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The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, The Snow-queen (1)

The Snow-queen (1)

There was once a dreadfully wicked hobgoblin. One day he was in capital spirits because he had made a looking-glass which reflected everything that was good and beautiful in such a way that it dwindled almost to nothing, but anything that was bad and ugly stood out very clearly and looked much worse. The most beautiful landscapes looked like boiled spinach, and the best people looked repulsive or seemed to stand on their heads with no bodies; their faces were so changed that they could not be recognised, and if anyone had a freckle you might be sure it would be spread over the nose and mouth.

That was the best part of it, said the hobgoblin.

But one day the looking-glass was dropped, and it broke into a million-billion and more pieces.

And now came the greatest misfortune of all, for each of the pieces was hardly as large as a grain of sand and they flew about all over the world, and if anyone had a bit in his eye there it stayed, and then he would see everything awry, or else could only see the bad sides of a case. For every tiny splinter of the glass possessed the same power that the whole glass had.

Some people got a splinter in their hearts, and that was dreadful, for then it began to turn into a lump of ice.

The hobgoblin laughed till his sides ached, but still the tiny bits of glass flew about.

And now we will hear all about it.

In a large town, where there were so many people and houses that there was not room enough for everybody to have gardens, lived two poor children. They were not brother and sister, but they loved each other just as much as if they were. Their parents lived opposite one another in two attics, and out on the leads they had put two boxes filled with flowers. There were sweet peas in it, and two rose trees, which grow beautifully, and in summer the two children were allowed to take their little chairs and sit out under the roses. Then they had splendid games.

In the winter they could not do this, but then they put hot pennies against the frozen window-panes, and made round holes to look at each other through.

His name was Kay, and hers was Gerda.

Outside it was snowing fast.

'Those are the white bees swarming,' said the old grandmother. 'Have they also a queen bee?' asked the little boy, for he knew that the real bees have one.

'To be sure,' said the grandmother. 'She flies wherever they swarm the thickest. She is larger than any of them, and never stays upon the earth, but flies again up into the black clouds. Often at midnight she flies through the streets, and peeps in at all the windows, and then they freeze in such pretty patterns and look like flowers.' 'Yes, we have seen that,' said both children; they knew that it was true. 'Can the Snow-queen come in here?' asked the little girl.

'Just let her!' cried the boy, 'I would put her on the stove, and melt her!' But the grandmother stroked his hair, and told some more stories.

In the evening, when little Kay was going to bed, he jumped on the chair by the window, and looked through the little hole. A few snow-flakes were falling outside, and one of the, the largest, lay on the edge of one of the window-boxes. The snow-flake grew larger and larger till it took the form of a maiden, dressed in finest white gauze.

She was so beautiful and dainty, but all of ice, hard bright ice.

Still she was alive; her eyes glittered like two clear stars, but there was no rest or peace in them. She nodded at the window, and beckoned with her hand. The little boy was frightened, and sprang down from the chair. It seemed as if a great white bird had flown past the window.

The next day there was a harder frost than before.

Then came the spring, then the summer, when the roses grew and smelt more beautifully than ever.

Kay and Gerda were looking at one of their picture-books—the clock in the great church-tower had just struck five, when Kay exclaimed, 'Oh! something has stung my heart, and I've got something in my eye!' The little girl threw her arms round his neck; he winked hard with both his eyes; no, she could see nothing in them.

'I think it is gone now,' said he; but it had not gone. It was one of the tiny splinters of the glass of the magic mirror which we have heard about, that turned everything great and good reflected in it small and ugly. And poor Kay had also a splinter in his heart, and it began to change into a lump of ice. It did not hurt him at all, but the splinter was there all the same.

'Why are you crying?' he asked; 'it makes you look so ugly! There's nothing the matter with me. Just look! that rose is all slug-eaten, and this one is stunted! What ugly roses they are!' And he began to pull them to pieces.

'Kay, what are you doing?' cried the little girl.

And when he saw how frightened she was, he pulled off another rose, and ran in at his window away from dear little Gerda.

When she came later on with the picture book, he said that it was only fit for babies, and when his grandmother told them stories, he was always interrupting with, 'But—' and then he would get behind her and put on her spectacles, and speak just as she did. This he did very well, and everybody laughed. Very soon he could imitate the way all the people in the street walked and talked.

His games were now quite different. On a winter's day he would take a burning glass and hold it out on his blue coat and let the snow-flakes fall on it. 'Look in the glass, Gerda! Just see how regular they are! They are much more interesting than real flowers. Each is perfect; they are all made according to rule. If only they did not melt!' One morning Kay came out with his warm gloves on, and his little sledge hung over his shoulder. He shouted to Gerda, 'I am going to the market-place to play with the other boys,' and away he went. In the market-place the boldest boys used often to fasten their sledges to the carts of the farmers, and then they got a good ride.

When they were in the middle of their games there drove into the square a large sledge, all white, and in it sat a figure dressed in a rough white fur pelisse with a white fur cap on.

The sledge drove twice round the square, and Kay fastened his little sledge behind it and drove off. It went quicker and quicker into the next street. The driver turned round, and nodded to Kay ina friendly way as if they had known each other before. Every time that Kay tried to unfasten his sledge the driver nodded again, and Kay sat still once more. Then they drove out of the town, and the snow began to fall so thickly that the little boy could not see his hand before him, and on and on they went. He quickly unfastened the cord to get loose from the big sledge, but it was of no use; his little sledge hung on fast, and it went on like the wind.

Then he cried out, but nobody heard him. He was dreadfully frightened.

The snowflakes grew larger and larger till they looked like great white birds. All at once they flew aside, the large sledge stood still, and the figure who was driving stood up. The fur cloak and cap were all of snow. It was a lady, tall and slim, and glittering. It was the Snow-queen.

'We have come at a good rate,' she said; 'but you are almost frozen. Creep in under my cloak.' And she set him close to her in the sledge and drew the cloak over him. He felt as though he were sinking into a snow-drift.

'Are you cold now?' she asked, and kissed his forehead. The kiss was cold as ice and reached down to his heart, which was already half a lump of ice.

'My sledge! Don't forget my sledge!' He thought of that first, and it was fastened to one of the great white birds who flew behind with the sledge on its back.

