Карлик-ніс

           Hewasnolongertreatedwithscornandlaughter,foreveryoneknewhimtobetheDuke’sfavouritecook,andeverygoodwifewithgeesetosellthoughtherselfluckyifhislongnoseturnedinherdirection.

           Hewentupanddownthemarket-place,andatlengthpurchasedthreelivegeesewhichwerejustthesizeherequired.Heliftedthebasketinwhichtheywereplaceduponhisbroadshouldersandturnedtowardshome.Itstruckhimassomewhatstrangethatonlytwoofthegeesecackledandgabbledasgeesearewonttodo;thethirdwassilent,exceptwhensheheavedasighthatsoundedalmosthuman.

           "Thecreaturemustbeill,"hesaidaloud."Ihadbettercookherquicklybeforeshegetsworse."Thentohisastonishmentthegooseansweredquiteplainly—"Long-Nose,lookthee,Ifthoucookme.Nogood’twilldo,Thedeedthou’ltrue."

           Frightenedoutofhiswits,Long-Nosesetdownthecage,andthegooselookedathimwithherbeautifulwiseeyesandsighed."There,there,"saidthedwarf,"havenofear,Iwouldnotharmsuchawonderfulbirdasyourself,foritisnotonceinalifetimethatonemeetsagoosethatcantalk.Iwageryouhavenotalwayswornfeathers;Imyselfhavebeenbewitched,andturnedintoasquirrel,andIexpectitisthesamewithyou."

           "Youareright,"saidthegoose."Alas!Ididnotalwaysbearthishumbleform,andatmybirthwhowouldhavedaredprophecythatMimi,thedaughterofthegreatmagicianWetterbock,wouldendherdaysinaDuke’skitchen."