Щасливий принц та інші казки
The Devoted Friend
"Whatasillyquestion!"criedtheWater-rat."Ishouldexpectmydevotedfriendtobedevotedtome,ofcourse."
"Andwhatwouldyoudoinreturn?"saidthelittlebird,swinginguponasilverspray,andflappinghistinywings.
"Idon’tunderstandyou,"answeredtheWater-rat.
"Letmetellyouastoryonthesubject,"saidtheLinnet.
"Isthestoryaboutme?"askedtheWater-rat."Ifso,Iwilllistentoit,forIamextremelyfondoffiction."
"Itisapplicabletoyou,"answeredtheLinnet;andheflewdown,andalightinguponthebank,hetoldthestoryofTheDevotedFriend.
"Onceuponatime,"saidtheLinnet,"therewasanhonestlittlefellownamedHans."
"Washeverydistinguished?"askedtheWater-rat.
"No,"answeredtheLinnet,"Idon’tthinkhewasdistinguishedatall,exceptforhiskindheart,andhisfunnyroundgood-humouredface.Helivedinatinycottageallbyhimself,andeverydayheworkedinhisgarden.Inallthecountry-sidetherewasnogardensolovelyashis.Sweet-williamgrewthere,andGilly-flowers,andShepherds’-purses,andFair-maidsofFrance.ThereweredamaskRoses,andyellowRoses,lilacCrocusesandgold,purpleVioletsandwhite.ColumbineandLadysmock,MarjoramandWildBasil,theCowslipandtheFlower-de-luce,theDaffodilandtheClove-Pinkbloomedorblossomedintheirproperorderasthemonthswentby,oneflowertakinganotherflower’splace,sothattherewerealwaysbeautifulthingstolookat,andpleasantodourstosmell.