The Snow-queen kissed Kay again, and then he forgot all about little Gerda, his grandmother, and everybody at home.

'Now I must not kiss you any more,' she said, 'or else I should kiss you to death.' Then away they flew over forests and lakes, over sea and land. Round them whistled the cold wind, the wolves howled, and the snow hissed; over them flew the black shrieking crows. But high up the moon shone large and bright, and thus Kay passed the long winter night. In the day he slept at the Snow-queen's feet. But what happened to little Gerda when Kay did not come back?

What had become of him? Nobody knew. The other boys told how they had seen him fasten his sledge on to a large one which had driven out of the town gate.

Gerda cried a great deal. The winter was long and dark to her.

Then the spring came with warm sunshine. 'I will go and look for Kay,' said Gerda. So she went down to the river and got into a little boat that was there. Presently the stream began to carry it away.

'Perhaps the river will take me to Kay,' thought Gerda. She glided down, past trees and fields, till she came to a large cherry garden, in which stood a little house with strange red and blue windows and a straw roof. Before the door stood two wooden soldiers, who were shouldering arms.

Gerda called to them, but they naturally did not answer. The river carried the boat on to the land.

Gerda called out still louder, and there came out of the house a very old woman. She leant upon a crutch, and she wore a large sun-hat which was painted with the most beautiful flowers.

'You poor little girl!' said the old woman.

And then she stepped into the water, brought the boat in close with her crutch, and lifted little Gerda out.

'And now come and tell me who you are, and how you came here,' she said. Then Gerda told her everything, and asked her if she had seen Kay. But she said he had not passed that way yet, but he would soon come.

She told Gerda not to be sad, and that she should stay with her and take of the cherry trees and flowers, which were better than any picture-bok, as they could each tell a story.

She then took Gerda's hand and led her into the little house and shut the door. The windows were very high, and the panes were red, blue, and yellow, so that the light came through in curious colours. On the table were the most delicious cherries, and the old woman let Gerda eat as many as she liked, while she combed her hair with a gold comb as she ate.

The beautiful sunny hair rippled and shone round the dear little face, which was so soft and sweet. 'I have always longed to have a dear little girl just like you, and you shall see how happy we will be together.' And as she combed Gerda's hair, Gerda thought less and less about Kay, for the old woman was a witch, but not a wicked witch, for she only enchanted now and then to amuse herself, and she did want to keep little Gerda very much. So she went into the garden and waved her stick over all the rose bushes and blossoms and all; they sank down into the black earth, and no one could see where they had been.

The old woman was afraid that if Gerda saw the roses she would begin to think about her own, and then would remember Kay and run away.

Then she led Gerda out into the garden. How glorious it was, and what lovely scents filled the air! All the flowers you can think of blossomed there all the year round.

Gerda jumped for joy and played there till the sun set behind the tall cherry trees, and then she slept in a beautiful bed with red silk pillows filled with violets, and she slept soundly and dreamed as a queen does on her wedding day.

The next day she played again with the flowers in the warm sunshine, and so many days passed by. Gerda knew every flower, but although there were so many, it seemed to her as if one were not there, though she could not remember which.

She was looking one day at the old woman's sun-hat which had hte painted flowers on it, and there she saw a rose. The witch had forgotten to make that vanish when she had made the other roses disappear under the earth. it was so difficult to think of everything.

'Why, there are no roses here!' cried Gerda,, and she hunted amongst all the flowers, but not one was to be found. Then she sat down and cried, but her tears fell just on the spot where a rose bush had sunk, and when her warm tears watered the earth, the bush came up in full bloom just as it had been before. Gerda kissed the roses and thought of the lovely roses at home, and with them came the thought of little Kay.

'Oh, what have I been doing!' said the little girl. 'I wanted to look for Kay.' She ran to the end of the garden. The gate was shut, but she pushed against the rusty lock so that it came open.

She ran out with her little bare feet. No one came after her. At last she could not run any longer, and she sat down on a large stone. When she looked round she saw that the summer was over; it was late autumn. It had not changed in the beautiful garden, where were sunshine and flowers all the year round.

'Oh, dear, how late I have made myself!' said Gerda.

'It's autumn already! I cannot rest!' And she sprang up to run on.

Oh, how tired and sore her little feet grew, and it became colder and colder.

She had to rest again, and there on the snow in front of her was a large crow.

It had been looking at her for some time, and it nodded its head and said, 'Caw! caw! good day.' Then it asked the little girl why she was alone in the world. She told the crow her story, and asked if he had seen Kay.

The crow nodded very thoughtfully and said, 'It might be! It might be!' 'What! Do you think you have?' cried the little girl, and she almost squeezed the crow to death as she kissed him.

'Gently, gently!' said the crow.

'I think—I know I think—it might be little Kay, but now he has forgotten you for the princess!' 'Does he live with a princess?' asked Gerda.

'Yes, listen,' said the crow. Then he told her all he knew.

'In the kingdom in which we are now sitting lives a princess who is dreadfully clever. She has read all the newspapers in the world and has forgotten them again. She is as clever as that. The other day she came to the throne, and that is not so pleasant as people think. Then she began to say, "Why should I not marry?" But she wanted a husband who could answer when he was spoken to, not one who would stand up stiffly and look respectable—that would be too dull.

'When she told all the Court ladies, they were delighted. You can believe every word I say,' said the crow, 'I have a tame sweetheart in the palace, and she tells me everything.' Of course his sweetheart was a crow.

'The newspapers came out next morning with a border of hearts round it, and the princess's monogram on it, and inside you could read that every good-looking young man might come into the palace and speak to the princess, and whoever should speak loud enough to be heard would be well fed and looked after, and the one who spoke best should become the princess's husband. Indeed,' said the crow, 'you can quite believe me. It is as true as that I am sitting here.

'Young men came in streams, and there was such a crowding and a mixing together! But nothing came of it on the first nor on the second day. They could all speak quite well when they were in the street, but as soon as they came inside the palace door, and saw the guards in silver, and upstairs the footmen in gold, and the great hall all lighted up, then their wits left them! And when they stood in front of the throne where the princess was sitting, then they could not think of anything to say except to repeat the last word she had spoken, and she did not much care to hear that again. It seemed as if they were walking in their sleep until they came out into the street again, when they could speak once more. There was a row stretching from the gate of the town up to the castle.

