AtthesewordstheheartreturnedagaintoIanDireach,andhegatheredsticksandmadeafireandatewithGilleMairteanthefox,andsleptonthesand。AtdawnnextmorningGilleMairteansaidtoIanDireach:
\'Iwillchangemyselfintoaship,andwillbearyouacrosstheseastoErin,tothelandwheredwellstheking。Andyoushallofferyourselftoserveinhisstable,andtotendhishorses,tillatlengthsowellcontentishe,thathegivesyouthebaycolttowashandbrush。Butwhenyourunawaywithherseethatnoughtexceptthesolesofherhoofstouchanythingwithinthepalacegates,oritwillgoillwithyou。\'
AfterhehadthuscounselledIanDireach,thefoxchangedhimselfintoaship,andsetsailforErin。AndthekingofthatcountrygaveintoIanDireach\'shandsthecareofhishorses,andneverbeforedidtheirskinsshinesobrightlyorwastheirpacesoswift。Andthekingwaswellpleased,andattheendofamonthhesentforIanandsaidtohim:
\'Youhavegivenmefaithfulservice,andnowIwillentrustyouwiththemostpreciousthingthatmykingdomholds。\'Andwhenhehadspoken,heledIanDireachtothestablewherestoodthebaycolt。AndIanrubbedherandfedher,andgallopedwithherallroundthecountry,tillhecouldleaveonewindbehindhimandcatchtheotherwhichwasinfront。
\'Iamgoingawaytohunt,\'saidthekingonemorningwhilehewaswatchingIantendthebaycoltinherstable。\'Thedeerhavecomedownfromthehill,anditistimeformetogivethemchase。\'Thenhewentaway;andwhenhewasnolongerinsight,IanDireachledthebaycoltoutofthestable,andsprangonherback。Butastheyrodethroughthegate,whichstoodbetweenthepalaceandtheouterworld,thecoltswishedhertailagainstthepost,whichshriekedloudly。Inamomentthekingcamerunningup,andheseizedthecolt\'sbridle。
\'Ifyouwantmybaycolt,youmustfirstbringmethedaughterofthekingoftheFranks。\'
WithslowstepswentIanDireachdowntotheshorewhereGilleMairteanthefoxawaitedhim。
\'PlainlyIseethatyouhavenotdoneasIbidyou,norwillyoueverdoit,\'spokeGilleMairteanthefox;\'butIwillhelpyouyetagain。
forathirdtimeIwillchangemyselfintoaship,andwewillsailtoFrance。\'
AndtoFrancetheysailed,and,ashewastheship,theGilleMairteansailedwherehewould,andranhimselfintothecleftofarock,highontotheland。Then,hecommandedIanDireachtogouptotheking\'spalace,sayingthathehadbeenwrecked,thathisshipwasmadefastinarock,andthatnonehadbeensavedbuthimselfonly。
IanDireachlistenedtothewordsofthefox,andhetoldatalesopitiful,thatthekingandqueen,andtheprincesstheirdaughter,allcameouttohearit。Andwhentheyhadheard,noughtwouldpleasethemexcepttogodowntotheshoreandvisittheship,whichbynowwasfloating,forthetidewasup。Tornandbatteredwasshe,asifshehadpassedthroughmanydangers,yetmusicofawondroussweetnesspouredforthfromwithin。
\'Bringhitheraboat,\'criedtheprincess,\'thatImaygoandseeformyselftheharpthatgivesforthsuchmusic。\'Andaboatwasbrought,andIanDireachsteppedintorowittothesideoftheship。
Tothefurthersideherowed,sothatnonecouldsee,andwhenhehelpedtheprincessonboardhegaveapushtotheboat,sothatshecouldnotgetbacktoitagain。Andthemusicsoundedalwayssweeter,thoughtheycouldneverseewhenceitcame,andsoughtitfromonepartofthevesseltoanother。Whenatlasttheyreachedthedeckandlookedaroundthem,noughtoflandcouldtheysee,oranythingsavetherushingwaters。
Theprincessstoodsilent,andherfacegrewgrim。Atlastshesaid:
\'Anilltrickhaveyouplayedme！Whatisthisthatyouhavedone,andwhitherarewegoing？\'
