一天早晨，老河鼠从自己的洞中探出头来。他长着明亮的小眼睛和硬挺的灰色胡须，尾
巴长得像一条长长的黑色橡胶。小鸭子们在池塘里游着水，看上去就像是一大群金丝鸟。他
们的母亲浑身纯白如雪，再配上一对赤红的腿，正尽力教他们如何头朝下地在水中倒立。
“除非你们学会倒立，否则你们永远不会进入上流社会，”她老爱这么对他们说，并不
停地做给他们看。但是小鸭子们并未对她的话引起重视。他们太年轻了，一点也不知道在上
流社会的好处是什么。
“多么顽皮的孩子呀！”老河鼠高声喊道，“他们真该被淹死。”
“不是那么回事，”鸭妈妈回答说，“万事开头难嘛，做父母的要多一点耐心。”
“啊：我完全不了解做父母的情感，”河鼠说，“我不是个养家带口的人。事实上，我
从未结过婚，也决不打算结婚。爱情本身倒是挺好的，但友情比它的价值更高。说实在的，
我不知道在这世上还有什么比忠实的友谊更崇高和更珍贵的了。”
“那么，请问，你认为一个忠实的朋友的责任是什么呢？”一只绿色的红雀开口问道，
此时他正坐在旁边一视柳树上，偷听到他们的谈话。
“是啊，这正是我想知道的，”鸭妈妈说。接着她就游到了池塘的另一头，头朝下倒立
起来，为的是给孩子们做一个好榜样。
“这问题问得多笨！”河鼠吼道，“当然，我肯定我忠实的朋友对我是忠实的。”
“那么你又用什么报答呢？”小鸟说着，跳上了一根银色的枝头，并扑打着他的小翅膀。
“我不明白你的意思，”河鼠回答说。
“那就让我给你讲一个这方面的故事吧，”红雀说。
“是关于我的故事吗？”河鼠问道，“如果是这样的话，我很愿意听，因为我特别喜欢
听故事。”
“它也适合你，”红雀回答说。他飞了下来，站立在河岸边，讲述起那个《忠实的朋
友》的故事。
“很久很久以前，”红雀说，“有一个诚实的小伙子名叫汉斯。”
“他是非常出色的吗？”河鼠问道。
“不，”红雀答道，“我认为他一点也不出色，只是心肠好罢了，还长着一张滑稽而友
善的圆脸。他独自一人住在小村舍里，每天都在自己的花园里干活。整个乡下没有谁家的花
园像他的花园那样可爱。里面长着美国石竹，还有紫罗兰、有荠，以及法国的松雪草。有粉
红色的玫瑰、金黄色的玫瑰，还有番红花，紫罗兰有金色的、紫色的和白色的。随着季节的
更迭，耧斗菜和碎米荠，牛膝草和野兰香，莲香花和鸢尾草，水仙和丁香都争相开放。一种
花刚凋谢，另一种便怒放开来，花园中一直都有美丽的花朵供人观赏，始终都有怡人的芳香
可闻。
“小汉斯有许多朋友，但是最忠实的朋友只有磨坊主大休。的确，有钱的磨坊主对小汉
斯是非常忠实的，每次他从小汉斯的花园经过总要从围墙上俯过身去摘上一大束鲜花，或者
摘上一把香草。遇到硕果累累的季节，他就会往口袋里装满李子和樱桃。
“磨坊主时常对小汉斯说，‘真正的朋友应该共享一切。’小汉斯微笑着点点头，他为
自己有一位思想如此崇高的朋友而深感骄傲。
“的确，有时候邻居们也感到奇怪，有钱的磨坊主从来没有给过小汉斯任何东西作为回
报，尽管他在自己的磨坊里存放了一百袋面粉，还有六头奶牛和一大群绵羊。不过，小汉斯
从没有为这些事而动过脑筋，再说经常听磨坊主对他谈起那些不自私的真正友谊的美妙故
事，对小汉斯来说，没有比听到这些更让他快乐的了。
“就这样小汉斯一直在花园中干着活。在春、夏、秋三季中他都很快乐，可冬天一到，
他没有水果和鲜花拿到市场上去卖，就要过饥寒交迫的日子，还常常吃不上晚饭，只吃点干
梨和核桃就上床睡觉了。在冬天的日子里，他觉得特别的孤单，因为这时磨坊主从来不会去
看望他。
“磨坊主常常对自己的妻子说，‘只要雪没有停，就没有必要去看小汉斯，因为人在困
难的时候，就应该让他们独处，不要让外人去打搅他们。这至少是我对友谊的看法，我相信
