The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen
Section [1 | 2 | 3]
. when_the sun was about to set, Eliza saw eleven white swans with golden crowns on their heads, flying towards the land, one behind the other, like along white ribbon .Then Eliza went down the slope from_the shore, and hid herself behind the bushes .The swans alighted quite close to her and flapped their great white wings . as_soon_as_the sun had disappeared under the water, the feathers of_the swans fell off, and eleven beautiful princes, Eliza's brothers, stood near her .She uttered aloud cry, for, although they were very_much changed, she knew them immediately .She sprang into their arms, and called them each by name .Then, how happy the princes were at meeting their little sister again, for they recognized her, although she had grown so tall and beautiful .They laughed, and_they wept, and very_soon understood how wickedly their mother had acted to_them all ."We brothers," said the eldest, "fly about as wild swans, so_long as_the sun is in_the sky; but as_soon_as it sinks behind the hills, we recover our human shape .Therefore must we always be near aresting place for_our feet before sunset; for if we_should_be flying towards the clouds at_the_time we recovered our natural shape as men, we_should sink deep into_the sea . we_do_not dwell here, but in aland just as fair, that lies beyond the ocean, which we_have to cross for along distance; there_is no island in_our passage upon_which we_could pass, the night; nothing but alittle rock rising out_of_the sea, upon_which we_can scarcely stand with safety, even closely crowded together . if_the sea is rough, the foam dashes over us, yet we thank God even for_this rock; we_have passed whole nights upon it, or we_should never have reached our beloved fatherland, for_our flight across the sea occupies two of_the longest days in_the year . we_have permission to visit out home once in every year, and to remain eleven days, during which we fly across the forest to look once more at_the palace where our father dwells, and where we were born, and at_the church, where our mother lies buried .Here it seems as if_the very trees and bushes were related to_us .The wild horses leap over the plains as we_have seen them in_our childhood .The charcoal burners sing the old songs, to_which we_have danced as children . this_is our fatherland, to which_we_are drawn by loving ties; and here we_have found you, our dear little sister ., Two days longer we_can remain here, and then must we fly away to abeautiful land which_is not our home; and how can we take you with_us ? we_have neither ship nor boat ."

"How can I break this spell ? " said their sister .And then she talked about_it nearly the whole night, only slumbering for afew hours .Eliza was awakened by_the rustling of_the swans' wings as_they soared above .Her brothers were again changed to swans, and_they flew in circles wider and wider, till they were far away; but one_of_them, the youngest swan, remained behind, and laid his head in_his sister's lap, while she stroked his wings; and_they remained together the whole day .Towards evening, the rest came back, and as_the sun went down they resumed their natural forms ."To-morrow," said one, " we_shall fly away, not to return again till awhole year has passed .But we_cannot leave you here . have_you courage to_go with_us ? My arm is strong enough to carry you through_the wood; and will not all our wings be strong enough to fly with_you over the sea ? "

