忠實的朋友
一天早晨，老河鼠從自己的洞中探出頭來。他長著明亮的小眼睛和硬挺的灰色鬍鬚，尾
巴長得像一條長長的黑色橡膠。小鴨子們在池塘里游著水，看上去就像是一大群金絲鳥。他
們的母親渾身純白如雪，再配上一對赤紅的腿，正盡力教他們如何頭朝下地在水中倒立。
“除非你們學會倒立，否則你們永遠不會進入上流社會，”她老愛這麼對他們說，並不
停地做給他們看。但是小鴨子們並未對她的話引起重視。他們太年輕了，一點也不知道在上
流社會的好處是什麼。
“多麼頑皮的孩子呀！”老河鼠高聲喊道，“他們真該被淹死。”
“不是那麼回事，”鴨媽媽回答說，“萬事開頭難嘛，做父母的要多一點耐心。”
“啊：我完全不了解做父母的情感，”河鼠說，“我不是個養家帶口的人。事實上，我
從未結過婚，也決不打算結婚。愛情本身倒是挺好的，但友情比它的價值更高。說實在的，
我不知道在這世上還有什麼比忠實的友誼更崇高和更珍貴的了。 ”
“那麼，請問，你認為一個忠實的朋友的責任是什麼呢？”一隻綠色的紅雀開口問道，
此時他正坐在旁邊一視柳樹上，偷聽到他們的談話。
“是啊，這正是我想知道的，”鴨媽媽說。接著她就游到了池塘的另一頭，頭朝下倒立
起來，為的是給孩子們做一個好榜樣。
“這問題問得多笨！”河鼠吼道，“當然，我肯定我忠實的朋友對我是忠實的。”
“那麼你又用什麼報答呢？”小鳥說著，跳上了一根銀色的枝頭，並撲打著他的小翅膀。
“我不明白你的意思，”河鼠回答說。
“那就讓我給你講一個這方面的故事吧，”紅雀說。
“是關於我的故事嗎？”河鼠問道，“如果是這樣的話，我很願意聽，因為我特別喜歡
聽故事。 ”
“它也適合你，”紅雀回答說。他飛了下來，站立在河岸邊，講述起那個《忠實的朋
友》的故事。
“很久很久以前，”紅雀說，“有一個誠實的小伙子名叫漢斯。”
“他是非常出色的嗎？”河鼠問道。
“不，”紅雀答道，“我認為他一點也不出色，只是心腸好罷了，還長著一張滑稽而友
善的圓臉。他獨自一人住在小村舍裡，每天都在自己的花園里幹活。整個鄉下沒有誰家的花
園像他的花園那樣可愛。裡面長著美國石竹，還有紫羅蘭、有薺，以及法國的松雪草。有粉
紅色的玫瑰、金黃色的玫瑰，還有番紅花，紫羅蘭有金色的、紫色的和白色的。隨著季節的
更迭，耬斗菜和碎米薺，牛膝草和野蘭香，蓮香花和鳶尾草，水仙和丁香都爭相開放。一種
花剛凋謝，另一種便怒放開來，花園中一直都有美麗的花朵供人觀賞，始終都有怡人的芳香
可聞。
“小漢斯有許多朋友，但是最忠實的朋友只有磨坊主大休。的確，有錢的磨坊主對小漢
斯是非常忠實的，每次他從小漢斯的花園經過總要從圍牆上俯過身去摘上一大束鮮花，或者
摘上一把香草。遇到碩果累累的季節，他就會往口袋裡裝滿李子和櫻桃。
“磨坊主時常對小漢斯說，'真正的朋友應該共享一切。'小漢斯微笑著點點頭，他為
自己有一位思想如此崇高的朋友而深感驕傲。
“的確，有時候鄰居們也感到奇怪，有錢的磨坊主從來沒有給過小漢斯任何東西作為回
報，儘管他在自己的磨坊裡存放了一百袋麵粉，還有六頭奶牛和一大群綿羊。不過，小漢斯
從沒有為這些事而動過腦筋，再說經常聽磨坊主對他談起那些不自私的真正友誼的美妙故
事，對小漢斯來說，沒有比聽到這些更讓他快樂的了。
“就這樣小漢斯一直在花園中乾著活。在春、夏、秋三季中他都很快樂，可冬天一到，
他沒有水果和鮮花拿到市場上去賣，就要過飢寒交迫的日子，還常常吃不上晚飯，只吃點幹
梨和核桃就上床睡覺了。在冬天的日子裡，他覺得特別的孤單，因為這時磨坊主從來不會去
看望他。
“磨坊主常常對自己的妻子說，'只要雪沒有停，就沒有必要去看小漢斯，因為人在困
難的時候，就應該讓他們獨處，不要讓外人去打攪他們。這至少是我對友誼的看法，我相信
自己是對的，所以我要等到春天到來，那時我會去看望他，他還會送我一大籃櫻草，這會使
他非常愉快的。 '
“'你的確為別人想得很周到，'他的妻子答道。她此刻正安坐在舒適的沙發椅上，旁
邊燃著一大爐柴火，'的確很周到。你談論起友誼可真有一套，我敢說就是牧師本人也說不
出這麼美麗的話語，儘管他能住在三層樓的房子裡，小手指頭上還戴著金成指。 '
“'不過我們就不能請小漢斯來這裡嗎？'磨坊主的小兒子說，'如果可憐的漢斯遇到
困難的話，我會把我的粥分一半給他，還會把我那些小白兔給他看。 '
“'你真是個傻孩子！'磨坊主大聲渠道，'我真不知道送你上學有什麼用處。你好像
什麼也沒有學會。噢，假如小漢斯來這裡的話，看見我們暖和的爐火，看見我們豐盛的晚
餐，以及大桶的紅酒，他可能會妒忌的，而妒忌是一件非常可怕的事情，它會毀了一個人的
品性。我當然不願意把小漢斯的品性給毀了，我是他最要好的朋友，我要一直照顧他，並留
心他不受任何誘惑的欺騙。再說，如果小漢斯來到我家，他也許會要我賒點麵粉給他，這我
可辦不到。麵粉是一件事，友誼又是另一件事，兩者不能混為一談。對呀，這兩個詞拼寫起
來差別很大，意思也大不一樣。每個人都清楚這一點。 '
“'你講得真好'！磨坊主的妻子說，給自己倒了一大杯溫暖的淡啤酒，'我真的感到
很困了，就像是坐在教堂裡聽講道一樣。 '
“'很多人都做得不錯，'磨坊主回答說，'可說得好的人卻寥寥無幾，可見在兩件事
中講話更難一些，也更加迷人一些。 '他用嚴厲的目光望著桌子另一頭的小兒子，小兒子感
到很不好意思，低下了頭，漲紅著臉，淚水也忍不住地掉進了茶杯中。不過，他年紀這麼
小，你們還是要原諒他。 ”
“故事就這麼完了嗎？”河鼠問。
“當然沒有，”紅雀回答說，“這只是個開頭。”
“那麼你就太落後了，”河鼠說，“當今那些故事高手們都是從結尾講起，然後到開
