星孩
星孩
从前有两个穷苦的樵夫正穿越一个大松林往家赶路。那是冬天的一个寒风刺骨的夜晚。
地上铺着厚厚的雪，树枝上积压着雪，在他们走过的时候，两旁的小树枝接连不断地被霜折
断，他们来到山涧的瀑布前时，霜也一动不动地停在空中，因为冰雪之王已经吻过她了。
这一夜实在是太冷了，就连鸟兽也不知道该怎么办才好。
“噢！”狼一边叫着，一边夹着尾巴从灌木林丛一拐一敲地走出来，“这真是倒霉的天
气，政府为什么不想想办法呢？”
“喔！喔！喔！”绿色梅花雀喳喳地叫道，“年迈的地球已经死了，他们已经用白寿衣
把她给收殓了。”
“地球要出嫁了，这是她的结婚礼服，”斑鸠们在一起彼此悄悄地说。他们的小红脚都
被冻坏了，不过他们觉得自己有责任用乐观浪漫的看法看待这一切。
“胡说！”狼咆哮着说。“我告诉你们这都是政府的过错，如果你们不相信我的话，我
会吃掉你们的。”狼有着完全务实的思想，他永远都不会找不到好的论点的。
“唔，就我个人而言，”啄木鸟说，他是一个天生的哲学家，“我关心的不是用作解释
的原子理论。如果一件事是什么样子，那么就本该如此，只是眼下实在是太冷了。”天气的
确是冷透了。住在高高杉树上的小松鼠们互相摩擦着鼻子来取暖，野兔们在自己的洞中龟缩
着身子，甚至不敢朝外而看上一眼。唯一好像欢喜这种天气的只有大角鸥了。他们的羽毛让
白霜冻得硬邦邦的，不过他们并不在意，他们不停地转动着他们那又大又黄的眼睛，隔着林
子彼此呼唤着，“吐威特！吐威特！吐威特！吐威特！今天的气候多么好呀！”
两个樵夫继续不停地往前赶着路，并起劲地朝自己的手指手上吹热气，脚上笨大的带铁
钉的靴子在雪块上踏行着。有一次他们陷进了一个深深的雪坑里去，等他们出来的时候浑身
上下白得就跟磨房的磨面师一样，这时石头也是很滑的；有一次他们在坚硬光滑的冰上跌倒
了，这冰是沼地上的水结成的，他们身上的柴捆跌落了，他们只好拾起来，重新捆绑好；还
有一次他们以为自己迷了路，心中害怕的不得了，因为他们深知雪对那些睡在她怀中的人是
很残酷的。不过他们信任那位好心的圣马丁（司旅行之神），他会照顾所有出门的人，于是
他们又照来路退回，小心翼翼地迈着脚步，最后他们终于来到了森林的出口处，并看见下面
山谷的远处亮着他们所在村庄的灯光。
发现自己已脱离了危境，他俩真是欣喜若狂，高兴得大笑起来，大地在他们眼中就好像
是一朵银白色的鲜花，月亮如同一朵金花。
然而笑过之后，他们又陷入了忧愁，因为他们想起了自己的穷困家境，一位樵夫对另一
个人说，“我们为什么要高兴呢，要知道生活是为有钱人准备的，不是为我们这样的穷人？
我们还不如冻死在森林中呢，或者让什么野兽抓住我们把我咬死。”
“真是如此，”他的伙伴回答说，“有些人享有的太多了，而另一些人却得到的太少
了。不公平已经把世界给瓜分了，除了忧愁之外，没有一件东西是公平分配的。”
可是就在他们相互悲叹各自的不幸生活时，一件奇怪的事情发生了。从天上掉下来一颗
非常明亮，非常美丽的星。它经过其它星星的身旁，从天边滑落了下来，他们惊讶地望着
它，在他们看来它似乎就落在小羊圈旁边不到一箭之遥的一丛柳树的后面。
“啊！谁要是找到它就可以得到一坛子黄金！”他们惊叫着，跑了出去，他们太想得到
黄金了。
其中一人跑得快一些，他超过了同伴，奋力穿过柳树丛，来到了树的另一边，呀！在雪
地上的确躺着一个黄金样的东西。他急忙赶过去，弯下身去用手去摸它，它是一件用金线织
的斗篷，上面精心地绣着好多星星，并叠成了许多折子。他大声地对自己的同伴说他已经找
到了从天上掉下来的财宝，等他的同伴走近时，他俩就在雪地上坐下来，把斗篷上的折子解
开，准备把金子拿出来平分。但是，啊呀！里面没有黄金，也没有白银，任何宝物都没有，
只有一个熟睡的孩子。
其中一人对另外一人说，“我们的希望竟是这样一个痛苦的结局，我们的运气不会好
了，一个孩子对一个人会有什么好处呢？让我们离开这儿，走我们的路吧，要知道我们都是
穷人，都有自己的孩子，我们不能把自己孩子的面包分给别人的。”
不过他的同伴却回答他，“不，把孩子丢在这儿冻死在雪中是一件不好的事情，尽管我
跟你一样的穷，还要养活好几口人，锅里又没有什么吃的东西，但是我还是要带他回家，我
的妻子会照顾他的。”
他非常慈爱地抱起小孩，用斗篷包住孩子以抵御严寒，然后就下山回村子里去了，他的
同伴对他的傻气和仁慈非常惊讶。
他们回到村里，他的同伴对他说，“你有了这个孩子，那么把斗篷给我吧，因为我们都
知道这应该平分的。”
然而他回答说，“不，因为这个斗篷既不是你的，也不是我的，它是孩子一人的。”他
与同伴道了别，来到自家的门前，敲了起来。
他的妻子打开门，看见自己的丈夫平安回到她的身边，她伸出双臂搂住他的脖子，吻着
他，并从他背后取下柴捆，刷去他靴子上的雪，吩咐他快进屋去。
不过他对她说，“我在森林中找到一样东西，我把他带回来好让你照顾他。”他站在门
口并不进来。
“它是什么呀？”她大声问道，“快给我看看，家里是空荡荡的，我们也需要好多东
西。”他把斗篷向后拉开，把熟睡的孩子抱给她看。
“唉哟，我的天！”她喃喃地说，“难道我们自己的孩子还不够多吗？干嘛非要带一个
换来的孩子回家？谁知道他会不会给我们带来厄运？我们又拿什么来喂他呢？”她对他生气
了。
“不对呀，他可是一个星孩呀，”他回答说，他便把发现孩子的奇异经历讲给她听了。
不过她一点也没有消气，而是挖苦他，气愤地说道：“我们孩子都没有面包吃，难道还
要养别人的孩子吗？谁又来照顾我们呢？谁又给我们食物吃呢？”
“不要这样，上帝连麻雀都要照顾的，上帝还养它们呢，”他回答说。
“麻雀在冬天不是常会饿死吗？”她问道，“现在不就是冬天了吗？”她丈夫无言以
对，只是站在门口不进屋来。
一阵寒风从树林刮来吹进了敞开的房门，她打了一个寒濒，抖动起来，并对他说，“你
不想把门关上吗？屋里吹进一股寒风了，我觉得好冷。”
“吹进铁石心肠人家的风不会总是寒冷的吧？”他反问道。女人没有回答他，只是朝炉
火靠得更近了。
过了一会儿她转过身来，望着他，她的眼里充满了泪水。他一下子冲了进来，把孩子放
在她怀中，她吻了吻孩子，又把他放在一张小床上面，那儿是他们家最小的孩子睡觉的地方。
第二天樵夫取下那件珍奇的金斗篷，把它放在一个大柜子中，他妻子也从孩子脖子上取
下戴着的琥珀项链，也放进了大柜中。
就这样，星孩跟樵夫的孩子一块儿长大了，他们坐在一起吃饭，又一起玩耍。他长得一
年比一年更英俊，住在村子里的人都为此而感到吃惊，因为别人都是黑皮肤，黑头发，唯独
他一个人长得又白又娇嫩，就像精细的象牙一样，他的卷发如同水仙花的花环。他的嘴唇也
像红色的花瓣，他的双眼犹如清水河旁的紫罗兰，他的身材恰似田野中还没有人来割过的水
仙草。
不过他的美貌却给他带来了坏运。因为他变得骄傲、残酷和自私了。对于樵夫的儿女以
及村子里的其他孩子们，他都一概瞧不起，并说他们出身低微，而他自己却是高贵的，是从
星星上蹦出来的，他自认是他们的主人，把他们都唤着是自己的奴隶。他一点也不同情穷
人，也不怜悯那些瞎子、残疾人以及任何有病苦的人，对待他们他反而扔石头，或赶他们到
公路上去，命令他们到别处去乞讨，因此只有那些二流子才会第二次到那个村子去要求救
济。他也的确是迷恋美的，嘲弄那些孱弱和丑陋的人，不把他们当回事。对他自己却是爱得
要命，在夏季无风的时候，他会躺在神父果园中的水井旁，朝井中望着自己脸蛋的动人之
处，并为自己的美丽而高兴得笑起来。
樵夫和他的妻子常常责备他，说：“我们并未像你对待那些孤苦的人那样对待过你，你
为什么会如此残酷地对待那些需要同情的可怜人呢？”
老神父也经常去找他，试图教他学会一些对事物的爱心，便对他说：“飞蝇也是你的弟
兄。不要去伤害它。那些在林中飞行的野鸟有它们自身的自由。不要以抓住它们来取乐。上
帝创造了蛇蜥和鼹鼠，它们各自都有存在的价值。你是什么人，可以给上帝的世界带来痛
苦？就连在农田中的生畜都知道赞美上帝。”
可是星孩并不理睬他的话，他皱紧眉头，一副很不高兴的样子，走回去找他的伙伴了，
去领着他们玩。他的伙伴们也都跟随着他，因为他长得美，且脚步轻快，能够跳舞，还会吹
笛和弹奏音乐，不论星孩领他们去什么地方，他们都会去，不论星孩吩咐他们做什么，他们
