25 / The Seven Ravens
There was once a man who had seven sons, and still he had no daughter, however much he wished for one. At length his wife again gave him hope of a child, and when it came into the world it was a girl. The joy was great, but the child was sickly and small, and had to be privately baptized on account of its weakness. The father sent one of the boys in haste to the spring to fetch water for the baptism. The other six went with him, and as each of them wanted to be first to fill it, the jug fell into the well. There they stood and did not know what to do, and none of them dared to go home. As they still did not return, the father grew impatient, and said, "They have certainly forgotten it for some game, the wicked boys!" He became afraid that the girl would have to die without being baptized, and in his anger cried, "I wish the boys were all turned into ravens." Hardly was the word spoken before he heard a whirring of wings over his head in the air, looked up and saw seven coal-black ravens flying away. The parents could not recall the curse, and however sad they were at the loss of their seven sons, they still to some extent comforted themselves with their dear little daughter, who soon grew strong and every day became more beautiful. For a long time she did not know that she had had brothers, for her parents were careful not to mention them before her, but one day she accidentally heard some people saying of herself, "that the girl was certainly beautiful, but that in reality she was to blame for the misfortune which had befallen her seven brothers." Then she was much troubled, and went to her father and mother and asked if it was true that she had had brothers, and what had become of them? The parents now dared keep the secret no longer, but said that what had befallen her brothers was the will of Heaven, and that her birth had only been the innocent cause. But the maiden took it to heart daily, and thought she must deliver her brothers. She had no rest or peace until she set out secretly, and went forth into the wide world to trace out her brothers and set them free, let it cost what it might. She took nothing with her but a little ring belonging to her parents as a keepsake, a loaf of bread against hunger, a little pitcher of water against thirst, and a little chair as a provision against weariness.
And now she went continually onwards, far, far to the very end of the world. Then she came to the sun, but it was too hot and terrible, and devoured little children. Hastily she ran away, and ran to the moon, but it was far too cold, and also awful and malicious, and when it saw the child, it said, "I smell, I smell the flesh of men." On this she ran swiftly away, and came to the stars, which were kind and good to her, and each of them sat on its own particular little chair. But the morning star arose, and gave her the drumstick of a chicken, and said, "If you thou hast not that drumstick thou canst not open the Glass mountain, and in the Glass mountain are thy brothers."

The maiden took the drumstick, wrapped it carefully in a cloth, and went onwards again until she came to the Glass mountain. The door was shut, and she thought she would take out the drumstick; but when she undid the cloth, it was empty, and she had lost the good star's present. What was she now to do? She wished to rescue her brothers, and had no key to the Glass mountain. The good sister took a knife, cut off one of her little fingers, put it in the door, and succeeded in opening it. When she had gone inside, a little dwarf came to meet her, who said, "My child, what are you looking for?" "I am looking for my brothers, the seven ravens," she replied. The dwarf said, "The lord ravens are not at home, but if you will wait here until they come, step in." Thereupon the little dwarf carried the ravens' dinner in, on seven little plates, and in seven little glasses, and the little sister ate a morsel from each plate, and from each little glass she took a sip, but in the last little glass she dropped the ring which she had brought away with her.

Suddenly she heard a whirring of wings and a rushing through the air, and then the little dwarf said, "Now the lord ravens are flying home." Then they came, and wanted to eat and drink, and looked for their little plates and glasses. Then said one after the other, "Who has eaten something from my plate? Who has drunk out of my little glass? It was a human mouth." And when the seventh came to the bottom of the glass, the ring rolled against his mouth. Then he looked at it, and saw that it was a ring belonging to his father and mother, and said, "God grant that our sister may be here, and then we shall be free." When the maiden, who was standing behind the door watching, heard that wish, she came forth, and on this all the ravens were restored to their human form again. And they embraced and kissed each other, and went joyfully home.

