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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9c11a5a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #64606 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64606) diff --git a/old/64606-0.txt b/old/64606-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1a9f20f..0000000 --- a/old/64606-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3208 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of A China cup and other stories for children, -by Felix Vilkhovsky - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: A China cup and other stories for children - -Author: Felix Vilkhovsky - -Illustrator: Malischeff - -Release Date: February 21, 2021 [eBook #64606] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Carlos Colón, Harvard University and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was - produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital - Library.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CHINA CUP AND OTHER STORIES FOR -CHILDREN *** - - - - - - Transcriber's Notes: - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by - =equal signs=. - - Small uppercase have been replaced with regular uppercase. - - Blank pages have been eliminated. - - Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the - original. - - - - THE CHILDREN'S - LIBRARY - - [Illustration] - - A CHINA CUP - - AND - - OTHER STORIES FOR CHILDREN - - [Illustration] - - [Illustration] - - - - -_THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY._ - - - THE BROWN OWL. - A CHINA CUP, AND OTHER STORIES. - STORIES FROM FAIRYLAND. - THE STORY OF A PUPPET. - THE LITTLE PRINCESS. - TALES FROM THE MABINOGION. - - - - -[Illustration: "_Seizing a heavy silver candlestick, the Magnate flung -it violently at the fowl._" - - PAGE 46.] - - - - - A - - CHINA CUP - - AND - - OTHER STORIES FOR CHILDREN - - - BY - - FELIX VOLKHOVSKY - - - _ILLUSTRATED BY MALISCHEFF_ - - - LONDON - T. FISHER UNWIN - 1892 - - SECOND EDITION - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - I. A CHINA CUP 3 - - II. HOW SCARLET-COMB THE COCK - DEFENDED THE RIGHT 37 - - III. THE TINY SCREW 65 - - IV. THE DREAM 85 - - V. BROWNY 115 - - VI. THE OLD SWORD'S MISTAKE 125 - - VII. 'MY OWN' 141 - - VIII. THE TALE ABOUT HOW ALL - THESE TALES CAME TO LIGHT 167 - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -A CHINA CUP - - -A waggon drove to the great pit dug in the clay--not common clay, but -such as china vessels are made of. A man with an iron spade jumped -from the waggon; he entered the pit and began to dig the clay. After -the first stroke of the spade a little lump fell out of the native -ground, and with a bitter, plaintive murmur rolled down. Nobody heard -the murmur; it seemed to the workman that the Lump in rolling down made -a slight noise, whereas it was groaning: it was hard to be torn away -from mother earth. 'All is over,' it whispered; 'oh, how hard it is to -live in the world!' - -The workman took it up on his spade with the other clay, and threw it -into the waggon. 'Oh!' groaned the bit of clay from pain, as it fell on -the bottom of the waggon; 'not only was I torn away from my mother, but -thrown far away from her. Alas! is there any one more unhappy in this -world than I? I should like to die!' - -But the Lump did not die. The workman had soon filled up his waggon, -jumped in himself, and drove away, carrying it to the china factory. -It was pretty well while they were going along an even place, but when -they went down a steep mountain-side, the horse ran fast, and our -Lump was jolted, thrown from side to side, and knocked against the -waggon. Nor did all its torments end then. As soon as it was brought -to the china factory, it was thrown with other clay into a large tub -with water in it, and it felt with horror how it began gradually to -get soft, and to be transformed into a sort of soft mud. It had no -time to recover, as it was taken out with a great ladle and poured -somewhere--it was into the funnel of the great millstones. The driver -shouted, the horses went on, pulled one end of a bar, which was -fastened by the other end to a big axle standing erect in the middle -of the great millstones; the bar again turned the axle to which the -upper millstone was fastened, and the millstones began to grind the -water-softened clay, crushing its smallest particles. Our Lump no -longer existed, but all its little particles which before formed it -were now like clay-jelly, and kept close together. - -Ah, how they suffered! The awful millstone pressed upon them with -its whole weight--squeezed, flattened, ground them. They shrivelled, -groaned, cried from pain and said: 'Oh-o-o! what a torture! it is all -over with us!' - -But that was not all. After the grinding the clay-jelly was poured by -means of gutters into the empty wooden tub to settle. There the hard -particles, heavier than water, sank.... On the bottom was the sand, -next the reddish clay, mixed with iron-rust, then the coarser parts of -the white clay, and finally its lightest particles, quite free from -all other mixture. All the particles of our Lump happened to be of the -same weight and to be nicely ground; they sank together and formed -again the same Lump, only soft, delicate, and free from all unnecessary -admixture. It was very nice, of course, but the little Lump was so -tired from all it suffered, so exhausted, that it did not wish to live -in the world. 'I would rather death would come!' it said. - -Death, however, did not come. A workman came instead, poured off the -water which was on the surface of the clay, cut the clay to the bottom, -separated it into layers, and assorted them, so that the upper, more -delicate layer was for the best china vessels, and the lower for the -coarser plates. As our Lump was in the upper layer, it was taken to a -workman who made the finest vessels. - -The workman took our Lump, put it into the middle of a round table -which turned on its centre, made this table spin round with his feet, -and at the same time pressed the clay here and there till he had made -a coarse cup without a handle. The workman then, with an instrument -like a knife, began to turn the cup, till it became a fine, fine one. -He then handed it to his neighbour, who put a nice little handle to -it. 'Well,' thought the Lump, transformed now into a cup, 'it is not -so bad. I suffered indeed, but what a beauty I am now!' ... and the -Cup looked self-contentedly around. She did not rejoice long. She was -soon put with others into one of the pots of particular form called -'muffles,' and the muffles were put into a furnace, which began to heat -the Cup by scorching degrees to make it red hot. 'Oh, how hot it is!' -stammered the poor Cup, perspiring, crying, and groaning at once. 'Oh, -what a torture! Oh, how hard it is to live in the world! I should like -to die!' - -Still, she did not die. She was taken from the furnace, watered with a -certain mixture, burnt once more. A charming bouquet and garland were -then painted on her, and the Cup did not recognise herself. 'Ah, how -happy I am!' said she to herself; 'it was worth while to suffer all -that I suffered. I am the most beautiful here, and there is and will be -no one happier.' - -Very soon the Cup went from the factory to the shop. She was delighted -to see the fine hall with large windows and nice glass cases. She -enjoyed the society of china cups, teapots, plates, and all sorts of -most beautiful things. - -'Here,' thought she, 'they can appreciate my beauty!' and she -immediately addressed her neighbour, a big, round teapot: 'Please, sir, -have you been long here?' - -'Yes,' answered the teapot gruffly, knocking with his coarse lid. - -'And do you think there was ever before a cup with such fine ornament -and delicate painting as I have?' - -'Ho-ho-ho-ha-ha!' ... laughed the big teapot. 'Just listen!' shouted he -to his companions, as big and coarse as himself; 'this damsel is asking -whether there is in the world a beauty like her?... O-ho-ho-ho!' - -'Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!' burst all the big teapots in laughter, holding their -sides with their handles. - -Our Cup was offended, and ashamed to tears. - -'What are you laughing at?' whispered she in confusion. - -'And how can we help laughing?' exclaimed her neighbour; 'you think too -much of yourself; and what are you good for? To spend all your life on -some nice shelf; you need cheapness and solidity to be of some use. And -as for your ornament, look to your right, on the third shelf; there are -more elegant ones there than you!' - -The Cup looked to the right, and would have grown green from envy if -she could have changed colour. There were standing fine cups on small -feet; such delicate, fine cups, like white, pale, and pink rose petals! -... the beautiful bouquets, the prettiest heads, the finest gold lace, -with black and green ornamentation, were painted upon them. These cups -were also proud of their beauty, and as they were more beautiful than -their new companion, they looked at her with contempt and haughtiness. - -In the china factory the Cup thought herself the most beautiful in -the world, and was quite happy; and now she was forced not only to -acknowledge that there were more beautiful ones, but to listen to the -mocking words and endure the most offensive looks. Envy, vexation, -shame, tormented her, and she would fain run away somewhere, yet she -could not move from the spot. This helplessness added still to her pain -and anger. She would like to have sunk into the earth. 'Ah,' thought -she, 'why did I not die before! Why does death not come now!' - -Death did not come, however. The shop door opened, a fine lady, with a -richly-dressed young girl of about ten years of age, came in. - -'We want a nice cup, not too expensive,' said the lady to the shopman -at the counter. - -The shopman took our Cup and some others from the shelf and put them -on the counter. Oh, what our Cup felt at that moment! She was displayed -with half a dozen of her companions, every one of whom thought herself -more beautiful than the others, and was proud of it. Suppose these -elegant purchasers should give the preference not to her, but to one of -her conceited companions? She felt as if on burning coals. The little -girl stretched her hand to one of our Cup's neighbours, and the Cup -trembled with anxiety. But the little purchaser only touched the rival -of our Cup and finally took the latter. 'This one, mamma,' said the -child, and the mother bought her. Oh, with what a pride shone now this -plaything, and how haughtily she looked at her companions! Her beauty -is now openly acknowledged; she is preferred to others! She was bright -with happiness, and slightly trembled when the shopman took her from -the counter to wrap her in paper. - -'Ah, how happy I am!' said the Cup in the evening, when fragrant tea -was poured in, and all who were sitting at the tea-table admired her; -'of course there is and will be nobody happier than I.' - -Just at this moment the pretty little girl who had chosen her at the -shop came running in from the garden. She was very thirsty. She seized -the Cup and took a sip at once, notwithstanding that they cried to her -that the tea was too hot. The Cup certainly was not to blame that the -girl from her own carelessness had scalded her mouth, and the girl -treated her unjustly. 'Oh, you nasty Cup!' cried she, and threw her to -the floor. - -Crash! ... and the pieces of the poor innocent Cup tinkled plaintively, -and drops of tea, like big tears, trickled on to the floor from her. -The footman came, gathered the pieces of the broken Cup and threw them -away into the backyard on the rubbish heap. There she was with the -bits of old leather, broken glass, rusty pieces of tin, and a pair of -decaying cucumbers. She shivered from contact with the dirt, which she -had never experienced since she was a nice cup, and she felt sick from -the unpleasant odour. 'Oh, how unhappy I am!' said the broken Cup. 'All -is over. I have nothing to expect from life. I have only to die!' - -The Cup did not lie long in the rubbish heap. Early, early the next -morning, when all were yet asleep in the house, there came into the -backyard a poor, wrinkled, dirty, ragged, old woman. She had on her -back a bag, and a big stick with a hook on its end in her hand. She was -a rag-gatherer. She dug into the heaps with her hook, picked out of -them the bones, rags, paper, nails, pieces of glass, and such things -thrown away as seemed to the poor woman of some use. After having -filled up the bag, the rag-gatherer went home, sorted its contents, -and then took the bones to the shoeblacking maker, rags and paper to -the pasteboard maker, the iron to the dealer in old iron, and the glass -to the glass factory. All these places were far from each other and -from her lodging, and the poor woman was exceedingly tired in going -from one place to another. She gained thus a few copecks,[1] without -which neither she nor her sick granddaughter would have had anything to -eat. On the following morning the old woman went again to dig among the -heaps. - - [1] A copeck (in Russian _kopéika_) is a Russian copper; 100 - copecks form one _rouble_. A rouble is worth 2s. 0-2/5d. in - English money. - -Coming near the rubbish heap where the broken Cup was lying, the -woman began to work with her hook, seeking with her old, tearful, -short-sighted eyes something worth having. She had already dug up all -that she wanted, when her hook struck against something hard; the old -woman knew by this sound that there was something like glass in the -heap. She stooped down and took up a fragment of the Cup with a nice -nosegay on it. - -'What fine flowers!' whispered she; 'I will take it home for Mary--a -nice plaything for her--I must take it.' - -The good old woman smiled, as she thought of her beloved granddaughter, -called Mary. She began to search again among the rubbish, and found -that there were many fine pieces, and those not too small. 'Oh, the -pieces are all here,' said she; 'it is possible perhaps to cement them -together.' And taking all the bits she put them by themselves into the -pocket of her worn-out petticoat. - -It was as dark as in a cellar in the pocket of the old woman, and as -oppressively warm as in an uncared-for hospital-room in summer; there -were besides an old onion and the crumbs of spoiled, ill-smelling -cheese. The broken Cup felt still more sick at heart than before; she -shivered; her broken pieces tinkled plaintively at every step the woman -took, and she thought, 'Oh, what suffering! I should like to die!' - -She did not die. It was light when the old woman came to a large brick -house six stories high, near a market-place, in a narrow, dirty lane. -She entered through a dirty passage the courtyard, surrounded on all -sides with buildings, passed through a gloomy basement door down to the -ground-floor, where her lodging was. It was a dark, cheerless room, -with small windows high above the brick floor. In every corner of the -room there was a whole family of beggars. The old woman approached a -heap of rags, groaning, removed from her shoulder the bag with her -day's gains in it, and sat down on an old pine candle-box, turned -upside down, near the rags; she then took from her pocket all the -pieces of the Cup, and put them on another box which stood there for a -table. The first thing our Cup now heard was a harsh, noisy scolding -from the farthest corner of the room; everybody in this beggars' haunt -was so accustomed to it that nobody paid any attention. 'Oh,' thought -the Cup, 'this is too much! In what company am I! What rough people -there are! Oh, there is surely nobody in the world more unhappy than I! -I would like to die as soon as possible!' - -The rags in the corner now moved; under them was lying the sick, -sallow, emaciated darling of the old woman. She looked at her -grandmother with her wearied eyes, and nothing interested her. - -'Here is a piece of _pryáneek_, Mary, which I brought for you,' said -the old woman, taking out a piece of _pryáneek_, which she had bought -for a copeck. - -This was a cake of white, stone-like consistency, supposed to represent -a horse, though it may be doubted whether four stumps instead of feet, -a gilded head and a crimson tail, would give a really good idea of -one. There was indeed enough flour in it, but little sweetness; still -it was a thing as much to delight the heart of a Russian child as a -gingerbread cat to rejoice the heart of an English one. - -The girl looked at it, but shook her head, and did not eat it; she did -not even touch it. - -'Why don't you take it, Mary? Do take it, dear, such a nice piece of -_pryáneek_; look!' - -And the grandmother held up the present, turning it round to show all -its beauty. The girl looked up once more at the cake, and then at her -grandmother, without moving her head. - -'I am so sore!' she whispered feebly. - -'What ails you?' asked the old woman. - -'Everything ails me,' said the sick girl softly, and two big tears -rolled slowly down her cheeks. - -The broken Cup looked at all this, and was very sorry, and her pieces -tinkled plaintively together, and then she felt ashamed that she had -thought herself so unhappy while there was in the world plenty of -sorrow far greater than her own. The girl heard the tinkling, and -silently looked up to see what it was that was tinkling so on the box. -She noticed the beautiful flowers on the broken pieces of the Cup; her -eyes brightened by degrees, and she whispered softly: - -'Give it to me, grandmamma.' - -'Take it, take it, darling! I brought it home for you.' - -Mary took the pieces in her hands, trembling from weakness, and -began to turn them over and over, admiring them. She had never any -playthings, and therefore the pretty pieces seemed to her so much the -finer. The more she looked at them the more her eyes brightened, and -at last she smiled. The old woman had not for a long time seen such an -expression of pleasure on the worn-out face of her poor granddaughter, -and the feeble smile of the sick child rejoiced her to tears. - -'Oh,' thought the Cup, 'I never expected to give to any one so much -pleasure after having been broken to pieces! And I am happier, indeed, -than I was in the rich house where everybody at the tea-table admired -me!' - -'Mary, you know, we shall cement the cup; indeed we shall do it! It -will be a pretty cup,' whispered the old woman. - -Mary became more cheerful, and the Cup thought: 'Ah, it is possible -I am really good for something! It seems to me I was in too great a -hurry to die; it is worth while living in the world.' - -On the next day the old woman came home after her day's work with a -little _toóyes_, a sort of cylindrical vessel of birch bark, in which -there was a handful of curd and an egg. These she had received from -some kind-hearted cook. - -'You see, Mary, we are going to cement the Cup!' said she, sitting down -on her box. - -Mary had been groaning and fretting all the day and night, but now -she smiled again. The old woman broke the egg, poured it into an old -wooden basin, placed on the box some curd, mixed lime with it, and, -kneading all together with the white of egg, she made a thick cement. -Smearing the edges of the pieces of our Cup with the mixture, the old -woman pressed them together, and placed the Cup carefully in a hot -oven, that the cement might harden and become proof against water or -anything else. It was hot in the oven for the Cup--dreadfully hot! but -she was ready to suffer anything to be the same complete beautiful cup -as before. 'Oh, how happy I am!' thought she, awaiting with inward -trembling the end of her trials in the oven. 'All is going on well; I -will live again!' - -Mary in the meantime grew worse: she fretted, groaned, and complained -with bitter tears. - -'Oh, grandmamma, how I ache! how I ache!' - -'Oh, my poor darling!' said the old woman, sobbing, while hot tears -rolled down her wrinkled, unwashed face; 'I cannot tell what to do for -you, my dear pet.' - -In the same room with the old woman, in another corner, there lived a -beggar, an old discharged soldier of the time of the Russian Emperor -Nicholas, when the discipline was so inhumanly severe and the term of -service lasted a whole quarter of a century! He had been in the wars, -fought bravely, and now he was quite alone in the wide world. The -bullets were still in his body, old age prevented him from working, -and he was obliged to get by begging here and there a few copecks. He -became accustomed to sorrow; but now it grieved him to see the misery -of the old woman and the sufferings of the little girl. - -'You are foolish,' said he to the old woman; 'why do you cry, as if the -child was dying? You must not do it! Go rather for the physician.' - -'Will the physician come?' exclaimed the old woman. 'You are indeed -like an innocent child, _Nikítich_.[2] Will the physician come to such -a dirty place?' - - [2] Pronounce 'Neekeéteech.' The reader should rather be - told here that the Russian fashion of calling a person, when - addressing him or her, is not by his or her surname, but by - the Christian name, with the addition of his or her father's - name, somewhat altered in a way to express 'son of' or - 'daughter of' such-a-one; for example--Iván Nikítich (John, - son of Nikíta). Among common people and among friends they - address only in one's Christian name without the addition of - the father's name ('_ót-chest-vo_'); but if, in addressing a - common person, you wish to express some deference, you use - only the 'ótchestvo,' without the person's Christian name; for - example, 'Nikítich' instead of 'Iván Nikítich.' Such is the - case in our tale. - -'And why should he not come? One will not come, another will not come, -but some one perhaps will come at last. There, I know a physician, -Kótov, a nice gentleman! He always gives me a glass of tea and five -copecks. He will not let me go without giving me something. "How do you -do, Nikítich?" says he always to me. I tell you, go to him. Ask him; -you needn't care.' - -'Yes, at his home he will receive me perhaps, but he will not come -here. No, we have nothing to do with physicians. I cannot afford to buy -medicine, and very likely they will not even let me into the house. No, -I dare not.' - -'Well, if you dare not, I will go myself.' - -At these words the old wounded soldier took his stick and hobbled away -to the physician's. - -The physician did come. He was a very good man, only he had the -habit of speaking in an angry tone and even shouting, so that some -were afraid of him. He examined the girl a long time, put his ear to -her back and chest, tapped both with his fingers, spat in disgust, -and complained angrily of the dirt and unwholesome air of the room. -He ordered that nothing but broth be given to the girl, wrote a -prescription on a bit of paper, and said that the medicine would be -given gratuitously at the apothecary's. - -In the evening the old woman brought the bottle with the medicine, -poured some into a wooden spoon and presented it to her granddaughter. -The girl shook her head feebly and turned away. She was afraid of the -medicine; she thought it was something so disagreeable, and for nothing -in the world would she take it. - -'Ah me!' said her grandmother, sighing, 'why won't you take it? It's -too bad! What will the physician say? He ordered it and you will not -take it. Wait, you will see what will happen to disobedient children!' - -The girl was frightened; she began to sob, and when her grandmother -offered her the spoon, she covered her mouth with her hand and hid her -face in her pillow. - -In the morning the old woman took our Cup out of the oven. Oh, how glad -was our Cup when the old woman, looking all over her, said to herself, -'Oh, I see it is as good as new now!' Just at this moment Mary called -for her grandmother and asked for a drink. The old woman went with the -newly-cemented Cup for some water, and as she held her hand over the -tub, the Cup saw herself in the water as in a mirror. Alas! what did -she see there? In many places were ugly cracks; the cement, applied -by an unskilful hand, formed spots and patches. 'Oh,' groaned the -Cup--'oh, how ugly I am! It would have been better for me to perish in -the rubbish heap. Ah, now I would like to die as soon as possible!' - -She did not die, however. The old woman was obliged to put her in haste -on the window-sill, for just then the physician entered the room. - -'How many spoonfuls of medicine did she take?' asked he angrily. - -'She did not take any at all, sir. What shall I do with her? Such an -obstinate, silly girl; she is not willing to take any; what shall I -do?' answered the old woman. - -'What? How does she dare? What does she mean? Give me the spoon!' cried -the doctor. - -At these words Mary screamed, her eyes opened wide from fear, and she -covered her head with the bedclothes. The doctor turned once more to -the old woman. - -'And did she take the broth?' he asked. - -'But, my good sir, where should we get money for the broth?' said the -rag-gatherer, with tears in her eyes. - -'Well, why did you ask me to come if you did not intend to do what I -ordered?' He then took at once a crushed three-rouble bank note from -his pocket, threw it angrily on the box which served as a table, and -turned away. When he reached the door he turned his head, and, flushed -with excitement, said: - -'All the medicine must be taken by to-morrow, and the broth must be -ready, and that's the end of it!' - -When the old woman saw the three roubles in her hand she could hardly -realise her good fortune and believe in her happiness. Just think, -three roubles! For three years or so she had never had more than -thirty copecks at one time, and now she had three roubles! - -'God grant you every happiness, our benefactor!' repeated the poor -woman over and over again. - -As for Mary, she grew worse and worse. She groaned, her dilated eyes -shone with the fire of fever, her lips became parched and black. - -'Oh, you little dove, do take the medicine, and you will feel better,' -entreated the old woman; but Mary obstinately refused to take any. -Seeing the sufferings of the poor girl, the rag-gatherer suddenly -clasped her gray head with her hands. - -'Oh my God! what am I to do with her? what am I to do with her?' wept -she in despair. 'She will die, I am sure, through her own foolishness. -How hard it is to see her suffering just because she will not take a -little medicine.' - -The Cup saw and heard all this, and once more she felt ashamed of -having thought herself unhappy for not being as beautiful as formerly. - -'Is this misery?' thought she now of her own appearance; '_there_ is -misery indeed!' and the little Cup was herself ready to cry for pity. -In the meantime the poor woman dried her tears and approached her sick -grandchild. - -'Do you know that I have mended the little Cup?' she said. - -The face of the little girl brightened, and a faint smile played upon -it. 'Let me see it,' lisped she. - -The grandmother showed her the little Cup, and Mary's face expressed as -much rapture as if she saw some masterpiece of beauty. The poor child -had seen during her life so few beautiful things, that the mended Cup -with the pretty nosegay on her transported her with delight. - -'And wouldn't you take the medicine out of the Cup?' asked the old -woman, in an uncertain, coaxing tone of voice. - -The girl made no reply, but smiled again. - -'Well, will you take it out of the pretty little Cup?' - -'I will,' answered Mary, in an almost inaudible voice. - -The little Cup was standing at that moment on the window-sill, and was -trembling with joy; hitherto no one had loved her so deeply as Mary -did. Was it not for her sake alone that Mary consented to take the -medicine? Perhaps the little girl will recover; perhaps she, the Cup, -will have saved a human life. 'Oh, what a beautiful thing it is to -live,' said the Cup to herself; 'never before was I so happy!' - - * * * * * - -It was a glorious summer day when Mary went the first time after her -dangerous illness to take breath in the open air. She was still thin -and pale, but her large eyes were bright, and she looked happy. She -was sitting in the nearest square, under a big green tree, with her Cup -in both her hands. The little girl was evidently eager to have the Cup -always with her; she would not part with her treasure. The Cup felt -herself also happy--nay, happier than ever--although she was now broken -and spotted with ugly cement patches. She was happy and proud to be the -best friend of the little Mary whom she had helped to restore to life -and health. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -HOW SCARLET-COMB THE COCK DEFENDED THE RIGHT - - -All this happened long, long ago, in the days when birds and beasts -could talk in human speech, and the Polish magnates went about in -long '_kountoushi_'[3]--coats embroidered with gold and silver, with -sleeves slung on behind--and possessed serfs. Perhaps you do not know -what a 'serf' was in the old times? Well, a serf was a person just like -the rest of us, only he was bound to the land by law; he had not the -right to go and live in any other place, and if the land was sold, he -was sold with it; he tilled the land, though not for his own profit, -but for the profit of the landowner. It was not only in Poland that -there used to be these serfs and landlords who owned them, but in all -countries--in ours as well as every other; and everywhere the serfs -had a hard time of it. Those landlords who had any conscience and -commonsense, and who were not in any great need of money, made their -serfs work for them a certain part of their time, and bring them eggs, -flax, etc.; the rest of their time and goods the serfs could dispose -of as they thought fit. Others regarded their peasants as beasts of -burden, belonging to them body and soul; they forced the peasants to -work for them as much as was possible, and thought they had a right to -all the peasants' property. But whether the serf-owner was personally -good or bad, it was a loathsome thing in itself that one human being -should own another. - - [3] The plural of the Polish word '_koúntoush_.' - -One day a Polish '_Pan_' (nobleman) of this kind was riding through -a village on his land. The green sleeves of his bright-coloured -_koúntoush_ streamed back from his shoulders, fluttering in the breeze; -his fine dappled horse stepped impatiently under its rider, tossing -flakes of white foam from its mouth; and Pan Podliásski himself glanced -haughtily to the right and left. The wretched, bare look of the -peasants' huts and ruinous farmyards did not distress him at all; in -Pan Podliásski's opinion a serf was a serf for nothing else but to be -always ragged, dirty, and miserable. Suddenly, as he passed one of the -huts, the landlord raised his eyebrows in angry surprise; in the bare -and filthy yard stood a first-rate grindstone. - -'Where did a rascally serf get such a capital grindstone?' he thought; -and turning to his steward, who was riding behind with two or three -noble retainers, he asked: 'Whose yard is this?' - -'Stanislas Kogoútek's, most illustrious Pan,' respectfully answered the -steward. - -'Why is the grindstone here?' - -'It does not belong to the manor; we have not such a good grindstone,' -replied the steward, understanding the mistake of the magnate, who -supposed the grindstone to be his, and to have come into the peasant's -yard by chance. - -'Here! _Khlop!_' (serf!), cried Pan Podliásski. - -A middle-aged peasant, bareheaded, barefooted, and wearing nothing but -a shirt and trousers of coarse sacking, ran out of the hut at this -summons. He approached his master, bowing humbly, fell on his knees -before him, bowed to the ground, and, rising, kissed his stirrup, after -which he bowed again. - -'Whose is the grindstone?' asked the landlord, frowning. - -Kogoútek's terror increased, and his eyes glanced round in agitation; -he realised how foolish he had been not to hide the grindstone from his -master's eyes. - -'Whose is the grindstone, _psia krew_?'[4] cried the magnate angrily. - - [4] A Polish term of abuse; literally, blood (or race) of a - dog. - -'Mine, most illustrious Pan,' answered Kogoútek, trembling with fear. - -'How dare you, you rascal, when I myself haven't such a grindstone, the -steward says?' - -'I earned it, please your honour,' stammered Kogoútek faintly. - -'_Earned it_.... What next!' exclaimed Pan Podliásski, amazed at the -peasant's insolence, and reddening with anger. 'How dare you say that, -when you yourself are my property, not only all your work; do you -hear, you dog? Take it up to the manor, and give this scoundrel a good -lesson,' he added, turning to the steward. - -The unfortunate peasant knew what a 'good lesson' meant, and flung -himself, with a piteous cry, at the feet of his master's horse. But -the magnate shook the reins and galloped off with his followers. - -The next morning the grindstone was transferred to the manor yard, and -the wretched Kogoútek was flogged in the manor stables. - -Humiliated, crushed under the sense of injustice and lacerated with the -whip, the unhappy peasant crept home and sank down on a bench with a -groan. - -'What is the matter with our master?' asked the young cock, -Scarlet-Comb, of his mother, as they strolled about the yard with the -white hen Top-knot and the old cock. - -'Why, didn't you see that they took away the grindstone that he had -worked so hard for, and then thrashed him for nothing besides?' - -Scarlet-Comb was still a very young cock; his grand tail-feathers had -not yet grown, so he did not know how cruel and unjust people can be. -His mother's words showed him this for the first time. He spread his -wings and craned his little neck as if he would shout out what he had -just heard to all the world; but a spasm in the throat prevented him -from uttering a sound. When, however, his first burst of grief and -indignation had somewhat abated, he again appealed to his mother. - -'Well, and what will happen now, mother?' - -'What? Why, nothing. Pan Podliásski will have the grindstone, and our -poor master will have his bruises--that's all.' - -'What! And no one will stand up for the right?' - -'Oh, my child, how recklessly you talk!' hurriedly whispered the old -hen. '_Supposing_ any one should overhear you, what then? Why, they -would think you a rebel!... What is the use of talking about "right" -and "standing up" when Pan Podliásski is a great lord, with fifty -horses in his stables, and hundreds of servants at his bidding, while -our master is a poor peasant, wearing himself out with work!' - -'Well, then, _I_ will take our master's part! _I_ will get justice -done!' cried Scarlet-Comb. - -'Hush, you silly child!' answered his mother more anxiously than ever, -and gently seizing his comb with her bill. 'What else do you imagine -you can do? You would like to set the whole world to rights, no doubt!' - -'The thing is impossible!' cried Scarlet-Comb, and turning to the old -cock, he added: 'Am I not right, father?' - -The old cock majestically raised his head, stood on tiptoe, flapped his -wings, and shouted at the top of his voice: 'Cock-a-doodle-doo-oo!...' -then stooped down, and betook himself, with a hurried business walk, to -the other end of the yard, where he stopped beside a squashed worm. -Every one could interpret his expression of opinion according to their -personal taste: the mother was convinced that he was setting their son -an example of thrift and good sense; the son, that the patriarch's -martial air and cry were intended to spur him on to prowess. Without -any further question Scarlet-Comb flew across the fence, and made -straight for the castle of Pan Podliásski. - -Pan Podliásski was not alone. As he had to send to several very -distinguished neighbours invitations for the next day's banquet, and -as, like most of his peers in those days, he could not read or write, -and considered it humiliating to do anything for himself, he had sent -for his chaplain, and commissioned him to write the invitations. The -chaplain had finished writing the letters, and it only remained to -stamp upon them, instead of a signature, the crest of the house of -Podliásski. The magnate took off his signet-ring, which he wore hung -round his neck by a gold chain, and handed it to the chaplain to be -pressed upon the wax. At that moment there appeared in the open window, -from which the magnate and his chaplain were divided by a large table, -an ugly little cock. - -'Pan, give back the grindstone!' he cried. - -Reddening with anger, the magnate raised his eyes to the insolent fowl, -and seizing a heavy silver candlestick, flung it violently at him. All -happened so quickly, that before Scarlet-Comb had time to understand -anything, his wings had carried him from the window and his quick -little legs from the garden. - -When he came to his senses, Scarlet-Comb was quite ashamed. 