都会去做。他把一根尖芦苇刺进鼹鼠朦胧的眼睛里的时候，他们都开心地大笑，他用石头扔
麻疯病人时，他们也跟着大笑。无论他支配他们去干什么，他们都会变得跟他一样的铁石心
肠。
有一天，一个穷要饭的女人走过村子。她的衣服破破烂烂的，漫长的行程崎岖的道路把
她的双脚弄得血淋淋的，她的模样也十分狼狈。因为太疲倦了，她就坐在栗子树下休息了。
星孩看见她后，便对他的同伴们说，“快看！这么一个肮脏的讨饭女人竟然坐在那棵美
丽的绿叶子树下面。来吧，我们把她赶走，她真是又丑又烦人。”
于是他走了过去朝她扔石头，嘲弄她，她用惊恐的眼光望着熔，一个劲地直直地望着
他。樵夫正在附近的草料场里砍木头，看见了星孩的所做所为，他便跑上前来责备他，并对
他说：“你的心真是太狠了，没有一点怜悯之心，这个可怜的女人对你做了什么坏事，你要
如此地对待她呢？”
星孩气得一脸通红，用脚猛跺着地面，并说道，“你是什么人敢来问我做什么？我不是
你的儿子，不会听你的话的。”
“你说的一点不假，”樵夫回答说，“但是当我在林中发现你时，我对你不也是动了怜
悯之心的吗？”
女人听到这些话后大叫了一声就昏倒在地上了。樵夫把她抱进了自己的家中，他的妻子
来照看她，等她从昏迷中醒过来之后，他们为她拿来了吃的和喝的，并吩咐她放宽心。
可是她既不肯吃，也不肯喝，只是对樵夫说，“你不是说那个孩子是从林中找到的吗？
是不是十年前今天的事了？”
樵夫回答说，“是呀，我是在林中发现他的，就是十年前的今天。”
“发现他时有什么记号吗？”她大声问道，“他的脖子上是不是带了一串琥珀项链？他
的身上不是包了一件绣着星星的金线斗篷吗？”
“就是这样，”樵夫回答说，“就跟你说的一模一样。”他从柜子中拿出放在那儿的斗
篷和琥珀项链，给她看。
她一看见这些东西，高兴地哭了起来，说道，“他就是我丢失在林中的小儿子。我求你
快叫他来，为了寻找他，我已经走遍了整个世界。”
樵夫和他的妻子赶紧走出去，叫着星孩，并对他说，“快进屋里来，你会在那儿看见你
的母亲，她正等着你。”
星孩充满了惊奇和狂喜地跑进屋里。然而等他看见等他的人是她时，他便轻蔑地笑起
来，说，“喂，我母亲在什么地方？我怎么只看见这么个下贱的讨饭女人。”
女人回答说：“我是你的母亲。”
“你是疯了才这么说的，”星孩愤愤地大声暖道。“我不是你的儿子，因为你是一个乞
丐，而且又丑又穿得破烂。所以你还是快滚吧，不要让我再看见你这张讨厌的脸。”
“不，你可的确是我的小儿子呀，你是我在森林中生的。”她大声喊道，说着一下子跪
在地上，朝他伸出两只胳膊。“强盗们把你从我身边抱走，又把你扔在林里想让你死，”她
喃喃地说，“可是我一看见你，就认出了你，我还认得那些信物：全线织的斗篷和琥珀项
链。因此我求你跟我走吧，我已经走遍了整个世界，处处去寻找你。跟我走吧，我的儿，因
为我需要你的爱。”
不过星孩一动也不动一下，一点儿也不为她的话而动心，这时除了女人痛苦的哭声外，
别的什么也听不到。
最后他终于对她说道，那声调是非常生硬而残酷的。“假若你真是我的母亲，”他说，
“那么你最后还是走得远远的，不要再到这儿来给我丢脸了，因为你知道我以为我是某个星
球的孩子，而不是一个乞丐的孩子，就像你刚才对我讲的那样。所以你还是离开这儿吧，不
要再让我看见你。”
“唉哟！我的儿子，”她大声吼道，“在我离开之前你都不愿意吻我一下吗？因为我经
历了多少苦难才找到了你呀。”
“不，”星孩说，“你可是太丑陋了呀，我宁愿去吻毒蛇，去吻蟾蜍，也不要吻你。”
于是那女人便站起身来，伤心地哭泣着走回到森林中去了，星孩看见她走了，他很高
兴，便跑回到他的同伴那儿，准备去跟他们一块儿玩。
可是当他们看见他跑过来时，都纷纷嘲笑他说，“你怎么跟蟾蜍一样丑陋，同毒蛇一样
可恶呢。你快滚开吧，因为我们不能忍受和你在一起玩，”于是他们把他赶出了花园。
星行皱了皱眉头，自言自语地说道，“他们对我讲的究竟是什么呀？我要到水井边去，
去那儿看看自己，水井会告诉我我是多么地漂亮。”
他便来到了水井边，朝井中望去，啊！他的脸就跟蟾蜍一模一样，他的身子也像毒蛇一
样地长了解。他一下子扑倒在草地上，痛哭起来，并自言自语地说，“这一定是我的罪恶给
我带来的报应。因为我不认我自己的母亲，并赶走了她，对她又傲慢又残酷。所以我要去，
要走遍全世界去寻找她，不找到她我就不休息。”
这时樵夫的小女儿朝他走了过来，她把手放在他的肩膀上，对他说，“你失去了美貌有
什么关系？你还是跟我们呆在一起吧，我不会挖苦你的。”
他对她说，“不，我对待我的母亲太残忍了，这种惩罚就是对我的恶行的报应。所以我
得马上就走，走遍全世界去寻找我的母亲，直到找到她，得到她对我的宽恕。”
所以他便朝森林跑去，呼唤着他的母亲，叫她回到自己的身边来，但是却没有一点回
应。一整天他都在唤她，太阳下山时，他躺下来在树叶铺成的床上睡觉，鸟儿和野兽见到他
也都纷纷逃开了，因为它们仍然记得他的残忍，他孤零零地一个呆着，只有蟾蜍会望望他，
还有迟钝的毒蛇在他面前爬过。
早晨他爬起身来，从树上摘下几个苦草梅吃，然后穿过大森林朝前走去，伤心地哭着。
不论他遇到什么，他都要上前询问，是否看见过他的母亲。
他对鼹鼠说，“你能够到地底下去，告诉我，我的母亲在那儿吗？”
鼹却回答说，“你已经把我的眼睛弄瞎了。我又怎么会知道呢？”
他又对梅花雀说，“你可以飞越好高好高的树顶，可以看见整个世界。告诉我，你能看
见我的母亲吗？”
梅花雀却回答说，“你为了取乐已经剪掉了我的翅膀，我又怎么能飞起来呢？”
对那只孤零零只身住在杉树上的小松鼠，他开口说道，“我的母亲在什么地方？”
小松鼠回答说，“你已经杀死了我的母亲。难道你也想杀死你的母亲吗？”
星孩哭着，低下了头，恳求上帝创造的这些生物们能够宽恕他，并继续穿过森林前进
了，寻找那位讨饭的女人。到了第三天他走到了森林的尽头，又来到了平原上。
他走过村子的时候，孩子们都嘲笑他，并朝他扔石头，乡下人甚至连谷仓都不愿让他
睡，因为他看上去是那么的脏，生怕他会把贮存的谷物给弄霉了，乡下人雇用的看护人把他
给赶走了，这里没有一个人同情他。他也听不到一点关于那个是他母亲的讨饭女人的消息，
虽然三年来他走遍了世界各地去寻找他，可他却似乎感到她就在他前面的路上走着，他常常
呼唤着她，追赶着她，直到他的双脚被尖硬的石块磨出了血来。但是他始终也追不上她，而
那些住在路边的人都说他们没有看见过她，或像她那样的女人，他们都拿他的悲痛寻开心。
三年来他走遍了全世界，在这个世界上他既得不到爱，也得不到关心，更得不到仁爱，
然而这种世界正是他从前得意的时候为自已制造的呀。
一天晚上他来到了一座围墙坚固的城市的城门口，该城位于一条河边，他又疲惫又忍着
脚痛，但他还是进了城。然而守卫在那儿的士兵们却饮下载来拦住他，语气粗暴地对他说：
“你到城市里来干什么？”
“我在寻找我的母亲，”他回答说，“我恳求你准许我进城去，也许她就在这个城里。”
然而他们却挖苦他，他们中的一人摆弄着自己的黑胡须，放下手中的盾牌，大声吼道，
“说实话，你母亲看见你这个样子，她一定不会高兴的，因为你比沼泽地里的蟾蜍和那儿爬
行的毒蛇还要令人恶心。快滚开，快滚开，你的母亲没有住在这座城里。”
另一个手中拿着一面黄旗的士兵，对他说，“谁是你的母亲，你为什么要找她呢？”
他回答说，“我母亲跟我一样也是个乞丐，我对待她很不好，我恳求你允许我进去吧，
好让她给予我宽恕，如果她真的住在这个城中的话。”不过他们仍不让他进城，还用他们的
长矛去刺他。
这样，星孩只好哭着转身走了，这时有一个人走了过来，这人穿着嵌有金花饰的铠甲，
头盔上蹲着一头有翅膀的雄狮，他询问士兵是谁要求要进城来。士兵们回答说，“是个要饭
的，他的母亲也是个要饭的，我们已经把他给赶走了。”
“不要，”那人笑着大声地说，“我们可以把这个丑家伙当奴隶卖掉的，他的身价可以
值得上一碗甜酒的价钱。”
这时一个年长的相貌丑陋的人从旁经过，他大声说道，“我会出个价钱买下他，”等他
付了钱后，就拉着星孩的手，带着他进城去
他们走过好几条街道，来到一扇小门口，这扇小门就开在行榴树荫下一堵墙的上面。老
人用一只刻纹的碧玉戒指在小门上挨了一下，门就打开了，他们走下五级铜阶，来到了一个
