Снігова королева
Of the Flower-Garden At the Old Woman’s Who Unders
Soshestoodstill,lookedatthelongyellowflower,andasked, "Youperhapsknowsomething?" andshebentdowntotheNarcissus.Andwhatdiditsay?
"Icanseemyself—IcanseemyselfIOh,howodorousIam!Upinthelittlegarrettherestands,half-dressed,alittleDancer. Shestandsnowononeleg,nowonboth;shedespisesthewholeworld;yetshelivesonlyinimagination. Shepourswateroutoftheteapotoverapieceofstuffwhichsheholdsinherhand;itisthebodice;cleanlinessisafinething. Thewhitedressishangingonthehook;itwaswashedintheteapot,anddriedontheroof. Sheputsiton,tiesasaffron-coloredkerchiefroundherneck,andthenthegownlookswhiter.Icanseemyself—Icanseemyself!"
"That’snothingtome,"saidlittleGerda."Thatdoesnotconcernme."Andthenoffsherantothefurtherendofthegarden.
Thegatewaslocked,butsheshooktherustedbolttillitwasloosened,andthegateopened;andlittleGerdaranoffbarefootedintothewideworld. Shelookedroundherthrice,butnoonefollowedher. Atlastshecouldrunnolonger;shesatdownonalargestone,andwhenshelookedabouther,shesawthatthesummerhadpassed;itwaslateintheautumn, butthatonecouldnotremarkinthebeautifulgarden,wheretherewasalwayssunshine,andwheretherewereflowersthewholeyearround.
"Dearme,howlongIhavestaid!"saidGerda."Autumniscome.Imustnotrestanylonger."Andshegotuptogofurther.