'They were hungry and thirsty, but in the palace they did not even get a glass of water. 'A few of the cleverest had brought some slices of bread and butter with them, but they did not share them with their neighbour, for they thought, "If he looks hungry, the princess will not take him!"' 'But what about Kay?' asked Gerda.

'When did he come? Was he in the crowd?' 'Wait a bit; we are coming to him! On the third day a little figure came without horse or carriage and walked jauntily up to the palace. His eyes shone as yours do; he had lovely curling hair, but quite poor clothes.' 'That was Kay!' cried Gerda with delight. 'Oh, then I have found him!' and she clapped her hands.

'He had a little bundle on his back,' said the crow. 'No, it must have been his skates, for he went away with his skates!' 'Very likely,' said the crow, 'I did not see for certain. But I know this from my sweetheart, that when he came to the palace door and saw the royal guards in silver, and on the stairs the footmen in gold, he was not the least bit put out. He nodded to them, saying, "It must be rather dull standing on the stairs; I would rather go inside!" 'The halls blazed with lights; councillors and ambassadors were walking about in noiseless shoes carrying gold dishes. It was enough to make one nervous! His boots creaked dreadfully loud, but he was not frightened.' 'That must be Kay!' said Gerda.

'I know he had new boots on; I have heard them creaking in his grandmother's room!' 'They did creak, certainly!' said the crow.

'And, not one bit afraid, up he went to the princess, who was sitting on a large pearl as round as a spinning wheel. All the ladies-in-waiting were standing round, each with their attendants, and the lords-in-waiting with their attendants. The nearer they stood to the door the prouder they were.' 'It must have been dreadful!' said little Gerda. 'And Kay did win the princess?' 'I heard from my tame sweetheart that he was merry and quick-witted; he had not come to woo, he said, but to listen to the princess's wisdom. And the end of it was that they fell in love with each other.' 'Oh, yes; that was Kay!' said Gerda.

'He was so clever; he could do sums with fractions. Oh, do lead me to the palace!' 'That's easily said!' answered the crow, 'but how are we to manage that? I must talk it over with my tame sweetheart. She may be able to advise us, for I must tell you that a little girl like you could never get permission to enter it.' 'Yes, I will get it!' said Gerda.

'When Kay hears that I am there he will come out at once and fetch me!' 'Wait for me by the railings,' said the crow, and he nodded his head and flew away.

The Snow-queen (1) La reina de las nieves (1) La regina delle nevi (1) 눈의 여왕 (1) 白雪公主 (1)

There was once a dreadfully wicked hobgoblin. Byl jednou jeden strašně zlý hobgoblin. One day he was in capital spirits because he had made a looking-glass which reflected everything that was good and beautiful in such a way that it dwindled almost to nothing, but anything that was bad and ugly stood out very clearly and looked much worse. Jednoho dne měl skvělou náladu, protože si vyrobil zrcadlo, které odráželo vše, co bylo dobré a krásné, takovým způsobem, že se to téměř zmenšilo, ale vše, co bylo špatné a ošklivé, vyniklo velmi jasně a vypadalo mnohem hůř. 有一天,他兴高采烈,因为他做了一面镜子,把所有美好的事物都映照出来,几乎消失得无影无踪,但所有丑陋的事物都非常明显,看起来更糟。 The most beautiful landscapes looked like boiled spinach, and the best people looked repulsive or seemed to stand on their heads with no bodies; their faces were so changed that they could not be recognised, and if anyone had a freckle you might be sure it would be spread over the nose and mouth. Nejkrásnější krajiny vypadaly jako vařený špenát a nejlepší lidé vypadali odpudivě nebo jako by stáli na hlavě bez těla; jejich tváře byly tak změněné, že je nebylo možné poznat, a pokud měl někdo pihu, mohli jste si být jisti, že se mu rozprostřela po nose a ústech. 最美的风景看起来像煮熟的菠菜,最美的人看起来令人厌恶,或者像倒立一样,没有身体;他们的面孔变化如此之大以至于无法辨认,如果有人有雀斑,你可以肯定它会散布在鼻子和嘴巴上。

That was the best part of it, said the hobgoblin. To bylo na tom to nejlepší, řekl hobgoblin. 那是最好的部分,妖精说。

But one day the looking-glass was dropped, and it broke into a million-billion and more pieces. Jednoho dne však zrcadlo spadlo a rozbilo se na milion miliard a více kousků. 但是有一天,镜子掉了下来,它碎成一百万亿多块。

And now came the greatest misfortune of all, for each of the pieces was hardly as large as a grain of sand and they flew about all over the world, and if anyone had a bit in his eye there it stayed, and then he would see everything awry, or else could only see the bad sides of a case. A teď přišlo to největší neštěstí, protože každý z těch kousků byl velký sotva jako zrnko písku a létaly po celém světě, a pokud se někomu dostal kousek do oka, zůstal tam, a pak viděl všechno špatně, nebo viděl jen špatné stránky případu. 现在最不幸的事情来了,因为每一块碎片都没有一粒沙那么大,它们在世界各地飞来飞去,如果有人在他的眼睛里有一点,它就会留在那儿,然后他就会看到事事不顺,否则只能看到坏的一面。 For every tiny splinter of the glass possessed the same power that the whole glass had. Každý drobný střípek skla měl totiž stejnou sílu jako celé sklo. 因为玻璃的每一个微小碎片都拥有与整块玻璃相同的力量。

Some people got a splinter in their hearts, and that was dreadful, for then it began to turn into a lump of ice. Někteří lidé dostali do srdce třísku a to bylo strašné, protože se pak začalo měnit v kus ledu.

The hobgoblin laughed till his sides ached, but still the tiny bits of glass flew about. Hobgoblin se smál, až ho bolely boky, ale drobné kousky skla stále létaly kolem.

And now we will hear all about it. A nyní o tom uslyšíme.