长满了黑色辖粟花的花园，那里有很多绿色的瓷瓦罐。老人从他的缠头布上取下一条绸纹手
帕，用它缚着星孩的眼睛，并赶着星孩在他前面走。等到把绸纹手帕从星孩双眼上拿开时，
星孩发现自己在一座地牢中，那儿点着一盏牛角灯。
老人在星孩面前放上一个木盘装着的发了霉的面包，并对他说，“吃吧，”还用一个杯
子盛着有盐味的水，又对他说，“喝吧，”等星孩吃喝完毕，老人便走出去，把门锁上，还
用一根铁链把门加牢固。
第二天老人又来见他，这位老人的确是利比亚魔术师中最能干的一人，他的本领是从住
在尼罗河坟墓中的一位大师那儿学来的，老人皱着眉头对他说，“在这座邪教徒的城市城门
附近的一个森林中，有三块金币。一块是白金的，另—块是黄色的，第三块金币是红色的。
今天你要把白金的那块给我拿回来，如果你拿不回来的话，我就要抽打你一百下。你快快去
吧，在太阳落山的时候，我会在花园的门日等你。记住是把白金的拿回来，否则你会倒霉
的，因为你是我的奴隶，我花了一碗甜酒的价钱把你买下来的。”他又用那块绸纹手帕绑住
星孩的双眼，领着他走出了房子，穿过这座罂粟花的花园，走上五级铜阶。他用戒指打开了
那扇小门以后，便把星孩放在街上去了。
于是星孩就走出了城门，来到魔术师告诉他的那个森林中。
从外面看去，这个森林真是美丽无比，似乎处处都是鸟语花香的景象，星孩兴奋地走了
进去。然而森林的美并没有给他带来什么好处，因为不论他要去什么地方，地上都会冒出又
粗又尖的荆刺，阻挡住他的去路，凶恶的荨麻会刺他，蓟也用尖刺来扎他，把他搞得疼痛难
忍。而且到处也找不到魔术师说的那块白金，尽管他从早上找到中午，又从中午寻找到日
落。日落以后他只好转身，一路哭着回去了，因为他明白有什么样的命运在等待着他。
可是就在他来到森林边缘时，他听见了林中某个人的一声痛苦的叫声。他一下子忘记了
自己的烦恼，朝那个地方跑去，他看见一只小兔子掉进了猎人设下的陷井里了，
星孩对它很同情，就把它给放了，并对它说，“我自己也才是个奴隶，不过，我可以把
你自己还给你。”
兔子回答他说，“你的确给了我自己，我拿什么来回报你呢？”
星孩对它说，“我正在寻找一块白金，可我哪儿也找不到它，如果我不能把它找回来给
我的主人，他便会打我的。”
“你就跟我来吧，”兔子说，“我会带你去的，因为我知道它藏在什么地方，而且为什
么要藏在那儿。”
于是星孩和兔子一起走了，啊！就在一棵老橡树的裂缝中他看见自己要寻找的那块白
金。他兴奋得不得了，并抓住了它，对兔子说，“你已经加倍地回报了我为你做的那么一点
点事情，我为你表示的小小的恩惠，你已经一百倍地报答了我了。”
“不是的，”兔子回答说，“只不过是我用你对待我的方式，回报了你罢了，”说完兔
子就跑开了，星孩也朝城市走去了。
在城市门口坐着一个麻疯病人，他的脸上盖着一块绿麻布的头巾，他那双眼睛像烧红的
炭似地从麻布上的小眼洞里闪着光芒。等他看见星孩走了过来，便敲击着一个木碗，并摇着
他的铃，呼唤着星孩，说道，“给我一个钱币吧，否则我会饿死的。因为人们已经把我赶出
了城市，也没有一个同情我。”
“唉呀！”星孩大声叹道，“我的钱包里只有一个钱币呀，要是我不把它带给我的主
人，他就会打我，因为我是他的奴隶。”
不过麻疯病人仍旧缠着他，恳求着他，后来星孩终于动了怜悯之心，把白金钱币给了他。
等星孩回到魔术师的房间，魔术师为他打开门，让他进了屋，对他说道，“你取到那块
白金钱币吗？”星孩却回答说，“我没有拿到。”于是魔术师一下子朝他扑来，击打着他，
并在他面前放了一个空木盘，对他说，“吃吧，”又给了他一个空杯子，说道，“喝吧，”
然后又把他推到地牢中去了。
第二天魔术师又来到他身边，对他说，“如果你今天不能给我拿回那块黄金钱币，我一
定要你继续做我的奴隶，并抽打你三百下。”
于是星孩又到森林中去了，一整天他都在森林中寻找那块黄金钱币，可是哪儿也找不
到。日落时他便坐下来，开始哭了起来，就在哭的时候，小兔子又跑了来，就是他从陷井中
救出来的那只小兔子。
兔子对他说，“你为什么哭了？你又在林中寻找什么呢？”
星孩回答说，“我在寻找一块黄金钱币，它就藏在这儿，如果我不能把它带回去的话，
我的主人就会打我，并把我当作奴隶对待。”
“跟我来吧，”兔子大声喊着，它穿过林子跑去，直到跑到一个水池旁。那块金币就躺
在水池的底部。
“我不知如何感谢你？”星孩说，“对了，这已经是你第二次救我了。”
“不是的，因为是你首先对我表示了同情，”兔子说完，就飞快地跑走了。
星孩拿到了那块黄金钱币，把它放在钱包中，匆匆地朝城市赶去。可是那个麻疯病人看
见他走了过来，就跑上来迎住他，跪倒在他的面前，哭着说，“给我一块钱币吧，否则我会
给饿死的。”
星孩对他说，“在我的钱包里，我只有一块黄金钱币，如果我不把它交给我的主人，他
会打我，并让我继续当奴隶的。”
然而麻疯病人却仍旧苦苦地哀求，于是星孩又动了同情之心，把这一块黄金钱币又给了
他。
等他回到魔术师的屋中，魔术师为他开了门，让他进来，对他说，“你拿到那块黄金钱
币了吗？”星孩便对他说，“我没有拿到它，”魔术师一下子又朝他扑去，抽打着他，并用
链条把他锁上，然后把他扔进了地牢中去。
第三天魔术师来到他身边，对他说，“如果你今天把那块红色的金币给我带回来的话，
我会放了你的，但是你若是带不回来的话，我肯定会把你杀了的。”
于是星孩又回到了森林中，一整天他都在寻觅那块红色的金块，但是哪儿也找不到。到
了晚上，他坐下身来，哭泣起来，就在他哭的时候，小兔子来到了他的面前。
兔子对他说，“你要找的那块红色的金币就在你身后的那个山洞里。所以你不用再哭
了，你应该高兴才对。”
“我如何才能报答你呀，”星孩大声说，“啊，这已是你第三次救我了。”
“不是的，可你才是第一个同情我的人，”兔子说完，就匆匆地跑开了。
星孩进入了山洞中，在最里端的角落他发现了那块红色的金币。于是他把它放进了钱
包，急忙返回到城市。那个麻疯病人看见他来了，就站在公路的中央，高声痛哭起来，并对
他说，“快给我那块红色的钱币，否则我一定会死的，”星孩又一次同情了他，把那块红色
的金币给了他，说道，“你的需要比我大。”然而这时他的心情是沉重的，因为他清楚是什
么样的恶运在等待着他。
可是啊！在他经过城门口的时候，卫兵们都向他鞠躬行礼，口中说道，“我们的皇上多
么漂亮啊！”一群市民跟着他，高声欢呼道，“整个世界的确没有比他更漂亮的人了！”星
孩却哭了起来，同时对自己说，“他们又嘲笑我了，拿我的不幸寻开心。”人越聚越多，他
在人群中迷了路，最后发现自己来到了一个巨大的广场上，这儿正是国王的宫殿。
王宫的大门打开了，僧侣和大臣们都出来迎接他，他们对他鞠躬行礼，并说，“您就是
我们正在恭候的皇上，您就是我国国王的儿子。”
星孩回答他们说，“我不是国王的儿子，而是一个穷要饭的女人的儿子。你们为何说我
漂亮？我知道我的长相有多丑。”
这时，那位铠甲上嵌着金花饰，头盔上蹲着一头有翅膀的雄狮的先生，手中举着一面盾
牌，大声说道，“我的皇上怎么能说他自己不漂亮呢？”
星孩举头望去，啊！他自己的险又跟从前一样了，他的美貌又恢复如前了，而且他还看
到自己的眼中有一种以前从未见过的东西。
僧侣和大臣们跪在他面前，对他说，“一个古老的预言曾经说过，就在今天有—个人要
来统治我们。所以，请我们的皇上接受这顶王冠和这根王杖，用他的公正和仁慈来统治我们
吧。”
不过他却对他们说，“我是不配的，因为我连自己的生母都不认，而且在没有找到她之
前，在没有得到她宽恕之前，我是不会休息的。所以还是让我走吧，因为我要再次走遍世界
各地，我是不会留在这儿的，尽管你们要把王冠和王杖给我，也没有用。”说完这番话后，
他就转过身去，朝着通向城门的街上走去，看啊，在士兵们周围挤着的一群人中间，他看见
了自己那位讨饭的母亲，在她的身旁站着那个麻疯病人，他就站在大路中间。
他突然兴奋地叫了起来，便跑过去，跪下身子，去吻他母亲脚上的伤口，用自己的泪水
去洗它们。他把头垂在尘埃中，哭泣着，像一个心碎的人儿，他对她说，“母亲，我在自己
得意的时候没有认你。而现在我卑微的时候你就收下我吧。母亲，我曾恩将仇报，请把你的
爱给我吧。母亲，我拒绝过你，现在就请你收下你的孩子吧。”可是讨饭的女人没有回答他
一个字。
