第 1 节
作者:披荆斩棘      更新:2021-02-18 23:35      字数:9321
  poverty; and at last their need was so great that they had to endure
  hunger; and had nothing to eat or drink。 Then said they; it cannot go
  on like this; we had better go into the world and seek our fortune。
  They therefore set out; and had already walked over many a long road
  and many a blade of grass; but had not yet met with good luck。  One
  day they arrived in a great forest; and in the midst of it was a
  hill; and when they came nearer they saw that the hill was all
  silver。  Then spoke the eldest; now I have found the good luck I
  wished for; and I desire nothing more。  He took as much of the silver
  as he could possibly carry; and then turned back and went home again。
  But the two others said; we want something more from good luck than
  mere silver; and did not touch it; but went onwards。  After they had
  walked for two days longer without stopping; they came to a hill
  which was all gold。 The second brother stopped; took thought with
  himself; and was undecided。  What shall I do; said he; shall I take
  for myself so much of this gold; that I have sufficient for all the
  rest of my life; or shall I go farther。  At length he made a
  decision; and putting as much into his pockets as would go in; said
  farewell to his brother; and went home。
  But the third said; silver and gold do not move me; I will not
  renounce my chance of fortune; perhaps something better still will be
  given me。  He journeyed onwards; and when he had walked for three
  days; he came to a forest which was still larger than the one before;
  and never would come to an end; and as he found nothing to eat or to
  drink; he was all but exhausted。  Then he climbed up a high tree to
  find out if up there he could see the end of the forest; but so far
  as his eye could pierce he saw nothing but the tops of trees。  Then
  he began to descend the tree again; but hunger tormented him; and he
  thought to himself; if I could but eat my fill once more。
  When he got down he saw with astonishment a table beneath the tree
  richly spread with food; the steam of which rose up to meet him。
  This time; said he; my wish has been fulfilled at the right moment。
  And without inquiring who had brought the food; or who had cooked it;
  he approached the table; and ate with enjoyment until he had appeased
  his hunger。  When he was done; he thought; it would after all be a
  pity if the pretty little table…cloth were to be spoilt in the forest
  here; and folded it up tidily and put it in his pocket。  Then he went
  onwards; and in the evening; when hunger once more returned to him;
  he wanted to make a trial of his little cloth; and spread it out and
  said; I wish you to be covered with good cheer again; and scarcely
  had the wish crossed his lips than as many dishes with the most
  exquisite food on them stood on the table as there was room for。  Now
  I perceive; said he; in what kitchen my cooking is done。  You shall
  be dearer to me than the mountains of silver and gold。  For he saw
  plainly that it was a wishing…cloth。 The cloth; however; was still
  not enough to enable him to sit down quietly at home; he preferred to
  wander about the world and pursue his fortune farther。
  One night he met; in a lonely wood; a dusty; black charcoal…burner;
  who was burning charcoal there; and had some potatoes by the fire; on
  which he was going to make a meal。  Good evening; blackbird; said the
  youth。  How do you get on in your solitude。
  One day is like another; replied the charcoal…burner; and every night
  potatoes。  Have you a mind to have some; and will you be my guest。
  Many thanks; replied the traveler; I won't rob you of your supper;
  you did not reckon on a visitor; but if you will put up with what I
  have; you shall have an invitation。 Who is to prepare it for you;
  said the charcoal…burner。  I see that you have nothing with you; and
  there is no one within a two hours' walk who could give you anything。
  And yet there shall be a meal; answered the youth; and better than
  any you have ever tasted。  Thereupon he brought his cloth out of his
  knapsack; spread it on the ground; and said; little cloth; cover
  yourself; and instantly boiled meat and baked meat stood there; and
  as hot as if it had just come out of the kitchen。
  The charcoal…burner stared with wide…open eyes; but did not require
  much pressing; he fell to; and thrust larger and larger mouthfuls
  into his black mouth。  When they had eaten everything; the
  charcoal…burner smiled contentedly; and said; listen; your
  table…cloth has my approval; it would be a fine thing for me in this
  forest; where no one ever cooks me anything good。  I will propose an
  exchange to you; there in the corner hangs a soldier's knapsack;