In a large town, where there were so many people and houses that there was not room enough for everybody to have gardens, lived two poor children. V jednom velkém městě, kde bylo tolik lidí a domů, že nebylo dost místa pro všechny, aby měli zahrádky, žily dvě chudé děti. They were not brother and sister, but they loved each other just as much as if they were. Nebyli bratr a sestra, ale milovali se stejně, jako by byli. Their parents lived opposite one another in two attics, and out on the leads they had put two boxes filled with flowers. Jejich rodiče bydleli naproti sobě ve dvou podkrovních bytech a venku na vodítku měli umístěné dvě krabice plné květin. There were sweet peas in it, and two rose trees, which grow beautifully, and in summer the two children were allowed to take their little chairs and sit out under the roses. Rostl v něm sladký hrášek a dva růžové stromy, které krásně rostly, a v létě si obě děti mohly vzít židličky a sednout si pod růže. Then they had splendid games. Pak se hrály skvělé hry.

In the winter they could not do this, but then they put hot pennies against the frozen window-panes, and made round holes to look at each other through. V zimě to nešlo, ale pak přikládali horké penízky na zamrzlé okenní tabule a dělali do nich kulaté otvory, kterými se na sebe dívali.

His name was Kay, and hers was Gerda. Jmenoval se Kay a ona Gerda.

Outside it was snowing fast. Venku rychle sněžilo.

'Those are the white bees swarming,' said the old grandmother. "To se rojí bílé včely," řekla stará babička. 'Have they also a queen bee?' "Mají také včelí královnu? asked the little boy, for he knew that the real bees have one. zeptal se malý chlapec, protože věděl, že skutečné včely ho mají.

'To be sure,' said the grandmother. "Jistě," řekla babička. 'She flies wherever they swarm the thickest. "Létá tam, kde se to hemží nejvíc. She is larger than any of them, and never stays upon the earth, but flies again up into the black clouds. Je větší než kdokoli z nich a nikdy nezůstává na zemi, ale znovu vzlétá do černých mraků. Often at midnight she flies through the streets, and peeps in at all the windows, and then they freeze in such pretty patterns and look like flowers.' Často o půlnoci létá ulicemi a nahlíží do všech oken, která pak zamrzají v takových krásných obrazcích a vypadají jako květiny. 'Yes, we have seen that,' said both children; they knew that it was true. "Ano, to jsme viděli," řekly obě děti; věděly, že je to pravda. 'Can the Snow-queen come in here?' "Může sem přijít Sněhová královna? asked the little girl.

'Just let her!' "Jen ji nechte! cried the boy, 'I would put her on the stove, and melt her!' zvolal chlapec, "dal bych ji na kamna a roztavil ji! But the grandmother stroked his hair, and told some more stories. Babička ho však pohladila po vlasech a vyprávěla další příběhy.

In the evening, when little Kay was going to bed, he jumped on the chair by the window, and looked through the little hole. Večer, když šel malý Kay spát, vyskočil na židli u okna a podíval se malým otvorem. A few snow-flakes were falling outside, and one of the, the largest, lay on the edge of one of the window-boxes. Venku padalo několik sněhových vloček a jedna z nich, ta největší, ležela na okraji jedné z okenních skříněk. The snow-flake grew larger and larger till it took the form of a maiden, dressed in finest white gauze. Sněhová vločka se zvětšovala a zvětšovala, až nabyla podoby dívky oděné do nejjemnější bílé gázy.

She was so beautiful and dainty, but all of ice, hard bright ice. Byla tak krásná a jemná, ale celá z ledu, z tvrdého ledu.

Still she was alive; her eyes glittered like two clear stars, but there was no rest or peace in them. Stále žila, oči jí zářily jako dvě jasné hvězdy, ale nebyl v nich klid ani mír. She nodded at the window, and beckoned with her hand. Kývla k oknu a pokynula rukou. The little boy was frightened, and sprang down from the chair. Chlapec se vyděsil a seskočil ze židle. It seemed as if a great white bird had flown past the window. Zdálo se, jako by kolem okna proletěl velký bílý pták.

The next day there was a harder frost than before. Druhý den přišel silnější mráz než předtím.

Then came the spring, then the summer, when the roses grew and smelt more beautifully than ever. Pak přišlo jaro, pak léto, kdy růže rostly a voněly krásněji než kdy jindy.

Kay and Gerda were looking at one of their picture-books—the clock in the great church-tower had just struck five, when Kay exclaimed, 'Oh! Kay a Gerda si prohlížely jednu ze svých obrázkových knih - hodiny na velké kostelní věži právě odbily pět hodin, když Kay vykřikl: "Ach! something has stung my heart, and I've got something in my eye!' něco mě píchlo u srdce a mám něco v oku! The little girl threw her arms round his neck; he winked hard with both his eyes; no, she could see nothing in them. Děvčátko mu hodilo ruce kolem krku, on tvrdě zamrkal oběma očima, ne, nic v nich neviděla.

'I think it is gone now,' said he; but it had not gone. "Myslím, že už je to pryč," řekl, ale nebylo to pryč. It was one of the tiny splinters of the glass of the magic mirror which we have heard about, that turned everything great and good reflected in it small and ugly. Byl to jeden z drobných střípků skla kouzelného zrcadla, o němž jsme slyšeli, že všechno velké a dobré, co se v něm odráží, je malé a ošklivé. And poor Kay had also a splinter in his heart, and it began to change into a lump of ice. A chudák Kay měl také třísku v srdci a to se začalo měnit v kus ledu. It did not hurt him at all, but the splinter was there all the same. Vůbec ho to nebolelo, ale tříska tam přesto byla.

'Why are you crying?' "Proč pláčeš? he asked; 'it makes you look so ugly! zeptal se; "vypadáš v něm tak ošklivě! There's nothing the matter with me. Nic se mnou není. Just look! Jen se podívejte! that rose is all slug-eaten, and this one is stunted! ta růže je celá sežraná slimáky a tahle je zakrnělá! What ugly roses they are!' To jsou ale ošklivé růže! And he began to pull them to pieces. A začal je trhat na kusy.

'Kay, what are you doing?' "Kay, co to děláš? cried the little girl. vykřikla holčička.

And when he saw how frightened she was, he pulled off another rose, and ran in at his window away from dear little Gerda. Když viděl, jak je vyděšená, utrhl další růži a vběhl do okna pryč od milé Gerdy.