頭，最後才講到中間。這是新方法。這些話是我那天從一位評論家那兒聽來的，當時他正同
一位年輕人在池塘邊散步。對這個問題他作了好一番高談闊論，我相信他是正確的，因他戴
著一副藍色的眼鏡，頭也全禿了，而且只要年輕人一開口講話，他就總回答說，'呸！ '不
過，還是請你把故事講下去吧。我尤其喜歡那個磨坊主。我自己也有各種美麗的情感，所以
我與他是同病相憐。 ”
“呵，”紅雀說，他時而用這一隻腳跳，時而又用另一隻腳跳。 “冬天剛一過去，櫻草
開始開放它們的淺黃色星花的時候，磨坊主便對他的妻子說，他準備下山去看望一下小漢斯。
“'啊，你的心腸真好！'他的妻子大聲喊道，'你總是想著別人。別忘了帶上裝花朵
的大籃子。 '
“於是磨坊主用一根堅實的鐵鍊把風車的翼板固定在一起，隨後將籃子挎在手膀上就下
山去了。
“'早上好，小漢斯，'磨坊主說。
“'早上好，'漢斯回答道，把身體靠在鐵鏟上，滿臉堆著笑容。
“'整個冬天你都過得好嗎？'磨坊主又開口問道。
“'啊，是啊，'漢斯大聲說，'蒙你相問，你真是太好了，太好了。我要說我過得是
有些困難，不過現在春天已經到了，我好快活呀，我的花都長得很好。 '
“'今年冬天我們常提起你，'磨坊主說，'還關心你過得怎麼樣了。'
“'太感謝你了，'漢斯說，'我真有點擔心你會把我給忘了。'
“'漢斯，你說的話讓我吃驚，'磨坊主說；'友誼從不會讓人忘記，這就是友誼的非
凡所在，但是只恐怕你還不懂得生活的詩意。啊，對了，你的櫻草長得多可愛呀！ '
“'它們長得確實可愛，'漢斯說，'我的運氣太好了，會有這麼多的櫻草。我要把它
們拿到市場上去賣，賣給市長的女兒，有了錢就去贖回我的小推車。 '
“'贖回你的小推車？你的意思是說你賣掉了它？這事你做的有多麼傻呀！'
“'噢，事實上，'漢斯說，'我不得不那樣做。你知道冬天對我來說是很困難的，我
也的確沒錢買麵包。所以我先是賣掉星期日制服上的銀鈕扣，然後又賣掉銀鍊條，接著賣掉
了我的大煙斗，最後才賣掉了我的小推車。不過，我現在要把它們都再買回來。 '
“'漢斯，'磨坊主說，'我願意把我的小推車送給你。它還沒有完全修好，其實，它
有一邊已掉了，輪緣也有些毛病，但不管怎麼說，我還是要把它送給你。我知道我這個人非
常慷慨，而且很多人會認為我送掉小車是很愚蠢的舉動，但是我是與眾不同的人。我認為慷
慨是友誼的核心。再說，我還給自己弄了一輛新的小推車。好了，你就放寬心吧，我要把我
的小推車給你的。 '
“'啊，你太慷慨了，'小漢斯說著，那張滑稽有趣的圓臉上洋溢著喜氣。'我會毫不
費力地把它修好，因為我屋裡就有一塊木板。 '
“'一塊木板！'磨坊主說，'對了，我正好想要一塊木板來修補我的倉頂。那上面有
一個大洞，如果我不堵住它，麥子就會被淋濕。多虧你提到這事：一件好事總會產生另一件
好事，這真是不可思議。我已經把我的小推車給了你，現在你要把木板給我了。其實，小車
比木板要值錢得多，不過真正的友誼從來不會留意這種事的。請快把木板拿來，我今天就動
手去修我的倉房。 '
“'當然了，'小漢斯大聲說，隨即跑進他的小屋，把木板拖了出米。
“'這木板不太大，'磨坊主望著木闆說，'恐怕等我修完倉頂後就沒有剩下來給你修
補小推車的了，不過這當然不是我的錯。而且現在我已經把我的小推車給了你，我相信你一
定樂意給我一些花作回報的。給你籃子，注意請給我的籃子裝滿了。 '
“'要裝滿嗎？'小漢斯問著，臉上顯得很不安，因為這可真是一個大籃子，他心裡明
白，要是把這只籃子裝滿的話，他就不會有鮮花剩下來拿到集市上去賣了，再說他又非常想
把銀鈕扣贖回來。
“'噢，對了，'磨坊主回答說，'既然我已經把自己的小推車給了你，我覺得向你要
一些花也算不了什麼。也許我是錯了，但是我認為友誼，真正的友誼，是不會夾帶任何私心
的。 '
“'我親愛的朋友，我最好的朋友，'小漢斯喊了起來，'我這花園裡所有的花都供你
享用。我寧願早一點聽到你的美言，至於銀鈕扣哪一天去贖都可以。 '說完他就跑去把花園
裡所有的美麗櫻草都摘了下來，裝滿了磨坊主的籃子。
“'再見了，小漢斯，'磨坊主說。他肩上扛著木板，手裡提著大籃子朝山上走去了。
“'再見，'小漢斯說，然後他又開始高高興興地挖起土來，那輛小推車使他興奮不已。
“第二天，小漢斯正往門廊上釘忍冬的時候，聽見磨坊主在馬路上喊叫他的聲音。他一
下子從梯子上跳下來，跑到花園裡，朝牆外望去。
“只見磨坊主扛著一大袋麵粉站在外面。
“'親愛的小漢斯，'磨坊主說，'你願意幫我把這袋麵粉背到集市上去嗎？'
一牧，實在對不起，'漢斯說，'我今天真的太忙了。我要把所有的藤子全釘好，還得
把所有的花澆上水，所有的草都剪平。 '
“'啊，不錯，'磨坊主說，“我想是的。可你要考慮我將把我的小推車送給你，你要
是拒絕我就太不夠朋友了。 '
“'啊，不要這麼說，'小漢斯大聲叫道，'無論如何我也不會對不起朋友的。'他跑
進小屋去取帽子，然後扛上那大袋麵粉，步履艱難地朝集市走去。
“這一天天氣炎熱，路上塵土飛揚，漢斯還沒有走到六英里，就累得不行了，只好坐下
來歇歇腳。不過，他又繼續勇敢地上路了，最後終於到達了集市。在那兒他沒有等多長時
間，就把那袋麵粉賣掉了，還賣了個好價錢。他立即動身回家，因為他擔心在集市上呆得太
晚，回去的路上可能會遇上強盜的。
“'今天的確太辛苦了，'小漢斯上床睡覺時這樣對自己說，'不過我很高興沒有拒絕
磨坊主，因為他是我最好的朋友，再說，他還要把他的小推車送給我。 '
“第二天一大早，磨坊主就下山來取他那袋麵粉的錢，可是小漢斯太累了，這時還躺在