'Can it be -that I was frightened?... it is impossible!' he thought. But the fact -was plain; he had lost his head and run away from the landlord. - -'Well, and what of that?' said the cock, consoling himself; 'the -important thing is not to stand like a log while things are thrown at -you that may smash your head, but to get justice done!' - -And Scarlet-Comb once more made his way to the castle. - -Pan Podliásski was standing on the front terrace among his retainers -and domestics, giving orders for to-morrow's banquet, when he suddenly -heard the already familiar words: - -'Pan, give back the grindstone!' - -Scarlet-Comb was standing perched upon the nearest post, to which -several horses were tied. - -The magnate became positively frantic, clenched his fists, and shouted -to his servants to set all the hounds upon the insolent bird. The -cock, terrified, rushed with all his might out of the garden. On he -ran, helping himself along with his wings, and hearing how one dog was -gaining on him.... Now it was quite near ... snap! and tore the very -best feathers out of the cock's tail. In his desperation Scarlet-Comb -made one last effort, flew up as high as he could, and perched on a -tree by the wayside. The dog stood underneath, barking and whining, -but, fortunately, the hunting-horn blew, calling back the scattered -dogs, and his persecutor was obliged to go to kennel. - -Meanwhile a discussion was going on in the yard between the servants -and noble retainers. - -'What a plucky little cock!' said some; 'wasn't afraid to tell the Pan -himself the truth to his beard!' - -'If I had him, I'd show him what truth is--with white sauce,' said the -under-cook, laughing. - -'Just think,' remarked another; 'if a silly little chicken like that -can see that a Pan shouldn't take away a poor man's things, it must be -a bad business after all.' - -'Yes, it's a mean trick,' muttered one of the nobles, frowning. - -Early next morning Pan Podliásski's guests began to arrive. Dear -me, how gorgeous they all were! Satin, velvet, brocade, in the most -brilliant colours, simply dazzled your eyes on their _kountoushi_, -_zhoupány_ (doublets), and trunk hose. Their elegant caps were bordered -with valuable furs; both lords and ladies were adorned with ostrich -feathers, pearls, gold, silver, and precious stones. Magnificent horses -of all colours pranced under their graceful riders, who surrounded -the clumsy but richly-decorated coaches in which the fair ladies sat. -Often, on the way, the gallants would bend towards them and exchange -merry jests. The innumerable apartments of the castle were thrown open -for the crowd of guests. - -For dinner all the visitors put on other still more gorgeous dresses. A -gallant was placed at the right hand of each lady. At the head of the -table sat the host, beaming with pleasure and satisfaction. - -The long dinner was almost ended. The guests had feasted upon a wild -boar, which Pan Podliásski had killed in the chase, and which the cook -had roasted whole and cunningly arranged standing erect upon a silver -dish. The dessert was already finished; the noble retainers in their -gala dress had carried round to the guests old mead of the finest -quality, and German and Hungarian wines. The company was lively and -merry. A handsome young nobleman stood up at the foot of the table. He -had lately returned from France, where, at the king's court, he had -grown accustomed to refined manners and courtly ways. Raising a golden -goblet of wine in his right hand, and glancing round, he addressed the -company: - -'It is not the gratitude of a guest which persuades me to lift this -goblet, nor even the courtesy of a Pole. No; I lift it in honour of -our well-beloved host, because by his virtues Pan Joseph Podliásski is -an ornament to the ranks of the Polish nobility. Courageous in war, -generous and hospitable in time of peace, he is incapable of any action -unworthy of his noble standing.' - -Every one listened to the orator with evident pleasure. Pausing a -moment for breath he would have continued, when suddenly an ugly little -cock appeared at one of the open windows of the banqueting-hall, and -cried aloud: - -'Pan, give back the peasant's grindstone!' - -The guests, startled and confused, sat whispering to one another. The -young orator hesitated whether to continue his speech or not. The host -grew first white, then red, and turned to his servants. - -'Why do you stand staring?' he cried. 'Do you suppose that is what -I maintain you for, that village fowls or cattle should disturb the -pleasure of my guests?' - -Then, turning back, Pan Podliásski tried to put on an airy manner. - -'Excuse us, dear guests,' he said; 'the country is the country after -all. We are not in Cracow, where fowls appear at noble banquets only on -silver dishes or in the soup. Still, one can be as merry in the country -as in Cracow, and I hope we shall prove it to be so.' - -For all that, the magnate did not really feel at all so merry as he -tried to appear; the guests, too, were no longer quite at ease. - -'What's that about a grindstone?' many of them asked their neighbours; -and those who had already heard from their servants about the -persistent fowl related the history of the grindstone in a few words. -A contemptuous expression appeared on many of the faces; and those -magnates who disliked Podliásski went so far as to remark that it was -unworthy of a great lord to soil his hands for a miserable grindstone. - -All this did not escape the eyes of Pan Podliásski, and his blood -boiled. Seizing a favourable moment, he beckoned to his most -trustworthy servant, and, in a whisper, ordered him to find the cock, -alive or dead. For that matter the servants had already been hunting -the whole court and garden, but nothing came of it; the cock had long -ago made his escape; and, hiding in the foliage of the highest tree in -the neighbouring forest, waited till the danger was over. - -The guests left earlier than they had intended. Pan Podliásski, -standing on the great terrace to take leave of them, tried to conceal -his annoyance under an affable manner. As soon, however, as the last -rider disappeared from sight, his face grew dark, and he turned to the -crowd of servants. - -'Where is Doubinétzki?' he asked. - -'Here I am, most illustrious Pan,' replied a warrior with gray -moustaches, stepping forward. - -'Look here, my faithful Ignatius; you have served me long and well; do -me one more good service. Shoot that tiresome cock that gives me no -peace.' - -The honest face of the old nobleman, seamed with the scars of war, -lighted up with an ironical smile, and his daring eyes flashed. - -'Probably the Pan Voevoda has had too much to drink at dinner that he -gives me such commands,' said he. 'How am I, Ignatius Doubinétzki, who -have fought in fifty battles against Tartars, Turks, and Swedes; who -last year, without assistance, drove away a whole marauding band of -Tartars, and who in honourable combat have cut off the head of Akhmet -Khan himself,--how I am now to go to war against barn-door fowls? No; I -am a poor nobleman, and the Pan is a great magnate; but our honour is -the same. Indeed, since it has come to speaking truth, perhaps I have -more in the way of honour than the Pan; with all my poverty I would -have been ashamed to covet a peasant's grindstone. And if you want a -word of honest advice from old Doubinétzki, here it is: Leave that sort -of thing alone, Pan Voevoda; it's not an honourable business.' - -For some minutes Pan Podliásski could not believe his ears. But at the -close of the old man's speech he turned white with rage, drew his sword -from its sheath, and made a dash forward at Doubinétzki. - -'Seize him! bind him! cut the rebel down!' he shrieked in frenzy. But -it had all happened so suddenly that for a moment no one obeyed the -magnate, or could decide what to do; all the more so as every one loved -old Doubinétzki, and knew what a glorious fire-eater he was. - -Old Ignatius, meanwhile, in his turn unsheathed his sword, sprang on to -his horse, which stood ready saddled beside the gate, and galloped away -unharmed. He was a free gentleman and a first-rate warrior, and any -magnate would be glad to take him into his service. - -Utterly beside himself with fury, Pan Podliásski went into the -castle, and shut himself up in his bedchamber. He paced up and down -with long strides, brooding over all that had passed. The thought -that a good-for-nothing little fowl could embitter his life made him -frantic. He was ready to instantly call up all his retainers, and give -them strict commands to secure the cock, alive or dead. But then he -remembered the whispering of his guests at dinner, the furtive glances -of his servants, and the open rebellion of Doubinétzki. What was the -use of commanding? Would he not be exposing himself to new failures, -to new humiliations? And all this was the work of that cock! - -Pan Podliásski felt as if he were stifled in the room, and went out -into the garden. The barrels of pitch which had illuminated it during -the banquet were almost burnt out; the pathways and arbours were -deserted. Pan Joseph walked along several avenues, and then lay down -upon a bench. - -'Pan, give back the grindstone!' suddenly resounded over his head the -hated voice of Scarlet-Comb. - -Pan Podliásski started up as if he had been stung, drew the pistol from -his belt, and fired upwards at random in the direction of the voice. -Directly afterwards he heard a piteous shriek from the cock, and a warm -drop of blood fell on to his hand. - -'Ah! ah!' cried the magnate in angry delight; 'now you will leave off -embittering my life, you loathsome little brute!' - -Satisfied and triumphant, he peered about in the dark to find the -cock; but seeing nothing, lay down again upon the bench, and soon fell -asleep. Before half an hour had passed, however, the magnate sprang -to his feet with a fearful cry, clasping his hands over his left eye. -He was conscious of an intolerable pain, and something wet and warm -and sticky was trickling down his face and hands. Dazed and blind, the -Voevoda rushed headlong to the castle. Suddenly behind him there rang -out the well-known cry: - -'Pan, give back the grindstone! give back the peasant's grindstone!' - -'Holy Virgin! The creature has pecked out my eye,' thought the -landowner in horror, and it was only then he vaguely understood that he -had not killed, but merely wounded, his persecutor. - -Pan Podliásski did not confide to any one the manner in which he had -lost his eye. He said that he had struck against a branch in the dark. -He further declared that during his illness every noise disturbed him, -and on this pretext he commanded all the windows in the castle to be -tightly fastened, and placed sentinels at all the outer doors, with -orders not only to admit no one, but even to let no one and nothing -approach, neither dog, cat, nor bird. In reality the magnate was -terribly afraid that Scarlet-Comb would peck out his right eye too. - -The autumn set in. The stone castle was damp, cold, empty, and dreary. -Its master, with a bandage over his left eye, sat in the huge dining -hall, with its richly-carved oak walls, and warmed himself at the -great open hearth where the embers lay smouldering and the fire still -flickered in the remains of two logs. Suddenly, from somewhere in the -distance, he heard a muffled but familiar cry: - -'Pan, give back the grindstone!' - -In an instant the Voevoda started up as though he had been scalded, -and shrieked frantically for his servants. - -'Search the castle and everywhere round it instantly,' he ordered. -'There's a cock somewhere that sets my teeth on edge with his crowing.' - -Fifty Cossack retainers of the magnate, led by three nobles and about -forty servants under the leadership of the steward, rushed to fulfil -the Pan's commands. But though they ransacked all the rooms, corridors, -and doorways,--though they carefully searched the garden and the -courtyard, they came back and reported to their illustrious master that -not the slightest sign of any bird at all was anywhere to be found. -This was not surprising; it did not occur to anybody to climb up on to -the roof; and there, beside the chimney, sat Scarlet-Comb. - -'It must have been my fancy,' thought Pan Podliásski, and sat down -again before the fire. But just at the moment when he was half falling -asleep, there suddenly tumbled down the chimney into the fireplace -something small and black, which instantly hopped out on to the floor -with singed feathers, and cried: - -'Pan, give back the grindstone!' - -The Voevoda shrank away from the fowl in horror. Scarlet-Comb, taking -advantage of his stupefaction, ran through the rooms, and succeeded in -slipping past the sentinels and making his way right to the village. - -The magnate stood breathless. 'One's not safe from him anywhere,' he -thought; and a sense of dread fell upon him. He clapped his trembling -hands, and ordered the servant who came in to fetch the steward -instantly. - -'Give the peasant Kogoútek his grindstone back again at once,' said Pan -Podliásski, avoiding the steward's eyes; 'and give him ten ducats for -compensation.' - -The steward would have replied, but the Voevoda looked at him with -such an expression that the words died on his lips. - -That very day the grindstone was returned to Stanislas Kogoútek's yard. -Thereupon the little cock, Scarlet-Comb, although badly scorched, with -blisters on both claws, with his tail-feathers gone and his wing shot -through, jumped up on to the gate and, proudly raising his little head, -shouted to all the world: - -'Cock-a-doodle-doo! the Pan has given back the peasant's grindstone!' - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE TINY SCREW - - -On the watchmaker's bench, which was covered with white paper, so that -all the little things needed for his trade should be easy to see, were -spread out various small pincers, gimlets, screwdrivers, tiny hammers, -watchkeys, files, and other delicate instruments. Under a glass case -lay watches and clocks taken to pieces. There were some open boxes -filled with cog-wheels, and some watch-glasses, in which lay some wee -screws. Among these was a very pretty one, of blue, finely-tempered -steel, but so tiny that he could not be seen properly without a -magnifying-glass. He looked round the workroom quite frightened at all -his new surroundings. Until now he had lain in a dark, closed box and -hardly had ever seen the light; now the watchmaker, Karl Ivánovich, -had taken him out of the box and laid him in a watch-glass, evidently -intending to use him. And now the little blue mite peered round, -wondering and frightened. - -Indeed, what wonder! Round the walls, in shallow cupboards with glass -doors, in flat cases with sloping glass lids, on the large table, on -the benches--everywhere, hung or lay or stood watches and clocks of all -kinds and sizes, and most of them were moving and ticking like live -things. The cheap clocks with tin or china faces, decorated with rather -clumsily-painted roses, wagged their pendulums hastily backwards and -forwards, as though hurrying to work or to business. The huge clocks in -wooden and glass cases, on the contrary, swung their pendulums with a -hardly perceptible motion, as though they feared to compromise their -dignity by any haste. All sorts of wonderful things were on the table. -There was a clock in the shape of a great fallen tree-trunk, across -which a log was thrown, with boys sitting on the ends of it, swinging -in time to the ticking of the clock. Another represented a gray hare -squatting on his haunches, holding the dial between his forefeet and -moving his ears in time as the clock ticked. But our tiny Screw was -most impressed by a large clock, standing at one corner of the shop in -a huge glass case. The clock itself represented an Indian temple with -a dome, all carved in black wood. Inside the temple was the dial, also -black, with gold letters; the hands were gold snakes. Under the dial, -a little in front, sat a gray-haired magician in a long robe and high -cap, holding in his right hand a silver hammer. The old man, with -his grave expression of face, was so well carved that he looked quite -alive. But the most wonderful thing of all was that he never stopped -slowly turning his eyes from side to side, keeping time with the -solemn, hardly audible ticking of the clock; he seemed as if watching -to see that all was in order in his kingdom of time. At his right hand -stood a shining silver bell on a tall and slender pedestal; and at his -left a black cat was sitting on a cushion; it had real fur, and its -green eyes glittered as if alive. - -Our little Screw gazed intently at the magician in his Indian temple, -at his cat and bell--he gazed upon them with involuntary reverence and -awe--and finally decided that the enigmatic old man must be the ruler -of time, and that all the clocks in the place must be in his service. -He was still meditating upon this, when suddenly the black clock -began to hiss, the magician raised his left hand with the forefinger -extended, as if commanding attention, and began slowly striking the -silver bell with his hammer. He struck it ten times, and every time the -cat opened its mouth and mewed at each stroke of the hammer. - -The moment the magician had finished, an indescribable confusion arose -in the shop: in three clocks, which represented houses, windows opened; -from each window a cuckoo jumped out and called 'cuckoo' ten times. The -other clocks, with the tin, china, and copper dials, all began striking -in emulation of each other. Some struck rapidly and with a thin sound, -others slowly and heavily; the first jarred on the ear with their harsh -notes, while the others had a mellow ring; but all struck at once, as -though trying to catch one another up. The brass alarum, which stood on -the table, rattled long and mercilessly, as if it were determined to -silence all the others with its deafening noise; then, when the other -clocks had finished striking, it too struck ten. After that all the -clocks continued busily ticking, just as if nothing had happened. - -All this ringing, banging, and noise made our Screw quite dizzy; the -poor little fellow lay in his watch-glass trembling all over. But -when he recovered from his agitation, he was overwhelmed with silent -ecstasy. He understood for what purpose clocks exist. He knew that -they show to man the divisions of time, thus helping him in both his -intellectual work and his ordinary life. Two men, however far apart -from one another, can, if only they have good watches, come at the -same moment to a particular spot, or do whatever they may have agreed -upon--even the height of mountains is determined by means of watches. -The little Screw understood all this, and his wee frame thrilled all -over with enthusiasm. 'How useful they all are!' he thought. This set -him involuntarily thinking of himself, and he grew sad--sad even to -tears. How tiny he was! how insignificant and pitiable compared with -all these clocks! If you were to hang up even the worst of them in a -house where there was before no clock at all, there would at once be in -that house more order, more reason and utility. But he! wherever you -were to put him, it would make no difference. - -Our Screw was very unhappy; he tried so long to be of use to some -one, and he felt that he was fit for nothing! Once more he looked -attentively round the bench. There were a great number of little -axles, wires, pendulums, pinions, and springs. He did not understand -for what they could be used, but he saw one thing--that every one of -these little objects was _larger_ than himself. 'Oh dear!' he thought, -'even if all these little things are useless in themselves, still, -something useful can be made out of them. But what can be made of such -a non-entity as I am--I, who cannot even be seen with the naked eye? -Nothing, absolutely nothing!...' And all the tiny person of the Screw -quivered with grief. - -At that moment there ran into the workshop a little boy and girl, the -children of Karl Ivánovich. Their father had gone to fetch his pipe; -his assistant, Yegór,[5] had also left the shop, and the children had -a chance to enjoy a peep at the wonders of the workshop, into which -Karl Ivánovich generally would not let them come. The boy ran up to his -father's bench and began quickly examining the things lying upon it. - - [5] _Yegór_ means George in Russian. - -'Look, look at the little Screw!' he said to his sister in a loud -whisper, turning to take the blue steel Screw from the watch-glass. - -'Don't touch! Don't touch; you'll drop it!' whispered the little girl, -half frightened, but also looking inquisitively at our Screw. - -'What next! Drop it!' repeated the boy, mimicking her. 'We're not all -such butter-fingers as you!' and in a fit of obstinacy he picked up the -Screw. But the Screw was so small that the boy could scarcely hold him -with the tips of his fingers. - -'Indeed, you'll drop it!... Papa will be cross!...' continued the -little girl in the utmost anxiety. - -Suddenly they heard the creaking of Karl Ivánovich's boots in the next -room, and he blew his nose as loud as if it were a trumpet. The boy -started, and dropped the Screw from his fingers on to the floor. - -'Aha! aha! There, you see! I told you so!' whispered the girl again. - -'Hush!' answered her brother, also in a whisper, stooping down to -look for the Screw. But it was too late; Karl Ivánovich came into the -workshop, and in his presence the boy was afraid to show what he had -done. - -Our Screw, meanwhile, lay on the floor, and did not grieve over what -had happened. - -'It is all the same,' he thought,--'to be crushed under somebody's -foot, or to go through a whole life such a feeble and useless creature -as I am!' - -Just at that moment Karl Ivánovich came into the workshop, puffing -at his pipe. He was a thorough German, with a flat, red face, and an -embroidered cap with a tassel. Although he had lived in Russia for -about thirty years, and owed his good fortune to Russian people, yet -he had not learnt Russian properly, and thought even that it was a -merit not to know it. He was of the opinion that the Russians were mere -cattle; and when he contrived to gain 50 per cent in selling some watch -to a Russian, this was in his eyes one proof more how right he was to -think contemptuously of the nation. He therefore always spoke German -in his domestic life. - -'_Kinder, fort! fort!_' said Karl Ivánovich sternly. But observing at -once from the frightened faces of the children that something must be -amiss, he frowned still more severely, and going up to the bench, began -inspecting it closely. - -'What mischief have you been up to here, eh?' asked the watchmaker. - -The children hung their heads in silence. - -Karl Ivánovich once more carefully examined his bench, and suddenly his -attention was caught by the watch-glass in which he had laid the wee -blue steel Screw. - -'Where's the Screw? Who has taken the Screw?' shouted Karl Ivánovich at -the top of his voice. - -The little girl got frightened for her brother and began to cry -bitterly; the boy remained silent. - -'Well, are you going to speak or not?' cried the watchmaker, still -louder. - -'It's on the floor,' whispered the girl. - -'That was you dropped it, I'll be bound!' said the watchmaker, shaking -his finger before his little son's face. The boy still held his tongue, -and only hung his head lower and lower. - -'_Oh, welch ein wilder Bube!_' cried Karl Ivánovich in a fury. 'Do you -understand what you've done? It was the only screw of that kind that I -had left, and the new order has got delayed on the journey here. How am -I to mend the chronometer from the telegraph station now, eh?' - -'Papa, it was _so_ tiny,' said the little girl through her tears; she -wanted to say something in her brother's defence and did not know what -plea to put forward. - -'_Oh, du dummes Ding!_' cried the angry watchmaker. 'Do you suppose -because the Screw is small it's of no consequence? Why, can't you -see the value of it is just that it's so small; nothing else will -go into the hole. Without it I can't screw the pieces together in -the chronometer, and how long do you think it will go without being -screwed? Can't you understand that, you little goose?' - -Ah! with what joy our little Screw listened to this speech as he lay -on the floor beside the bench. He was not ill-natured, and felt very -sorry for the children when Karl Ivánovich scolded them so; but how -could the little creature help rejoicing when his dearest wish was thus -suddenly fulfilled? He had been grieving because he was so small, had -been ashamed of his weakness, and had believed himself utterly useless. -He had so longed to be useful--even as useful as any lump of metal that -has not been made into anything; but he had thought himself incapable -even of that.... And now it appeared that he, small as he was, could -be as useful as a first-rate chronometer! Yes, for without him, the -tiny Screw, the chronometer itself would not keep time properly. - -The Screw was wild with joy; he positively choked with delight! - -Soon, however, his rapture was changed into terrible anxiety. Karl -Ivánovich made the children look for the lost Screw, called his -assistant to look too, and finally, straddling his short legs apart, -and leaning his red hands on his knees, stooped down himself with a -magnifying-glass at his eye, and began carefully inspecting the floor. -But all their searching was in vain: the whole four of them looked, -crawled over the floor, felt about with their hands quite close to the -Screw, and could not find him. - -'Oh dear!' thought the poor little fellow, 'what if they don't find me -after all? That would be terrible!' - -It would indeed be terrible; after passing through such bitter -moments, to be at the very point of reaching the utmost possible -happiness, and then after all to miss it and be crushed under a dirty -boot! He would have cried out, 'Here I am! here!' but did not know how -to do that in human speech. - -In his extremity the little Screw looked up at the mighty magician who -ruled over all the clocks. As before, the magician was gravely turning -his eyes from side to side, watching over his kingdom. - -'Oh great, good magician! king of time! benefactor of men! surely thou -wilt not let me perish here for no cause, when I too might be of use? -Help me, oh help me, to be found!' entreated our wee friend. - -The magician glanced benevolently down on the poor little Screw, and -instantly raising his left hand to command attention, began striking on -his bell with the hammer he held in his right; the cat at once began -to mew. - -A ray of sunshine fell through the window straight upon the magician. -When he raised and dropped his hammer, the ray flashed on its smooth -surface and was reflected from it right on to the Screw. The Screw -glittered like a spark of fire, and Karl Ivánovich's little girl cried -out joyfully, 'I've found it!' - -Karl Ivánovich instantly picked up his recovered treasure with a -pair of small pincers and laid him again in the watch-glass. Then he -sat down at his bench and set to work at the telegraph chronometer. -Presently came the turn of our Screw; the watchmaker picked him up -again with the pincers, placed him in a hole in one part of the -chronometer, and screwed him tight with a delicate little screwdriver. - -On finishing his work Karl Ivánovich wound up the watch, held it to -his ear and listened. It was ticking away merrily, and our Screw sat -firmly in his place and held the pieces together as a conscientious -screw should. Then the watchmaker hung up the chronometer in a glass -case to be tested. - -One morning, about a fortnight afterwards, the outer door of Karl -Ivánovich's shop opened, and the director of the telegraph station came -in. - -'Good morning, Karl Ivánovich,' he said; 'what about my watch?' - -'It's ready--quite ready.' - -'And goes well?' - -'Goes perfectly. There was just one screw wanting, and I've put it in. -That was the whole matter.' - -The telegraph director opened the inner lid of the watch and looked -at our Screw; then he shut the lid again and put the chronometer into -his waistcoat pocket. It ticked bravely, and the little blue steel -Screw sat in his hole, saying to himself joyfully: 'And I, too, am of -use!' - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE DREAM - - -There once lived a little boy called Basil. He had a good mamma, -who worked hard to educate her child. They lived alone: they had no -relatives, no servants. His mamma tried never to leave Basil alone in -the evening; when she had some work to carry to her employer she always -tried to do it in the daytime. - -A friend once presented Basil's mamma with a ticket for the theatre. -This took place in her absence. When she returned home Basil met her -with great joy. 'Mamma dearest, _Petr Petróvich_ (Mr. Peter) has -been here and left a ticket for you. You shall go to hear the opera -to-night. You like the opera, don't you?' - -'But, my dear boy, what shall I do with the ticket? I cannot go.' - -'And why, mamma?' - -'Why, I can't leave you all alone at home; if we had two tickets we -could both go; but without you I can't go.' - -'No, no, you must go, mamma,' insisted Basil. - -'No, my darling, I can't leave you,' said his mother, sighing; 'you -would be afraid, and something might happen to you.' - -'You might ask Mrs. _Lookina_ to stay with me.' - -Mrs. Lookina was their neighbour, living on the same landing in the -same large house. - -'It is hard to be under an obligation to any one, my dear; the last -time when I had to take home some hurried work I asked Mrs. Lookina to -stay some time with you. I cannot do so too often; she has work of her -own.' - -'Then I shall stay alone, and will not be afraid,' answered Basil; 'and -if anything happens, I shall call Mrs. Lookina; and if nothing happens, -I shall not call her.' - -Basil's mother saw very well that the boy wished her to go to the -theatre. She was much pleased; she kissed him tenderly, but did not say -what she intended to do. But by the glance she cast at the ticket, the -way she put it aside, the sigh which followed, Basil understood all -very well; his mamma would very much like to go to the opera, and it -was hard for her to deprive herself of so rare a pleasure, which she -could now have for nothing; but yet she could not decide to go. Basil -was so disappointed that tears were ready to fall. - -'Oh mamma! you often said that we must help one another, and not find -it difficult. You made a collar for Mrs. Lookina.... And if you do not -go to the theatre I shall cry,' he added, quite unexpectedly beginning -to weep. - -'Don't, dearest, don't cry,' said his mother, taking her boy on her lap -and kissing him; but the child wept, repeating continually: - -'Poor mamma, you never can go to the theatre--you would so much like to -go; I know it.' - -'Well, well, I will go; only don't cry.' - -Then his mamma went to Mrs. Lookina and asked her to give Basil some -tea, put him to bed, and stay with him until her return. When she was -dressed she kissed her boy and set off. - -Soon it was tea-time. Mrs. Lookina never before had had to give Basil -his tea, and did not know that he took very weak tea. She poured him -out some strong tea, and as the boy liked it very much, he took more of -it than usual. Basil well remembered what his mamma said, and did not -wish to tire Mrs. Lookina, so he told her he would undress himself and -go to bed, and she might lock the door from the outside and go home. - -'I shall not be afraid,' concluded he; 'and if anything happens, I -shall knock like this.' - -'But why, my boy? I can stay with you,' answered the neighbour. - -'No, no, you have some work at home,' said Basil, and wrapping himself -up in his quilt with decision, he closed his eyes and said: 'There, I -am asleep already.' - -'Very well, my boy,' said Mrs. Lookina, smiling; 'but you must promise -me to knock as soon as you need anything.' - -'Yes, yes; I shall knock this way,' and kneeling up on his bed, Basil -showed how he would knock. - -Mrs. Lookina left him. Basil heard her leaving their lodging, taking -the candle with her; heard her locking the door. And now Basil was -alone. All was quiet around. He opened his eyes; all was dark. Basil -felt uneasy, to tell the truth, but he tried not to think about it; he -again closed his eyes, and turned his back to the wall. A long time he -lay thus, and the strong tea he had taken kept him awake. He began to -rock himself slightly in his bed and sing-- - - 'Sleep, sleep, come to me. - Sleep, sleep, take me now. - Sleep, lull me into sleep.' - -Basil repeated these words several times, and all at once it seemed -to him as if the room were not as dark as before. He opened his -eyes wide, and was lost in astonishment. The room was full of pale -light--something like moonlight--and not far from his bed Basil noticed -a queer little being. It was a tiny little old man, not more than six -inches high. He wore a short jacket made of red corn-poppy petals; -his trousers were of the same material; his arms and legs were very -thin, like poppy stems, and he wore green stockings; his shoes and -gloves were composed of green poppy leaves. But the Old Man's head was -the most interesting part of his little person. It was a little round -head, perfectly bald and brown, just like the dried fruit of a poppy. -On his head there was a crown such as you see in the poppy. His face -was brown also; it was calm and kind. He smiled fondly as he looked on -Basil. Above the Little Man's head trembled a bluish flame, from which -spread an agreeable light about the room. This flame did not touch the -Old Man's head, but it followed him. When the Little Man stooped, the -flame stooped also; when he rose, it rose with him. - -[Illustration: "_Not far from his bed Basil noticed a queer little -being._"] - -'You called me?' asked he of Basil. His voice was so agreeable, and -sounded so like that of an old acquaintance. - -'I--I--don't know,' stammered the child. - -'But you could not fall asleep, and you kept repeating-- - - '"Sleep, sleep, come to me. - Sleep, sleep, take me now. - Sleep, lull me into sleep."' - -'Yes, Mr. Old Man, I have been repeating all this, but I did not mean -to disturb you; it is hard to be under an obligation to any one. I am -not afraid to be alone, Mr. Old Man.' - -'Oh!' said the Old Man, smiling, 'where did you learn such words; of -all things, as _to be under an obligation_? He! he! he!' - -'No, no, Mr. Old Man; you see, I told Mrs. Lookina to go home. Why -should I disturb you? You have your own business.' - -'Ho! ho! ho!' laughed the Old Man. 