When she came later on with the picture book, he said that it was only fit for babies, and when his grandmother told them stories, he was always interrupting with, 'But—' and then he would get behind her and put on her spectacles, and speak just as she did. Když později přišla s obrázkovou knížkou, říkal, že je vhodná jen pro miminka, a když jim babička vyprávěla pohádky, vždycky ji přerušoval slovy: "Ale..." a pak si stoupl za ni, nasadil jí brýle a mluvil stejně jako ona. This he did very well, and everybody laughed. To se mu povedlo velmi dobře a všichni se smáli. Very soon he could imitate the way all the people in the street walked and talked. Velmi brzy dokázal napodobit chůzi a mluvu všech lidí na ulici.

His games were now quite different. Jeho hry byly nyní zcela jiné. On a winter's day he would take a burning glass and hold it out on his blue coat and let the snow-flakes fall on it. Za zimních dnů bral hořící sklenici, držel ji na svém modrém kabátě a nechával na ni padat sněhové vločky. 'Look in the glass, Gerda! "Podívej se do sklenice, Gerdo! Just see how regular they are! Jen se podívejte, jak jsou pravidelní! They are much more interesting than real flowers. Jsou mnohem zajímavější než skutečné květiny. Each is perfect; they are all made according to rule. Každý z nich je dokonalý; všechny jsou vytvořeny podle pravidel. If only they did not melt!' Jen kdyby se neroztavily! One morning Kay came out with his warm gloves on, and his little sledge hung over his shoulder. Jednoho rána vyšel Kay v teplých rukavicích a přes rameno měl přehozené malé sáňky. He shouted to Gerda, 'I am going to the market-place to play with the other boys,' and away he went. Zakřičel na Gerdu: "Jdu si hrát s ostatními chlapci na tržiště," a odešel. In the market-place the boldest boys used often to fasten their sledges to the carts of the farmers, and then they got a good ride. Na tržišti ti nejodvážnější chlapci často zapřahali své saně za vozy sedláků a pak se pěkně svezli.

When they were in the middle of their games there drove into the square a large sledge, all white, and in it sat a figure dressed in a rough white fur pelisse with a white fur cap on. Když byli uprostřed svých her, vjely na náměstí velké bílé saně a v nich seděla postava oblečená do hrubého bílého kožešinového pelerína s bílou kožešinovou čepicí na hlavě.

The sledge drove twice round the square, and Kay fastened his little sledge behind it and drove off. Sáně dvakrát objely náměstí, Kay za ně zapřáhl své malé saně a odjel. It went quicker and quicker into the next street. Do vedlejší ulice to šlo rychleji a rychleji. The driver turned round, and nodded to Kay ina friendly way as if they had known each other before. Řidič se otočil a přátelsky na Kaye kývl, jako by se znali z dřívějška. Every time that Kay tried to unfasten his sledge the driver nodded again, and Kay sat still once more. Pokaždé, když se Kay pokusil rozepnout saně, řidič znovu přikývl a Kay se znovu posadil. Then they drove out of the town, and the snow began to fall so thickly that the little boy could not see his hand before him, and on and on they went. Pak vyjeli z města a sníh začal padat tak hustě, že malý chlapec neviděl na ruku před sebou, a jeli dál a dál. He quickly unfastened the cord to get loose from the big sledge, but it was of no use; his little sledge hung on fast, and it went on like the wind. Rychle odepnul provaz, aby se od velkých saní uvolnil, ale nebylo to nic platné; jeho malé saně se pevně držely a jely dál jako vítr.

Then he cried out, but nobody heard him. Pak vykřikl, ale nikdo ho neslyšel. He was dreadfully frightened. Byl strašně vyděšený.

The snowflakes grew larger and larger till they looked like great white birds. Sněhové vločky se zvětšovaly, až vypadaly jako velcí bílí ptáci. All at once they flew aside, the large sledge stood still, and the figure who was driving stood up. Najednou odletěly stranou, velké saně se zastavily a postava, která je řídila, vstala. The fur cloak and cap were all of snow. Kožešinový plášť a čepice byly celé ze sněhu. It was a lady, tall and slim, and glittering. Byla to dáma, vysoká, štíhlá a třpytivá. It was the Snow-queen. Byla to Sněhová královna.

'We have come at a good rate,' she said; 'but you are almost frozen. "Přijeli jsme dobrým tempem," řekla, "ale vy jste skoro zmrzlí. Creep in under my cloak.' Vplíží se pod můj plášť. And she set him close to her in the sledge and drew the cloak over him. Posadila ho k sobě na sáně a přetáhla přes něj plášť. He felt as though he were sinking into a snow-drift. Měl pocit, že se propadá do sněhové závěje.

'Are you cold now?' "Je ti zima? she asked, and kissed his forehead. zeptala se a políbila ho na čelo. The kiss was cold as ice and reached down to his heart, which was already half a lump of ice. Polibek byl chladný jako led a zasáhl až k jeho srdci, které už bylo zpola ledové.

'My sledge! "Moje saně! Don't forget my sledge!' Nezapomeň na moje sáňky! He thought of that first, and it was fastened to one of the great white birds who flew behind with the sledge on its back. To ho napadlo jako první a připevnil ho k jednomu z velkých bílých ptáků, kteří letěli za ním se saněmi na zádech.

The Snow-queen kissed Kay again, and then he forgot all about little Gerda, his grandmother, and everybody at home. Sněhová královna Káju znovu políbila a on pak zapomněl na malou Gerdu, na babičku i na všechny doma.

'Now I must not kiss you any more,' she said, 'or else I should kiss you to death.' "Teď už tě nesmím líbat," řekla, "jinak bych tě políbila k smrti. Then away they flew over forests and lakes, over sea and land. Pak odletěli nad lesy a jezery, nad mořem a pevninou. Round them whistled the cold wind, the wolves howled, and the snow hissed; over them flew the black shrieking crows. Kolem nich hvízdal studený vítr, vlci vyli a sníh syčel, nad nimi létaly černé vřískající vrány. But high up the moon shone large and bright, and thus Kay passed the long winter night. Ale vysoko nahoře svítil velký a jasný měsíc, a tak Kay přečkal dlouhou zimní noc. In the day he slept at the Snow-queen's feet. Ve dne spal u nohou Sněhové královny. But what happened to little Gerda when Kay did not come back? Ale co se stalo s malou Gerdou, když se Kay nevrátil?