床上睡覺呢。
“'我得說，'磨坊主說，'你實在是很懶，想一想我就要把我的小推車送給你，你本
該工作得更勤奮才對。懶情是一件大罪，我當然不喜歡我的朋友是個懶漢了。你當然不會怪
我對你講了這一番直言，假如我不是你的朋友，我自然也不會這麼做的。但是如果人們不能
坦誠地說出自己的心裡話，那麼友誼還有什麼意思可言。任何人都可以說漂亮話，可以取悅
人，也可以討好人，然而真正的朋友才總是說逆耳的話，而且不怕給人找苦頭吃。的確，只
要一位真正的忠實的朋友樂意這麼做的話，那麼原因就在於他知道他正在做好事。 '
“'很對不起，'小漢斯一面說，一面揉著自己的眼睛，脫下了他的睡帽，'不過我真
是太累了，我想的只是再睡一小會兒，聽聽鳥兒的歌聲。你知道嗎，每當我聽過鳥兒的歌聲
我會幹得更起勁的？ '
“'好，這讓我很高興，'磨坊主拍拍小漢斯的肩膀說，'我只想讓你穿好衣服立即到
我的磨房來，給我修補一下倉房頂。 '
“可憐的小漢斯當時很想到自己的花園裡去幹活，因為他的花草已有兩天沒澆過水了，
可他又不想拒絕磨坊主，磨坊主是他的好朋友哇。
“'如果我說我很忙，你會認為我不夠朋友嗎？'他又害羞又擔心地問道。
“'噢，說實在的，'磨坊主回答說，'我覺得我對你的要求並不過分，你想我就要把
我的小推車給你，不過當然如果你不想幹，我就回去自己動手幹。 '
“'啊！那怎麼行，'小漢斯嚷著說。他從床上跳下來，穿上衣服，往倉房去了。
“他在那兒乾了整整一天，直到夕陽西下，日落時分磨坊主來看他幹得怎麼樣了。
“'小漢斯，你把倉頂上的洞補好了嗎？'磨坊主樂不可支地高聲問道。
“'全補好了，'小漢斯說著，從梯子上走了下來。
“'啊！'磨坊主說，'沒有什麼比替別人幹活更讓人快樂的了。'
“'聽你說話真是莫大的榮幸，'小漢斯坐下身來，一邊擦去前額的汗水，一邊回答
說，'莫大的榮幸，不過我擔心我永遠也不會有你這麼美好的想法。 '
“'啊！你也會有的，'磨坊主說，'不過你必須得更努力些才行。現在你僅僅完成了
友誼的實踐，今後有一天你也會具備理論的。 '
“'你真的認為我會嗎？'小漢斯問。
“'我對此毫不懷疑，'磨坊主回答說，'不過既然你已經修補好了倉頂，你最好還是
回去休息，因為我明天還要你幫我趕山羊到山上去。 '
“'可憐的小漢斯對這件事什麼也不敢說，第二天一大早磨坊主就趕著他的羊群來到了
小屋旁，漢斯便趕著它們上山去了。他花了整整一天功夫才走了一個來回。回到家時他已經
累壞了，就坐在椅子上睡著了，一覺醒來已經是大天亮了。
“'今天能呆在自己的花園裡我會是多麼快樂呀。'說著，他就馬上去幹活了。
“然而他永遠也不能夠全身心地去照料好自己的花，因為他的朋友磨坊主老是不停地跑
來給他派些差事，或叫他到磨坊去幫忙。有時小漢斯也很苦惱，他擔心自己的花會認為他已
經把它們給忘了，但是他卻用磨坊主是自己最好的朋友這種想法來安慰自己。 '再說，'他
經常對自己說，'他還要把自己的小推車送給我，那是真正慷慨大方的舉動。 '
“就這樣小漢斯不停地為磨坊主幹事，而磨坊主也講了各種各樣關於友誼的美妙語句，
漢斯把這些話都記在筆記本上，晚上經常拿出來閱讀，因為他還是個愛讀書的人。
“有一天晚上，小漢斯正坐在爐旁烤火，忽然傳來了響亮的敲門聲。這是個氣候惡劣的
夜晚，風一個勁地在小屋周圍狂歡亂咀。起初他還以為聽到的只是風暴聲呢，可是又傳來了
第二次敲門聲，接著是第三次，而且比前兩次更響亮。
“'這是個可憐的行路人，'小漢斯對自己說，而且朝門口跑去。
“原來門口站著的是磨坊主，他一隻手裡提著一個馬燈，另一隻手中拿著一根大拐杖。
“'親愛的小漢斯，'磨坊主大聲叫道，'我遇到大麻煩了。我的小兒子從梯子上掉下
來了，受了傷，我準備去請醫生。可是醫生住的地方太遠，今晚的天氣又如此惡劣，我剛才
突然覺得要是你替我去請醫生，會好得多。你知道我將要把我的小推車送給你，所以你應該
為我做些事來作為回報，才算是公平的。 '
“'當然羅，'小漢斯大聲說道，'我覺得你能來找我是我的榮幸，我這就動身。不過
你得把馬燈借給我，今夜太黑了，我擔心自己跌到水溝裡去。 '
“'很對不起，'磨坊主回答說，'這可是我的新馬燈，如果它出了什麼毛病，那對我
的損失可就大了。 '
“'噢，沒關係，我不用它也行。'小漢斯高聲說，他取下自己的皮大衣和暖和的紅禮
帽，又在自己的脖子上圍上一條圍巾，就動身了。
“那可真是個可怕的風暴之夜，黑得伸手不見五指，小漢斯什麼也看不見。風刮得很
猛，他連站都站不穩。不過，小漢斯非常勇敢，他走了大約三個鐘頭，來到了醫生的屋前，
敲響了門。
“'是誰呀？'醫生從臥室伸出頭來大聲問道。
“'醫生，我是小漢斯。'
“'什麼事，小漢斯。'
“'磨坊主的兒子從梯子上跌下來摔傷了，磨坊主請你馬上去。”
“'好的！'醫生說，並且叫人去備馬。他取來大靴子，提上馬燈，從樓上走了下來，
騎上馬朝磨坊主的家奔去，而小漢斯卻步履踏酒地跟在後頭。
“然而風暴卻越來越大，雨下得像小河的流水，小漢斯看不清他面前的路面，也趕不上
馬了。最後他迷了路，在一片沼澤地上徘徊著。這是一塊非常危險的地方，到處有深深的水
坑，可憐的小漢斯就在那裡給淹死了。第二天幾位牧羊人發現了他的屍首，漂浮在一個大池
塘的水面上。這幾位牧羊人把屍體抬回到他的小屋中。哀悼儀式的主持人。
“'既然我是他最好的瀝友，'磨坊主說，'那麼就應該讓我站最好的位置。'所以他
穿一身黑色的長袍走在送葬隊伍的最前邊，還時不時地用一塊大手帕抹著眼淚水。
“'小漢斯的死的確對每一個人都是個大損失，'鐵匠開口說。這時葬禮已經結束，大
