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the little lame prince-第31章

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d; he saw the tiger lying dead; and the strange beast creeping up and laying itself at his feet to be caressed。 But as he lifted up his hand to stroke it; a voice was heard saying; 〃Good actions never go unrewarded;〃 and instead of the frightful monster; there crouched on the ground nothing but a pretty little dog。

Cherry; delighted to find himself thus metamorphosed; caressed the keeper in every possible way; till at last the man took him up into his arms and carried him to the king; to whom he related this wonderful story; from beginning to end。 The queen wished to have the charming little dog; and Cherry would have been exceedingly happy could he have forgotten that he was originally a man and a king。 He was lodged most elegantly; had the richest of collars to adorn his neck; and heard himself praised continually。 But his beauty rather brought him into trouble; for the queen; afraid lest he might grow too large for a pet; took advice of dog…doctors; who ordered that he should be fed entirely upon bread; and that very sparingly; so poor Cherry was sometimes nearly starved。

One day; when they gave him his crust for breakfast; a fancy seized him to go and eat it in the palace garden; so he took the bread in his mouth and trotted away toward a stream which he knew; and where he sometimes stopped to drink。 But instead of the stream he saw a splendid palace; glittering with gold and precious stones。 Entering the doors was a crowd of men and women; magnificently dressed; and within there was singing and dancing and good cheer of all sorts。 Yet; however grandly and gayly the people went in; Cherry noticed that those who came out were pale; thin; ragged; half…naked; covered with wounds and sores。 Some of them dropped dead at once; others dragged themselves on a little way and then lay down; dying of hunger; and vainly begged a morsel of bread from others who were entering inwho never took the least notice of them。

Cherry perceived one woman; who was trying feebly to gather and eat some green herbs。 〃Poor thing!〃 said he to himself; 〃I know what it is to be hungry; and I want my breakfast badly enough; but still it will kill me to wait till dinner time; and my crust may save the life of this poor woman。〃

So the little dog ran up to her and dropped his bread at her feet; she picked it up and ate it with avidity。 Soon she looked quite recovered; and Cherry; delighted; was trotting back again to his kennel; when he heard loud cries; and saw a young girl dragged by four men to the door of the palace; which they were trying to compel her to enter。 Oh; how he wished himself a monster again; as when he slew the tiger!for the young girl was no other than his beloved Zelia。 Alas! what could a poor little dog do to defend her? But he ran forward and barked at the men; and bit their heels; until at last they chased him away with heavy blows。 And then he lay down outside the palace door; determined to watch and see what had become of Zelia。

Conscience pricked him now。 〃What!〃 thought he; 〃I am furious against these wicked men; who are carrying her away; and did I not do the same myself? Did I not cast her into prison; and intend to sell her as a slave? Who knows how much more wickedness I might not have done to her and others; if Heaven's justice had not stopped me in time?〃

While he lay thinking and repenting; he heard a window open and saw Zelia throw out of it a bit of dainty meat。 Cherry; who felt hungry enough by this time; was just about to eat it; when the woman to whom he had given his crust snatched him up in her arms

〃Poor little beast!〃 cried she; patting him; 〃every bit of food in that palace is poisoned: you shall not touch a morsel。〃

And at the same time the voice in the air repeated again; 〃Good actions never go unrewarded;〃 and Cherry found himself changed into a beautiful little white pigeon。 He remembered with joy that white was the color of the fairy Candide; and began to hope that she was taking him into favor again。

So he stretched his wings; delighted that he might now have a chance of approaching his fair Zelia。 He flew up to the palace windows; and; finding one of them open; entered and sought everywhere; but he could not find Zelia。 Then; in despair; he flew out again; resolved to go over the world until he beheld her once more。

He took flight at once and traversed many countries; swiftly as a bird can; but found no trace of his beloved。 At length in a desert; sitting beside an old hermit in his cave and par… taking with him his frugal repast; Cherry saw a poor peasant girl and recognized Zelia。 Transported with joy; he flew in; perched on her shoulder; and expressed his delight and affection by a thousand caresses。

She; charmed with the pretty little pigeon; caressed it in her turn; and promised it that if it would stay with her she would love it always。

〃What have you done; Zelia?〃 said the hermit; smiling; and while he spoke the white pigeon vanished; and there stood Prince Cherry in his own natural form。 〃Your enchantment ended; prince; when Zelia promised to love you。 Indeed; she has loved you always; but your many faults constrained her to hide her love。 These are now amended; and you may both live happy if you will; because your union is founded upon mutual esteem。〃

Cherry and Zelia threw themselves at the feet of the hermit; whose form also began to change。 His soiled garments became of dazzling whiteness; and his long beard and withered face grew into the flowing hair and lovely countenance of the fairy Candide。

〃Rise up; my children;〃 said she; 〃I must now transport you to your palace and restore to Prince Cherry his father's crown; of which he is now worthy。〃

She had scarcely ceased speaking when they found themselves in the chamber of Suliman; who; delighted to find again his beloved pupil and master; willingly resigned the throne; and became the most faithful of his subjects。

King Cherry and Queen Zelia reigned together for many years; and it is said that the former was so blameless and strict in all his duties that though he constantly wore the ring which Candide had restored to him; it never once pricked his finger enough to make it bleed。



THE PRINCE WITH THE NOSE


THE PRINCE WITH THE NOSE


THERE was once a king who was passionately in love with a beautiful princess; but she could not be married because a magican{sic} had enchanted her。 The king went to a good fairy to inquire what he should do。 Said the fairy; after receiving him graciously: 〃Sir; I will tell you a great secret。 The princess has a great cat whom she loves so well that she cares for nothing and nobody else; but she will be obliged to marry any person who is adroit enough to walk upon the cat's tail。〃

〃That will not be very difficult;〃 thought the king to himself; and departed; resolving to trample the cat's tail to pieces rather than not succeed in walking upon it。 He went immediately to the palace of his fair mistress and the cat; the animal came in front of him; arching its back in anger as it was wont to do。 The king lifted up his foot; thinking nothing would be so easy as to tread on the tail; but he found himself mistaken。 Minonthat was the creature's nametwisted itself rou
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