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小说: 043 字数: 每页4000字

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poverty; and at last their need was so great that they had to endure
hunger; and had nothing to eat or drink。 Then said they; it cannot go
on like this; we had better go into the world and seek our fortune。
They therefore set out; and had already walked over many a long road
and many a blade of grass; but had not yet met with good luck。  One
day they arrived in a great forest; and in the midst of it was a
hill; and when they came nearer they saw that the hill was all
silver。  Then spoke the eldest; now I have found the good luck I
wished for; and I desire nothing more。  He took as much of the silver
as he could possibly carry; and then turned back and went home again。

But the two others said; we want something more from good luck than
mere silver; and did not touch it; but went onwards。  After they had
walked for two days longer without stopping; they came to a hill
which was all gold。 The second brother stopped; took thought with
himself; and was undecided。  What shall I do; said he; shall I take
for myself so much of this gold; that I have sufficient for all the
rest of my life; or shall I go farther。  At length he made a
decision; and putting as much into his pockets as would go in; said
farewell to his brother; and went home。

But the third said; silver and gold do not move me; I will not
renounce my chance of fortune; perhaps something better still will be
given me。  He journeyed onwards; and when he had walked for three
days; he came to a forest which was still larger than the one before;
and never would come to an end; and as he found nothing to eat or to
drink; he was all but exhausted。  Then he climbed up a high tree to
find out if up there he could see the end of the forest; but so far
as his eye could pierce he saw nothing but the tops of trees。  Then
he began to descend the tree again; but hunger tormented him; and he
thought to himself; if I could but eat my fill once more。

When he got down he saw with astonishment a table beneath the tree
richly spread with food; the steam of which rose up to meet him。
This time; said he; my wish has been fulfilled at the right moment。
And without inquiring who had brought the food; or who had cooked it;
he approached the table; and ate with enjoyment until he had appeased
his hunger。  When he was done; he thought; it would after all be a
pity if the pretty little table…cloth were to be spoilt in the forest
here; and folded it up tidily and put it in his pocket。  Then he went
onwards; and in the evening; when hunger once more returned to him;
he wanted to make a trial of his little cloth; and spread it out and
said; I wish you to be covered with good cheer again; and scarcely
had the wish crossed his lips than as many dishes with the most
exquisite food on them stood on the table as there was room for。  Now
I perceive; said he; in what kitchen my cooking is done。  You shall
be dearer to me than the mountains of silver and gold。  For he saw
plainly that it was a wishing…cloth。 The cloth; however; was still
not enough to enable him to sit down quietly at home; he preferred to
wander about the world and pursue his fortune farther。

One night he met; in a lonely wood; a dusty; black charcoal…burner;
who was burning charcoal there; and had some potatoes by the fire; on
which he was going to make a meal。  Good evening; blackbird; said the
youth。  How do you get on in your solitude。

One day is like another; replied the charcoal…burner; and every night
potatoes。  Have you a mind to have some; and will you be my guest。
Many thanks; replied the traveler; I won't rob you of your supper;
you did not reckon on a visitor; but if you will put up with what I
have; you shall have an invitation。 Who is to prepare it for you;
said the charcoal…burner。  I see that you have nothing with you; and
there is no one within a two hours' walk who could give you anything。
And yet there shall be a meal; answered the youth; and better than
any you have ever tasted。  Thereupon he brought his cloth out of his
knapsack; spread it on the ground; and said; little cloth; cover
yourself; and instantly boiled meat and baked meat stood there; and
as hot as if it had just come out of the kitchen。

The charcoal…burner stared with wide…open eyes; but did not require
much pressing; he fell to; and thrust larger and larger mouthfuls
into his black mouth。  When they had eaten everything; the
charcoal…burner smiled contentedly; and said; listen; your
table…cloth has my approval; it would be a fine thing for me in this
forest; where no one ever cooks me anything good。  I will propose an
exchange to you; there in the corner hangs a soldier's knapsack;
which is certainly old and shabby; but in it lie concealed wonderful
powers; but; as I no longer use it; I will give it to you for the
table…cloth。