七只乌鸦

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据传说，以前有一户人家，父母生了八个孩子，其中七个是儿子，最小的一个是女儿。
这个女儿生下来以后，尽管非常漂亮可爱，但她太纤弱太瘦小，他们认为她可能活不下来，
决定马上给她施行洗礼。
父亲派了一个儿子要他赶快到井里去打点水来，其他六个一看，也一窝蜂似地跟了去，
每一个都争先恐后地要第一个汲水，你争我夺之中，他们把大水罐给掉到井里去了。这一
下，他们可就傻眼了，你看看我，我看看你，痴呆呆地站在井边不知如何是好，都不敢回屋
里去。此时，父亲正心急火燎的地等着他们把水提来，见他们去了很久还没有回来，就说
道：“他们一定是闹着玩把这事给忘了。”他左等右等仍不见他们回来，气得大骂起来，说
他们都该变成乌鸦。话音刚落就听见头上一阵呱呱的叫声传来，他抬头一看，发现有七只煤
炭一样的黑色乌鸦正在上面盘旋着。看到自己的气话变成了现实，他后悔了，不知道该怎么
办才好。他失去了七个儿子，心里非常悲伤，好在小女儿在接受洗礼之后一天比一天强壮起
来，而且越长越漂亮了，总算对他这个父亲有了一点安慰。
女儿慢慢长大了，她一直不知道自己曾经有过七个哥哥，爸爸和妈妈都很小心，从来不
在她面前提起。终于有一天，她偶然听到人们谈起有关她的事情，他们说：“她的的确确很
漂亮，但可惜的是她的七个哥哥却因为她的缘故而遭到不幸。”她听到这些后非常伤心，就
去问自己的父母她是不是有哥哥，他们到底怎么样了。父母亲不好再对她隐瞒事情的真象。
为了安慰她，他们说这一切都是上帝的意愿，她的出生降临都是上帝的安排，她是无罪的。
但小姑娘仍然为此吃不下饭，睡不好觉，天天伤痛不已，她暗下决心，一定要想方设法把自
己的七个哥哥找回来。有一天，她从家里偷偷地跑了出去，来到外面广阔的世界，到处寻访
自己的哥哥。她想：无论他们到了什么地方，她不惜自己的生命，也要让他们恢复本来面
目，获得做人的自由！
出门的时候，她只带了爸爸妈妈以前送给她的一只小戒指，加上一块用来充饥的长条面
包和一壶用来解渴的水，一张疲倦时用来休息的小凳子。她走啊，找啊，不停地寻访着，一
直找到遥远的天边，来到太阳面前。但太阳太热太凶猛了，她急忙跑开，又来到月亮面前。
可月亮又太寒冷太冷酷，还说道：“我闻到人肉和血腥味了！”她赶紧又跑到了星星那里。
星星对她很友好，很和气，每颗星都坐在他们自己的小凳子上。当启明星站起来往上飞时，
他给了小姑娘一片小木块，说道：“如果你没有这片小木块，就不能打开玻璃山上那座城堡
的门。你的哥哥正是住在那座城堡里。”小妹妹接过小木块，把它用布包好，告别星星，起
程又继续寻找她的哥哥去了。
经过艰苦跋涉，她终于找到了玻璃山。来到城门前一看，门是锁着的，她拿出布包解
开，发现里面的小木块不见了，不知是什么时候自己把好心的启明星送的礼物失落了。怎么
办呢？她要救哥哥，可又没有了玻璃山城堡的钥匙。这位坚定忠实的小妹妹一咬牙，从口袋
里掏出一把小刀把自己的小指头切了下来，那指头的大小正好和失落的木块相同，她将指头
插进门上的锁孔，门被打开了。
她走进城堡，迎面遇到了一个小矮人，他问道：“你来找什么呀？”小妹妹回答说：
“我来找那七只乌鸦，他们是我的哥哥。”小矮人说道：“我的主人不在家，如果你非要等
他们回来的话，就请进来吧。”这时，小矮人正在为乌鸦们准备晚餐，他在桌子上摆了七个
盘子，在盘子里放好食物，又端来七杯水放在盘子旁边。小妹妹把每个盘子里的东西都吃了
一小块，把每个小杯子里的水也喝了一小口，又将她随身带来的小戒指放进了最后一只杯子
中。
忽然，她听到空中传来了翅膀拍击的声音和呱呱的叫声，小矮人马上说道：“我的主人
们回来了。”她连忙躲到门后面，想听听他们会说些什么。七只乌鸦一进来，就急于找自己
的盘子和杯子想要吃东西喝水，他们一个接一个的叫道：“谁吃了我盘子里的东西？谁把我
杯子里的水喝了一点点？
呱呱呱！呱呱呱！
我知道了呀，
这一定是人的嘴巴。”
第七只乌鸦喝完水，发现杯子里有一只戒指，他仔细一瞧，认出了这是他们父母亲的东
西，就说道：“嗳！我们的小妹妹来了！我们就会得救了。”小妹妹听到这里，马上跑了出
来。她一露面，七只乌鸦立即都恢复了他们的人形。他们互相紧紧拥抱，亲吻，一起高高兴
兴地回到了他们的爸爸妈妈的身边。
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26 / Little Red-Cap
Once upon a time there was a dear little girl who was loved by every one who looked at her, but most of all by her grandmother, and there was nothing that she would not have given to the child. Once she gave her a little cap of red velvet, which suited her so well that she would never wear anything else; so she was always called "Little Red-Cap."
One day her mother said to her, "Come, Little Red-Cap, here is a piece of cake and a bottle of wine; take them to your grandmother, she is ill and weak, and they will do her good. Set out before it gets hot, and when you are going, walk nicely and quietly and do not run off the path, or you may fall and break the bottle, and then your grandmother will get nothing; and when you go into her room, don't forget to say, 'Good-morning,' and don't peep into every corner before you do it."

"I will take great care," said Little Red-Cap to her mother, and gave her hand on it.

The grandmother lived out in the wood, half a league from the village, and just as Little Red-Cap entered the wood, a wolf met her. Red-Cap did not know what a wicked creature he was, and was not at all afraid of him.

"Good-day, Little Red-Cap," said he.

"Thank you kindly, wolf."

"Whither away so early, Little Red-Cap?"

"To my grandmother's."

"What have you got in your apron?"

"Cake and wine; yesterday was baking-day, so poor sick grandmother is to have something good, to make her stronger."

"Where does your grandmother live, Little Red-Cap?"

"A good quarter of a league farther on in the wood; her house stands under the three large oak-trees, the nut-trees are just below; you surely must know it," replied Little Red-Cap.

The wolf thought to himself, "What a tender young creature! what a nice plump mouthful -- she will be better to eat than the old woman. I must act craftily, so as to catch both." So he walked for a short time by the side of Little Red-Cap, and then he said, "See Little Red-Cap, how pretty the flowers are about here -- why do you not look round? I believe, too, that you do not hear how sweetly the little birds are singing; you walk gravely along as if you were going to school, while everything else out here in the wood is merry."

Little Red-Cap raised her eyes, and when she saw the sunbeams dancing here and there through the trees, and pretty flowers growing everywhere, she thought, "Suppose I take grandmother a fresh nosegay; that would please her too. It is so early in the day that I shall still get there in good time;" and so she ran from the path into the wood to look for flowers. And whenever she had picked one, she fancied that she saw a still prettier one farther on, and ran after it, and so got deeper and deeper into the wood.

Meanwhile the wolf ran straight to the grandmother's house and knocked at the door.

"Who is there?"

"Little Red-Cap," replied the wolf. "She is bringing cake and wine; open the door."

"Lift the latch," called out the grandmother, "I am too weak, and cannot get up."

The wolf lifted the latch, the door flew open, and without saying a word he went straight to the grandmother's bed, and devoured her. Then he put on her clothes, dressed himself in her cap, laid himself in bed and drew the curtains.

Little Red-Cap, however, had been running about picking flowers, and when she had gathered so many that she could carry no more, she remembered her grandmother, and set out on the way to her.

She was surprised to find the cottage-door standing open, and when she went into the room, she had such a strange feeling that she said to herself, "Oh dear! how uneasy I feel to-day, and at other times I like being with grandmother so much." She called out, "Good morning," but received no answer; so she went to the bed and drew back the curtains. There lay her grandmother with her cap pulled far over her face, and looking very strange.

"Oh! grandmother," she said, "what big ears you have!"

"The better to hear you with, my child," was the reply.

"But, grandmother, what big eyes you have!" she said.

"The better to see you with, my dear."

"But, grandmother, what large hands you have!"

"The better to hug you with."

"Oh! but, grandmother, what a terrible big mouth you have!"

"The better to eat you with!"

And scarcely had the wolf said this, than with one bound he was out of bed and swallowed up Red-Cap.

When the wolf had appeased his appetite, he lay down again in the bed, fell asleep and began to snore very loud. The huntsman was just passing the house, and thought to himself, "How the old woman is snoring! I must just see if she wants anything." So he went into the room, and when he came to the bed, he saw that the wolf was lying in it. "Do I find thee here, thou old sinner!" said he. "I have long sought thee!" Then just as he was going to fire at him, it occurred to him that the wolf might have devoured the grandmother, and that she might still be saved, so he did not fire, but took a pair of scissors, and began to cut open the stomach of the sleeping wolf. When he had made two snips, he saw the little Red-Cap shining, and then he made two snips more, and the little girl sprang out, crying, "Ah, how frightened I have been! How dark it was inside the wolf;" and after that the aged grandmother came out alive also, but scarcely able to breathe. Red-Cap, however, quickly fetched great stones with which they filled the wolf's body, and when he awoke, he wanted to run away, but the stones were so heavy that he fell down at once, and fell dead.

