登陆注册
14047300000058

第58章 IN THE LAND OF SOULS(2)

Once upon a time a great and powerful King married a lovely Princess. No couple were ever so happy; but before their honeymoon was over they were forced to part, for the King had to go on a warlike expedition to a far country, and leave his young wife alone at home. Bitter were the tears she shed, while her husband sought in vain to soothe her with words of comfort and counsel, warning her, above all things, never to leave the castle, to hold no intercourse with strangers, to beware of evil counsellors, and especially to be on her guard against strange women. And the Queen promised faithfully to obey her royal lord and master in these four matters.

So when the King set out on his expedition she shut herself up with her ladies in her own apartments, and spent her time in spinning and weaving, and in thinking of her royal husband.

Often she was very sad and lonely, and it happened that one day while she was seated at the window, letting salt tears drop on her work, an old woman, a kind, homely-looking old body, stepped up to the window, and, leaning upon her crutch, addressed the Queen in friendly, flattering tones, saying:

'Why are you sad and cast down, fair Queen? You should not mope all day in your rooms, but should come out into the green garden, and hear the birds sing with joy among the trees, and see the butterflies fluttering above the flowers, and hear the bees and insects hum, and watch the sunbeams chase the dew-drops through the rose-leaves and in the lily-cups. All the brightness outside would help to drive away your cares, O Queen.'

For long the Queen resisted her coaxing words, remembering the promise she had given the King, her husband; but at last she thought to herself: After all, what harm would it do if I were to go into the garden for a short time and enjoy myself among the trees and flowers, and the singing birds and fluttering butterflies and humming insects, and look at the dew-drops hiding from the sunbeams in the hearts of the roses and lilies, and wander about in the sunshine, instead of remaining all day in this room? For she had no idea that the kind-looking old woman leaning on her crutch was in reality a wicked witch, who envied the Queen her good fortune, and was determined to ruin her. And so, in all ignorance, the Queen followed her out into the garden and listened to her smooth, flattering words. Now, in the middle of the garden there was a pond of water, clear as crystal, and the old woman said to the Queen:

'The day is so warm, and the sun's rays so scorching, that the water in the pond looks very cool and inviting. Would you not like to bathe in it, fair Queen?'

'No, I think not,' answered the Queen; but the next moment she regretted her words, and thought to herself: Why shouldn't I b athe in that cool, fresh water? No harm could come of it. And, so saying, she slipped off her robes and stepped into the water.

But scarcely had her tender feet touched the cool ripples when she felt a great shove on her shoulders, and the wicked witch had pushed her into the deep water, exclaiming:

'Swim henceforth, White Duck!'

And the witch herself assumed the form of the Queen, and decked herself out in the royal robes, and sat among the Court ladies, awaiting the King's return. And suddenly the tramp of horses' h oofs was heard, and the barking of dogs, and the witch hastened forward to meet the royal carriages, and, throwing her arms round the King's neck, kissed him. And in his great joy the King did not know that the woman he held in his arms was not his own dear wife, but a wicked witch.

同类推荐
  • 饯济阴梁明府各探一

    饯济阴梁明府各探一

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 天台通玄寺独朗禅师语录

    天台通玄寺独朗禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 黄金策

    黄金策

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 棋经十三篇

    棋经十三篇

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 学山诗话

    学山诗话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 光之神子

    光之神子

    一个懒惰的少年,因性格原因选学了无人问荆的光系魔法,却无意中踏近了命运的巨轮,一步一步的成为了传说中的大魔导师.
  • 盗仙记

    盗仙记

    凡人修仙,本就逆天,你若逆天,天如何容你?虽然上天设下诸多磨难,阻止凡人修仙成道,但一些得到高深之人,借助诸天法宝之力也可与天地为斗。少年叶东偶获吸血铁片,从宗门开始,踏上了逆天修仙之道。
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 欢喜冤家:捕获逗逼娇妻

    欢喜冤家:捕获逗逼娇妻

    他与她曾是高中同学,她是仅16岁的高三学姐,男生们的女神,女生们的老大,自从他的到来,全校第一被抢了,所有属于她的专利被抢了,她的小的们也都跑到了他的阵营。一次意外,全校人都以为她喜欢他!吵嘴吵不过他,打架还没出手就被KO了,夜半闯入男生宿舍偷袭他,被吃净豆腐不说,还被全校人误会她想霸王硬上弓!她发誓与他势不两立!四年之后,这男人居然高调回归,只是这一副求抚摸求包*养,又撒娇又卖萌的是咋回事?她内心咆哮:还我那个高冷孤傲的厉狗蛋!但是成为他的未婚妻兼专属秘书又是咋回事?结果反倒是某女醉酒地把某只扑倒在床:“厉孤尘,老娘今晚就要做了你!把你榨干!”某只奸诈地笑了。
  • 诗经里的植物

    诗经里的植物

    认识《诗经》里的植物,能够让人不经意间想象出中华文明曾经生成的场所:心里的一爱一恨、容颜里的一擦一笑、山风里的一呼一吸、雪雨中的一飘一落,虽然已 经相隔两千多年,伴随这样的心路历程,让我对生活于其中的家乡土地、山、河流,比所看的,要更为厚重,更为缥缈,更为神秘。因此,在这种亲切感里,爱的心也更真实一些。
  • 了解孩子

    了解孩子

    孩子就像一本难以读懂的“无字书”。很多父母在孩子的诸多问题面前常常不知所措,困惑不已。其实,只要做父母的注意观察孩子的一举一动,了解他们的内心世界,就不难明白孩子的一些行为与问题。也就知道该如何去教育自己的孩子了。用一句更为贴切的话来说就是,了解孩子是教育孩子的前提。 因此。在与孩子共同生活的过程中。父母如果能够做到全面了解孩子的各种状态。认真体会孩子的各种心态,仔细考虑孩子的各种要求。并且能够总结孩子的过去。把握孩子的现在,规划孩子的未来,就有助于父母更好地与孩子沟通。从而更好地成就孩子。
  • 修真之亡灵大法师

    修真之亡灵大法师

    【起点第三编辑组签约作品】因为接引仙官的失误,把九人一起度第一次天劫,当成是一人度九劫的飞升者,因而把天鸣引渡到仙界.且看一个能把仙兽尸体炮制成度劫兽的仙人,如何立足于仙界.亡灵修真书友群:61883024欢迎加入.
  • 机武战皇

    机武战皇

    天若顾我,我自享之!天若欺我,我自取之!林辰,一个出生武学世家的天才少年,原本不爱习武只喜欢研究各种科技的他却因为家族惨遭屠戮而奋发向上,在这个机甲与武学并存的世界,创下属于自己的一片天地……
  • 我的王子男人

    我的王子男人

    我是被迫转学来到了学院?我晕,这什么学院啊?叫圣殿学院已经够俗了,更俗的是居然还有个F4?晕了,他们是在上学,还是在拍偶像剧啊?算了,反正不关我的事,我只要安安份份的读完我的高中...
  • 不问花语

    不问花语

    [花雨授权]这个男人真是太可恶了,一双色迷迷的桃花眼吊上吊下,打扮得像个花孔雀招摇过市勾三搭四,居然在听到一句她讨厌他时就对她展开攻势?她会甩他才怪!她竟骂他是无聊阔少、痞子一个?他在一周内就要把她追到手!