自己是对的，所以我要等到春天到来，那时我会去看望他，他还会送我一大篮樱草，这会使
他非常愉快的。’
“‘你的确为别人想得很周到，’他的妻子答道。她此刻正安坐在舒适的沙发椅上，旁
边燃着一大炉柴火，‘的确很周到。你谈论起友谊可真有一套，我敢说就是牧师本人也说不
出这么美丽的话语，尽管他能住在三层楼的房子里，小手指头上还戴着金成指。’
“‘不过我们就不能请小汉斯来这里吗？’磨坊主的小儿子说，‘如果可怜的汉斯遇到
困难的话，我会把我的粥分一半给他，还会把我那些小白兔给他看。’
“‘你真是个傻孩子！’磨坊主大声渠道，‘我真不知道送你上学有什么用处。你好像
什么也没有学会。噢，假如小汉斯来这里的话，看见我们暖和的炉火，看见我们丰盛的晚
餐，以及大桶的红酒，他可能会妒忌的，而妒忌是一件非常可怕的事情，它会毁了一个人的
品性。我当然不愿意把小汉斯的品性给毁了，我是他最要好的朋友，我要一直照顾他，并留
心他不受任何诱惑的欺骗。再说，如果小汉斯来到我家，他也许会要我赊点面粉给他，这我
可办不到。面粉是一件事，友谊又是另一件事，两者不能混为一谈。对呀，这两个词拼写起
来差别很大，意思也大不一样。每个人都清楚这一点。’
“‘你讲得真好’！磨坊主的妻子说，给自己倒了一大杯温暖的淡啤酒，‘我真的感到
很困了，就像是坐在教堂里听讲道一样。’
“‘很多人都做得不错，’磨坊主回答说，‘可说得好的人却寥寥无几，可见在两件事
中讲话更难一些，也更加迷人一些。’他用严厉的目光望着桌子另一头的小儿子，小儿子感
到很不好意思，低下了头，涨红着脸，泪水也忍不住地掉进了茶杯中。不过，他年纪这么
小，你们还是要原谅他。”
“故事就这么完了吗？”河鼠问。
“当然没有，”红雀回答说，“这只是个开头。”
“那么你就太落后了，”河鼠说，“当今那些故事高手们都是从结尾讲起，然后到开
头，最后才讲到中间。这是新方法。这些话是我那天从一位评论家那儿听来的，当时他正同
一位年轻人在池塘边散步。对这个问题他作了好一番高谈阔论，我相信他是正确的，因他戴
着一副蓝色的眼镜，头也全秃了，而且只要年轻人一开口讲话，他就总回答说，‘呸！’不
过，还是请你把故事讲下去吧。我尤其喜欢那个磨坊主。我自己也有各种美丽的情感，所以
我与他是同病相怜。”
“呵，”红雀说，他时而用这一只脚跳，时而又用另一只脚跳。“冬天刚一过去，樱草
开始开放它们的浅黄色星花的时候，磨坊主便对他的妻子说，他准备下山去看望一下小汉斯。
“‘啊，你的心肠真好！’他的妻子大声喊道，‘你总是想着别人。别忘了带上装花朵
的大篮子。’
“于是磨坊主用一根坚实的铁链把风车的翼板固定在一起，随后将篮子挎在手膀上就下
山去了。
“‘早上好，小汉斯，’磨坊主说。
“‘早上好，’汉斯回答道，把身体靠在铁铲上，满脸堆着笑容。
“‘整个冬天你都过得好吗？’磨坊主又开口问道。
“‘啊，是啊，’汉斯大声说，‘蒙你相问，你真是太好了，太好了。我要说我过得是
有些困难，不过现在春天已经到了，我好快活呀，我的花都长得很好。’
“‘今年冬天我们常提起你，’磨坊主说，‘还关心你过得怎么样了。’
“‘太感谢你了，’汉斯说，‘我真有点担心你会把我给忘了。’
“‘汉斯，你说的话让我吃惊，’磨坊主说；‘友谊从不会让人忘记，这就是友谊的非
凡所在，但是只恐怕你还不懂得生活的诗意。啊，对了，你的樱草长得多可爱呀！’
“‘它们长得确实可爱，’汉斯说，‘我的运气太好了，会有这么多的樱草。我要把它
们拿到市场上去卖，卖给市长的女儿，有了钱就去赎回我的小推车。’
“‘赎回你的小推车？你的意思是说你卖掉了它？这事你做的有多么傻呀！’