'What a sensible young man you are! -But don't trouble yourself about this. My duty consists in being where -people want to sleep, so you only help me to do what I ought to do. You -want to sleep, don't you?' - -'Yes, Mr. Old Man.' - -'And so I will put you to sleep if you like, soundly.' Then the Little -Old Man began to blink with evident enjoyment, and to yawn slowly and -loudly. Somebody immediately yawned in answer, and Basil, who had also -a great desire to yawn, looked around. He saw to his great astonishment -that at the foot of his bed sat a new old man. It was he who had yawned -in answer to the first Old Man. - -This Old Man much resembled the other, only he was a little smaller. -His jacket and trousers were made of lilac poppy petals instead of red -ones, and he had no light on his head. - -'Listen, Basil,' said the little lilac-coloured creature, and with a -gentle voice, like a mother telling fairy tales to her child, he began -to speak: - -'A gnat was born on the moors. It stood on its thin little legs, it -spread its wings, and thought to itself: "It is time to fly after some -booty! If I meet a man or a bull, I will eat him up." - -'The gnat flew away, spread its little legs in the wind, and vanished. -Hardly anybody would notice it--so small, and thin, and weak it was. -Nevertheless, as it flew, it blew its own trumpets-- - - '"Fi-fo-fum! - Here I come! - I will slay - Man and beast! - I will feast - All the day!" - -'Whether the gnat flew for a long or a short time no one knows. Anyhow -it came to a reddish mound. This was a heap of bricks. Some time ago a -hut stood here, but the hut had been burnt down; its brick stove had -fallen to pieces, and now stood in view--a heap of fragments. The gnat -looked at the mound and thought: "This is a fine portion; it will just -suit my appetite." It flew with all its might, settled on a brick, then -flew on to another, and tried to drive its proboscis into it. The gnat -held the brick fast, and fought with its proboscis the best it could; -but it found it hard. Brick was brick, you know; it was not soft stuff. -The gnat raced from place to place. It tried the brick in every way, -but without avail. - -'"No," thought the gnat, "this does not please me; it is not worth -while troubling about." It moved on again, and flew away. It flew on -and blew its own trumpets-- - - '"Fi-fo-fum! - Here I come! - I will slay - Man and beast! - I will feast - All the day!" - -'Presently the gnat came across something large and high, surmounted -by a sharp-pointed deep-green dunce's cap. It was a fir-tree with resin -oozing out. - -'The gnat thought: "This is more in my line; this will suit my -appetite; I will begin at this yellow spot." - -'It flew towards the resin, and, settling down, drove its proboscis -into it. Oh, wonder! It was bitter and sticky. The gnat after a great -effort dragged its proboscis out, and then tried to free its legs. It -tugged and tugged, and managed to free five, but could not succeed with -the sixth. - -'The gnat got angry. "Let go," he called to the fir-tree; "I know a -trick worth two of that." But the fir-tree held the leg tight. The gnat -got still angrier; dashed about until its leg came off, and then flew -away with only five legs; the sixth had remained in the resin. It flew -on, and again blew its own trumpets-- - - '"Fi-fo-fum! - Here I come! - I will slay - Man and beast! - I will feast - All the day!" - -'A tale is quicker told than actions can be done. - -'Our gnat flew over hill and vale, furrowed fields, green meadows, -quick flowing rivers, and whispering woods. It flew along roads, past -cornfields. Nowhere did it find anything profitable. In the meantime -some fine raindrops began to fall. The gnat was not dejected; it -hurried on. Suddenly it met a whole herd of cattle; the young calves -went on in front and the large oxen behind. The gnat's eyes glistened. -It wished to settle on the first calf and fix its proboscis into it, -but it bethought itself: "I see you are small, little calf; it is -better to eat a big ox." He began to examine the oxen. The herd went on -and the gnat still looked around. This one seemed too thin--that one, -though stout, yet not big enough; then came one that looked worse than -the preceding ones. Thus all passed by, and the gnat had not made a -choice. - -'It suddenly flew after the herd, for the purpose of settling down -on the first it could reach. But now it met with a new misfortune. -The rain soaked its wings and made them heavy; it could not fly any -farther, and got angry and began to scold the rain: "So you intend to -wet my wings? you cannot find another place to drop on? Beware! do you -think to take me in with your tricks?" The gnat had hardly spoken thus, -when a large drop of rain fell on its back and maimed it; it was choked -by its last word, and fell head over heels on to the grass. - -'Nobody knows how long the gnat remained there. Anyhow, when the bright -sun peeped out from the clouds and shone upon the earth, the gnat -contrived to creep out of the grassy thicket and to dry itself. Then it -flew on farther, and again, flying, it blew its trumpets-- - - '"Fi-fo-fum! - Here I come! - I will slay - Man and beast! - I will feast - All the day!" - -Suddenly it perceived before it, at some distance, a mare harnessed to -a cart, moving on slowly. A peasant was sitting in the cart. - -'The gnat rejoiced: "Now I can eat my fill; when I shall have dined -off the man I'll taste the horse." So it flew straight on to the man's -forehead, and stung with all its force. - -'The peasant passed the palm of his hand over his forehead, crushed the -gnat, and threw it behind the cart, and all was over with it.' - -The Lilac Old Man had finished his tale. - -'Basil, are you not asleep?' asked the first Old Man. - -'Not yet, Mr. Old Man,' answered Basil. - -'Do you wish to sleep?' - -'I do.' - -'Aaa!' yawned the Red Old Man. - -'Aaa!' yawned after him the Lilac Old Man. - -'Aaa!' yawned after them Basil. - -'Aaa!' yawned yet another near them. When Basil looked round he saw -that a third old man sat on his pillow, looking exactly like the two -others; the only difference was that his coat and trousers were of -white poppy petals. The White Old Man smiled caressingly, laid his hand -on Basil's head, and Basil could not refrain from closing his eyes and -smiling back at him. Meanwhile the new old man gently rocked himself. -Basil heard him sing a little song in a very soft and lulling voice: - - 'Gentle dreams with pinions light - By the window did alight, - Whisp'ring through their tresses bright: - 'Has sweet sleep been here to-night?" - Wearied out a sick man lies - Tossing on a fever bed, - Gazing with wide, hopeless eyes - Through the darkness thick and dread. - Fairy dreams come trooping, shining, - Hand in hand with quiet sleep, - And their tresses, intertwining, - Softly o'er his pillow sweep, - Till his eyelids sink and close - While their song around him flows: - "Sleep, oh sleep! - Night and rest - From thee keep - Sprites unblest! - When to-morrow - Sunbeams peep, - Be thy sorrow - Laid asleep!" - - * * * * * - - 'Gentle dreams with pinions light - By the window did alight, - Whisp'ring through their tresses bright: - "Has sweet sleep been here to-night?" - - 'See! A haggard seamstress, bending, - Bloodless cheek and aching head, - O'er the toil that, never ending, - Hardly gives her children bread. - Cometh sleep, and from her fingers - Steals away the half-turned seam, - And with noiseless footstep lingers, - Weaving many a joyous dream, - Till her eyelids sink and close, - While their song around her flows: - "Work is over! - And we hover - Round thee lightly, - Bringing nightly - Short relief, - Till thy grief - Again is born - With each new morn!" - - * * * * * - - 'Gentle dreams with pinions light - By the window did alight, - Whisp'ring through their tresses bright: - "Has sweet sleep been here to-night?" - - 'No! I hear a baby crying, - Though the curly little head - Long ago should have been lying - Cradled in a cosy bed. - Fairy dreams come round him flocking, - And on many a snowy arm - Lift and bear him, softly rocking, - Covering with kisses warm, - Till his eyelids sink and close, - While their song around him flows: - "Hush, my sweetest! - Shut thine eyes - Till thou greetest - Fair sunrise, - Till dawn's hour - Laughs again; - Like a flower - After rain!"' - -The White Old Man had long finished singing, but Basil was still -listening, longing for more; it pleased him so much. - -'Basil, are you asleep?' suddenly asked the Red Old Man, in a low voice. - -'Not yet, Mr. Old Man,' answered Basil. - -'Do you wish to sleep?' - -'I do.' - -Here the Red Old Man yawned again very loudly; then the Lilac one -yawned; and the White one did the same. Basil also yawned. But then -it seemed as if he heard another yawn still louder than the others -very near to him, somewhere above. Basil looked round and saw on the -side rail of his bedstead, above his head, a fourth old man, who was -dangling his legs. He much resembled the Lilac and White Men, but he -was dressed in many colours. - -The old man smiled, and strewed, as if in fun, many, many poppy petals -on Basil. - -Basil felt so very sleepy that he hardly could keep his eyes open; yet -he wished very much to look at the new old man. - -'Shut your eyes, and I will show you my pictures,' whispered the -Many-Coloured Old Man, and poured a whole handful of poppies on Basil. - -The boy closed his eyelids gladly, and at once saw a beautiful street -in which mamma never allowed Basil to walk alone. - -Now Basil went along with both his hands in his pockets. One pocket was -full of apples, the other full of pears. Basil took them out by turns, -first one and then the other, and ate to his great content. When he -got tired of the fruit he felt nuts in his pockets instead of apples, -and dates and dried figs instead of pears. After a while he could not -help thinking of sweets. And as soon as he did so the nuts turned into -chocolate, and the dates and figs into sugar-candy. - -Besides this, at every curbstone stood a prettily-dressed girl, very -like those who served Basil at the confectioner's when _Petr Petróvich_ -took him there and offered him some choice morsel. - -One regaled him with grapes, another with ice cream, a third with -pineapple, a fourth with strawberries, and a fifth with apricots; and -so on. - -Basil walked on gaily, looking around on all sides, and taking a good -piece from each plate. What was the most wonderful was that he never -suffered after it. - -Basil walked on and on in the happiest frame of mind. Nevertheless -he could not help noticing that the street was somewhat long. He had -hardly thought this when he perceived that the street had vanished, -and he stood in the middle of a toy-shop. Goodness me! what beautiful -things he saw there! Drums, swords, guns, mechanical dogs, balls, -furniture, rocking-horses, loto, pictures--a regular furnished -house.... But no! let us stop enumerating. It would be impossible -to remember all the splendid things displayed in the shop. Basil's -eyes were simply dazzled at the cupboards and shelves. After a good -while, when he had surveyed all these treasures, his attention became -attracted by a crossbow with a steel spring, a capital bowstring, -and the butt end well polished. Next to the crossbow was a quiver -attached to a strap with all sorts of arrows. For a long time Basil had -longed for such a bow. With this bow you might hit any mark, and you -might even, if on the watch, shoot the raven that was in the habit of -stealing small chickens from the yard. Basil had seen just such a bow -at a little friend's house. How easy it was to shoot with it! Basil had -asked his mamma to buy him such a bow, but his mamma said she could -not afford it; it cost five roubles.[6] And now Basil saw his pet bow -in the shop. Suddenly the door creaked, and Basil's mamma entered. -She paid down the money, took the bow and the quiver, and walked out. -Basil was so overjoyed that he nearly jumped out of his bed; but at the -same moment the shop vanished from his sight, and in its place stood -a shoemaker's workshop, where his mamma used to order her boots. How -happy he was walking with her and holding his bow in his hands. He -looked around on all sides, and thought all other people were happy to -see him with his beautiful bow. Suddenly he perceived how greatly he -was mistaken, for he saw the master of the workshop, a rather short, -square-built man, standing before his apprentice, scolding him, and -preparing by his gestures to thrash him. The unhappy boy cried hard, -trembled with fear, and begged for mercy, but the master was angry, and -did not listen to him. Seeing some visitors, the master in a moment put -on an amiable expression, turned to them, and threw away the strap. The -trembling apprentice drew back towards the door. Basil pitied the boy -dreadfully. He went up to the poor fellow and asked in a whisper, 'What -does he want to beat you for?' The boy did not answer, and drew back -towards the door with downcast eyes. Basil went after him and asked -again: 'Did you do anything?' - - [6] About twelve shillings. - -'I've done nothing, and I'm not guilty,' answered the apprentice, after -a long silence. - -'What does he want to beat you for then?' - -'Peter informed about me.' - -'Which Peter?' - -'The son of my master.' - -'Tell me all.' - -'My master bought Peter a bow--a beautiful bow like yours--and told -him to take care of it; and he broke it, and he pretended I had broken -it; and I swear I didn't.' (Here the boy made the sign of the cross in -token of his innocence.) 'The master is going to beat me,' he added in -a whisper, and the tears flowed from his eyes. - -'Now, don't cry,' said Basil, taking the apprentice by the hand. He -pitied the boy dreadfully, but he did not know how to console him. - -'It's all very well for you to say, Don't cry. If you felt his strap -you wouldn't talk like that; my master has a heart of stone.' - -Basil looked at his own bow; the bow was beautiful, and Basil had not -even had time to shoot with it. He sighed and turned away; it would be -too hard for him to part with his bow. But when the unhappy boy began -to cry again Basil could not bear it. He took him by the hand, and -said: 'Here you are; if you wish I'll give you my bow; you can give it -to your master, so that he won't beat you.' - -'How?' asked the apprentice, hardly believing that Basil would give up -his toy, and after looking at him attentively, added: 'Won't you be -sorry to give it up? It is such a beautiful bow. I know what to do: let -him beat me--I'm not afraid. Better keep it and allow me to shoot with -it. Peter never allowed me to shoot, but you will. I'm not afraid.' - -Basil pitied the boy still more, and called out: 'No, no, I don't -want it; take it;' and Basil put the bow in the apprentice's hands. -Immediately after the boy and the bow and the workshop vanished. The -Many-Coloured Old Man left off showing pictures, and at the same time -the Red Man asked in a well-known voice: 'Basil, are you asleep?' - -'No, Mr. Old Man,' answered Basil, with great difficulty. - -'With what Old Man are you talking?' asked the same voice, laughing. -Basil opened his eyes; it was already morning. The sun shone brightly -through the red cotton curtains at the window, and his mamma stood at -his bedside. - -'Mamma?' asked Basil, with wonder. 'Then it was all dream?' - -'What?' - -'The Little Old Man?' - -'Why, certainly it was;' and the mother tenderly kissed her boy. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -BROWNY - -(A POPULAR OUKRAÏNÏEN TALE) - - -A certain peasant had a dog called Browny. So long as the dog was young -and strong his master fed him; but when he grew old, and the master saw -that he was no longer fit for a watchdog, he began to grudge him his -food, and turned him out of doors. Browny went out into the fields and -wandered on, not caring where--on and on he went, weeping bitterly. - -A wolf came up to him and asked: 'Why do you cry so?' - -'I have something to cry for,' answered the dog. 'So long as I was -strong, and could feed myself, I served my master truly and faithfully, -and now, when I have grown old in his service, he says: "Be off with -you!" Where am I to go now? I have not even the strength to catch a -hare.' - -'Ah, that's too bad!' said the Wolf. 'Now, look here: we wolves are -supposed to be downright robbers, because we have to procure our food -in some way or other. Yet I wouldn't do such a meanness as your master -did. Well, if he does not remember your faithful service, there is -another way of making him give you the food that you have honestly -deserved from him.' - -'Oh! if you could manage that, some day I would repay you for it!' -exclaimed poor Browny, licking his lips at the very thought of a good -dinner. - -'We'll manage it,' said the Wolf. 'When your master comes out into the -field with his family to reap the corn, his wife will lay down the -baby under a rick; you keep close by, so that I may know which is their -field. I will seize the child and run off; you rush after me and make -believe to snatch the child away from me, and I will let it go as if I -were afraid of you. Then everything will go as you wish.' - -No sooner said than done. At harvest-time the man came out into the -field with his family to reap. His wife laid down the baby under a -rick, took a sickle, and went with her husband to reap. Suddenly the -Wolf rushed up, snatched the baby, and ran off. Browny sprang out of -the corn and after him. The baby's father and mother were dreadfully -frightened: the father tore along, shouting, 'Catch him, Browny--bite -him! bite him!...' And Browny did his best: he caught up the Wolf, took -the child from him, and brought it to his master. - -'Good dog, Browny!' said the master. 'Oh you good dog! I thought he -wasn't fit for anything now, and see what a plucky fellow he is!' and -he took half a loaf and a piece of lard out of his bag and gave them to -Browny. - -In the evening the peasants went home, and Browny with them. When they -got in, the man said to his wife: 'Light the fire and make us some -buck-wheat dough-dumplings, with plenty of lard.' - -Browny's mistress made the dumplings--capital dumplings--so nice that -they would make your mouth water to look at them! The master gave -Browny a seat at the table as if the dog were his best friend, and -sat down beside him. Browny, on his part, made an agreeable face, and -expressed by his whole appearance that he would know how to behave -himself, even if he were the _starosta_ (elder) of the village. - -'Now, wife,' said the man, 'turn the dumplings out into the bowl, and -let us have supper!' - -The wife filled the bowl, and the husband put a helping for Browny into -a smaller bowl, and blew it a long time, so that Browny should not burn -his muzzle. He had become such an important person all of a sudden! - -Browny lived in peace and plenty, but he did not forget his benefactor, -the Wolf. He used to think: 'Perhaps the Wolf is wandering about the -steppes now, starving!' Then he would grow quite melancholy, and shake -his head, sighing. - -Meanwhile, Carnival came round, and the peasant began making wedding -preparations--his daughter was to be married. Then Browny shook off -all his melancholy. He went far away from the village, and called the -Wolf. When the Wolf came up, they hardly recognised one another: Browny -had grown fat and glossy, while as for the unhappy Wolf, he was thin, -worn-out--nothing but skin and bones; his fur hung in ragged tufts, and -his teeth chattered from hunger. When Browny looked at his friend his -heart ached for pity. - -'Come on Sunday evening, brother, to my master's garden-plot,' said the -Dog to the Wolf; 'I'll give you such a feast as you have not had in all -your life!' - -Now a good dinner was a rare thing to the poor Wolf; his eyes shone -with delight, and he felt quite sick with hunger. - -On Sunday evening the Wolf came to the place agreed upon. That very -evening was the wedding feast in the house of Browny's master. Browny -came out to his friend, and, seizing a moment when there was no one in -the cottage, led him in and hid him under the table. The feast began. -When the food was put on the table, Browny instantly snatched a big -hunch of bread and the best slice of roast meat and carried it under -the table. The guests shouted at him; some wanted to strike him; but -the master of the house stopped them, saying: 'Don't touch him; that -dog is allowed to do anything he likes; he saved my child, and I will -keep him till he dies!' That was just what Browny wanted: he pulled -all the best things off the table, and gave them to his friend--pies, -everything, even a bottle of _horílka_.[7] The _horílka_ made the Wolf -tipsy, and he said to Browny: - - [7] Oukraïnïen whisky. - -'I want to sing a song!' - -'Heaven forbid!' answered Browny; 'there'll be the devil to pay here! -I'll bring you a bottle of _nalívka_,[8] only hold your tongue!' - - [8] _Nalívka_--sweet pleasant Oukraïnïen liquor made of whisky - and fruit. - -But after drinking the _nalívka_, the Wolf grew merrier than ever. - -'You can do as you like,' said he; 'but now I am going to sing.' He -lifted up his muzzle, and such a howl as he set up under the table! - -Every one was terrified. Some ran right out of the cottage, some caught -up sticks and spades and wanted to kill the Wolf there and then. -Browny, seeing that it was a bad job, flew at his friend as if to -strangle him. Then the host called out to his guests: 'Don't hit the -Wolf, or you will kill my Browny. Let them alone; Browny will settle -the Wolf by himself.' - -The dog, meanwhile, struggling and pretending to bite, managed to get -his friend first out of the cottage, then out of the garden and right -across the fields. Then he stopped. - -'There, brother,' said he to the Wolf; 'you did me a good turn, and -I've done you one. Good-bye!' - -'Thank you!' said the Wolf. 'Good luck to you!' - -And so they parted. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE OLD SWORD'S MISTAKE - - -Once upon a time there was a steel sword, whose blade was forged and -tempered in a most excellent manner. The handle was of precious wood, -with beautiful inlaid work of mother-of-pearl and gold. From his very -birth the Sword was in the service of a gallant knight; and a sturdy, -faithful sword he was. He fought for the sake of truth and of every -fair lady, and against all oppressors of the weak. All who, even by -word or glance, injured a lady dreaded the steel weapon: there was no -man, no arms in the world, whom the steel warrior feared. But the -valiant knight was killed in a hard fight, and the Sword remained lying -on the battle-field. There the wind blew sand upon him, and leaves, -fallen during the autumn from the neighbouring bushes, covered him. -And many long years he lay there buried and unseen, until a peasant -proposed to clear the ground, and his plough ran by chance against the -Sword. The first thing that the ploughman did was to utter an oath, for -his coulter, in striking against the stout weapon, received a notch. -Then the Sword was dug out, taken to town, and sold to an old curiosity -shop. The shopman hung the Sword on a nail. - -From his lofty resting-place the old warrior, in glancing about the -shop, saw in the corner of the hall a white lady of astonishing beauty. -She was clad only in a loose-fitting garment about her fair form. -Her neck, arms, and feet were bare; her hair was all combed back, -then caught up by a diadem, from which it hung down in a shower of -curls. She stood erect, and did not move. On her fair lips played an -enigmatic smile, while her beautiful arms hung loose beside her, and -her whole form seemed to breathe with free, powerful peace. One thing -alone appeared to the steel warrior somewhat strange: the fair one was -all white; her cheeks, eyes, hair; her hands and feet; her garments -and diadem,--all were like fresh snow. But this seemed only to give a -new charm to her beauty. The longer the old Sword gazed at the white -unknown woman, the brighter grew his blade, the more merrily danced all -the rainbow tints in his mother-of-pearl inlaid work, and the stronger -grew his wish to fight as of old for truth's and a lady's sake--nay, -for this very lady. - -The steel warrior longed to speak to the white beauty, but he did not -venture. 'I am so old,' he thought; 'so notched; even somewhat rusty -... while she is so fair!... No, no, it would not do. Methinks she -would not even mind me or look at me.'... - -Now the old Sword glanced at the lady in the corner, and she gazed at -him, smiling enigmatically.... - -'Oh,' thought the sturdy warrior, 'if only I could do something for -her!' But there seemed no chance of being of use to the fair creature. -The Sword could no longer bear such suspense. He summoned up all his -courage, and uttered in a faltering clang: 'Queen of my soul! tell -me what you desire. Only tell me, and I will do it; at least I will -attempt anything for you!' But the White Beauty remained speechless, -and only smiled enigmatically as before. - -'Why does she keep silence?' This was the question that tormented the -old Sword, and he looked at the fair lady with anguish. Oh how much -she might say if she would but speak! What power breathes through her -apparent calm! And her smile! what a rich soul it hides! Nay, if this -heavenly creature does not speak it is certainly only in consequence of -some spell laid upon her! And the old fighter looked around, pondering -over the question, Who could be the malicious sorcerer? It could not be -the gigantic snake, stuffed with tow, that stood in an opposite corner, -for its eyes were but glass, and though they say snakes fascinate birds -and little animals, they need living eyes for the purpose. Nor could it -be yonder ivory-headed cane near the shelf; it had the shape of an old -man's head in a nightcap, with saucy, black goggle eyes. The insolent -creature smiled, it is true, very mockingly, and was capable, as it -seemed, of any rude trick; but he was so placed as not to be able even -to see the White Lady. Somewhat higher than the Sword, hung on the same -wall a red-nosed man, with a mass of tangled hair upon his head. He -had a wine-glass in his hand, and he looked straight at the beauty with -winking, roguish eyes. But that fellow could not have bewitched the -lady either; he was too commonplace and good-natured for such a thing. -The old Sword had seen scores of such fellows in old times, when his -knight was banqueting in some wayside inn, or carousing in some friar's -cellar, after the conquest of a town. Revellers of those days were clad -differently, but they were evidently birds of the same feather. The -Sword even felt some special interest in the old toper--he seemed to be -a clever fellow. - -'Look here, old boy,' said the old warrior in a whisper to his -neighbour, 'who do you think has bewitched the lady in the corner?' - -'And why do you imagine the girl to be bewitched?' retorted the -red-nosed one, in a hoarse, loud bass voice, making no scruples about -the matter, though his companion evidently wished to speak in an -undertone. - -'H'm, h'm ... well, well!' said the old Sword; 'hold your peace! -indeed you speak too loud.... One must be more discreet in delicate -matters.... As to the spell, it is evident: have you not noticed the -lady to be absolutely silent?' - -'Well, what can she say if she has nothing to say? Ha! ha! ha!' - -'What!' roared the Sword, and was about to teach the reveller -politeness in his own way, but the latter checked his ardour with these -words-- - -'Listen to what I am going to tell you, old fellow: if you do not -intend to hear me quietly, why then do you ask my opinion?' - -This remark seemed to the Sword to be reasonable, therefore he -restrained himself and resumed his speech, though not without anger. - -'You have drowned your reason in wine, that's all. How can it be that -such a woman as this has nothing to say? Just look at her smile!' - -'But perhaps she does not know anything but how to smile enigmatically.' - -But such things the old warrior could no longer endure. Indeed, he -would have made a cut at the toper's red nose had he not been taken -down at that moment by the owner of the shop to show to some customer. - -'Very good indeed,' said the latter; 'but it is not to my taste. I like -this far better.' And the customer pointed to the White Beauty. - -'Ha! ha! ha!... I should think you do,' laughed the shopman merrily. -'It is my luck she cannot speak, else she would have been married long -ago, and I should have lost instead of gained by her.' - -'Ah!' thought the old Sword, 'here is the sorcerer; I might have -guessed it long ago. The owner of the shop is the mightiest here; he -may do with us what he will. And that hideous man intends to sell that -heavenly woman! But he shall smart for it.' - -The old Sword broke loose from the nail, and, flashing dreadfully with -his blade, struck the shopkeeper's shoulder. No doubt the man would -have been wounded had the blade been sharp. - -'Dear me,' cried the shopman, rubbing the injured spot, 'such a heavy -old fool! How did those knights in old times fight with such cudgels?' - -All of a sudden there arose a stir in the house. Along the passages and -staircases people were heard running to and fro, shouting 'Fire! fire!' -The owner of the old curiosity shop and his customer were rushing up -and down about the hall, not knowing what to do. At last one of them -seized a pot of withered geranium, and the other his rubbers, and both -hurried out. The White Lady stood near one of the windows with her -usual quiet smile, whilst on the window-sill there sat a pretty little -naked bronze boy. For many long years he had carried on his back a -basket, into which a candlestick was to be put. Though the boy, as I -have said, was only a child, he knew very well what 'fire' meant: he -knew it from the time when the bronze of which he was formed was melted -in a blast furnace. A deadly fear overspread his lovely face, and in a -tender, tinkling voice he addressed his pretty neighbour: 'Pray ... oh -pray ... throw me down into the street.... The fall can do me no harm, -I know ... but the fire will melt me.... Do, I beseech you; you have -only to raise your arm.' - -But the White Beauty remained silent and motionless. She continued to -smile in a most winning and most promising manner, but made no gesture, -uttered no sound. - -The old Sword also knew what 'fire' meant. How many times had he -witnessed in old times the conflagration of whole cities taken by -assault! He saw how unhappy citizens and desperate artisans fled from -their homes; how women sobbed and lamented when they saw the ruins, -and when their little ones were slaughtered or burnt. All this the old -Sword now remembered, and his steel blade ached at the thought: 'What -will happen to the White Lady?' - -The old curiosity shop was situated on the third floor, and the window, -near which stood the beautiful woman who charmed the Sword, was only a -few feet distant from the neighbouring roof. The old Sword collected -all his strength, swung on his nail, and flung himself through the -window, placing his handle on the sill and his point on the cornice of -the neighbouring house. - -'Queen of my soul, hasten! Pass along, treading upon me, and you will -be safe,' so he rang out in a trembling voice. The beauty smiled in -her enigmatic, winning manner, but did not utter a word or make a -motion. 'Make haste, I beseech you!' rang once more the anxious Sword. -'As soon as the fire reaches our hall my handle will be burnt, I shall -fall down, and your escape will be impossible.' - -But these words made on the lady as little impression as his previous -ones: she remained motionless and dumb, but smiling in a bewitching -manner. Suddenly several firemen hurried in and began to seize -everything that their eyes fell upon, and to fling it through the -windows without any distinction. First went the sardonic, goggle-eyed -old man on the cane, and, without injury, tumbled headlong down. Then -came the red-nosed old toper, smiling as usual, his wine-glass still -in his hand; he dashed against a broken stool, and the canvas on which -he was painted was torn to pieces. Scores of solid and fragile things -followed.... One of the firemen seized the Sword and threw him into -the courtyard below. The jagged fighter made several somersaults in -the air, and plunging into the earth stood upright. A few moments -he shivered and made a dull sound. But one thought overpowered him -now: 'What would be the fate of his lady?' All of a sudden he noticed -something white falling from the window, and ... recognised his -goddess: it was she! The old Sword uttered a groan. - -'Oh, why did she not speak? Why did she not avail herself of his -devotion? Why did she answer all his entreaties only by an enigmatic -smile? O Heavens, why?' At this very moment the White Lady fell down -upon the pavement and broke in two, just where men have a heart.... - -Many a time the old Sword had pierced men's hearts, and then their -hot blood flowed along his blade. He therefore cast a shuddering and -anxious look upon the fracture, expecting to see it bleed. He saw, -however, nothing but stone; the whole beauty consisted of marble.... -The marble was white as snow; it was irreproachably fair, but yet it -was only marble, and nothing more. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -'MY OWN' - -(A Siberian Fairy Tale) - - -The banks of the Vagaï are beautiful--very beautiful[9]--in some -places at least. Steep, almost overhanging, and high as the walls of -a fortress bastion, they rise frowning above the river sternly; yet -they are fair with the rich verdure of the forest that crowns their -heights. This forest is of many kinds. The century-old fir-trees, with -trunks that three men could not gird with outstretched arms, rise in -straight, dark-red columns, so high that to look up at even the lowest -branches you must throw your head back till your hat falls off; beside -them the gray-barked aspens quiver in every leaf, as if frightened -at the twisted, snaky black trunks of the bird-cherry--the tree that -smells so sweet in early spring when the white blossoms cover it like a -sheet of snow. The gentle rowan is not noticeable for its height; its -feathery leaves are the only thing that could attract your attention. -But wait till autumn comes; then it is hung all over with clusters of -scarlet berries, and brightens up the forest. The mighty cedar, with -its long, grand sweeps of feathery needles, towers up higher even than -its comrade the fir; here and there beneath the trees is scattered -about an undergrowth of young pines, almost branchless, like bristles -or long sticks standing up out of the earth. But the commonest trees -in this forest are certainly silver birches. The trunks of these -birches stand out sometimes straight and slender, with delicate heads -of foliage, looking like cadets in their white shirts; sometimes -gnarled, branchy, knotted, with the air of a burly peasant, rugged with -labour. - - [9] The _Vagaï_ is one of the largest tributaries of _Irtýsh_, - a mighty stream, which flows into one of the most gigantic - rivers of Siberia, the Obi. - -Underneath, at the base of all these tree-trunks, so different in -thickness, height, and colour, all the ground is covered with masses -of bright flowers, and a carpet of grass that buries you waist-deep -when you walk. And the longer you look upon this forest scene the -more varied, the more exquisite, it appears to you. There are so many -beautiful shades of green--pale and delicate on the birch-trees, dark -on the cedars, almost black on the _pikhta_. Here the trees cluster -together on the river-bank, pressing one against the other, forming an -impassable barrier,--there they draw back, as if wearied of following -the course of the river, and leave a wide, open space, where you can -see the edge of the nearest bank, and the barren precipice of the -opposite one, also crowned with glorious green forest; and if you -advance to the edge you can see, far below, the torrent itself, swift -and mighty. - -Ah yes, the Vagaï is beautiful! And not only is it beautiful, but it -is a merry life there--in any case it is a merry life for the birds -who live there. So many joys are theirs! The woodpeckers can find in -the bark of the trees (especially the old stumps of fallen trees) -fat caterpillars and beetles; for the snipe and woodcocks there are -endless strawberries, bilberries, cranberries, thick clumps of wild -oats and other edible grasses. The great cones, with their juicy nuts, -cluster on the branches of the pines and giant cedars, like candles -on a Christmas-tree, then late in autumn they fall to the ground. -The clear, fresh water of the Vagaï seems to call you to bathe and -drink. And then the bright sunshine, the transparent, fragrant air, the -green carpet of the forest, the joyous company of comrades, with whom -one can sing, chirp, hop, dart about, and fly like an arrow on light -wings. What more can heart desire? Living such a life, should one not -rejoice in this bright world, fling away all envy and malice, and share -together with one's fellow-creatures all the delights which our common -mother, Nature, gives? - -So thought all the birds of the forest tract we are speaking of, and so -they lived. Early, very early, in the morning, when the first scarlet -flush shone in the sky to herald the golden sunbeams, one little bird -would wake up and open its eyes, and there beside it another would -have begun fluttering its wings, drinking the bright dewdrops from the -leaves, pecking seeds from the grasses. Then the first bird would look -at its friend, thinking, 'There's plenty for all;' and it, too, would -begin chirruping, delighted to have a companion with whom to share -both its labour and its rest. And both together would dart off and -fly to the Vagaï to bathe. So the little birds lived happily, neither -quarrelling nor disagreeing, helping one another in their work and -dangers, and sharing together all that the bright world gave them. - -But this way of living and thinking did not suit a certain -broad-beaked, ponderous cedar-crow,[10] who had taken up her abode in a -huge cedar. - - [10] A rather large brown bird, with white spots, belonging to - the crow family. Its Latin name is _Nucifraga Caryocatœ_. - -This cedar stood apart in a glade, and the Cedar-crow liked it just on -account of its separate position. - -'I will settle here; this shall be _my_ estate. I don't want any one -else's property, and no one shall touch _mine_! It's comfortable and -private and nice!' The clumsy bird flew all round the cedar, and, being -satisfied with it, settled there. - -The Cedar-crow stopped there a day, two days ... the other birds darted -past, chirping, flying races, playing with one another, rejoicing -together in the good gifts of their mother-earth, the bright sun, and -the Vagaï, and the delights of companionship; but the thick-billed -Cedar-crow dared not leave her tree; there she sat watching that no -other bird should touch her private nuts. When a woodcock did but pass, -she flew to him in anxiety, crying out: 'Go away!