Щасливий принц та інші казки
The Selfish Giant
ThentheSpringcame,andalloverthecountrytherewerelittleblossomsandlittlebirds.OnlyinthegardenoftheSelfishGiantitwasstillwinter.Thebirdsdidnotcaretosinginitastherewerenochildren,andthetreesforgottoblossom.Onceabeautifulflowerputitsheadoutfromthegrass,butwhenitsawthenotice-boarditwassosorryforthechildrenthatitslippedbackintothegroundagain,andwentofftosleep.TheonlypeoplewhowerepleasedweretheSnowandtheFrost."Springhasforgottenthisgarden,"theycried,"sowewillliveherealltheyearround."TheSnowcoveredupthegrasswithhergreatwhitecloak,andtheFrostpaintedallthetreessilver.ThentheyinvitedtheNorthWindtostaywiththem,andhecame.Hewaswrappedinfurs,andheroaredalldayaboutthegarden,andblewthechimney-potsdown."Thisisadelightfulspot,"hesaid,"wemustasktheHailonavisit."SotheHailcame.Everydayforthreehoursherattledontheroofofthecastletillhebrokemostoftheslates,andthenheranroundandroundthegardenasfastashecouldgo.Hewasdressedingrey,andhisbreathwaslikeice.
"IcannotunderstandwhytheSpringissolateincoming,"saidtheSelfishGiant,ashesatatthewindowandlookedoutathiscoldwhitegarden;"Ihopetherewillbeachangeintheweather."
ButtheSpringnevercame,northeSummer.TheAutumngavegoldenfruittoeverygarden,buttotheGiant’sgardenshegavenone."Heistooselfish,"shesaid.