家都舒適地坐在小酒店裡，喝著香料酒，吃著甜點心。
“'無論如何對我是個大損失，'磨坊主回答說，'對了，我都快把我的小推車送給他
了，現在我真不知怎麼處理它了。放在我家裡對我是個大妨礙，它已經破爛不堪，就是賣掉
它我又能得到什麼。我今後更要留心不再送人任何東西。大方總讓人吃苦頭。 '”
“後來呢？”過了好一會兒河鼠說。
“什麼，我講完了，”紅雀說。
“可是磨坊主後來又怎樣了呢？'河鼠問道。
“噢！我真的不清楚，”紅雀回答說，“我覺得我不關心這個。”
“很顯然你的本性中沒有同情的成分，”河鼠說。
“我恐怕你還沒有弄明白這故事中的教義，”紅雀反駁說。
“什麼？”河鼠大聲暖道。
“教義。”
“你的意思是說這故事裡還有一個教義？”
“當然了，”紅雀說。
“噢，說真的，”河鼠氣呼呼地說，“我認為你在講故事之前就該告訴我那個。如果你
那樣做了，我肯定不會聽你的了。其實，我該像批評家那樣說一聲'呸！ '但是，我現在可
以這麼說了。 ”於是他就大喊了一聲“呸！ ”，並揮舞了一下自己的尾巴，就回到了山洞中
去。
“你覺得河鼠怎麼樣？”母鴨開口問道，她用了好幾分鐘才拍打著水走上岸來。 “他也
有好些優點，不過就我而言，我有一個母親的情懷，只要看見那些鐵了心不結婚的單身漢總
忍不住要掉下眼淚來。 ”
“我真擔心我把他給得罪了，”紅雀回答說，“事實是我給他講了一個帶教義的故事。”
“啊，這事總是很危險的，”母鴨說。
我完全同意她的話。
THE DEVOTED FRIEND
One morning the old Water-rat put his head out of his hole. He had
bright beady eyes and stiff grey whiskers and his tail was like a
long bit of black india-rubber. The little ducks were swimming
about in the pond, looking just like a lot of yellow canaries, and
their mother, who was pure white with real red legs, was trying to
teach them how to stand on their heads in the water.
"You will never be in the best society unless you can stand on your
heads," she kept saying to them; and every now and then she showed
them how it was done. But the little ducks paid no attention to
her. They were so young that they did not know what an advantage
it is to be in society at all.
"What disobedient children!" cried the old Water-rat; "they really
deserve to be drowned."
"Nothing of the kind," answered the Duck, "every one must make a
beginning, and parents cannot be too patient."
"Ah! I know nothing about the feelings of parents," said the Water-
rat; "I am not a family man. In fact, I have never been married,
and I never intend to be. Love is all very well in its way, but
friendship is much higher. Indeed, I know of nothing in the world
that is either nobler or rarer than a devoted friendship."
"And what, pray, is your idea of the duties of a devoted friend?"
asked a Green Linnet, who was sitting in a willow-tree hard by, and
had overheard the conversation.
"Yes, that is just what I want to know," said the Duck; and she
swam away to the end of the pond, and stood upon her head, in order
to give her children a good example.
"What a silly question!" cried the Water-rat. "I should expect my
devoted friend to be devoted to me, of course."
"And what would you do in return?" said the little bird, swinging