--go away! There's -nothing here for you; go back where you came from! I don't touch your -things; you let _mine_ alone.' - -'But do you suppose the rest of the forest is only _ours_?' said the -Woodcock. 'You can have them too; of course any one may take as much -as they want. There's enough for every one.' - -'Yes, I dare say. _You_ can do as you like. But _I_ feel safer when I -have something of my _own_.' - -'Why, you foolish one!' exclaimed a thrush, which had flown up to them, -'we always live in whole companies--thousands together--and never cut -up things into "mine" and "thine"; and yet no harm happens to us.' - -'Yes; so long as there is plenty for all, but afterwards there's no -saying what will happen,' thought the Cedar-crow, though she did not -say so aloud. 'If the land is divided between all of us, how much will -each one have? Now I've got the whole of this huge cedar to myself; it -will last my time, and I can leave it to my children and grandchildren; -there will be more for them than for your fledglings....' - -'You're just gone silly with greediness,' said the other birds, and -flew away, chirruping and darting after one another in the air. But -the Cedar-crow, the forest landowner, seeing that she was alone, pulled -a cone from her cedar, and began picking out the nuts. She ate as much -as she could, and then returned to the work of guarding her estate. -She sat and looked about her, and occasionally flew round the tree, -constantly afraid that some one was touching her property. - -The time for nest-building came. All the birds paired and got to -work: one carried a feather, another a straw; each one wove in its -contribution properly; then they would hop about, chirp to one another, -and fly off together to fetch more material. - -The Cedar-crow became more anxious than ever. 'There!' she thought; -'they will lay eggs and hatch new fledglings, and they, too, will all -want to eat and drink; they will simply ravage my cedar. I shall have -nothing left!' - -She even left off going down to the Vagaï to drink. Yet she was -tormented with thirst: her tongue hung out; her eyes distended; she -could hardly breathe; and still she dared not leave her tree. She -endured it till nightfall. At night all the birds settled down to rest -sweetly after their day's work; only here and there an owl with great -round eyes would flit past. But the Cedar-crow could not go to sleep; -she had to fly to the river and drink; and this misery was not only -once--at dawn to-morrow it would begin again! - -At last the envious bird could bear it no longer. Clearly she could not -manage alone. She began thinking how to get out of the difficulty. It -occurred to her that it might be better to take another cedar-crow into -partnership with her, and build a nest; certainly it would be another -mouth to feed, but then the two of them together could guard their -property, and not lose a single cone. And even if they had fledglings, -it would still be better than now: in the first place, she would feel -safer; in the second place, with so many to keep watch, not a single -nut would be lost, let alone a cone. And the cedar was very big; it -would be enough for five, even ten families. - -The Cedar-crow polished her beak, pecked off a cone, glancing about her -as she did so, flew round the cedar, and settled herself to look out -for a mate. There, just opposite her, on a neighbouring fir-tree, sat -another cedar-crow, large and heavy, with a great strong beak. It sat -looking at the cedar; evidently it wanted some nuts. - -The forest landowner flew across to it, and began to explain: 'This is -my estate; no one has a right to touch it; but, if you like, I will -take you into companionship, if you will help me to guard our cedar -from intruders.' The male looked at the cedar-tree, and saw that it was -a fine one. 'You won't get such a cedar every day.' - -'All right,' said he; 'if one lets every one in to share in God's -blessings one will just starve. I've seen enough of these fools that do -nothing and lay by nothing: just fly in coveys, peck everything bare, -and there's not a thing left. I myself was just looking for a good -cedar, to take possession of it, and let no one come near.' - -They paired, and set to work to build their nest; one would bring the -materials, or go down to drink, while the other guarded the estate. - -Well, some time passed, and behold their little fledglings peeped out -of the nest. The old Cedar-crows were more anxious than ever about -their property; formerly they had only watched over the cones, now they -let no one so much as fly past the cedar-tree. - -But how were they to prevent the birds from ever flying past, when -forests and meadows and water alike swarm with them? The greedy birds -drove away their comrades day after day and the whole day long; by the -evening they could hardly move their wings for weariness. At last they -got worn out. What were they to do? They thought and thought, and at -last an idea struck them. - -The male Cedar-crow flew to the Plover. 'Call a meeting of all the -birds,' said he; 'on business.' - -'What business?' asked the Plover. - -'Well, that doesn't matter. Important business.' - -'But still, I must know why to call the birds to a meeting; may be you -want to disturb them for some trifle?' - -'Not for a trifle at all; we want to give up our claim to the forest.' - -'How do you mean "Give up your claim"?' - -'Why, simply to give it up! We are worried out of our lives. And all -because every one considers that we are their comrades, and that they -can poke their beaks into our place as if it were their own.' - -The Plover saw that there was something very strange, and not only -strange, but dismal. The more he thought of it, the worse it seemed -to him. However, there was nothing for it but to call a council. 'All -right,' he said; 'come again at this time to-morrow.' - -The next day the Plover flew over fields, pastures, and forests, -wailing more mournfully than ever: 'Pity! Pity! Pity!...' - -The birds, wondering at the melancholy cry, flew down in countless -numbers to the Vagaï; on all sides resounded chirruping and twittering. -Here the mellow call of the cuckoo predominated; there the elaborate -whistle of the goldhammer. The Cedar-crow, the forest landowner, was -there waiting. She came forward and made her speech-- - -'It is a custom among you, respected birds, to live together and hold -everything in common. That is your own affair; but we cannot live so. -We have children, and are bound to think of them and have something to -leave them. Among you every one snatches the food from his neighbour's -beak, and robs his neighbour without any question; and we find that -all this ends in nothing but anxiety. We don't want things that belong -to others, and we feel it hard when others give us no peace. So we -have resolved to announce to you that we want no part in your communal -forest, and will not touch it; we will not take from it a single seed -or stalk; but you, on your side, agree together that no one shall peck -our nuts, or perch on our cedar, or fly across our glade. This is our -request to you, respected birds.' - -When the Cedar-crow left off speaking there was silence: the birds sat -with their bills wide open, and could not utter a word for amazement. - -The first to recover himself was a starling. 'Why--you--idiot!' he -cried. 'Think yourself what a fool you are! All the wide world is here -before you, and you want to give it up for one little glade!' - -'Oh, the world! The world is not _mine_--it's _every one's_--not much -of it will fall to my share; it's all very well to be so sure! but -the cedar, if it is small, at least it's _mine_!' That is what the -Cedar-crow thought; but aloud she only said: 'Well, if you think it -better to possess the whole world in common than one little glade -separately, what is there to argue about? The world remains to you, so -it must be a good bargain for you; and there's nothing more to be said. -Then give us our glade, leave us in peace, and that is all we ask.' - -'You foolish creature!' exclaimed the other birds; 'he spoke for your -advantage; of course, your glade will be no loss to us; but it's -piteous to see a creature so blind! He only wanted to bring you to your -senses.' - -'You must have a lot of good advice to spare if you can give away so -much of it without being asked,' replied the Cedar-crow, polishing her -broad beak. - -Seeing that the Cedar-crow was hopelessly wrong-headed, the birds -talked the matter over, and decided that she and her mate should be -left in undisturbed possession of their cedar glade, and that no one -should approach within twenty fathoms of it. - -The Cedar-crows were delighted. Now, they thought, at last we shall be -at peace! And so they were. No one ever came near; they had no longer -any need to guard their cedar, or to do anything but eat, drink, and -sleep. The rest of their time they spent in gazing at one another, and -comparing who had the longest beak. Once it chanced that a nightingale, -coming from a far country to seek her lost mate (he had been trapped by -bird-catchers), flew to the cedar. She did not know of the agreement -among the birds of the Vagaï concerning the cedar glade, and she flew -into it. The Cedar-crows were so bored that they were almost glad to -see her! They flew out, however, and entered into a polite explanation. - -'You probably do not know of the agreement concerning this glade. No -one has the right to fly within twenty fathoms of it, because it is -_ours_. We have renounced our claim to all the rest of the forest, and -do not take a single seed or stalk from it; but this glade belongs to -us.' - -'Whatever is that for?' asked the Nightingale, in amazement. 'Why, -supposing there's a bad harvest on your cedar, what will become of you -then?' - -It was the first time that such a question had been put to the -Cedar-crows, and they did not know what to answer. - -'A bad harvest!' Indeed it was possible. It often happens that in -one place the harvest fails, and close by, or very near, such a -quantity ripens that it goes to waste. But the young birds reassured -their parents: on that cedar they had been hatched, and had grown up; -they had always lived upon its fruits; they had always seen it the -same--mighty and burdened with cones--could they imagine it different? - -'A bad harvest! What do you mean?' they cried in chorus. 'The harvest -cannot fail on our cedar!' - -'Of course it can't!' echoed the parent birds in delight. - -The Nightingale shook her little gray head, but made no further comment. - -'Then it is forbidden to fly here?' she said. 'I beg your pardon, I did -not know.' - -'Oh, we are not angry; indeed, as you are on a journey, we shall be -glad to offer you some refreshment,' replied the female Cedar-crow, -glancing at her mate; and she laid before the Nightingale a single nut. - -'Thank you,' said the Nightingale, and flew away without touching the -nut. - -The Cedar-crows settled down again to their ordinary life, and there -is no saying how long they would have gone on in the same way if a -runaway tramp had not happened to make a bonfire in the _taïgá_.[11] It -was a long time since he had enjoyed a hot drink, and he was thirsty. -He made some tea, drank it, and was just going to start on again, -when he heard bells, then a rustling sound and footsteps. The poor -fellow was terrified: 'The _Ispravnik_!'[12] he thought. 'I shall be -caught!' He rushed into the thicket, not stopping even to scatter the -burning brands or stamp out the embers. In the meantime a light wind -rose, the embers glowed, the dry pine-needles caught fire, and soon -the flames were creeping on from one fallen trunk to another--farther -and farther, wider and wider, licking the trees, curling round whole -thickets--and the _taïgá_ was on fire. That is a common thing in -Siberia. - - [11] Virgin forest in Siberia. - - [12] A police-officer, acting as chief of the district. - -For some time the Cedar-crows had noticed that the air was of a milky -colour. For some time the sun had been dull-red by day, and by night -they could see a far-off crimson glare in the sky. Now the smell of -burning was in the air, and still the Cedar-crows could not believe -that their estate was in danger of fire. It disturbed them far more -that innumerable birds began flying past their glade to the Vagaï; the -beasts, too, hurrying to the river, ran straight by the cedar.... Soon -it grew difficult to breathe, yet still the Cedar-crows could not bear -to part from their estate; they still dreaded lest some other birds -or beasts might take possession of their glade. At last, though, they -could bear it no longer; they were forced to go. But when, after all, -they made up their minds to leave the cedar, it was too late. The fire -attacked their glade from all sides at once, and when they attempted -to fly upwards they dropped, stifled with smoke, on to the ground. The -cool, green grass refreshed them, and, in desperation, they struggled -again to reach the river. But all around them rose terrible fiery -pillars, and the unhappy birds, scorched and half dead, sank again to -the ground, and rose no more. - -Presently rain began to pour in torrents, and put out the fire within -a few yards of the glade. That glade was now a dismal scene of ruin: -the tall grass was burnt brown, the mighty cedar was a charred and -naked corpse. All around stood the trees--aspens, birches, limes, and -bird-cherries--burnt to skeletons, or with dead and shrivelled leaves -hanging from them here and there. Mournfully they raised their barren -branches towards the heavens, as though praying for mercy; and thus, -with lifted hands, they perished. - -But beyond that bare skeleton thicket stood in the distance the fresh -and untouched forest. The female Cedar-crow, lying helpless on the -ground, gazed upon it despairingly. Beside her lay her fledgling--the -only one left alive. He was feebly fluttering his scorched wings and -uttering piteous cries. - -'Oh, if only some of the birds would come to us!' thought the unhappy -mother; 'surely they would have pity on my child, and would carry him -down to the waterside and feed him. He would recover there; he would -not die of hunger and thirst!...' - -But no one came near the glade. All the birds remembered the general -agreement: not to disturb the Cedar-crows in their seclusion, and not -to approach within twenty fathoms of their estate. And not one of the -birds knew what had happened to the Cedar-crow family. - -When the bright sun rose next morning no one of that family saw -it--they were all dead.... - -Meanwhile the other birds, leaving the fire-ravaged places for other -parts of the forest that were still fresh and green, rejoiced as -formerly in the fair world, sharing everything together; and far along -the clear Vagaï the air was filled with their joyous and friendly -twittering. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE TALE ABOUT HOW ALL THESE TALES CAME TO LIGHT - - -In our times, but not in this country, there lived a little girl, with -a pair of brown eyes that shone like two big radiant stars. Every time -that she looked with those eyes on her father or her mother, and a -sweet smile beamed on her countenance, the father's and mother's souls -brightened, and it seemed to them as if music, which nobody heard -except themselves, resounded in their hearts. - -Very often on such occasions the father took his beloved girl on his -lap, kissed her tenderly, and asked what she would like. - -'I should like you to tell me a fairy tale,' invariably answered the -little girl, pressing her rosy face to her father's breast. - -'That is in our hands. We can afford that,' answered her father. - -Then he tried to recall what he had ever read or heard from his -grandmother or other old folk, and related some story, while the little -girl listened attentively. Her big eyes became still larger; they -beamed like a pair of evening stars, and she now and then slightly and -slowly nodded, taking to heart everything that happened in the story. -If her father told of some evil, unjust person, she exclaimed: 'I do -not like him!' But if the story ran about some one kind-hearted and -good, she was very glad of it, and said: 'That is good!' - -And again it was as if beautiful music resounded in her father's soul. -He saw that his little one was grieved with other people's grievances -and rejoiced in other people's happiness. He saw how she pondered over -what he said, and he thought of the time when they, the father and -mother, will grow old, while their little one will become a grown-up -girl. They will live together, as to-day, in mutual love and thorough -friendship. Yet then it will be she, their sweet daughter, that will -take care of them and feed them, as they now take care of her and feed -her. And the father again pressed his lips on his beloved pet's head. - -As for the mother, she was never weary of caressing her child and doing -everything for her. But as she had to take care also of the father -and of our girl's baby-sister, who had a pair of eyes like two little -suns, she very often was quite exhausted towards the close of the day. -Therefore when the little girl with starlike eyes went to bed, and, -clasping her mother by the neck with both her hands, asked her to tell -some fairy tale, her mother could not recall any.... Still the little -girl repeated her request again and again.... - -Then the father said to the mother she should go and rest, while he sat -down at the child's bedside and tried to narrate something. - -At last there came a day when all the stories he ever knew were at an -end, while the little girl still entreated for one. The father looked -in his girl's big, starlike eyes and saw that she could not sleep. He -looked also at the mother, who was worried out of her senses by daily -work; and now sat mending the baby's socks. It was evident some story -ought to be told. But what story? What about? - -The father looked around. A china cup was standing on the table. It was -half-broken, and he could not help thinking that it had had a trying -life. It had surely had its story. Well, what kind of a story was it? - -And after having pondered a little, the father told to his girl the -story of the cup, as he imagined it, and as you have found it in this -very little book. - -When he finished the little girl rose in her bed, with her starlike -eyes shining more than usual, and asked: 'Where did you get that story, -father? Did you read it somewhere?' - -'No; I just told it out of my head.' - -Then the little girl clasped her little hands around her father's neck, -kissed him most enthusiastically, and seemed to be very happy. - -Since that time father heard only too often the little girl ask him: -'Father, do tell me some tale of your own.' - -And so he did. But as he repeated his stories again and again he now -and then altered them, as he could not remember everything as he told -it the first time. And if the alterations were happy, the little -girl was pleased, but if he omitted anything, she said: 'You told it -differently the other day,' and would not be happy until he recalled -all the exact words and details of his best narrative. - -Then it became clear that the father should write his stories down. -After having written some new story he now read it to the girl with -a pair of stars instead of eyes, and sometimes she most emphatically -objected to some turn of the story. - -'You wrote it wrongly,' she said on such occasions; 'you must alter it -thus and thus.' - -And indeed the father altered until she said it was all right. - -One morning a little boy came to visit our little girl, his great -friend. They ran about and played together all the forenoon; but in -the afternoon, when her father lay down on a couch to take a moment's -rest, he was struck by the general stillness which was reigning in the -house. To tell you the truth, the boy was a real mischievous monkey, -and there was little hope to have any peace in the house as long as he -was in it. Still, the fact was that everything was quiet, and only in -the neighbouring room the star-eyed girl's voice sounded in an even, -moderate tone. - -The father got up, and went on tiptoe to the next room to look what all -this meant. He saw his little girl sitting on a footstool; her visitor -was beside her on a box, and was all attention. - -... 'A-a-a! yawned the Little Old Man, ...' related the little hostess, -showing to the boy how the old man did yawn.... - -At this moment she perceived her father on the threshold. - -'I am telling him your fairy tale about the little old men, you know,' -she said to her father, and then there was a pause, with a lingering -smile on her face. - -'Well, go on,' said the boy, pulling her by the sleeve. - -The father returned to his couch, and there was a smile on his face -too. He saw clearly that there was something in his stories which made -little folk breathe with indignation, compassion, or joy, when they -heard them. He well knew what it was. He put a good deal of his soul -into his tales, and this soul, coming into contact with those little -souls of his readers, made them bound with delight, or long for redress -of some injustice. Was it not a joy for him too? And if the little -girl with a pair of stars instead of eyes, and the boy, her friend, -found pleasure in his fairy tales, should not the other children have -an opportunity to try the same pleasure? Why should he not print his -stories? - -Thus he decided to print them. He sent them into a printing-office, and -before long a little volume came out of the press in many copies. The -little girl with starlike eyes read and re-read the book. Her little -friends, with blue, black, brown, or gray eyes, read and re-read it. -And when, after all that reading and all the chatter about it, bright -sparks of delight and animation appeared in those eyes, these sparks -found their way into his heart and warmed it up, and he too felt happy. - -Now, I did not tell you that all this happened in Russia, a far-away -country, and that when the man who wrote the stories came afterwards -to England, together with his daughter, he was sorry to find that he -had left all those children's sparkling eyes, shining with emotion when -reading his tales, behind. - -But then he was struck by the thought that in England there were as -many little souls and hearts as in Russia, nay, he has had already some -friends among these little souls both in England and in America; and -thus, perhaps, if he put his stories into English, he might see as many -smiling faces and radiant eyes after the book was read as he did in his -native country? He decided to try at once, and now here is the volume -before you. We will see whether the man was right. He would like to -hear something about it from you. - - - THE END - - - _Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, _Edinburgh_ - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CHINA CUP AND OTHER STORIES FOR -CHILDREN *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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- text-decoration: - none; -} - - -@media handheld -{ - body - { - margin: 0; - padding: 0; - width: 90%; - } - - .box { - width: 75%;} - - hr.tb - { - width: 10%; - margin-left: 47.5%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - } - - hr.chap - { - width: 20%; - margin-left: 42.5%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - } - - .poetry - { - margin: 2em; - display: block; - } - - .ddropcapbox { - float: left; - } - - -} - </style> - </head> - -<body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of A China cup and other stories for children, by Felix Vilkhovsky</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: A China cup and other stories for children</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Felix Vilkhovsky</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Malischeff</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 21, 2021 [eBook #64606]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Carlos Colón, Harvard University and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CHINA CUP AND OTHER STORIES FOR CHILDREN ***</div> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="box">Transcriber's Notes:<br /> -<br /> - - -Blank pages have been eliminated.<br /> -<br /> -Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the -original.<br /> -<br /> -A few typographical errors have been corrected.<br /> -<br /> -The cover page was created by the transcriber and can be considered public domain.</p> -<hr class="chap" /></div> -<div class="chapter"> - -<p class="p6 center large">THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY</p> - -<div class="figcenter2em" id="front"> - <img src="images/snail.jpg" width="250" height="149" alt=""/></div> - -<h1>A CHINA CUP AND OTHER STORIES FOR CHILDREN</h1> - -<div class="figcenter2em"> - <img src="images/title.jpg" width="550" height="230" alt=""/></div> -<hr class="chap" /></div> - - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="p6 center"><i>THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY.</i></p> - - -<p class="i2 p2"> -THE BROWN OWL.<br /> -A CHINA CUP, <span class="smcap">and other Stories</span>.<br /> -STORIES FROM FAIRYLAND.<br /> -THE STORY OF A PUPPET.<br /> -THE LITTLE PRINCESS.<br /> -TALES FROM THE MABINOGION.<br /> -</p> -<hr class="chap" /></div> - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<div class="figcenter2em"> - <img src="images/front.jpg" width="550" height="854" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p class="center">"<i>Seizing a heavy silver candlestick, the Magnate flung it violently -at the fowl.</i>"<br />Page 46.</p> - </div> -</div> -<hr class="chap" /></div> - - -<div class="chapter"> - - - -<p class="p6 large center">A CHINA CUP<br /> -AND<br /> -OTHER STORIES FOR CHILDREN</p> - -<p class="p4 center">BY</p> - -<p class="p2 center">FELIX VOLKHOVSKY</p> - -<p class="p4 center"><i>ILLUSTRATED BY MALISCHEFF</i></p> - -<p class="p4 center">LONDON<br /> -T. FISHER UNWIN<br /> -1892</p> - -<p class="center">SECOND EDITION</p> -<hr class="chap" /></div> - - -<div class="chapter"> - - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/backtitle.jpg" width="200" height="198" alt=""/></div> -<hr class="chap" /></div> - - -<div class="chapter"> - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/content.jpg" width="550" height="211" alt=""/></div> - - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2></div> - - -<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" summary="contents"> - -<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="3">PAGE</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdrt">I.</td> -<td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CUP">A China Cup</a></td> -<td class="tdrb">3</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdrt">II.</td> -<td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#RIGHT">How Scarlet-Comb the Cock -defended the Right</a></td> -<td class="tdrb">37</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdrt">III.</td> -<td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#SCREW">The Tiny Screw</a></td> -<td class="tdrb">65</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdrt">IV.</td> -<td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#DREAM">The Dream</a></td> -<td class="tdrb">85</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdrt">V.</td> -<td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#BROWNY">Browny</a></td> -<td class="tdrb">115</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdrt">VI.</td> -<td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#MISTAKE">The Old Sword's Mistake</a></td> -<td class="tdrb">125</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdrt">VII.</td> -<td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#OWN">'My Own'</a></td> -<td class="tdrb">141</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdrt">VIII.</td> -<td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#LIGHT">The Tale about how all -these Tales came to Light</a></td> -<td class="tdrb">167</td></tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/chinacup.jpg" width="550" height="211" alt=""/></div> - -<h2 id="CUP">A CHINA CUP</h2></div> - - -<div class="ddropcapbox"><img class="idropcap" - src="images/a.jpg" width="160" height="152" alt="A "/></div> - -<p class="pfirst"> waggon drove to the -great pit dug in the clay—not -common clay, but -such as china vessels are -made of. A man with an iron spade -jumped from the waggon; he entered -the pit and began to dig the clay. -After the first stroke of the spade a -little lump fell out of the native -ground, and with a bitter, plaintive -murmur rolled down. Nobody heard -the murmur; it seemed to the workman -that the Lump in rolling down -made a slight noise, whereas it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> -groaning: it was hard to be torn away -from mother earth. 'All is over,' it -whispered; 'oh, how hard it is to live -in the world!'</p> - -<p>The workman took it up on his -spade with the other clay, and threw -it into the waggon. 'Oh!' groaned -the bit of clay from pain, as it fell on -the bottom of the waggon; 'not only -was I torn away from my mother, but -thrown far away from her. Alas! is -there any one more unhappy in this -world than I? I should like to die!'</p> - -<p>But the Lump did not die. The -workman had soon filled up his waggon, -jumped in himself, and drove -away, carrying it to the china factory. -It was pretty well while they were -going along an even place, but when -they went down a steep mountain-side, -the horse ran fast, and our Lump was -jolted, thrown from side to side, and -knocked against the waggon. Nor did -all its torments end then. As soon as -it was brought to the china factory, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> -was thrown with other clay into a large -tub with water in it, and it felt with -horror how it began gradually to get -soft, and to be transformed into a sort -of soft mud. It had no time to -recover, as it was taken out with a -great ladle and poured somewhere—it -was into the funnel of the great -millstones. The driver shouted, the -horses went on, pulled one end of a -bar, which was fastened by the other -end to a big axle standing erect in the -middle of the great millstones; the -bar again turned the axle to which the -upper millstone was fastened, and the -millstones began to grind the water-softened -clay, crushing its smallest -particles. Our Lump no longer existed, -but all its little particles which -before formed it were now like clay-jelly, -and kept close together.</p> - -<p>Ah, how they suffered! The awful -millstone pressed upon them with -its whole weight—squeezed, flattened, -ground them. They shrivelled, groaned,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -cried from pain and said: 'Oh-o-o! -what a torture! it is all over with us!'</p> - -<p>But that was not all. After the -grinding the clay-jelly was poured by -means of gutters into the empty wooden -tub to settle. There the hard particles, -heavier than water, sank.... On the -bottom was the sand, next the reddish -clay, mixed with iron-rust, then the -coarser parts of the white clay, and -finally its lightest particles, quite free -from all other mixture. All the particles -of our Lump happened to be of -the same weight and to be nicely -ground; they sank together and -formed again the same Lump, only -soft, delicate, and free from all unnecessary -admixture. It was very -nice, of course, but the little Lump was -so tired from all it suffered, so exhausted, -that it did not wish to live -in the world. 'I would rather death -would come!' it said.</p> - -<p>Death, however, did not come. A -workman came instead, poured off the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -water which was on the surface of the -clay, cut the clay to the bottom, separated -it into layers, and assorted them, -so that the upper, more delicate layer -was for the best china vessels, and the -lower for the coarser plates. As our -Lump was in the upper layer, it was -taken to a workman who made the -finest vessels.</p> - -<p>The workman took our Lump, put -it into the middle of a round table -which turned on its centre, made this -table spin round with his feet, and at -the same time pressed the clay here -and there till he had made a coarse -cup without a handle. The workman -then, with an instrument like a knife, -began to turn the cup, till it became a -fine, fine one. He then handed it to -his neighbour, who put a nice little -handle to it. 'Well,' thought the -Lump, transformed now into a cup, -'it is not so bad. I suffered indeed, -but what a beauty I am now!' ... -and the Cup looked self-contentedly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -around. She did not rejoice long. -She was soon put with others into one -of the pots of particular form called -'muffles,' and the muffles were put -into a furnace, which began to heat -the Cup by scorching degrees to make -it red hot. 'Oh, how hot it is!' -stammered the poor Cup, perspiring, -crying, and groaning at once. 'Oh, -what a torture! Oh, how hard it is to -live in the world! I should like to -die!'</p> - -<p>Still, she did not die. She was -taken from the furnace, watered with -a certain mixture, burnt once more. A -charming bouquet and garland were -then painted on her, and the Cup did -not recognise herself. 'Ah, how happy -I am!' said she to herself; 'it was -worth while to suffer all that I suffered. -I am the most beautiful here, and -there is and will be no one happier.'</p> - -<p>Very soon the Cup went from the -factory to the shop. She was delighted -to see the fine hall with large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -windows and nice glass cases. She -enjoyed the society of china cups, -teapots, plates, and all sorts of most -beautiful things.