小学英语安徒生童话系列十LittleClausandBigClaus兴劳斯和大克劳斯阅读素材2

LittleClausandBigClaus小克劳斯和大克劳斯byHansChristianAndersen（1835）INavillagethereoncelivedtwomenwhohadthesamename.TheywerebothcalledClaus.Oneofthemhadfourhorses，buttheotherhadonlyone；sotodistinguishthem，peoplecalledtheownerofthefourhorses， “GREatClaus，”andhewhohadonlyone， “LittleClaus.”Nowweshallhearwhathappenedtothem，forthisisatruestory.Throughthewholeweek，LittleClauswasobligedtoploughforGREatClaus，andlendhimhisonehorse；andonceaweek，onaSunday，GreatClauslenthimallhisfourhorses.ThenhowLittleClauswouldsmackhiswhipoverallfivehorses，theywereasgoodashisownonthatoneday.Thesunshonebrightly，andthechurchbellswereringingmerrilyasthepeoplepassedby，dressedintheirbestclothes，withtheirprayer-booksundertheirarms.Theyweregoingtoheartheclergymanpreach.TheylookedatLittleClausploughingwithhisfivehorses，andhewassoproudthathesmackedhiswhip，andsaid， “Gee-up，myfivehorses.”“Youmustnotsaythat，”saidBigClaus； “foronlyoneofthembelongstoyou.”ButLittleClaussoonforgotwhatheoughttosay，andwhenanyonepassedhewouldcallout， “Gee-up，myfivehorses！”“NowImustbegyounottosaythatagain，”saidBigClaus； “forifyoudo，Ishallhityourhorseonthehead，sothathewilldropdeadonthespot，andtherewillbeanendofhim.”“IpromiseyouIwillnotsayitanymore，”saidtheother；butassoonaspeoplecameby，noddingtohim，andwishinghim“Goodday，”hebecamesopleased，andthoughthowgranditlookedtohavefivehorsesploughinginhisfield，thathecriedoutagain， “Gee-up，allmyhorses！”“Illgee-upyourhorsesforyou，”saidBigClaus；andseizingahammer，hestrucktheonehorseofLittleClausonthehead，andhefelldeadinstantly.“Oh，nowIhavenohorseatall，”saidLittleClaus，weeping.Butafterawhilehetookoffthedeadhorsesskin，andhungthehidetodryinthewind.Thenheputthedryskinintoabag，and，placingitoverhisshoulder，wentoutintothenexttowntosellthehorsesskin.Hehadaverylongwaytogo，andhadtopassthroughadark，gloomyforest.Presentlyastormarose，andhelosthisway，andbeforehediscoveredtherightpath，eveningcameon，anditwasstillalongwaytothetown，andtoofartoreturnhomebeforenight.Neartheroadstoodalargefarmhouse.Theshuttersoutsidethewindowswereclosed，butlightsshonethroughthecrevicesatthetop. “Imightgetpermissiontostayhereforthenight，”thoughtLittleClaus；sohewentuptothedoorandknocked.Thefarmerswifeopenedthedoor；butwhensheheardwhathewanted，shetoldhimtogoaway，asherhusbandwouldnotallowhertoadmitstrangers. “ThenIshallbeobligedtolieouthere，”saidLittleClaustohimself，asthefarmerswifeshutthedoorinhisface.Neartothefarmhousestoodalargehaystack，andbetweenitandthehousewasasmallshed，withathatchedroof. “Icanlieupthere，”saidLittleClaus，ashesawtheroof； “itwillmakeafamousbed，butIhopethestorkwillnotflydownandbitemylegs；”foronitstoodalivingstork，whosenestwasintheroof.SoLittleClausclimbedtotheroofoftheshed，andwhileheturnedhimselftogetcomfortable，hediscoveredthatthewoodenshutters，whichwereclosed，didnotreachtothetopsofthewindowsofthefarmhouse，sothathecouldseeintoaroom，inwhichalargetablewaslaidoutwithwine，roastmeat，andasplendidfish.Thefarmerswifeandthesextonweresittingatthetabletogether；andshefilledhisglass，andhelpedhimplenteouslytofish，whichappearedtobehisfavoritedish. “IfIcouldonlygetsome，too，”thoughtLittleClaus；andthen，ashestretchedhisnecktowardsthewindowhespiedalarge，beautifulpie，indeedtheyhadagloriousfeastbeforethem.Atthismomentheheardsomeoneridingdowntheroad，towardsthefarmhouse.Itwasthefarmerreturninghome.Hewasagoodman，butstillhehadaverystrangeprejudice，hecouldnotbearthesightofasexton.Ifoneappearedbeforehim，hewouldputhimselfinaterriblerage.Inconsequenceofthisdislike，thesextonhadgonetovisitthefarmerswifeduringherhusbandsabsencefromhome，andthegoodwomanhadplacedbeforehimthebestshehadinthehousetoeat.Whensheheardthefarmercomingshewasfrightened，andbeggedthesextontohidehimselfinalargeemptychestthatstoodintheroom.Hedidso，forheknewherhusbandcouldnotendurethesightofasexton.Thewomanthenquicklyputawaythewine，andhidalltherestofthenicethingsintheoven；forifherhusbandhadseenthemhewouldhaveaskedwhattheywerebroughtoutfor.“Oh，dear，”sighedLittleClausfromthetopoftheshed，ashesawallthegoodthingsdisappear.“Isanyoneupthere？”askedthefarmer，lookingupanddiscoveringLittleClaus. “Whyareyoulyingupthere？Comedown，andcomeintothehousewithme.”SoLittleClauscamedownandtoldthefarmerhowhehadlosthiswayandbeggedforanightslodging.“Allright，”saidthefarmer； “butwemusthavesomethingtoeatfirst.”thewomanreceivedthembothverykindly，laidtheclothonalargetable，andplacedbeforethemadishofporridge.Thefarmerwasveryhungry，andatehisporridgewithagoodappetite，butLittleClauscouldnothelpthinkingoftheniceroastmeat，fishandpies，whichheknewwereintheoven.Underthetable，athisfeet，laythesackcontainingthehorsesskin，whichheintendedtosellatthenexttown.NowLittleClausdidnotrelishtheporridgeatall，sohetrodwithhisfootonthesackunderthetable，andthedryskinsqueakedquiteloud. “Hush！”saidLittleClaustohissack，atthesametimetreadinguponitagain，tillitsqueakedlouderthanbefore.“Hallo！whathaveyougotinyoursack！”askedthefarmer.“Oh，itisaconjuror，”saidLittleClaus； “andhesaysweneednoteatporridge，forhehasconjuredtheovenfullofroastmeat，fish，andpie.”“Wonderful！”criedthefarmer，startingupandopeningtheovendoor；andtherelayallthenicethingshiddenbythefarmerswife，butwhichhesupposedhadbeenconjuredtherebythewizardunderthetable.Thewomandarednotsayanything；sosheplacedthethingsbeforethem，andtheybothateofthefish，themeat，andthepastry.thenLittleClaustrodagainuponhissack，anditsqueakedasbefore. “Whatdoeshesaynow？”askedthefarmer.“Hesays，”repliedLittleClaus， “thattherearethreebottlesofwineforus，standinginthecorner，bytheoven.”Sothewomanwasobligedtobringoutthewinealso，whichshehadhidden，andthefarmerdrankittillhebecamequitemerry.HewouldhavelikedsuchaconjurorasLittleClauscarriedinhissack. “Couldheconjureuptheevilone？”askedthefarmer. “Ishouldliketoseehimnow，whileIamsomerry.”“Oh，yes！”repliedLittleClaus， “myconjurorcandoanythingIaskhim，canyounot？”heasked，treadingatthesametimeonthesacktillitsqueaked. “Doyouhear？