“‘噢，事实上，’汉斯说，‘我不得不那样做。你知道冬天对我来说是很困难的，我
也的确没钱买面包。所以我先是卖掉星期日制服上的银钮扣，然后又卖掉银链条，接着卖掉
了我的大烟斗，最后才卖掉了我的小推车。不过，我现在要把它们都再买回来。’
“‘汉斯，’磨坊主说，‘我愿意把我的小推车送给你。它还没有完全修好，其实，它
有一边已掉了，轮缘也有些毛病，但不管怎么说，我还是要把它送给你。我知道我这个人非
常慷慨，而且很多人会认为我送掉小车是很愚蠢的举动，但是我是与众不同的人。我认为慷
慨是友谊的核心。再说，我还给自己弄了一辆新的小推车。好了，你就放宽心吧，我要把我
的小推车给你的。’
“‘啊，你太慷慨了，’小汉斯说着，那张滑稽有趣的圆脸上洋溢着喜气。‘我会毫不
费力地把它修好，因为我屋里就有一块木板。’
“‘一块木板！’磨坊主说，‘对了，我正好想要一块木板来修补我的仓顶。那上面有
一个大洞，如果我不堵住它，麦子就会被淋湿。多亏你提到这事：一件好事总会产生另一件
好事，这真是不可思议。我已经把我的小推车给了你，现在你要把木板给我了。其实，小车
比木板要值钱得多，不过真正的友谊从来不会留意这种事的。请快把木板拿来，我今天就动
手去修我的仓房。’
“‘当然了，’小汉斯大声说，随即跑进他的小屋，把木板拖了出米。
“‘这木板不太大，’磨坊主望着木板说，‘恐怕等我修完仓顶后就没有剩下来给你修
补小推车的了，不过这当然不是我的错。而且现在我已经把我的小推车给了你，我相信你一
定乐意给我一些花作回报的。给你篮子，注意请给我的篮子装满了。’
“‘要装满吗？’小汉斯问着，脸上显得很不安，因为这可真是一个大篮子，他心里明
白，要是把这只篮子装满的话，他就不会有鲜花剩下来拿到集市上去卖了，再说他又非常想
把银钮扣赎回来。
“‘噢，对了，’磨坊主回答说，‘既然我已经把自己的小推车给了你，我觉得向你要
一些花也算不了什么。也许我是错了，但是我认为友谊，真正的友谊，是不会夹带任何私心
的。’
“‘我亲爱的朋友，我最好的朋友，’小汉斯喊了起来，‘我这花园里所有的花都供你
享用。我宁愿早一点听到你的美言，至于银钮扣哪一天去赎都可以。’说完他就跑去把花园
里所有的美丽樱草都摘了下来，装满了磨坊主的篮子。
“‘再见了，小汉斯，’磨坊主说。他肩上扛着木板，手里提着大篮子朝山上走去了。
“‘再见，’小汉斯说，然后他又开始高高兴兴地挖起土来，那辆小推车使他兴奋不已。
“第二天，小汉斯正往门廊上钉忍冬的时候，听见磨坊主在马路上喊叫他的声音。他一
下子从梯子上跳下来，跑到花园里，朝墙外望去。
“只见磨坊主扛着一大袋面粉站在外面。
“‘亲爱的小汉斯，’磨坊主说，‘你愿意帮我把这袋面粉背到集市上去吗？’
一牧，实在对不起，’汉斯说，‘我今天真的太忙了。我要把所有的藤子全钉好，还得
把所有的花浇上水，所有的草都剪平。’
“‘啊，不错，’磨坊主说，“我想是的。可你要考虑我将把我的小推车送给你，你要
是拒绝我就太不够朋友了。’
“‘啊，不要这么说，’小汉斯大声叫道，‘无论如何我也不会对不起朋友的。’他跑
进小屋去取帽子，然后扛上那大袋面粉，步履艰难地朝集市走去。
“这一天天气炎热，路上尘土飞扬，汉斯还没有走到六英里，就累得不行了，只好坐下
来歇歇脚。不过，他又继续勇敢地上路了，最后终于到达了集市。在那儿他没有等多长时
间，就把那袋面粉卖掉了，还卖了个好价钱。他立即动身回家，因为他担心在集市上呆得太
晚，回去的路上可能会遇上强盗的。
“‘今天的确太辛苦了，’小汉斯上床睡觉时这样对自己说，‘不过我很高兴没有拒绝