\'Itisaqueenyouwillbe,\'answeredIanDireach,\'forthekingofErinhassentmeforyou,andinreturnhewillgivemehisbaycolt,thatImaytakehimtotheSevenBigWomenofDhiurradh,inexchangefortheWhiteSwordofLight。ThisImustcarrytothegiantoftheFiveHeadsandFiveNecksandFiveHumps,and,inplaceofit,hewillbestowonmethebluefalcon,whichIhavepromisedmystepmother,sothatshemayfreemefromthespellwhichshehaslaidonme。\'
\'Iwouldratherbewifetoyou,\'answeredtheprincess。
By—and—bytheshipsailedintoaharbouronthecoastofErin,andcastanchorthere。AndGilleMairteanthefoxbadeIanDireachtelltheprincessthatshemustbideyetawhileinacaveamongsttherocks,fortheyhadbusinessonland,andafterawhiletheywouldreturntoher。Thentheytookaboatandroweduptosomerocks,andastheytouchedthelandGilleMairteanchangedhimselfintoafairwoman,wholaughed,andsaidtoIanDireach,\'Iwillgivethekingafinewife。\'
NowthekingofErinhadbeenhuntingonthehill,andwhenhesawastrangeshipsailingtowardstheharbour,heguessedthatitmightbeIanDireach,andlefthishunting,andrandowntothehilltothestable。Hastilyheledthebaycoltfromhisstall,andputthegoldensaddleonherback,andthesilverbridleoverhishead,andwiththecolt\'sbridleinhishand,hehurriedtomeettheprincess。
\'IhavebroughtyouthekingofFrance\'sdaughter,\'saidIanDireach。
AndthekingofErinlookedatthemaiden,andwaswellpleased,notknowingthatitwasGilleMairteanthefox。Andhebowedlow,andbesoughthertodohimthehonourtoenterthepalace;andGilleMairtean,ashewentin,turnedtolookbackatIanDireach,andlaughed。
Inthegreathallthekingpausedandpointedtoanironchestwhichstoodinacorner。
\'Inthatchestisthecrownthathaswaitedforyouformanyyears,\'hesaid,\'andatlastyouhavecomeforit。\'Andhestoopeddowntounlockthebox。
InaninstantGilleMairteanthefoxhadsprungonhisback,andgavehimsuchabitethathefelldownunconscious。Quicklythefoxtookhisownshapeagain,andgallopedawaytotheseashore,whereIanDireachandtheprincessandthebaycoltawaitedhim。
\'Iwillbecomeaship,\'criedGilleMairtean,\'andyoushallgoonboardme。\'Andsohedid,andIanDireachletthebaycoltintotheshipandtheprincesswentafterthem,andtheysetsailforDhiurradh。
Thewindwasbehindthem,andverysoontheysawtherocksofDhiurradhinfront。ThenspokeGilleMairteanthefox:
\'Letthebaycoltandtheking\'sdaughterhideintheserocks,andI
willchangemyselfintothecolt,andgowithyoutothehouseoftheSevenBigWomen。\'
JoyfiledtheheartsoftheBigWomenwhentheybeheldthebaycoltleduptotheirdoorbyIanDireach。AndtheyoungestofthemfetchedtheWhiteSwordofLight,andgaveitintothehandsofIanDireach,whotookoffthegoldensaddleandthesilverbridle,andwentdownthehillwiththeswordtotheplacewheretheprincessandtherealcoltawaitedhim。
\'Nowweshallhavetheridethatwehavelongedfor！\'criedtheSevenBigWomen;andtheysaddledandbridledthecolt,andtheeldestonegotuponthesaddle。Thenthesecondsistersatonthebackofthefirst,andthethirdonthebackofthesecond,andsoonforthewholeseven。Andwhentheywereallseated,theeldeststruckhersidewithawhipandthecoltboundedforward。Overthemoorssheflew,androundandroundthemountains,andstilltheBigWomenclungtoherandsnortedwithpleasure。Atlastsheleapthighintheair,andcamedownontopofMonadhthehighhill,wherethecragis。Andsherestedherforefeetonthecrag,andthrewupherhindlegs,andtheSevenBigWomenfelloverthecrag,andweredeadwhentheyreachedthebottom。Andthecoltlaughed,andbecameafoxagainandgallopedawaytotheseashore,whereIanDireach,andtheprincessandtherealcoltandtheWhiteSwordofLightwereawaitinghim。
\'Iwillmakemyselfintoaship,\'saidGilleMairteanthefox,\'andwillcarryyouandtheprincess,andthebaycoltandtheWhiteSwordofLight,backtotheland。\'Andwhentheshorewasreached,GilleMairteanthefoxtookbackhisownshape,andspoketoIanDireachinthiswise:
