第5章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Grimms Fairy Tales",免费读到尾

  Thumblingreflectedawhile,andatlengthhesaid,yes,andwentwiththemtothetreasure-chamber。Thenhelookedatthedoorsaboveandbelow,toseeiftherewasanycrackinthem。Itwasnotlongbeforeheespiedonewhichwasbroadenoughtolethimin。Hewasthereforeabouttogetinatonce,butoneofthetwosentrieswhostoodbeforethedoor,observedhim,andsaidtotheother,whatanuglyspideriscreepingthere,I

  willkillit。Letthepoorcreaturealone,saidtheother,ithasdoneyounoharm。Thenthumblinggotsafelythroughthecreviceintothetreasure-chamber,openedthewindowbeneathwhichtherobberswerestanding,andthrewouttothemonetalerafteranother。Whenthelittletailorwasinthefullswingofhiswork,heheardthekingcomingtoinspecthistreasure-chamber,andcrepthastilyintoahiding-place。Thekingnoticedthatseveralsolidtalersweremissing,butcouldnotconceivewhocouldhavestolenthem,forlocksandboltswereingoodcondition,andallseemedwellguarded。Thenhewentawayagain,andsaidtothesentries,beonthewatch,someoneisafterthemoney。Whenthereforethumblingrecommencedhislabors,theyheardthemoneymoving,andasoundofklink,klink,klink。Theyranswiftlyintoseizethethief,butthelittletailor,whoheardthemcoming,wasstillswifter,andleaptintoacornerandcoveredhimselfwithataler,sothatnothingcouldbeseenofhim,andatthesametimehemockedthesentriesandcried,hereamI。

  Thesentriesranthither,butastheygotthere,hehadalreadyhoppedintoanothercornerunderataler,andwascrying,ho,ho,hereamI。Andthushemadefoolsofthem,anddrovethemsolongroundaboutthetreasure-chamberthattheywerewearyandwentaway。Thenbydegreeshethrewallthetalersout,dispatchingthelastwithallhismight,thenhoppednimblyuponit,andflewdownwithitthroughthewindow。Therobberspaidhimgreatcompliments。Youareavalianthero,saidthey,willyoubeourcaptain。

  Thumbling,however,declined,andsaidhewantedtoseetheworldfirst。Theynowdividedthebooty,butthelittletailoronlyaskedforakreuzerbecausehecouldnotcarrymore。

  Thenheoncemorebuckledonhissword,badetherobbersgoodbye,andtooktotheroad。First,hewenttoworkwithsomemasters,buthehadnolikingforthat,andatlasthehiredhimselfasmanservantinaninn。Themaids,however,couldnotendurehim,forhesawalltheydidsecretly,withouttheirseeinghim,andhetoldtheiremployerswhattheyhadtakenofftheplates,andcarriedawayoutofthecellar,forthemselves。

  Thensaidthey,wait,andwewillpayyouout,andarrangedwitheachothertoplayhimatrick。Soonafterwardswhenoneofthemaidswasmowinginthegarden,andsawthumblingjumpingaboutandcreepingupanddowntheplants,shemowedhimupquicklywiththegrass,tiedallinagreatcloth,andsecretlythrewittothecows。Nowamongstthemtherewasagreatblackone,whoswallowedhimdownwithouthurtinghim。Downbelow,however,itdidnotsuithim,foritwasquitedark,neitherwasanycandleburning。Whenthecowwasbeingmilkedhecried,strip,strap,strull,whenwillthepailbefull。

  Butthenoiseofthemilkingpreventedhisbeingunderstood。

  Afterthisthemasterofthehousecameintothestallandsaid,thatcowshallbekilledto-morrow。Thenthumblingwassoalarmedthathecriedoutinaclearvoice,letmeoutfirst,Iamsittinginsideher。Themasterheardthatquitewell,butdidnotknowfromwhencethevoicecame。Whereareyou,askedhe。Intheblackone,answeredthumbling,butthemasterdidnotunderstandwhatthatmeant,andwentout。

  Nextmorningthecowwaskilled。Happilythumblingdidnotmeetwithoneblowatthecuttingupandchopping,hegotamongthesausage-meat。Andwhenthebutchercameinandbeganhiswork,hecriedoutwithallhismight,don\'tchoptoodeep,don\'tchoptoodeep,Iamamongstit。Nooneheardthisbecauseofthenoiseofthechopping-knife。Nowpoorthumblingwasintrouble,buttroublesharpensthewits,andhesprangoutsoadroitlybetweentheblowsthatnoneofthemtouchedhim,andheescapedwithawholeskin。Butstillhecouldnotgetaway,therewasnothingforitbuttolethimselfbethrustintoablack-puddingwiththebitsofbacon。Hisquarterstherewereratherconfined,andbesidesthathewashungupinthechimneytobesmoked,andtheretimedidhangterriblyheavyonhishands。

  Atlengthinwinterhewastakendownagain,astheblack-puddinghadtobesetbeforeaguest。Whenthehostesswascuttingitinslices,hetookcarenottostretchouthisheadtoofarlestabitofitshouldbecutoff,atlasthesawhisopportunity,clearedapassageforhimself,andjumpedout。

  Thelittletailor,however,wouldnotstayanylongerinahousewherehefaredsoill,soatoncesetoutonhisjourneyagain。

  Buthislibertydidnotlastlong。Intheopencountryhemetwithafoxwhosnappedhimupwithoutthinking。HI,there,mr。Fox,criedthelittletailor,itisIwhoamstickinginyourthroat,setmeatlibertyagain。Youareright,answeredthefox。Youarenexttonothingforme,butifyouwillpromisemethefowlsinyourfather\'syardIwillletyougo。Withallmyheart,repliedthumbling。Youshallhaveallthecocksandhens,thatIpromiseyou。Thenthefoxlethimgoagain,andhimselfcarriedhimhome。Whenthefatheroncemoresawhisdearson,hewillinglygavethefoxallthefowlswhichhehad。ForthisIlikewisebringyouahandsomebitofmoney,saidthumbling,andgavehisfatherthekreuzerwhichheearnedonhistravels。

  Butwhydidthefoxgetthepoorchickenstoeat。Oh,yousilly,yourfatherwouldsurelylovehischildfarmorethanthefowlsintheyard。

  Therewasonceawizardwhousedtotaketheformofapoorman,andwenttohousesandbegged,andcaughtprettygirls。

  Nooneknewwhitherhecarriedthem,fortheywereneverseenagain。Onedayheappearedbeforethedoorofamanwhohadthreeprettydaughters。Helookedlikeapoorweakbeggar,andcarriedabasketonhisback,asifhemeanttocollectcharitablegiftsinit。Hebeggedforalittlefood,andwhentheeldestdaughtercameoutandwasjusthandinghimapieceofbread,hedidbuttouchher,andshewasforcedtojumpintohisbasket。Thereuponhehurriedoffwithlongstrides,andcarriedherawayintoadarkforesttohishouse,whichstoodinthemidstofit。Everythinginthehousewasmagnificent。

  Hegaveherwhatsoevershecouldpossiblydesire,andsaid,mydarling,youwillcertainlybehappywithme,foryouhaveeverythingyourheartcanwishfor。Thislastedafewdays,andthenhesaid,Imustjourneyforth,andleaveyoualoneforashorttime。Herearethekeysofthehouse。

  Youmaygoeverywhereandlookateverythingexceptintooneroom,whichthislittlekeyopens,andthereIforbidyoutogoonpainofdeath。Helikewisegaveheraneggandsaid,preservetheeggcarefullyforme,andcarryitcontinuallyaboutwithyou,foragreatmisfortunewouldarisefromthelossofit。

  Shetookthekeysandtheegg,andpromisedtoobeyhimineverything。Whenhewasgone,shewentallroundthehousefromthebottomtothetop,andexaminedeverything。Theroomsshonewithsilverandgold,andshethoughtshehadneverseensuchgreatsplendor。Atlengthshecametotheforbiddendoor。Shewishedtopassitby,butcuriosityletherhavenorest。Sheexaminedthekey,itlookedjustlikeanyother。Sheputitinthekeyholeandturneditalittle,andthedoorsprangopen。Butwhatdidsheseewhenshewentin。Agreatbloodybasinstoodinthemiddleoftheroom,andthereinlayhumanbeings,deadandhewntopieces,andhardbywasablockofwood,andagleamingaxelayuponit。

  Shewassoterriblyalarmedthattheeggwhichsheheldinherhandfellintothebasin。Shegotitoutandwipedthebloodoff,butinvain,itappearedagaininamoment。Shewashedandscrubbed,butshecouldnotgetitoff。

  Itwasnotlongbeforethemancamebackfromhisjourney,andthefirstthingswhichheaskedforwerethekeyandtheegg。

  Shegavethemtohim,butshetrembledasshedidso,andhesawatoncebytheredspotsthatshehadbeeninthebloodychamber。

  Sinceyouhavegoneintotheroomagainstmywill,saidhe,youshallgobackintoitagainstyourown。Yourlifeisended。

  Hethrewherdown,draggedheralongbyherhair,cutherheadoffontheblock,andhewedherinpiecessothatherbloodranontheground。Thenhethrewherintothebasinwiththerest。