</p> - -<p>'Here,' thought she, 'they can -appreciate my beauty!' and she immediately -addressed her neighbour, a -big, round teapot: 'Please, sir, have -you been long here?'</p> - -<p>'Yes,' answered the teapot gruffly, -knocking with his coarse lid.</p> - -<p>'And do you think there was ever -before a cup with such fine ornament -and delicate painting as I have?'</p> - -<p>'Ho-ho-ho-ha-ha!' ... laughed the -big teapot. 'Just listen!' shouted he -to his companions, as big and coarse -as himself; 'this damsel is asking -whether there is in the world a -beauty like her?... O-ho-ho-ho!'</p> - -<p>'Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!' burst all the big -teapots in laughter, holding their sides -with their handles.</p> - -<p>Our Cup was offended, and ashamed -to tears.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> - -<p>'What are you laughing at?' whispered -she in confusion.</p> - -<p>'And how can we help laughing?' -exclaimed her neighbour; 'you think -too much of yourself; and what are -you good for? To spend all your life -on some nice shelf; you need cheapness -and solidity to be of some use. -And as for your ornament, look to -your right, on the third shelf; there -are more elegant ones there than you!'</p> - -<p>The Cup looked to the right, and -would have grown green from envy if -she could have changed colour. There -were standing fine cups on small feet; -such delicate, fine cups, like white, pale, -and pink rose petals! ... the beautiful -bouquets, the prettiest heads, the -finest gold lace, with black and green -ornamentation, were painted upon -them. These cups were also proud of -their beauty, and as they were more -beautiful than their new companion, -they looked at her with contempt and -haughtiness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the china factory the Cup thought -herself the most beautiful in the world, -and was quite happy; and now she -was forced not only to acknowledge -that there were more beautiful ones, -but to listen to the mocking words -and endure the most offensive looks. -Envy, vexation, shame, tormented her, -and she would fain run away somewhere, -yet she could not move from -the spot. This helplessness added -still to her pain and anger. She would -like to have sunk into the earth. -'Ah,' thought she, 'why did I not -die before! Why does death not -come now!'</p> - -<p>Death did not come, however. The -shop door opened, a fine lady, with a -richly-dressed young girl of about ten -years of age, came in.</p> - -<p>'We want a nice cup, not too expensive,' -said the lady to the shopman -at the counter.</p> - -<p>The shopman took our Cup and -some others from the shelf and put<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> -them on the counter. Oh, what our -Cup felt at that moment! She was -displayed with half a dozen of her -companions, every one of whom -thought herself more beautiful than the -others, and was proud of it. Suppose -these elegant purchasers should give -the preference not to her, but to one of -her conceited companions? She felt -as if on burning coals. The little girl -stretched her hand to one of our Cup's -neighbours, and the Cup trembled -with anxiety. But the little purchaser -only touched the rival of our Cup and -finally took the latter. 'This one, -mamma,' said the child, and the -mother bought her. Oh, with what a -pride shone now this plaything, and -how haughtily she looked at her companions! -Her beauty is now openly -acknowledged; she is preferred to -others! She was bright with happiness, -and slightly trembled when the -shopman took her from the counter to -wrap her in paper.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> - -<p>'Ah, how happy I am!' said the -Cup in the evening, when fragrant tea -was poured in, and all who were sitting -at the tea-table admired her; 'of -course there is and will be nobody -happier than I.'</p> - -<p>Just at this moment the pretty little -girl who had chosen her at the shop -came running in from the garden. -She was very thirsty. She seized the -Cup and took a sip at once, notwithstanding -that they cried to her that -the tea was too hot. The Cup certainly -was not to blame that the girl -from her own carelessness had scalded -her mouth, and the girl treated her -unjustly. 'Oh, you nasty Cup!' cried -she, and threw her to the floor.</p> - -<p>Crash! ... and the pieces of the poor -innocent Cup tinkled plaintively, and -drops of tea, like big tears, trickled on -to the floor from her. The footman -came, gathered the pieces of the -broken Cup and threw them away -into the backyard on the rubbish heap.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -There she was with the bits of old -leather, broken glass, rusty pieces of -tin, and a pair of decaying cucumbers. -She shivered from contact with the -dirt, which she had never experienced -since she was a nice cup, and she felt -sick from the unpleasant odour. 'Oh, -how unhappy I am!' said the broken -Cup. 'All is over. I have nothing -to expect from life. I have only to -die!'</p> - -<p>The Cup did not lie long in the -rubbish heap. Early, early the next -morning, when all were yet asleep in -the house, there came into the backyard -a poor, wrinkled, dirty, ragged, -old woman. She had on her back a -bag, and a big stick with a hook on -its end in her hand. She was a rag-gatherer. -She dug into the heaps -with her hook, picked out of them the -bones, rags, paper, nails, pieces of glass, -and such things thrown away as -seemed to the poor woman of some -use. After having filled up the bag,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> -the rag-gatherer went home, sorted its -contents, and then took the bones to -the shoeblacking maker, rags and -paper to the pasteboard maker, the -iron to the dealer in old iron, and the -glass to the glass factory. All these -places were far from each other and -from her lodging, and the poor woman -was exceedingly tired in going from -one place to another. She gained -thus a few copecks,<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> without which -neither she nor her sick granddaughter -would have had anything to eat. On -the following morning the old woman -went again to dig among the heaps.</p> - -<p>Coming near the rubbish heap where -the broken Cup was lying, the woman -began to work with her hook, seeking -with her old, tearful, short-sighted eyes -something worth having. She had -already dug up all that she wanted, -when her hook struck against some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>thing -hard; the old woman knew by -this sound that there was something like -glass in the heap. She stooped down -and took up a fragment of the Cup with -a nice nosegay on it.</p> - -<p>'What fine flowers!' whispered she; -'I will take it home for Mary—a nice -plaything for her—I must take it.'</p> - -<p>The good old woman smiled, as she -thought of her beloved granddaughter, -called Mary. She began to search -again among the rubbish, and found -that there were many fine pieces, and -those not too small. 'Oh, the pieces -are all here,' said she; 'it is possible -perhaps to cement them together.' -And taking all the bits she put them -by themselves into the pocket of her -worn-out petticoat.</p> - -<p>It was as dark as in a cellar in -the pocket of the old woman, and as -oppressively warm as in an uncared-for -hospital-room in summer; there -were besides an old onion and the -crumbs of spoiled, ill-smelling cheese.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -The broken Cup felt still more sick at -heart than before; she shivered; her -broken pieces tinkled plaintively at -every step the woman took, and she -thought, 'Oh, what suffering! I should -like to die!'</p> - -<p>She did not die. It was light when -the old woman came to a large brick -house six stories high, near a market-place, -in a narrow, dirty lane. She -entered through a dirty passage the -courtyard, surrounded on all sides -with buildings, passed through a -gloomy basement door down to the -ground-floor, where her lodging was. -It was a dark, cheerless room, with -small windows high above the brick -floor. In every corner of the room -there was a whole family of beggars. -The old woman approached a heap -of rags, groaning, removed from her -shoulder the bag with her day's gains -in it, and sat down on an old pine -candle-box, turned upside down, near -the rags; she then took from her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> -pocket all the pieces of the Cup, and -put them on another box which stood -there for a table. The first thing our -Cup now heard was a harsh, noisy -scolding from the farthest corner of -the room; everybody in this beggars' -haunt was so accustomed to it that -nobody paid any attention. 'Oh,' -thought the Cup, 'this is too much! -In what company am I! What rough -people there are! Oh, there is surely -nobody in the world more unhappy -than I! I would like to die as soon -as possible!'</p> - -<p>The rags in the corner now moved; -under them was lying the sick, sallow, -emaciated darling of the old woman. -She looked at her grandmother with -her wearied eyes, and nothing interested -her.</p> - -<p>'Here is a piece of <i>pryáneek</i>, Mary, -which I brought for you,' said the -old woman, taking out a piece of -<i>pryáneek</i>, which she had bought for a -copeck.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> - -<p>This was a cake of white, stone-like -consistency, supposed to represent a -horse, though it may be doubted -whether four stumps instead of feet, -a gilded head and a crimson tail, would -give a really good idea of one. There -was indeed enough flour in it, but -little sweetness; still it was a thing -as much to delight the heart of a -Russian child as a gingerbread cat -to rejoice the heart of an English -one.</p> - -<p>The girl looked at it, but shook her -head, and did not eat it; she did not -even touch it.</p> - -<p>'Why don't you take it, Mary? -Do take it, dear, such a nice piece -of <i>pryáneek</i>; look!'</p> - -<p>And the grandmother held up the -present, turning it round to show all its -beauty. The girl looked up once more -at the cake, and then at her grandmother, -without moving her head.</p> - -<p>'I am so sore!' she whispered -feebly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> - -<p>'What ails you?' asked the old -woman.</p> - -<p>'Everything ails me,' said the sick -girl softly, and two big tears rolled -slowly down her cheeks.</p> - -<p>The broken Cup looked at all this, -and was very sorry, and her pieces -tinkled plaintively together, and then -she felt ashamed that she had thought -herself so unhappy while there was in -the world plenty of sorrow far greater -than her own. The girl heard the -tinkling, and silently looked up to see -what it was that was tinkling so on -the box. She noticed the beautiful -flowers on the broken pieces of the -Cup; her eyes brightened by degrees, -and she whispered softly:</p> - -<p>'Give it to me, grandmamma.'</p> - -<p>'Take it, take it, darling! I brought -it home for you.'</p> - -<p>Mary took the pieces in her hands, -trembling from weakness, and began -to turn them over and over, admiring -them. She had never any playthings,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -and therefore the pretty pieces seemed -to her so much the finer. The more -she looked at them the more her eyes -brightened, and at last she smiled. -The old woman had not for a long -time seen such an expression of -pleasure on the worn-out face of her -poor granddaughter, and the feeble -smile of the sick child rejoiced her -to tears.</p> - -<p>'Oh,' thought the Cup, 'I never -expected to give to any one so much -pleasure after having been broken to -pieces! And I am happier, indeed, -than I was in the rich house where -everybody at the tea-table admired -me!'</p> - -<p>'Mary, you know, we shall cement -the cup; indeed we shall do it! It -will be a pretty cup,' whispered the -old woman.</p> - -<p>Mary became more cheerful, and -the Cup thought: 'Ah, it is possible I -am really good for something! It -seems to me I was in too great a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -hurry to die; it is worth while living -in the world.'</p> - -<p>On the next day the old woman -came home after her day's work with a -little <i>toóyes</i>, a sort of cylindrical vessel -of birch bark, in which there was a -handful of curd and an egg. These -she had received from some kind-hearted -cook.</p> - -<p>'You see, Mary, we are going to -cement the Cup!' said she, sitting -down on her box.</p> - -<p>Mary had been groaning and fretting -all the day and night, but now -she smiled again. The old woman -broke the egg, poured it into an old -wooden basin, placed on the box some -curd, mixed lime with it, and, kneading -all together with the white of egg, she -made a thick cement. Smearing the -edges of the pieces of our Cup with the -mixture, the old woman pressed them -together, and placed the Cup carefully -in a hot oven, that the cement might -harden and become proof against water<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -or anything else. It was hot in the -oven for the Cup—dreadfully hot! but -she was ready to suffer anything to be -the same complete beautiful cup as -before. 'Oh, how happy I am!' thought -she, awaiting with inward trembling the -end of her trials in the oven. 'All is -going on well; I will live again!'</p> - -<p>Mary in the meantime grew worse: -she fretted, groaned, and complained -with bitter tears.</p> - -<p>'Oh, grandmamma, how I ache! -how I ache!'</p> - -<p>'Oh, my poor darling!' said the -old woman, sobbing, while hot tears -rolled down her wrinkled, unwashed -face; 'I cannot tell what to do for -you, my dear pet.'</p> - -<p>In the same room with the old -woman, in another corner, there lived -a beggar, an old discharged soldier of -the time of the Russian Emperor -Nicholas, when the discipline was so -inhumanly severe and the term of service -lasted a whole quarter of a cen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>tury! -He had been in the wars, -fought bravely, and now he was quite -alone in the wide world. The bullets -were still in his body, old age prevented -him from working, and he was obliged -to get by begging here and there a few -copecks. He became accustomed to -sorrow; but now it grieved him to see -the misery of the old woman and the -sufferings of the little girl.</p> - -<p>'You are foolish,' said he to the -old woman; 'why do you cry, as if -the child was dying? You must not -do it! Go rather for the physician.'</p> - -<p>'Will the physician come?' exclaimed -the old woman. 'You are -indeed like an innocent child, <i>Nikítich</i>.<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -Will the physician come to such a -dirty place?'</p> - -<p>'And why should he not come? -One will not come, another will not -come, but some one perhaps will come -at last. There, I know a physician, -Kótov, a nice gentleman! He always -gives me a glass of tea and five -copecks. He will not let me go without -giving me something. "How do -you do, Nikítich?" says he always to -me. I tell you, go to him. Ask him; -you needn't care.'</p> - -<p>'Yes, at his home he will receive -me perhaps, but he will not come here. -No, we have nothing to do with physicians. -I cannot afford to buy medicine, -and very likely they will not even let -me into the house. No, I dare not.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -'Well, if you dare not, I will go -myself.'</p> - -<p>At these words the old wounded -soldier took his stick and hobbled -away to the physician's.</p> - -<p>The physician did come. He was -a very good man, only he had the -habit of speaking in an angry tone -and even shouting, so that some were -afraid of him. He examined the girl -a long time, put his ear to her back -and chest, tapped both with his fingers, -spat in disgust, and complained angrily -of the dirt and unwholesome air of the -room. He ordered that nothing but -broth be given to the girl, wrote a prescription -on a bit of paper, and said -that the medicine would be given -gratuitously at the apothecary's.</p> - -<p>In the evening the old woman -brought the bottle with the medicine, -poured some into a wooden spoon and -presented it to her granddaughter. -The girl shook her head feebly and -turned away. She was afraid of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -medicine; she thought it was something -so disagreeable, and for nothing -in the world would she take it.</p> - -<p>'Ah me!' said her grandmother, -sighing, 'why won't you take it? It's -too bad! What will the physician say? -He ordered it and you will not take it. -Wait, you will see what will happen to -disobedient children!'</p> - -<p>The girl was frightened; she began -to sob, and when her grandmother -offered her the spoon, she covered her -mouth with her hand and hid her face -in her pillow.</p> - -<p>In the morning the old woman took -our Cup out of the oven. Oh, how -glad was our Cup when the old woman, -looking all over her, said to herself, -'Oh, I see it is as good as new now!' -Just at this moment Mary called for -her grandmother and asked for a drink. -The old woman went with the newly-cemented -Cup for some water, and as -she held her hand over the tub, the -Cup saw herself in the water as in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> -mirror. Alas! what did she see there? -In many places were ugly cracks; the -cement, applied by an unskilful hand, -formed spots and patches. 'Oh,' -groaned the Cup—'oh, how ugly I -am! It would have been better for -me to perish in the rubbish heap. -Ah, now I would like to die as soon -as possible!'</p> - -<p>She did not die, however. The old -woman was obliged to put her in haste -on the window-sill, for just then the -physician entered the room.</p> - -<p>'How many spoonfuls of medicine -did she take?' asked he angrily.</p> - -<p>'She did not take any at all, sir. -What shall I do with her? Such an -obstinate, silly girl; she is not willing -to take any; what shall I do?' -answered the old woman.</p> - -<p>'What? How does she dare? -What does she mean? Give me the -spoon!' cried the doctor.</p> - -<p>At these words Mary screamed, her -eyes opened wide from fear, and she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -covered her head with the bedclothes. -The doctor turned once more to the -old woman.</p> - -<p>'And did she take the broth?' he -asked.</p> - -<p>'But, my good sir, where should we -get money for the broth?' said the -rag-gatherer, with tears in her eyes.</p> - -<p>'Well, why did you ask me to come -if you did not intend to do what I -ordered?' He then took at once a -crushed three-rouble bank note from -his pocket, threw it angrily on the -box which served as a table, and -turned away. When he reached the -door he turned his head, and, flushed -with excitement, said:</p> - -<p>'All the medicine must be taken by -to-morrow, and the broth must be -ready, and that's the end of it!'</p> - -<p>When the old woman saw the three -roubles in her hand she could hardly -realise her good fortune and believe -in her happiness. Just think, three -roubles! For three years or so she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -had never had more than thirty copecks -at one time, and now she had three -roubles!</p> - -<p>'God grant you every happiness, -our benefactor!' repeated the poor -woman over and over again.</p> - -<p>As for Mary, she grew worse and -worse. She groaned, her dilated eyes -shone with the fire of fever, her lips -became parched and black.</p> - -<p>'Oh, you little dove, do take the -medicine, and you will feel better,' -entreated the old woman; but Mary -obstinately refused to take any. Seeing -the sufferings of the poor girl, the -rag-gatherer suddenly clasped her gray -head with her hands.</p> - -<p>'Oh my God! what am I to do with -her? what am I to do with her?' -wept she in despair. 'She will die, I -am sure, through her own foolishness. -How hard it is to see her suffering -just because she will not take a little -medicine.'</p> - -<p>The Cup saw and heard all this,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -and once more she felt ashamed of -having thought herself unhappy for -not being as beautiful as formerly.</p> - -<p>'Is this misery?' thought she now -of her own appearance; '<i>there</i> is -misery indeed!' and the little Cup was -herself ready to cry for pity. In the -meantime the poor woman dried her -tears and approached her sick grandchild.</p> - -<p>'Do you know that I have mended -the little Cup?' she said.</p> - -<p>The face of the little girl brightened, -and a faint smile played upon it. -'Let me see it,' lisped she.</p> - -<p>The grandmother showed her the -little Cup, and Mary's face expressed -as much rapture as if she saw some -masterpiece of beauty. The poor -child had seen during her life so few -beautiful things, that the mended Cup -with the pretty nosegay on her transported -her with delight.</p> - -<p>'And wouldn't you take the medicine -out of the Cup?' asked the old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -woman, in an uncertain, coaxing tone -of voice.</p> - -<p>The girl made no reply, but smiled -again.</p> - -<p>'Well, will you take it out of the -pretty little Cup?'</p> - -<p>'I will,' answered Mary, in an -almost inaudible voice.</p> - -<p>The little Cup was standing at that -moment on the window-sill, and was -trembling with joy; hitherto no one -had loved her so deeply as Mary did. -Was it not for her sake alone that -Mary consented to take the medicine? -Perhaps the little girl will recover; -perhaps she, the Cup, will have saved -a human life. 'Oh, what a beautiful -thing it is to live,' said the Cup to -herself; 'never before was I so -happy!'</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was a glorious summer day when -Mary went the first time after her -dangerous illness to take breath in -the open air. She was still thin and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -pale, but her large eyes were bright, -and she looked happy. She was sitting -in the nearest square, under a big -green tree, with her Cup in both her -hands. The little girl was evidently -eager to have the Cup always with -her; she would not part with her -treasure. The Cup felt herself also -happy—nay, happier than ever—although -she was now broken and -spotted with ugly cement patches. -She was happy and proud to be the -best friend of the little Mary whom -she had helped to restore to life and -health.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/scarlet.jpg" width="550" height="207" alt=""/></div> - - - - -<h2 id="RIGHT">HOW SCARLET-COMB THE -COCK DEFENDED THE RIGHT</h2></div> - - -<div class="ddropcapbox"><img class="idropcap" - src="images/a.jpg" width="160" height="152" alt="A"/></div> - -<p class="pfirst">LL this happened long, long -ago, in the days when -birds and beasts could talk -in human speech, and the -Polish magnates went about in long -'<i>kountoushi</i>'<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>—coats embroidered with -gold and silver, with sleeves slung on -behind—and possessed serfs. Perhaps -you do not know what a 'serf' was in -the old times? Well, a serf was a -person just like the rest of us, only he -was bound to the land by law; he -had not the right to go and live in -any other place, and if the land was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -sold, he was sold with it; he tilled -the land, though not for his own profit, -but for the profit of the landowner. -It was not only in Poland that there -used to be these serfs and landlords -who owned them, but in all countries—in -ours as well as every other; and -everywhere the serfs had a hard time -of it. Those landlords who had any -conscience and commonsense, and who -were not in any great need of money, -made their serfs work for them a certain -part of their time, and bring them -eggs, flax, etc.; the rest of their time -and goods the serfs could dispose of -as they thought fit. Others regarded -their peasants as beasts of burden, -belonging to them body and soul; they -forced the peasants to work for them -as much as was possible, and thought -they had a right to all the peasants' -property. But whether the serf-owner -was personally good or bad, it was a -loathsome thing in itself that one -human being should own another.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -One day a Polish '<i>Pan</i>' (nobleman) -of this kind was riding through -a village on his land. The green -sleeves of his bright-coloured <i>koúntoush</i> -streamed back from his shoulders, -fluttering in the breeze; his fine dappled -horse stepped impatiently under its -rider, tossing flakes of white foam -from its mouth; and Pan Podliásski -himself glanced haughtily to the right -and left. The wretched, bare look -of the peasants' huts and ruinous -farmyards did not distress him at all; -in Pan Podliásski's opinion a serf was -a serf for nothing else but to be -always ragged, dirty, and miserable. -Suddenly, as he passed one of the huts, -the landlord raised his eyebrows in -angry surprise; in the bare and filthy -yard stood a first-rate grindstone.</p> - -<p>'Where did a rascally serf get such -a capital grindstone?' he thought; and -turning to his steward, who was riding -behind with two or three noble retainers, -he asked: 'Whose yard is this?'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> -'Stanislas Kogoútek's, most illustrious -Pan,' respectfully answered the -steward.</p> - -<p>'Why is the grindstone here?'</p> - -<p>'It does not belong to the manor; -we have not such a good grindstone,' -replied the steward, understanding the -mistake of the magnate, who supposed -the grindstone to be his, and to have -come into the peasant's yard by chance.</p> - -<p>'Here! <i>Khlop!</i>' (serf!), cried Pan -Podliásski.</p> - -<p>A middle-aged peasant, bareheaded, -barefooted, and wearing nothing but -a shirt and trousers of coarse sacking, -ran out of the hut at this summons. -He approached his master, bowing -humbly, fell on his knees before -him, bowed to the ground, and, rising, -kissed his stirrup, after which he -bowed again.</p> - -<p>'Whose is the grindstone?' asked -the landlord, frowning.</p> - -<p>Kogoútek's terror increased, and -his eyes glanced round in agitation;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -he realised how foolish he had been -not to hide the grindstone from his -master's eyes.</p> - -<p>'Whose is the grindstone, <i>psia -krew</i>?'<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> cried the magnate angrily.</p> - -<p>'Mine, most illustrious Pan,' answered -Kogoútek, trembling with fear.</p> - -<p>'How dare you, you rascal, when I -myself haven't such a grindstone, the -steward says?'</p> - -<p>'I earned it, please your honour,' -stammered Kogoútek faintly.</p> - -<p>'<i>Earned it</i>.... What next!' exclaimed -Pan Podliásski, amazed at -the peasant's insolence, and reddening -with anger. 'How dare you say that, -when you yourself are my property, -not only all your work; do you hear, -you dog? Take it up to the manor, -and give this scoundrel a good lesson,' -he added, turning to the steward.</p> - -<p>The unfortunate peasant knew what -a 'good lesson' meant, and flung him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>self, -with a piteous cry, at the feet of -his master's horse. But the magnate -shook the reins and galloped off with -his followers.</p> - -<p>The next morning the grindstone -was transferred to the manor yard, and -the wretched Kogoútek was flogged in -the manor stables.</p> - -<p>Humiliated, crushed under the sense -of injustice and lacerated with the whip, -the unhappy peasant crept home and -sank down on a bench with a groan.</p> - -<p>'What is the matter with our master?' -asked the young cock, Scarlet-Comb, of -his mother, as they strolled about the -yard with the white hen Top-knot and -the old cock.</p> - -<p>'Why, didn't you see that they took -away the grindstone that he had worked -so hard for, and then thrashed him for -nothing besides?'</p> - -<p>Scarlet-Comb was still a very young -cock; his grand tail-feathers had not -yet grown, so he did not know how -cruel and unjust people can be. His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -mother's words showed him this for the -first time. He spread his wings and -craned his little neck as if he would -shout out what he had just heard to -all the world; but a spasm in the -throat prevented him from uttering a -sound. When, however, his first burst -of grief and indignation had somewhat -abated, he again appealed to his mother.</p> - -<p>'Well, and what will happen now, -mother?'</p> - -<p>'What? Why, nothing. Pan Podliásski -will have the grindstone, and -our poor master will have his bruises—that's -all.'</p> - -<p>'What! And no one will stand up -for the right?'</p> - -<p>'Oh, my child, how recklessly you -talk!' hurriedly whispered the old -hen. '<i>Supposing</i> any one should -overhear you, what then? Why, they -would think you a rebel!... What -is the use of talking about "right" -and "standing up" when Pan Podliásski -is a great lord, with fifty horses in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -stables, and hundreds of servants at his -bidding, while our master is a poor -peasant, wearing himself out with -work!'</p> - -<p>'Well, then, <i>I</i> will take our master's -part! <i>I</i> will get justice done!' cried -Scarlet-Comb.</p> - -<p>'Hush, you silly child!' answered -his mother more anxiously than ever, -and gently seizing his comb with her -bill. 'What else do you imagine you -can do? You would like to set the -whole world to rights, no doubt!'</p> - -<p>'The thing is impossible!' cried -Scarlet-Comb, and turning to the old -cock, he added: 'Am I not right, -father?'</p> - -<p>The old cock majestically raised his -head, stood on tiptoe, flapped his -wings, and shouted at the top of his -voice: 'Cock-a-doodle-doo-oo!...' -then stooped down, and betook himself, -with a hurried business walk, -to the other end of the yard, where -he stopped beside a squashed worm.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -Every one could interpret his expression -of opinion according to their personal -taste: the mother was convinced -that he was setting their son an example -of thrift and good sense; the -son, that the patriarch's martial air and -cry were intended to spur him on to -prowess. Without any further question -Scarlet-Comb flew across the fence, -and made straight for the castle of -Pan Podliásski.</p> - -<p>Pan Podliásski was not alone. As -he had to send to several very distinguished -neighbours invitations for -the next day's banquet, and as, like -most of his peers in those days, he -could not read or write, and considered -it humiliating to do anything for himself, -he had sent for his chaplain, and -commissioned him to write the invitations. -The chaplain had finished -writing the letters, and it only remained -to stamp upon them, instead of a signature, -the crest of the house of -Podliásski. The magnate took off his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -signet-ring, which he wore hung round -his neck by a gold chain, and handed -it to the chaplain to be pressed upon -the wax. At that moment there -appeared in the open window, from -which the magnate and his chaplain -were divided by a large table, an ugly -little cock.</p> - -<p>'Pan, give back the grindstone!' he -cried.</p> - -<p>Reddening with anger, the magnate -raised his eyes to the insolent fowl, -and seizing a heavy silver candlestick, -flung it violently at him. All happened -so quickly, that before Scarlet-Comb -had time to understand anything, -his wings had carried him from -the window and his quick little legs -from the garden.</p> - -<p>When he came to his senses, Scarlet-Comb -was quite ashamed. 'Can it -be that I was frightened?... it is -impossible!' he thought. But the -fact was plain; he had lost his head -and run away from the landlord.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> - -<p>'Well, and what of that?' said the -cock, consoling himself; 'the important -thing is not to stand like a log -while things are thrown at you that -may smash your head, but to get -justice done!'</p> - -<p>And Scarlet-Comb once more made -his way to the castle.</p> - -<p>Pan Podliásski was standing on the -front terrace among his retainers and -domestics, giving orders for to-morrow's -banquet, when he suddenly heard the -already familiar words:</p> - -<p>'Pan, give back the grindstone!'</p> - -<p>Scarlet-Comb was standing perched -upon the nearest post, to which several -horses were tied.</p> - -<p>The magnate became positively frantic, -clenched his fists, and shouted -to his servants to set all the hounds -upon the insolent bird. The cock, -terrified, rushed with all his might out -of the garden. On he ran, helping -himself along with his wings, and hearing -how one dog was gaining on him....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -Now it was quite near ... snap! -and tore the very best feathers out of -the cock's tail. In his desperation -Scarlet-Comb made one last effort, -flew up as high as he could, and -perched on a tree by the wayside. -The dog stood underneath, barking -and whining, but, fortunately, the -hunting-horn blew, calling back the -scattered dogs, and his persecutor was -obliged to go to kennel.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile a discussion was going -on in the yard between the servants -and noble retainers.</p> - -<p>'What a plucky little cock!' said -some; 'wasn't afraid to tell the Pan -himself the truth to his beard!'</p> - -<p>'If I had him, I'd show him what -truth is—with white sauce,' said the -under-cook, laughing.</p> - -<p>'Just think,' remarked another; 'if -a silly little chicken like that can see -that a Pan shouldn't take away a poor -man's things, it must be a bad business -after all.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> - -<p>'Yes, it's a mean trick,' muttered -one of the nobles, frowning.</p> - -<p>Early next morning Pan Podliásski's -guests began to arrive. Dear me, -how gorgeous they all were! Satin, -velvet, brocade, in the most brilliant -colours, simply dazzled your eyes on -their <i>kountoushi</i>, <i>zhoupány</i> (doublets), -and trunk hose. Their elegant caps -were bordered with valuable furs; both -lords and ladies were adorned with -ostrich feathers, pearls, gold, silver, -and precious stones. Magnificent -horses of all colours pranced under -their graceful riders, who surrounded -the clumsy but richly-decorated coaches -in which the fair ladies sat. Often, -on the way, the gallants would bend -towards them and exchange merry -jests. The innumerable apartments -of the castle were thrown open for -the crowd of guests.</p> - -<p>For dinner all the visitors put on -other still more gorgeous dresses. A -gallant was placed at the right hand of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -each lady. At the head of the table -sat the host, beaming with pleasure -and satisfaction.</p> - -<p>The long dinner was almost ended. -The guests had feasted upon a wild -boar, which Pan Podliásski had killed -in the chase, and which the cook had -roasted whole and cunningly arranged -standing erect upon a silver dish. -The dessert was already finished; the -noble retainers in their gala dress had -carried round to the guests old mead -of the finest quality, and German and -Hungarian wines. The company was -lively and merry. A handsome young -nobleman stood up at the foot of the -table. He had lately returned from -France, where, at the king's court, he -had grown accustomed to refined -manners and courtly ways. Raising a -golden goblet of wine in his right -hand, and glancing round, he addressed -the company:</p> - -<p>'It is not the gratitude of a guest -which persuades me to lift this goblet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -nor even the courtesy of a Pole. No; -I lift it in honour of our well-beloved -host, because by his virtues Pan Joseph -Podliásski is an ornament to the ranks -of the Polish nobility. Courageous -in war, generous and hospitable in -time of peace, he is incapable of any -action unworthy of his noble standing.'</p> - -<p>Every one listened to the orator -with evident pleasure. Pausing a -moment for breath he would have -continued, when suddenly an ugly -little cock appeared at one of the open -windows of the banqueting-hall, and -cried aloud:</p> - -<p>'Pan, give back the peasant's grindstone!'