\'LettheprincessandtheWhiteSwordofLight,andthebaycolt,remainamongtherocks,andIwillchangemyselfintothelikenessoftheWhiteSwordofLight,andyoushallbearmetothegiant,and,instead,hewillgiveyouthebluefalcon。\'AndIanDireachdidasthefoxbadehim,andsetoutforthegiant\'scastle。FromafarthegiantbeheldtheblazeoftheWhiteSwordofLight,andhisheartrejoiced;
andhetookthebluefalconandputitinabasket,andgaveittoIanDireach,whoboreitswiftlyawaytotheplacewheretheprincess,andthebaycolt,andtherealSwordofLightwereawaitinghim。
Sowellcontentwasthegianttopossesstheswordhehadcovetedformanyayear,thathebeganatoncetowhirlitthroughtheair,andtocutandslashwithit。ForalittlewhileGilleMairteanletthegiantplaywithhiminthismanner;thenheturnedinthegiant\'shand,andcutthroughtheFiveNecks,sothattheFiveHeadsrolledontheground。AfterwardshewentbacktoIanDireachandsaidtohim:
\'Saddlethecoltwiththegoldensaddle,andbridleherwiththesilverbridle,andslingthebasketwiththefalconoveryourshoulders,andholdtheWhiteSwordofLightwithitsbackagainstyournose。Thenmountthecolt,andlettheprincessmountbehindyou,andridethustoyourfather\'spalace。Butseethatthebackoftheswordiseveragainstyournose,elsewhenyourstepmotherbeholdsyou,shewillchangeyouintoadryfaggot。If,however,youdoasIbidyou,shewillbecomeherselfabundleofsticks。\'
IanDireachhearkenedtothewordsofGilleMairtean,andhisstepmotherfellasabundleofsticksbeforehim;andhesetfiretoher,andwasfreefromherspellsforever。Afterthathemarriedtheprincess,whowasthebestwifeinalltheislandsoftheWest。
Henceforthhewassafefromharm,forhadhenotthebaycoltwhocouldleaveonewindbehindherandcatchtheotherwind,andthebluefalcontobringhimgametoeat,andtheWhiteSwordofLighttopiercethroughhisfoes？
AndIanDireachknewthatallthisheowedtoGilleMairteanthefox,andhemadeacompactwithhimthathemightchooseanybeastoutofhisherds,wheneverhungerseizedhim,andthathenceforthnoarrowshouldbeletflyathimoratanyofhisrace。ButGilleMairteanthefoxwouldtakenorewardforthehelphehadgiventoIanDireach,onlyhisfriendship。ThusallthingsprosperedwithIanDireachtillhedied。
[FromTalesoftheWestHighlands。]
TheUglyDucklingItwassummerinthelandofDenmark,andthoughformostoftheyearthecountrylooksflatandugly,itwasbeautifulnow。Thewheatwasyellow,theoatsweregreen,thehaywasdryanddelicioustorollin,andfromtheoldruinedhousewhichnobodylivedin,downtotheedgeofthecanal,wasaforestofgreatburdocks,sotallthatawholefamilyofchildrenmighthavedweltinthemandneverhavebeenfoundout。
Itwasundertheseburdocksthataduckhadbuiltherselfawarmnest,andwasnotsittingalldayonsixprettyeggs。Fiveofthemwerewhite,butthesixth,whichwaslargerthantheothers,wasofanuglygreycolour。Theduckwasalwayspuzzledaboutthategg,andhowitcametobesodifferentfromtherest。Otherbirdsmighthavethoughtthatwhentheduckwentdowninthemorningandeveningtothewatertostretchherlegsinagoodswim,somelazymothermighthavebeenonthewatch,andhavepoppedhereggintothenest。Butducksarenotcleveratall,andarenotquickatcounting,sothisduckdidnotworryherselfaboutthematter,butjusttookcarethatthebigeggshouldbeaswarmastherest。
Thiswasthefirstsetofeggsthattheduckhadeverlaid,and,tobeginwith,shewasverypleasedandproud,andlaughedattheothermothers,whowerealwaysneglectingtheirdutiestogossipwitheachotherortotakelittleextraswimsbesidesthetwointhemorningandeveningthatwerenecessaryforhealth。Butatlengthshegrewtiredofsittingthereallday。\'Surelyeggstakelongerhatchingthantheydid,\'shesaidtoherself;andshepinedforalittleamusementalso。