  NowIwillfetchmyselfthesecond,saidthewizard,andagainhewenttothehouseintheshapeofapoorman,andbegged。Thentheseconddaughterbroughthimapieceofbread。Hecaughtherlikethefirst,bysimplytouchingher,andcarriedheraway。

  Shedidnotfarebetterthanhersister。Sheallowedherselftobeledawaybyhercuriosity,openedthedoorofthebloodychamber,lookedin,andhadtoatoneforitwithherlifeonthewizard\'sreturn。Thenhewentandbroughtthethirdsister,butshewascleverandwily。Whenhehadgivenherthekeysandtheegg,andhadlefther,shefirstputtheeggawaywithgreatcare,andthensheexaminedthehouse,andatlastwentintotheforbiddenroom。Alas,whatdidshebehold。Bothherdearsisterslaythereinthebasin,cruellymurdered,andcutintopieces。Butshebegantogathertheirlimbstogetherandputtheminorder,head,body,armsandlegs。Andwhennothingfurtherwaswantingthelimbsbegantomoveandunitethemselvestogether,andboththemaidensopenedtheireyesandwereoncemorealive。Thentheyrejoicedandkissedandcaressedeachother。

  Onhisarrival,themanatoncedemandedthekeysandtheegg,andashecouldperceivenotraceofanybloodonit,hesaid,youhavestoodthetest,youshallbemybride。Henowhadnolongeranypoweroverher,andwasforcedtodowhatsoevershedesired。Oh,verywell,saidshe,youshallfirsttakeabasketfulofgoldtomyfatherandmother,andcarryityourselfonyourback。InthemeantimeIwillprepareforthewedding。Thensherantohersisters,whomshehadhiddeninalittlechamber,andsaid,themomenthascomewhenIcansaveyou。Thewretchshallhimselfcarryyouhomeagain,butassoonasyouareathomesendhelptome。Sheputbothoftheminabasketandcoveredthemquiteoverwithgold,sothatnothingofthemwastobeseen。Thenshecalledinthewizardandsaidtohim,nowcarrythebasketaway,butI

  shalllookthroughmylittlewindowandwatchtoseeifyoustoponthewaytostandortorest。

  Thewizardraisedthebasketonhisbackandwentawaywithit,butitweighedhimdownsoheavilythatthesweatstreamedfromhisface。Thenhesatdownandwantedtorestawhile,butimmediatelyoneofthegirlsinthebasketcried,Iamlookingthroughmylittlewindow,andIseethatyouareresting。

  Willyougoonatonce。Hethoughtitwashisbridewhowastalkingtohim,andhegotuponhislegsagain。Oncemorehewasgoingtositdown,butinstantlyshecried,Iamlookingthroughmylittlewindow,andIseethatyouareresting。Willyougoondirectly。Andwheneverhestoodstill,shecriedthis,andthenhewasforcedtogoonwards,untilatlast,groaningandoutofbreath,hetookthebasketwiththegoldandthetwomaidensintotheirparents,house。Athome,however,thebridepreparedthemarriage-feast,andsentinvitationstothefriendsofthewizard。Thenshetookaskullwithgrinningteeth,putsomeornamentsonitandawreathofflowers,carrieditupstairstothegarret-window,andletitlookoutfromthence。Whenallwasready,shegotintoabarrelofhoney,andthencutthefeather-bedopenandrolledherselfinit,untilshelookedlikeawondrousbird,andnoonecouldrecognizeher。Thenshewentoutofthehouse,andonherwayshemetsomeofthewedding-guests,whoasked,o,fitcher\'sbird,howcom\'stthouhere。

  Icomefromfitcher\'shousequitenear。

  Andwhatmaytheyoungbridebedoing。

  Fromcellartogarretshe\'ssweptallclean,andnowfromthewindowshe\'speeping,Iween。

  Atlastshemetthebridegroom,whowascomingslowlyback。

  He,liketheothers,asked,o,fitcher\'sbird,howcom\'stthouhere。

  Icomefromfitcher\'shousequitenear。

  Andwhatmaytheyoungbridebedoing。

  Fromcellartogarretshe\'ssweptallclean,andnowfromthewindowshe\'speeping,Iween。

  Thebridegroomlookedup,sawthedecked-outskull,thoughtitwashisbride,andnoddedtoher,greetingherkindly。Butwhenheandhisguestshadallgoneintothehouse,thebrothersandkinsmenofthebride,whohadbeensenttorescueher,arrived。Theylockedallthedoorsofthehouse,thatnoonemightescape,setfiretoit,andthewizardandallhiscrewhadtoburn。

  Itisnowlongago,quitetwothousandyears,sincetherewasarichmanwhohadabeautifulandpiouswife,andtheylovedeachotherdearly。Theyhad,however,nochildren,thoughtheywishedforthemverymuch,andthewomanprayedforthemdayandnight,butstilltheyhadnone。Nowtherewasacourt-yardinfrontoftheirhouseinwhichwasajunipertree,andonedayinwinterthewomanwasstandingbeneathit,paringherselfanapple,andwhileshewasparingherselftheappleshecutherfinger,andthebloodfellonthesnow。Ah,saidthewoman,andsighedrightheavily,andlookedatthebloodbeforeher,andwasmostunhappy,ah,ifIhadbutachildasredasbloodandaswhiteassnow。Andwhileshethusspoke,shebecamequitehappyinhermind,andfeltjustasifthatweregoingtohappen。

  Thenshewentintothehouseandamonthwentbyandthesnowwasgone,andtwomonths,andtheneverythingwasgreen,andthreemonths,andthenalltheflowerscameoutoftheearth,andfourmonths,andthenallthetreesinthewoodgrewthicker,andthegreenbrancheswereallcloselyentwined,andthebirdssanguntilthewoodresoundedandtheblossomsfellfromthetrees,thenthefifthmonthpassedawayandshestoodunderthejunipertree,whichsmeltsosweetlythatherheartleapt,andshefellonherkneesandwasbesideherselfwithjoy,andwhenthesixthmonthwasoverthefruitwaslargeandfine,andthenshewasquitestill,andtheseventhmonthshesnatchedatthejuniper-berriesandatethemgreedily,thenshegrewsickandsorrowful,thentheeighthmonthpassed,andshecalledherhusbandtoher,andweptandsaid,ifIdiethenburymebeneaththejunipertree。Thenshewasquitecomfortedandhappyuntilthenextmonthwasover,andthenshehadachildaswhiteassnowandasredasblood,andwhenshebehelditshewassodelightedthatshedied。

  Thenherhusbandburiedherbeneaththejunipertree,andhebegantoweepsore,aftersometimehewasmoreatease,andthoughhestillwepthecouldbearit,andaftersometimelongerhetookanotherwife。

  Bythesecondwifehehadadaughter,butthefirstwife\'schildwasalittleson,andhewasasredasbloodandaswhiteassnow。

  Whenthewomanlookedatherdaughtershelovedherverymuch,butthenshelookedatthelittleboyanditseemedtocuthertotheheart,forthethoughtcameintohermindthathewouldalwaysstandinherway,andshewasforeverthinkinghowshecouldgetallthefortuneforherdaughter,andtheevilonefilledhermindwiththistillshewasquitewrothwiththelittleboyandshepushedhimfromonecornertotheotherandslappedhimhereandcuffedhimthere,untilthepoorchildwasincontinualterror,forwhenhecameoutofschoolhehadnopeaceinanyplace。

  Onedaythewomanhadgoneupstairstoherroom,andherlittledaughterwentuptoo,andsaid,mother,givemeanapple。Yes,mychild,saidthewoman,andgaveherafineappleoutofthechest,butthechesthadagreatheavylidwithagreatsharpironlock。Mother,saidthelittledaughter,isbrothernottohaveonetoo。Thismadethewomanangry,butshesaid,yes,whenhecomesoutofschool。Andwhenshesawfromthewindowthathewascoming,itwasjustasifthedevilenteredintoher,andshesnatchedattheappleandtookitawayagainfromherdaughter,andsaid,youshallnothaveonebeforeyourbrother。

  Thenshethrewtheappleintothechest,andshutit。Thenthelittleboycameinatthedoor,andthedevilmadehersaytohimkindly,myson,willyouhaveanapple。Andshelookedwickedlyathim。Mother,saidthelittleboy,howdreadfulyoulook。

  Yes,givemeanapple。Thenitseemedtoherasifshewereforcedtosaytohim,comewithme,andsheopenedthelidofthechestandsaid,takeoutanappleforyourself,andwhilethelittleboywasstoopinginside,thedevilpromptedher,andcrash。Sheshuttheliddown,andhisheadflewoffandfellamongtheredapples。Thenshewasoverwhelmedwithterror,andthought,ifIcouldbutmakethemthinkthatitwasnotdonebyme。Soshewentupstairstoherroomtoherchestofdrawers,andtookawhitehandkerchiefoutofthetopdrawer,andsettheheadontheneckagain,andfoldedthehandkerchiefsothatnothingcouldbeseen,andshesethimonachairinfrontofthedoor,andputtheappleinhishand。