upon a silver spray, and flapping his tiny wings.
"I dont understand you," answered the Water-rat.
"Let me tell you a story on the subject," said the Linnet.
"Is the story about me?" asked the Water-rat. "If so, I will
listen to it, for I am extremely fond of fiction."
"It is applicable to you," answered the Linnet; and he flew down,
and alighting upon the bank, he told the story of The Devoted
Friend.
"Once upon a time," said the Linnet, "there was an honest little
fellow named Hans."
"Was he very distinguished?" asked the Water-rat.
"No," answered the Linnet, "I dont think he was distinguished at
all, except for his kind heart, and his funny round good-humoured
face. He lived in a tiny cottage all by himself, and every day he
worked in his garden. In all the country-side there was no garden
so lovely as his. Sweet-william grew there, and Gilly-flowers, and
Shepherds-purses, and Fair-maids of France. There were damask
Roses, and yellow Roses, lilac Crocuses, and gold, purple Violets
and white. Columbine and Ladysmock, Marjoram and Wild Basil, the
Cowslip and the Flower-de-luce, the Daffodil and the Clove-Pink
bloomed or blossomed in their proper order as the months went by,
one flower taking another flowers place, so that there were always
beautiful things to look at, and pleasant odours to smell.
"Little Hans had a great many friends, but the most devoted friend
of all was big Hugh the Miller. Indeed, so devoted was the rich
Miller to little Hans, that be would never go by his garden without
leaning over the wall and plucking a large nosegay, or a handful of
sweet herbs, or filling his pockets with plums and cherries if it
was the fruit season.
"Real friends should have everything in common, the Miller used
to say, and little Hans nodded and smiled, and felt very proud of
having a friend with such noble ideas.
"Sometimes, indeed, the neighbours thought it strange that the rich
Miller never gave little Hans anything in return, though he had a
hundred sacks of flour stored away in his mill, and six milch cows,
and a large flock of woolly sheep; but Hans never troubled his head
about these things, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to
listen to all the wonderful things the Miller used to say about the
unselfishness of true friendship.