</p> - -<p>The guests, startled and confused, -sat whispering to one another. The -young orator hesitated whether to continue -his speech or not. The host -grew first white, then red, and turned -to his servants.</p> - -<p>'Why do you stand staring?' he -cried. 'Do you suppose that is what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -I maintain you for, that village fowls or -cattle should disturb the pleasure of -my guests?'</p> - -<p>Then, turning back, Pan Podliásski -tried to put on an airy manner.</p> - -<p>'Excuse us, dear guests,' he said; -'the country is the country after all. -We are not in Cracow, where fowls -appear at noble banquets only on silver -dishes or in the soup. Still, one can -be as merry in the country as in -Cracow, and I hope we shall prove it -to be so.'</p> - -<p>For all that, the magnate did not -really feel at all so merry as he tried -to appear; the guests, too, were no -longer quite at ease.</p> - -<p>'What's that about a grindstone?' -many of them asked their neighbours; -and those who had already heard from -their servants about the persistent fowl -related the history of the grindstone in -a few words. A contemptuous expression -appeared on many of the faces; -and those magnates who disliked Podli<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>ásski -went so far as to remark that it -was unworthy of a great lord to soil -his hands for a miserable grindstone.</p> - -<p>All this did not escape the eyes of -Pan Podliásski, and his blood boiled. -Seizing a favourable moment, he -beckoned to his most trustworthy servant, -and, in a whisper, ordered him -to find the cock, alive or dead. For -that matter the servants had already -been hunting the whole court and -garden, but nothing came of it; the -cock had long ago made his escape; -and, hiding in the foliage of the highest -tree in the neighbouring forest, waited -till the danger was over.</p> - -<p>The guests left earlier than they -had intended. Pan Podliásski, standing -on the great terrace to take leave -of them, tried to conceal his annoyance -under an affable manner. As -soon, however, as the last rider disappeared -from sight, his face grew dark, -and he turned to the crowd of servants.</p> - -<p>'Where is Doubinétzki?' he asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> - -<p>'Here I am, most illustrious Pan,' -replied a warrior with gray moustaches, -stepping forward.</p> - -<p>'Look here, my faithful Ignatius; -you have served me long and well; -do me one more good service. Shoot -that tiresome cock that gives me no -peace.'</p> - -<p>The honest face of the old nobleman, -seamed with the scars of war, -lighted up with an ironical smile, and -his daring eyes flashed.</p> - -<p>'Probably the Pan Voevoda has -had too much to drink at dinner -that he gives me such commands,' -said he. 'How am I, Ignatius Doubinétzki, -who have fought in fifty battles -against Tartars, Turks, and Swedes; -who last year, without assistance, drove -away a whole marauding band of Tartars, -and who in honourable combat -have cut off the head of Akhmet Khan -himself,—how I am now to go to war -against barn-door fowls? No; I am -a poor nobleman, and the Pan is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -great magnate; but our honour is the -same. Indeed, since it has come to -speaking truth, perhaps I have more -in the way of honour than the Pan; -with all my poverty I would have been -ashamed to covet a peasant's grindstone. -And if you want a word of -honest advice from old Doubinétzki, -here it is: Leave that sort of thing -alone, Pan Voevoda; it's not an -honourable business.'</p> - -<p>For some minutes Pan Podliásski -could not believe his ears. But at -the close of the old man's speech he -turned white with rage, drew his sword -from its sheath, and made a dash forward -at Doubinétzki.</p> - -<p>'Seize him! bind him! cut the -rebel down!' he shrieked in frenzy. -But it had all happened so suddenly -that for a moment no one obeyed the -magnate, or could decide what to do; -all the more so as every one loved old -Doubinétzki, and knew what a glorious -fire-eater he was.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> - -<p>Old Ignatius, meanwhile, in his turn -unsheathed his sword, sprang on to -his horse, which stood ready saddled -beside the gate, and galloped away -unharmed. He was a free gentleman -and a first-rate warrior, and any magnate -would be glad to take him into -his service.</p> - -<p>Utterly beside himself with fury, Pan -Podliásski went into the castle, and -shut himself up in his bedchamber. -He paced up and down with long -strides, brooding over all that had -passed. The thought that a good-for-nothing -little fowl could embitter -his life made him frantic. He was -ready to instantly call up all his -retainers, and give them strict commands -to secure the cock, alive or -dead. But then he remembered the -whispering of his guests at dinner, the -furtive glances of his servants, and the -open rebellion of Doubinétzki. What -was the use of commanding? Would -he not be exposing himself to new<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -failures, to new humiliations? And -all this was the work of that cock!</p> - -<p>Pan Podliásski felt as if he were -stifled in the room, and went out into the -garden. The barrels of pitch which -had illuminated it during the banquet -were almost burnt out; the pathways and -arbours were deserted. Pan Joseph -walked along several avenues, and then -lay down upon a bench.</p> - -<p>'Pan, give back the grindstone!' -suddenly resounded over his head the -hated voice of Scarlet-Comb.</p> - -<p>Pan Podliásski started up as if he -had been stung, drew the pistol from -his belt, and fired upwards at random -in the direction of the voice. Directly -afterwards he heard a piteous shriek -from the cock, and a warm drop of -blood fell on to his hand.</p> - -<p>'Ah! ah!' cried the magnate in -angry delight; 'now you will leave off -embittering my life, you loathsome -little brute!'</p> - -<p>Satisfied and triumphant, he peered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -about in the dark to find the cock; -but seeing nothing, lay down again -upon the bench, and soon fell asleep. -Before half an hour had passed, however, -the magnate sprang to his feet -with a fearful cry, clasping his hands -over his left eye. He was conscious -of an intolerable pain, and something -wet and warm and sticky was trickling -down his face and hands. Dazed and -blind, the Voevoda rushed headlong -to the castle. Suddenly behind him -there rang out the well-known cry:</p> - -<p>'Pan, give back the grindstone! -give back the peasant's grindstone!'</p> - -<p>'Holy Virgin! The creature has -pecked out my eye,' thought the landowner -in horror, and it was only then -he vaguely understood that he had -not killed, but merely wounded, his -persecutor.</p> - -<p>Pan Podliásski did not confide to -any one the manner in which he had -lost his eye. He said that he had struck -against a branch in the dark. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -further declared that during his illness -every noise disturbed him, and on this -pretext he commanded all the windows -in the castle to be tightly fastened, and -placed sentinels at all the outer doors, -with orders not only to admit no one, -but even to let no one and nothing -approach, neither dog, cat, nor bird. -In reality the magnate was terribly -afraid that Scarlet-Comb would peck -out his right eye too.</p> - -<p>The autumn set in. The stone -castle was damp, cold, empty, and -dreary. Its master, with a bandage -over his left eye, sat in the huge -dining hall, with its richly-carved oak -walls, and warmed himself at the great -open hearth where the embers lay -smouldering and the fire still flickered -in the remains of two logs. Suddenly, -from somewhere in the distance, he -heard a muffled but familiar cry:</p> - -<p>'Pan, give back the grindstone!'</p> - -<p>In an instant the Voevoda started -up as though he had been scalded,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -and shrieked frantically for his servants.</p> - -<p>'Search the castle and everywhere -round it instantly,' he ordered. 'There's -a cock somewhere that sets my teeth -on edge with his crowing.'</p> - -<p>Fifty Cossack retainers of the magnate, -led by three nobles and about -forty servants under the leadership -of the steward, rushed to fulfil the -Pan's commands. But though they -ransacked all the rooms, corridors, -and doorways,—though they carefully -searched the garden and the courtyard, -they came back and reported to -their illustrious master that not the -slightest sign of any bird at all was -anywhere to be found. This was not -surprising; it did not occur to anybody -to climb up on to the roof; and -there, beside the chimney, sat Scarlet-Comb.</p> - -<p>'It must have been my fancy,' -thought Pan Podliásski, and sat down -again before the fire. But just at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -moment when he was half falling -asleep, there suddenly tumbled down -the chimney into the fireplace something -small and black, which instantly -hopped out on to the floor with singed -feathers, and cried:</p> - -<p>'Pan, give back the grindstone!'</p> - -<p>The Voevoda shrank away from the -fowl in horror. Scarlet-Comb, taking -advantage of his stupefaction, ran -through the rooms, and succeeded in -slipping past the sentinels and making -his way right to the village.</p> - -<p>The magnate stood breathless. -'One's not safe from him anywhere,' -he thought; and a sense of dread fell -upon him. He clapped his trembling -hands, and ordered the servant who -came in to fetch the steward instantly.</p> - -<p>'Give the peasant Kogoútek his -grindstone back again at once,' said -Pan Podliásski, avoiding the steward's -eyes; 'and give him ten ducats for -compensation.'</p> - -<p>The steward would have replied,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -but the Voevoda looked at him with -such an expression that the words died -on his lips.</p> - -<p>That very day the grindstone was -returned to Stanislas Kogoútek's yard. -Thereupon the little cock, Scarlet-Comb, -although badly scorched, with -blisters on both claws, with his tail-feathers -gone and his wing shot -through, jumped up on to the gate -and, proudly raising his little head, -shouted to all the world:</p> - -<p>'Cock-a-doodle-doo! the Pan has -given back the peasant's grindstone!'</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/tiny.jpg" width="550" height="210" alt=""/></div> - - - - -<h2 id="SCREW">THE TINY SCREW</h2></div> - - -<div class="ddropcapbox"><img class="idropcap" - src="images/o.jpg" width="160" height="151" alt="O"/></div> - -<p class="pfirst">N the watchmaker's bench, -which was covered with -white paper, so that all the -little things needed for his -trade should be easy to see, were -spread out various small pincers, -gimlets, screwdrivers, tiny hammers, -watchkeys, files, and other delicate -instruments. Under a glass case lay -watches and clocks taken to pieces. -There were some open boxes filled -with cog-wheels, and some watch-glasses, -in which lay some wee screws. -Among these was a very pretty one, of -blue, finely-tempered steel, but so tiny -that he could not be seen properly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -without a magnifying-glass. He looked -round the workroom quite frightened -at all his new surroundings. Until -now he had lain in a dark, closed box -and hardly had ever seen the light; -now the watchmaker, Karl Ivánovich, -had taken him out of the box and laid -him in a watch-glass, evidently intending -to use him. And now the little -blue mite peered round, wondering -and frightened.</p> - -<p>Indeed, what wonder! Round the -walls, in shallow cupboards with glass -doors, in flat cases with sloping glass -lids, on the large table, on the benches—everywhere, -hung or lay or stood -watches and clocks of all kinds and -sizes, and most of them were moving -and ticking like live things. The -cheap clocks with tin or china faces, -decorated with rather clumsily-painted -roses, wagged their pendulums hastily -backwards and forwards, as though -hurrying to work or to business. The -huge clocks in wooden and glass cases,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -on the contrary, swung their pendulums -with a hardly perceptible motion, -as though they feared to compromise -their dignity by any haste. All sorts -of wonderful things were on the table. -There was a clock in the shape of a -great fallen tree-trunk, across which a -log was thrown, with boys sitting on -the ends of it, swinging in time to the -ticking of the clock. Another represented -a gray hare squatting on his -haunches, holding the dial between his -forefeet and moving his ears in time as -the clock ticked. But our tiny Screw -was most impressed by a large clock, -standing at one corner of the shop in -a huge glass case. The clock itself -represented an Indian temple with a -dome, all carved in black wood. -Inside the temple was the dial, also -black, with gold letters; the hands -were gold snakes. Under the dial, -a little in front, sat a gray-haired -magician in a long robe and high cap, -holding in his right hand a silver<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -hammer. The old man, with his -grave expression of face, was so well -carved that he looked quite alive. -But the most wonderful thing of all -was that he never stopped slowly turning -his eyes from side to side, keeping -time with the solemn, hardly audible -ticking of the clock; he seemed as if -watching to see that all was in order -in his kingdom of time. At his right -hand stood a shining silver bell on a -tall and slender pedestal; and at his -left a black cat was sitting on a cushion; -it had real fur, and its green eyes -glittered as if alive.</p> - -<p>Our little Screw gazed intently at -the magician in his Indian temple, at -his cat and bell—he gazed upon them -with involuntary reverence and awe—and -finally decided that the enigmatic -old man must be the ruler of time, -and that all the clocks in the place -must be in his service. He was still -meditating upon this, when suddenly -the black clock began to hiss, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -magician raised his left hand with the -forefinger extended, as if commanding -attention, and began slowly striking -the silver bell with his hammer. He -struck it ten times, and every time the -cat opened its mouth and mewed at -each stroke of the hammer.</p> - -<p>The moment the magician had finished, -an indescribable confusion arose -in the shop: in three clocks, which -represented houses, windows opened; -from each window a cuckoo jumped -out and called 'cuckoo' ten times. -The other clocks, with the tin, china, -and copper dials, all began striking in -emulation of each other. Some struck -rapidly and with a thin sound, others -slowly and heavily; the first jarred -on the ear with their harsh notes, -while the others had a mellow ring; -but all struck at once, as though trying -to catch one another up. The brass -alarum, which stood on the table, -rattled long and mercilessly, as if it -were determined to silence all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -others with its deafening noise; then, -when the other clocks had finished -striking, it too struck ten. After that -all the clocks continued busily ticking, -just as if nothing had happened.</p> - -<p>All this ringing, banging, and noise -made our Screw quite dizzy; the poor -little fellow lay in his watch-glass -trembling all over. But when he -recovered from his agitation, he was -overwhelmed with silent ecstasy. He -understood for what purpose clocks -exist. He knew that they show to -man the divisions of time, thus helping -him in both his intellectual work and -his ordinary life. Two men, however -far apart from one another, can, if -only they have good watches, come -at the same moment to a particular -spot, or do whatever they may have -agreed upon—even the height of -mountains is determined by means of -watches. The little Screw understood -all this, and his wee frame thrilled all -over with enthusiasm. 'How useful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> -they all are!' he thought. This set -him involuntarily thinking of himself, -and he grew sad—sad even to tears. -How tiny he was! how insignificant -and pitiable compared with all these -clocks! If you were to hang up even -the worst of them in a house where -there was before no clock at all, there -would at once be in that house more -order, more reason and utility. But -he! wherever you were to put him, it -would make no difference.</p> - -<p>Our Screw was very unhappy; he -tried so long to be of use to some one, -and he felt that he was fit for nothing! -Once more he looked attentively -round the bench. There were a great -number of little axles, wires, pendulums, -pinions, and springs. He did -not understand for what they could be -used, but he saw one thing—that -every one of these little objects was -<i>larger</i> than himself. 'Oh dear!' he -thought, 'even if all these little things -are useless in themselves, still, some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>thing -useful can be made out of them. -But what can be made of such a non-entity -as I am—I, who cannot even -be seen with the naked eye? Nothing, -absolutely nothing!...' And all the -tiny person of the Screw quivered with -grief.</p> - -<p>At that moment there ran into the -workshop a little boy and girl, the -children of Karl Ivánovich. Their -father had gone to fetch his pipe; his -assistant, Yegór,<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> had also left the -shop, and the children had a chance -to enjoy a peep at the wonders of -the workshop, into which Karl Ivánovich -generally would not let them -come. The boy ran up to his father's -bench and began quickly examining -the things lying upon it.</p> - -<p>'Look, look at the little Screw!' he -said to his sister in a loud whisper, -turning to take the blue steel Screw -from the watch-glass.</p> - -<p>'Don't touch! Don't touch; you'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -drop it!' whispered the little girl, half -frightened, but also looking inquisitively -at our Screw.</p> - -<p>'What next! Drop it!' repeated -the boy, mimicking her. 'We're not -all such butter-fingers as you!' and in -a fit of obstinacy he picked up the -Screw. But the Screw was so small -that the boy could scarcely hold him -with the tips of his fingers.</p> - -<p>'Indeed, you'll drop it!... Papa -will be cross!...' continued the little -girl in the utmost anxiety.</p> - -<p>Suddenly they heard the creaking -of Karl Ivánovich's boots in the next -room, and he blew his nose as loud as -if it were a trumpet. The boy started, -and dropped the Screw from his fingers -on to the floor.</p> - -<p>'Aha! aha! There, you see! I -told you so!' whispered the girl again.</p> - -<p>'Hush!' answered her brother, also -in a whisper, stooping down to look -for the Screw. But it was too late; -Karl Ivánovich came into the work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>shop, -and in his presence the boy was -afraid to show what he had done.</p> - -<p>Our Screw, meanwhile, lay on the -floor, and did not grieve over what -had happened.</p> - -<p>'It is all the same,' he thought,—'to -be crushed under somebody's foot, or -to go through a whole life such a -feeble and useless creature as I am!'</p> - -<p>Just at that moment Karl Ivánovich -came into the workshop, puffing at his -pipe. He was a thorough German, -with a flat, red face, and an embroidered -cap with a tassel. Although -he had lived in Russia for about thirty -years, and owed his good fortune to -Russian people, yet he had not learnt -Russian properly, and thought even -that it was a merit not to know it. -He was of the opinion that the -Russians were mere cattle; and when -he contrived to gain 50 per cent in -selling some watch to a Russian, this -was in his eyes one proof more how -right he was to think contemptu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>ously -of the nation. He therefore -always spoke German in his domestic -life.</p> - -<p>'<i>Kinder, fort! fort!</i>' said Karl -Ivánovich sternly. But observing at -once from the frightened faces of the -children that something must be amiss, -he frowned still more severely, and -going up to the bench, began inspecting -it closely.</p> - -<p>'What mischief have you been up -to here, eh?' asked the watchmaker.</p> - -<p>The children hung their heads in -silence.</p> - -<p>Karl Ivánovich once more carefully -examined his bench, and suddenly his -attention was caught by the watch-glass -in which he had laid the wee blue -steel Screw.</p> - -<p>'Where's the Screw? Who has -taken the Screw?' shouted Karl Ivánovich -at the top of his voice.</p> - -<p>The little girl got frightened for her -brother and began to cry bitterly; the -boy remained silent.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> - -<p>'Well, are you going to speak or -not?' cried the watchmaker, still -louder.</p> - -<p>'It's on the floor,' whispered the -girl.</p> - -<p>'That was you dropped it, I'll be -bound!' said the watchmaker, shaking -his finger before his little son's face. -The boy still held his tongue, and -only hung his head lower and lower.</p> - -<p>'<i>Oh, welch ein wilder Bube!</i>' cried -Karl Ivánovich in a fury. 'Do you -understand what you've done? It was -the only screw of that kind that I had -left, and the new order has got delayed -on the journey here. How am I to -mend the chronometer from the telegraph -station now, eh?'</p> - -<p>'Papa, it was <i>so</i> tiny,' said the little -girl through her tears; she wanted to -say something in her brother's defence -and did not know what plea to put -forward.</p> - -<p>'<i>Oh, du dummes Ding!</i>' cried the -angry watchmaker. 'Do you suppose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -because the Screw is small it's of no -consequence? Why, can't you see -the value of it is just that it's so -small; nothing else will go into the -hole. Without it I can't screw the -pieces together in the chronometer, -and how long do you think it will go -without being screwed? Can't you -understand that, you little goose?'</p> - -<p>Ah! with what joy our little Screw -listened to this speech as he lay on -the floor beside the bench. He was -not ill-natured, and felt very sorry for -the children when Karl Ivánovich -scolded them so; but how could the -little creature help rejoicing when his -dearest wish was thus suddenly fulfilled? -He had been grieving because -he was so small, had been ashamed of -his weakness, and had believed himself -utterly useless. He had so longed to -be useful—even as useful as any lump -of metal that has not been made into -anything; but he had thought himself -incapable even of that.... And now it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -appeared that he, small as he was, -could be as useful as a first-rate chronometer! -Yes, for without him, the -tiny Screw, the chronometer itself -would not keep time properly.</p> - -<p>The Screw was wild with joy; he -positively choked with delight!</p> - -<p>Soon, however, his rapture was -changed into terrible anxiety. Karl -Ivánovich made the children look for -the lost Screw, called his assistant to -look too, and finally, straddling his -short legs apart, and leaning his red -hands on his knees, stooped down -himself with a magnifying-glass at his -eye, and began carefully inspecting the -floor. But all their searching was in -vain: the whole four of them looked, -crawled over the floor, felt about with -their hands quite close to the Screw, -and could not find him.</p> - -<p>'Oh dear!' thought the poor little -fellow, 'what if they don't find me -after all? That would be terrible!'</p> - -<p>It would indeed be terrible; after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -passing through such bitter moments, -to be at the very point of reaching the -utmost possible happiness, and then -after all to miss it and be crushed -under a dirty boot! He would have -cried out, 'Here I am! here!' but -did not know how to do that in -human speech.</p> - -<p>In his extremity the little Screw -looked up at the mighty magician who -ruled over all the clocks. As before, -the magician was gravely turning his -eyes from side to side, watching over -his kingdom.</p> - -<p>'Oh great, good magician! king of -time! benefactor of men! surely thou -wilt not let me perish here for no -cause, when I too might be of use? -Help me, oh help me, to be found!' -entreated our wee friend.</p> - -<p>The magician glanced benevolently -down on the poor little Screw, and -instantly raising his left hand to command -attention, began striking on his -bell with the hammer he held in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -right; the cat at once began to -mew.</p> - -<p>A ray of sunshine fell through the -window straight upon the magician. -When he raised and dropped his -hammer, the ray flashed on its smooth -surface and was reflected from it right -on to the Screw. The Screw glittered -like a spark of fire, and Karl Ivánovich's -little girl cried out joyfully, -'I've found it!'</p> - -<p>Karl Ivánovich instantly picked up -his recovered treasure with a pair of -small pincers and laid him again in -the watch-glass. Then he sat down at -his bench and set to work at the telegraph -chronometer. Presently came -the turn of our Screw; the watchmaker -picked him up again with the -pincers, placed him in a hole in one -part of the chronometer, and screwed -him tight with a delicate little screwdriver.</p> - -<p>On finishing his work Karl Ivánovich -wound up the watch, held it to his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -ear and listened. It was ticking away -merrily, and our Screw sat firmly in -his place and held the pieces together -as a conscientious screw should. Then -the watchmaker hung up the chronometer -in a glass case to be tested.</p> - -<p>One morning, about a fortnight afterwards, -the outer door of Karl Ivánovich's -shop opened, and the director -of the telegraph station came in.</p> - -<p>'Good morning, Karl Ivánovich,' -he said; 'what about my watch?'</p> - -<p>'It's ready—quite ready.'</p> - -<p>'And goes well?'</p> - -<p>'Goes perfectly. There was just -one screw wanting, and I've put it in. -That was the whole matter.'</p> - -<p>The telegraph director opened the -inner lid of the watch and looked at -our Screw; then he shut the lid again -and put the chronometer into his waistcoat -pocket. It ticked bravely, and -the little blue steel Screw sat in -his hole, saying to himself joyfully: -'And I, too, am of use!'</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/dream.jpg" width="550" height="207" alt=""/></div> - - - - -<h2 id="DREAM">THE DREAM</h2></div> - - -<div class="ddropcapbox"><img class="idropcap" - src="images/t.jpg" width="160" height="152" alt="T"/></div> - -<p class="pfirst">HERE once lived a little boy -called Basil. He had a -good mamma, who worked -hard to educate her child. -They lived alone: they had no relatives, -no servants. His mamma tried -never to leave Basil alone in the -evening; when she had some work to -carry to her employer she always tried -to do it in the daytime.</p> - -<p>A friend once presented Basil's -mamma with a ticket for the theatre. -This took place in her absence. When -she returned home Basil met her with -great joy. 'Mamma dearest, <i>Petr<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -Petróvich</i> (Mr. Peter) has been here -and left a ticket for you. You shall -go to hear the opera to-night. You -like the opera, don't you?'</p> - -<p>'But, my dear boy, what shall I do -with the ticket? I cannot go.'</p> - -<p>'And why, mamma?'</p> - -<p>'Why, I can't leave you all alone -at home; if we had two tickets we -could both go; but without you I -can't go.'</p> - -<p>'No, no, you must go, mamma,' -insisted Basil.</p> - -<p>'No, my darling, I can't leave you,' -said his mother, sighing; 'you would -be afraid, and something might happen -to you.'</p> - -<p>'You might ask Mrs. <i>Lookina</i> to -stay with me.'</p> - -<p>Mrs. Lookina was their neighbour, -living on the same landing in the same -large house.</p> - -<p>'It is hard to be under an obligation -to any one, my dear; the last -time when I had to take home some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -hurried work I asked Mrs. Lookina to -stay some time with you. I cannot do so -too often; she has work of her own.'</p> - -<p>'Then I shall stay alone, and will -not be afraid,' answered Basil; 'and -if anything happens, I shall call Mrs. -Lookina; and if nothing happens, I -shall not call her.'</p> - -<p>Basil's mother saw very well that -the boy wished her to go to the -theatre. She was much pleased; she -kissed him tenderly, but did not say -what she intended to do. But by the -glance she cast at the ticket, the way -she put it aside, the sigh which followed, -Basil understood all very well; -his mamma would very much like to -go to the opera, and it was hard for -her to deprive herself of so rare a -pleasure, which she could now have -for nothing; but yet she could not -decide to go. Basil was so disappointed -that tears were ready to fall.</p> - -<p>'Oh mamma! you often said that -we must help one another, and not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -find it difficult. You made a collar -for Mrs. Lookina.... And if you do -not go to the theatre I shall cry,' he -added, quite unexpectedly beginning -to weep.</p> - -<p>'Don't, dearest, don't cry,' said his -mother, taking her boy on her lap and -kissing him; but the child wept, repeating -continually:</p> - -<p>'Poor mamma, you never can go -to the theatre—you would so much -like to go; I know it.'</p> - -<p>'Well, well, I will go; only don't cry.'</p> - -<p>Then his mamma went to Mrs. -Lookina and asked her to give Basil -some tea, put him to bed, and stay -with him until her return. When she -was dressed she kissed her boy and -set off.</p> - -<p>Soon it was tea-time. Mrs. Lookina -never before had had to give Basil his -tea, and did not know that he took -very weak tea. She poured him out -some strong tea, and as the boy liked -it very much, he took more of it than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -usual. Basil well remembered what -his mamma said, and did not wish to -tire Mrs. Lookina, so he told her he -would undress himself and go to bed, -and she might lock the door from the -outside and go home.</p> - -<p>'I shall not be afraid,' concluded -he; 'and if anything happens, I shall -knock like this.'</p> - -<p>'But why, my boy? I can stay -with you,' answered the neighbour.</p> - -<p>'No, no, you have some work at -home,' said Basil, and wrapping himself -up in his quilt with decision, he -closed his eyes and said: 'There, I -am asleep already.'</p> - -<p>'Very well, my boy,' said Mrs. -Lookina, smiling; 'but you must promise -me to knock as soon as you need -anything.'</p> - -<p>'Yes, yes; I shall knock this way,' -and kneeling up on his bed, Basil -showed how he would knock.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Lookina left him. Basil heard -her leaving their lodging, taking the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -candle with her; heard her locking -the door. And now Basil was alone. -All was quiet around. He opened his -eyes; all was dark. Basil felt uneasy, -to tell the truth, but he tried not to -think about it; he again closed his -eyes, and turned his back to the wall. -A long time he lay thus, and the -strong tea he had taken kept him -awake. He began to rock himself -slightly in his bed and sing—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">'Sleep, sleep, come to me.</div> -<div class="line">Sleep, sleep, take me now.</div> -<div class="line">Sleep, lull me into sleep.'</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>Basil repeated these words several times, -and all at once it seemed to him as if -the room were not as dark as before. -He opened his eyes wide, and was -lost in astonishment. The room was -full of pale light—something like -moonlight—and not far from his bed -Basil noticed a queer little being. It -was a tiny little old man, not more -than six inches high. He wore a -short jacket made of red corn-poppy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -petals; his trousers were of the same -material; his arms and legs were very -thin, like poppy stems, and he wore -green stockings; his shoes and gloves -were composed of green poppy leaves. -But the Old Man's head was the most -interesting part of his little person. -It was a little round head, perfectly -bald and brown, just like the dried -fruit of a poppy. On his head there -was a crown such as you see in the -poppy. His face was brown also; it -was calm and kind. He smiled fondly -as he looked on Basil. Above the -Little Man's head trembled a bluish -flame, from which spread an agreeable -light about the room. This flame did -not touch the Old Man's head, but it -followed him. When the Little Man -stooped, the flame stooped also; when -he rose, it rose with him.</p> - -<div class="figcenter2em"> - <img src="images/p90.jpg" width="550" height="876" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p class="center">"<i>Not far from his bed Basil noticed a queer little being.</i>"</p> - </div> -</div> - -<p>'You called me?' asked he of -Basil. His voice was so agreeable, -and sounded so like that of an old -acquaintance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> - -<p>'I—I—don't know,' stammered the -child.</p> - -<p>'But you could not fall asleep, and -you kept repeating—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">' "Sleep, sleep, come to me.</div> -<div class="line">Sleep, sleep, take me now.</div> -<div class="line">Sleep, lull me into sleep." '</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>'Yes, Mr. Old Man, I have been -repeating all this, but I did not mean -to disturb you; it is hard to be under -an obligation to any one. I am not -afraid to be alone, Mr. Old Man.'</p> - -<p>'Oh!' said the Old Man, smiling, -'where did you learn such words; of -all things, as <i>to be under an obligation</i>? -He! he! he!'</p> - -<p>'No, no, Mr. Old Man; you see, -I told Mrs. Lookina to go home. -Why should I disturb you? You have -your own business.'</p> - -<p>'Ho! ho! ho!' laughed the Old -Man. 'What a sensible young man -you are! But don't trouble yourself -about this. My duty consists in being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -where people want to sleep, so you -only help me to do what I ought to -do. You want to sleep, don't you?'</p> - -<p>'Yes, Mr. Old Man.'</p> - -<p>'And so I will put you to sleep if -you like, soundly.' Then the Little -Old Man began to blink with evident -enjoyment, and to yawn slowly and -loudly. Somebody immediately yawned -in answer, and Basil, who had also a -great desire to yawn, looked around. -He saw to his great astonishment that -at the foot of his bed sat a new old -man. It was he who had yawned in -answer to the first Old Man.</p> - -<p>This Old Man much resembled the -other, only he was a little smaller. -His jacket and trousers were made of -lilac poppy petals instead of red ones, -and he had no light on his head.</p> - -<p>'Listen, Basil,' said the little lilac-coloured -creature, and with a gentle -voice, like a mother telling fairy tales -to her child, he began to speak:</p> - -<p>'A gnat was born on the moors.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -It stood on its thin little legs, it spread -its wings, and thought to itself: "It is -time to fly after some booty! If I -meet a man or a bull, I will eat him -up."</p> - -<p>'The gnat flew away, spread its -little legs in the wind, and vanished. -Hardly anybody would notice it—so -small, and thin, and weak it was. -Nevertheless, as it flew, it blew its own -trumpets—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">'"Fi-fo-fum!</div> -<div class="line">Here I come!</div> -<div class="line">I will slay</div> -<div class="line">Man and beast!</div> -<div class="line">I will feast</div> -<div class="line">All the day!"