heanswersYes，buthefearsthatweshallnotliketolookathim.”“Oh，Iamnotafraid.Whatwillhebelike？”“Well，heisverymuchlikeasexton.”“Ha！”saidthefarmer， “thenhemustbeugly.DoyouknowIcannotendurethesightofasexton.However，thatdoesntmatter，Ishallknowwhoitis；soIshallnotmind.Nowthen，Ihavegotupmycourage，butdontlethimcometoonearme.”“Stop，Imustasktheconjuror，”saidLittleClaus；sohetrodonthebag，andstoopedhiseardowntolisten.“Whatdoeshesay？”“Hesaysthatyoumustgoandopenthatlargechestwhichstandsinthecorner，andyouwillseetheevilonecrouchingdowninside；butyoumustholdthelidfirmly，thathemaynotslipout.”“Willyoucomeandhelpmeholdit？”saidthefarmer，goingtowardsthechestinwhichhiswifehadhiddenthesexton，whonowlayinside，verymuchfrightened.Thefarmeropenedthelidaverylittleway，andpeepedin.“Oh，”criedhe，springingbackwards， “Isawhim，andheisexactlylikeoursexton.Howdreadfulitis！”Soafterthathewasobligedtodrinkagain，andtheysatanddranktillfarintothenight.“Youmustsellyourconjurortome，”saidthefarmer； “askasmuchasyoulike，Iwillpayit；indeedIwouldgiveyoudirectlyawholebushelofgold.”“No，indeed，Icannot，”saidLittleClaus； “onlythinkhowmuchprofitIcouldmakeoutofthisconjuror.”“ButIshouldliketohavehim，”saidthefanner，stillcontinuinghisentreaties.“Well，”saidLittleClausatlength， “youhavebeensogoodastogivemeanightslodging，Iwillnotrefuseyou；youshallhavetheconjurorforabushelofmoney，butIwillhavequitefullmeasure.”“Soyoushall，”saidthefarmer； “butyoumusttakeawaythechestaswell.Iwouldnothaveitinthehouseanotherhour；thereisnoknowingifhemaynotbestillthere.”SoLittleClausgavethefarmerthesackcontainingthedriedhorsesskin，andreceivedinexchangeabushelofmoneyfullmeasure.Thefarmeralsogavehimawheelbarrowonwhichtocarryawaythechestandthegold.“Farewell，”saidLittleClaus，ashewentoffwithhismoneyandtheGREatchest，inwhichthesextonlaystillconcealed.Ononesideoftheforestwasabroad，deepriver，thewaterflowedsorapidlythatveryfewwereabletoswimagainstthestream.Anewbridgehadlatelybeenbuiltacrossit，andinthemiddleofthisbridgeLittleClausstopped，andsaid，loudenoughtobeheardbythesexton， “NowwhatshallIdowiththisstupidchest；itisasheavyasifitwerefullofstones：IshallbetiredifIrollitanyfarther，soImayaswellthrowitintheriver；ifitswimsaftermetomyhouse，wellandgood，andifnot，itwillnotmuchmatter.”Soheseizedthechestinhishandandlifteditupalittle，asifheweregoingtothrowitintothewater.“No，leaveitalone，”criedthesextonfromwithinthechest； “letmeoutfirst.”“Oh，”exclaimedLittleClaus，pretendingtobefrightened， “heisintherestill，ishe？Imustthrowhimintotheriver，thathemaybedrowned.”“Oh，no；oh，no，”criedthesexton； “Iwillgiveyouawholebushelfullofmoneyifyouwillletmego.”“Why，thatisanothermatter，”saidLittleClaus，openingthechest.Thesextoncreptout，pushedtheemptychestintothewater，andwenttohishouse，thenhemeasuredoutawholebushelfullofgoldforLittleClaus，whohadalreadyreceivedonefromthefarmer，sothatnowhehadabarrowfull.