"So little Hans worked away in his garden. During the spring, the
summer, and the autumn he was very happy, but when the winter came,
and he had no fruit or flowers to bring to the market, he suffered
a good deal from cold and hunger, and often had to go to bed
without any supper but a few dried pears or some hard nuts. In the
winter, also, he was extremely lonely, as the Miller never came to
see him then.
"There is no good in my going to see little Hans as long as the
snow lasts, the Miller used to say to his wife, for when people
are in trouble they should be left alone, and not be bothered by
visitors. That at least is my idea about friendship, and I am sure
I am right. So I shall wait till the spring comes, and then I
shall pay him a visit, and he will be able to give me a large
basket of primroses and that will make him so happy.
"You are certainly very thoughtful about others, answered the
Wife, as she sat in her comfortable armchair by the big pinewood
fire; very thoughtful indeed. It is quite a treat to hear you
talk about friendship. I am sure the clergyman himself could not
say such beautiful things as you do, though he does live in a
three-storied house, and wear a gold ring on his little finger.
"But could we not ask little Hans up here? said the Millers
youngest son. If poor Hans is in trouble I will give him half my
porridge, and show him my white rabbits.
"What a silly boy you are! cried the Miller; I really dont know
what is the use of sending you to school. You seem not to learn
anything. Why, if little Hans came up here, and saw our warm fire,
and our good supper, and our great cask of red wine, he might get
envious, and envy is a most terrible thing, and would spoil
anybodys nature. I certainly will not allow Hans nature to be
spoiled. I am his best friend, and I will always watch over him,
and see that he is not led into any temptations. Besides, if Hans
came here, he might ask me to let him have some flour on credit,
and that I could not do. Flour is one thing, and friendship is
another, and they should not be confused. Why, the words are spelt
differently, and mean quite different things. Everybody can see
that.
"How well you talk! said the Millers Wife, pouring herself out a
large glass of warm ale; really I feel quite drowsy. It is just
like being in church.
"Lots of people act well, answered the Miller; but very few
people talk well, which shows that talking is much the more
difficult thing of the two, and much the finer thing also; and he
looked sternly across the table at his little son, who felt so
ashamed of himself that he hung his head down, and grew quite
scarlet, and began to cry into his tea. However, he was so young
that you must excuse him."
"Is that the end of the story?" asked the Water-rat.
"Certainly not," answered the Linnet, "that is the beginning."
"Then you are quite behind the age," said the Water-rat. "Every
good story-teller nowadays starts with the end, and then goes on to
the beginning, and concludes with the middle. That is the new
method. I heard all about it the other day from a critic who was
walking round the pond with a young man. He spoke of the matter at
great length, and I am sure he must have been right, for he had
blue spectacles and a bald head, and whenever the young man made
any remark, he always answered Pooh! But pray go on with your
story. I like the Miller immensely. I have all kinds of beautiful
sentiments myself, so there is a great sympathy between us."
"Well," said the Linnet, hopping now on one leg and now on the
other, "as soon as the winter was over, and the primroses began to
open their pale yellow stars, the Miller said to his wife that he
would go down and see little Hans.
"Why, what a good heart you have! cried his Wife; you are always
thinking of others. And mind you take the big basket with you for
the flowers.
"So the Miller tied the sails of the windmill together with a
strong iron chain, and went down the hill with the basket on his
arm.
"Good morning, little Hans, said the Miller.
"Good morning, said Hans, leaning on his spade, and smiling from
ear to ear.
"And how have you been all the winter? said the Miller.
"Well, really, cried Hans, it is very good of you to ask, very
good indeed. I am afraid I had rather a hard time of it, but now
the spring has come, and I am quite happy, and all my flowers are
doing well.
"We often talked of you during the winter, Hans, said the Miller,
and wondered how you were getting on.
"That was kind of you, said Hans; I was half afraid you had
forgotten me.
"Hans, I am surprised at you, said the Miller; friendship never
forgets. That is the wonderful thing about it, but I am afraid you
dont understand the poetry of life. How lovely your primroses are
looking, by-the-bye"!
"They are certainly very lovely, said Hans, and it is a most
lucky thing for me that I have so many. I am going to bring them
into the market and sell them to the Burgomasters daughter, and
buy back my wheelbarrow with the money.
"Buy back your wheelbarrow? You dont mean to say you have sold
it? What a very stupid thing to do!
"Well, the fact is, said Hans, that I was obliged to. You see
the winter was a very bad time for me, and I really had no money at
all to buy bread with. So I first sold the silver buttons off my
Sunday coat, and then I sold my silver chain, and then I sold my
big pipe, and at last I sold my wheelbarrow. But I am going to buy
them all back again now.
"Hans, said the Miller, I will give you my wheelbarrow. It is
not in very good repair; indeed, one side is gone, and there is
something wrong with the wheel-spokes; but in spite of that I will
give it to you. I know it is very generous of me, and a great many
people would think me extremely foolish for parting with it, but I
am not like the rest of the world. I think that generosity is the
essence of friendship, and, besides, I have got a new wheelbarrow
for myself. Yes, you may set your mind at ease, I will give you my
wheelbarrow.
