安徒生童话-第93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！


sence。　Our　worshipful　judges　don't　appear　tohave　noticed　this　at　all。　Were　I　the　sunbeam；　I　would　give　each　one　ofthem　a　sun　stroke；　but　that　would　only　make　them　mad；　and　they　are　madenough　already。　I　only　hope；〃　continued　the　rose；　〃that　peace　mayreign　in　the　wood。　It　is　glorious　to　bloom；　to　be　fragrant；　and　tolive；　to　live　in　story　and　in　song。　The　sunbeam　will　outlive　us　all。〃

〃What　is　the　first　prize？〃　asked　the　earthworm；　who　hadoverslept　the　time；　and　only　now　came　up。

〃It　contains　a　free　admission　to　a　cabbage…garden；〃　replied　themule。　〃I　proposed　that　as　one　of　the　prizes。　The　hare　most　decidedlymust　have　it；　and　I；　as　an　active　and　thoughtful　member　of　themittee；　took　especial　care　that　the　prize　should　be　one　ofadvantage　to　him；　so　now　he　is　provided　for。　The　snail　can　now　siton　the　fence；　and　lick　up　moss　and　sunshine。　He　has　also　beenappointed　one　of　the　first　judges　of　swiftness　in　racing。　It　isworth　much　to　know　that　one　of　the　numbers　is　a　man　of　talent　in　thething　men　call　a　'mittee。'　I　must　say　I　expect　much　in　thefuture；　we　have　already　made　such　a　good　beginning。〃

THE　END。

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　THE　RED　SHOES

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

ONCE　upon　a　time　there　was　little　girl；　pretty　and　dainty。　Butin　summer　time　she　was　obliged　to　go　barefooted　because　she　waspoor；　and　in　winter　she　had　to　wear　large　wooden　shoes；　so　that　herlittle　instep　grew　quite　red。

In　the　middle　of　the　village　lived　an　old　shoemaker's　wife；　shesat　down　and　made；　as　well　as　she　could；　a　pair　of　little　shoes　out　ofsome　old　pieces　of　red　cloth。　They　were　clumsy；　but　she　meant　well；for　they　were　intended　for　the　little　girl；　whose　name　was　Karen。

Karen　received　the　shoes　and　wore　them　for　the　first　time　on　theday　of　her　mother's　funeral。　They　were　certainly　not　suitable　formourning；　but　she　had　no　others；　and　so　she　put　her　bare　feet　intothem　and　walked　behind　the　humble　coffin。

Just　then　a　large　old　carriage　came　by；　and　in　it　sat　an　old　lady；she　looked　at　the　little　girl；　and　taking　pity　on　her；　said　to　theclergyman；　〃Look　here；　if　you　will　give　me　the　little　girl；　I　willtake　care　of　her。〃

Karen　believed　that　this　was　all　on　account　of　the　red　shoes；but　the　old　lady　thought　them　hideous；　and　so　they　were　burnt。　Karenherself　was　dressed　very　neatly　and　cleanly；　she　was　taught　to　readand　to　sew；　and　people　said　that　she　was　pretty。　But　the　mirror　toldher；　〃You　are　more　than　pretty…　you　are　beautiful。〃

One　day　the　Queen　was　travelling　through　that　part　of　the　country；and　had　her　little　daughter；　who　was　a　princess；　with　her。　All　thepeople；　amongst　them　Karen　too；　streamed　towards　the　castle；　where　thelittle　princess；　in　fine　white　clothes；　stood　before　the　window　andallowed　herself　to　be　stared　at。　She　wore　neither　a　train　nor　a　goldencrown；　but　beautiful　red　morocco　shoes；　they　were　indeed　much　finerthan　those　which　the　shoemaker's　wife　had　sewn　for　little　Karen。　Thereis　really　nothing　in　the　world　that　can　be　pared　to　red　shoes！