他又伸出双手，抓住那个麻疯病人的一双苍白的脚，对他说，“我曾三次同情过你。请
叫我的母亲对我说一句话。”可是麻疯病人也不回答他一个字。
他又哭了起来，说，“母亲，我的痛苦已经大得让我忍受不了啦。你就饶恕我吧，让我
回到森林中去。”讨饭的女人把手放在他的头上，并对他说，“起来吧，”麻疯病人也把手
放在他的头上，说，“起来吧。”
他站起身来，望着他们，啊！原来他们正是国王和王后。
王后对他说，“这是你的父亲，你曾救过他。”
国王说，“这是你的母亲，你用泪水洗过她的双脚。”
他们俯身搂住他的脖子，吻他，并带他进王宫去了，给他穿上漂亮的衣服，并把王冠给
他戴在头上，把权杖放在他的手中，从此他统治着座落于河边的这个城市，成为了它的主
人。他对所有的人都表现出了极大的公正和仁慈，他赶走了那个邪恶的魔术师，并送了好多
财宝给那个樵夫和他的妻子，并把无比的荣誉给了他们的儿女们。他不能容忍任何人虐待鸟
兽，且用爱、仁慈和宽恕去教育入民，他把面包送给穷人，把衣服送给赤身露体的人，在这
个王国里充满了和平和繁荣。
然而他的统治时间并不长，因为他受的磨难太深了，遭遇的考验太重了，三年过后，他
就去世了。他的后继者却是一个非常坏的统治者。
THE STAR-CHILD
[TO MISS MARGOT TENNANT - MRS. ASQUITH]
Once upon a time two poor Woodcutters were making their way home
through a great pine-forest. It was winter, and a night of bitter
cold. The snow lay thick upon the ground, and upon the branches of
the trees: the frost kept snapping the little twigs on either side
of them, as they passed: and when they came to the Mountain-
Torrent she was hanging motionless in air, for the Ice-King had
kissed her.
So cold was it that even the animals and the birds did not know
what to make of it.
Ugh! snarled the Wolf, as he limped through the brushwood with
his tail between his legs, this is perfectly monstrous weather.
Why doesnt the Government look to it?
Weet! weet! weet! twittered the green Linnets, the old Earth is
dead and they have laid her out in her white shroud.
The Earth is going to be married, and this is her bridal dress,
whispered the Turtle-doves to each other. Their little pink feet
were quite frost-bitten, but they felt that it was their duty to
take a romantic view of the situation.
Nonsense! growled the Wolf. I tell you that it is all the fault
of the Government, and if you dont believe me I shall eat you.
The Wolf had a thoroughly practical mind, and was never at a loss
for a good argument.
Well, for my own part, said the Woodpecker, who was a born
philosopher, I dont care an atomic theory for explanations. If a
thing is so, it is so, and at present it is terribly cold.
Terribly cold it certainly was. The little Squirrels, who lived
inside the tall fir-tree, kept rubbing each others noses to keep
themselves warm, and the Rabbits curled themselves up in their
holes, and did not venture even to look out of doors. The only
people who seemed to enjoy it were the great horned Owls. Their
feathers were quite stiff with rime, but they did not mind, and
they rolled their large yellow eyes, and called out to each other
across the forest, Tu-whit! Tu-whoo! Tu-whit! Tu-whoo! what
delightful weather we are having!
On and on went the two Woodcutters, blowing lustily upon their
fingers, and stamping with their huge iron-shod boots upon the
caked snow. Once they sank into a deep drift, and came out as
white as millers are, when the stones are grinding; and once they
slipped on the hard smooth ice where the marsh-water was frozen,
and their faggots fell out of their bundles, and they had to pick
them up and bind them together again; and once they thought that
they had lost their way, and a great terror seized on them, for
they knew that the Snow is cruel to those who sleep in her arms.
But they put their trust in the good Saint Martin, who watches over
all travellers, and retraced their steps, and went warily, and at
last they reached the outskirts of the forest, and saw, far down in
the valley beneath them, the lights of the village in which they
dwelt.
So overjoyed were they at their deliverance that they laughed
