THE JUNIPER-TREE

　　Long,longago,sometwothousandyearsorso,therelivedarichmanwithagoodandbeautifulwife.Theylovedeachotherdearly,butsorrowedmuchthattheyhadnochildren.Sogreatlydidtheydesiretohaveone,thatthewifeprayedforitdayandnight,butstilltheyremainedchildless.

　　Infrontofthehousetherewasacourt,inwhichgrewajuniper-tree.Onewinter'sdaythewifestoodunderthetreetopeelsomeapples,andasshewaspeelingthem,shecutherfinger,andthebloodfellonthesnow.'Ah,'sighedthewomanheavily,'ifIhadbutachild,asredasbloodandaswhiteassnow,'andasshespokethewords,herheartgrewlightwithinher,anditseemedtoherthatherwishwasgranted,andshereturnedtothehousefeelinggladandcomforted.Amonthpassed,andthesnowhadalldisappeared;thenanothermonthwentby,andalltheearthwasgreen.Sothemonthsfollowedoneanother,andfirstthetreesbuddedinthewoods,andsoonthegreen

　　anchesgrewthicklyintertwined,andthentheblossomsbegantofall.Onceagainthewifestoodunderthejunipertree,anditwassofullofsweetscentthatherheartleapedforjoy,andshewassoovercomewithherhappiness,thatshefellonherknees.Presentlythefruitbecameroundandfirm,andshewasgladandatpeace;butwhentheywerefullyripeshepickedtheberriesandateeagerlyofthem,andthenshegrewsadandill.Alittlewhilelatershecalledherhusband,andsaidtohim,weeping.'IfIdie,burymeunderthejuniper-tree.'Thenshefeltcomfortedandhappyagain,andbeforeanothermonthhadpassedshehadalittlechild,andwhenshesawthatitwasaswhiteassnowandasredasblood,herjoywassogreatthatshedied.

　　Herhusbandburiedherunderthejuniper-tree,andweptbitterlyforher.Bydegrees,however,hissorrowgrewless,andalthoughattimeshestillgrievedoverhisloss,hewasabletogoaboutasusual,andlateronhemarriedagain.

　　Henowhadalittledaughterborntohim;thechildofhisfirstwifewasaboy,whowasasredasbloodandaswhiteassnow.Themotherlovedherdaughterverymuch,andwhenshelookedatherandthenlookedattheboy,itpiercedherhearttothinkthathewouldalwaysstandinthewayofherownchild,andshewascontinuallythinkinghowshecouldgetthewholeofthepropertyforher.Thisevilthoughttookpossessionofhermoreandmore,andmadeherbehaveveryunkindlytotheboy.Shedrovehimfromplacetoplacewithcuffingsandbuffetings,sothatthepoorchildwentaboutinfear,andhadnopeacefromthetimeheleftschooltothetimehewentback.

　　Onedaythelittledaughtercamerunningtohermotherinthestore-room,andsaid,'Mother,givemeanapple.''Yes,mychild,'saidthewife,andshegaveherabeautifulappleoutofthechest;thechesthadaveryheavylidandalargeironlock.

　　'Mother,'saidthelittledaughteragain,'maynot

　　otherhaveonetoo?'Themotherwasangryatthis,butsheanswered,'Yes,whenhecomesoutofschool.'

　　Justthenshelookedoutofthewindowandsawhimcoming,anditseemedasifanevilspiritenteredintoher,forshesnatchedtheappleoutofherlittledaughter'shand,andsaid,'Youshallnothaveonebeforeyour

　　other.'Shethrewtheappleintothechestandshutitto.Thelittleboynowcamein,andtheevilspiritinthewifemadehersaykindlytohim,'Myson,willyouhaveanapple?'butshegavehimawickedlook.'Mother,'saidtheboy,'howdreadfulyoulook!Yes,givemeanapple.'Thethoughtcametoherthatshewouldkillhim.'Comewithme,'shesaid,andsheliftedupthelidofthechest;'takeoneoutforyourself.'Andashebentovertodoso,theevilspiriturgedher,andcrash!downwentthelid,andoffwentthelittleboy'shead.Thenshewasoverwhelmedwithfearatthethoughtofwhatshehaddone.'IfonlyIcanpreventanyoneknowingthatIdidit,'shethought.Soshewentupstairstoherroom,andtookawhitehandkerchiefoutofhertopdrawer;thenshesettheboy'sheadagainonhisshoulders,andbounditwiththehandkerchiefsothatnothingcouldbeseen,andplacedhimonachairbythedoorwithanappleinhishand.