Karen　was　now　old　enough　to　be　confirmed；　she　received　some　newclothes；　and　she　was　also　to　have　some　new　shoes。　The　rich　shoemakerin　the　town　took　the　measure　of　her　little　foot　in　his　own　room；　inwhich　there　stood　great　glass　cases　full　of　pretty　shoes　and　whiteslippers。　It　all　looked　very　lovely；　but　the　old　lady　could　not　seevery　well；　and　therefore　did　not　get　much　pleasure　out　of　it。Amongst　the　shoes　stood　a　pair　of　red　ones；　like　those　which　theprincess　had　worn。　How　beautiful　they　were！　and　the　shoemaker　saidthat　they　had　been　made　for　a　count's　daughter；　but　that　they　hadnot　fitted　her。

〃I　suppose　they　are　of　shiny　leather？〃　asked　the　old　lady。　〃Theyshine　so。〃

〃Yes；　they　do　shine；〃　said　Karen。　They　fitted　her；　and　werebought。　But　the　old　lady　knew　nothing　of　their　being　red；　for　shewould　never　have　allowed　Karen　to　be　confirmed　in　red　shoes；　as　shewas　now　to　be。

Everybody　looked　at　her　feet；　and　the　whole　of　the　way　from　thechurch　door　to　the　choir　it　seemed　to　her　as　if　even　the　ancientfigures　on　the　monuments；　in　their　stiff　collars　and　long　black　robes；had　their　eyes　fixed　on　her　red　shoes。　It　was　only　of　these　that　shethought　when　the　clergyman　laid　his　hand　upon　her　head　and　spoke　ofthe　holy　baptism；　of　the　covenant　with　God；　and　told　her　that　shewas　now　to　be　a　grown…up　Christian。　The　organ　pealed　forth　solemnly；and　the　sweet　children's　voices　mingled　with　that　of　their　old　leader；but　Karen　thought　only　of　her　red　shoes。　In　the　afternoon　the　old　ladyheard　from　everybody　that　Karen　had　worn　red　shoes。　She　said　that　itwas　a　shocking　thing　to　do；　that　it　was　very　improper；　and　thatKaren　was　always　to　go　to　church　in　future　in　black　shoes；　even　ifthey　were　old。

On　the　following　Sunday　there　was　munion。　Karen　looked　first　atthe　black　shoes；　then　at　the　red　ones…　looked　at　the　red　ones　again；and　put　them　on。

The　sun　was　shining　gloriously；　so　Karen　and　the　old　lady　wentalong　the　footpath　through　the　corn；　where　it　was　rather　dusty。

At　the　church　door　stood　an　old　crippled　soldier　leaning　on　acrutch；　he　had　a　wonderfully　long　beard；　more　red　than　white；　and　hebowed　down　to　the　ground　and　asked　the　old　lady　whether　he　mightwipe　her　shoes。　Then　Karen　put　out　her　little　foot　too。　〃Dear　me；　whatpretty　dancing…shoes！〃　said　the　soldier。　〃Sit　fast；　when　you　dance；〃said　he；　addressing　the　shoes；　and　slapping　the　soles　with　his　hand。

The　old　lady　gave　the　soldier　some　money　and　then　went　withKaren　into　the　church。

And　all　the　people　inside　looked　at　Karen's　red　shoes；　and　all　thefigures　gazed　at　them；　when　Karen　knelt　before　the　altar　and　put　thegolden　goblet　to　her　mouth；　she　thought　only　of　the　red　shoes。　Itseemed　to　her　as　though　they　were　swimming　about　in　the　goblet；　andshe　forgot　to　sing　the　psalm；　forgot　to　say　the　〃Lord's　Prayer。〃

Now　every　one　came　out　of　church；　and　the　old　lady　stepped　intoher　carriage。　But　just　as　Karen　was　lifting　up　her　foot　to　get　in　too；the　old　soldier　said：　〃Dear　me；　what　pretty　dancing　shoes！〃　andKaren　could　not　help　it；　she　was　obliged　to　dance　a　few　steps；　andwhen　she　had　once　begun；　her　legs　continued　to　dance。　It　seemed　asif　the　shoes　had　got　power　over　them。　She　danced　round　the　churchcorner；　for　she　could　not　stop；　the　coachman　had　to　run　after　herand　seize　her。　He　lifted　her　into　the　carriage；　but　her　feet　continuedto　dance；　so　that　she　kicked　the　good　old　lady　violently。　At　last　theytook　off　her　shoes；　and　her　legs　were　at　rest。