Still,sheknewthatifshelefthereggsandtheducklingsinthemtodienoneofherfriendswouldeverspeaktoheragain;sothereshestayed,onlygettingofftheeggsseveraltimesadaytoseeiftheshellswerecracking——whichmayhavebeentheveryreasonwhytheydidnotcracksooner。
Shehadlookedattheeggsatleastahundredandfiftytimes,when,toherjoy,shesawatinycrackontwoofthem,andscramblingbacktothenestshedrewtheeggsclosertheonetotheother,andnevermovedforthewholeofthatday。Nextmorningshewasrewardedbynoticingcracksinthewholefiveeggs,andbymiddaytwolittleyellowheadswerepokingoutfromtheshells。Thisencouragedhersomuchthat,afterbreakingtheshellswithherbill,sothatthelittlecreaturescouldgetfreeofthem,shesatsteadilyforawholenightuponthenest,andbeforethesunarosethefivewhiteeggswereempty,andtenpairsofeyesweregazingoutuponthegreenworld。
Nowtheduckhadbeencarefullybroughtup,anddidnotlikedirt,and,besides,brokenshellsarenotatallcomfortablethingstositorwalkupon;soshepushedtherestoutovertheside,andfeltdelightedtohavesomecompanytotalktotillthebigegghatched。Butdayafterdaywenton,andthebigeggshowednosignsofcracking,andtheduckgrewmoreandmoreimpatient,andbegantowishtoconsultherhusband,whonevercame。
\'Ican\'tthinkwhatisthematterwithit,\'theduckgrumbledtoherneighbourwhohadcalledintopayheravisit。\'WhyIcouldhavehatchedtwobroodsinthetimethatthisonehastaken！\'
\'Letmelookatit,\'saidtheoldneighbour。\'Ah,Ithoughtso;itisaturkey\'segg。Once,whenIwasyoung,theytrickedmetosittingonabroodofturkey\'seggsmyself,andwhentheywerehatchedthecreaturesweresostupidthatnothingwouldmakethemlearntoswim。I
havenopatiencewhenIthinkofit。\'
\'Well,Iwillgiveitanotherchance,\'sighedtheduck,\'andifitdoesnotcomeoutofitsshellinanothertwenty—fourhours,Iwilljustleaveitaloneandteachtherestofthemtoswimproperlyandtofindtheirownfood。Ireallycan\'tbeexpectedtodotwothingsatonce。\'
Andwithafluffofherfeathersshepushedtheeggintothemiddleofthenest。
Allthroughthenextdayshesaton,givingupevenhermorningbathforfearthatablastofcoldmightstrikethebigegg。Intheevening,whensheventuredtopeep,shethoughtshesawatinycrackintheupperpartoftheshell。Filledwithhope,shewentbacktoherduties,thoughshecouldhardlysleepallnightforexcitement。Whenshewokewiththefirststeaksoflightshefeltsomethingstirringunderher。Yes,thereitwasatlast;andasshemoved,abigawkwardbirdtumbledheadforemostontheground。
Therewasnodenyingitwasugly,eventhemotherwasforcedtoadmitthattoherself,thoughsheonlysaiditwas\'large\'and\'strong。\'
\'Youwon\'tneedanyteachingwhenyouareonceinthewater,\'shetoldhim,withaglanceofsurpriseatthedullbrownwhichcoveredhisback,andathislongnakedneck。Andindeedhedidnot,thoughhewasnothalfsoprettytolookatasthelittleyellowballsthatfollowedher。
Whentheyreturnedtheyfoundtheoldneighbouronthebankwaitingforthemtotakethemintotheduckyard。\'No,itisnotayoungturkey,certainly,\'whisperedsheinconfidencetothemother,\'forthoughitisleanandskinny,andhasnocolourtospeakof,yetthereissomethingratherdistinguishedaboutit,anditholdsitsheadupwell。\'
\'Itisverykindofyoutosayso,\'answeredthemother,whobythistimehadsomesecretdoubtsofitsloveliness。\'Ofcourse,whenyouseeitbyitselfitisallright,thoughitisdifferent,somehow,fromtheothers。Butonecannotexpectallone\'schildrentobebeautiful！\'