  AfterthisMarlinchencameintothekitchentohermother,whowasstandingbythefirewithapanofhotwaterbeforeherwhichshewasconstantlystirringround。\"Mother,\"saidMarlinchen,\"brotherissittingatthedoor,andhelooksquitewhiteandhasanappleinhishand。Iaskedhimtogivemetheapple,buthedidnotanswerme,andIwasquitefrightened。\"\"Gobacktohim,\"saidhermother,\"andifhewillnotansweryou,givehimaboxontheear。\"SoMarlinchenwenttohimandsaid,\"Brother,givemetheapple。\"Buthewassilent,andshegavehimaboxontheear,whereuponhisheadfelloff。Marlinchenwasterrified,andbegancryingandscreaming,andrantohermother,andsaid,\"Alas,mother,Ihaveknockedmybrother\'sheadoff,\"andsheweptandweptandcouldnotbecomforted。\"Marlinchen,\"saidthemother,whathaveyoudone,butbequietandletnooneknowit,itcannotbehelpednow,wewillmakehimintoblack-puddings。\"

  Thenthemothertookthelittleboyandchoppedhiminpieces,puthimintothepanandmadehimintoblackpuddings,butMarlinchenstoodbyweepingandweeping,andallhertearsfellintothepanandtherewasnoneedofanysalt。

  Thenthefathercamehome,andsatdowntodinnerandsaid,\"Butwhereismyson?\"Andthemotherservedupagreatdishofblack-puddings,andMarlinchenweptandcouldnotleaveoff。

  Thenthefatheragainsaid,\"Butwhereismyson?\"\"Ah,\"saidthemother,\"hehasgoneacrossthecoutrytohismother\'sgreatuncle,hewillstaythereawhile。\"\"Andwhatishegoingtodothere?Hedidnotevensaygood-byetome。\"

  \"Oh,hewantedtogo,andaskedmeifhemightstaysixweeks,heiswelltakencareofthere。\"\"Ah,\"saidtheman,\"Ifeelsounhappylestallshouldnotberight。Heoughttohavesaidgood-byetome。\"Withthathebegantoeatandsaid,\"Marlinchen,whyareyoucrying?Yourbrotherwillcertainlycomeback。\"

  Thenhesaid,\"Ah,wife,howdeliciousthisfoodis,givemesomemore。\"Andthemoreheatethemorehewantedtohave,andhesaid,\"Givemesomemore,youshallhavenoneofit。

  Itseemstomeasifitwereallmine。\"Andheateandateandthrewallthebonesunderthetable,untilhehadfinishedthewhole。ButMarlinchenwentawaytoherchestofdrawers,andtookherbestsilkhandkerchiefoutofthebottomdraw,andgotallthebonesfrombeneaththetable,andtiedthemupinhersilkhandkerchief,andcarriedthemoutsidethedoor,weepingtearsofblood。Thenshelaydownunderthejunipertreeonthegreengrass,andaftershehadlaindownthere,shesuddenlyfeltlight-heartedanddidnotcryanymore。Thenthejunipertreebegantostiritself,andthebranchespartedasunder,andmovedtogetheragain,justasifsomeonewererejoicingandclappinghishands。Atthesametimeamistseemedtoarisefromthetree,andinthecenterofthismistitburnedlikeafire,andabeautifulbirdflewoutofthefiresingingmagnificently,andheflewhighupintheair,andwhenhewasgone,thejunipertreewasjustasithadbeenbefore,andthehandkerchiefwiththeboneswasnolongerthere。Marlinchen,however,wasasgayandhappyasifherbrotherwerestillalive。

  Andshewentmerrilyintothehouse,andsatdowntodinnerandate。

  Butthebirdflewawayandlightedonagoldsmith\'shouse,andbegantosing-

  mymothershekilledme,myfatherheateme,mysister,littlemarlinchen,gatheredtogetherallmybones,tiedtheminasilkenhandkerchief,laidthembeneaththejunipertree,kywitt,kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI。

  Thegoldsmithwassittinginhisworkshopmakingagoldenchain,whenheheardthebirdwhichwassittingsingingonhisroof,andverybeautifulthesongseemedtohim。Hestoodup,butashecrossedthethresholdhelostoneofhisslippers。

  Buthewentawayrightupthemiddleofthestreetwithoneshoeonandonesock,hehadhisapronon,andinonehandhehadthegoldenchainandintheotherthepincers,andthesunwasshiningbrightlyonthestreet。Thenhewentrightonandstoodstill,andsaidtothebird,\"Bird,\"saidhethen,\"howbeautifullyyoucansing。Singmethatpieceagain。\"\"No,\"saidthebird,\"I\'llnotsingittwicefornothing。Givemethegoldenchain,andthenIwillsingitagainforyou。\"\"There,\"saidthegoldsmith,\"thereisthegoldenchainforyou,nowsingmethatsongagain。\"

  Thenthebirdcameandtookthegoldenchaininhisrightclaw,andwentandsatinfrontofthegoldsmith,andsang-

  mymothershekilledme,myfatherheateme,mysister,littlemarlinchen,gatheredtogetherallmybones,tiedtheminasilkenhandkerchief,laidthembeneaththejunipertree,kywitt,kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI。

  Thenthebirdflewawaytoashoemaker,andlightedonhisroofandsang-

  mymothershekilledme,myfatherheateme,mysister,littlemarlinchen,gatheredtogetherallmybones,tiedtheminasilkenhandkerchief,laidthembeneaththejunipertree,kywitt,kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI。

  Theshoemakerheardthatandranoutofdoorsinhisshirtsleeves,andlookedupathisroof,andwasforcedtoholdhishandbeforehiseyeslestthesunshouldblindhim。\"Bird,\"saidhe,\"howbeautifullyyoucansing。\"Thenhecalledinathisdoor,\"Wife,justcomeoutside,thereisabird,lookatthatbird,hecertainlycansing。\"Thenhecalledhisdaughterandchildren,andapprentices,boysandgirls,andtheyallcameupthestreetandlookedatthebirdandsawhowbeautifulhewas,andwhatfineredandgreenfeathershehad,andhowlikerealgoldhisneckwas,andhowtheeyesinhisheadshonelikestars。\"Bird,\"

  saidtheshoemaker,\"nowsingmethatsongagain。\"\"Nay,\"saidthebird,\"Idonotsingtwicefornothing,youmustgivemesomething。\"

  \"Wife,\"saidtheman,\"gotothegarret,uponthetopshelftherestandsapairofredshoes,bringthemdown。\"Thenthewifewentandbroughttheshoes。\"There,bird,\"saidtheman,\"nowsingmethatpieceagain。\"Thenthebirdcameandtooktheshoesinhisleftclaw,andflewbackontheroof,andsang-

  mymothershekilledme,myfatherheateme,mysister,littleMarlinchen,gatheredtogetherallmybones,tiedtheminasilkenhandkerchief,laidthembeneaththejunipertree,kywitt,kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI。

  andwhenhehadfinishedhissongheflewaway。Inhisrightclawhehadthechainandinhislefttheshoes,andheflewfarawaytoamill,andthemillwent,klippklapp,klippklapp,klippklapp,andinthemillsattwentymiller\'smenhewingastone,andcutting,hickhack,hickhack,hickhack,andthemillwentklippklapp,klippklapp\'klippklapp。Thenthebirdwentandsatonalime-treewhichstoodinfrontofthemill,andsang-

  mymothershekilledme,thenoneofthemstoppedworking,myfatherheateme,thentwomorestoppedworkingandlistenedtothat,mysister,littleMarlinchen,thenfourmorestopped,gatheredtogetherallmybones,tiedtheminasilkenhandkerchief,noweightonlywerehewing,laidthembeneath,nowonlyfive,thejunipertree,andnowonlyone,kywitt,kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI。

  Thenthelaststoppedalso,andheardthelastwords。\"Bird,\"

  saidhe,\"howbeautifullyyousing。Letme,too,hearthat。

  Singthatoncemoreforme。\"

  \"Nay,\"saidthebird,\"Iwillnotsingtwicefornothing。Givemethemillstone,andthenIwillsingitagain。\"

  \"Yes,\"saidhe,\"ifitbelongedtomeonly,youshouldhaveit。\"

  \"Yes,\"saidtheothers,\"ifhesingsagainheshallhaveit。\"Thenthebirdcamedown,andthetwentymillersallsettoworkwithabeamandraisedthestoneup。Andthebirdstuckhisneckthroughthehole,andputthestoneonasifitwereacollar,andflewontothetreeagain,andsang-

  mymothershekilledme,myfatherheateme,mysister,littleMarlinchen,gatheredtogetherallmybones,tiedtheminasilkenhandkerchief,laidthembeneaththejunipertree,kywitt,kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI。

  Andwhenhehaddonesinging,hespreadhiswings,andinhisrightclawhehadthechain,andinhislefttheshoes,androundhisneckthemillstone,andheflewfarawaytohisfather\'shouse。

  Intheroomsatthefather,themother,andMarlinchenatdinner,andthefathersaid,\"Howlight-heartedIfeel,howhappyIam。\"

  \"Nay,\"saidthemother,\"Ifeelsouneasy,justasifaheavystormwerecoming。\"Marlinchen,however,satweepingandweeping,andthencamethebirdflying,andasitseateditselfontheroofthefathersaid,\"Ah,Ifeelsotrulyhappy,andthesunisshiningsobeautifullyoutside,IfeeljustasifIwereabouttoseesomeoldfriendagain。\"\"Nay,\"saidthewoman,\"Ifeelsoanxious,myteethchatter,andIseemtohavefireinmyveins。\"