What had become of him? Co se s ním stalo? Nobody knew. Nikdo to nevěděl. The other boys told how they had seen him fasten his sledge on to a large one which had driven out of the town gate. Ostatní chlapci vyprávěli, jak viděli, jak zapřáhl své saně za velké, které vyjely z městské brány.

Gerda cried a great deal. Gerda hodně plakala. The winter was long and dark to her. Zima pro ni byla dlouhá a temná.

Then the spring came with warm sunshine. Pak přišlo jaro a teplé sluneční paprsky. 'I will go and look for Kay,' said Gerda. "Půjdu se podívat po Kayovi," řekla Gerda. So she went down to the river and got into a little boat that was there. Šla tedy k řece a nasedla do malé loďky, která tam byla. Presently the stream began to carry it away. Vzápětí ji proud začal unášet pryč.

'Perhaps the river will take me to Kay,' thought Gerda. "Možná mě řeka zavede ke Kayovi," pomyslela si Gerda. She glided down, past trees and fields, till she came to a large cherry garden, in which stood a little house with strange red and blue windows and a straw roof. Klouzala dolů kolem stromů a polí, až došla k velké třešňové zahradě, v níž stál malý domek s podivnými červenými a modrými okny a slaměnou střechou. Before the door stood two wooden soldiers, who were shouldering arms. Přede dveřmi stáli dva dřevění vojáci se zbraněmi na ramenou.

Gerda called to them, but they naturally did not answer. Gerda na ně zavolala, ale oni samozřejmě neodpověděli. The river carried the boat on to the land. Řeka odnesla loď na pevninu.

Gerda called out still louder, and there came out of the house a very old woman. Gerda zavolala ještě hlasitěji a z domu vyšla velmi stará žena. She leant upon a crutch, and she wore a large sun-hat which was painted with the most beautiful flowers. Opírala se o berlu a na hlavě měla velký klobouk, který byl pomalovaný nejkrásnějšími květy.

'You poor little girl!' "Chudinko malá! said the old woman. řekla stařena.

And then she stepped into the water, brought the boat in close with her crutch, and lifted little Gerda out. Pak vstoupila do vody, přiblížila se berlou k člunu a vytáhla malou Gerdu ven.

'And now come and tell me who you are, and how you came here,' she said. "A teď mi pojď říct, kdo jsi a jak ses sem dostal," řekla. Then Gerda told her everything, and asked her if she had seen Kay. Pak jí Gerda všechno řekla a zeptala se jí, jestli neviděla Kaye. But she said he had not passed that way yet, but he would soon come. Ale ona řekla, že tudy ještě nešel, ale že brzy přijde.

She told Gerda not to be sad, and that she should stay with her and take of the cherry trees and flowers, which were better than any picture-bok, as they could each tell a story. Řekla Gerdě, aby nebyla smutná a aby zůstala s ní a fotila třešně a květiny, které byly lepší než jakýkoli obrazový blok, protože každá z nich mohla vyprávět příběh.

She then took Gerda's hand and led her into the little house and shut the door. Pak vzala Gerdu za ruku, odvedla ji do domku a zavřela dveře. The windows were very high, and the panes were red, blue, and yellow, so that the light came through in curious colours. Okna byla velmi vysoká a skla byla červená, modrá a žlutá, takže světlo pronikalo dovnitř ve zvláštních barvách. On the table were the most delicious cherries, and the old woman let Gerda eat as many as she liked, while she combed her hair with a gold comb as she ate. Na stole byly ty nejchutnější třešně a stařena nechala Gerdu sníst jich tolik, kolik chtěla, a při jídle si česala vlasy zlatým hřebenem.

The beautiful sunny hair rippled and shone round the dear little face, which was so soft and sweet. Krásné slunečné vlasy se vlnily a zářily kolem milé tvářičky, která byla tak jemná a milá. 'I have always longed to have a dear little girl just like you, and you shall see how happy we will be together.' "Vždycky jsem toužila mít takovou milou holčičku, jako jsi ty, a uvidíš, jak budeme spolu šťastné. And as she combed Gerda's hair, Gerda thought less and less about Kay, for the old woman was a witch, but not a wicked witch, for she only enchanted now and then to amuse herself, and she did want to keep little Gerda very much. A zatímco česala Gerdě vlasy, myslela Gerda stále méně na Kay, protože ta stará žena byla sice čarodějka, ale ne zlá, protože čarovala jen tu a tam, aby se pobavila, a malou Gerdu si chtěla moc udržet. So she went into the garden and waved her stick over all the rose bushes and blossoms and all; they sank down into the black earth, and no one could see where they had been. Šla tedy do zahrady a mávala holí nad všemi růžovými keři, květy a vším ostatním; ty se propadly do černé země a nikdo nemohl vidět, kde byly.

The old woman was afraid that if Gerda saw the roses she would begin to think about her own, and then would remember Kay and run away. Stará žena se bála, že když Gerda uvidí růže, začne myslet na ty své a pak si vzpomene na Kaye a uteče.

Then she led Gerda out into the garden. Pak Gerdu vyvedla do zahrady. How glorious it was, and what lovely scents filled the air! Bylo to nádherné a vzduch byl plný krásných vůní! All the flowers you can think of blossomed there all the year round. Po celý rok tam kvetly všechny květiny, na které si vzpomenete.

Gerda jumped for joy and played there till the sun set behind the tall cherry trees, and then she slept in a beautiful bed with red silk pillows filled with violets, and she slept soundly and dreamed as a queen does on her wedding day. Gerda tam skákala radostí a hrála si, dokud slunce nezapadlo za vysoké třešně, a pak usnula v krásné posteli s červenými hedvábnými polštáři plnými fialek, spala tvrdě a snila jako královna ve svatební den.

The next day she played again with the flowers in the warm sunshine, and so many days passed by. Druhý den si opět hrála s květinami na hřejivém slunci, a tak uplynulo mnoho dní. Gerda knew every flower, but although there were so many, it seemed to her as if one were not there, though she could not remember which. Gerda znala každou květinu, ale i když jich bylo tolik, zdálo se jí, jako by tam jedna nebyla, i když si nemohla vzpomenout, která.

She was looking one day at the old woman's sun-hat which had hte painted flowers on it, and there she saw a rose. Jednoho dne se dívala na klobouk staré ženy, na kterém měla namalované květiny, a uviděla tam růži. The witch had forgotten to make that vanish when she had made the other roses disappear under the earth. Čarodějnice zapomněla, že má zmizet, když nechala ostatní růže zmizet pod zemí. it was so difficult to think of everything. bylo tak těžké na všechno myslet.

'Why, there are no roses here!' "Vždyť tu nejsou žádné růže! cried Gerda,, and she hunted amongst all the flowers, but not one was to be found. zvolala Gerda a hledala mezi všemi květinami, ale nenašla ani jednu. Then she sat down and cried, but her tears fell just on the spot where a rose bush had sunk, and when her warm tears watered the earth, the bush came up in full bloom just as it had been before. Pak se posadila a rozplakala se, ale její slzy dopadly právě na místo, kde byl růžový keř, a když její teplé slzy zavlažily zem, keř rozkvetl stejně jako předtím. Gerda kissed the roses and thought of the lovely roses at home, and with them came the thought of little Kay. Gerda políbila růže a vzpomněla si na krásné růže doma a s nimi přišla myšlenka na malou Kay.

'Oh, what have I been doing!' "Co jsem to dělal! said the little girl. řekla holčička. 'I wanted to look for Kay.' "Chtěl jsem Kay vyhledat. She ran to the end of the garden. Doběhla na konec zahrady. The gate was shut, but she pushed against the rusty lock so that it came open. Brána byla zavřená, ale ona zatlačila na rezavý zámek, takže se otevřel.

She ran out with her little bare feet. Vyběhla ven s malými bosými nožkami. No one came after her. Nikdo za ní nepřišel. At last she could not run any longer, and she sat down on a large stone. Nakonec už nemohla utíkat a posadila se na velký kámen. When she looked round she saw that the summer was over; it was late autumn. Když se rozhlédla, zjistila, že léto už skončilo; byl pozdní podzim. It had not changed in the beautiful garden, where were sunshine and flowers all the year round. V krásné zahradě, kde po celý rok svítilo slunce a kvetly květiny, se nic nezměnilo.

'Oh, dear, how late I have made myself!' "Ach, bože, jak jsem se opozdil! said Gerda.

'It's autumn already! I cannot rest!' Nemohu si odpočinout! And she sprang up to run on. Vyskočila a rozběhla se dál.

Oh, how tired and sore her little feet grew, and it became colder and colder. Ach, jak unavené a bolavé byly její malé nožky, a bylo čím dál chladněji.

She had to rest again, and there on the snow in front of her was a large crow. Musela si znovu odpočinout a na sněhu před ní ležela velká vrána.

It had been looking at her for some time, and it nodded its head and said, 'Caw! Chvíli se na ni dívalo, pak kývlo hlavou a řeklo: "Krá! caw! Krákni! good day.' Then it asked the little girl why she was alone in the world. Pak se zeptalo holčičky, proč je na světě sama. She told the crow her story, and asked if he had seen Kay. Vyprávěla vráně svůj příběh a zeptala se, jestli neviděl Kaye.

The crow nodded very thoughtfully and said, 'It might be! Vrána velmi zamyšleně přikývla a řekla: "Možná! It might be!' 'What! Do you think you have?' Myslíte si, že ano? cried the little girl, and she almost squeezed the crow to death as she kissed him. vykřikla holčička a téměř k smrti zmáčkla vránu, když ji políbila.

'Gently, gently!' said the crow.

'I think—I know I think—it might be little Kay, but now he has forgotten you for the princess!' "Myslím - vím, že si myslím - že by to mohl být malý Kay, ale teď na tebe kvůli princezně zapomněl! 'Does he live with a princess?' "Žije s princeznou? asked Gerda.

'Yes, listen,' said the crow. "Ano, poslouchej," řekla vrána. Then he told her all he knew. Pak jí řekl vše, co věděl.

'In the kingdom in which we are now sitting lives a princess who is dreadfully clever. "V království, kde právě sedíme, žije princezna, která je strašně chytrá. She has read all the newspapers in the world and has forgotten them again. Přečetla všechny noviny světa a zase je zapomněla. She is as clever as that. The other day she came to the throne, and that is not so pleasant as people think. Onehdy přišla na trůn, a to není tak příjemné, jak si lidé myslí. Then she began to say, "Why should I not marry?" Pak začala říkat: "Proč bych se neměla vdát?" But she wanted a husband who could answer when he was spoken to, not one who would stand up stiffly and look respectable—that would be too dull. Chtěla však manžela, který by uměl odpovědět, když ho někdo osloví, ne takového, který by stál strnule a tvářil se úctyhodně - to by bylo příliš nudné.

'When she told all the Court ladies, they were delighted. "Když to řekla všem dvorním dámám, byly nadšené. You can believe every word I say,' said the crow, 'I have a tame sweetheart in the palace, and she tells me everything.' Můžeš mi věřit každé slovo," řekla vrána, "mám v paláci ochočenou milou a ta mi všechno řekne. Of course his sweetheart was a crow. Jeho miláček byl samozřejmě vrána.

'The newspapers came out next morning with a border of hearts round it, and the princess's monogram on it, and inside you could read that every good-looking young man might come into the palace and speak to the princess, and whoever should speak loud enough to be heard would be well fed and looked after, and the one who spoke best should become the princess's husband. "Příštího rána vyšly noviny se srdíčkovou obrubou a princezniným monogramem a uvnitř se dalo dočíst, že každý hezký mladý muž může přijít do paláce a promluvit s princeznou, a kdo promluví tak hlasitě, aby ho bylo slyšet, dostane najíst a bude o něj postaráno, a ten, kdo promluví nejlépe, se stane princezniným manželem. Indeed,' said the crow, 'you can quite believe me. Vskutku," řekla vrána, "můžeš mi věřit. It is as true as that I am sitting here. Je to pravda, stejně jako to, že tu sedím.