Bythistimetheyhadreachedthecentreoftheyard,whereaveryoldduckwassitting,whowastreatedwithgreatrespectbyallthefowlspresent。
\'Youmustgoupandbowlowbeforeher,\'whisperedthemothertoherchildren,noddingherheadinthedirectionoftheoldlady,\'andkeepyourlegswellapart,asyouseemedo。Nowell—bredducklingturnsinitstoes。Itisasignofcommonparents。\'
Thelittleduckstriedhardtomaketheirsmallfatbodiescopythemovementsoftheirmother,andtheoldladywasquitepleasedwiththem;buttherestoftheduckslookedondiscontentedly,andsaidtoeachother:
\'Oh,dearme,hereareeversomanymore！Theyardisfullalready;
anddidyoueverseeanythingquiteasuglyasthatgreattallcreature？Heisadisgracetoanybrood。Ishallgoandchasehimout！\'Sosayingsheputupherfeathers,andrunningtothebigducklingbithisneck。
Theducklinggavealoudquack;itwasthefirsttimehehadfeltanypain,andatthesoundhismotherturnedquickly。
\'Leavehimalone,\'shesaidfiercely,\'orIwillsendforhisfather。
Hewasnottroublingyou。\'
\'No;butheissouglyandawkwardnoonecanputupwithhim,\'
answeredthestranger。Andthoughtheducklingdidnotunderstandthemeaningofthewords,hefelthewasbeingblamed,andbecamemoreuncomfortablestillwhentheoldSpanishduckwhoruledthefowlyardstruckin:
\'Itcertainlyisagreatpityheissodifferentfromthesebeautifuldarlings。Ifhecouldonlybehatchedoveragain！\'
Thepoorlittlefellowdroopedhishead,anddidnotknowwheretolook,butwascomfortedwhenhismotheranswered:
\'Hemaynotbequiteashandsomeastheothers,butheswimsbetter,andisverystrong;Iamsurehewillmakehiswayintheworldaswellasanybody。\'
\'Well,youmustfeelquiteathomehere,\'saidtheoldduckwaddlingoff。Andsotheydid,allexcepttheduckling,whowassnappedatbyeveryonewhentheythoughthismotherwasnotlooking。Eventheturkey—cock,whowassobig,neverpassedhimwithoutmockingwords,andhisbrothersandsisters,whowouldnothavenoticedanydifferenceunlessithadbeenputintotheirheads,soonbecameasrudeandunkindastherest。
Atlasthecouldbearitnolonger,andonedayhefanciedhesawsignsofhismotherturningagainsthimtoo;sothatnight,whentheducksandhenswerestillasleep,hestoleawaythroughanopendoor,andundercoveroftheburdockleavesscrambledonbythebankofthecanal,tillhereachedawidegrassymoor,fullofsoftmarshyplaceswherethereedsgrew。Herehelaydown,buthewastootiredandtoofrightenedtofallasleep,andwiththeearliestpeepofthesunthereedsbegantorustle,andhesawthathehadblunderedintoacolonyofwildducks。Butashecouldnotrunawayagainhestoodupandbowedpolitely。
\'Youareugly,\'saidthewildducks,whentheyhadlookedhimwellover;\'but,however,itisnobusinessofours,unlessyouwishtomarryoneofourdaughters,andthatweshouldnotallow。\'Andtheducklingansweredthathehadnoideaofmarryinganybody,andwantednothingbuttobeleftaloneafterhislongjourney。
Sofortwowholedayshelayquietlyamongthereeds,eatingsuchfoodashecouldfind,anddrinkingthewaterofthemoorlandpool,tillhefelthimselfquitestrongagain。Hewishedhemightstaywerehewasforever,hewassocomfortableandhappy,awayfromeveryone,withnobodytobitehimandtellhimhowuglyhewas。
Hewasthinkingthesethoughts,whentwoyoungganderscaughtsightofhimastheywerehavingtheireveningsplashamongthereeds,lookingfortheirsupper。
\'Wearegettingtiredofthismoor,\'theysaid,\'andto—morrowwethinkoftryinganother,wherethelakesarelargerandthefeedingbetter。
Willyoucomewithus？\'
\'Isitnicerthanthis？\'askedtheducklingdoubtfully。Andthewordswerehardlyoutofhismouth,when\'Pif！pah！\'andthetwonew—comerswerestretcheddeadbesidehim。
