小学英语安徒生童话系列三TheShepherd’sStoryoftheBondof阅读素材2

theShepherdsStoryoftheBondofFriendshipbyHansChristianAndersen（1842）thelittledwellinginwhichwelivedwasofclay，butthedoor-postswerecolumnsofflutedmarble，foundnearthespotonwhichitstood.Theroofslopednearlytotheground.Itwasatthistimedark，brown，andugly，buthadoriginallybeenformedofbloomingoliveandlaurelbranches，broughtfrombeyondthemountains.Thehousewassituatedinanarrowgorge，whoserockywallsrosetoaperpendicularheight，nakedandblack，whileroundtheirsummitscloudsoftenhung，lookinglikewhitelivingfigures.Notasingingbirdwaseverheardthere，neitherdidmendancetothesoundofthepipe.Thespotwasonesacredtooldentimes；evenitsnamerecalledamemoryofthedayswhenitwascalled“Delphi.”Thenthesummitsofthedark，sacredmountainswerecoveredwithsnow，andthehighest，mountParnassus，glowedlongestintheredeveninglight.Thebrookwhichrolledfromitnearourhouse，wasalsosacred.HowwellIcanremembereveryspotinthatdeep，sacredsolitude！Afirehadbeenkindledinthemidstofthehut，andwhilethehotasheslaythereredandglowing，thebreadwasbakedinthem.Attimesthesnowwouldbepiledsohigharoundourhutasalmosttohideit，andthenmymotherappearedmostcheerful.Shewouldholdmyheadbetweenherhands，andsingthesongssheneversangatothertimes，fortheTurks，ourmasters，wouldnotallowit.Shesang，“OnthesummitofmountOlympus，inaforestofdwarffirs，layanoldstag.Hiseyeswereheavywithtears，andglitteringwithcolorslikedewdrops；andtherecamebyaroebuck，andsaid，Whatailestthee，thatthouweepestblueandredtears？Andthestaganswered，TheTurkhascometoourcity；hehaswilddogsforthechase，agoodlypack.Iwilldrivethemawayacrosstheislands！criedtheyoungroebuck；Iwilldrivethemawayacrosstheislandsintothedeepsea.Butbeforeeveningtheroebuckwasslain，andbeforenightthehuntedstagwasdead.”Andwhenmymothersangthus，hereyeswouldbecomemoist；andonthelongeyelashesweretears，butsheconcealedthemandwatchedtheblackbreadbakingintheashes.ThenIwouldclenchmyfist，andcry， “WewillkilltheseTurks！”Butsherepeatedthewordsofthesong， “Iwilldrivethemacrosstheislandstothedeepsea；butbeforeeveningcametheroebuckwasslain，andbeforethenightthehuntedstagwasdead.”Wehadbeenlonelyinourhutforseveraldaysandnightswhenmyfathercamehome.IknewhewouldbringmesomeshellsfromthegulfofLepanto，orperhapsaknifewithashiningblade.Thistimehebrought，underhissheep-skincloak，alittlechild，alittlehalf-nakedgirl.Shewaswrappedinafur；butwhenthiswastakenoff，andshelayinmymotherslap，threesilvercoinswerefoundfastenedinherdarkhair；theywereallherpossessions.MyfathertoldusthatthechildsparentshadbeenkilledbytheTurks，andhetalkedsomuchaboutthemthatIdreamedofTurksallnight.Hehimselfhadbeenwounded，andmymotherbounduphisarm.Itwasadeepwound，andthethicksheep-skincloakwasstiffwithcongealedblood.Thelittlemaidenwastobemysister.Howprettyandbrightshelooked：evenmymotherseyeswerenotmoregentlethanhers.Anastasia，asshewascalled，wastobemysister，becauseherfatherhadbeenunitedtominebyanoldcustom，whichwestillfollow.Theyhadswornbrotherhoodintheiryouth，andthemostbeautifulandvirtuousmaidenintheneighborhoodwaschosentoperformtheactofconsecrationuponthisbondoffriendship.Sonowthislittlegirlwasmysister.Shesatinmylap，andIbroughtherflowers，andfeathersfromthebirdsofthemountain.WedranktogetherofthewatersofParnassus，anddweltformanyyearsbeneaththelaurelroofofthehut，while，winterafterwinter，mymothersanghersongofthestagwhoshedredtears.ButasyetIdidnotunderstandthatthesorrowsofmyowncountrymenweremirroredinthosetears.OnedaytherecametoourhutFranks，menfromafarcountry，whosedresswasdifferenttoours.Theyhadtentsandbedswiththem，carriedbyhorses；andtheywereaccompaniedbymorethantwentyTurks，allarmedwithswordsandmuskets.TheseFrankswerefriendsofthePacha，andhadlettersfromhim，commandinganescortforthem.Theyonlycametoseeourmountain，toascendParnassusamidthesnowandclouds，andtolookatthestrangeblackrockswhichraisedtheirsteepsidesnearourhut.Theycouldnotfindroominthehut，norendurethesmokethatrolledalongtheceilingtillitfounditswayoutatthelowdoor；sotheypitchedtheirtentsonasmallspaceoutsideourdwelling.Roastedlambsandbirdswerebroughtforth，andstrong，sweetwine，ofwhichtheTurksareforbiddentopartake.Whentheydeparted，Iaccompaniedthemforsomedistance，carryingmylittlesisterAnastasia，wrappedinagoat-skin，onmyback.OneoftheFrankishgentlemenmademestandinfrontofarock，anddrewusbothaswestoodthere，sothatwelookedlikeonecreature.Ididnotthinkofitthen，butAnastasiaandIwerereallyone.Shewasalwayssittingonmylap，orridinginthegoat-skinonmyback；andinmydreamsshealwaysappearedtome.Twonightsafterthis，othermen，armedwithknivesandmuskets，cameintoourtent.TheywereAlbanians，bravemen，mymothertoldme.Theyonlystayedashorttime.MysisterAnastasiasatonthekneeofoneofthem；andwhentheyweregone，shehadnotthree，buttwosilvercoinsinherhaironehaddisappeared.Theywrappedtobaccoinstripsofpaper，andsmokedit；andIremembertheywereuncertainastotheroadtheyoughttotake.Buttheywereobligedtogoatlast，andmyfatherwentwiththem.Soonafter，weheardthesoundoffiring.Thenoisecontinued，andpresentlysoldiersrushedintoourhut，andtookmymotherandmyselfandAnastasiaprisoners.Theydeclaredthatwehadentertainedrobbers，andthatmyfatherhadactedastheirguide，andthereforewemustnowgowiththem.Thecorpsesoftherobbers，andmyfatherscorpse，werebroughtintothehut.Isawmypoordeadfather，andcriedtillIfellasleep.WhenIawoke，Ifoundmyselfinaprison；buttheroomwasnotworsethanourowninthehut.Theygavemeonionsandmustywinefromatarredcask；butwewerenotaccustomedtomuchbetterfareathome.Howlongwewerekeptinprison，Idonotknow；butmanydaysandnightspassedby.WeweresetfreeaboutEaster-time.IcarriedAnastasiaonmyback，andwewalkedveryslowly；formymotherwasveryweak，anditisalongwaytothesea，totheGulfofLepanto.Onourarrival，weenteredachurch，inwhichtherewerebeautifulpicturesingoldenframes.Theywerepicturesofangels，fairandbright；andyetourlittleAnastasialookedequallybeautiful，asitseemedtome.Inthecentreofthefloorstoodacoffinfilledwithroses.MymothertoldmeitwastheLordJesusChristwhowasrepresentedbytheseroses.Thenthepriestannounced， “Christisrisen，”andallthepeopleGREetedeachother.Eachonecarriedaburningtaperinhishand，andonewasgiventome，aswellastolittleAnastasia.Themusicsounded，andthepeopleleftthechurchhand-in-hand，withjoyandgladness.Outside，thewomenwereroastingthepaschallamb.Wewereinvitedtopartake；andasIsatbythefire，aboy，olderthanmyself，puthisarmsroundmyneck，andkissedme，andsaid， “Christisrisen.”AndthusitwasthatforthefirsttimeImetAphtanides.Mymothercouldmakefishermensnets，forwhichtherewasaGREatdemandhereinthebay；andwelivedalongtimebythesideofthesea，thebeautifulsea，thathadatasteliketears，andinitscolorsremindedmeofthestagthatweptredtears；forsometimesitswaterswerered，andsometimesgreenorblue.Aphtanidesknewhowtomanageourboat，andIoftensatinit，withmylittleAnastasia，whileitglidedonthroughthewater，swiftasabirdflyingthroughtheair.Then，whenthesunset，howbeautifully，deeplyblue，wouldbethetintonthemountains，onerisingabovetheotherinthefardistance，andthesummitofmountParnassusrisingabovethemalllikeagloriouscrown.Itstopglitteredintheeveningrayslikemoltengold，anditseemedasifthelightcamefromwithinit；forlongafterthesunhadsunkbeneaththehorizon，themountain-topwouldglowintheclear，bluesky.Thewhiteaquaticbirdsskimmedthesurfaceofthewaterintheirflight，andallwascalmandstillasamidtheblackrocksatDelphi.Ilayonmybackintheboat，Anastasialeanedagainstme，whilethestarsaboveusglitteredmorebrightlythanthelampsinourchurch.Theywerethesamestars，andinthesamepositionovermeaswhenIusedtositinfrontofourhutatDelphi，andIhadalmostbeguntofancyIwasstillthere，whensuddenlytherewasasplashinthewaterAnastasiahadfallenin；butinamomentAphtanideshassprunginafterher，andwasnowholdingheruptome.Wedriedherclothesaswellaswewereable，andremainedonthewatertilltheyweredry；forwedidnotwishittobeknownwhatafrightwehadhad，northedangerwhichourlittleadoptedsisterhadincurred，inwhoselifeAphtanideshadnowapart.thesummercame，andtheburningheatofthesuntintedtheleavesofthetreeswithlinesofgold.Ithoughtofourcoolmountain-home，andthefreshwaterthatflowednearit；mymother，too，longedforif，andoneeveningwewanderedtowardshome.Howpeacefulandsilentitwasaswewalkedonthroughthethick，wildthyme，stillfragrant，thoughthesunhadscorchedtheleaves.Notasingleherdsmandidwemeet，notasolitaryhutdidwepass；everythingappearedlonelyanddesertedonlyashootingstarshowedthatintheheavenstherewasyetlife.Iknownotwhethertheclear，blueatmospheregleamedwithitsownlight，oriftheradiancecamefromthestars；butwecoulddistinguishquiteplainlytheoutlineofthemountains.Mymotherlightedafire，androastedsomerootsshehadbroughtwithher，andIandmylittlesistersleptamongthebushes，withoutfearoftheuglysmidraki，1fromwhosethroatissuesfire，orofthewolfandthejackal；formymothersatbyus，andIconsideredherpresencesufficientprotection.Wereachedouroldhome；butthecottagewasinruins，andwehadtobuildanewone.Withtheaidofsomeneighbors，chieflywomen，thewallswereinafewdayserected，andverysooncoveredwitharoofofolive-branches.Mymotherobtainedalivingbymakingbottle-casesofbarkandskins，andIkeptthesheepbelongingtothepriests，whoweresometimespeasants，2whileIhadformyplayfellowsAnastasiaandtheturtles.OnceourbelovedAphtanidespaidusavisit.Hesaidhehadbeenlongingtoseeussomuch；andheremainedwithustwowholehappydays.Amonthafterwardshecameagaintowishusgood-bye，andbroughtwithhimalargefishformymother.HetoldushewasgoinginashiptoCorfuandPatras，andcouldrelateaGREatmanystories，notonlyaboutthefishermenwholivednearthegulfofLepanto，butalsoofkingsandheroeswhohadoncepossessedGreece，justastheTurkspossessitnow.Ihaveseenabudonarose-bushgradually，inthecourseofafewweeks，unfolditsleavestillitbecamearoseinallitsbeauty；and，beforeIwasawareofit，Ibehelditbloominginrosyloveliness.ThesamethinghadhappenedtoAnastasia.Unnoticedbyme，shehadgraduallybecomeabeautifulmaiden，andIwasnowalsoastout，strongyouth.Thewolf-skinsthatcoveredthebedinwhichmymotherandAnastasiaslept，hadbeentakenfromwolveswhichIhadmyselfshot.Yearshadgonebywhen，oneevening，Aphtanidescamein.Hehadgrowntallandslenderasareed，withstronglimbs，andadark，brownskin.Hekissedusall，andhadsomuchtotellofwhathehadseenoftheGREatocean，ofthefortificationsatMalta，andofthemarvelloussepulchresofEgypt，thatIlookeduptohimwithakindofveneration.Hisstorieswereasstrangeasthelegendsofthepriestsofoldentimes.