磨坊主，因为他是我最好的朋友，再说，他还要把他的小推车送给我。’
“第二天一大早，磨坊主就下山来取他那袋面粉的钱，可是小汉斯太累了，这时还躺在
床上睡觉呢。
“‘我得说，’磨坊主说，‘你实在是很懒，想一想我就要把我的小推车送给你，你本
该工作得更勤奋才对。懒情是一件大罪，我当然不喜欢我的朋友是个懒汉了。你当然不会怪
我对你讲了这一番直言，假如我不是你的朋友，我自然也不会这么做的。但是如果人们不能
坦诚地说出自己的心里话，那么友谊还有什么意思可言。任何人都可以说漂亮话，可以取悦
人，也可以讨好人，然而真正的朋友才总是说逆耳的话，而且不怕给人找苦头吃。的确，只
要一位真正的忠实的朋友乐意这么做的话，那么原因就在于他知道他正在做好事。’
“‘很对不起，’小汉斯一面说，一面揉着自己的眼睛，脱下了他的睡帽，‘不过我真
是太累了，我想的只是再睡一小会儿，听听鸟儿的歌声。你知道吗，每当我听过鸟儿的歌声
我会干得更起劲的？’
“‘好，这让我很高兴，’磨坊主拍拍小汉斯的肩膀说，‘我只想让你穿好衣服立即到
我的磨房来，给我修补一下仓房顶。’
“可怜的小汉斯当时很想到自己的花园里去干活，因为他的花草已有两天没浇过水了，
可他又不想拒绝磨坊主，磨坊主是他的好朋友哇。
“‘如果我说我很忙，你会认为我不够朋友吗？’他又害羞又担心地问道。
“‘噢，说实在的，’磨坊主回答说，‘我觉得我对你的要求并不过分，你想我就要把
我的小推车给你，不过当然如果你不想干，我就回去自己动手干。’
“‘啊！那怎么行，’小汉斯嚷着说。他从床上跳下来，穿上衣服，往仓房去了。
“他在那儿干了整整一天，直到夕阳西下，日落时分磨坊主来看他干得怎么样了。
“‘小汉斯，你把仓顶上的洞补好了吗？’磨坊主乐不可支地高声问道。
“‘全补好了，’小汉斯说着，从梯子上走了下来。
“‘啊！’磨坊主说，‘没有什么比替别人干活更让人快乐的了。’
“‘听你说话真是莫大的荣幸，’小汉斯坐下身来，一边擦去前额的汗水，一边回答
说，‘莫大的荣幸，不过我担心我永远也不会有你这么美好的想法。’
“‘啊！你也会有的，’磨坊主说，‘不过你必须得更努力些才行。现在你仅仅完成了
友谊的实践，今后有一天你也会具备理论的。’
“‘你真的认为我会吗？’小汉斯问。
“‘我对此毫不怀疑，’磨坊主回答说，‘不过既然你已经修补好了仓顶，你最好还是
回去休息，因为我明天还要你帮我赶山羊到山上去。’
“‘可怜的小汉斯对这件事什么也不敢说，第二天一大早磨坊主就赶着他的羊群来到了
小屋旁，汉斯便赶着它们上山去了。他花了整整一天功夫才走了一个来回。回到家时他已经
累坏了，就坐在椅子上睡着了，一觉醒来已经是大天亮了。
“‘今天能呆在自己的花园里我会是多么快乐呀。’说着，他就马上去干活了。
“然而他永远也不能够全身心地去照料好自己的花，因为他的朋友磨坊主老是不停地跑
来给他派些差事，或叫他到磨坊去帮忙。有时小汉斯也很苦恼，他担心自己的花会认为他已
经把它们给忘了，但是他却用磨坊主是自己最好的朋友这种想法来安慰自己。‘再说，’他
经常对自己说，‘他还要把自己的小推车送给我，那是真正慷慨大方的举动。’
“就这样小汉斯不停地为磨坊主干事，而磨坊主也讲了各种各样关于友谊的美妙语句，
汉斯把这些话都记在笔记本上，晚上经常拿出来阅读，因为他还是个爱读书的人。
“有一天晚上，小汉斯正坐在炉旁烤火，忽然传来了响亮的敲门声。这是个气候恶劣的
夜晚，风一个劲地在小屋周围狂欢乱咀。起初他还以为听到的只是风暴声呢，可是又传来了
第二次敲门声，接着是第三次，而且比前两次更响亮。
“‘这是个可怜的行路人，’小汉斯对自己说，而且朝门口跑去。