　　Soonafterthis,littleMarleencameuptohermotherwhowasstirringapotofboilingwateroverthefire,andsaid,'Mother,

　　otherissittingbythedoorwithanappleinhishand,andhelookssopale;andwhenIaskedhimtogivemetheapple,hedidnotanswer,andthatfrightenedme.'m.xiumb.com

　　'Gotohimagain,'saidhermother,'andifhedoesnotanswer,givehimaboxontheear.'SolittleMarleenwent,andsaid,'

　　other,givemethatapple,'buthedidnotsayaword;thenshegavehimaboxontheear,andhisheadrolledoff.Shewassoterrifiedatthis,thatsherancryingandscreamingtohermother.'Oh!'shesaid,'Ihaveknockedoff

　　other'shead,'andthensheweptandwept,andnothingwouldstopher.

　　'Whathaveyoudone!'saidhermother,'butnoonemustknowaboutit,soyoumustkeepsilence;whatisdonecan'tbeundone;wewillmakehimintopuddings.'Andshetookthelittleboyandcuthimup,madehimintopuddings,andputhiminthepot.ButMarleenstoodlookingon,andweptandwept,andhertearsfellintothepot,sothattherewasnoneedofsalt.

　　Presentlythefathercamehomeandsatdowntohisdinner;heasked,'Whereismyson?'Themothersaidnothing,butgavehimalargedishofblackpudding,andMarleenstillweptwithoutceasing.

　　Thefatheragainasked,'Whereismyson?'

　　'Oh,'answeredthewife,'heisgoneintothecountrytohismother'sgreatuncle;heisgoingtostaytheresometime.'

　　'Whathashegonetherefor,andheneverevensaidgoodbyetome!'

　　'Well,helikesbeingthere,andhetoldmeheshouldbeawayquitesixweeks;heiswelllookedafterthere.'

　　'Ifeelveryunhappyaboutit,'saidthehusband,'incaseitshouldnotbeallright,andheoughttohavesaidgoodbyetome.'

　　Withthishewentonwithhisdinner,andsaid,'LittleMarleen,whydoyouweep?

　　otherwillsoonbeback.'Thenheaskedhiswifeformorepudding,andasheate,hethrewthebonesunderthetable.

　　LittleMarleenwentupstairsandtookherbestsilkhandkerchiefoutofherbottomdrawer,andinitshewrappedallthebonesfromunderthetableandcarriedthemoutside,andallthetimeshedidnothingbutweep.Thenshelaidtheminthegreengrassunderthejuniper-tree,andshehadnosoonerdoneso,thenallhersadnessseemedtoleaveher,andsheweptnomore.Andnowthejuniper-treebegantomove,andthe

　　ancheswavedbackwardsandforwards,firstawayfromoneanother,andthentogetheragain,asitmightbesomeoneclappingtheirhandsforjoy.Afterthisamistcameroundthetree,andinthemidstofittherewasaburningasoffire,andoutofthefirethereflewabeautifulbird,thatrosehighintotheair,singingmagnificently,andwhenitcouldnomorebeseen,thejuniper-treestoodthereasbefore,andthesilkhandkerchiefandthebonesweregone.

　　LittleMarleennowfeltaslightheartedandhappyasifher

　　otherwerestillalive,andshewentbacktothehouseandsatdowncheerfullytothetableandate.

　　Thebirdflewawayandalightedonthehouseofagoldsmithandbegantosing:

　　'Mymotherkilledherlittleson;

　　MyfathergrievedwhenIwasgone;

　　Mysisterlovedmebestofall;

　　Shelaidherkerchiefoverme,

　　Andtookmybonesthattheymightlie

　　Underneaththejuniper-tree

　　Kywitt,Kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI!'