At　home　the　shoes　were　put　into　the　cupboard；　but　Karen　couldnot　help　looking　at　them。

Now　the　old　lady　fell　ill；　and　it　was　said　that　she　would　not　risefrom　her　bed　again。　She　had　to　be　nursed　and　waited　upon；　and　this　wasno　one's　duty　more　than　Karen's。　But　there　was　a　grand　ball　in　thetown；　and　Karen　was　invited。　She　looked　at　the　red　shoes；　saying　toherself　that　there　was　no　sin　in　doing　that；　she　put　the　red　shoes　on；thinking　there　was　no　harm　in　that　either；　and　then　she　went　to　theball；　and　menced　to　dance。

But　when　she　wanted　to　go　to　the　right；　the　shoes　danced　to　theleft；　and　when　she　wanted　to　dance　up　the　room；　the　shoes　danceddown　the　room；　down　the　stairs　through　the　street；　and　out　through　thegates　of　the　town。　She　danced；　and　was　obliged　to　dance；　far　outinto　the　dark　wood。　Suddenly　something　shone　up　among　the　trees；　andshe　believed　it　was　the　moon；　for　it　was　a　face。　But　it　was　the　oldsoldier　with　the　red　beard；　he　sat　there　nodding　his　head　and　said：〃Dear　me；　what　pretty　dancing　shoes！〃

She　was　frightened；　and　wanted　to　throw　the　red　shoes　away；　butthey　stuck　fast。　She　tore　off　her　stockings；　but　the　shoes　had　grownfast　to　her　feet。　She　danced　and　was　obliged　to　go　on　dancing　overfield　and　meadow；　in　rain　and　sunshine；　by　night　and　by　day…　but　bynight　it　was　most　horrible。

She　danced　out　into　the　open　churchyard；　but　the　dead　there　didnot　dance。　They　had　something　better　to　do　than　that。　She　wanted　tosit　down　on　the　pauper's　grave　where　the　bitter　fern　grows；　but　forher　there　was　neither　peace　nor　rest。　And　as　she　danced　past　theopen　church　door　she　saw　an　angel　there　in　long　white　robes；　withwings　reaching　from　his　shoulders　down　to　the　earth；　his　face　wasstern　and　grave；　and　in　his　hand　he　held　a　broad　shining　sword。

〃Dance　you　shall；〃　said　he；　〃dance　in　your　red　shoes　till　youare　pale　and　cold；　till　your　skin　shrivels　up　and　you　are　askeleton！　Dance　you　shall；　from　door　to　door；　and　where　proud　andwicked　children　live　you　shall　knock；　so　that　they　may　hear　you　andfear　you！　Dance　you　shall；　dance…　！〃

〃Mercy！〃　cried　Karen。　But　she　did　not　hear　what　the　angelanswered；　for　the　shoes　carried　her　through　the　gate　into　thefields；　along　highways　and　byways；　and　unceasingly　she　had　to　dance。

One　morning　she　danced　past　a　door　that　she　knew　well；　they　weresinging　a　psalm　inside；　and　a　coffin　was　being　carried　out　coveredwith　flowers。　Then　she　knew　that　she　was　forsaken　by　every　one　anddamned　by　the　angel　of　God。

She　danced；　and　was　obliged　to　go　on　dancing　through　the　darknight。　The　shoes　bore　her　away　over　thorns　and　stumps　till　she　was　alltorn　and　bleeding；　she　danced　away　over　the　heath　to　a　lonely　littlehouse。　Here；　she　knew；　lived　the　executioner；　and　she　tapped　withher　finger　at　the　window　and　said：

