by Hans Christian Andersen

translation by H P Paull (1872)

VERY often, after violent thunder-storm, field of buckwheat appears blackened and singed, flame of fire had passed over it The country people say appearance is caused by lightning; but tell you what the sparrow says, sparrow heard it from an old willow-tree which grew near field of buckwheat, and still large venerable tree, though little crippled by age The trunk split, and crevice grass and brambles grow The tree bends for-ward slightly, branches hang quite down ground just like green hair Corn grows surrounding fields, rye and barley, but oats,-pretty oats that, when ripe, look like number of little golden canary-birds sitting on bough The corn has smiling look heaviest and richest ears bend their heads low in pious humility Once also field of buckwheat, and this field was exactly opposite to old willow-tree The buckwheat bend like the other grain, but erected its head proudly and stiffly stem " as valuable as corn," said he, "and much handsomer; my flowers are as beautiful bloom apple blossom, and pleasure to look at us of anything prettier than , you old willow-tree ? "

willow-tree nodded his head, say, "Indeed "

But the buckwheat spread itself out with pride, and said, "Stupid tree; so old that grass grows out body "

There arose very terrible storm All the field-flowers folded their leaves together, or bowed their little heads, while the storm passed over them, but the buckwheat stood erect in its pride "Bend your head do," said the flowers

" no occasion ," replied the buckwheat

"Bend your head do," cried the ears of corn; "the angel storm is coming; his wings spread sky above earth beneath strike you down cry for mercy "

"But bend my head," said the buckwheat

"Close your flowers and bend your leaves," said the old willow-tree " look lightning cloud bursts; even men cannot In flash of lightning heaven opens, and look in; but the sight will strike even human beings blind What then must happen , who only grow earth, so inferior , venture ? "

"Inferior, indeed ! " said the buckwheat "Now I intend peep into heaven " Proudly and boldly he looked up, while the lightning flashed across the sky as whole world were in flames

dreadful storm had passed, the flowers corn raised their drooping heads pure still air, refreshed rain, but the buckwheat lay like weed field, burnt to blackness lightning The branches old willow-tree rustled wind, and large water-drops fell green leaves as old willow were weeping Then the sparrows asked why weeping, when all around him seemed so cheerful "See," they said, how the sun shines, clouds float blue sky not smell the sweet perfume from flower and bush ? Wherefore weep, old willow-tree ? " Then the willow told them haughty pride buckwheat, and punishment which followed in consequence

story told me sparrows one evening when I begged them to relate some tale

THE END