“Ihavebeenwellpaidformyhorse，”saidhetohimselfwhenhereachedhome，enteredhisownroom，andemptiedallhismoneyintoaheaponthefloor. “HowvexedGREatClauswillbewhenhefindsouthowrichIhavebecomeallthroughmyonehorse；butIshallnottellhimexactlyhowitallhappened.”ThenhesentaboytoGreatClaustoborrowabushelmeasure.“Whatcanhewantitfor？”thoughtGREatClaus；sohesmearedthebottomofthemeasurewithtar，thatsomeofwhateverwasputintoitmightstickthereandremain.Andsoithappened；forwhenthemeasurereturned，threenewsilverflorinswerestickingtoit.“Whatdoesthismean？”saidGREatClaus；soheranoffdirectlytoLittleClaus，andasked， “Wheredidyougetsomuchmoney？”“Oh，formyhorsesskin，Isoldityesterday.”“Itwascertainlywellpaidforthen，”saidGREatClaus；andheranhometohishouse，seizedahatchet，andknockedallhisfourhorsesonthehead，flayedofftheirskins，andtookthemtothetowntosell. “Skins，skins，whollbuyskins？”hecried，ashewentthroughthestreets.Alltheshoemakersandtannerscamerunning，andaskedhowmuchhewantedforthem.“Abushelofmoney，foreach，”repliedGREatClaus.“Areyoumad？”theyallcried； “doyouthinkwehavemoneytospendbythebushel？”“Skins，skins，”hecriedagain， “whollbuyskins？”buttoallwhoinquiredtheprice，hisanswerwas， “abushelofmoney.”“Heismakingfoolsofus，”saidtheyall；thentheshoemakerstooktheirstraps，andthetannerstheirleatheraprons，andbegantobeatGREatClaus.“Skins，skins！”theycried，mockinghim； “yes，wellmarkyourskinforyou，tillitisblackandblue.”“Outofthetownwithhim，”saidthey.AndGREatClauswasobligedtorunasfastashecould，hehadneverbeforebeensothoroughlybeaten.“Ah，”saidhe，ashecametohishouse； “LittleClausshallpaymeforthis；Iwillbeathimtodeath.”MeanwhiletheoldgrandmotherofLittleClausdied.Shehadbeencross，unkind，andreallyspitefultohim；buthewasverysorry，andtookthedeadwomanandlaidherinhiswarmbedtoseeifhecouldbringhertolifeagain.Therehedeterminedthatsheshouldliethewholenight，whileheseatedhimselfinachairinacorneroftheroomashehadoftendonebefore.Duringthenight，ashesatthere，thedooropened，andincameGREatClauswithahatchet.HeknewwellwhereLittleClaussbedstood；sohewentrightuptoit，andstrucktheoldgrandmotheronthehead.thinkingitmustbeLittleClaus.“there，”criedhe， “nowyoucannotmakeafoolofmeagain；”andthenhewenthome.“Thatisaverywickedman，”thoughtLittleClaus； “hemeanttokillme.Itisagoodthingformyoldgrandmotherthatshewasalreadydead，orhewouldhavetakenherlife.”Thenhedressedhisoldgrandmotherinherbestclothes，borrowedahorseofhisneighbor，andharnessedittoacart.Thenheplacedtheoldwomanonthebackseat，sothatshemightnotfalloutashedrove，androdeawaythroughthewood.Bysunrisetheyreachedalargeinn，whereLittleClausstoppedandwenttogetsomethingtoeat.Thelandlordwasarichman，andagoodmantoo；butaspassionateasifhehadbeenmadeofpepperandsnuff.“Goodmorning，”saidhetoLittleClaus； “youarecomebetimesto-day.”“Yes，”saidLittleClaus； “Iamgoingtothetownwithmyoldgrandmother；sheissittingatthebackofthewagon，butIcannotbringherintotheroom.Willyoutakeheraglassofmead？butyoumustspeakveryloud，forshecannothearwell.”