〃e　out；　e　out！　I　cannot　e　in；　for　I　must　dance。〃

And　the　executioner　said：　〃I　don't　suppose　you　know　who　I　am。　Istrike　off　the　heads　of　the　wicked；　and　I　notice　that　my　axe　istingling　to　do　so。〃

〃Don't　cut　off　my　head！〃　said　Karen；　〃for　then　I　could　notrepent　of　my　sin。　But　cut　off　my　feet　with　the　red　shoes。〃

And　then　she　confessed　all　her　sin；　and　the　executioner　struck　offher　feet　with　the　red　shoes；　but　the　shoes　danced　away　with　the　littlefeet　across　the　field　into　the　deep　forest。

And　he　carved　her　a　pair　of　wooden　feet　and　some　crutches；　andtaught　her　a　psalm　which　is　always　sung　by　sinners；　she　kissed　thehand　that　guided　the　axe；　and　went　away　over　the　heath。

〃Now；　I　have　suffered　enough　for　the　red　shoes；〃　she　said；　〃I　willgo　to　church；　so　that　people　can　see　me。〃　And　she　went　quickly　up　tothe　church…door；　but　when　she　came　there；　the　red　shoes　were　dancingbefore　her；　and　she　was　frightened；　and　turned　back。

During　the　whole　week　she　was　sad　and　wept　many　bitter　tears；but　when　Sunday　came　again　she　said：　〃Now　I　have　suffered　andstriven　enough。　I　believe　I　am　quite　as　good　as　many　of　those　whosit　in　church　and　give　themselves　airs。〃　And　so　she　went　boldly　on；but　she　had　not　got　farther　than　the　churchyard　gate　when　she　sawthe　red　shoes　dancing　along　before　her。　Then　she　became　terrified；　andturned　back　and　repented　right　heartily　of　her　sin。

She　went　to　the　parsonage；　and　begged　that　she　might　be　taken　intoservice　there。　She　would　be　industrious；　she　said；　and　do　everythingthat　she　could；　she　did　not　mind　about　the　wages　as　long　as　she　hada　roof　over　her；　and　was　with　good　people。　The　pastor's　wife　hadpity　on　her；　and　took　her　into　service。　And　she　was　industrious　andthoughtful。　She　sat　quiet　and　listened　when　the　pastor　read　aloud　fromthe　Bible　in　the　evening。　All　the　children　liked　her　very　much；　butwhen　they　spoke　about　dress　and　grandeur　and　beauty　she　would　shakeher　head。

On　the　following　Sunday　they　all　went　to　church；　and　she　was　askedwhether　she　wished　to　go　too；　but；　with　tears　in　her　eyes；　shelooked　sadly　at　her　crutches。　And　then　the　others　went　to　hear　God'sWord；　but　she　went　alone　into　her　little　room；　this　was　only　largeenough　to　hold　the　bed　and　a　chair。　Here　she　sat　down　with　herhymn…book；　and　as　she　was　reading　it　with　a　pious　mind；　the　windcarried　the　notes　of　the　organ　over　to　her　from　the　church；　and　intears　she　lifted　up　her　face　and　said：　〃O　God！　help　me！〃

Then　the　sun　shone　so　brightly；　and　right　before　her　stood　anangel　of　God　in　white　robes；　it　was　the　same　one　whom　she　had　seenthat　night　at　the　church…door。　He　no　longer　carried　the　sharp　sword；but　a　beautiful　green　branch；　full　of　roses；　with　this　he　touchedthe　ceiling；　which　rose　up　very　high；　and　where　he　had　touched　itthere　shone　a　golden　star。　He　touched　the　walls；　which　opened　wideapart；　and　she　saw　the　organ　which　was　pealing　forth；　she　saw　thepictures　of　the　old　pastors　and　their　wives；　and　the　congregationsitting　in　the　polished　chairs　and　singing　from　their　hymn…books。The　church　itself　had　e　to　the　poor　girl　in　her　narrow　room；　or　theroom　had　gone　to　the　church。　She　sat　in　the　pew　with　the　rest　of　thepastor's　household；　and　when　they　had　finished　the　hymn　and　looked　up；they　nodded　and　said；　〃It　was　right　of　you　to　e；　Karen。〃