Then all three were delighted. The huntsman drew off the wolf's skin and went home with it; the grandmother ate the cake and drank the wine which Red-Cap had brought, and revived, but Red-Cap thought to herself, "As long as I live, I will never by myself leave the path, to run into the wood, when my mother has forbidden me to do so."

*

It is also related that once when Red-Cap was again taking cakes to the old grandmother, another wolf spoke to her, and tried to entice her from the path. Red-Cap, however, was on her guard, and went straight forward on her way, and told her grandmother that she had met the wolf, and that he had said "good-morning" to her, but with such a wicked look in his eyes, that if they had not been on the public road she was certain he would have eaten her up. "Well," said the grandmother, "we will shut the door, that he may not come in." Soon afterwards the wolf knocked, and cried, "Open the door, grandmother, I am little Red-Cap, and am fetching you some cakes." But they did not speak, or open the door, so the grey-beard stole twice or thrice round the house, and at last jumped on the roof, intending to wait until Red-Cap went home in the evening, and then to steal after her and devour her in the darkness. But the grandmother saw what was in his thoughts. In front of the house was a great stone trough, so she said to the child, "Take the pail, Red-Cap; I made some sausages yesterday, so carry the water in which I boiled them to the trough." Red-Cap carried until the great trough was quite full. Then the smell of the sausages reached the wolf, and he sniffed and peeped down, and at last stretched out his neck so far that he could no longer keep his footing and began to slip, and slipped down from the roof straight into the great trough, and was drowned. But Red-Cap went joyously home, and never did anything to harm any one.

小红帽

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从前有个可爱的小姑娘，谁见了都喜欢，但最喜欢她的是她的奶奶，简直是她要什么就
给她什么。一次，奶奶送给小姑娘一顶用丝绒做的小红帽，戴在她的头上正好合适。从此，
姑娘再也不愿意戴任何别的帽子，于是大家便叫她“小红帽”。
一天，妈妈对小红帽说：“来，小红帽，这里有一块蛋糕和一瓶葡萄酒，快给奶奶送
去，奶奶生病了，身子很虚弱，吃了这些就会好一些的。趁着现在天还没有热，赶紧动身
吧。在路上要好好走，不要跑，也不要离开大路，否则你会摔跤的，那样奶奶就什么也吃不
上了。到奶奶家的时候，别忘了说‘早上好’，也不要一进屋就东瞧西瞅。”
“我会小心的。”小红帽对妈妈说，并且还和妈妈拉手作保证。
奶奶住在村子外面的森林里，离小红帽家有很长一段路。小红帽刚走进森林就碰到了一
条狼。小红帽不知道狼是坏家伙，所以一点也不怕它。
“你好，小红帽，”狼说。
“谢谢你，狼先生。”
“小红帽，这么早要到哪里去呀？”
“我要到奶奶家去。”
“你那围裙下面有什么呀？”
“蛋糕和葡萄酒。昨天我们家烤了一些蛋糕，可怜的奶奶生了病，要吃一些好东西才能
恢复过来。”
“你奶奶住在哪里呀，小红帽？”
“进了林子还有一段路呢。她的房子就在三棵大橡树下，低处围着核桃树篱笆。你一定
知道的。”小红帽说。
狼在心中盘算着：“这小东西细皮嫩肉的，味道肯定比那老太婆要好。我要讲究一下策
略，让她俩都逃不出我的手心。”于是它陪着小红帽走了一会儿，然后说：“小红帽，你看
周围这些花多么美丽啊！干吗不回头看一看呢？还有这些小鸟，它们唱得多么动听啊！你大
概根本没有听到吧？林子里的一切多么美好啊，而你却只管往前走，就像是去上学一样。”
小红帽抬起头来，看到阳光在树木间来回跳荡，美丽的鲜花在四周开放，便想：“也许
我该摘一把鲜花给奶奶，让她高兴高兴。现在天色还早，我不会去迟的。”她于是离开大
路，走进林子去采花。她每采下一朵花，总觉得前面还有更美丽的花朵，便又向前走去，结
果一直走到了林子深处。
就在此时，狼却直接跑到奶奶家，敲了敲门。
“是谁呀？”
“是小红帽。”狼回答，“我给你送蛋糕和葡萄酒来了。快开门哪。”
“你拉一下门栓就行了，”奶奶大声说，“我身上没有力气，起不来。”
狼刚拉起门栓，那门就开了。狼二话没说就冲到奶奶的床前，把奶奶吞进了肚子。然后
她穿上奶奶的衣服，戴上她的帽子，躺在床上，还拉上了帘子。
可这时小红帽还在跑来跑去地采花。直到采了许多许多，她都拿不了啦，她才想起奶
奶，重新上路去奶奶家。
看到奶奶家的屋门敞开着，她感到很奇怪。她一走进屋子就有一种异样的感觉，心中便
想：“天哪！平常我那么喜欢来奶奶家，今天怎么这样害怕？”她大声叫道：“早上
好！”，可是没有听到回答。她走到床前拉开帘子，只见奶奶躺在床上，帽子拉得低低的，
把脸都遮住了，样子非常奇怪。
“哎，奶奶，”她说，“你的耳朵怎么这样大呀？”
“为了更好地听你说话呀，乖乖。”
“可是奶奶，你的眼睛怎么这样大呀？”小红帽又问。
“为了更清楚地看你呀，乖乖。”
“奶奶，你的手怎么这样大呀？”
“可以更好地抱着你呀。”
“奶奶，你的嘴巴怎么大得很吓人呀？”
“可以一口把你吃掉呀！”
狼刚把话说完，就从床上跳起来，把小红帽吞进了肚子，狼满足了食欲之后便重新躺到
床上睡觉，而且鼾声震天。一位猎人碰巧从屋前走过，心想：“这老太太鼾打得好响啊！我
要进去看看她是不是出什么事了。”猎人进了屋，来到床前时却发现躺在那里的竟是狼。
“你这老坏蛋，我找了你这么久，真没想到在这里找到你！”他说。他正准备向狼开枪，突
然又想到，这狼很可能把奶奶吞进了肚子，奶奶也许还活着。猎人就没有开枪，而是操起一
把剪刀，动手把呼呼大睡的狼的肚子剪了开来。他刚剪了两下，就看到了红色的小帽子。他
又剪了两下，小姑娘便跳了出来，叫道：“真把我吓坏了！狼肚子里黑漆漆的。”接着，奶
奶也活着出来了，只是有点喘不过气来。小红帽赶紧跑去搬来几块大石头，塞进狼的肚子。
狼醒来之后想逃走，可是那些石头太重了，它刚站起来就跌到在地，摔死了。
三个人高兴极了。猎人剥下狼皮，回家去了；奶奶吃了小红帽带来的蛋糕和葡萄酒，精
神好多了；而小红帽却在想：“要是妈妈不允许，我一辈子也不独自离开大路，跑进森林
了。”
人们还说，小红帽后来又有一次把蛋糕送给奶奶，而且在路上又有一只狼跟她搭话，想
骗她离开大路。可小红帽这次提高了警惕，头也不回地向前走。她告诉奶奶她碰到了狼，那
家伙嘴上虽然对她说“你好”，眼睛里却露着凶光，要不是在大路上，它准把她给吃了。
“那么，”奶奶说，“我们把门关紧，不让它进来。”不一会儿，狼真的一面敲着门一面叫
道：“奶奶，快开门呀。我是小红帽，给你送蛋糕来了。”但是她们既不说话，也不开门。
这长着灰毛的家伙围着房子转了两三圈，最后跳上屋顶，打算等小红帽在傍晚回家时偷偷跟
在她的后面，趁天黑把她吃掉。可奶奶看穿了这家伙的坏心思。她想起屋子前有一个大石头
槽子，便对小姑娘说：“小红帽，把桶拿来。我昨天做了一些香肠，提些煮香肠的水去倒进
石头槽里。”小红帽提了很多很多水，把那个大石头槽子装得满满的。香肠的气味飘进了狼
的鼻孔，它使劲地用鼻子闻呀闻，并且朝下张望着，到最后把脖子伸得太长了，身子开始往
下滑。它从屋顶上滑了下来，正好落在大石槽中，淹死了。小红帽高高兴兴地回了家，从此
再也没有谁伤害过她。
------------------