　　Thegoldsmithwasinhisworkshopmakingagoldchain,whenheheardthesongofthebirdonhisroof.Hethoughtitsobeautifulthathegotupandranout,andashecrossedthethresholdhelostoneofhisslippers.Butheranonintothemiddleofthestreet,withaslipperononefootandasockontheother;hestillhadonhisapron,andstillheldthegoldchainandthepincersinhishands,andsohestoodgazingupatthebird,whilethesuncameshining

　　ightlydownonthestreet.

　　'Bird,'hesaid,'howbeautifullyyousing!Singmethatsongagain.'

　　'Nay,'saidthebird,'Idonotsingtwicefornothing.Givethatgoldchain,andIwillsingityouagain.'

　　'Hereisthechain,takeit,'saidthegoldsmith.'Onlysingmethatagain.'

　　Thebirdflewdownandtookthegoldchaininhisrightclaw,andthenhealightedagaininfrontofthegoldsmithandsang:

　　'Mymotherkilledherlittleson;

　　MyfathergrievedwhenIwasgone;

　　Mysisterlovedmebestofall;

　　Shelaidherkerchiefoverme,

　　Andtookmybonesthattheymightlie

　　Underneaththejuniper-tree

　　Kywitt,Kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI!'

　　Thenheflewaway,andsettledontheroofofashoemaker'shouseandsang:

　　'Mymotherkilledherlittleson;

　　MyfathergrievedwhenIwasgone;

　　Mysisterlovedmebestofall;

　　Shelaidherkerchiefoverme,

　　Andtookmybonesthattheymightlie

　　Underneaththejuniper-tree

　　Kywitt,Kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI!'

　　Theshoemakerheardhim,andhejumpedupandranoutinhisshirt-sleeves,andstoodlookingupatthebirdontheroofwithhishandoverhiseyestokeephimselffrombeingblindedbythesun.

　　'Bird,'hesaid,'howbeautifullyyousing!'Thenhecalledthroughthedoortohiswife:'Wife,comeout;hereisabird,comeandlookatitandhearhowbeautifullyitsings.'Thenhecalledhisdaughterandthechildren,thentheapprentices,girlsandboys,andtheyallranupthestreettolookatthebird,andsawhowsplendiditwaswithitsredandgreenfeathers,anditsnecklikeburnishedgold,andeyesliketwo

　　ightstarsinitshead.

　　'Bird,'saidtheshoemaker,'singmethatsongagain.'

　　'Nay,'answeredthebird,'Idonotsingtwicefornothing;youmustgivemesomething.'

　　'Wife,'saidtheman,'gointothegarret;ontheuppershelfyouwillseeapairofredshoes;

　　ingthemtome.'Thewifewentinandfetchedtheshoes.

　　'There,bird,'saidtheshoemaker,'nowsingmethatsongagain.'

　　Thebirdflewdownandtooktheredshoesinhisleftclaw,andthenhewentbacktotheroofandsang:

　　'Mymotherkilledherlittleson;

　　MyfathergrievedwhenIwasgone;

　　Mysisterlovedmebestofall;

　　Shelaidherkerchiefoverme,

　　Andtookmybonesthattheymightlie

　　Underneaththejuniper-tree

　　Kywitt,Kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI!'

　　Whenhehadfinished,heflewaway.Hehadthechaininhisrightclawandtheshoesinhisleft,andheflewrightawaytoamill,andthemillwent'Clickclack,clickclack,clickclack.'Insidethemillweretwentyofthemiller'smenhewingastone,andastheywent'Hickhack,hickhack,hickhack,'themillwent'Clickclack,clickclack,clickclack.'

　　Thebirdsettledonalime-treeinfrontofthemillandsang:

　　'Mymotherkilledherlittleson;

　　thenoneofthemenleftoff,

　　MyfathergrievedwhenIwasgone;

　　twomoremenleftoffandlistened,

　　Mysisterlovedmebestofall;

　　thenfourmoreleftoff,

　　Shelaidherkerchiefoverme,

　　Andtookmybonesthattheymightlie

　　Nowtherewereonlyeightatwork,

　　Underneath,

　　andnowonlyfive

　　thejuniper-tree.

　　andnowonlyone,

　　Kywitt,Kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI!'

　　thenhelookedupandthelastonehadleftoffwork.