"Well, really, that is generous of you, said little Hans, and his
funny round face glowed all over with pleasure. I can easily put
it in repair, as I have a plank of wood in the house.
"A plank of wood! said the Miller; why, that is just what I want
for the roof of my barn. There is a very large hole in it, and the
corn will all get damp if I dont stop it up. How lucky you
mentioned it! It is quite remarkable how one good action always
breeds another. I have given you my wheelbarrow, and now you are
going to give me your plank. Of course, the wheelbarrow is worth
far more than the plank, but true, friendship never notices things
like that. Pray get it at once, and I will set to work at my barn
this very day.
"Certainly, cried little Hans, and he ran into the shed and
dragged the plank out.
"It is not a very big plank, said the Miller, looking at it, and
I am afraid that after I have mended my barn-roof there wont be
any left for you to mend the wheelbarrow with; but, of course, that
is not my fault. And now, as I have given you my wheelbarrow, I am
sure you would like to give me some flowers in return. Here is the
basket, and mind you fill it quite full.
"Quite full? said little Hans, rather sorrowfully, for it was
really a very big basket, and he knew that if he filled it he would
have no flowers left for the market and he was very anxious to get
his silver buttons back.
"Well, really, answered the Miller, as I have given you my
wheelbarrow, I dont think that it is much to ask you for a few
flowers. I may be wrong, but I should have thought that
friendship, true friendship, was quite free from selfishness of any
kind.
"My dear friend, my best friend, cried little Hans, you are
welcome to all the flowers in my garden. I would much sooner have
your good opinion than my silver buttons, any day; and he ran and
plucked all his pretty primroses, and filled the Millers basket.
"Good-bye, little Hans, said the Miller, as he went up the hill
with the plank on his shoulder, and the big basket in his hand.
"Good-bye, said little Hans, and he began to dig away quite
merrily, he was so pleased about the wheelbarrow.
"The next day he was nailing up some honeysuckle against the porch,
when he heard the Millers voice calling to him from the road. So
he jumped off the ladder, and ran down the garden, and looked over
the wall.
"There was the Miller with a large sack of flour on his back.
"Dear little Hans, said the Miller, would you mind carrying this
sack of flour for me to market?
"Oh, I am so sorry, said Hans, but I am really very busy to-day.
I have got all my creepers to nail up, and all my flowers to water,
and all my grass to roll.
"Well, really, said the Miller, I think that, considering that I
am going to give you my wheelbarrow, it is rather unfriendly of you
to refuse.
"Oh, dont say that, cried little Hans, I wouldnt be unfriendly
for the whole world; and he ran in for his cap, and trudged off
with the big sack on his shoulders.
"It was a very hot day, and the road was terribly dusty, and before
Hans had reached the sixth milestone he was so tired that he had to
sit down and rest. However, he went on bravely, and as last he
reached the market. After he had waited there some time, he sold
the sack of flour for a very good price, and then he returned home
at once, for he was afraid that if he stopped too late he might
meet some robbers on the way.
"It has certainly been a hard day, said little Hans to himself as
he was going to bed, but I am glad I did not refuse the Miller,
for he is my best friend, and, besides, he is going to give me his
wheelbarrow.
"Early the next morning the Miller came down to get the money for
his sack of flour, but little Hans was so tired that he was still
in bed.
"Upon my word, said the Miller, you are very lazy. Really,
considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow, I think you
might work harder. Idleness is a great sin, and I certainly dont
like any of my friends to be idle or sluggish. You must not mind
my speaking quite plainly to you. Of course I should not dream of
doing so if I were not your friend. But what is the good of
friendship if one cannot say exactly what one means? Anybody can
say charming things and try to please and to flatter, but a true
friend always says unpleasant things, and does not mind giving
pain. Indeed, if he is a really true friend he prefers it, for he
knows that then he is doing good.
"I am very sorry, said little Hans, rubbing his eyes and pulling
off his night-cap, but I was so tired that I thought I would lie
in bed for a little time, and listen to the birds singing. Do you
know that I always work better after hearing the birds sing?
"Well, I am glad of that, said the Miller, clapping little Hans
on the back, for I want you to come up to the mill as soon as you
are dressed, and mend my barn-roof for me.
"Poor little Hans was very anxious to go and work in his garden,
for his flowers had not been watered for two days, but he did not
like to refuse the Miller, as he was such a good friend to him.
"Do you think it would be unfriendly of me if I said I was busy?
he inquired in a shy and timid voice.
"Well, really, answered the Miller, I do not think it is much to
ask of you, considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow;
but of course if you refuse I will go and do it myself.
"Oh! on no account, cried little Hans and he jumped out of bed,
and dressed himself, and went up to the barn.
"He worked there all day long, till sunset, and at sunset the
Miller came to see how he was getting on.
"Have you mended the hole in the roof yet, little Hans? cried the
Miller in a cheery voice.
"It is quite mended, answered little Hans, coming down the
ladder.
"Ah! said the Miller, there is no work so delightful as the work
one does for others.
"It is certainly a great privilege to hear you talk, answered
little Hans, sitting down, and wiping his forehead, a very great
privilege. But I am afraid I shall never have such beautiful ideas
as you have.
"Oh! they will come to you, said the Miller, but you must take
more pains. At present you have only the practice of friendship;
some day you will have the theory also.
"Do you really think I shall? asked little Hans.