“Yes，certainlyIwill，”repliedthelandlord；and，pouringoutaglassofmead，hecarrieditouttothedeadgrandmother，whosatuprightinthecart. “Hereisaglassofmeadfromyourgrandson，”saidthelandlord.Thedeadwomandidnotansweraword，butsatquitestill. “Doyounothear？”criedthelandlordasloudashecould； “hereisaglassofmeadfromyourgrandson.”Againandagainhebawleditout，butasshedidnotstirheflewintoapassion，andthrewtheglassofmeadinherface；itstruckheronthenose，andshefellbackwardsoutofthecart，forshewasonlyseatedthere，nottiedin.“Hallo！”criedLittleClaus，rushingoutofthedoor，andseizingholdofthelandlordbythethroat； “youhavekilledmygrandmother；see，hereisaGREatholeinherforehead.”“Oh，howunfortunate，”saidthelandlord，wringinghishands. “Thisallcomesofmyfierytemper.DearLittleClaus，Iwillgiveyouabushelofmoney；Iwillburyyourgrandmotherasifsheweremyown；onlykeepsilent，orelsetheywillcutoffmyhead，andthatwouldbedisaGREeable.”SoithappenedthatLittleClausreceivedanotherbushelofmoney，andthelandlordburiedhisoldgrandmotherasifshehadbeenhisown.WhenLittleClausreachedhomeagain，heimmediatelysentaboytoGREatClaus，requestinghimtolendhimabushelmeasure. “Howisthis？”thoughtGreatClaus； “didInotkillhim？Imustgoandseeformyself.”SohewenttoLittleClaus，andtookthebushelmeasurewithhim. “Howdidyougetallthismoney？”askedGreatClaus，staringwithwideopeneyesathisneighborstreasures.“Youkilledmygrandmotherinsteadofme，”saidLittleClaus； “soIhavesoldherforabushelofmoney.”“Thatisagoodpriceatallevents，”saidGREatClaus.Sohewenthome，tookahatchet，andkilledhisoldgrandmotherwithoneblow.Thenheplacedheronacart，anddroveintothetowntotheapothecary，andaskedhimifhewouldbuyadeadbody.“Whoseisit，andwheredidyougetit？”askedtheapothecary.“Itismygrandmother，”hereplied； “Ikilledherwithablow，thatImightgetabushelofmoneyforher.”“Heavenpreserveus！”criedtheapothecary， “youareoutofyourmind.Dontsaysuchthings，oryouwillloseyourhead.”Andthenhetalkedtohimseriouslyaboutthewickeddeedhehaddone，andtoldhimthatsuchawickedmanwouldsurelybepunished.GREatClausgotsofrightenedthatherushedoutofthesurgery，jumpedintothecart，whippeduphishorses，anddrovehomequickly.Theapothecaryandallthepeoplethoughthimmad，andlethimdrivewhereheliked.“Youshallpayforthis，”saidGREatClaus，assoonashegotintothehighroad， “thatyoushall，LittleClaus.”SoassoonashereachedhomehetookthelargestsackhecouldfindandwentovertoLittleClaus. “Youhaveplayedmeanothertrick，”saidhe. “First，Ikilledallmyhorses，andthenmyoldgrandmother，anditisallyourfault；butyoushallnotmakeafoolofmeanymore.”SohelaidholdofLittleClausroundthebody，andpushedhimintothesack，whichhetookonhisshoulders，saying， “NowImgoingtodrownyouintheriver.Hehadalongwaytogobeforehereachedtheriver，andLittleClauswasnotaverylightweighttocarry.Theroadledbythechurch，andastheypassedhecouldheartheorganplayingandthepeoplesingingbeautifully.GREatClausputdownthesackclosetothechurch-door，andthoughthemightaswellgoinandhearapsalmbeforehewentanyfarther.LittleClauscouldnotpossiblygetoutofthesack，andallthepeoplewereinchurch；soinhewent.“Ohdear，ohdear，”sighedLittleClausinthesack，asheturnedandtwistedabout；bu