28 / The Singing Bone
In a certain country there was once great lamentation over a wild boar that laid waste the farmer's fields, killed the cattle, and ripped up people's bodies with his tusks. The King promised a large reward to anyone who would free the land from this plague; but the beast was so big and strong that no one dared to go near the forest in which it lived. At last the King gave notice that whosoever should capture or kill the wild boar should have his only daughter to wife.
Now there lived in the country two brothers, sons of a poor man, who declared themselves willing to undertake the hazardous enterprise; the elder, who was crafty and shrewd, out of pride; the younger, who was innocent and simple, from a kind heart. The King said, "In order that you may be the more sure of finding the beast, you must go into the forest from opposite sides." So the elder went in on the west side, and the younger on the east.

When the younger had gone a short way, a little man stepped up to him. He held in his hand a black spear and said, "I give you this spear because your heart is pure and good; with this you can boldly attack the wild boar, and it will do you no harm."

He thanked the little man, shouldered the spear, and went on fearlessly.

Before long he saw the beast, which rushed at him; but he held the spear towards it, and in its blind fury it ran so swiftly against it that its heart was cloven in twain. Then he took the monster on his back and went homewards with it to the King.

As he came out at the other side of the wood, there stood at the entrance a house where people were making merry with wine and dancing. His elder brother had gone in here, and, thinking that after all the boar would not run away from him, was going to drink until he felt brave. But when he saw his young brother coming out of the wood laden with his booty, his envious, evil heart gave him no peace. He called out to him, "Come in, dear brother, rest and refresh yourself with a cup of wine."

The youth, who suspected no evil, went in and told him about the good little man who had given him the spear wherewith he had slain the boar.

The elder brother kept him there until the evening, and then they went away together, and when in the darkness they came to a bridge over a brook, the elder brother let the other go first; and when he was half-way across he gave him such a blow from behind that he fell down dead. He buried him beneath the bridge, took the boar, and carried it to the King, pretending that he had killed it; whereupon he obtained the King's daughter in marriage. And when his younger brother did not come back he said, "The boar must have killed him," and every one believed it.

But as nothing remains hidden from God, so this black deed also was to come to light.

Years afterwards a shepherd was driving his herd across the bridge, and saw lying in the sand beneath, a snow-white little bone. He thought that it would make a good mouth-piece, so he clambered down, picked it up, and cut out of it a mouth-piece for his horn. But when he blew through it for the first time, to his great astonishment, the bone began of its own accord to sing:

"Ah, friend, thou blowest upon my bone!
Long have I lain beside the water;
My brother slew me for the boar,
And took for his wife the King's young daughter."
"What a wonderful horn!" said the shepherd; "it sings by itself; I must take it to my lord the King." And when he came with it to the King the horn again began to sing its little song. The King understood it all, and caused the ground below the bridge to be dug up, and then the whole skeleton of the murdered man came to light. The wicked brother could not deny the deed, and was sewn up in a sack and drowned. But the bones of the murdered man were laid to rest in a beautiful tomb in the churchyard.