  Andshetoreherstaysopen,butMarlinchensatinacornercrying,andheldherplatebeforehereyesandcriedtillitwasquitewet。Thenthebirdsatonthejunipertree,andsang-

  mymothershekilledme,thenthemotherstoppedherears,andshuthereyes,andwouldnotseeorhear,buttherewasaroaringinherearslikethemostviolentstorm,andhereyesburntandflashedlikelightning-

  myfatherheateme,\"Ah,mother,\"saystheman,\"thatisabeautifulbird。Hesingssosplendidly,andthesunshinessowarm,andthereisasmelljustlikecinnamon。\"

  Mysister,littleMarlinchen,thenMarlinchenlaidherheadonherkneesandweptwithoutceasing,butthemansaid,\"Iamgoingout,Imustseethebirdquiteclose。\"\"Oh,don\'tgo,\"saidthewoman,\"Ifeelasifthewholehousewereshakingandonfire。\"Butthemanwentoutandlookedatthebird。

  gatheredtogetherallmybones,tiedtheminasilkenhandkerchief,laidthembeneaththejunipertree,kywitt,kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI

  onthisthebirdletthegoldenchainfall,anditfellexactlyroundtheman\'sneck,andsoexactlyrounditthatitfittedbeautifully。Thenhewentinandsaid,\"justlookwhatafinebirdthatis,andwhatahandsomegoldenchainhehasgivenme,andhowprettyheis。\"Butthewomanwasterrified,andfelldownonthefloorintheroom,andhercapfelloffherhead。Thensangthebirdoncemore-

  mymothershekilledme。

  \"WouldthatIwereathousandfeetbeneaththeearthsoasnottohearthat。\"

  Myfatherheateme,thenthewomanfelldownagainasifdead。

  Mysister,littlemarlinchen,\"Ah,\"saidMarlinchen,\"Itoowillgooutandseeifthebirdwillgivemeanything,\"andshewentout。

  Gatheredtogetherallmybones,tiedtheminasilkenhandkerchief,thenhethrewdowntheshoestoher。

  Laidthembeneaththejunipertree,kywitt,kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI。

  Thenshewaslight-heartedandjoyous,andsheputonthenewredshoes,anddancedandleapedintothehouse。\"Ah,\"saidshe,\"I

  wassosadwhenIwentoutandnowIamsolight-hearted,thatisasplendidbird,hehasgivenmeapairofredshoes。\"\"Well,\"

  saidthewoman,andsprangtoherfeetandherhairstooduplikeflamesoffire,\"Ifeelasiftheworldwerecomingtoanend。

  Itoo,willgooutandseeifmyheartfeelslighter。\"Andasshewentoutatthedoor,crash。Thebirdthrewdownthemillstoneonherhead,andshewasentirelycrushedbyit。

  ThefatherandMarlinchenheardwhathadhappenedandwentout,andsmoke,flames,andfirewererisingfromtheplace,andwhenthatwasover,therestoodthelittlebrother,andhetookhisfatherandMarlinchenbythehand,andallthreewererightglad,andtheywentintothehousetodinner,andate。

  Afarmeroncehadafaithfuldogcalledsultan,whohadgrownold,andlostallhisteeth,sothathecouldnolongerholdontoanything。Onedaythefarmerwasstandingwithhiswifebeforethehouse-door,andsaid,to-morrowIintendtoshootoldsultan,heisnolongerofanyuse。

  Hiswife,whofeltpityforthefaithfulbeast,answered,hehasservedussolong,andbeensofaithful,thatwemightwellgivehimhiskeep。

  What,saidtheman,youarenotverybright。Hehasnotatoothleftinhishead,andnotathiefisafraidofhim,nowhecango。Ifhehasservedus,hehashadgoodfeedingforit。

  Thepoordog,whowaslyingstretchedoutinthesunnotfaroff,hadheardeverything,andwassorrythatthemorrowwastobehislastday。Hehadagoodfriend,thewolf,andhecreptoutintheeveningintotheforesttohim,andcomplainedofthefatethatawaitedhim。Listen,gossip,saidthewolf,beofgoodcheer,Iwillhelpyououtofyourtrouble。Ihavethoughtofsomething。To-morrow,earlyinthemorning,yourmasterisgoingwithhiswifetomakehay,andtheywilltaketheirlittlechildwiththem,fornoonewillbeleftbehindinthehouse。

  Theyarewont,duringwork-time,tolaythechildunderthehedgeintheshade,youlayyourselftheretoo,justasifyouwishedtoguardit。ThenIwillcomeoutofthewood,andcarryoffthechild。Youmustrushswiftlyafterme,asifyouwouldseizeitagainfromme。Iwillletitfall,andyouwilltakeitbacktoitsparents,whowillthinkthatyouhavesavedit,andwillbefartoogratefultodoyouanyharm,onthecontrary,youwillbeinhighfavor,andtheywillneverletyouwantforanythingagain。

  Theplanpleasedthedog,anditwascarriedoutjustasitwasarranged。Thefatherscreamedwhenhesawthewolfrunningacrossthefieldwithhischild,butwhenoldsultanbroughtitback,thenhewasfullofjoy,andstrokedhimandsaid,notahairofyoursshallbehurt,youshalleatmybreadfreeaslongasyoulive。Andtohiswifehesaid,gohomeatonceandmakeoldsultansomebread-sopthathewillnothavetobite,andbringthepillowoutofmybed,Iwillgivehimthattolieupon。

  Hencefortholdsultanwasaswelloffashecouldwishtobe。

  Soonafterwardsthewolfvisitedhim,andwaspleasedthateverythinghadsucceededsowell。But,gossip,saidhe,youwilljustwinkaneyeif,whenIhaveachance,Icarryoffoneofyourmaster\'sfatsheep。Donotreckonuponthat,answeredthedog,Iwillremaintruetomymaster,Icannotagreetothat。Thewolf,whothoughtthatthiscouldnotbespokeninearnest,camecreepingaboutinthenightandwasgoingtotakeawaythesheep。

  Butthefarmer,towhomthefaithfulsultanhadtoldthewolf\'splan,caughthimanddressedhishidesoundlywiththeflail。

  Thewolfhadtomakehimselfscarce,buthecriedouttothedog,waitabit,youscoundrel,youshallpayforthis。

  Thenextmorningthewolfsenttheboartochallengethedogtocomeoutintotheforestsothattheymightsettletheaffair。

  Oldsultancouldfindnoonetostandbyhimbutacatwithonlythreelegs,andastheywentouttogetherthepoorcatlimpedalong,andatthesametimestretchedouthertailintotheairwithpain。

  Thewolfandhisfriendwerealreadyattheappointedplace,butwhentheysawtheirenemycomingtheythoughtthathewasbringingasabrewithhim,fortheymistooktheoutstretchedtailofthecatforone。Andwhenthepoorbeasthoppedonitsthreelegs,theycouldonlythinkeverytimethatitwaspickingupastonetothrowatthem。Sotheywerebothafraid,thewildboarcreptintotheunder-woodandthewolfjumpedupatree。

  Thedogandthecat,whentheycameup,wonderedthattherewasnoonetobeseen。Thewildboar,however,hadnotbeenabletohidehimselfaltogether,oneofhisearswasstickingout。Whilstthecatwaslookingcarefullyabout,theboarmovedhisear,thecat,whothoughtitwasamousemovingthere,jumpeduponitandbitithard。Theboarmadeafearfulnoiseandranaway,cryingout,theguiltyoneisupinthetree。Thedogandcatlookedupandsawthewolf,whowasashamedofhavingshownhimselfsotimid,andmadefriendswiththedog。

  Onceuponatime,acertainkingwashuntinginagreatforest,andhechasedawildbeastsoeagerlythatnoneofhisattendantscouldfollowhim。Wheneveningdrewnearhestoppedandlookedaroundhim,andthenhesawthathehadlosthisway。Hesoughtawayout,butcouldfindnone。Thenheperceivedanagedwomanwithaheadwhichnoddedperpetually,whocametowardshim,butshewasawitch。Goodwoman,saidhetoher,canyounotshowmethewaythroughtheforest。Oh,yes,lordking,sheanswered,thatIcertainlycan,butononecondition,andifyoudonotfulfilthat,youwillnevergetoutoftheforest,andwilldieofhungerinit。

  Whatkindofconditionisit,askedtheking。

  Ihaveadaughter,saidtheoldwoman,whoisasbeautifulasanyoneintheworld,andwelldeservestobeyourconsort,andifyouwillmakeheryourqueen,Iwillshowyouthewayoutoftheforest。Intheanguishofhisheartthekingconsented,andtheoldwomanledhimtoherlittlehut,whereherdaughterwassittingbythefire。Shereceivedthekingasifshehadbeenexpectinghim,andhesawthatshewasverybeautiful,butstillshedidnotpleasehim,andhecouldnotlookatherwithoutsecrethorror。Afterhehadtakenthemaidenuponhishorse,theoldwomanshowedhimtheway,andthekingreachedhisroyalpalaceagain,wheretheweddingwascelebrated。