Atthesoundofthegunthewildducksintherushesflewintotheair,andforafewminutesthefiringcontinued。
Luckilyforhimselftheducklingcouldnotfly,andheflounderedalongthroughthewatertillhecouldhidehimselfamidstsometallfernswhichgrewinahollow。Butbeforehegottherehemetahugecreatureonfourlegs,whichheafterwardsknewtobeadog,whostoodandgazedathimwithalongredtonguehangingoutofhismouth。Theducklinggrewcoldwithterror,andtriedtohidehisheadbeneathhislittlewings;butthedogsnuffedathimandpassedon,andhewasabletoreachhisplaceofshelter。
\'Iamtoouglyevenforadogtoeat,\'saidhetohimself。\'Well,thatisagreatmercy。\'Andhecurledhimselfupinthesoftgrasstilltheshotsdiedawayinthedistance。
Whenallhadbeenquietforalongtime,andtherewereonlystarstoseehim,hecreptoutandlookedabouthim。
Hewouldnevergonearapoolagain,never,thoughthe;andseeingthatthemoorstretchedfarawayintheoppositedirectionfromwhichhehadcome,hemarchedbravelyontillhegottoasmallcottage,whichseemedtootumbledownforthestonestoholdtogethermanyhourslonger。Eventhedooronlyhungupononehinge,andastheonlylightintheroomsprangfromatinyfire,theducklingedgedhimselfcautiouslyin,andlaydownunderachairclosetothebrokendoor,fromwhichhecouldgetoutifnecessary。Butnooneseemedtoseehimorsmellhim;sohespendtherestofthenightinpeace。
Nowinthecottagedweltanoldwoman,hercat,andahen;anditwasreallythey,andnotshe,whoweremastersofthehouse。Theoldwoman,whopassedallherdaysinspinningyarn,whichshesoldatthenearesttown,lovedboththecatandthehenasherownchildren,andnevercontradictedtheminanyway;soitwastheirgrace,andnothers,thattheducklingwouldhavetogain。
Itwasonlynextmorning,whenitgrewlight,thattheynoticedtheirvisitor,whostoodtremblingbeforethem,withhiseyeonthedoorreadytoescapeatanymoment。Theydidnot,however,appearveryfierce,andtheducklingbecamelessafraidastheyapproachedhim。
\'Canyoulayeggs？\'askedthehen。Andtheducklingansweredmeekly:
\'No;Idon\'tknowhow。\'Uponwhichthehenturnedherback,andthecatcameforward。
\'Canyouruffleyourfurwhenyouareangry,orpurrwhenyouarepleased？\'saidshe。Andagaintheducklinghadtoadmitthathecoulddonothingbutswim,whichdidnotseemofmuchusetoanybody。
Sothecatandthehenwentstraightofftotheoldwoman,whowasstillinbed。
\'Suchauselesscreaturehastakenrefugehere,\'theysaid。\'Itcallsitselfaduckling;butitcanneitherlayeggsnorpurr！Whathadwebetterdowithit？\'
\'Keepit,tobesure！\'repliedtheoldwomanbriskly。\'Itisallnonsenseaboutitnotlayingeggs。Anyway,wewillletitstayhereforabit,andseewhathappens。\'
Sotheducklingremainedforthreeweeks,andsharedthefoodofthecatandthehen;butnothinginthewayofeggshappenedatall。Thenthesuncameout,andtheairgrewsoft,andtheducklinggrewtiredofbeinginahut,andwantedwithallhismighttohaveaswim。Andonemorninghegotsorestlessthatevenhisfriendsnoticedit。
\'Whatisthematter？\'askedthehen;andtheducklingtoldher。
\'Iamsolongingforthewateragain。Youcan\'tthinkhowdeliciousitistoputyourheadunderthewateranddivestraighttothebottom。\'
\'Idon\'tthinkIshouldenjoyit,\'repliedthehendoubtfully。\'AndI
don\'tthinkthecatwouldlikeiteither。\'Andthecat,whenasked,agreedtherewasnothingshewouldhatesomuch。
\'Ican\'tstayhereanylonger,IMustgettothewater,\'repeatedtheduck。Andthecatandthehen,whofelthurtandoffended,answeredshortly:
\'Verywellthen,go。\'