I must first know what these wonderful powers are; answered the
youth。

That will I tell you; replied the charcoal…burner; every time you tap
it with your hand; a corporal comes with six men armed from head to
foot; and they do whatsover you command them。  So far as I am
concerned; said the youth; if nothing else can be done; we will
exchange; and he gave the charcoal…burner the cloth; took the
knapsack from the hook; put it on; and bade farewell。  When he had
walked a while; he wished to make a trial of the magical powers of
his knapsack and tapped it。  Immediately the seven warriors stepped
up to him; and the corporal said; what does my lord and ruler wish
for。

March with all speed to the charcoal…burner; and demand my
wishing…cloth back。  They faced to the left; and it was not long
before they brought what he required; and had taken it from the
charcoal…burner without asking many questions。  The young man bade
them retire; went onwards; and hoped fortune would shine yet more
brightly on him。  By sunset he came to another charcoal…burner; who
was making his supper ready by the fire。 If you will eat some
potatoes with salt; but with no dripping; come and sit down with me;
said the sooty fellow。

No; he replied; this time you shall be my guest; and he spread out
his cloth; which was instantly covered with the most beautiful
dishes。  They ate and drank together; and enjoyed themselves
heartily。  After the meal was over; the charcoal…burner said; up
there on that shelf lies a little old worn…out hat which has strange
properties … the moment someone puts it on; and turns it round on his
head; the cannons go off as if twelve were fired all together; and
they demolish everything so that no one can withstand them。  The hat
is of no use to me; and I will willingly give it for your tablecloth。

That suits me very well; he answered; took the hat; put it on; and
left his table…cloth behind him。  But hardly had he walked away than
he tapped on his knapsack; and his soldiers had to fetch the cloth
back again。  One thing comes on the top of another; thought he; and I
feel as if my luck had not yet come to an end。  Neither had his
thoughts deceived him。  After he had walked on for the whole of one
day; he came to a third charcoal…burner; who like the previous one;
invited him to potatoes without dripping。  But he let him also dine
with him from his wishing…cloth; and the charcoal…burner liked it so
well; that at last he offered him a horn for it; which had very
different properties from those of the hat。  The moment someone blew
it all the walls and fortifications fell down; and all towns and
villages became ruins。  For this he immediately gave the
charcoal…burner the cloth; but he afterwards sent his soldiers to
demand it back again; so that at length he had the knapsack; hat and
horn; all three。  Now; said he; I am a made man; and it is time for
me to go home and see how my brothers are getting on。

When he reached home; his brothers had built themselves a handsome
house with their silver and gold; and were living in clover。 He went
to see them; but as he came in a ragged coat; with his shabby hat on
his head; and his old knapsack on his back; they would not
acknowledge him as their brother。  They mocked and said; you give out
that you are our brother who despised silver and gold; and craved for
something still better for himself。  Such a person arrives in his
carriage in full splendor like a mighty king; not like a beggar; and
they drove him out of doors。  Then he fell into a rage; and tapped
his knapsack until a hundred and fifty men stood before him armed
from head to foot。  He commanded them to surround his brothers;
house; and two of them were to take hazelsticks with them; and beat
the two insolent men until they knew who he was。

A violent disturbance broke out; people ran together; and wanted to
lend the two some help in their need; but against the soldiers they
could do nothing。  News of this at length came to the king; who was
very angry; and ordered a captain to march out with his troop; and
drive this disturber of the peace out of the town; but the man with
knapsack soon got a greater body of men together; who repulsed the
captain and his men; so that they were forced to retire with bloody
noses。  The king said; this vagabond is not brought to order yet; and
next day sent a still larger troop against him; but they could do
even less。  The youth set still more men against them; and in order
to be done the sooner; he turned his hat twice round 

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