会唱歌的白骨

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从前有个国家来了一头野猪。它践踏耕地、咬杀牲畜，还用尖利的獠牙咬人，人们为此
痛苦不堪。国王宣布只要有人能将王国从这一灾难中拯救出来，他就会大大地赏赐他。可是
野猪太大了，而且强不可敌，因此谁也不敢接近它藏身的那片森林。最后国王宣布：谁若能
捕获或者杀死那头野猪，他就能娶国王的独生女为妻。
在乡下住着两兄弟，是穷人家的孩子。老大狡猾精明却缺乏勇气；弟弟单纯而心地善
良。两兄弟说他们愿意接受这个危及生命的使命。国王对他们说：“为了让你们能确实找到
那头野兽，你们两人必须分头从两个方向进森林。”于是，哥哥从西头走，弟弟从东边进。
弟弟走了没多远就遇到一个小个子男人。他手里握着一支黑色长矛，对弟弟说：“我把
这支长矛给你，因为你心地纯洁善良；你拿着这长矛，只管大胆去斗那野猪，长矛会帮你
的。”
弟弟谢过那小个男子，扛起长矛，毫不畏惧地继续赶路。
不久，他看到了那头野猪，便用长矛对准了朝他扑来的野兽。野猪气疯了，它冲得太快
太猛，结果长矛把它的心脏划成了两半。弟弟扛起巨兽往回走。
森林另一端的入口处有座房子，人们在那里饮酒、跳舞作乐。弟弟来到那儿时，哥哥早
已坐在里面了，他以为野猪反正逃不出他的手心，于是先喝点酒壮胆。当他看到弟弟带着战
利品从森林里返回时，邪恶的心里充满了嫉妒，无法平息。他对弟弟喊道：“进来吧，亲爱
的弟弟，喝杯酒歇歇。”
从无戒心的弟弟走了进去，把好心男人给他长矛、自己又如何用长矛制服野猪的经过告
诉了哥哥。
哥哥留弟弟一起喝酒直到天色将晚，然后一道离开了小屋，在黑暗中赶路。他们来到小
河上的一座桥跟前，哥哥让弟弟走在前面，走到桥心时，哥哥对准弟弟的后脑勺狠狠一击，
弟弟倒下死了。哥哥将弟弟埋在桥下，自己扛起野猪去向国王领赏，似乎野猪是他猎杀的。
他娶了国王的独生女为妻。当有人问他为什么弟弟没有回来时，他说：“准是野猪把他给吃
了。”人们也就信以为真了。
可是什么都瞒不过上帝的眼睛，这罪孽总有一天要真相大白的。
几年以后，有个牧羊人赶着羊群过桥，一眼看到沙子下面有根雪白的骨头。他觉得这是
做口吹乐器的好材料，于是爬下桥，将骨头捡了起来。他用骨头给自己的号角做了个吹口。
可他第一次用它吹响号角时大吃了一惊，因为骨头吹口自顾自唱起了小调：
“啊，朋友，你在用我的骨头吹奏，
我在这河边沉睡已久。
哥哥杀我夺走了野猪，
娶的妻子是国王之女。”
“多好的号角呀！”牧羊人说，“竟然自己会唱小调！我一定要把它献给国王陛下。”
于是他将号角献给国王，号角又唱起了同一支小调。
国王一听就明白了，于是派人到桥下挖出了被害人的尸骨。罪孽深重的哥哥无法抵赖他
的所作所为，因此被缝进一个麻袋，沉到河里去了。被害人的尸骨则被安葬在教堂墓地里一
座漂亮的墓冢里了。
------------------

29 / The Devil With the Three Golden Hairs
There was once a poor woman who gave birth to a little son; and as he came into the world with a caul on, it was predicted that in his fourteenth year he would have the King's daughter for his wife. It happened that soon afterwards the King came into the village, and no one knew that he was the King, and when he asked the people what news there was, they answered, "A child has just been born with a caul on; whatever any one so born undertakes turns out well. It is prophesied, too, that in his fourteenth year he will have the King's daughter for his wife."
The King, who had a bad heart, and was angry about the prophecy, went to the parents, and, seeming quite friendly, said, "You poor people, let me have your child, and I will take care of it." At first they refused, but when the stranger offered them a large amount of gold for it, and they thought, "It is a luck-child, and everything must turn out well for it," they at last consented, and gave him the child.

The King put it in a box and rode away with it until he came to a deep piece of water; then he threw the box into it and thought, "I have freed my daughter from her unlooked-for suitor."

The box, however, did not sink, but floated like a boat, and not a drop of water made its way into it. And it floated to within two miles of the King's chief city, where there was a mill, and it came to a stand-still at the mill-dam. A miller's boy, who by good luck was standing there, noticed it and pulled it out with a hook, thinking that he had found a great treasure, but when he opened it there lay a pretty boy inside, quite fresh and lively. He took him to the miller and his wife, and as they had no children they were glad, and said, "God has given him to us." They took great care of the foundling, and he grew up in all goodness.

It happened that once in a storm, the King went into the mill, and he asked the mill-folk if the tall youth was their son. "No," answered they, "he's a foundling. Fourteen years ago he floated down to the mill-dam in a box, and the mill-boy pulled him out of the water."

Then the King knew that it was none other than the luck-child which he had thrown into the water, and he said, "My good people, could not the youth take a letter to the Queen; I will give him two gold pieces as a reward?" "Just as the King commands," answered they, and they told the boy to hold himself in readiness. Then the King wrote a letter to the Queen, wherein he said, "As soon as the boy arrives with this letter, let him be killed and buried, and all must be done before I come home."

The boy set out with this letter; but he lost his way, and in the evening came to a large forest. In the darkness he saw a small light; he went towards it and reached a cottage. When he went in, an old woman was sitting by the fire quite alone. She started when she saw the boy, and said, "Whence do you come, and whither are you going?" "I come from the mill," he answered, "and wish to go to the Queen, to whom I am taking a letter; but as I have lost my way in the forest I should like to stay here over night." "You poor boy," said the woman, "you have come into a den of thieves, and when they come home they will kill you." "Let them come," said the boy, "I am not afraid; but I am so tired that I cannot go any farther:" and he stretched himself upon a bench and fell asleep.

Soon afterwards the robbers came, and angrily asked what strange boy was lying there? "Ah," said the old woman, "it is an innocent child who has lost himself in the forest, and out of pity I have let him come in; he has to take a letter to the Queen." The robbers opened the letter and read it, and in it was written that the boy as soon as he arrived should be put to death. Then the hard-hearted robbers felt pity, and their leader tore up the letter and wrote another, saying, that as soon as the boy came, he should be married at once to the King's daughter. Then they let him lie quietly on the bench until the next morning, and when he awoke they gave him the letter, and showed him the right way.

And the Queen, when she had received the letter and read it, did as was written in it, and had a splendid wedding-feast prepared, and the King's daughter was married to the luck-child, and as the youth was handsome and agreeable she lived with him in joy and contentment.

After some time the King returned to his palace and saw that the prophecy was fulfilled, and the luck-child married to his daughter. "How has that come to pass?" said he; "I gave quite another order in my letter."

So the Queen gave him the letter, and said that he might see for himself what was written in it. The King read the letter and saw quite well that it had been exchanged for the other. He asked the youth what had become of the letter entrusted to him, and why he had brought another instead of it. "I know nothing about it," answered he; "it must have been changed in the night, when I slept in the forest." The King said in a passion, "You shall not have everything quite so much your own way; whosoever marries my daughter must fetch me from hell three golden hairs from the head of the devil; bring me what I want, and you shall keep my daughter." In this way the King hoped to be rid of him for ever. But the luck-child answered, "I will fetch the golden hairs, I am not afraid of the Devil;" thereupon he took leave of them and began his journey.