Theducklingwouldhavelikedtosaygood—bye,andthankthemfortheirkindness,ashewaspolitebynature;buttheyhadbothturnedtheirbacksonhim,sohewentoutofthericketydoorfeelingrathersad。But,inspiteofhimself,hecouldnothelpathrillofjoywhenhewasoutintheairandwateroncemore,andcaredlittlefortherudeglancesofthecreatureshemet。Forawhilehewasquitehappyandcontent;butsoonthewintercameon,andsnowbegantofall,andeverythingtogrowverywetanduncomfortable。Andtheducklingsoonfoundthatitisonethingtoenjoybeinginthewater,andquiteanothertolikebeingdamponland。
Thesunwassettingoneday,likeagreatscarletglobe,andtheriver,totheduckling\'svastbewilderment,wasgettinghardandslippery,whenheheardasoundofwhirringwings,andhighupintheairaflockofswanswereflying。Theywereaswhiteassnowwhichhadfallenduringthenight,andtheirlongneckswithyellowbillswerestretchedsouthwards,fortheyweregoing——theydidnotquiteknowwhither——buttoalandwherethesunshoneallday。Oh,ifheonlycouldhavegonewiththem！Butthatwasnotpossible,ofcourse;andbesides,whatsortofcompanioncouldanuglythinglikehimbetothosebeautifulbeings？Sohewalkedsadlydowntoashelteredpoolanddivedtotheverybottom,andtriedtothinkitwasthegreatesthappinesshecoulddreamof。But,allthesame,heknewitwasn\'t！
Andeverymorningitgrewcolderandcolder,andtheducklinghadhardworktokeephimselfwarm。Indeed,itwouldbetruertosaythatheneverwaswarmatall;andatlast,afteronebitternight,hislegsmovedsoslowlythattheicecreptcloserandcloser,andwhenthemorninglightbrokehewascaughtfast,asinatrap;andsoonhissenseswentfromhim。
Afewhoursmoreandthepoorduckling\'slifehadbeenended。But,bygoodfortune,amanwascrossingtheriveronhiswaytohiswork,andsawinamomentwhathadhappened。Hehadonthickwoodenshoes,andhewentandstampedsohardontheicethatitbroke,andthenhepickeduptheducklingandtuckedhimunderhissheepskincoat,wherehisfrozenbonesbegantothawalittle。
Insteadofgoingonhiswork,themanturnedbackandtookthebirdtohischildren,whogavehimawarmmesstoeatandputhiminaboxbythefire,andwhentheycamebackfromschoolhewasmuchmorecomfortablethanhehadbeensincehehadlefttheoldwoman\'scottage。
Theywerekindlittlechildren,andwantedtoplaywithhim;but,alas！thepoorfellowhadneverplayedinhislife,andthoughttheywantedtoteasehim,andflewstraightintothemilk—pan,andthenintothebutter—dish,andfromthatintothemeal—barrel,andatlast,terrifiedatthenoiseandconfusion,rightoutofthedoor,andhidhimselfinthesnowamongstthebushesatthebackofthehouse。
Henevercouldtellafterwardsexactlyhowhehadspenttherestofthewinter。Heonlyknewthathewasverymiserableandthatheneverhadenoughtoeat。Butby—and—bythingsgrewbetter。Theearthbecamesofter,thesunhotter,thebirdssang,andtheflowersoncemoreappearedinthegrass。Whenhestoodup,hefeltdifferent,somehow,fromwhathehaddonebeforehefellasleepamongthereedstowhichhehadwanderedafterhehadescapedfromthepeasant\'shut。Hisbodyseemedlarger,andhiswingsstronger。Somethingpinklookedathimfromthesideofahill。Hethoughthewouldflytowardsitandseewhatitwas。
Oh,howgloriousitfelttoberushingthroughtheair,wheelingfirstonewayandthentheother！Hehadneverthoughtthatflyingcouldbelikethat！Theducklingwasalmostsorrywhenhedrewnearthepinkcloudandfounditwasmadeupofappleblossomsgrowingbesideacottagewhosegardenrandowntothebanksofthecanal。Heflutteredslowlytothegroundandpausedforafewminutesunderathicketofsyringas,andwhilehewasgazingabouthim,therewalkedslowlypastaflockofthesamebeautifulbirdshehadseensomanymonthsago。
Fascinated,hewatchedthemonebyonestepintothecanal,andfloatquietlyuponthewatersasiftheywerepartofthem。
