃　said　their　mother；　and　thebeetle　maidens　tittered　again；　this　time　quite　in　confusion。

〃I　have　never　seen　greater　beauties；　even　in　the　royal　stables；〃exclaimed　the　beetle；　who　was　now　resting　himself。

〃Don't　spoil　my　girls；〃　said　the　mother；　〃and　don't　talk　tothem；　pray；　unless　you　have　serious　intentions。〃

But　of　course　the　beetle's　intentions　were　serious；　and　after　awhile　our　friend　was　engaged。　The　mother　gave　them　her　blessing；　andall　the　other　beetles　cried　〃hurrah。〃

Immediately　after　the　betrothal　came　the　marriage；　for　there　wasno　reason　to　delay。　The　following　day　passed　very　pleasantly；　andthe　next　was　tolerably　fortable；　but　on　the　third　it　becamenecessary　for　him　to　think　of　getting　food　for　his　wife；　and；　perhaps；for　children。

〃I　have　allowed　myself　to　be　taken　in；〃　said　our　beetle　tohim