</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>'Whether the gnat flew for a long or -a short time no one knows. Anyhow -it came to a reddish mound. This was -a heap of bricks. Some time ago a -hut stood here, but the hut had been -burnt down; its brick stove had fallen -to pieces, and now stood in view—a -heap of fragments. The gnat looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -at the mound and thought: "This is -a fine portion; it will just suit my -appetite." It flew with all its might, -settled on a brick, then flew on to -another, and tried to drive its proboscis -into it. The gnat held the brick fast, -and fought with its proboscis the best -it could; but it found it hard. Brick -was brick, you know; it was not soft -stuff. The gnat raced from place to -place. It tried the brick in every way, -but without avail.</p> - -<p>'"No," thought the gnat, "this does -not please me; it is not worth while -troubling about." It moved on again, -and flew away. It flew on and blew -its own trumpets—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">' "Fi-fo-fum!</div> -<div class="line">Here I come!</div> -<div class="line">I will slay</div> -<div class="line">Man and beast!</div> -<div class="line">I will feast</div> -<div class="line">All the day!"</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>'Presently the gnat came across -something large and high, surmounted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -by a sharp-pointed deep-green dunce's -cap. It was a fir-tree with resin oozing out.</p> - -<p>'The gnat thought: "This is more in -my line; this will suit my appetite; I -will begin at this yellow spot."</p> - -<p>'It flew towards the resin, and, -settling down, drove its proboscis into -it. Oh, wonder! It was bitter and -sticky. The gnat after a great effort -dragged its proboscis out, and then -tried to free its legs. It tugged and -tugged, and managed to free five, but -could not succeed with the sixth.</p> - -<p>'The gnat got angry. "Let go," he -called to the fir-tree; "I know a trick -worth two of that." But the fir-tree -held the leg tight. The gnat got still -angrier; dashed about until its leg -came off, and then flew away with only -five legs; the sixth had remained in the -resin. It flew on, and again blew its -own trumpets—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">' "Fi-fo-fum!</div> -<div class="line">Here I come!</div> -<div class="line">I will slay</div> -<div class="line">Man and beast!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></div> -<div class="line">I will feast</div> -<div class="line">All the day!"</div> -</div></div></div> - - -<p>'A tale is quicker told than actions -can be done.</p> - -<p>'Our gnat flew over hill and vale, -furrowed fields, green meadows, quick -flowing rivers, and whispering woods. -It flew along roads, past cornfields. -Nowhere did it find anything profitable. -In the meantime some fine -raindrops began to fall. The gnat -was not dejected; it hurried on. Suddenly -it met a whole herd of cattle; -the young calves went on in front and -the large oxen behind. The gnat's -eyes glistened. It wished to settle on -the first calf and fix its proboscis into -it, but it bethought itself: "I see you -are small, little calf; it is better to -eat a big ox." He began to examine -the oxen. The herd went on and the -gnat still looked around. This one -seemed too thin—that one, though stout, -yet not big enough; then came one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -that looked worse than the preceding -ones. Thus all passed by, and the -gnat had not made a choice.</p> - -<p>'It suddenly flew after the herd, for -the purpose of settling down on the -first it could reach. But now it met -with a new misfortune. The rain -soaked its wings and made them -heavy; it could not fly any farther, -and got angry and began to scold the -rain: "So you intend to wet my -wings? you cannot find another place -to drop on? Beware! do you think -to take me in with your tricks?" The -gnat had hardly spoken thus, when a -large drop of rain fell on its back and -maimed it; it was choked by its last -word, and fell head over heels on to -the grass.</p> - -<p>'Nobody knows how long the gnat -remained there. Anyhow, when the -bright sun peeped out from the clouds -and shone upon the earth, the gnat -contrived to creep out of the grassy -thicket and to dry itself. Then it flew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -on farther, and again, flying, it blew its -trumpets—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">' "Fi-fo-fum!</div> -<div class="line">Here I come!</div> -<div class="line">I will slay</div> -<div class="line">Man and beast!</div> -<div class="line">I will feast</div> -<div class="line">All the day!"</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>Suddenly it perceived before it, at -some distance, a mare harnessed to a -cart, moving on slowly. A peasant -was sitting in the cart.</p> - -<p>'The gnat rejoiced: "Now I can eat -my fill; when I shall have dined off -the man I'll taste the horse." So it -flew straight on to the man's forehead, -and stung with all its force.</p> - -<p>'The peasant passed the palm of his -hand over his forehead, crushed the -gnat, and threw it behind the cart, and -all was over with it.'</p> - -<p>The Lilac Old Man had finished his -tale.</p> - -<p>'Basil, are you not asleep?' asked -the first Old Man.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -'Not yet, Mr. Old Man,' answered -Basil.</p> - -<p>'Do you wish to sleep?'</p> - -<p>'I do.'</p> - -<p>'Aaa!' yawned the Red Old Man.</p> - -<p>'Aaa!' yawned after him the Lilac -Old Man.</p> - -<p>'Aaa!' yawned after them Basil.</p> - -<p>'Aaa!' yawned yet another near -them. When Basil looked round he -saw that a third old man sat on his -pillow, looking exactly like the two -others; the only difference was that his -coat and trousers were of white poppy -petals. The White Old Man smiled -caressingly, laid his hand on Basil's -head, and Basil could not refrain from -closing his eyes and smiling back at -him. Meanwhile the new old man gently -rocked himself. Basil heard him sing a -little song in a very soft and lulling voice:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">'Gentle dreams with pinions light</div> -<div class="line">By the window did alight,</div> -<div class="line">Whisp'ring through their tresses bright:</div> -<div class="line">'Has sweet sleep been here to-night?"</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">Wearied out a sick man lies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></div> -<div class="line i1">Tossing on a fever bed,</div> -<div class="line">Gazing with wide, hopeless eyes</div> -<div class="line i1">Through the darkness thick and dread.</div> -<div class="line">Fairy dreams come trooping, shining,</div> -<div class="line i1">Hand in hand with quiet sleep,</div> -<div class="line">And their tresses, intertwining,</div> -<div class="line i1">Softly o'er his pillow sweep,</div> -<div class="line">Till his eyelids sink and close</div> -<div class="line">While their song around him flows:</div> -<div class="line i3">"Sleep, oh sleep!</div> -<div class="line i3">Night and rest</div> -<div class="line i3">From thee keep</div> -<div class="line i3">Sprites unblest!</div> -<div class="line i3">When to-morrow</div> -<div class="line i3">Sunbeams peep,</div> -<div class="line i3">Be thy sorrow</div> -<div class="line i3">Laid asleep!"</div> -</div></div></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">'Gentle dreams with pinions light</div> -<div class="line">By the window did alight,</div> -<div class="line">Whisp'ring through their tresses bright:</div> -<div class="line">'Has sweet sleep been here to-night?"</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> - -<div class="line">'See! A haggard seamstress, bending,</div> -<div class="line i1">Bloodless cheek and aching head,</div> -<div class="line">O'er the toil that, never ending,</div> -<div class="line i1">Hardly gives her children bread.</div> -<div class="line">Cometh sleep, and from her fingers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></div> -<div class="line i1">Steals away the half-turned seam,</div> -<div class="line">And with noiseless footstep lingers,</div> -<div class="line i1">Weaving many a joyous dream,</div> -<div class="line">Till her eyelids sink and close,</div> -<div class="line">While their song around her flows:</div> -<div class="line i3">"Work is over!</div> -<div class="line i3">And we hover</div> -<div class="line i3">Round thee lightly,</div> -<div class="line i3">Bringing nightly</div> -<div class="line i3">Short relief,</div> -<div class="line i3">Till thy grief</div> -<div class="line i3">Again is born</div> -<div class="line i3">With each new morn!"</div> -</div></div></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="line">'Gentle dreams with pinions light</div> -<div class="line">By the window did alight,</div> -<div class="line">Whisp'ring through their tresses bright:</div> -<div class="line">'Has sweet sleep been here to-night?"</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> - -<div class="line">'No! I hear a baby crying,</div> -<div class="line i1">Though the curly little head</div> -<div class="line">Long ago should have been lying</div> -<div class="line i1">Cradled in a cosy bed.</div> -<div class="line">Fairy dreams come round him flocking,</div> -<div class="line i1">And on many a snowy arm</div> -<div class="line">Lift and bear him, softly rocking,</div> -<div class="line i1">Covering with kisses warm,</div> -<div class="line">Till his eyelids sink and close,</div> -<div class="line i1">While their song around him flows:</div> -<div class="line i3">"Hush, my sweetest!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></div> -<div class="line i3">Shut thine eyes</div> -<div class="line i3">Till thou greetest</div> -<div class="line i3">Fair sunrise,</div> -<div class="line i3">Till dawn's hour</div> -<div class="line i3">Laughs again;</div> -<div class="line i3">Like a flower</div> -<div class="line i3">After rain!"'</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>The White Old Man had long -finished singing, but Basil was still -listening, longing for more; it pleased -him so much.</p> - -<p>'Basil, are you asleep?' suddenly -asked the Red Old Man, in a low -voice.</p> - -<p>'Not yet, Mr. Old Man,' answered -Basil.</p> - -<p>'Do you wish to sleep?'</p> - -<p>'I do.'</p> - -<p>Here the Red Old Man yawned -again very loudly; then the Lilac one -yawned; and the White one did the -same. Basil also yawned. But then -it seemed as if he heard another yawn -still louder than the others very near -to him, somewhere above. Basil<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -looked round and saw on the side -rail of his bedstead, above his head, -a fourth old man, who was dangling -his legs. He much resembled the -Lilac and White Men, but he was -dressed in many colours.</p> - -<p>The old man smiled, and strewed, -as if in fun, many, many poppy petals -on Basil.</p> - -<p>Basil felt so very sleepy that he -hardly could keep his eyes open; yet -he wished very much to look at the -new old man.</p> - -<p>'Shut your eyes, and I will show -you my pictures,' whispered the Many-Coloured -Old Man, and poured a -whole handful of poppies on Basil.</p> - -<p>The boy closed his eyelids gladly, -and at once saw a beautiful street in -which mamma never allowed Basil to -walk alone.</p> - -<p>Now Basil went along with both his -hands in his pockets. One pocket -was full of apples, the other full of -pears. Basil took them out by turns,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -first one and then the other, and ate -to his great content. When he got -tired of the fruit he felt nuts in his -pockets instead of apples, and dates -and dried figs instead of pears. After -a while he could not help thinking of -sweets. And as soon as he did so the -nuts turned into chocolate, and the -dates and figs into sugar-candy.</p> - -<p>Besides this, at every curbstone -stood a prettily-dressed girl, very like -those who served Basil at the confectioner's -when <i>Petr Petróvich</i> took -him there and offered him some choice -morsel.</p> - -<p>One regaled him with grapes, -another with ice cream, a third with -pineapple, a fourth with strawberries, -and a fifth with apricots; and so on.</p> - -<p>Basil walked on gaily, looking -around on all sides, and taking a -good piece from each plate. What -was the most wonderful was that he -never suffered after it.</p> - -<p>Basil walked on and on in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -happiest frame of mind. Nevertheless -he could not help noticing that -the street was somewhat long. He -had hardly thought this when he perceived -that the street had vanished, -and he stood in the middle of a toy-shop. -Goodness me! what beautiful -things he saw there! Drums, swords, -guns, mechanical dogs, balls, furniture, -rocking-horses, loto, pictures—a regular -furnished house.... But no! let us -stop enumerating. It would be impossible -to remember all the splendid -things displayed in the shop. Basil's -eyes were simply dazzled at the cupboards -and shelves. After a good -while, when he had surveyed all these -treasures, his attention became attracted -by a crossbow with a steel -spring, a capital bowstring, and the -butt end well polished. Next to the -crossbow was a quiver attached to a -strap with all sorts of arrows. For a -long time Basil had longed for such a -bow. With this bow you might hit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> -any mark, and you might even, if on -the watch, shoot the raven that was in -the habit of stealing small chickens -from the yard. Basil had seen just -such a bow at a little friend's house. -How easy it was to shoot with it! -Basil had asked his mamma to buy -him such a bow, but his mamma said -she could not afford it; it cost five -roubles.<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> And now Basil saw his pet -bow in the shop. Suddenly the door -creaked, and Basil's mamma entered. -She paid down the money, took the -bow and the quiver, and walked out. -Basil was so overjoyed that he nearly -jumped out of his bed; but at the -same moment the shop vanished from -his sight, and in its place stood a shoemaker's -workshop, where his mamma -used to order her boots. How happy -he was walking with her and holding -his bow in his hands. He looked -around on all sides, and thought all -other people were happy to see him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> -with his beautiful bow. Suddenly he -perceived how greatly he was mistaken, -for he saw the master of the -workshop, a rather short, square-built -man, standing before his apprentice, -scolding him, and preparing by his -gestures to thrash him. The unhappy -boy cried hard, trembled with fear, -and begged for mercy, but the master -was angry, and did not listen to him. -Seeing some visitors, the master in a -moment put on an amiable expression, -turned to them, and threw away the -strap. The trembling apprentice drew -back towards the door. Basil pitied -the boy dreadfully. He went up to -the poor fellow and asked in a whisper, -'What does he want to beat you for?' -The boy did not answer, and drew -back towards the door with downcast -eyes. Basil went after him and asked -again: 'Did you do anything?'</p> - -<p>'I've done nothing, and I'm not -guilty,' answered the apprentice, after -a long silence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> - -<p>'What does he want to beat you for -then?'</p> - -<p>'Peter informed about me.'</p> - -<p>'Which Peter?'</p> - -<p>'The son of my master.'</p> - -<p>'Tell me all.'</p> - -<p>'My master bought Peter a bow—a -beautiful bow like yours—and told him -to take care of it; and he broke it, -and he pretended I had broken it; -and I swear I didn't.' (Here the boy -made the sign of the cross in token of -his innocence.) 'The master is going -to beat me,' he added in a whisper, -and the tears flowed from his eyes.</p> - -<p>'Now, don't cry,' said Basil, taking -the apprentice by the hand. He pitied -the boy dreadfully, but he did not know -how to console him.</p> - -<p>'It's all very well for you to say, -Don't cry. If you felt his strap you -wouldn't talk like that; my master has -a heart of stone.'</p> - -<p>Basil looked at his own bow; the -bow was beautiful, and Basil had not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -even had time to shoot with it. He -sighed and turned away; it would be -too hard for him to part with his bow. -But when the unhappy boy began to -cry again Basil could not bear it. He -took him by the hand, and said: -'Here you are; if you wish I'll give -you my bow; you can give it to your -master, so that he won't beat you.'</p> - -<p>'How?' asked the apprentice, hardly -believing that Basil would give up his -toy, and after looking at him attentively, -added: 'Won't you be sorry to -give it up? It is such a beautiful -bow. I know what to do: let him -beat me—I'm not afraid. Better keep -it and allow me to shoot with it. -Peter never allowed me to shoot, but -you will. I'm not afraid.'</p> - -<p>Basil pitied the boy still more, and -called out: 'No, no, I don't want it; -take it;' and Basil put the bow in the -apprentice's hands. Immediately after -the boy and the bow and the workshop -vanished. The Many-Coloured Old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -Man left off showing pictures, and at -the same time the Red Man asked in -a well-known voice: 'Basil, are you -asleep?'</p> - -<p>'No, Mr. Old Man,' answered Basil, -with great difficulty.</p> - -<p>'With what Old Man are you talking?' -asked the same voice, laughing. -Basil opened his eyes; it was already -morning. The sun shone brightly -through the red cotton curtains at the -window, and his mamma stood at his -bedside.</p> - -<p>'Mamma?' asked Basil, with wonder. -'Then it was all dream?'</p> - -<p>'What?'</p> - -<p>'The Little Old Man?'</p> - -<p>'Why, certainly it was;' and the -mother tenderly kissed her boy.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/browny.jpg" width="550" height="209" alt=""/></div> - - - - -<h2 id="BROWNY">BROWNY<br /> -(A POPULAR OUKRAÏNÏEN TALE)</h2></div> - - -<div class="ddropcapbox"><img class="idropcap" - src="images/a.jpg" width="160" height="152" alt="A "/></div> - -<p class="pfirst">certain peasant had a -dog called Browny. So -long as the dog was young -and strong his master fed -him; but when he grew old, and the -master saw that he was no longer fit -for a watchdog, he began to grudge -him his food, and turned him out of -doors. Browny went out into the -fields and wandered on, not caring -where—on and on he went, weeping -bitterly.</p> - -<p>A wolf came up to him and asked: -'Why do you cry so?'</p> - -<p>'I have something to cry for,'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -answered the dog. 'So long as I was -strong, and could feed myself, I served -my master truly and faithfully, and -now, when I have grown old in his -service, he says: "Be off with you!" -Where am I to go now? I have not -even the strength to catch a hare.'</p> - -<p>'Ah, that's too bad!' said the Wolf. -'Now, look here: we wolves are supposed -to be downright robbers, because -we have to procure our food in some -way or other. Yet I wouldn't do such -a meanness as your master did. Well, -if he does not remember your faithful -service, there is another way of making -him give you the food that you -have honestly deserved from him.'</p> - -<p>'Oh! if you could manage that, -some day I would repay you for it!' -exclaimed poor Browny, licking his -lips at the very thought of a good -dinner.</p> - -<p>'We'll manage it,' said the Wolf. -'When your master comes out into the -field with his family to reap the corn, his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> -wife will lay down the baby under a -rick; you keep close by, so that I may -know which is their field. I will seize -the child and run off; you rush after me -and make believe to snatch the child -away from me, and I will let it go as -if I were afraid of you. Then everything -will go as you wish.'</p> - -<p>No sooner said than done. At -harvest-time the man came out into -the field with his family to reap. His -wife laid down the baby under a rick, -took a sickle, and went with her husband -to reap. Suddenly the Wolf -rushed up, snatched the baby, and -ran off. Browny sprang out of the -corn and after him. The baby's -father and mother were dreadfully -frightened: the father tore along, -shouting, 'Catch him, Browny—bite -him! bite him!...' And Browny -did his best: he caught up the Wolf, -took the child from him, and brought -it to his master.</p> - -<p>'Good dog, Browny!' said the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -master. 'Oh you good dog! I thought -he wasn't fit for anything now, and see -what a plucky fellow he is!' and he -took half a loaf and a piece of lard out -of his bag and gave them to Browny.</p> - -<p>In the evening the peasants went -home, and Browny with them. When -they got in, the man said to his wife: -'Light the fire and make us some -buck-wheat dough-dumplings, with -plenty of lard.'</p> - -<p>Browny's mistress made the dumplings—capital -dumplings—so nice that -they would make your mouth water -to look at them! The master gave -Browny a seat at the table as if the -dog were his best friend, and sat down -beside him. Browny, on his part, -made an agreeable face, and expressed -by his whole appearance that he would -know how to behave himself, even if he -were the <i>starosta</i> (elder) of the village.</p> - -<p>'Now, wife,' said the man, 'turn the -dumplings out into the bowl, and let us -have supper!'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> - -<p>The wife filled the bowl, and the -husband put a helping for Browny into -a smaller bowl, and blew it a long -time, so that Browny should not burn -his muzzle. He had become such an -important person all of a sudden!</p> - -<p>Browny lived in peace and plenty, -but he did not forget his benefactor, -the Wolf. He used to think: 'Perhaps -the Wolf is wandering about the -steppes now, starving!' Then he would -grow quite melancholy, and shake his -head, sighing.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Carnival came round, -and the peasant began making wedding -preparations—his daughter was -to be married. Then Browny shook -off all his melancholy. He went far -away from the village, and called the -Wolf. When the Wolf came up, they -hardly recognised one another: Browny -had grown fat and glossy, while as for -the unhappy Wolf, he was thin, worn-out—nothing -but skin and bones; his -fur hung in ragged tufts, and his teeth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -chattered from hunger. When Browny -looked at his friend his heart ached -for pity.</p> - -<p>'Come on Sunday evening, brother, -to my master's garden-plot,' said the -Dog to the Wolf; 'I'll give you such -a feast as you have not had in all -your life!'</p> - -<p>Now a good dinner was a rare -thing to the poor Wolf; his eyes -shone with delight, and he felt quite -sick with hunger.</p> - -<p>On Sunday evening the Wolf came -to the place agreed upon. That very -evening was the wedding feast in the -house of Browny's master. Browny -came out to his friend, and, seizing -a moment when there was no one in -the cottage, led him in and hid him -under the table. The feast began. -When the food was put on the table, -Browny instantly snatched a big hunch -of bread and the best slice of roast -meat and carried it under the table. -The guests shouted at him; some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -wanted to strike him; but the master -of the house stopped them, saying: -'Don't touch him; that dog is allowed -to do anything he likes; he saved my -child, and I will keep him till he -dies!' That was just what Browny -wanted: he pulled all the best things -off the table, and gave them to his -friend—pies, everything, even a bottle -of <i>horílka</i><a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>. The <i>horílka</i> made the -Wolf tipsy, and he said to Browny:</p> - -<p>'I want to sing a song!'</p> - -<p>'Heaven forbid!' answered Browny; -'there'll be the devil to pay here! -I'll bring you a bottle of <i>nalívka</i><a name="FNanchor_8" id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>, only -hold your tongue!'</p> - -<p>But after drinking the <i>nalívka</i>, the -Wolf grew merrier than ever.</p> - -<p>'You can do as you like,' said he; -'but now I am going to sing.' He -lifted up his muzzle, and such a howl -as he set up under the table!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> -Every one was terrified. Some ran -right out of the cottage, some caught -up sticks and spades and wanted to -kill the Wolf there and then. Browny, -seeing that it was a bad job, flew at -his friend as if to strangle him. Then -the host called out to his guests: -'Don't hit the Wolf, or you will kill -my Browny. Let them alone; Browny -will settle the Wolf by himself.'</p> - -<p>The dog, meanwhile, struggling and -pretending to bite, managed to get his -friend first out of the cottage, then -out of the garden and right across the -fields. Then he stopped.</p> - -<p>'There, brother,' said he to the -Wolf; 'you did me a good turn, and -I've done you one. Good-bye!'</p> - -<p>'Thank you!' said the Wolf. 'Good -luck to you!'</p> - -<p>And so they parted.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/old.jpg" width="550" height="208" alt=""/></div> - - - - -<h2 id="MISTAKE">THE OLD SWORD'S MISTAKE</h2></div> - - -<div class="ddropcapbox"><img class="idropcap" - src="images/o.jpg" width="160" height="151" alt="O"/></div> - -<p class="pfirst">NCE upon a time there was -a steel sword, whose blade -was forged and tempered -in a most excellent manner. -The handle was of precious -wood, with beautiful inlaid work -of mother-of-pearl and gold. From -his very birth the Sword was in the -service of a gallant knight; and a -sturdy, faithful sword he was. He -fought for the sake of truth and of -every fair lady, and against all oppressors -of the weak. All who, even by -word or glance, injured a lady dreaded -the steel weapon: there was no man, -no arms in the world, whom the steel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> -warrior feared. But the valiant knight -was killed in a hard fight, and the -Sword remained lying on the battle-field. -There the wind blew sand upon -him, and leaves, fallen during the -autumn from the neighbouring bushes, -covered him. And many long years -he lay there buried and unseen, until -a peasant proposed to clear the -ground, and his plough ran by chance -against the Sword. The first thing -that the ploughman did was to utter -an oath, for his coulter, in striking -against the stout weapon, received a -notch. Then the Sword was dug out, -taken to town, and sold to an old -curiosity shop. The shopman hung -the Sword on a nail.</p> - -<p>From his lofty resting-place the old -warrior, in glancing about the shop, -saw in the corner of the hall a white -lady of astonishing beauty. She was -clad only in a loose-fitting garment -about her fair form. Her neck, arms, -and feet were bare; her hair was all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -combed back, then caught up by a -diadem, from which it hung down in a -shower of curls. She stood erect, and -did not move. On her fair lips played -an enigmatic smile, while her beautiful -arms hung loose beside her, and her -whole form seemed to breathe with -free, powerful peace. One thing alone -appeared to the steel warrior somewhat -strange: the fair one was all -white; her cheeks, eyes, hair; her -hands and feet; her garments and diadem,—all -were like fresh snow. But -this seemed only to give a new charm -to her beauty. The longer the old -Sword gazed at the white unknown -woman, the brighter grew his blade, -the more merrily danced all the rainbow -tints in his mother-of-pearl inlaid -work, and the stronger grew his wish -to fight as of old for truth's and a -lady's sake—nay, for this very lady.</p> - -<p>The steel warrior longed to speak -to the white beauty, but he did not -venture. 'I am so old,' he thought;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -'so notched; even somewhat rusty ... -while she is so fair!... No, no, it -would not do. Methinks she would -not even mind me or look at me.'...</p> - -<p>Now the old Sword glanced at the -lady in the corner, and she gazed at -him, smiling enigmatically....</p> - -<p>'Oh,' thought the sturdy warrior, 'if -only I could do something for her!' -But there seemed no chance of being -of use to the fair creature. The Sword -could no longer bear such suspense. -He summoned up all his courage, -and uttered in a faltering clang: -'Queen of my soul! tell me what -you desire. Only tell me, and I will -do it; at least I will attempt anything -for you!' But the White -Beauty remained speechless, and only -smiled enigmatically as before.</p> - -<p>'Why does she keep silence?' This -was the question that tormented the -old Sword, and he looked at the fair -lady with anguish. Oh how much -she might say if she would but speak!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> -What power breathes through her -apparent calm! And her smile! what -a rich soul it hides! Nay, if this -heavenly creature does not speak it is -certainly only in consequence of some -spell laid upon her! And the old -fighter looked around, pondering over -the question, Who could be the malicious -sorcerer? It could not be the -gigantic snake, stuffed with tow, that -stood in an opposite corner, for its -eyes were but glass, and though they -say snakes fascinate birds and little -animals, they need living eyes for the -purpose. Nor could it be yonder -ivory-headed cane near the shelf; it -had the shape of an old man's head in -a nightcap, with saucy, black goggle -eyes. The insolent creature smiled, -it is true, very mockingly, and was -capable, as it seemed, of any rude -trick; but he was so placed as not to -be able even to see the White Lady. -Somewhat higher than the Sword, -hung on the same wall a red-nosed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -man, with a mass of tangled hair upon -his head. He had a wine-glass in his -hand, and he looked straight at the -beauty with winking, roguish eyes. -But that fellow could not have bewitched -the lady either; he was too -commonplace and good-natured for -such a thing. The old Sword had -seen scores of such fellows in old -times, when his knight was banqueting -in some wayside inn, or carousing in -some friar's cellar, after the conquest -of a town. Revellers of those days -were clad differently, but they were -evidently birds of the same feather. -The Sword even felt some special -interest in the old toper—he seemed -to be a clever fellow.</p> - -<p>'Look here, old boy,' said the old -warrior in a whisper to his neighbour, -'who do you think has bewitched the -lady in the corner?'</p> - -<p>'And why do you imagine the girl -to be bewitched?' retorted the red-nosed -one, in a hoarse, loud bass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -voice, making no scruples about the -matter, though his companion evidently -wished to speak in an undertone.</p> - -<p>'H'm, h'm ... well, well!' said -the old Sword; 'hold your peace! -indeed you speak too loud.... One -must be more discreet in delicate -matters.... As to the spell, it is -evident: have you not noticed the -lady to be absolutely silent?'</p> - -<p>'Well, what can she say if she has -nothing to say? Ha! ha! ha!'</p> - -<p>'What!' roared the Sword, and was -about to teach the reveller politeness -in his own way, but the latter checked -his ardour with these words—</p> - -<p>'Listen to what I am going to tell -you, old fellow: if you do not intend -to hear me quietly, why then do you -ask my opinion?'</p> - -<p>This remark seemed to the Sword -to be reasonable, therefore he restrained -himself and resumed his -speech, though not without anger.</p> - -<p>'You have drowned your reason<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -in wine, that's all. How can it be -that such a woman as this has nothing -to say? Just look at her smile!'</p> - -<p>'But perhaps she does not know -anything but how to smile enigmatically.'</p> - -<p>But such things the old warrior -could no longer endure. Indeed, he -would have made a cut at the toper's -red nose had he not been taken down -at that moment by the owner of the -shop to show to some customer.</p> - -<p>'Very good indeed,' said the latter; -'but it is not to my taste. I like this -far better.' And the customer pointed -to the White Beauty.</p> - -<p>'Ha! ha! ha!... I should think -you do,' laughed the shopman merrily. -'It is my luck she cannot speak, else -she would have been married long ago, -and I should have lost instead of -gained by her.'</p> - -<p>'Ah!' thought the old Sword, 'here -is the sorcerer; I might have guessed -it long ago. The owner of the shop<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -is the mightiest here; he may do with -us what he will. And that hideous -man intends to sell that heavenly -woman! But he shall smart for it.'</p> - -<p>The old Sword broke loose from the -nail, and, flashing dreadfully with his -blade, struck the shopkeeper's shoulder. -No doubt the man would have been -wounded had the blade been sharp.</p> - -<p>'Dear me,' cried the shopman, rubbing -the injured spot, 'such a heavy -old fool! How did those knights in -old times fight with such cudgels?'</p> - -<p>All of a sudden there arose a stir in -the house. Along the passages and -staircases people were heard running -to and fro, shouting 'Fire! fire!' The -owner of the old curiosity shop and -his customer were rushing up and -down about the hall, not knowing -what to do. At last one of them -seized a pot of withered geranium, and -the other his rubbers, and both hurried -out. The White Lady stood near one -of the windows with her usual quiet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -smile, whilst on the window-sill there -sat a pretty little naked bronze boy. -For many long years he had carried -on his back a basket, into which a -candlestick was to be put. Though -the boy, as I have said, was only a -child, he knew very well what 'fire' -meant: he knew it from the time -when the bronze of which he was -formed was melted in a blast furnace. -A deadly fear overspread his lovely -face, and in a tender, tinkling voice he -addressed his pretty neighbour: 'Pray -... oh pray ... throw me down -into the street.... The fall can do me -no harm, I know ... but the fire will -melt me.... Do, I beseech you; you -have only to raise your arm.'</p> - -<p>But the White Beauty remained silent -and motionless. She continued to smile -in a most winning and most promising -manner, but made no gesture, uttered -no sound.</p> - -<p>The old Sword also knew what -'fire' meant. How many times<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -had he witnessed in old times the -conflagration of whole cities taken by -assault! He saw how unhappy citizens -and desperate artisans fled from their -homes; how women sobbed and -lamented when they saw the ruins, -and when their little ones were -slaughtered or burnt. All this the -old Sword now remembered, and his -steel blade ached at the thought: -'What will happen to the White -Lady?'</p> - -<p>The old curiosity shop was situated -on the third floor, and the window, -near which stood the beautiful woman -who charmed the Sword, was only a -few feet distant from the neighbouring -roof. The old Sword collected all his -strength, swung on his nail, and flung -himself through the window, placing -his handle on the sill and his point on -the cornice of the neighbouring house.</p> - -<p>'Queen of my soul, hasten! Pass -along, treading upon me, and you will -be safe,' so he rang out in a trembling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -voice. The beauty smiled in her -enigmatic, winning manner, but did -not utter a word or make a motion. -'Make haste, I beseech you!' rang -once more the anxious Sword. 'As -soon as the fire reaches our hall my -handle will be burnt, I shall fall -down, and your escape will be impossible.'