  Thekinghadalreadybeenmarriedonce,andhadbyhisfirstwife,sevenchildren,sixboysandagirl,whomhelovedbetterthananythingelseintheworld。Ashenowfearedthatthestepmothermightnottreatthemwell,andevendothemsomeinjury,hetookthemtoalonelycastlewhichstoodinthemidstofaforest。Itlaysoconcealed,andthewaywassodifficulttofindthathehimselfwouldnothavefoundit,ifawisewomanhadnotgivenhimaballofyarnwithwonderfulproperties。Whenhethrewitdownbeforehim,itunrolleditselfandshowedhimhispath。

  Theking,however,wentsofrequentlyawaytohisdearchildrenthatthequeenobservedhisabsence,shewascuriousandwantedtoknowwhathedidwhenhewasquitealoneintheforest。Shegaveagreatdealofmoneytohisservants,andtheybetrayedthesecrettoher,andtoldherlikewiseoftheballwhichalonecouldpointouttheway。Andnowsheknewnorestuntilshehadlearntwherethekingkepttheballofyarn,andthenshemadelittleshirtsofwhitesilk,andasshehadlearnttheartofwitchcraftfromhermother,shesewedacharminsidethem。Andoncewhenthekinghadriddenforthtohunt,shetookthelittleshirtsandwentintotheforest,andtheballshowedhertheway。

  Thechildren,whosawfromadistancethatsomeonewasapproaching,thoughtthattheirdearfatherwascomingtothem,andfullofjoy,rantomeethim。Thenshethrewoneofthelittleshirtsovereachofthem,andnosoonerhadtheshirtstouchedtheirbodiesthantheywerechangedintoswans,andflewawayovertheforest。Thequeenwenthomequitedelighted,andthoughtshehadgotridofherstep-children,butthegirlhadnotrunoutwithherbrothers,andthequeenknewnothingabouther。

  Nextdaythekingwenttovisithischildren,buthefoundnoonebutthelittlegirl。Whereareyourbrothers,askedtheking。Alas,dearfather,sheanswered,theyhavegoneawayandleftmealone,andshetoldhimthatshehadseenfromherlittlewindowhowherbrothershadflownawayovertheforestintheshapeofswans,andsheshowedhimthefeathers,whichtheyhadletfallinthecourtyard,andwhichshehadpickedup。

  Thekingmourned,buthedidnotthinkthatthequeenhaddonethiswickeddeed,andashefearedthatthegirlwouldalsobestolenawayfromhim,hewantedtotakeherawaywithhim。

  Butshewasafraidofherstep-mother,andentreatedthekingtoletherstayjustthisonenightmoreintheforestcastle。

  Thepoorgirlthought,Icannolongerstayhere。Iwillgoandseekmybrothers。Andwhennightcame,sheranaway,andwentstraightintotheforest。Shewalkedthewholenightlong,andnextdayalsowithoutstopping,untilshecouldgonofartherforweariness。Thenshesawaforest-hut,andwentintoit,andfoundaroomwithsixlittlebeds,butshedidnotventuretogetintooneofthem,butcreptunderone,andlaydownonthehardground,intendingtopassthenightthere。Justbeforesunset,however,sheheardarustling,andsawsixswanscomeflyinginatthewindow。Theyalightedonthegroundandblewateachother,andblewallthefeathersoff,andtheirswans,skinsstrippedofflikeashirt。Thenthemaidenlookedatthemandrecognizedherbrothers,wasgladandcreptforthfrombeneaththebed。Thebrotherswerenotlessdelightedtoseetheirlittlesister,buttheirjoywasofshortduration。Hereyoucannotabide,theysaidtoher。Thisisashelterforrobbers,iftheycomehomeandfindyou,theywillkillyou。Butcanyounotprotectme,askedthelittlesister。No,theyreplied,onlyforonequarterofanhoureacheveningcanwelayasideourswans,skinsandhaveduringthattimeourhumanform,afterthat,weareoncemoreturnedintoswans。

  Thelittlesisterweptandsaid,canyounotbesetfree。Alas,no,theyanswered,theconditionsaretoohard。Forsixyearsyoumayneitherspeaknorlaugh,andinthattimeyoumustsewtogethersixlittleshirtsofstarwortforus。Andifonesinglewordfallsfromyourlips,allyourworkwillbelost。Andwhenthebrothershadsaidthis,thequarterofanhourwasover,andtheyflewoutofthewindowagainasswans。

  Themaiden,however,firmlyresolvedtodeliverherbrothers,evenifitshouldcostherherlife。Sheleftthehut,wentintothemidstoftheforest,seatedherselfonatree,andtherepassedthenight。Nextmorningshewentoutandgatheredstarwortandbegantosew。Shecouldnotspeaktoanyone,andshehadnoinclinationtolaugh,shesatthereandlookedatnothingbutherwork。

  Whenshehadalreadyspentalongtimethereitcametopassthatthekingofthecountrywashuntingintheforest,andhishuntsmencametothetreeonwhichthemaidenwassitting。Theycalledtoherandsaid,whoareyou。Butshemadenoanswer。Comedowntous,saidthey。Wewillnotdoyouanyharm。Sheonlyshookherhead。Astheypressedherfurtherwithquestionsshethrewhergoldennecklacedowntothem,andthoughttocontentthemthus。They,however,didnotcease,andthenshethrewhergirdledowntothem,andasthisalsowastonopurpose,hergarters,andbydegreeseverythingthatshehadonthatshecoulddowithoutuntilshehadnothingleftbuthershift。

  Thehuntsmen,however,didnotletthemselvesbeturnedasidebythat,butclimbedthetreeandfetchedthemaidendownandledherbeforetheking。Thekingasked,whoareyou。Whatareyoudoingonthetree。Butshedidnotanswer。Heputthequestionineverylanguagethatheknew,butsheremainedasmuteasafish。Asshewassobeautiful,theking\'sheartwastouched,andhewassmittenwithagreatloveforher。Heputhismantleonher,tookherbeforehimonhishorse,andcarriedhertohiscastle。Thenhecausedhertobedressedinrichgarments,andsheshoneinherbeautylikebrightdaylight,butnowordcouldbedrawnfromher。Heplacedherbyhissideattable,andhermodestbearingandcourtesypleasedhimsomuchthathesaid,sheistheonewhomIwishtomarry,andnootherwomanintheworld。Andaftersomedaysheunitedhimselftoher。

  Theking,however,hadawickedmotherwhowasdissatisfiedwiththismarriageandspokeilloftheyoungqueen。Whoknows,saidshe,fromwhencethecreaturewhocan\'tspeak,comes。

  Sheisnotworthyofaking。Afterayearhadpassed,whenthequeenbroughtherfirstchildintotheworld,theoldwomantookitawayfromher,andsmearedhermouthwithbloodassheslept。Thenshewenttothekingandaccusedthequeenofbeingaman-eater。Thekingwouldnotbelieveit,andwouldnotsufferanyonetodoheranyinjury。She,however,satcontinuallysewingattheshirts,andcaredfornothingelse。

  Thenexttime,whensheagainboreabeautifulboy,thefalsemother-in-lawusedthesametreachery,butthekingcouldnotbringhimselftogivecredittoherwords。Hesaid,sheistoopiousandgoodtodoanythingofthatkind,ifshewerenotdumb,andcoulddefendherself,herinnocencewouldcometolight。

  Butwhentheoldwomanstoleawaythenewly-bornchildforthethirdtime,andaccusedthequeen,whodidnotutteronewordofdefence,thekingcoulddonootherwisethandeliverherovertojustice,andshewassentencedtosufferdeathbyfire。

  Whenthedaycameforthesentencetobecarriedout,itwasthelastdayofthesixyearsduringwhichshewasnottospeakorlaugh,andshehaddeliveredherdearbrothersfromthepoweroftheenchantment。Thesixshirtswereready,onlytheleftsleeveofthesixthwaswanting。When,therefore,shewasledtothestake,shelaidtheshirtsonherarm,andwhenshestoodonhighandthefirewasjustgoingtobelighted,shelookedaroundandsixswanscameflyingthroughtheairtowardsher。Thenshesawthatherdeliverancewasnear,andherheartleaptwithjoy。Theswansswepttowardsherandsankdownsothattheyweretouchedbythem,theirswans,skinsfelloff,andherbrothersstoodintheirownbodilyformbeforeher,andwerevigorousandhandsome。Theyoungestonlylackedhisleftarm,andhadintheplaceofitaswan\'swingonhisshoulder。Theyembracedandkissedeachother,andthequeenwenttotheking,whowasgreatlymoved,andshebegantospeakandsaid,dearesthusband,nowImayspeakanddeclaretoyouthatIaminnocent,andfalselyaccused。Andshetoldhimofthetreacheryoftheoldwomanwhohadtakenawayherthreechildrenandhiddenthem。

  Thentothegreatjoyofthekingtheywerebroughtthither,andasapunishment,thewickedmother-in-lawwasboundtothestake,andburnttoashes。Butthekingandthequeenwithhersixbrotherslivedmanyyearsinhappinessandpeace。

