Снігова королева
A Little Boy and a Little Girl
HisnamewasKay,herswasGerda. Insummer,withonejump,theycouldgettoeachother; butinwintertheywereobligedfirsttogodownthelongstairs, andthenupthelongstairsagain: andout-of-doorstherewasquiteasnow-storm.
"Itisthewhitebeesthatareswarming," saidKay’soldgrandmother.
"Dothewhitebeeschooseaqueen?" askedthelittleboy; forheknewthatthehoney-beesalwayshaveone.
"Yes,"saidthegrandmother, "sheflieswheretheswarmhangsinthethickestclusters. Sheisthelargestofall;andshecanneverremainquietlyontheearth, butgoesupagainintotheblackclouds. Manyawinter’snightshefliesthroughthestreetsofthetown,andpeepsinatthewindows; andtheythenfreezeinsowondrousamannerthattheylooklikeflowers."
"Yes,Ihaveseenit," saidboththechildren; andsotheyknewthatitwastrue.
"CantheSnowQueencomein?" saidthelittlegirl.
"Onlylethercomein!"saidthelittleboy. "ThenI’dputheronthestove,andshe’dmelt."
Andthenhisgrandmotherpattedhishead andtoldhimotherstories.
Intheevening,whenlittleKaywasathome, andhalfundressed, heclimbeduponthechairbythewindow,andpeepedoutofthelittlehole. Afewsnow-flakeswerefalling, andone,thelargestofall,remainedlyingontheedgeofaflower-pot.