  which is certainly old and shabby; but in it lie concealed wonderful
  powers; but; as I no longer use it; I will give it to you for the
  table…cloth。
  I must first know what these wonderful powers are; answered the
  youth。
  That will I tell you; replied the charcoal…burner; every time you tap
  it with your hand; a corporal comes with six men armed from head to
  foot; and they do whatsover you command them。  So far as I am
  concerned; said the youth; if nothing else can be done; we will
  exchange; and he gave the charcoal…burner the cloth; took the
  knapsack from the hook; put it on; and bade farewell。  When he had
  walked a while; he wished to make a trial of the magical powers of
  his knapsack and tapped it。  Immediately the seven warriors stepped
  up to him; and the corporal said; what does my lord and ruler wish
  for。
  March with all speed to the charcoal…burner; and demand my
  wishing…cloth back。  They faced to the left; and it was not long
  before they brought what he required; and had taken it from the
  charcoal…burner without asking many questions。  The young man bade
  them retire; went onwards; and hoped fortune would shine yet more
  brightly on him。  By sunset he came to another charcoal…burner; who
  was making his supper ready by the fire。 If you will eat some
  potatoes with salt; but with no dripping; come and sit down with me;
  said the sooty fellow。
  No; he replied; this time you shall be my guest; and he spread out
  his cloth; which was instantly covered with the most beautiful
  dishes。  They ate and drank together; and enjoyed themselves
  heartily。  After the meal was over; the charcoal…burner said; up
  there on that shelf lies a little old worn…out hat which has strange
  properties … the moment someone puts it on; and turns it round on his
  head; the cannons go off as if twelve were fired all together; and
  they demolish everything so that no one can withstand them。  The hat
  is of no use to me; and I will willingly give it for your tablecloth。
  That suits me very well; he answered; took the hat; put it on; and
  left his table…cloth behind him。  But hardly had he walked away than
  he tapped on his knapsack; and his soldiers had to fetch the cloth
  back again。  One thing comes on the top of another; thought he; and I
  feel as if my luck had not yet come to an end。  Neither had his
  thoughts deceived him。  After he had walked on for the whole of one
  day; he came to a third charcoal…burner; who like the previous one;
  invited him to potatoes without dripping。  But he let him also dine
  with him from his wishing…cloth; and the charcoal…burner liked it so
  well; that at last he offered him a horn for it; which had very
  different properties from those of the hat。  The moment someone blew
  it all the walls and fortifications fell down; and all towns and
  villages became ruins。  For this he immediately gave the
  charcoal…burner the cloth; but he afterwards sent his soldiers to
  demand it back again; so that at length he had the knapsack; hat and
  horn; all three。  Now; said he; I am a made man; and it is time for
  me to go home and see how my brothers are getting on。
  When he reached home; his brothers had built themselves a handsome
  house with their silver and gold; and were living in clover。 He went
  to see them; but as he came in a ragged coat; with his shabby hat on
  his head; and his old knapsack on his back; they would not
  acknowledge him as their brother。  They mocked and said; you give out
  that you are our brother who despised silver and gold; and craved for
  something still better for himself。  Such a person arrives in his
  carriage in full splendor like a mighty king; not like a beggar; and
  they drove him out of doors。  Then he fell into a rage; and tapped
  his knapsack until a hundred and fifty men stood before him armed
  from head to foot。  He commanded them to surround his brothers;
  house; and two of them were to take hazelsticks with them; and beat
  the two insolent men until they knew who he was。
  A violent disturbance broke out; people ran together; and wanted to
  lend the two some help in their need; but against the soldiers they
  could do nothing。  News of this at length came to the king; who was
  very angry; and ordered a captain to march out with his troop; and
  drive this disturber of the peace out of the town; but the man with
  knapsack soon got a greater body of men together; who repulsed the
  captain and his men; so that they were forced to retire with bloody
  noses。  The king said; this vagabond is not brought to order yet; and
  next day sent a still larger troop against him; but they could do
  even less。  The youth set still more men against them; and in order
  to be done the sooner; he turned his hat twice round