  Briar-RoseAlongtimeagotherewereakingandqueenwhosaideveryday,ah,ifonlywehadachild,buttheyneverhadone。Butithappenedthatoncewhenthequeenwasbathing,afrogcreptoutofthewaterontotheland,andsaidtoher,yourwishshallbefulfilled,beforeayearhasgoneby,youshallhaveadaughter。

  Whatthefroghadsaidcametrue,andthequeenhadalittlegirlwhowassoprettythatthekingcouldnotcontainhimselfforjoy,andorderedagreatfeast。Heinvitednotonlyhiskindred,friendsandacquaintances,butalsothewisewomen,inorderthattheymightbekindandwell-disposedtowardsthechild。Therewerethirteenoftheminhiskingdom,but,ashehadonlytwelvegoldenplatesforthemtoeatoutof,oneofthemhadtobeleftathome。

  Thefeastwasheldwithallmannerofsplendorandwhenitcametoanendthewisewomenbestowedtheirmagicgiftsuponthebaby-onegavevirtue,anotherbeauty,athirdriches,andsoonwitheverythingintheworldthatonecanwishfor。

  Whenelevenofthemhadmadetheirpromises,suddenlythethirteenthcamein。Shewishedtoavengeherselffornothavingbeeninvited,andwithoutgreeting,orevenlookingatanyone,shecriedwithaloudvoice,theking\'sdaughtershallinherfifteenthyearprickherselfwithaspindle,andfalldowndead。And,withoutsayingawordmore,sheturnedroundandlefttheroom。

  Theywereallshocked,butthetwelfth,whosegoodwishstillremainedunspoken,cameforward,andasshecouldnotundotheevilsentence,butonlysoftenit,shesaid,itshallnotbedeath,butadeepsleepofahundredyears,intowhichtheprincessshallfall。

  Theking,whowouldfainkeephisdearchildfromthemisfortune,gaveordersthateveryspindleinthewholekingdomshouldbeburnt。Meanwhilethegiftsofthewisewomenwereplenteouslyfulfilledontheyounggirl,forshewassobeautiful,modest,good-natured,andwise,thateveryonewhosawherwasboundtoloveher。

  Ithappenedthatontheverydaywhenshewasfifteenyearsold,thekingandqueenwerenotathome,andthemaidenwasleftinthepalacequitealone。Soshewentroundintoallsortsofplaces,lookedintoroomsandbed-chambersjustassheliked,andatlastcametoanoldtower。Sheclimbedupthenarrowwinding-staircase,andreachedalittledoor。

  Arustykeywasinthelock,andwhensheturneditthedoorsprangopen,andthereinalittleroomsatanoldwomanwithaspindle,busilyspinningherflax。

  Goodday,oldmother,saidtheking\'sdaughter,whatareyoudoingthere。Iamspinning,saidtheoldwoman,andnoddedherhead。Whatsortofthingisthat,thatrattlesroundsomerrily,saidthegirl,andshetookthespindleandwantedtospintoo。Butscarcelyhadshetouchedthespindlewhenthemagicdecreewasfulfilled,andsheprickedherfingerwithit。

  And,intheverymomentwhenshefelttheprick,shefelldownuponthebedthatstoodthere,andlayinadeepsleep。

  Andthissleepextendedoverthewholepalace,thekingandqueenwhohadjustcomehome,andhadenteredthegreathall,begantogotosleep,andthewholeofthecourtwiththem。

  Thehorses,too,wenttosleepinthestable,thedogsintheyard,thepigeonsupontheroof,thefliesonthewall,eventhefirethatwasflamingonthehearthbecamequietandslept,theroastmeatleftofffrizzling,andthecook,whowasjustgoingtopullthehairofthesculleryboy,becausehehadforgottensomething,lethimgo,andwenttosleep。Andthewindfell,andonthetreesbeforethecastlenotaleafmovedagain。

  Butroundaboutthecastletherebegantogrowahedgeofthorns,whicheveryyearbecamehigher,andatlastgrewcloseuproundthecastleandalloverit,sothattherewasnothingofittobeseen,noteventheflagupontheroof。Butthestoryofthebeautifulsleepingbriar-rose,forsotheprincesswasnamed,wentaboutthecountry,sothatfromtimetotimekings\'sonscameandtriedtogetthroughthethornyhedgeintothecastle。

  Buttheyfounditimpossible,forthethornsheldfasttogether,asiftheyhadhands,andtheyouthswerecaughtinthem,couldnotgetlooseagain,anddiedamiserabledeath。

  Afterlong,longyearsaking\'ssoncameagaintothatcountry,andheardanoldmantalkingaboutthethorn-hedge,andthatacastlewassaidtostandbehinditinwhichawonderfullybeautifulprincess,namedbriar-rose,hadbeenasleepforahundredyears,andthatthekingandqueenandthewholecourtwereasleeplikewise。Hehadheard,too,fromhisgrandfather,thatmanykings,sonshadalreadycome,andhadtriedtogetthroughthethornyhedge,buttheyhadremainedstickingfastinit,andhaddiedapitifuldeath。

  Thentheyouthsaid,Iamnotafraid,Iwillgoandseethebeautifulbriar-rose。Thegoodoldmanmightdissuadehimashewould,hedidnotlistentohiswords。

  Butbythistimethehundredyearshadjustpassed,andthedayhadcomewhenbriar-rosewastoawakeagain。Whentheking\'ssoncameneartothethorn-hedge,itwasnothingbutlargeandbeautifulflowers,whichpartedfromeachotheroftheirownaccord,andlethimpassunhurt,thentheyclosedagainbehindhimlikeahedge。Inthecastleyardhesawthehorsesandthespottedhoundslyingasleep,ontheroofsatthepigeonswiththeirheadsundertheirwings。Andwhenheenteredthehouse,theflieswereasleepuponthewall,thecookinthekitchenwasstillholdingouthishandtoseizetheboy,andthemaidwassittingbytheblackhenwhichshewasgoingtopluck。

  Hewentonfarther,andinthegreathallhesawthewholeofthecourtlyingasleep,andupbythethronelaythekingandqueen。

  Thenhewentonstillfarther,andallwassoquietthatabreathcouldbeheard,andatlasthecametothetower,andopenedthedoorintothelittleroomwherebriar-rosewassleeping。

  Thereshelay,sobeautifulthathecouldnotturnhiseyesaway,andhestoopeddownandgaveherakiss。Butassoonashekissedher,briar-roseopenedhereyesandawoke,andlookedathimquitesweetly。

  Thentheywentdowntogether,andthekingawoke,andthequeen,andthewholecourt,andlookedateachotheringreatastonishment。Andthehorsesinthecourtyardstoodupandshookthemselves,thehoundsjumpedupandwaggedtheirtails,thepigeonsupontheroofpulledouttheirheadsfromundertheirwings,lookedround,andflewintotheopencountry,thefliesonthewallcreptagain,thefireinthekitchenburnedupandflickeredandcookedthemeat,thejointbegantoturnandsizzleagain,andthecookgavetheboysuchaboxontheearthathescreamed,andthemaidfinishedpluckingthefowl。

  Andthenthemarriageoftheking\'ssonwithbriar-rosewascelebratedwithallsplendor,andtheylivedcontentedtotheendoftheirdays。

  Therewasonceaforesterwhowentintotheforesttohunt,andasheentereditheheardasoundofscreamingasifalittlechildwerethere。Hefollowedthesound,andatlastcametoahightree,andatthetopofthisalittlechildwassitting,forthemotherhadfallenasleepunderthetreewiththechild,andabirdofpreyhadseenitinherarms,hadflowndown,snatcheditaway,andsetitonthehightree。

  Theforesterclimbedup,broughtthechilddown,andthoughttohimself,youwilltakehimhomewithyou,andbringhimupwithyourlina。Hetookithome,therefore,andthetwochildrengrewuptogether。Andtheone,whichhehadfoundonatreewascalledfundevogel,becauseabirdhadcarrieditaway。Fundevogelandlinalovedeachothersodearlythatwhentheydidnotseeeachothertheyweresad。

  Nowtheforesterhadanoldcook,whooneeveningtooktwopailsandbegantofetchwater,anddidnotgoonceonly,butmanytimes,outtothespring。Linasawthisandsaid,listenoldsanna,whyareyoufetchingsomuchwater。Ifyouwillneverrepeatittoanyone,Iwilltellyouwhy。Solinasaid,no,shewouldneverrepeatittoanyone,andthenthecooksaid,earlytomorrowmorning,whentheforesterisouthunting,Iwillheatthewater,andwhenitisboilinginthekettle,Iwillthrowinfundevogel,andwillboilhiminit。

  Earlynextmorningtheforestergotupandwentouthunting,andwhenhewasgonethechildrenwerestillinbed。Thenlinasaidtofundevogel,ifyouwillneverleaveme,Itoowillneverleaveyou。Fundevogelsaid,neithernow,noreverwillIleaveyou。Thensaidlina,thenIwilltellyou。Lastnight,oldsannacarriedsomanybucketsofwaterintothehousethatIaskedherwhyshewasdoingthat,andshesaidthatifIwouldpromisenottotellanyoneshewouldtellme,andIsaidIwouldbesurenottotellanyone,andshesaidthatearlyto-morrowmorningwhenfatherwasouthunting,shewouldsetthekettlefullofwater,throwyouintoitandboilyou,butwewillgetupquickly,dressourselves,andgoawaytogether。