'Young men came in streams, and there was such a crowding and a mixing together! But nothing came of it on the first nor on the second day. They could all speak quite well when they were in the street, but as soon as they came inside the palace door, and saw the guards in silver, and upstairs the footmen in gold, and the great hall all lighted up, then their wits left them! Když byli na ulici, mohli všichni docela dobře mluvit, ale jakmile vstoupili do dveří paláce a uviděli stráže ve stříbře, nahoře lokaje ve zlatě a rozsvícený velký sál, opustil je rozum! And when they stood in front of the throne where the princess was sitting, then they could not think of anything to say except to repeat the last word she had spoken, and she did not much care to hear that again. A když stanuli před trůnem, kde seděla princezna, nenapadlo je nic jiného, než zopakovat poslední slovo, které řekla, a o to už moc nestála. It seemed as if they were walking in their sleep until they came out into the street again, when they could speak once more. Zdálo se, že jdou jako ve spánku, dokud znovu nevyšli na ulici a nemohli znovu promluvit. There was a row stretching from the gate of the town up to the castle. Od městské brány se táhla řada až k hradu.

'They were hungry and thirsty, but in the palace they did not even get a glass of water. "Měli hlad a žízeň, ale v paláci nedostali ani sklenici vody. 'A few of the cleverest had brought some slices of bread and butter with them, but they did not share them with their neighbour, for they thought, "If he looks hungry, the princess will not take him!"' "Několik nejchytřejších si s sebou přineslo několik krajíců chleba a másla, ale nerozdělili se o ně se svým sousedem, protože si mysleli: "Když vypadá hladově, princezna si ho nevezme!" 'But what about Kay?' asked Gerda.

'When did he come? "Kdy přišel? Was he in the crowd?' Byl v davu? 'Wait a bit; we are coming to him! "Počkejte chvíli, jdeme k němu! On the third day a little figure came without horse or carriage and walked jauntily up to the palace. Třetího dne přijela malá postava bez koně a kočáru a svižně kráčela k paláci. His eyes shone as yours do; he had lovely curling hair, but quite poor clothes.' Jeho oči zářily jako ty vaše, měl krásné vlnité vlasy, ale docela chudé oblečení. 'That was Kay!' "To byl Kay! cried Gerda with delight. zvolala Gerda nadšením. 'Oh, then I have found him!' "Tak to jsem ho našel! and she clapped her hands. a zatleskala.

'He had a little bundle on his back,' said the crow. "Měl na zádech malý uzlíček," řekla vrána. 'No, it must have been his skates, for he went away with his skates!' "Ne, to musely být jeho brusle, protože odešel i s bruslemi! 'Very likely,' said the crow, 'I did not see for certain. "Velmi pravděpodobně," řekla vrána, "neviděla jsem to jistě. But I know this from my sweetheart, that when he came to the palace door and saw the royal guards in silver, and on the stairs the footmen in gold, he was not the least bit put out. Ale od své milé vím, že když přišel ke dveřím paláce a uviděl královskou stráž ve stříbře a na schodech lokaje ve zlatě, ani trochu ho to nevyvedlo z míry. He nodded to them, saying, "It must be rather dull standing on the stairs; I would rather go inside!" Kývl na ně a řekl: "Stát na schodech musí být docela nuda, raději bych šel dovnitř!" 'The halls blazed with lights; councillors and ambassadors were walking about in noiseless shoes carrying gold dishes. "Sály zářily světly, radní a velvyslanci chodili v nehlučných botách a nesli zlaté nádobí. It was enough to make one nervous! Bylo to dost na to, aby to člověka znervóznilo! His boots creaked dreadfully loud, but he was not frightened.' Jeho boty strašně hlasitě vrzaly, ale on se nebál. 'That must be Kay!' "To musí být Kay! said Gerda.

'I know he had new boots on; I have heard them creaking in his grandmother's room!' "Vím, že měl nové boty, slyšela jsem je vrzat v babiččině pokoji! 'They did creak, certainly!' "Určitě vrzaly! said the crow. řekla vrána.

'And, not one bit afraid, up he went to the princess, who was sitting on a large pearl as round as a spinning wheel. "Aniž by se bál, vydal se k princezně, která seděla na velké perle kulaté jako kolovrátek. All the ladies-in-waiting were standing round, each with their attendants, and the lords-in-waiting with their attendants. Kolem stály všechny dvorní dámy, každá se svým doprovodem, a dvorní páni se svými doprovody. The nearer they stood to the door the prouder they were.' Čím blíže stáli ke dveřím, tím byli pyšnější. 'It must have been dreadful!' "Muselo to být strašné! said little Gerda. řekla malá Gerda. 'And Kay did win the princess?' "A Kay získal princeznu? 'I heard from my tame sweetheart that he was merry and quick-witted; he had not come to woo, he said, but to listen to the princess's wisdom. "Od své ochočené milé jsem slyšel, že je veselý a pohotový; nepřišel se prý dvořit, ale poslouchat princezninu moudrost. And the end of it was that they fell in love with each other.' A nakonec se do sebe zamilovali. 'Oh, yes; that was Kay!' "Ach ano, to byl Kay! said Gerda.

'He was so clever; he could do sums with fractions. "Byl tak chytrý, uměl počítat se zlomky. Oh, do lead me to the palace!' Ach, zaveď mě do paláce! 'That's easily said!' "To se snadno řekne! answered the crow, 'but how are we to manage that? odpověděla vrána, "ale jak to máme udělat? I must talk it over with my tame sweetheart. Musím si o tom promluvit se svou ochočenou milou. She may be able to advise us, for I must tell you that a little girl like you could never get permission to enter it.' Možná nám bude umět poradit, protože ti musím říct, že tak malá holka jako ty by nikdy nemohla dostat povolení ke vstupu. 'Yes, I will get it!' "Ano, dostanu ho! said Gerda.

'When Kay hears that I am there he will come out at once and fetch me!' "Až Kay uslyší, že jsem tam, hned si pro mě přijde! 'Wait for me by the railings,' said the crow, and he nodded his head and flew away. "Počkej na mě u zábradlí," řekla vrána, kývla hlavou a odletěla.