“原来门口站着的是磨坊主，他一只手里提着一个马灯，另一只手中拿着一根大拐杖。
“‘亲爱的小汉斯，’磨坊主大声叫道，‘我遇到大麻烦了。我的小儿子从梯子上掉下
来了，受了伤，我准备去请医生。可是医生住的地方太远，今晚的天气又如此恶劣，我刚才
突然觉得要是你替我去请医生，会好得多。你知道我将要把我的小推车送给你，所以你应该
为我做些事来作为回报，才算是公平的。’
“‘当然罗，’小汉斯大声说道，‘我觉得你能来找我是我的荣幸，我这就动身。不过
你得把马灯借给我，今夜太黑了，我担心自己跌到水沟里去。’
“‘很对不起，’磨坊主回答说，‘这可是我的新马灯，如果它出了什么毛病，那对我
的损失可就大了。’
“‘噢，没关系，我不用它也行。’小汉斯高声说，他取下自己的皮大衣和暖和的红礼
帽，又在自己的脖子上围上一条围巾，就动身了。
“那可真是个可怕的风暴之夜，黑得伸手不见五指，小汉斯什么也看不见。风刮得很
猛，他连站都站不稳。不过，小汉斯非常勇敢，他走了大约三个钟头，来到了医生的屋前，
敲响了门。
“‘是谁呀？’医生从卧室伸出头来大声问道。
“‘医生，我是小汉斯。’
“‘什么事，小汉斯。’
“‘磨坊主的儿子从梯子上跌下来摔伤了，磨坊主请你马上去。”
“‘好的！’医生说，并且叫人去备马。他取来大靴子，提上马灯，从楼上走了下来，
骑上马朝磨坊主的家奔去，而小汉斯却步履踏酒地跟在后头。
“然而风暴却越来越大，雨下得像小河的流水，小汉斯看不清他面前的路面，也赶不上
马了。最后他迷了路，在一片沼泽地上徘徊着。这是一块非常危险的地方，到处有深深的水
坑，可怜的小汉斯就在那里给淹死了。第二天几位牧羊人发现了他的尸首，漂浮在一个大池
塘的水面上。这几位牧羊人把尸体抬回到他的小屋中。哀悼仪式的主持人。
“‘既然我是他最好的沥友，’磨坊主说，‘那么就应该让我站最好的位置。’所以他
穿一身黑色的长袍走在送葬队伍的最前边，还时不时地用一块大手帕抹着眼泪水。
“‘小汉斯的死的确对每一个人都是个大损失，’铁匠开口说。这时葬礼已经结束，大
家都舒适地坐在小酒店里，喝着香料酒，吃着甜点心。
“‘无论如何对我是个大损失，’磨坊主回答说，‘对了，我都快把我的小推车送给他
了，现在我真不知怎么处理它了。放在我家里对我是个大妨碍，它已经破烂不堪，就是卖掉
它我又能得到什么。我今后更要留心不再送人任何东西。大方总让人吃苦头。’”
“后来呢？”过了好一会儿河鼠说。
“什么，我讲完了，”红雀说。
“可是磨坊主后来又怎样了呢？’河鼠问道。
“噢！我真的不清楚，”红雀回答说，“我觉得我不关心这个。”
“很显然你的本性中没有同情的成分，”河鼠说。
“我恐怕你还没有弄明白这故事中的教义，”红雀反驳说。
“什么？”河鼠大声暖道。
“教义。”
“你的意思是说这故事里还有一个教义？”
“当然了，”红雀说。
“噢，说真的，”河鼠气呼呼地说，“我认为你在讲故事之前就该告诉我那个。如果你
那样做了，我肯定不会听你的了。其实，我该像批评家那样说一声‘呸！’但是，我现在可
以这么说了。”于是他就大喊了一声“呸！”，并挥舞了一下自己的尾巴，就回到了山洞中
去。
“你觉得河鼠怎么样？”母鸭开口问道，她用了好几分钟才拍打着水走上岸来。“他也
有好些优点，不过就我而言，我有一个母亲的情怀，只要看见那些铁了心不结婚的单身汉总
忍不住要掉下眼泪来。”
“我真担心我把他给得罪了，”红雀回答说，“事实是我给他讲了一个带教义的故事。”
“啊，这事总是很危险的，”母鸭说。
我完全同意她的话。
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.