aloud, and the Earth seemed to them like a flower of silver, and
the Moon like a flower of gold.
Yet, after that they had laughed they became sad, for they
remembered their poverty, and one of them said to the other, Why
did we make merry, seeing that life is for the rich, and not for
such as we are? Better that we had died of cold in the forest, or
that some wild beast had fallen upon us and slain us.
Truly, answered his companion, much is given to some, and little
is given to others. Injustice has parcelled out the world, nor is
there equal division of aught save of sorrow.
But as they were bewailing their misery to each other this strange
thing happened. There fell from heaven a very bright and beautiful
star. It slipped down the side of the sky, passing by the other
stars in its course, and, as they watched it wondering, it seemed
to them to sink behind a clump of willow-trees that stood hard by a
little sheepfold no more than a stones-throw away.
Why! there is a crook of gold for whoever finds it, they cried,
and they set to and ran, so eager were they for the gold.
And one of them ran faster than his mate, and outstripped him, and
forced his way through the willows, and came out on the other side,
and lo! there was indeed a thing of gold lying on the white snow.
So he hastened towards it, and stooping down placed his hands upon
it, and it was a cloak of golden tissue, curiously wrought with
stars, and wrapped in many folds. And he cried out to his comrade
that he had found the treasure that had fallen from the sky, and
when his comrade had come up, they sat them down in the snow, and
loosened the folds of the cloak that they might divide the pieces
of gold. But, alas! no gold was in it, nor silver, nor, indeed,
treasure of any kind, but only a little child who was asleep.
And one of them said to the other: This is a bitter ending to our
hope, nor have we any good fortune, for what doth a child profit to
a man? Let us leave it here, and go our way, seeing that we are
poor men, and have children of our own whose bread we may not give
to another.
But his companion answered him: Nay, but it were an evil thing to
leave the child to perish here in the snow, and though I am as poor
as thou art, and have many mouths to feed, and but little in the
pot, yet will I bring it home with me, and my wife shall have care
of it.
So very tenderly he took up the child, and wrapped the cloak around
it to shield it from the harsh cold, and made his way down the hill
to the village, his comrade marvelling much at his foolishness and
softness of heart.
And when they came to the village, his comrade said to him, Thou
hast the child, therefore give me the cloak, for it is meet that we
should share.
But he answered him: Nay, for the cloak is neither mine nor
thine, but the childs only, and he bade him Godspeed, and went to
his own house and knocked.
And when his wife opened the door and saw that her husband had
returned safe to her, she put her arms round his neck and kissed
him, and took from his back the bundle of faggots, and brushed the
snow off his boots, and bade him come in.
But he said to her, I have found something in the forest, and I
have brought it to thee to have care of it, and he stirred not
from the threshold.
What is it? she cried. Show it to me, for the house is bare,
and we have need of many things. And he drew the cloak back, and
showed her the sleeping child.