The road led him to a large town, where the watchman by the gates asked him what his trade was, and what he knew. "I know everything," answered the luck-child. "Then you can do us a favour," said the watchman, "if you will tell us why our market-fountain, which once flowed with wine has become dry, and no longer gives even water?" "That you shall know," answered he; "only wait until I come back."

Then he went farther and came to another town, and there also the gatekeeper asked him what was his trade, and what he knew. "I know everything," answered he. "Then you can do us a favour and tell us why a tree in our town which once bore golden apples now does not even put forth leaves?" "You shall know that," answered he; "only wait until I come back."

Then he went on and came to a wide river over which he must go. The ferryman asked him what his trade was, and what he knew. "I know everything," answered he. "Then you can do me a favour," said the ferryman, "and tell me why I must always be rowing backwards and forwards, and am never set free?" "You shall know that," answered he; "only wait until I come back."

When he had crossed the water he found the entrance to Hell. It was black and sooty within, and the Devil was not at home, but his grandmother was sitting in a large arm-chair. "What do you want?" said she to him, but she did not look so very wicked. "I should like to have three golden hairs from the devil's head," answered he, "else I cannot keep my wife." "That is a good deal to ask for," said she; "if the devil comes home and finds you, it will cost you your life; but as I pity you, I will see if I cannot help you."

She changed him into an ant and said, "Creep into the folds of my dress, you will be safe there." "Yes," answered he, "so far, so good; but there are three things besides that I want to know: why a fountain which once flowed with wine has become dry, and no longer gives even water; why a tree which once bore golden apples does not even put forth leaves; and why a ferry-man must always be going backwards and forwards, and is never set free?"

"Those are difficult questions," answered she, "but only be silent and quiet and pay attention to what the devil says when I pull out the three golden hairs."

As the evening came on, the devil returned home. No sooner had he entered than he noticed that the air was not pure. "I smell man's flesh," said he; "all is not right here." Then he pried into every corner, and searched, but could not find anything. His grandmother scolded him. "It has just been swept," said she, "and everything put in order, and now you are upsetting it again; you have always got man's flesh in your nose. Sit down and eat your supper."

When he had eaten and drunk he was tired, and laid his head in his grandmother's lap, and before long he was fast asleep, snoring and breathing heavily. Then the old woman took hold of a golden hair, pulled it out, and laid it down near her. "Oh!" cried the devil, "what are you doing?" "I have had a bad dream," answered the grandmother, "so I seized hold of your hair." "What did you dream then?" said the devil. "I dreamed that a fountain in a market-place from which wine once flowed was dried up, and not even water would flow out of it; what is the cause of it?" "Oh, ho! if they did but know it," answered the devil; "there is a toad sitting under a stone in the well; if they killed it, the wine would flow again."

He went to sleep again and snored until the windows shook. Then she pulled the second hair out. "Ha! what are you doing?" cried the devil angrily. "Do not take it ill," said she, "I did it in a dream." "What have you dreamt this time?" asked he. "I dreamt that in a certain kingdom there stood an apple-tree which had once borne golden apples, but now would not even bear leaves. What, think you, was the reason?" "Oh! if they did but know," answered the devil. "A mouse is gnawing at the root; if they killed this they would have golden apples again, but if it gnaws much longer the tree will wither altogether. But leave me alone with your dreams: if you disturb me in my sleep again you will get a box on the ear."

The grandmother spoke gently to him until he fell asleep again and snored. Then she took hold of the third golden hair and pulled it out. The devil jumped up, roared out, and would have treated her ill if she had not quieted him once more and said, "Who can help bad dreams?" "What was the dream, then?" asked he, and was quite curious. "I dreamt of a ferry-man who complained that he must always ferry from one side to the other, and was never released. What is the cause of it?" "Ah! the fool," answered the devil; "when any one comes and wants to go across he must put the oar in his hand, and the other man will have to ferry and he will be free." As the grandmother had plucked out the three golden hairs, and the three questions were answered, she let the old serpent alone, and he slept until daybreak.

When the devil had gone out again the old woman took the ant out of the folds of her dress, and gave the luck-child his human shape again. "There are the three golden hairs for you," said she. "What the Devil said to your three questions, I suppose you heard?" "Yes," answered he, "I heard, and will take care to remember." "You have what you want," said she, "and now you can go your way." He thanked the old woman for helping him in his need, and left hell well content that everything had turned out so fortunately.

When he came to the ferry-man he was expected to give the promised answer. "Ferry me across first," said the luck-child, "and then I will tell you how you can be set free," and when he reached the opposite shore he gave him the devil's advice: "Next time any one comes, who wants to be ferried over, just put the oar in his hand."

He went on and came to the town wherein stood the unfruitful tree, and there too the watchman wanted an answer. So he told him what he had heard from the devil: "Kill the mouse which is gnawing at its root, and it will again bear golden apples." Then the watchman thanked him, and gave him as a reward two asses laden with gold, which followed him.

At last he came to the town whose well was dry. He told the watchman what the devil had said: "A toad is in the well beneath a stone; you must find it and kill it, and the well will again give wine in plenty." The watchman thanked him, and also gave him two asses laden with gold.

At last the luck-child got home to his wife, who was heartily glad to see him again, and to hear how well he had prospered in everything. To the King he took what he had asked for, the devil's three golden hairs, and when the King saw the four asses laden with gold he was quite content, and said, "Now all the conditions are fulfilled, and you can keep my daughter. But tell me, dear son-in-law, where did all that gold come from? this is tremendous wealth!" "I was rowed across a river," answered he, "and got it there; it lies on the shore instead of sand." "Can I too fetch some of it?" said the King; and he was quite eager about it. "As much as you like," answered he. "There is a ferry-man on the river; let him ferry you over, and you can fill your sacks on the other side." The greedy King set out in all haste, and when he came to the river he beckoned to the ferry-man to put him across. The ferry-man came and bade him get in, and when they got to the other shore he put the oar in his hand and sprang out. But from this time forth the King had to ferry, as a punishment for his sins. Perhaps he is ferrying still? If he is, it is because no one has taken the oar from him.