  Thetwochildrenthereforegotup,dressedthemselvesquickly,andwentaway。Whenthewaterinthekettlewasboiling,thecookwentintothebed-roomtofetchfundevogelandthrowhimintoit。Butwhenshecamein,andwenttothebeds,boththechildrenweregone。Thenshewasterriblyalarmed,andshesaidtoherself,whatshallIsaynowwhentheforestercomeshomeandseesthatthechildrenaregone。Theymustbefollowedinstantlytogetthembackagain。

  Thenthecooksentthreeservantsafterthem,whoweretorunandovertakethechildren。Thechildren,however,weresittingoutsidetheforest,andwhentheysawfromafarthethreeservantsrunning,linasaidtofundevoel,neverleaveme,andIwillneverleaveyou。Fundevogelsaid,neithernow,norever。Thensaidlina,doyoubecomearose-tree,andItheroseuponit。Whenthethreeservantscametotheforest,nothingwastherebutarose-treeandoneroseonit,butthechildrenwerenowhere。

  Thensaidthey,thereisnothingtobedonehere,andtheywenthomeandtoldthecookthattheyhadseennothingintheforestbutalittlerose-bushwithoneroseonit。Thentheoldcookscoldedandsaid,yousimpletons,yousimpletons,youshouldhavecuttherose-bushintwo,andhavebrokenofftheroseandbroughtithomewithyou,go,anddoitonce。Theyhadthereforetogooutandlookforthesecondtime。Thechildren,however,sawthemcomingfromadistance。Thenlinasaid,fundevogel,neverleaveme,andIwillneverleaveyou。Fundevogelsaid,neithernow,norever。Saidlina,thendoyoubecomeachurch,andI\'llbethechandelierinit。Sowhenthethreeservantscame,nothingwastherebutachurch,withachandelierinit。Theysaidthereforetoeachother,whatcanwedohere,letusgohome。

  Whentheygothome,thecookaskediftheyhadnotfoundthem,sotheysaidno,theyhadfoundnothingbutachurch,andthattherewasachandelierinit。Andthecookscoldedthemandsaid,youfools,whydidyounotpullthechurchtopieces,andbringthechandelierhomewithyou。Andnowtheoldcookherselfgotonherlegs,andwentwiththethreeservantsinpursuitofthechildren。Thechildren,however,sawfromafarthatthethreeservantswerecoming,andthecookwaddlingafterthem。Thensaidlina,fundevogel,neverleaveme,andIwillneverleaveyou。Thensaidfundevogel,neithernow,norever。Saidlina,beafishpond,andIwillbetheduckuponit。Thecook,however,cameuptothem,andwhenshesawthepondshelaydownbyit,andwasabouttodrinkitup。Buttheduckswamquicklytoher,seizedherheadinitsbeakanddrewherintothewater,andtheretheoldwitchhadtodrown。Thenthechildrenwenthometogether,andwereheartilydelighted,andiftheyhavenotdied,theyarelivingstill。

  Akinghadadaughterwhowasbeautifulbeyondallmeasure,butsoproudandhaughtywithalthatnosuitorwasgoodenoughforher。Shesentawayoneaftertheother,andridiculedthemaswell。

  Oncethekingmadeagreatfeastandinvitedthereto,fromfarandnear,alltheyoungmenlikelytomarry。Theywereallmarshalledinarowaccordingtotheirrankandstanding。Firstcamethekings,thenthegrand-dukes,thentheprinces,theearls,thebarons,andthegentry。Thentheking\'sdaughterwasledthroughtheranks,buttoeachoneshehadsomeobjectiontomake。Onewastoofat,thewine-barrel,shesaid。Anotherwastootall,longandthinhaslittlein。Thethirdwastooshort,shortandthickisneverquick。Thefourthwastoopale,aspaleasdeath。Thefifthtoored,afightingcock。

  Thesixthwasnotstraightenough,agreenlogdriedbehindthestove。

  Soshehadsomethingtosayagainsteachone,butshemadeherselfespeciallymerryoveragoodkingwhostoodquitehighupintherow,andwhosechinhadgrownalittlecrooked。

  Look,shecriedandlaughed,hehasachinlikeathrush\'sbeak。Andfromthattimehegotthenameofkingthrushbeard。

  Buttheoldking,whenhesawthathisdaugherdidnothingbutmockthepeople,anddespisedallthesuitorswhoweregatheredthere,wasveryangry,andsworethatsheshouldhaveforherhusbandtheveryfirstbeggarthatcametohisdoors。

  Afewdaysafterwardsafiddlercameandsangbeneaththewindows,tryingtoearnafewpennies。Whenthekingheardhimhesaid,lethimcomeup。Sothefiddlercamein,inhisdirty,raggedclothes,andsangbeforethekingandhisdaughter,andwhenhehadendedheaskedforatriflinggift。Thekingsaid,yoursonghaspleasedmesowellthatIwillgiveyoumydaughterthere,towife。

  Theking\'sdaughtershuddered,butthekingsaid,Ihavetakenanoathtogiveyoutotheveryfirstbeggar-manandIwillkeepit。Allshecouldsaywasinvain。Thepriestwasbrought,andshehadtoletherselfbeweddedtothefiddleronthespot。Whenthatwasdonethekingsaid,nowitisnotproperforyou,abeggar-woman,tostayanylongerinmypalace,youmayjustgoawaywithyourhusband。

  Thebeggar-manledheroutbythehand,andshewasobligedtowalkawayonfootwithhim。Whentheycametoalargeforestsheasked,towhomdoesthatbeautifulforestbelong。Itbelongstokingthrushbeard。Ifyouhadtakenhim,itwouldhavebeenyours。Ah,unhappygirlthatIam,ifIhadbuttakenkingthrushbeard。

  Afterwardstheycametoameadow,andsheaskedagain,towhomdoesthisbeautifulgreenmeadowbelong。Itbelongstokingthrushbeard。Ifyouhadtakenhim,itwouldhavebeenyours。Ah,unhappygirlthatIam,ifIhadbuttakenkingthrushbeard。

  Thentheycametoalargetown,andsheaskedagain,towhomdoesthisfinelargetownbelong。Itbelongstokingthrushbeard。

  Ifyouhadtakenhim,itwouldhavebeenyours。Ah,unhappygirlthatIam,ifIhadbuttakenkingthrushbeard。

  Itdoesnotpleaseme,saidthefiddler,tohearyoualwayswishingforanotherhusband。AmInotgoodenoughforyou。

  Atlasttheycametoaverylittlehut,andshesaid,ohgoodness。Whatasmallhouse。Towhomdoesthismiserable,tinyhovelbelong。Thefiddleranswered,thatismyhouseandyours,whereweshalllivetogether。

  Shehadtostoopinordertogoinatthelowdoor。Wherearetheservants,saidtheking\'sdaughter。Whatservants,answeredthebeggar-man。Youmustyourselfdowhatyouwishtohavedone。

  Justmakeafireatonce,andsetonwatertocookmysupper,Iamquitetired。Buttheking\'sdaughterknewnothingaboutlightingfiresorcooking,andthebeggar-manhadtolendahandhimselftogetanythingfairlydone。Whentheyhadfinishedtheirscantymealtheywenttobed。Butheforcedhertogetupquiteearlyinthemorninginordertolookafterthehouse。

  Forafewdaystheylivedinthiswayaswellasmightbe,andcametotheendofalltheirprovisions。Thenthemansaid,wife,wecannotgoonanylongereatinganddrinkinghereandearningnothing。Youmustmakebaskets。Hewentout,cutsomewillows,andbroughtthemhome。Thenshebegantomakebaskets,butthetoughwillowswoundedherdelicatehands。

  Iseethatthiswillnotdo,saidtheman。Youhadbetterspin,perhapsyoucandothatbetter。Shesatdownandtriedtospin,butthehardthreadsooncuthersoftfingerssothatthebloodrandown。See,saidtheman,youarefitfornosortofwork。

  Ihavemadeabadbargainwithyou。NowIwilltrytomakeabusinesswithpotsandearthenware。Youmustsitinthemarket-placeandselltheware。Alas,thoughtshe,ifanyofthepeoplefrommyfather\'skingdomcometothemarketandseemesittingthere,selling,howtheywillmockme。Butitwasofnouse,shehadtoyieldunlessshechosetodieofhunger。

  Forthefirsttimeshesucceededwell,forthepeopleweregladtobuythewoman\'swaresbecauseshewasgood-looking,andtheypaidherwhatsheasked。Manyevengaveherthemoneyandleftthepotswithheraswell。Sotheylivedonwhatshehadearnedaslongasitlasted,thenthehusbandboughtalotofnewcrockery。Withthisshesatdownatthecornerofthemarket-place,andsetitoutroundaboutherreadyforsale。

  Butsuddenlytherecameadrunkenhussargallopingalong,andheroderightamongstthepotssothattheywereallbrokenintoathousandbits。Shebegantoweep,anddidnowknowwhattodoforfear。Alas,whatwillhappentome,criedshe。Whatwillmyhusbandsaytothis。