"I have no doubt of it, answered the Miller, but now that you
have mended the roof, you had better go home and rest, for I want
you to drive my sheep to the mountain to-morrow.
"Poor little Hans was afraid to say anything to this, and early the
next morning the Miller brought his sheep round to the cottage, and
Hans started off with them to the mountain. It took him the whole
day to get there and back; and when he returned he was so tired
that he went off to sleep in his chair, and did not wake up till it
was broad daylight.
"What a delightful time I shall have in my garden, he said, and
he went to work at once.
"But somehow he was never able to look after his flowers at all,
for his friend the Miller was always coming round and sending him
off on long errands, or getting him to help at the mill. Little
Hans was very much distressed at times, as he was afraid his
flowers would think he had forgotten them, but he consoled himself
by the reflection that the Miller was his best friend. Besides,
he used to say, he is going to give me his wheelbarrow, and that
is an act of pure generosity.
"So little Hans worked away for the Miller, and the Miller said all
kinds of beautiful things about friendship, which Hans took down in
a note-book, and used to read over at night, for he was a very good
scholar.
"Now it happened that one evening little Hans was sitting by his
fireside when a loud rap came at the door. It was a very wild
night, and the wind was blowing and roaring round the house so
terribly that at first he thought it was merely the storm. But a
second rap came, and then a third, louder than any of the others.
"It is some poor traveller, said little Hans to himself, and he
ran to the door.
"There stood the Miller with a lantern in one hand and a big stick
in the other.
"Dear little Hans, cried the Miller, I am in great trouble. My
little boy has fallen off a ladder and hurt himself, and I am going
for the Doctor. But he lives so far away, and it is such a bad
night, that it has just occurred to me that it would be much better
if you went instead of me. You know I am going to give you my
wheelbarrow, and so, it is only fair that you should do something
for me in return.
"Certainly, cried little Hans, I take it quite as a compliment
your coming to me, and I will start off at once. But you must lend
me your lantern, as the night is so dark that I am afraid I might
fall into the ditch.
"I am very sorry, answered the Miller, but it is my new lantern,
and it would be a great loss to me if anything happened to it.
"Well, never mind, I will do without it, cried little Hans, and
he took down his great fur coat, and his warm scarlet cap, and tied
a muffler round his throat, and started off.
"What a dreadful storm it was! The night was so black that little
Hans could hardly see, and the wind was so strong that he could
scarcely stand. However, he was very courageous, and after he had
been walking about three hours, he arrived at the Doctors house,
and knocked at the door.
"Who is there? cried the Doctor, putting his head out of his
bedroom window.
"Little Hans, Doctor.
"What do you want, little Hans?
"The Millers son has fallen from a ladder, and has hurt himself,
and the Miller wants you to come at once.
"All right! said the Doctor; and he ordered his horse, and his
big boots, and his lantern, and came downstairs, and rode off in
the direction of the Millers house, little Hans trudging behind
him.
"But the storm grew worse and worse, and the rain fell in torrents,
and little Hans could not see where he was going, or keep up with
the horse. At last he lost his way, and wandered off on the moor,
which was a very dangerous place, as it was full of deep holes, and
there poor little Hans was drowned. His body was found the next
day by some goatherds, floating in a great pool of water, and was
brought back by them to the cottage.
"Everybody went to little Hans funeral, as he was so popular, and
the Miller was the chief mourner.
"As I was his best friend, said the Miller, it is only fair that
I should have the best place; so he walked at the head of the
procession in a long black cloak, and every now and then he wiped
his eyes with a big pocket-handkerchief.
"Little Hans is certainly a great loss to every one, said the
Blacksmith, when the funeral was over, and they were all seated
comfortably in the inn, drinking spiced wine and eating sweet
cakes.
"A great loss to me at any rate, answered the Miller; why, I had
as good as given him my wheelbarrow, and now I really dont know
what to do with it. It is very much in my way at home, and it is
in such bad repair that I could not get anything for it if I sold
it. I will certainly take care not to give away anything again.
One always suffers for being generous."
"Well?" said the Water-rat, after a long pause.
"Well, that is the end," said the Linnet.
"But what became of the Miller?" asked the Water-rat.
"Oh! I really dont know," replied the Linnet; "and I am sure that
I dont care."
"It is quite evident then that you have no sympathy in your
nature," said the Water-rat.
"I am afraid you dont quite see the moral of the story," remarked
the Linnet.
"The what?" screamed the Water-rat.
"The moral."
"Do you mean to say that the story has a moral?"
"Certainly," said the Linnet.
"Well, really," said the Water-rat, in a very angry manner, "I
think you should have told me that before you began. If you had
done so, I certainly would not have listened to you; in fact, I
should have said Pooh, like the critic. However, I can say it
now"; so he shouted out "Pooh" at the top of his voice, gave a
whisk with his tail, and went back into his hole.
"And how do you like the Water-rat?" asked the Duck, who came
paddling up some minutes afterwards. "He has a great many good
points, but for my own part I have a mothers feelings, and I can
never look at a confirmed bachelor without the tears coming into my
eyes."
"I am rather afraid that I have annoyed him," answered the Linnet.
"The fact is, that I told him a story with a moral."
"Ah! that is always a very dangerous thing to do," said the Duck.
And I quite agree with her.