〃It　was　mercy；〃　said　she。

The　organ　played　and　the　children's　voices　in　the　choir　soundedsoft　and　lovely。　The　bright　warm　sunshine　streamed　through　thewindow　into　the　pew　where　Karen　sat；　and　her　heart　became　so　filledwith　it；　so　filled　with　peace　and　joy；　that　it　broke。　Her　soul　flew　onthe　sunbeams　to　Heaven；　and　no　one　was　there　who　asked　after　the　RedShoes。

THE　END。

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　THE　SAUCY　BOY

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

ONCE　upon　a　time　there　was　an　old　poet；　one　of　those　right　goodold　poets。

One　evening；　as　he　was　sitting　at　home；　there　was　a　terrible　stormgoing　on　outside；　the　rain　was　pouring　down；　but　the　old　poet　satfortably　in　his　chimney…corner；　where　the　fire　was　burning　andthe　apples　were　roasting。

〃There　will　not　be　a　dry　thread　left　on　the　poor　people　who　areout　in　this　weather；〃　he　said。

〃Oh；　open　the　door！　I　am　so　cold　and　wet　through；〃　called　a　littlechild　outside。　It　was　crying　and　knocking　at　the　door；　whilst　the　rainwas　pouring　down　and　the　wind　was　rattling　all　the　windows。

〃Poor　creature！〃　said　the　poet；　and　got　up　and　opened　the　door。Before　him　stood　a　little　boy；　he　was　naked；　and　the　water　flowed　fromhis　long　fair　locks。　He　was　shivering　with　cold；　if　he　had　not　beenlet　in；　he　would　certainly　have　perished　in　the　storm。

〃Poor　little　thing！〃　said　the　poet；　and　took　him　by　the　hand。〃e　to　me；　I　will　soon　warm　you。　You　shall　have　some　wine　and　anapple；　for　you　are　such　a　pretty　boy。〃

And　he　was；　too。　His　eyes　sparkled　like　two　bright　stars；　andalthough　the　water　flowed　down　from　his　fair　locks；　they　stillcurled　quite　beautifully。

He　looked　like　a　little　angel；　but　was　pale　with　cold；　andtrembling　all　over。　In　his　hand　he　held　a　splendid　bow；　but　it　hadbeen　entirely　spoilt　by　the　rain；　and　the　colours　of　the　pretty　arrowshad　run　into　one　another　by　getting　wet。

The　old　man　sat　down　by　the　fire；　and　taking　the　little　boy　on　hisknee；　wrung　the　water　out　of　his　locks　and　warmed　his　hands　in　hisown。

He　then　made　him　some　hot　spiced　wine；　which　quickly　revivedhim；　so　that　with　reddening　cheeks；　he　sprang　upon　the　floor　anddanced　around　the　old　man。

〃You　are　a　merry　boy；〃　said　the　latter。　〃What　is　your　name？〃

〃My　name　is　Cupid；〃　he　answered。　〃Don't　you　know　me？　There　lies　mybow。　I　shoot　with　that；　you　know。　Look；　the　weather　is　getting　fineagain…　the　moon　is　shining。〃

〃But　your　bow　is　spoilt；〃　said　the　old　poet。

〃That　would　be　unfortunate；〃　said　the　little　boy；　taking　it　up　andlooking　at　it。　〃Oh；　it's　quite　dry　and　isn't　damaged　at　all。　Thestring　is　quite　tight；　I'll　try　it。〃　So；　drawing　it　back；　he　took　anarrow；　aimed；　and　shot　the　good　old　poet　right　in　the　heart。　〃Do　yousee　now　that　my　bow　was　not　spoilt？〃　he　said；　and；　loudly　laughing；ran　away。　What　a　naughty　boy　to　shoot　the　old　poet　like