Alack, goodman! she murmured, have we not children of our own,
that thou must needs bring a changeling to sit by the hearth? And
who knows if it will not bring us bad fortune? And how shall we
tend it? And she was wroth against him.
Nay, but it is a Star-Child, he answered; and he told her the
strange manner of the finding of it.
But she would not be appeased, but mocked at him, and spoke
angrily, and cried: Our children lack bread, and shall we feed
the child of another? Who is there who careth for us? And who
giveth us food?
Nay, but God careth for the sparrows even, and feedeth them, he
answered.
Do not the sparrows die of hunger in the winter? she asked. And
is it not winter now?
And the man answered nothing, but stirred not from the threshold.
And a bitter wind from the forest came in through the open door,
and made her tremble, and she shivered, and said to him: Wilt
thou not close the door? There cometh a bitter wind into the
house, and I am cold.
Into a house where a heart is hard cometh there not always a
bitter wind? he asked. And the woman answered him nothing, but
crept closer to the fire.
And after a time she turned round and looked at him, and her eyes
were full of tears. And he came in swiftly, and placed the child
in her arms, and she kissed it, and laid it in a little bed where
the youngest of their own children was lying. And on the morrow
the Woodcutter took the curious cloak of gold and placed it in a
great chest, and a chain of amber that was round the childs neck
his wife took and set it in the chest also.
So the Star-Child was brought up with the children of the
Woodcutter, and sat at the same board with them, and was their
playmate. And every year he became more beautiful to look at, so
that all those who dwelt in the village were filled with wonder,
for, while they were swarthy and black-haired, he was white and
delicate as sawn ivory, and his curls were like the rings of the
daffodil. His lips, also, were like the petals of a red flower,
and his eyes were like violets by a river of pure water, and his
body like the narcissus of a field where the mower comes not.
Yet did his beauty work him evil. For he grew proud, and cruel,
and selfish. The children of the Woodcutter, and the other
children of the village, he despised, saying that they were of mean
parentage, while he was noble, being sprang from a Star, and he
made himself master over them, and called them his servants. No
pity had he for the poor, or for those who were blind or maimed or
in any way afflicted, but would cast stones at them and drive them
forth on to the highway, and bid them beg their bread elsewhere, so
that none save the outlaws came twice to that village to ask for
alms. Indeed, he was as one enamoured of beauty, and would mock at
the weakly and ill-favoured, and make jest of them; and himself he
loved, and in summer, when the winds were still, he would lie by
the well in the priests orchard and look down at the marvel of his
own face, and laugh for the pleasure he had in his fairness.
Often did the Woodcutter and his wife chide him, and say: We did
not deal with thee as thou dealest with those who are left
desolate, and have none to succour them. Wherefore art thou so
cruel to all who need pity?
Often did the old priest send for him, and seek to teach him the
love of living things, saying to him: The fly is thy brother. Do
it no harm. The wild birds that roam through the forest have their
freedom. Snare them not for thy pleasure. God made the blind-worm
and the mole, and each has its place. Who art thou to bring pain
into Gods world? Even the cattle of the field praise Him."
But the Star-Child heeded not their words, but would frown and
flout, and go back to his companions, and lead them. And his
companions followed him, for he was fair, and fleet of foot, and
could dance, and pipe, and make music. And wherever the Star-Child
led them they followed, and whatever the Star-Child bade them do,
that did they. And when he pierced with a sharp reed the dim eyes
of the mole, they laughed, and when he cast stones at the leper
they laughed also. And in all things he ruled them, and they
became hard of heart even as he was.
Now there passed one day through the village a poor beggar-woman.
Her garments were torn and ragged, and her feet were bleeding from
the rough road on which she had travelled, and she was in very evil
plight. And being weary she sat her down under a chestnut-tree to
rest.
But when the Star-Child saw her, he said to his companions, See!
There sitteth a foul beggar-woman under that fair and green-leaved
tree. Come, let us drive her hence, for she is ugly and ill-
favoured.
So he came near and threw stones at her, and mocked her, and she
looked at him with terror in her eyes, nor did she move her gaze
from him. And when the Woodcutter, who was cleaving logs in a
haggard hard by, saw what the Star-Child was doing, he ran up and
rebuked him, and said to him: Surely thou art hard of heart and
knowest not mercy, for what evil has this poor woman done to thee
that thou shouldst treat her in this wise?
And the Star-Child grew red with anger, and stamped his foot upon
the ground, and said, Who art thou to question me what I do? I am
no son of thine to do thy bidding.
Thou speakest truly, answered the Wood-cutter, yet did I show
thee pity when I found thee in the forest.
And when the woman heard these words she gave a loud cry, and fell
into a swoon. And the Woodcutter carried her to his own house, and
his wife had care of her, and when she rose up from the swoon into
which she had fallen, they set meat and drink before her, and bade
her have comfort.
But she would neither eat nor drink, but said to the Woodcutter,
Didst thou not say that the child was found in the forest? And
was it not ten years from this day?
And the Woodcutter answered, Yea, it was in the forest that I
found him, and it is ten years from this day.
And what signs didst thou find with him? she cried. Bare he not
upon his neck a chain of amber? Was not round him a cloak of gold
tissue broidered with stars?
Truly, answered the Woodcutter, it was even as thou sayest.
And he took the cloak and the amber chain from the chest where they
lay, and showed them to her.
And when she saw them she wept for joy, and said, He is my little
son whom I lost in the forest. I pray thee send for him quickly,
for in search of him have I wandered over the whole world.
So the Woodcutter and his wife went out and called to the Star-
Child, and said to him, Go into the house, and there shalt thou
find thy mother, who is waiting for thee.
So he ran in, filled with wonder and great gladness. But when he
saw her who was waiting there, he laughed scornfully and said,
Why, where is my mother? For I see none here but this vile
beggar-woman.
And the woman answered him, I am thy mother.
Thou art mad to say so, cried the Star-Child angrily. I am no
son of thine, for thou art a beggar, and ugly, and in rags.
Therefore get thee hence, and let me see thy foul face no more.
Nay, but thou art indeed my little son, whom I bare in the
forest, she cried, and she fell on her knees, and held out her
arms to him. The robbers stole thee from me, and left thee to
die, she murmured, but I recognised thee when I saw thee, and the
signs also have I recognised, the cloak of golden tissue and the
amber chain. Therefore I pray thee come with me, for over the
whole world have I wandered in search of thee. Come with me, my
son, for I have need of thy love.
But the Star-Child stirred not from his place, but shut the doors
of his heart against her, nor was there any sound heard save the
sound of the woman weeping for pain.
And at last he spoke to her, and his voice was hard and bitter.
If in very truth thou art my mother, he said, it had been better
hadst thou stayed away, and not come here to bring me to shame,
seeing that I thought I was the child of some Star, and not a
beggars child, as thou tellest me that I am. Therefore get thee
hence, and let me see thee no more.
Alas! my son, she cried, wilt thou not kiss me before I go? For
I have suffered much to find thee.
Nay, said the Star-Child, but thou art too foul to look at, and
rather would I kiss the adder or the toad than thee.
So the woman rose up, and went away into the forest weeping
bitterly, and when the Star-Child saw that she had gone, he was
glad, and ran back to his playmates that he might play with them.
But when they beheld him coming, they mocked him and said, Why,
thou art as foul as the toad, and as loathsome as the adder. Get
thee hence, for we will not suffer thee to play with us, and they
drave him out of the garden.