\'Iwillfollowthem,\'saidtheducklingtohimself;\'uglythoughIam,IwouldratherbekilledbythemthansufferallIhavesufferedfromcoldandhunger,andfromtheducksandfowlswhoshouldhavetreatedmekindly。\'Andflyingquicklydowntothewater,heswamafterthemasfastashecould。
Itdidnottakehimlongtoreachthem,fortheyhadstoppedtorestinagreenpoolshadedbyatreewhosebranchessweptthewater。Anddirectlytheysawhimcomingsomeoftheyoungeronesswamouttomeethimwithcriesofwelcome,whichagaintheducklinghardlyunderstood。
Heapproachedthemglad,yettrembling,andturningtooneoftheolderbirds,whobythistimehadlefttheshadeofthetree,hesaid:
\'IfIamtodie,Iwouldratheryoushouldkillme。Idon\'tknowwhyI
waseverhatched,forIamtoouglytolive。\'Andashespoke,hebowedhisheadandlookeddownintothewater。
Reflectedinthestillpoolhesawmanywhiteshapes,withlongnecksandgoldenbills,and,withoutthinking,helookedforthedullgreybodyandtheawkwardskinnyneck。Butnosuchthingwasthere。
Instead,hebeheldbeneathhimabeautifulwhiteswan！
\'Thenewoneisthebestofall,\'saidthechildrenwhentheycamedowntofeedtheswanswithbiscuitandcakebeforegoingtobed。\'Hisfeathersarewhiterandhisbeakmoregoldenthantherest。\'Andwhenheheardthat,theducklingthoughtthatitwasworthwhilehavingundergoneallthepersecutionandlonelinessthathehadpassedthrough,asotherwisehewouldneverhaveknownwhatitwastobereallyhappy。
[HansAndersen。]
TheTwoCasketsFar,faraway,inthemidstofapineforest,therelivedawomanwhohadbothadaughterandastepdaughter。Eversinceherowndaughterwasbornthemotherhadgivenherallthatshecriedfor,soshegrewuptobeascrossanddisagreeableasshewasugly。Herstepsister,ontheotherhand,hadspentherchildhoodinworkinghardtokeephouseforherfather,whodiedsoonafterhissecondmarriage;andshewasasmuchbelovedbytheneighboursforhergoodnessandindustryasshewasforherbeauty。
Astheyearswenton,thedifferencebetweenthetwogirlsgrewmoremarked,andtheoldwomantreatedherstepdaughterworsethanever,andwasalwaysonthewatchforsomepretextforbeatingher,ordeprivingherofherfood。Anything,howeverfoolish,wasgoodenoughforthis,andoneday,whenshecouldthinkofnothingbetter,shesetboththegirlstospinwhilesittingonthelowwallofthewell。
\'Andyouhadbettermindwhatyoudo,\'saidshe,\'fortheonewhosethreadbreaksfirstshallbethrowntothebottom。\'
Butofcourseshetookgoodcarethatherowndaughter\'sflaxwasfineandstrong,whilethestepsisterhadonlysomecoarsestuff,whichnoonewouldhavethoughtofusing。Asmightbeexpected,inaverylittlewhilethepoorgirl\'sthreadsnapped,andtheoldwoman,whohadbeenwatchingfrombehindadoor,seizedherstepdaughterbyhershoulders,andthrewherintothewell。
\'Thatisanendofyou！\'shesaid。Butshewaswrong,foritwasonlythebeginning。
Down,down,downwentthegirl——itseemedasifthewellmustreachtotheverymiddleoftheearth;butatlastherfeettouchedtheground,andshefoundherselfinafieldmorebeautifulthaneventhesummerpasturesofhernativemountains。Treeswavedinthesoftbreeze,andflowersofthebrightestcoloursdancedinthegrass。Andthoughshewasquitealone,thegirl\'sheartdancedtoo,forshefelthappierthanshehadsinceherfatherdied。Soshewalkedonthroughthemeadowtillshecametoanoldtumbledownfence——sooldthatitwasawonderitmanagedtostandupatall,anditlookedasifitdependedforsupportontheoldman\'sbeardthatclimbedalloverit。
Thegirlpausedforamomentasshecameup,andgazedaboutforaplacewhereshemightsafelycross。Butbeforeshecouldmoveavoicecriedfromthefence:
\'Donothurtme,littlemaiden;Iamsoold,soold,Ihavenotmuchlongertolive。\'