“Howmuchyouknow！”Iexclaimed， “andwhatwondersyoucanrelate？”“Ithinkwhatyouoncetoldme，thefinestofall，”hereplied； “youtoldmeofathingthathasneverbeenoutofmythoughtsofthegoodoldcustomofthebondoffriendship，acustomIshouldliketofollow.Brother，letyouandIgotochurch，asyourfatherandAnastasiasfatheroncedid.YoursisterAnastasiaisthemostbeautifulandmostinnocentofmaidens，andsheshallconsecratethedeed.NopeoplehavesuchgrandoldcustomsasweGREeks.”Anastasiablushedlikeayoungrose，andmymotherkissedAphtanides.Atabouttwomilesfromourcottage，wheretheearthonthehillisshelteredbyafewscatteredtrees，stoodthelittlechurch，withasilverlamphangingbeforethealtar.Iputonmybestclothes，andthewhitetunicfellingracefulfoldsovermyhips.Theredjacketfittedtightandclose，thetasselonmyFezcapwasofsilver，andinmygirdleglitteredaknifeandmypistols.AphtanideswascladinthebluedresswornbytheGREeksailors；onhisbreasthungasilvermedalwiththefigureoftheVirginMary，andhisscarfwasascostlyasthosewornbyrichlords.Everyonecouldseethatwewereabouttoperformasolemnceremony.Whenweenteredthelittle，unpretendingchurch，theeveningsunlightstreamedthroughtheopendoorontheburninglamp，andglitteredonthegoldenpictureframes.Wekneltdowntogetheronthealtarsteps，andAnastasiadrewnearandstoodbesideus.Along，whitegarmentfellingracefulfoldsoverherdelicateform，andonherwhiteneckandbosomhungachainentwinedwitholdandnewcoins，formingakindofcollar.Herblackhairwasfastenedintoaknot，andconfinedbyaheaddressformedofgoldandsilvercoinswhichhadbeenfoundinanancienttemple.NoGreekgirlhadmorebeautifulornamentsthanthese.Hercountenanceglowed，andhereyeswereliketwostars.Weallthreeofferedasilentprayer，andthenshesaidtous， “Willyoubefriendsinlifeandindeath？”“Yes，”wereplied.“Willyoueachremembertosay，whatevermayhappen，Mybrotherisapartofmyself；hissecretismysecret，myhappinessishis；self-sacrifice，patience，everythingbelongstomeastheydotohim？”Andweagainanswered， “Yes.”thenshejoinedouthandsandkissedusontheforehead，andweagainprayedsilently.Afterthisapriestcamethroughadoornearthealtar，andblessedusallthree.Thenasongwassungbyotherholymenbehindthealtar-screen，andthebondofeternalfriendshipwasconfirmed.Whenwearose，Isawmymotherstandingbythechurchdoor，weeping.HowcheerfuleverythingseemednowinourlittlecottagebytheDelphiansprings！Ontheeveningbeforehisdeparture，Aphtanidessatthoughtfullybesidemeontheslopesofthemountain.Hisarmwasflungaroundme，andminewasroundhisneck.WespokeofthesorrowsofGREece，andofthemenofthecountrywhocouldbetrusted.Everythoughtofoursoulslayclearbeforeus.PresentlyIseizedhishand： “Aphtanides，”Iexclaimed， “thereisonethingstillthatyoumustknow，onethingthattillnowhasbeenasecretbetweenmyselfandHeaven.Mywholesoulisfilledwithlove，withalovestrongerthantheloveIbeartomymotherandtothee.”“Andwhomdoyoulove？”askedAphtanides.AndhisfaceandneckGRE