And the Star-Child frowned and said to himself, What is this that
they say to me? I will go to the well of water and look into it,
and it shall tell me of my beauty.
So he went to the well of water and looked into it, and lo! his
face was as the face of a toad, and his body was sealed like an
adder. And he flung himself down on the grass and wept, and said
to himself, Surely this has come upon me by reason of my sin. For
I have denied my mother, and driven her away, and been proud, and
cruel to her. Wherefore I will go and seek her through the whole
world, nor will I rest till I have found her.
And there came to him the little daughter of the Woodcutter, and
she put her hand upon his shoulder and said, What doth it matter
if thou hast lost thy comeliness? Stay with us, and I will not
mock at thee.
And he said to her, Nay, but I have been cruel to my mother, and
as a punishment has this evil been sent to me. Wherefore I must go
hence, and wander through the world till I find her, and she give
me her forgiveness.
So he ran away into the forest and called out to his mother to come
to him, but there was no answer. All day long he called to her,
and, when the sun set he lay down to sleep on a bed of leaves, and
the birds and the animals fled from him, for they remembered his
cruelty, and he was alone save for the toad that watched him, and
the slow adder that crawled past.
And in the morning he rose up, and plucked some bitter berries from
the trees and ate them, and took his way through the great wood,
weeping sorely. And of everything that he met he made inquiry if
perchance they had seen his mother.
He said to the Mole, Thou canst go beneath the earth. Tell me, is
my mother there?
And the Mole answered, Thou hast blinded mine eyes. How should I
know?
He said to the Linnet, Thou canst fly over the tops of the tall
trees, and canst see the whole world. Tell me, canst thou see my
mother?
And the Linnet answered, Thou hast clipt my wings for thy
pleasure. How should I fly?
And to the little Squirrel who lived in the fir-tree, and was
lonely, he said, Where is my mother?
And the Squirrel answered, Thou hast slain mine. Dost thou seek
to slay thine also?
And the Star-Child wept and bowed his head, and prayed forgiveness
of Gods things, and went on through the forest, seeking for the
beggar-woman. And on the third day he came to the other side of
the forest and went down into the plain.
And when he passed through the villages the children mocked him,
and threw stones at him, and the carlots would not suffer him even
to sleep in the byres lest he might bring mildew on the stored
corn, so foul was he to look at, and their hired men drave him
away, and there was none who had pity on him. Nor could he hear
anywhere of the beggar-woman who was his mother, though for the
space of three years he wandered over the world, and often seemed
to see her on the road in front of him, and would call to her, and
run after her till the sharp flints made his feet to bleed. But
overtake her he could not, and those who dwelt by the way did ever
deny that they had seen her, or any like to her, and they made
sport of his sorrow.
For the space of three years he wandered over the world, and in the
world there was neither love nor loving-kindness nor charity for
him, but it was even such a world as he had made for himself in the
days of his great pride.
And one evening he came to the gate of a strong-walled city that
stood by a river, and, weary and footsore though he was, he made to
enter in. But the soldiers who stood on guard dropped their
halberts across the entrance, and said roughly to him, What is thy
business in the city?
I am seeking for my mother, he answered, and I pray ye to suffer
me to pass, for it may be that she is in this city.
But they mocked at him, and one of them wagged a black beard, and
set down his shield and cried, Of a truth, thy mother will not be
merry when she sees thee, for thou art more ill-favoured than the
toad of the marsh, or the adder that crawls in the fen. Get thee
gone. Get thee gone. Thy mother dwells not in this city.
And another, who held a yellow banner in his hand, said to him,
Who is thy mother, and wherefore art thou seeking for her?
And he answered, My mother is a beggar even as I am, and I have
treated her evilly, and I pray ye to suffer me to pass that she may
give me her forgiveness, if it be that she tarrieth in this city.
But they would not, and pricked him with their spears.
And, as he turned away weeping, one whose armour was inlaid with
gilt flowers, and on whose helmet couched a lion that had wings,
came up and made inquiry of the soldiers who it was who had sought
entrance. And they said to him, It is a beggar and the child of a
beggar, and we have driven him away.
Nay, he cried, laughing, but we will sell the foul thing for a
slave, and his price shall be the price of a bowl of sweet wine.
And an old and evil-visaged man who was passing by called out, and
said, I will buy him for that price, and, when he had paid the
price, he took the Star-Child by the hand and led him into the
city.
And after that they had gone through many streets they came to a
little door that was set in a wall that was covered with a
pomegranate tree. And the old man touched the door with a ring of
graved jasper and it opened, and they went down five steps of brass
into a garden filled with black poppies and green jars of burnt
clay. And the old man took then from his turban a scarf of figured
silk, and bound with it the eyes of the Star-Child, and drave him
in front of him. And when the scarf was taken off his eyes, the
Star-Child found himself in a dungeon, that was lit by a lantern of
horn.
And the old man set before him some mouldy bread on a trencher and
said, Eat, and some brackish water in a cup and said, Drink,
and when he had eaten and drunk, the old man went out, locking the
door behind him and fastening it with an iron chain.
And on the morrow the old man, who was indeed the subtlest of the
magicians of Libya and had learned his art from one who dwelt in
the tombs of the Nile, came in to him and frowned at him, and said,
In a wood that is nigh to the gate of this city of Giaours there
are three pieces of gold. One is of white gold, and another is of
yellow gold, and the gold of the third one is red. To-day thou
shalt bring me the piece of white gold, and if thou bringest it not
back, I will beat thee with a hundred stripes. Get thee away
quickly, and at sunset I will be waiting for thee at the door of
the garden. See that thou bringest the white gold, or it shall go
ill with thee, for thou art my slave, and I have bought thee for
the price of a bowl of sweet wine. And he bound the eyes of the
Star-Child with the scarf of figured silk, and led him through the
house, and through the garden of poppies, and up the five steps of
brass. And having opened the little door with his ring he set him
in the street.
And the Star-Child went out of the gate of the city, and came to
the wood of which the Magician had spoken to him.
Now this wood was very fair to look at from without, and seemed
full of singing birds and of sweet-scented flowers, and the Star-
Child entered it gladly. Yet did its beauty profit him little, for
wherever he went harsh briars and thorns shot up from the ground
and encompassed him, and evil nettles stung him, and the thistle
pierced him with her daggers, so that he was in sore distress. Nor
could he anywhere find the piece of white gold of which the
Magician had spoken, though he sought for it from morn to noon, and
from noon to sunset. And at sunset he set his face towards home,
weeping bitterly, for he knew what fate was in store for him.
But when he had reached the outskirts of the wood, he heard from a
thicket a cry as of some one in pain. And forgetting his own
sorrow he ran back to the place, and saw there a little Hare caught
in a trap that some hunter had set for it.
And the Star-Child had pity on it, and released it, and said to it,
I am myself but a slave, yet may I give thee thy freedom.
And the Hare answered him, and said: Surely thou hast given me
freedom, and what shall I give thee in return?
And the Star-Child said to it, I am seeking for a piece of white
gold, nor can I anywhere find it, and if I bring it not to my
master he will beat me.
Come thou with me, said the Hare, and I will lead thee to it,
for I know where it is hidden, and for what purpose.
So the Star-Child went with the Hare, and lo! in the cleft of a
great oak-tree he saw the piece of white gold that he was seeking.