魔鬼的三根金发

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从前，有一个穷人，他只生了一个儿子。儿子在出生时，天上吉星高照，看见的人都说
他这个儿子有红运，在十四岁的时候会和国王的女儿结婚。正巧，这个王国的国王在孩子出
生后不久微服私访，他从这个村庄经过时，询问这儿是不是有什么新闻话题。有个人说：
“有的，这儿刚出生了一个孩子，人们都说这是一个很幸运的孩子，还说他在十四岁的时
候，命中注定要和国王的女儿结婚。”国王听了很不高兴，于是找到这个孩子的父母亲，问
他们是否愿意把他们的儿子卖给他。他们很坚决地说：“不卖！”但这个陌生人百般请求，
又拿出一大笔钱。由于他们穷得几乎连面包也没有吃的了，所以他们最后同意了。他们想这
孩子既然是一个幸运的孩子，他一定会安全回来的。
国王抱着这个孩子，把他放进一个箱子里面，然后骑着马带走了。当他走到一条很深的
小河边时，他把箱子扔进了水流中，自言自语地说：“这个小绅士永远也不会做我女儿的丈
夫了。”然而，神灵保佑着这个孩子，箱子并没有沉到水里去，而是漂浮在水面上，并且没
有一滴水漏进箱子里。最后，这只箱子漂到离国王两里远的地方，停在了一座磨坊的的拦水
坝上。不久，磨坊的主人看到这只箱子，便拿来一根长竿子，把箱子打捞到岸边。他发现箱
子很沉，以为里面会有金子，打开箱子一看，发现里面竟是一个漂亮的小男孩。孩子对他露
出了快乐的笑容，像看到了亲人一样。因为他和他妻子正好没有小孩，所以他们非常高兴，
很自豪地说：“这是上帝送给我们的。”他们非常细心地哺养小孩，又耐心地培养他。
小孩慢慢地长大了，长得真是人见人爱。
十三年转眼就过去了。有一次，国王偶然来到磨坊，他看见这个可爱的孩子，就问磨坊
主，这个少年是不是他们的儿子，磨坊主回答说：“不是的，我是在他还是一个婴儿时，在
一只漂在拦河坝上的箱子里面发现的。”国王一听连忙问道：“有多久了？”磨坊主回答说
道：“大约有十三年了。”国王马上明白这少年正是他装到箱子里面，又扔到河里的那个孩
子。回想起以前的传言，他不甘心，又想出了个主意，他说道：“他是个多可爱的小伙子，
能要他帮我送一封信给王后吗？要是乐意的话，我会给两块金元宝作为他的辛苦费。”磨坊
主回答说：“谨遵陛下的吩咐。”
国王写了一封给王后的信，信中说：“这个送信的人一到达，就把他立即杀死埋掉，在
我返回前，一切都要做完。”
少年人带着信出发了，可他却在路上迷失了方向，晚上竟撞进了一座大森林，他不得不
在黑暗中摸索着寻找出路。透过黑夜，他看到不远处有灯火晃动，循着火光，他来到了一座
小村舍。房屋里有一个老太婆，老太婆看到他后很害怕，说道：“你怎么到这儿来了？你要
去哪里呀？”“我要去见王后，给她送一封信，但我迷路了，很想在这儿过夜休息一下。”
“你太不幸运了，竞撞进这个强盗窝，要是那帮强盗回来看到你在这儿，他们会杀死你
的。”他回答说：“我太疲倦了，管它哩，我已经走不动了，先休息再说。”说完，把信放
在桌子上，躺在一条长凳子上，自个儿睡着了。
强盗们回来看到他，便问老太婆这个陌生的少年是谁。她回答说：“他是给王后送信的
人，中途迷路了才走到这儿的。”强盗们拿起信，拆开一看，里面写的是要王后杀掉送信
者。不知是出于同情这个少年，还是想和国王作对，强盗头将信撕了，另外写了一封信，信
中要王后在这个少年到达后，马上让他和公主结婚。他们没有惊动他，一直到第二天早晨他
起来后，才由老太婆指给他去王宫的正确道路。
少年到了王宫，将信交给王后。王后看过信，马上为婚礼作了尽可能周到的准备。看到
少年如此英俊，公主非常愿意嫁给他作妻子。过了一段时间，国王回宫了。当他看到预言成
为现实，这个幸运的孩子不仅没有在他的奸计中丧生，而且和他的女儿结了婚，很想知道事
情怎么会变化成现在这个样子的，他发出的命令完全不是这样的啊！王后说：“我亲爱的，
你的信在这儿，你自己看看吧！”国王看过信，知道信已经被调换了，就问这位女婿他拿着
自己要他传送的信干了些什么事情。他回答说：“我什么事也没干，一定是晚间我睡觉的时
候，信被人做了手脚。”国王听了，气得暴跳如雷，叫道：“任何要娶我女儿的人都必须下
到地狱去，把魔王头上的三根金头发给我取来。只有这样，我才同意他做我的女婿。”少年
说道：“我一定很快就会办到。”于是，他告别妻子，踏上了冒险之路。
他经过第一座城市时，城市卫兵拦住他，问他是干什么活的，他回答说：“我什么事都
能干！”他们说道：“如果真是这样，你就是我们想要找的人。请告诉我们，在我们的城市
里，集市中有一口喷泉为什么干了，再没有泉水冒出来？要是你找出是什么原因的话，我们
将给你两头驮满金子的驴。”他说道：“等我回来的时候，我就全部都知道了。”不久，他
来到了另外一座城市，那儿的卫兵也问他有什手艺，懂得什么。他回答说：“我什么事都能
干！”他们说：“那就请为我们做一件事情，告诉我们那棵过去为我们结金苹果的树，现在
为什么连一片叶子也不生了。”他说道：“我非常愿意为你们效劳，当我回来时，我就知道
了。”
最后，他来到一个大湖边，他必须横渡过去。年青人找到一只渡船后，摆渡的船夫不久
就开始问他是干什么的，懂得什么事情。他说：“我什么事都懂！”船夫说道：“那么，请
指教我，为什么我总是在这水上摆渡，始终不能脱开身子去干其它的行当。你要是能告诉
我，我将重重地谢你。”年青人说：“当我返回时，我会告诉你有关方法的。”
渡过湖后，他来到了地狱。地狱看起来既阴森又恐怖，但魔王此刻不在家里，他的奶奶
正坐在安乐椅上。看到他后，她问道：“你来找什么呀？”他回答道：“魔王头上的三根金
头发。”接着，他把自己的遭遇告诉了她。“你真是敢冒奇险啦！”她很同情，又很赞赏这
个年青人，决定帮助他，就说道：“我会尽我所能来帮助你的。”说罢，他把年轻人变成了
一只蚂蚁，要他躲藏在她外衣的褶皱里。他很感激地说：“太好了，不过我还想知道，为什
么那个城里的喷泉干枯了？为什么结金苹果的树，现在连叶子也不生了？是什么原因使船夫
老在那儿摆渡？”老奶奶听了说道：“那的确是三个令人费解的问题，但你在我给魔王拔金
头发时，静静地趴着别动。千万留神听魔王所说的话。”
天黑不久，魔王回家来了。他一进来就开始用鼻子不停地嗅空气，大叫道：“这儿不对
头，我闻到了人肉的气味。”到处翻弄察看之后，他什么也没找着，老奶奶责骂说：“我刚
刚才收拾整齐，你为什么又把屋子搞得乱七八糟呢？”经过这一阵折腾之后，他也累了，就
把头枕在奶奶的膝上，很快睡着了，不久就发出了鼾声。这时，老奶奶抓住他头上的一根金
头发拔了出来。魔王“哎哟！”叫喊一声惊跳起来，“你在干什么呀？”她回答说：“我做
了一个恶梦，情急之中，抓了一下你的头发。我梦见有个城市的集市上有一口喷泉干枯了，
没有水流出来，不知道是什么原因？”魔王说道：“嗨！要是他们能够知道，他们一定会欢
呼的。其实，那只是喷泉里面的一块石头下蹲着一只癞蛤蟆，只要把癞蛤蟆打死，泉水又会
流出来的。”
说完这话，他又睡着了。老奶奶趁机又拔了他一根头发，他惊醒后气冲冲地叫道：“你
到底要干什么？”她说道：“别发火，我刚刚睡觉时梦见在一个大王国里，有一棵美丽的
树，这棵树过去是结金苹果的，但现在树上却一片叶子也不生了，这是什么原因呢？”魔王
说道：“嗨！要是他们知道这个秘密，一定高兴得不得了。在那棵树的根部，有只老鼠在不
停地啃咬树根，他们必须把它打死，那棵树才能重新结出金苹果。如果不这样做，那树它很
快就要死去。现在让我安稳地睡觉吧，要是你再把我弄醒，你会后悔的。”
接着，他再次睡了过去，当听到他发出呼噜声后，老奶奶再次拔下了第三根金头发。魔
王跳起来厉声喊着就要发作，但她还是使他平静下来了，说道：“我又做了一个奇怪的梦，
梦见一个船夫似乎命中注定要在一个湖上不停地为人来回摆渡，总是脱不开身，是不是有什
么魔力困住了他？”魔王听了说道：“真是一个蠢东西！如果他把船篙塞到另外一个渡客的
手中，他不就脱开身了吗？那渡客不就取代他的位置来摆渡了？让我好好地睡吧，再别打扰
我了。”
到第二天早上，魔王起来之后出去了。老奶奶将蚂蚁变回成年青人原样后，把三根金发
给了他，叮嘱他要记住那三个问题的答案。年青人在真诚道谢之后，步上了回家的旅程。
不久，他回到渡口。船夫看到他回来了，询问他应允自己的问题的答案，年青人说：
“你先把我渡过去，我再告诉你脱身的办法。”当船到达对岸后，他告诉船夫，只要把手中
的船篙塞到其他渡客手中，他就可以脱开身任意去留了。接着，他到了那棵不结金苹果树所
在的城市，他告诉他们说：“只要把那只啃咬树根的老鼠打死，你们又会收获金苹果了。”
他们把很多财宝作为礼物送给了他。最后，他回到喷泉枯竭了的城市，卫兵请求他给他们答
案，他告诉他们必须杀死石头下的癞蛤蟆，水才会流出来。他们很感激他，给了他两头驮满
金子的驴子。
终于，这个幸运儿回到了家里，妻子看到他，又听到他把所有的事都办妥了，高兴极
了。年青人把三根金头发交给了国王，国王再也不能反对他跟自己女儿的婚事了。当他看到
所有的金银财宝时，激动万分地说道：“我亲爱的女婿，你是在哪儿找到这些金子的？”年
青人说道：“在一个湖边，那儿有好多好多的金银财宝。”国王连忙问道：“请告诉我，我
也可以去那儿得到一些吗？”年青人回答说：“随便你要多少。你在那个湖上会看见一个船
夫，让他把你载过湖去，你就会看到岸上的金子像沙子一样多。”
贪财的国王急急忙忙地起程去了。当他来到湖边时，他唤过船夫说要过湖去，船夫便要
他坐上船来。他刚一上船，船夫马上把船篙塞到他手中，然后跳上岸走了，留下老国王在那
儿摆渡。这就是对他罪孽的报应。
如果有人问：“那位国王现在还在那儿摆渡吗？”你也许会说：“是的！因为没有人会
从他手中接过船篙，自己给自己添麻烦。”
------------------

