登陆注册
4713500000295

第295章

This snow-flake grew larger and larger, till at last it became the figure of a woman, dressed in garments of white gauze, which looked like millions of starry snow-flakes linked together. She was fair and beautiful, but made of ice- shining and glittering ice. Still she was alive and her eyes sparkled like bright stars, but there was neither peace nor rest in their glance. She nodded towards the window and waved her hand. The little boy was frightened and sprang from the chair; at the same moment it seemed as if a large bird flew by the window. On the following day there was a clear frost, and very soon came the spring. The sun shone; the young green leaves burst forth; the swallows built their nests; windows were opened, and the children sat once more in the garden on the roof, high above all the other rooms. How beautiful the roses blossomed this summer. The little girl had learnt a hymn in which roses were spoken of, and then she thought of their own roses, and she sang the hymn to the little boy, and he sang too:-

"Roses bloom and cease to be,

But we shall the Christ-child see."

Then the little ones held each other by the hand, and kissed the roses, and looked at the bright sunshine, and spoke to it as if the

Christ-child were there. Those were splendid summer days. How beautiful and fresh it was out among the rose-bushes, which seemed as if they would never leave off blooming. One day Kay and Gerda sat looking at a book full of pictures of animals and birds, and then just as the clock in the church tower struck twelve, Kay said, "Oh, something has struck my heart!" and soon after, "There is something in my eye."

The little girl put her arm round his neck, and looked into his eye, but she could see nothing.

"I think it is gone," he said. But it was not gone; it was one of those bits of the looking-glass- that magic mirror, of which we have spoken- the ugly glass which made everything great and good appear small and ugly, while all that was wicked and bad became more visible, and every little fault could be plainly seen. Poor little Kay had also received a small grain in his heart, which very quickly turned to a lump of ice. He felt no more pain, but the glass was there

still. "Why do you cry?" said he at last; "it makes you look ugly.

There is nothing the matter with me now. Oh, see!" he cried suddenly, "that rose is worm-eaten, and this one is quite crooked.

After all they are ugly roses, just like the box in which they stand," and then he kicked the boxes with his foot, and pulled off the two roses.

"Kay, what are you doing?" cried the little girl; and then, when he saw how frightened she was, he tore off another rose, and jumped through his own window away from little Gerda.

When she afterwards brought out the picture book, he said, "It was only fit for babies in long clothes," and when grandmother told any stories, he would interrupt her with "but;" or, when he could manage it, he would get behind her chair, put on a pair of spectacles, and imitate her very cleverly, to make people laugh. By-and-by he began to mimic the speech and gait of persons in the street. All that was peculiar or disagreeable in a person he would imitate directly, and people said, "That boy will be very clever; he has a remarkable genius." But it was the piece of glass in his eye, and the coldness in his heart, that made him act like this. He would even tease little

Gerda, who loved him with all her heart. His games, too, were quite different; they were not so childish. One winter's day, when it snowed, he brought out a burning-glass, then he held out the tail of his blue coat, and let the snow-flakes fall upon it. "Look in this glass, Gerda," said he; and she saw how every flake of snow was magnified, and looked like a beautiful flower or a glittering star.

"Is it not clever?" said Kay, "and much more interesting than looking at real flowers. There is not a single fault in it, and the snow-flakes are quite perfect till they begin to melt."

Soon after Kay made his appearance in large thick gloves, and with his sledge at his back. He called up stairs to Gerda, "I've got to leave to go into the great square, where the other boys play and ride." And away he went.

In the great square, the boldest among the boys would often tie their sledges to the country people's carts, and go with them a good way. This was capital. But while they were all amusing themselves, and

Kay with them, a great sledge came by; it was painted white, and in it sat some one wrapped in a rough white fur, and wearing a white cap.

The sledge drove twice round the square, and Kay fastened his own little sledge to it, so that when it went away, he followed with it.

It went faster and faster right through the next street, and then the person who drove turned round and nodded pleasantly to Kay, just as if they were acquainted with each other, but whenever Kay wished to loosen his little sledge the driver nodded again, so Kay sat still, and they drove out through the town gate. Then the snow began to fall so heavily that the little boy could not see a hand's breadth before him, but still they drove on; then he suddenly loosened the cord so that the large sled might go on without him, but it was of no use, his little carriage held fast, and away they went like the wind. Then he called out loudly, but nobody heard him, while the snow beat upon him, and the sledge flew onwards. Every now and then it gave a jump as if it were going over hedges and ditches. The boy was frightened, and tried to say a prayer, but he could remember nothing but the multiplication table.

The snow-flakes became larger and larger, till they appeared like great white chickens. All at once they sprang on one side, the great sledge stopped, and the person who had driven it rose up. The fur and the cap, which were made entirely of snow, fell off, and he saw a lady, tall and white, it was the Snow Queen.

"We have driven well," said she, "but why do you tremble? here, creep into my warm fur." Then she seated him beside her in the sledge, and as she wrapped the fur round him he felt as if he were sinking into a snow drift.