"Yes, take me with_you," said Eliza .Then they spent the whole night in weaving anet with_the pliant willow and rushes . it_was very large and strong .Eliza laid herself down on_the net, and when_the sun rose, and her brothers again became wild swans, they took up the net with their beaks, and flew up_to_the clouds with their dear sister, who still slept .The sunbeams fell on her face, therefore one_of_the swans soared over her head, so_that his broad wings might shade her .They were far from_the land when Eliza woke .She thought she_must still be dreaming, it seemed so strange to her to_feel herself being carried so high in_the air over the sea .By her side lay abranch full of beautiful ripe berries, and abundle of sweet roots; the youngest of her brothers had gathered them for her, and placed them by her side .She smiled her thanks to him; she knew it was_the same who had hovered over her to shade her with_his wings .They were now so high, that alarge ship beneath them looked like awhite sea-gull skimming the waves .agreat cloud floating behind them appeared like avast mountain, and upon it Eliza saw her own shadow and those of_the eleven swans, looking gigantic in size .Altogether it formed amore beautiful picture than she had ever seen; but as_the sun rose higher, and_the clouds were left behind, the shadowy picture vanished away .Onward the whole day they flew through_the air like awinged arrow, yet more slowly than usual, for they had their sister to carry .The weather seemed inclined to_be stormy, and Eliza watched the sinking sun with great anxiety, for_the little rock in_the ocean was not yet in sight .It appeared to her as if_the swans were making great efforts with their wings .Alas ! she was_the cause of_their not advancing more quickly . when_the sun set, they_would change to men, fall into_the sea and be drowned .Then she offered aprayer from her inmost heart, but still no appearance of_the rock .Dark clouds came nearer, the gusts of wind told of acoming storm, while from athick, heavy mass of clouds the lightning burst forth flash after flash .The sun had reached the edge of_the sea, when_the swans darted down so swiftly, that Eliza's head trembled; she believed they were falling, but they again soared onward .Presently she caught sight of_the rock just below them, and by_this_time the sun was half hidden by_the waves .The rock did_not appear larger than aseal's head thrust out_of_the water .They sunk so rapidly, that at_the moment their feet touched the rock, it shone only like astar, and at last disappeared like the last spark in apiece of burnt paper .Then she saw her brothers standing closely round her with their arms linked together . there_was but just room enough for_them, and not the smallest space to spare .The sea dashed against the rock, and covered them with spray .The heavens were lighted up with continual flashes, and peal after peal of thunder rolled .But the sister and brothers sat holding each_other's hands, and singing hymns, from_which they gained hope and courage . in_the early dawn the air became calm and still, and at sunrise the swans flew away from_the rock with Eliza .The sea was still rough, and from their high position in_the air, the white foam on_the dark green waves looked like millions of swans swimming on_the water . as_the sun rose higher, Eliza saw before her, floating on_the air, arange of mountains, with shining masses of ice on their summits . in_the centre, rose acastle apparently amile long, with rows of columns, rising one above another, while, around it, palm-trees waved and flowers bloomed as large as mill wheels .She asked if this_was the land to_which they were hastening .The swans shook their heads, for what she beheld were the beautiful ever-changing cloud palaces of_the "Fata Morgana," into which no mortal can enter .Eliza was still gazing at_the scene, when mountains, forests, and castles melted away, and twenty stately churches rose in their stead, with high towers and pointed gothic windows .Eliza even fancied she_could hear the tones of_the organ, but it was_the music of_the murmuring sea which she heard . as_they drew nearer to_the churches, they also changed into afleet of ships, which seemed to_be sailing beneath her; but as she looked again, she found it_was only asea mist gliding over the ocean .So there continued to_pass before her eyes aconstant change of scene, till at last she saw the real land to_which they were bound, with its blue mountains, its cedar forests, and its cities and palaces .Long before_the sun went down, she sat on arock, in front of alarge cave, on_the floor of_which the over-grown yet delicate green creeping plants looked like an embroidered carpet ."Now we_shall expect to hear what you dream of to-night," said the youngest brother, as he showed his sister her bedroom .

"Heaven grant that I_may dream how to save you," she replied .And this thought took such hold upon her mind that she prayed earnestly to God for help, and even in her sleep she continued to pray .Then it appeared to her as_if she were flying high in_the air, towards the cloudy palace of_the "Fata Morgana," and afairy came out to meet her, radiant and beautiful in appearance, and yet very_much like the old woman who had given her berries in_the wood, and who had told her of_the swans with golden crowns on their heads ."Your brothers can_be released," said she, " if_you_have only courage and perseverance .True, water is softer than your own delicate hands, and yet it polishes stones into shapes; it feels no pain as_your fingers would feel, it has no soul, and cannot suffer such agony and torment as_you_will_have to endure .Do you_see the stinging nettle which I hold in my hand ? Quantities of_the same sort grow round the cave in_which_you sleep, but none will_be of any use to_you unless they grow upon_the graves in achurchyard .These you_must gather even while they burn blisters on_your hands .Break them to pieces with your hands and feet, and they_will become flax, from_which you_must spin and weave eleven coats with long sleeves; if these are then thrown over the eleven swans, the spell will_be broken .But remember, that from_the moment you commence your task until it_is finished, even should it occupy years of your life, you_must not speak .The first word you utter will pierce through_the hearts of your brothers like adeadly dagger .Their lives hang upon your tongue .Remember all I_have told you ." And as she finished speaking, she touched her hand lightly with_the nettle, and apain, as of burning fire, awoke Eliza .

it_was broad daylight, and close by where she had_been sleeping lay anettle like the one she had seen in her dream .She fell on her knees and offered her thanks to God .Then she went forth from_the cave to_begin her work with her delicate hands .She groped in amongst the ugly nettles, which burnt great blisters on her hands and arms, but she determined to bear it gladly if she_could only release her dear brothers .So she bruised the nettles with her bare feet and spun the flax .At sunset her brothers returned and were very_much frightened when_they found her dumb .They believed it to_be some new sorcery of_their wicked step-mother .But when_they saw her hands they understood what she was doing on their behalf, and_the youngest brother wept, and where his tears fell the pain ceased, and_the burning blisters vanished .She kept to her work all night, for she_could_not rest till she had released her dear brothers .During the whole of_the following day, while her brothers were absent, she sat in solitude, but never before had the time flown so quickly .One coat was already finished and she had begun the second, when she heard the huntsman's horn, and was struck with fear .The sound came nearer and nearer, she heard the dogs barking, and fled with terror into_the cave .She hastily bound together the nettles she had gathered into abundle and sat upon them .Immediately agreat dog came bounding towards her out_of_the ravine, and then another and another; they barked loudly, ran back, and then came again .In avery few_minutes all the huntsmen stood before_the cave, and_the handsomest of_them

Section [1 | 2 | 3]