  Sheranhomeandtoldhimofthemisfortune。Whowouldseatherselfatacornerofthemarket-placewithcrockery,saidtheman。Leaveoffcrying,Iseeverywellthatyoucannotdoanyordinarywork,soIhavebeentoourking\'spalaceandhaveaskedwhethertheycannotfindaplaceforakitchen-maid,andtheyhavepromisedmetotakeyou。Inthatwayyouwillgetyourfoodfornothing。

  Theking\'sdaughterwasnowakitchen-maid,andhadtobeatthecook\'sbeckandcall,anddothedirtiestwork。Inbothherpocketsshefastenedalittlejar,inwhichshetookhomehershareoftheleavings,anduponthistheylived。

  Ithappenedthattheweddingoftheking\'seldestsonwastobecelebrated,sothepoorwomanwentupandplacedherselfbythedoorofthehalltolookon。Whenallthecandleswerelit,andpeople,eachmorebeautifulthantheother,entered,andallwasfullofpompandsplendor,shethoughtofherlotwithasadheart,andcursedtheprideandhaughtinesswhichhadhumbledherandbroughthertosogreatpoverty。

  Thesmellofthedeliciousdisheswhichwerebeingtakeninandoutreachedher,andnowandthentheservantsthrewherafewmorselsofthem。Thesesheputinherjarstotakehome。

  Allatoncetheking\'ssonentered,clothedinvelvetandsilk,withgoldchainsabouthisneck。Andwhenhesawthebeautifulwomanstandingbythedoorheseizedherbythehand,andwouldhavedancedwithher。Butsherefusedandshrankwithfear,forshesawthatitwaskingthrushbeard,hersuitorwhomshehaddrivenawaywithscorn。Herstruggleswereofnoavail,hedrewherintothehall。Butthestringbywhichherpocketswerehungbroke,thepotsfelldown,thesoupranout,andthescrapswerescatteredallabout。Andwhenthepeoplesawit,therearosegenerallaughterandderision,andshewassoashamedthatshewouldratherhavebeenathousandfathomsbelowtheground。Shesprangtothedoorandwouldhaverunaway,butonthestairsamancaughtherandbroughtherback。Andwhenshelookedathimitwaskingthrushbeardagain。Hesaidtoherkindly,donotbeafraid,Iandthefiddlerwhohasbeenlivingwithyouinthatwretchedhovelareone。ForloveofyouIdisguisedmyselfso。AndIalsowasthehussarwhorodethroughyourcrockery。

  Thiswasalldonetohumbleyourproudspirit,andtopunishyoufortheinsolencewithwhichyoumockedme。

  Thensheweptbitterlyandsaid,Ihavedonegreatwrong,andamnotworthytobeyourwife。Buthesaid,becomforted,theevildaysarepast。Nowwewillcelebrateourwedding。

  Thenthemaids-in-waitingcameandputonherthemostsplendidclothing,andherfatherandhiswholecourtcameandwishedherhappinessinhermarriagewithkingthrushbeard,andthejoynowbeganinearnest。IwishyouandIhadbeentheretoo。

  SnowWhiteandtheSevenDwarfsOnceuponatimeinthemiddleofwinter,whentheflakesofsnowwerefallinglikefeathersfromthesky,aqueensatatawindowsewing,andtheframeofthewindowwasmadeofblackebony。Andwhilstshewassewingandlookingoutofthewindowatthesnow,sheprickedherfingerwiththeneedle,andthreedropsofbloodfelluponthesnow。Andtheredlookedprettyuponthewhitesnow,andshethoughttoherself,wouldthatIhadachildaswhiteassnow,asredasblood,andasblackasthewoodofthewindow-frame。

  Soonafterthatshehadalittledaughter,whowasaswhiteassnow,andasredasblood,andherhairwasasblackasebony,andshewasthereforecalledlittlesnow-white。Andwhenthechildwasborn,thequeendied。

  Afterayearhadpassedthekingtooktohimselfanotherwife。

  Shewasabeautifulwoman,butproudandhaughty,andshecouldnotbearthatanyoneelsechouldsurpassherinbeauty。Shehadawonderfullooking-glass,andwhenshestoodinfrontofitandlookedatherselfinit,andsaid,looking-glass,looking-glass,onthewall,whointhislandisthefairestofall。

  Thelooking-glassanswered,thou,oqueen,artthefairestofall。

  Thenshewassatisfied,forsheknewthatthelooking-glassspokethetruth。

  Butsnow-whitewasgrowingup,andgrewmoreandmorebeautiful,andwhenshewassevenyearsoldshewasasbeautifulastheday,andmorebeautifulthanthequeenherself。Andoncewhenthequeenaskedherlooking-glass,looking-glass,looking-glass,onthewall,whointhislandisthefairestofall。

  Itanswered,thouartfairerthanallwhoarehere,ladyqueen。

  Butmorebeautifulstillissnow-white,asIween。

  Thenthequeenwasshocked,andturnedyellowandgreenwithenvy。Fromthathour,whenevershelookedatsnow-white,herheartheavedinherbreast,shehatedthegirlsomuch。

  Andenvyandpridegrewhigherandhigherinherheartlikeaweed,sothatshehadnopeacedayornight。Shecalledahuntsman,andsaid,takethechildawayintotheforest。Iwillnolongerhaveherinmysight。Killher,andbringmebackherlungandliverasatoken。Thehuntsmanobeyed,andtookherawaybutwhenhehaddrawnhisknife,andwasabouttopiercesnow-white\'sinnocentheart,shebegantoweep,andsaid,ahdearhuntsman,leavememylife。Iwillrunawayintothewildforest,andnevercomehomeagain。

  Andasshewassobeautifulthehuntsmanhadpityonherandsaid,runaway,then,youpoorchild。Thewildbeastswillsoonhavedevouredyou,thoughthe,andyetitseemedasifastonehadbeenrolledfromhisheartsinceitwasnolongerneedfulforhimtokillher。Andasayoungbearjustthencamerunningbyhestabbedit,andcutoutitslungandliverandtookthemtothequeenasproofthatthechildwasdead。Thecookhadtosaltthem,andthewickedqueenatethem,andthoughtshehadeatenthelungandliverofsnow-white。

  Butnowthepoorchildwasallaloneinthegreatforest,andsoterrifiedthatshelookedatalltheleavesonthetrees,anddidnotknowwhattodo。Thenshebegantorun,andranoversharpstonesandthroughthorns,andthewildbeastsranpasther,butdidhernoharm。

  Sheranaslongasherfeetwouldgountilitwasalmostevening,thenshesawalittlecottageandwentintoittorestherself。

  Everythinginthecottagewassmall,butneaterandcleanerthancanbetold。Therewasatableonwhichwasawhitecover,andsevenlittleplates,andoneachplatealittlespoon,moreover,thereweresevenlittleknivesandforks,andsevenlittlemugs。

  Againstthewallstoodsevenlittlebedssidebyside,andcoveredwithsnow-whitecounterpanes。

  Littlesnow-whitewassohungryandthirstythatsheatesomevegetablesandbreadfromeachplateanddrankadropofwineoutofeachmug,forshedidnotwishtotakeallfromoneonly。

  Then,asshewassotired,shelaidherselfdownononeofthelittlebeds,butnoneofthemsuitedher,onewastoolong,anothertooshort,butatlastshefoundthattheseventhonewasright,andsosheremainedinit,saidaprayerandwenttosleep。

  Whenitwasquitedarktheownersofthecottagecameback。

  Theyweresevendwarfswhoduganddelvedinthemountainsforore。Theylittheirsevencandles,andasitwasnowlightwithinthecottagetheysawthatsomeonehadbeenthere,foreverythingwasnotinthesameorderinwhichtheyhadleftit。

  Thefirstsaid,whohasbeensittingonmychair。

  Thesecond,whohasbeeneatingoffmyplate。

  Thethird,whohasbeentakingsomeofmybread。

  Thefourth,whohasbeeneatingmyvegetables。

  Thefifth,whohasbeenusingmyfork。

  Thesixth,whohasbeencuttingwithmyknife。

  Theseventh,whohasbeendrinkingoutofmymug。

  Thenthefirstlookedroundandsawthattherewasalittlehollowonhisbed,andhesaid,whohasbeengettingintomybed。Theotherscameupandeachcalledout,somebodyhasbeenlyinginmybedtoo。Buttheseventhwhenhelookedathisbedsawlittlesnow-white,whowaslyingasleeptherein。Andhecalledtheothers,whocamerunningup,andtheycriedoutwithastonishment,andbroughttheirsevenlittlecandlesandletthelightfallonlittlesnow-white。Oh,heavens,oh,heavens,criedthey,whatalovelychild。Andtheyweresogladthattheydidnotwakeherup,butlethersleeponinthebed。Andtheseventhdwarfsleptwithhiscompanions,onehourwitheach,andsopassedthenight。

  Whenitwasmorninglittlesnow-whiteawoke,andwasfrightenedwhenshesawthesevendwarfs。Buttheywerefriendlyandaskedherwhathernamewas。Mynameissnow-white,sheanswered。

  Howhaveyoucometoourhouse,saidthedwarfs。Thenshetoldthemthatherstep-motherhadwishedtohaveherkilled,butthatthehuntsmanhadsparedherlife,andthatshehadrunforthewholeday,untilatlastshehadfoundtheirdwelling。

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