同类推荐
  • 神仙传

    神仙传

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 御选语录

    御选语录

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 本草纲目别名录

    本草纲目别名录

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说咒魅经

    佛说咒魅经

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 黄帝内经素问遗篇

    黄帝内经素问遗篇

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 营养早餐这样吃

    营养早餐这样吃

    《美食天下(第1辑):营养早餐这样吃》讲述的是营养早餐是一日能量的基础。纠正错误的搭配方法和早餐习惯,根据不同人群早餐的营养需求特点,吃对早餐更健康。《美食天下(第1辑):营养早餐这样吃》营养均衡的黄金组合,美味早餐健康加倍;读懂科学的早餐理念,吃对食物活力一整天。
  • 毒骨美人

    毒骨美人

    这世界上,真的有像话本子里一样可歌可泣的感情吗?她无数次的问自己,又一次次的被否定。在这宫廷里,又有多“纯洁”的感情呢?怕是都染着数不尽的人血吧。而她自己的感情又何尝不是呢?从一个华丽的牢笼里去到另一个华丽的牢笼里。为了去见一个男人,奋不顾身的嫁给另外一个男人。他说:“我从未见过像你一样恶毒的女人。”她却只是笑笑,我们,谁又比谁干净得到哪里去呢?命运把他们这些孽缘不断的人死死的锁在了一起,谁又说,笑到最后的,才是赢了的人呢?
  • 最美不过小时光

    最美不过小时光

    【浮光锦《学霸甜妻超暖萌》后又一力作,最强回忆杀,最纯校园风,最美不过那时小时光。】安城九中,七班新来了个转学生。众人——“卧槽,大美女!”“身材好好。”“好白哦,眼睛真漂亮。”陆川:“至于么,都没见过女生?”后来——一众人发现,川哥不但帮转学生撑腰出头,还替人打扫卫生。他因她神魂颠倒,也为她披荆斩棘。注:1、正剧风,有甜有虐1V1,校园到社会,生命不息,爱无休止。2、江沅(yuan,二声。)3、新的旅程,期待陪伴,收藏+留言,都是泥萌爱我的样子,期待支持呀,么么哒。
  • 快穿反派大佬黑化直播中

    快穿反派大佬黑化直播中

    兄控却没有哥哥的苏木一睁眼,头脑里就被植入了号称是第38号时空管理员的脑电波。38号说:“现在的小说、偶像剧呀,为了给人留下深刻印象,只喜欢用悲剧作结尾,搞得人世怨气越来越大,就算我们是时空管理局FFF团分局,也看不下去了。”苏木眨眼,“所以呢……”“所以你要去不同的世界,让每一个世界的观众喜欢的CP走向HE!并且直播给观众看!”她撇嘴,“没兴趣。”38号微笑,“也许在某个世界里,你能碰到一个妹控到想要让你兄嫁的帅哥哥哟。”“禁、禁忌恋?”苏木一抹鼻血,“我去!”直到穿越后……苏木恐慌大叫,“38号!兄嫁结局全被反派大叔毁了,他还总想撩我怎么办!?”“你好,你呼叫的号码已不在服务区,请稍后再拨……”大叔温柔一笑,“宝宝,试试我帮你新买的bra。”苏木咬牙,你妹!【男主都是同一个人~】
  • 胜天王般若波罗蜜经

    胜天王般若波罗蜜经

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 飞来横货

    飞来横货

    这个世上总有一货,不经意间一头撞入你的世界……“我们结婚吧”“……貌似跟你不熟……”“抱都抱了,差不多熟了。”“谁跟你熟!放我下来!”“不好意思,货已售出,概不退货,你要对我负责。”“娃啊,你这样忒不厚道了,其实咱是男的……”“我不介意。”“……我招你了吗?”“没。”“我吗?”“没。”“那你老是揪着我不放作甚!!!(发怒)”“你没结婚。”七年的感情终究逃不过一个痒,后来我才明白,原来等的是你……情节虚构,切勿模仿
  • 宁负天下不负卿(全集)

    宁负天下不负卿(全集)

    超人气古代言情小说之且赋深情系列新锐作家乔初十年深情挚爱之作不悔此生,情根深种;宁负天下,不负卿卿。他屏住呼吸看着那面巾一点点下移,当那张熟悉的面容终于全部出现时,他听到全世界花开的声音,他看到漫天飞红……《宁负天下不负卿(全集)》讲述:三年前,卷入轩辕国夺位之争的北棠半夏被人追杀。她重伤失忆后辗转流落到龙临国,为龙临国三王爷龙煜寒所救。龙煜寒根据“失忆”的谐音为她起名为“十一”。对失忆的十一而言,龙煜寒就是她的全部。这个本来惊才艳绝的奇女子,为了心爱的男子敛去一身光华。
  • 每天读一点:身边的心理学

    每天读一点:身边的心理学

    掌握一定的心理学知识,可以使您与他人的交往变得顺利。也许,还能由此成为游刃有余的社交高手。不仅如此,您还会发现以前未曾了解的真实自我,从而进行自我启发。
  • 厚黑学(全集)

    厚黑学(全集)

    “厚如城墙”,岿然不动,静观其变,一旦时机来到,就需断,“黑如煤炭”,决然出击,勇猛果决。“厚”在伺机,“黑”在决胜,一件事要成功,二者缺一不可。
  • 王火文集·第五卷:东方阴影 禅悟 雪祭

    王火文集·第五卷:东方阴影 禅悟 雪祭

    《王火文集·第五卷》中三个故事都深深刻下了抗日战争的印迹。这是我们民族不应也是不能忘记的历史,作者在故事中进行了文学艺术化的反映——不论是普通平民的日常生活(《雪祭》),抑或是出家希望求得解脱(《禅悟》),甚至是新的世纪以后到东瀛的留学,都可看出近八十年前日本侵略给中华民族的创伤伤口还隐隐作痛,更可看出作者并非出于个人情绪的痛苦记忆和深刻反思一直在持续。这样的反思对中华民族来说永远不会过时,对世界所有爱好和平的民族来说也是如此。尽管这三部作品的创作时期距今已久,但仍具有很强的现实意义。