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小说: 047 字数: 每页4000字

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poor。  The rich one was a goldsmith and evil…hearted。 The poor one
supported himself by making brooms; and was good and honorable。  He
had two children; who were twin brothers and as like each other as
two drops of water。  The two boys went in and out of the rich house;
and often got some of the scraps to eat。  It happened once when the
poor man was going into the forest to fetch brush…wood; that he saw a
bird which was quite golden and more beautiful than any he had ever
chanced to meet with。  He picked up a small stone; threw it at it;
and was lucky enough to hit it; but one golden feather only fell
down; and the bird flew away。  The man took the feather and carried
it to his brother; who looked at it and said; it is pure gold。 And
gave him a great deal of money for it。  Next day the man climbed into
a birch…tree; and was about to cut off a couple of branches when the
same bird flew out; and when the man searched he found a nest; and an
egg lay inside it; which was of gold。  He took the egg home with him;
and carried it to his brother; who again said; it is pure gold; and
gave him what it was worth。  At last the goldsmith said; I should
indeed like to have the bird itself。  The poor man went into the
forest for the third time; and again saw the golden bird sitting on
the tree; so he took a stone and brought it down and carried it to
his brother; who gave him a great heap of gold for it。  Now I can get
on; thought he; and went contentedly home。

The goldsmith was crafty and cunning; and knew very well what kind of
a bird it was。  He called his wife and said; roast me the gold bird;
and take care that none of it is lost。  I have a fancy to eat it all
myself。  The bird; however; was no common one; but of so wondrous a
kind that whosoever ate its heart and liver found every morning a
piece of gold beneath his pillow。  The woman prepared the bird; put
it on the spit; and let it roast。  Now it happened that while it was
on the fire; and the woman was forced to go out of the kitchen on
account of some other work; the two children of the poor broom…maker
ran in; stood by the spit and turned it round once or twice。  And as
at that very moment two little bits of the bird fell down into the
pan; one of the boys said; we will eat these two little bits。  I am
so hungry; and no one will ever miss them。  Then the two ate the
pieces; but the woman came into the kitchen and saw that they were
eating something and said; what have you been eating。  Two little
morsels which fell out of the bird; answered they。  That must have
been the heart and the liver; said the woman; quite frightened; and
in order that her husband might not miss them and be angry; she
quickly killed a young cock; took out his heart and liver; and put
them beside the golden bird。  When it was ready; she carried it to
the goldsmith; who consumed it all alone; and left none of it。  Next
morning; however; when he felt beneath his pillow; and expected to
bring out the piece of gold; no more gold pieces were there than
there had always been。

The two children did not know what a piece of good…fortune had fallen
to their lot。  Next morning when they arose; something fell rattling
to the ground; and when they picked it up there were two gold pieces。
They took them to their father; who was astonished and said; how can
that have happened。  When next morning they again found two; and so
on daily; he went to his brother and told him the strange story。  The
goldsmith at once knew how it had happened; and that the children had
eaten the heart and liver of the golden bird; and in order to revenge
himself; and because he was envious and hard…hearted; he said to the
father; your children are in league with the evil one; do not take
the gold; and do not suffer them to stay any longer in your house;
for he has them in his power; and may ruin you likewise。  The father
feared the evil one; and painful as it was to him; he nevertheless
led the twins forth into the forest; and with a sad heart left them
there。

And now the two children ran about the forest; and sought the way
home again; but could not find it; and only lost themselves more and
more。  At length they met with a huntsman; who asked; to whom do you
children belong。  We are the poor broom…maker's boys; they replied;
and they told him that their father would not keep them any longer in
the house because a piece of gold lay every morning under their
pillows。  Come; said the huntsman; that is nothing so very bad; if at
the same time you remain honest; and are not idle。  As the good man
liked the children; and had none of his own; he took them home with
him and said; I will be your father; and bring you up till you are
big。  They learnt huntsmanship from him; and the piece of gold which
each of them found when he awoke; was kept for them by him in case
they should need it in the future。

When they were grown up; their foster…father one day took them into
the forest with him; and said; to…day shall you make your trial shot;
so that I may release you from your apprenticeship; and make you
huntsmen。  They went with him to lie in wait and stayed there a long
time; but no game appeared。  The huntsman; however; looked above him
and saw a covey of wild geese flying in the form of a triangle; and
said to one of them;  shoot me down one from each corner。  He did it;
and thus accomplished his trial shot。

Soon after another covey came flying by in the form of the figure
two; and the huntsman bade the other also bring down one from each
corner; and his trial shot was likewise successful。  Now; said the
foster…father; I pronounce you out of your apprenticeship。  You are
skilled huntsmen。  Thereupon the two brothers went forth together
into the forest; and took counsel with each other and planned
something。  And in the evening when they had sat down to supper; they
said to their foster…father; we will not touch food; or take one
mouthful; until you have granted us a request。  Said he; what; then;
is your request。  They replied; we have now finished learning; and we
must prove ourselves in the world; so allow us to go away and travel。
Then spoke the old man joyfully; you talk like brave huntsmen; that
which you desire has been my wish。  Go forth; all will go well with
you。  Thereupon they ate and drank joyously together。

When the appointed day came; their foster…father presented each of
them with a good gun and a dog; and let each of them take as many of
his saved…up gold pieces as he chose。  Then he accompanied them a
part of the way; and when taking leave; he gave them a bright knife;
and said; if ever you separate; stick this knife into a tree at the
place where you part; and when one of you returns; he will will be
able to see how his absent brother is faring; for the side of the
knife which is turned in the direction by which he went; will rust if
he dies; but will remain bright as long as he is alive。  The two
brothers went still farther onwards; and came to a forest which was
so large that it was impossible for them to get out of it in one day。
So they passed the night in it; and ate what they had put in their
hunting…pouches; but they walked all the second day likewise; and
still did not get out。  As they had nothing to eat; one of them said;
we must shoot something for ourselves or we shall suffer from hunger;
and loaded his gun; and looked about him。  And when an old hare came
running up towards them; he laid his gun on his shoulder; but the
hare cried;
     dear huntsman; do but let me live;
     two little ones to thee I'll give;
and sprang instantly into the thicket; and brought two young ones。

But the little creatures played so merrily; and were so pretty; that
the huntsmen could not find it in their hearts to kill them。  They
therefore kept them with them; and the little hares followed on foot。
Soon after this; a fox crept past。  They were just going to shoot it;
but the fox cried;
     dear hunstman; do but let me live;
     two little ones to thee I'll give。

He; too; brought two little foxes; and the huntsmen did not like to
kill them either; but gave them to the hares for company; and they
followed behind。  It was not long before a wolf strode out of the
thicket。  The huntsmen made ready to shoot him; but the wolf cried;
     dear huntsman; do but let me live;
     two little ones to thee I'll give。

The huntsman put the two wolves beside the other animals; and they
followed behind them。  Then a bear came who wanted to trot about a
little longer; and cried;
     dear huntsman; do but let me live;
     two little ones to thee I'll give。

The two young bears were added to the others; and there were already
eight of them。  Then who should come。  A lion came; and tossed his
mane。  But the huntsmen did not let themselves be frightened and
aimed at him likewise; but the lion also said;
     dear huntsman; do but let me live;
     two little ones to thee I'll give。

And he brought his little ones to them; and now the huntsmen had two
lions; two bears; two wolves; two foxes; and two hares; who followed
them and served them。  In the meantime their hunger was not appeased
by this; and they said to the foxes; listen you sneakers; provide us
with something to eat。  You are crafty and cunning。  They replied;
not far from here lies a village; from which we 

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