And he was filled with joy, and seized it, and said to the Hare,
The service that I did to thee thou hast rendered back again many
times over, and the kindness that I showed thee thou hast repaid a
hundred-fold.
Nay, answered the Hare, but as thou dealt with me, so I did deal
with thee, and it ran away swiftly, and the Star-Child went
towards the city.
Now at the gate of the city there was seated one who was a leper.
Over his face hung a cowl of grey linen, and through the eyelets
his eyes gleamed like red coals. And when he saw the Star-Child
coming, he struck upon a wooden bowl, and clattered his bell, and
called out to him, and said, Give me a piece of money, or I must
die of hunger. For they have thrust me out of the city, and there
is no one who has pity on me.
Alas! cried the Star-Child, I have but one piece of money in my
wallet, and if I bring it not to my master he will beat me, for I
am his slave.
But the leper entreated him, and prayed of him, till the Star-Child
had pity, and gave him the piece of white gold.
And when he came to the Magicians house, the Magician opened to
him, and brought him in, and said to him, Hast thou the piece of
white gold? And the Star-Child answered, I have it not. So the
Magician fell upon him, and beat him, and set before him an empty
trencher, and said, Eat, and an empty cup, and said, Drink, and
flung him again into the dungeon.
And on the morrow the Magician came to him, and said, If to-day
thou bringest me not the piece of yellow gold, I will surely keep
thee as my slave, and give thee three hundred stripes.
So the Star-Child went to the wood, and all day long he searched
for the piece of yellow gold, but nowhere could he find it. And at
sunset he sat him down and began to weep, and as he was weeping
there came to him the little Hare that he had rescued from the
trap,
And the Hare said to him, Why art thou weeping? And what dost
thou seek in the wood?
And the Star-Child answered, I am seeking for a piece of yellow
gold that is hidden here, and if I find it not my master will beat
me, and keep me as a slave.
Follow me, cried the Hare, and it ran through the wood till it
came to a pool of water. And at the bottom of the pool the piece
of yellow gold was lying.
How shall I thank thee? said the Star-Child, for lo! this is the
second time that you have succoured me.
Nay, but thou hadst pity on me first, said the Hare, and it ran
away swiftly.
And the Star-Child took the piece of yellow gold, and put it in his
wallet, and hurried to the city. But the leper saw him coming, and
ran to meet him, and knelt down and cried, Give me a piece of
money or I shall die of hunger.
And the Star-Child said to him, I have in my wallet but one piece
of yellow gold, and if I bring it not to my master he will beat me
and keep me as his slave.
But the leper entreated him sore, so that the Star-Child had pity
on him, and gave him the piece of yellow gold.
And when he came to the Magicians house, the Magician opened to
him, and brought him in, and said to him, Hast thou the piece of
yellow gold? And the Star-Child said to him, I have it not. So
the Magician fell upon him, and beat him, and loaded him with
chains, and cast him again into the dungeon.
And on the morrow the Magician came to him, and said, If to-day
thou bringest me the piece of red gold I will set thee free, but if
thou bringest it not I will surely slay thee.
So the Star-Child went to the wood, and all day long he searched
for the piece of red gold, but nowhere could he find it. And at
evening he sat him down and wept, and as he was weeping there came
to him the little Hare.
And the Hare said to him, The piece of red gold that thou seekest
is in the cavern that is behind thee. Therefore weep no more but
be glad.
How shall I reward thee? cried the Star-Child, for lo! this is
the third time thou hast succoured me.
Nay, but thou hadst pity on me first, said the Hare, and it ran
away swiftly.
And the Star-Child entered the cavern, and in its farthest corner
he found the piece of red gold. So he put it in his wallet, and
hurried to the city. And the leper seeing him coming, stood in the
centre of the road, and cried out, and said to him, Give me the
piece of red money, or I must die, and the Star-Child had pity on
him again, and gave him the piece of red gold, saying, Thy need is
greater than mine. Yet was his heart heavy, for he knew what evil
fate awaited him.
But lo! as he passed through the gate of the city, the guards bowed
down and made obeisance to him, saying, How beautiful is our
lord! and a crowd of citizens followed him, and cried out, Surely
there is none so beautiful in the whole world! so that the Star-
Child wept, and said to himself, They are mocking me, and making
light of my misery. And so large was the concourse of the people,
that he lost the threads of his way, and found himself at last in a
great square, in which there was a palace of a King.
And the gate of the palace opened, and the priests and the high
officers of the city ran forth to meet him, and they abased
themselves before him, and said, Thou art our lord for whom we
have been waiting, and the son of our King.
And the Star-Child answered them and said, I am no kings son, but
the child of a poor beggar-woman. And how say ye that I am
beautiful, for I know that I am evil to look at?
Then he, whose armour was inlaid with gilt flowers, and on whose
helmet crouched a lion that had wings, held up a shield, and cried,
How saith my lord that he is not beautiful?
And the Star-Child looked, and lo! his face was even as it had
been, and his comeliness had come back to him, and he saw that in
his eyes which he had not seen there before.
And the priests and the high officers knelt down and said to him,
It was prophesied of old that on this day should come he who was
to rule over us. Therefore, let our lord take this crown and this
sceptre, and be in his justice and mercy our King over us.
But he said to them, I am not worthy, for I have denied the mother
who bare me, nor may I rest till I have found her, and known her
forgiveness. Therefore, let me go, for I must wander again over
the world, and may not tarry here, though ye bring me the crown and
the sceptre. And as he spake he turned his face from them towards
the street that led to the gate of the city, and lo! amongst the
crowd that pressed round the soldiers, he saw the beggar-woman who
was his mother, and at her side stood the leper, who had sat by the
road.
And a cry of joy broke from his lips, and he ran over, and kneeling
down he kissed the wounds on his mothers feet, and wet them with
his tears. He bowed his head in the dust, and sobbing, as one
whose heart might break, he said to her: Mother, I denied thee in
the hour of my pride. Accept me in the hour of my humility.
Mother, I gave thee hatred. Do thou give me love. Mother, I
rejected thee. Receive thy child now. But the beggar-woman
answered him not a word.
And he reached out his hands, and clasped the white feet of the
leper, and said to him: Thrice did I give thee of my mercy. Bid
my mother speak to me once. But the leper answered him not a
word.
And he sobbed again and said: Mother, my suffering is greater
than I can bear. Give me thy forgiveness, and let me go back to
the forest. And the beggar-woman put her hand on his head, and
said to him, Rise, and the leper put his hand on his head, and
said to him, Rise, also.
And he rose up from his feet, and looked at them, and lo! they were
a King and a Queen.
And the Queen said to him, This is thy father whom thou hast
succoured.
And the King said, This is thy mother whose feet thou hast washed
with thy tears. And they fell on his neck and kissed him, and
brought him into the palace and clothed him in fair raiment, and
set the crown upon his head, and the sceptre in his hand, and over
the city that stood by the river he ruled, and was its lord. Much
justice and mercy did he show to all, and the evil Magician he
banished, and to the Woodcutter and his wife he sent many rich
gifts, and to their children he gave high honour. Nor would he
suffer any to be cruel to bird or beast, but taught love and
loving-kindness and charity, and to the poor he gave bread, and to
the naked he gave raiment, and there was peace and plenty in the
land.
Yet ruled he not long, so great had been his suffering, and so
bitter the fire of his testing, for after the space of three years
he died. And he who came after him ruled evilly.
End