</p> - -<p>But these words made on the lady -as little impression as his previous -ones: she remained motionless and -dumb, but smiling in a bewitching -manner. Suddenly several firemen -hurried in and began to seize everything -that their eyes fell upon, and to -fling it through the windows without -any distinction. First went the sardonic, -goggle-eyed old man on the -cane, and, without injury, tumbled -headlong down. Then came the red-nosed -old toper, smiling as usual, his -wine-glass still in his hand; he dashed -against a broken stool, and the canvas -on which he was painted was torn to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> -pieces. Scores of solid and fragile -things followed.... One of the firemen -seized the Sword and threw him into -the courtyard below. The jagged -fighter made several somersaults in -the air, and plunging into the earth -stood upright. A few moments he -shivered and made a dull sound. But -one thought overpowered him now: -'What would be the fate of his lady?' -All of a sudden he noticed something -white falling from the window, and ... -recognised his goddess: it was she! -The old Sword uttered a groan.</p> - -<p>'Oh, why did she not speak? Why -did she not avail herself of his devotion? -Why did she answer all his -entreaties only by an enigmatic smile? -O Heavens, why?' At this very -moment the White Lady fell down -upon the pavement and broke in two, -just where men have a heart....</p> - -<p>Many a time the old Sword had -pierced men's hearts, and then their -hot blood flowed along his blade. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -therefore cast a shuddering and anxious -look upon the fracture, expecting to -see it bleed. He saw, however, nothing -but stone; the whole beauty consisted -of marble.... The marble was -white as snow; it was irreproachably -fair, but yet it was only marble, and -nothing more.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/own.jpg" width="550" height="212" alt=""/></div> - - - -<h2 id="OWN">'MY OWN'<br /> -(A Siberian Fairy Tale)</h2></div> - - -<div class="ddropcapbox"><img class="idropcap" - src="images/t.jpg" width="160" height="152" alt="T"/></div> - -<p class="pfirst">HE banks of the Vagaï are -beautiful—very beautiful<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>—in -some places at least. -Steep, almost overhanging, -and high as the walls of a fortress -bastion, they rise frowning above the -river sternly; yet they are fair with -the rich verdure of the forest that -crowns their heights. This forest is -of many kinds. The century-old -fir-trees, with trunks that three men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -could not gird with outstretched arms, -rise in straight, dark-red columns, so -high that to look up at even the -lowest branches you must throw your -head back till your hat falls off; beside -them the gray-barked aspens quiver in -every leaf, as if frightened at the -twisted, snaky black trunks of the -bird-cherry—the tree that smells so -sweet in early spring when the white -blossoms cover it like a sheet of snow. -The gentle rowan is not noticeable for -its height; its feathery leaves are the -only thing that could attract your -attention. But wait till autumn -comes; then it is hung all over with -clusters of scarlet berries, and brightens -up the forest. The mighty cedar, with -its long, grand sweeps of feathery -needles, towers up higher even than -its comrade the fir; here and there -beneath the trees is scattered about an -undergrowth of young pines, almost -branchless, like bristles or long sticks -standing up out of the earth. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> -the commonest trees in this forest are -certainly silver birches. The trunks -of these birches stand out sometimes -straight and slender, with delicate -heads of foliage, looking like cadets -in their white shirts; sometimes -gnarled, branchy, knotted, with the -air of a burly peasant, rugged with -labour.</p> - -<p>Underneath, at the base of all these -tree-trunks, so different in thickness, -height, and colour, all the ground is -covered with masses of bright flowers, -and a carpet of grass that buries you -waist-deep when you walk. And the -longer you look upon this forest scene -the more varied, the more exquisite, it -appears to you. There are so many -beautiful shades of green—pale and -delicate on the birch-trees, dark on -the cedars, almost black on the <i>pikhta</i>. -Here the trees cluster together on the -river-bank, pressing one against the -other, forming an impassable barrier,—there -they draw back, as if wearied of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -following the course of the river, and -leave a wide, open space, where you -can see the edge of the nearest bank, -and the barren precipice of the opposite -one, also crowned with glorious -green forest; and if you advance to -the edge you can see, far below, the -torrent itself, swift and mighty.</p> - -<p>Ah yes, the Vagaï is beautiful! -And not only is it beautiful, but it is -a merry life there—in any case it is a -merry life for the birds who live there. -So many joys are theirs! The woodpeckers -can find in the bark of the -trees (especially the old stumps of -fallen trees) fat caterpillars and beetles; -for the snipe and woodcocks there are -endless strawberries, bilberries, cranberries, -thick clumps of wild oats and -other edible grasses. The great cones, -with their juicy nuts, cluster on the -branches of the pines and giant cedars, -like candles on a Christmas-tree, then -late in autumn they fall to the ground. -The clear, fresh water of the Vagaï<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> -seems to call you to bathe and drink. -And then the bright sunshine, the -transparent, fragrant air, the green -carpet of the forest, the joyous company -of comrades, with whom one -can sing, chirp, hop, dart about, and -fly like an arrow on light wings. -What more can heart desire? Living -such a life, should one not rejoice in -this bright world, fling away all envy -and malice, and share together with -one's fellow-creatures all the delights -which our common mother, Nature, -gives?</p> - -<p>So thought all the birds of the -forest tract we are speaking of, and -so they lived. Early, very early, in -the morning, when the first scarlet -flush shone in the sky to herald the -golden sunbeams, one little bird would -wake up and open its eyes, and there -beside it another would have begun -fluttering its wings, drinking the bright -dewdrops from the leaves, pecking -seeds from the grasses. Then the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -first bird would look at its friend, -thinking, 'There's plenty for all;' -and it, too, would begin chirruping, -delighted to have a companion with -whom to share both its labour and its -rest. And both together would dart -off and fly to the Vagaï to bathe. -So the little birds lived happily, -neither quarrelling nor disagreeing, -helping one another in their work -and dangers, and sharing together all -that the bright world gave them.</p> - -<p>But this way of living and thinking -did not suit a certain broad-beaked, -ponderous cedar-crow<a name="FNanchor_10" id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>, who had taken -up her abode in a huge cedar.</p> - -<p>This cedar stood apart in a glade, -and the Cedar-crow liked it just on -account of its separate position.</p> - -<p>'I will settle here; this shall be <i>my</i> -estate. I don't want any one else's -property, and no one shall touch <i>mine</i>!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> -It's comfortable and private and nice!' -The clumsy bird flew all round the -cedar, and, being satisfied with it, -settled there.</p> - -<p>The Cedar-crow stopped there a -day, two days ... the other birds -darted past, chirping, flying races, playing -with one another, rejoicing together -in the good gifts of their -mother-earth, the bright sun, and the -Vagaï, and the delights of companionship; -but the thick-billed Cedar-crow -dared not leave her tree; there -she sat watching that no other bird -should touch her private nuts. When -a woodcock did but pass, she flew to -him in anxiety, crying out: 'Go away!—go -away! There's nothing here for -you; go back where you came from! -I don't touch your things; you let -<i>mine</i> alone.'</p> - -<p>'But do you suppose the rest of the -forest is only <i>ours</i>?' said the Woodcock. -'You can have them too; of -course any one may take as much as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> -they want. There's enough for every -one.'</p> - -<p>'Yes, I dare say. <i>You</i> can do as -you like. But <i>I</i> feel safer when I -have something of my <i>own</i>.'</p> - -<p>'Why, you foolish one!' exclaimed -a thrush, which had flown up to them, -'we always live in whole companies—thousands -together—and never cut up -things into "mine" and "thine"; and -yet no harm happens to us.'</p> - -<p>'Yes; so long as there is plenty for -all, but afterwards there's no saying -what will happen,' thought the Cedar-crow, -though she did not say so aloud. -'If the land is divided between all of -us, how much will each one have? -Now I've got the whole of this huge -cedar to myself; it will last my time, -and I can leave it to my children and -grandchildren; there will be more for -them than for your fledglings....'</p> - -<p>'You're just gone silly with greediness,' -said the other birds, and flew -away, chirruping and darting after one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> -another in the air. But the Cedar-crow, -the forest landowner, seeing that -she was alone, pulled a cone from her -cedar, and began picking out the nuts. -She ate as much as she could, and -then returned to the work of guarding -her estate. She sat and looked about -her, and occasionally flew round the -tree, constantly afraid that some one -was touching her property.</p> - -<p>The time for nest-building came. -All the birds paired and got to work: -one carried a feather, another a straw; -each one wove in its contribution -properly; then they would hop about, -chirp to one another, and fly off together -to fetch more material.</p> - -<p>The Cedar-crow became more anxious -than ever. 'There!' she thought; -'they will lay eggs and hatch new -fledglings, and they, too, will all want -to eat and drink; they will simply -ravage my cedar. I shall have nothing -left!'</p> - -<p>She even left off going down to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -Vagaï to drink. Yet she was tormented -with thirst: her tongue hung out; her -eyes distended; she could hardly -breathe; and still she dared not leave -her tree. She endured it till nightfall. -At night all the birds settled down to -rest sweetly after their day's work; -only here and there an owl with great -round eyes would flit past. But the -Cedar-crow could not go to sleep; she -had to fly to the river and drink; and -this misery was not only once—at dawn -to-morrow it would begin again!</p> - -<p>At last the envious bird could bear -it no longer. Clearly she could not -manage alone. She began thinking -how to get out of the difficulty. It occurred -to her that it might be better to -take another cedar-crow into partnership -with her, and build a nest; certainly -it would be another mouth to -feed, but then the two of them together -could guard their property, and -not lose a single cone. And even if -they had fledglings, it would still be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> -better than now: in the first place, she -would feel safer; in the second place, -with so many to keep watch, not a -single nut would be lost, let alone a -cone. And the cedar was very big; -it would be enough for five, even ten -families.</p> - -<p>The Cedar-crow polished her beak, -pecked off a cone, glancing about her -as she did so, flew round the cedar, -and settled herself to look out for a -mate. There, just opposite her, on a -neighbouring fir-tree, sat another cedar-crow, -large and heavy, with a great -strong beak. It sat looking at the -cedar; evidently it wanted some nuts.</p> - -<p>The forest landowner flew across to -it, and began to explain: 'This is my -estate; no one has a right to touch -it; but, if you like, I will take you -into companionship, if you will help -me to guard our cedar from intruders.' -The male looked at the cedar-tree, -and saw that it was a fine one. 'You -won't get such a cedar every day.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> - -<p>'All right,' said he; 'if one lets every -one in to share in God's blessings -one will just starve. I've seen enough -of these fools that do nothing and lay -by nothing: just fly in coveys, peck -everything bare, and there's not a -thing left. I myself was just looking -for a good cedar, to take possession of -it, and let no one come near.'</p> - -<p>They paired, and set to work to -build their nest; one would bring the -materials, or go down to drink, while -the other guarded the estate.</p> - -<p>Well, some time passed, and behold -their little fledglings peeped out -of the nest. The old Cedar-crows -were more anxious than ever about -their property; formerly they had only -watched over the cones, now they let no -one so much as fly past the cedar-tree.</p> - -<p>But how were they to prevent the birds -from ever flying past, when forests and -meadows and water alike swarm with -them? The greedy birds drove away -their comrades day after day and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -whole day long; by the evening they -could hardly move their wings for -weariness. At last they got worn out. -What were they to do? They thought -and thought, and at last an idea struck -them.</p> - -<p>The male Cedar-crow flew to the -Plover. 'Call a meeting of all the -birds,' said he; 'on business.'</p> - -<p>'What business?' asked the Plover.</p> - -<p>'Well, that doesn't matter. Important -business.'</p> - -<p>'But still, I must know why to call -the birds to a meeting; may be you -want to disturb them for some trifle?'</p> - -<p>'Not for a trifle at all; we want to -give up our claim to the forest.'</p> - -<p>'How do you mean "Give up your -claim"?'</p> - -<p>'Why, simply to give it up! We -are worried out of our lives. And all -because every one considers that we -are their comrades, and that they can -poke their beaks into our place as if -it were their own.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Plover saw that there was something -very strange, and not only strange, -but dismal. The more he thought of -it, the worse it seemed to him. However, -there was nothing for it but to -call a council. 'All right,' he said; -'come again at this time to-morrow.'</p> - -<p>The next day the Plover flew over -fields, pastures, and forests, wailing -more mournfully than ever: 'Pity! -Pity! Pity!...'</p> - -<p>The birds, wondering at the melancholy -cry, flew down in countless -numbers to the Vagaï; on all sides -resounded chirruping and twittering. -Here the mellow call of the cuckoo -predominated; there the elaborate -whistle of the goldhammer. The -Cedar-crow, the forest landowner, was -there waiting. She came forward and -made her speech—</p> - -<p>'It is a custom among you, respected -birds, to live together and hold everything -in common. That is your own -affair; but we cannot live so. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -have children, and are bound to think -of them and have something to leave -them. Among you every one snatches -the food from his neighbour's beak, and -robs his neighbour without any question; -and we find that all this ends -in nothing but anxiety. We don't -want things that belong to others, and -we feel it hard when others give us no -peace. So we have resolved to announce -to you that we want no part -in your communal forest, and will not -touch it; we will not take from it a -single seed or stalk; but you, on your -side, agree together that no one shall -peck our nuts, or perch on our cedar, -or fly across our glade. This is our -request to you, respected birds.'</p> - -<p>When the Cedar-crow left off speaking -there was silence: the birds sat -with their bills wide open, and could -not utter a word for amazement.</p> - -<p>The first to recover himself was a -starling. 'Why—you—idiot!' he cried. -'Think yourself what a fool you are!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> -All the wide world is here before you, -and you want to give it up for one -little glade!'</p> - -<p>'Oh, the world! The world is not -<i>mine</i>—it's <i>every one's</i>—not much of it -will fall to my share; it's all very well -to be so sure! but the cedar, if it is -small, at least it's <i>mine</i>!' That is -what the Cedar-crow thought; but -aloud she only said: 'Well, if you -think it better to possess the whole -world in common than one little glade -separately, what is there to argue -about? The world remains to you, -so it must be a good bargain for you; -and there's nothing more to be said. -Then give us our glade, leave us in -peace, and that is all we ask.'</p> - -<p>'You foolish creature!' exclaimed -the other birds; 'he spoke for your -advantage; of course, your glade will -be no loss to us; but it's piteous to -see a creature so blind! He only -wanted to bring you to your senses.'</p> - -<p>'You must have a lot of good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> -advice to spare if you can give away -so much of it without being asked,' -replied the Cedar-crow, polishing her -broad beak.</p> - -<p>Seeing that the Cedar-crow was -hopelessly wrong-headed, the birds -talked the matter over, and decided -that she and her mate should be left -in undisturbed possession of their cedar -glade, and that no one should approach -within twenty fathoms of it.</p> - -<p>The Cedar-crows were delighted. -Now, they thought, at last we shall -be at peace! And so they were. -No one ever came near; they had no -longer any need to guard their cedar, -or to do anything but eat, drink, and -sleep. The rest of their time they -spent in gazing at one another, and -comparing who had the longest beak. -Once it chanced that a nightingale, -coming from a far country to seek her -lost mate (he had been trapped by -bird-catchers), flew to the cedar. She -did not know of the agreement among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -the birds of the Vagaï concerning the -cedar glade, and she flew into it. The -Cedar-crows were so bored that they -were almost glad to see her! They -flew out, however, and entered into a -polite explanation.</p> - -<p>'You probably do not know of the -agreement concerning this glade. No -one has the right to fly within twenty -fathoms of it, because it is <i>ours</i>. We -have renounced our claim to all the -rest of the forest, and do not take -a single seed or stalk from it; but this -glade belongs to us.'</p> - -<p>'Whatever is that for?' asked the -Nightingale, in amazement. 'Why, -supposing there's a bad harvest on -your cedar, what will become of you -then?'</p> - -<p>It was the first time that such a -question had been put to the Cedar-crows, -and they did not know what to -answer.</p> - -<p>'A bad harvest!' Indeed it was -possible. It often happens that in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -one place the harvest fails, and close -by, or very near, such a quantity -ripens that it goes to waste. But the -young birds reassured their parents: on -that cedar they had been hatched, and -had grown up; they had always lived -upon its fruits; they had always seen it -the same—mighty and burdened with -cones—could they imagine it different?</p> - -<p>'A bad harvest! What do you -mean?' they cried in chorus. 'The -harvest cannot fail on our cedar!'</p> - -<p>'Of course it can't!' echoed the -parent birds in delight.</p> - -<p>The Nightingale shook her little gray -head, but made no further comment.</p> - -<p>'Then it is forbidden to fly here?' -she said. 'I beg your pardon, I did -not know.'</p> - -<p>'Oh, we are not angry; indeed, as -you are on a journey, we shall be glad -to offer you some refreshment,' replied -the female Cedar-crow, glancing at her -mate; and she laid before the Nightingale -a single nut.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> - -<p>'Thank you,' said the Nightingale, -and flew away without touching the nut.</p> - -<p>The Cedar-crows settled down again -to their ordinary life, and there is no -saying how long they would have gone -on in the same way if a runaway tramp -had not happened to make a bonfire -in the <i>taïgá</i><a name="FNanchor_11" id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>. It was a long time -since he had enjoyed a hot drink, and -he was thirsty. He made some tea, -drank it, and was just going to start on -again, when he heard bells, then a -rustling sound and footsteps. The -poor fellow was terrified: 'The -<i>Ispravnik</i>!'<a name="FNanchor_12" id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> he thought. 'I shall be -caught!' He rushed into the thicket, -not stopping even to scatter the burning -brands or stamp out the embers. -In the meantime a light wind rose, the -embers glowed, the dry pine-needles -caught fire, and soon the flames were -creeping on from one fallen trunk to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> -another—farther and farther, wider -and wider, licking the trees, curling -round whole thickets—and the <i>taïgá</i> -was on fire. That is a common thing -in Siberia.</p> - -<p>For some time the Cedar-crows had -noticed that the air was of a milky -colour. For some time the sun had -been dull-red by day, and by night -they could see a far-off crimson glare -in the sky. Now the smell of burning -was in the air, and still the Cedar-crows -could not believe that their -estate was in danger of fire. It disturbed -them far more that innumerable -birds began flying past their glade to -the Vagaï; the beasts, too, hurrying -to the river, ran straight by the cedar.... -Soon it grew difficult to breathe, -yet still the Cedar-crows could not -bear to part from their estate; they -still dreaded lest some other birds or -beasts might take possession of their -glade. At last, though, they could -bear it no longer; they were forced to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> -go. But when, after all, they made up -their minds to leave the cedar, it was -too late. The fire attacked their glade -from all sides at once, and when they -attempted to fly upwards they dropped, -stifled with smoke, on to the ground. -The cool, green grass refreshed them, -and, in desperation, they struggled -again to reach the river. But all -around them rose terrible fiery pillars, -and the unhappy birds, scorched and -half dead, sank again to the ground, -and rose no more.</p> - -<p>Presently rain began to pour in -torrents, and put out the fire within a -few yards of the glade. That glade -was now a dismal scene of ruin: the -tall grass was burnt brown, the mighty -cedar was a charred and naked corpse. -All around stood the trees—aspens, -birches, limes, and bird-cherries—burnt -to skeletons, or with dead and -shrivelled leaves hanging from them -here and there. Mournfully they -raised their barren branches towards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> -the heavens, as though praying for -mercy; and thus, with lifted hands, -they perished.</p> - -<p>But beyond that bare skeleton -thicket stood in the distance the fresh -and untouched forest. The female -Cedar-crow, lying helpless on the -ground, gazed upon it despairingly. -Beside her lay her fledgling—the only -one left alive. He was feebly fluttering -his scorched wings and uttering -piteous cries.</p> - -<p>'Oh, if only some of the birds -would come to us!' thought the unhappy -mother; 'surely they would -have pity on my child, and would -carry him down to the waterside and -feed him. He would recover there; -he would not die of hunger and -thirst!...'</p> - -<p>But no one came near the glade. -All the birds remembered the general -agreement: not to disturb the Cedar-crows -in their seclusion, and not to -approach within twenty fathoms of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -their estate. And not one of the -birds knew what had happened to the -Cedar-crow family.</p> - -<p>When the bright sun rose next -morning no one of that family saw it—they -were all dead....</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the other birds, leaving -the fire-ravaged places for other parts -of the forest that were still fresh and -green, rejoiced as formerly in the fair -world, sharing everything together; -and far along the clear Vagaï the air -was filled with their joyous and friendly -twittering.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="figcenter6em"> - <img src="images/tale.jpg" width="550" height="207" alt=""/></div> - - - - -<h2 id="LIGHT">THE TALE ABOUT HOW ALL THESE TALES CAME TO -LIGHT</h2></div> - - -<div class="ddropcapbox"><img class="idropcap" - src="images/i.jpg" width="160" height="156" alt="I"/></div> - -<p class="pfirst">N our times, but not in this -country, there lived a little -girl, with a pair of brown -eyes that shone like two -big radiant stars. Every time that she -looked with those eyes on her father -or her mother, and a sweet smile -beamed on her countenance, the -father's and mother's souls brightened, -and it seemed to them as if music, -which nobody heard except themselves, -resounded in their hearts.</p> - -<p>Very often on such occasions the -father took his beloved girl on his lap,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> -kissed her tenderly, and asked what -she would like.</p> - -<p>'I should like you to tell me a fairy -tale,' invariably answered the little girl, -pressing her rosy face to her father's -breast.</p> - -<p>'That is in our hands. We can -afford that,' answered her father.</p> - -<p>Then he tried to recall what he had -ever read or heard from his grandmother -or other old folk, and related -some story, while the little girl listened -attentively. Her big eyes became still -larger; they beamed like a pair of -evening stars, and she now and then -slightly and slowly nodded, taking to -heart everything that happened in the -story. If her father told of some evil, -unjust person, she exclaimed: 'I do -not like him!' But if the story ran -about some one kind-hearted and -good, she was very glad of it, and -said: 'That is good!'</p> - -<p>And again it was as if beautiful -music resounded in her father's soul.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -He saw that his little one was grieved -with other people's grievances and -rejoiced in other people's happiness. -He saw how she pondered over what -he said, and he thought of the time -when they, the father and mother, will -grow old, while their little one will -become a grown-up girl. They will -live together, as to-day, in mutual love -and thorough friendship. Yet then -it will be she, their sweet daughter, -that will take care of them and feed -them, as they now take care of her and -feed her. And the father again pressed -his lips on his beloved pet's head.</p> - -<p>As for the mother, she was never -weary of caressing her child and doing -everything for her. But as she had to -take care also of the father and of our -girl's baby-sister, who had a pair of -eyes like two little suns, she very often -was quite exhausted towards the close -of the day. Therefore when the little -girl with starlike eyes went to bed, -and, clasping her mother by the neck<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> -with both her hands, asked her to tell -some fairy tale, her mother could not -recall any.... Still the little girl repeated -her request again and again....</p> - -<p>Then the father said to the mother -she should go and rest, while he sat -down at the child's bedside and tried -to narrate something.</p> - -<p>At last there came a day when all -the stories he ever knew were at an -end, while the little girl still entreated -for one. The father looked in his -girl's big, starlike eyes and saw that -she could not sleep. He looked also -at the mother, who was worried out of -her senses by daily work; and now sat -mending the baby's socks. It was -evident some story ought to be told. -But what story? What about?</p> - -<p>The father looked around. A china -cup was standing on the table. It -was half-broken, and he could not help -thinking that it had had a trying life. -It had surely had its story. Well, -what kind of a story was it?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> -And after having pondered a little, -the father told to his girl the story of -the cup, as he imagined it, and as you -have found it in this very little book.</p> - -<p>When he finished the little girl rose -in her bed, with her starlike eyes -shining more than usual, and asked: -'Where did you get that story, -father? Did you read it somewhere?'</p> - -<p>'No; I just told it out of my -head.'</p> - -<p>Then the little girl clasped her little -hands around her father's neck, kissed -him most enthusiastically, and seemed -to be very happy.</p> - -<p>Since that time father heard only -too often the little girl ask him: -'Father, do tell me some tale of -your own.'</p> - -<p>And so he did. But as he repeated -his stories again and again he now -and then altered them, as he could -not remember everything as he told it -the first time. And if the alterations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> -were happy, the little girl was pleased, -but if he omitted anything, she said: -'You told it differently the other day,' -and would not be happy until he recalled -all the exact words and details -of his best narrative.</p> - -<p>Then it became clear that the father -should write his stories down. After -having written some new story he now -read it to the girl with a pair of stars -instead of eyes, and sometimes she -most emphatically objected to some -turn of the story.</p> - -<p>'You wrote it wrongly,' she said on -such occasions; 'you must alter it -thus and thus.'</p> - -<p>And indeed the father altered until -she said it was all right.</p> - -<p>One morning a little boy came to -visit our little girl, his great friend. -They ran about and played together -all the forenoon; but in the afternoon, -when her father lay down on a couch -to take a moment's rest, he was struck -by the general stillness which was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> -reigning in the house. To tell you -the truth, the boy was a real mischievous -monkey, and there was little -hope to have any peace in the house -as long as he was in it. Still, the fact -was that everything was quiet, and -only in the neighbouring room the -star-eyed girl's voice sounded in an -even, moderate tone.</p> - -<p>The father got up, and went on tiptoe -to the next room to look what all -this meant. He saw his little girl sitting -on a footstool; her visitor was beside -her on a box, and was all attention.</p> - -<p>... 'A-a-a! yawned the Little Old -Man, ...' related the little hostess, -showing to the boy how the old man -did yawn....</p> - -<p>At this moment she perceived her -father on the threshold.</p> - -<p>'I am telling him your fairy tale -about the little old men, you know,' -she said to her father, and then there -was a pause, with a lingering smile on -her face.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> - -<p>'Well, go on,' said the boy, pulling -her by the sleeve.</p> - -<p>The father returned to his couch, -and there was a smile on his face too. -He saw clearly that there was something -in his stories which made little -folk breathe with indignation, compassion, -or joy, when they heard -them. He well knew what it was. -He put a good deal of his soul into -his tales, and this soul, coming into -contact with those little souls of his -readers, made them bound with delight, -or long for redress of some injustice. -Was it not a joy for him too? And -if the little girl with a pair of stars -instead of eyes, and the boy, her -friend, found pleasure in his fairy -tales, should not the other children -have an opportunity to try the same -pleasure? Why should he not print -his stories?</p> - -<p>Thus he decided to print them. -He sent them into a printing-office, -and before long a little volume came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> -out of the press in many copies. The -little girl with starlike eyes read and -re-read the book. Her little friends, -with blue, black, brown, or gray eyes, -read and re-read it. And when, after -all that reading and all the chatter about -it, bright sparks of delight and animation -appeared in those eyes, these -sparks found their way into his heart -and warmed it up, and he too felt -happy.</p> - -<p>Now, I did not tell you that all this -happened in Russia, a far-away country, -and that when the man who wrote the -stories came afterwards to England, -together with his daughter, he was -sorry to find that he had left all those -children's sparkling eyes, shining with -emotion when reading his tales, behind.</p> - -<p>But then he was struck by the -thought that in England there were -as many little souls and hearts as in -Russia, nay, he has had already some -friends among these little souls both -in England and in America; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> -thus, perhaps, if he put his stories -into English, he might see as many -smiling faces and radiant eyes after -the book was read as he did in his -native country? He decided to try -at once, and now here is the volume -before you. We will see whether the -man was right. He would like to -hear something about it from you.</p> - - -<p class="p4 center">THE END</p> - -<p class="p2 center"><i>Printed by</i> <span class="smcap">R. & R. Clark</span>, <i>Edinburgh</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<div class="footnotes"><h2>FOOTNOTES:</h2> -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> A copeck (in Russian <i>kopéika</i>) is a Russian -copper; 100 copecks form one <i>rouble</i>. A rouble -is worth 2s. 0-2/5d. in English money.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Pronounce 'Neekeéteech.' The reader -should rather be told here that the Russian -fashion of calling a person, when addressing -him or her, is not by his or her surname, but -by the Christian name, with the addition of -his or her father's name, somewhat altered in -a way to express 'son of' or 'daughter of' -such-a-one; for example—Iván Nikítich (John, -son of Nikíta). Among common people and -among friends they address only in one's -Christian name without the addition of the -father's name ('<i>ót-chest-vo</i>'); but if, in addressing -a common person, you wish to express -some deference, you use only the 'ótchestvo,' -without the person's Christian name; for example, -'Nikítich' instead of 'Iván Nikítich.' -Such is the case in our tale.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The plural of the Polish word '<i>koúntoush</i>.'</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> A Polish term of abuse; literally, blood -(or race) of a dog.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> <i>Yegór</i> means George in Russian.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> About twelve shillings.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Oukraïnïen whisky.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> <i>Nalívka</i>—sweet pleasant Oukraïnïen liquor -made of whisky and fruit.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> The <i>Vagaï</i> is one of the largest tributaries -of <i>Irtýsh</i>, a mighty stream, which flows into -one of the most gigantic rivers of Siberia, -the Obi.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> A rather large brown bird, with white -spots, belonging to the crow family. Its Latin -name is <i>Nucifraga Caryocatœ</i>.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11" id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Virgin forest in Siberia.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12" id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> A police-officer, acting as chief of the -district.</p></div></div></div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CHINA CUP AND OTHER STORIES FOR CHILDREN ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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