30 / The Louse and the Flea

A louse and a flea kept house together and were brewing beer in an egg-shell. Then the little louse fell in and burnt herself. On this the little flea began to scream loudly. Then said the little room-door, "Little flea, why art thou screaming?" "Because the louse has burnt herself."
Then the little door began to creak. On this a little broom in the corner said, "Why art thou creaking, little door?" "Have I not reason to creak?"

"The little louse has burnt herself,
The little flea is weeping."
So the little broom began to sweep frantically. Then a little cart passed by and said, "Why art thou sweeping, little broom?" "Have I not reason to sweep?"

"The little louse has burnt herself,
The little flea is weeping,
The little door is creaking."
So the little cart said, "Then I will run," and began to run wildly. Then said the ash-heap by which it ran, "Why art thou running so, little cart?" "Have I not reason to run?"
"The little louse has burnt herself,
The little flea is weeping,
The little door is creaking,
The little broom is sweeping."
The ash-heap said, "Then I will burn furiously," and began to burn in clear flames. A little tree stood near the ash-heap and said, "Ash-heap, why art thou burning?" "Have I not reason to burn?"
"The little louse has burnt herself,
The little flea is weeping,
The little door is creaking,
The little broom is sweeping,
The little cart is running."
The little tree said, "Then I will shake myself," and began to shake herself so that all her leaves fell off; a girl who came up with her water-pitcher saw that, and said, "Little tree, why art thou shaking thyself?" "Have I not reason to shake myself?"
"The little louse has burnt herself,
The little flea is weeping,
The little door is creaking,
The little broom is sweeping,
The little cart is running,
The little ash-heap is burning."
. On this the girl said, "Then I will break my little water-pitcher," and she broke her little water-pitcher. Then said the little spring from which ran the water, "Girl, why art thou breaking thy water-jug?" "Have I not reason to break my water-jug?"
"The little louse has burnt herself,
The little flea is weeping,
The little door is creaking,
The little broom is sweeping,
The little cart is running,
The little ash-heap is burning,
The little tree is shaking itself."
"Oh, ho!" said the spring, "then I will begin to flow," and began to flow violently. And in the water everything was drowned, the girl, the little tree, the little ash-heap, the little cart, the broom, the little door, the little flea, the little louse, all together.