　　'Bird,'hesaid,'whatabeautifulsongthatisyousing!Letmehearittoo;singitagain.'

　　'Nay,'answeredthebird,'Idonotsingtwicefornothing;givemethatmillstone,andIwillsingitagain.'

　　'Ifitbelongedtomealone,'saidtheman,'youshouldhaveit.'

　　'Yes,yes,'saidtheothers:'ifhewillsingagain,hecanhaveit.'

　　Thebirdcamedown,andallthetwentymillerssettoandliftedupthestonewithabeam;thenthebirdputhisheadthroughtheholeandtookthestoneroundhisnecklikeacollar,andflewbackwithittothetreeandsang—

　　'Mymotherkilledherlittleson;

　　MyfathergrievedwhenIwasgone;

　　Mysisterlovedmebestofall;

　　Shelaidherkerchiefoverme,

　　Andtookmybonesthattheymightlie

　　Underneaththejuniper-tree

　　Kywitt,Kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI!'

　　Andwhenhehadfinishedhissong,hespreadhiswings,andwiththechaininhisrightclaw,theshoesinhisleft,andthemillstoneroundhisneck,heflewrightawaytohisfather'shouse.

　　Thefather,themother,andlittleMarleenwerehavingtheirdinner.

　　'HowlightheartedIfeel,'saidthefather,'sopleasedandcheerful.'

　　'AndI,'saidthemother,'Ifeelsouneasy,asifaheavythunderstormwerecoming.'

　　ButlittleMarleensatandweptandwept.

　　Thenthebirdcameflyingtowardsthehouseandsettledontheroof.

　　'Idofeelsohappy,'saidthefather,'andhowbeautifullythesunshines;IfeeljustasifIweregoingtoseeanoldfriendagain.'

　　'Ah!'saidthewife,'andIamsofullofdistressanduneasinessthatmyteethchatter,andIfeelasiftherewereafireinmyveins,'andshetoreopenherdress;andallthewhilelittleMarleensatinthecornerandwept,andtheplateonherkneeswaswetwithhertears.

　　Thebirdnowflewtothejuniper-treeandbegansinging:

　　'Mymotherkilledherlittleson;

　　themothershuthereyesandherears,thatshemightseeandhearnothing,buttherewasaroaringsoundinherearslikethatofaviolentstorm,andinhereyesaburningandflashinglikelightning

　　MyfathergrievedwhenIwasgone;

　　'Look,mother,'saidtheman,'atthebeautifulbirdthatissingingsomagnificently;andhowwarmand

　　ightthesunis,andwhatadeliciousscentofspiceintheair!'

　　Mysisterlovedmebestofall;

　　thenlittleMarleenlaidherheaddownonherkneesandsobbed.

　　'Imustgooutsideandseethebirdnearer,'saidtheman.

　　'Ah,donotgo!'criedthewife.'Ifeelasifthewholehousewereinflames!

　　Butthemanwentoutandlookedatthebird.

　　Shelaidherkerchiefoverme,

　　Andtookmybonesthattheymightlie

　　Underneaththejuniper-tree

　　Kywitt,Kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI!'

　　Withthatthebirdletfallthegoldchain,anditfelljustroundtheman'sneck,sothatitfittedhimexactly

　　Hewentinside,andsaid,'See,whatasplendidbirdthatis;hehasgivenmethisbeautifulgoldchain,andlookssobeautifulhimself.'

　　Butthewifewasinsuchfearandtrouble,thatshefellonthefloor,andhercapfellfromherhead

　　Thenthebirdbeganagain:

　　'Mymotherkilledherlittleson;

　　'Ahme!'criedthewife,'ifIwerebutathousandfeetbeneaththeearth,thatImightnothearthatsong.'

　　MyfathergrievedwhenIwasgone;

　　thenthewomanfelldownagainasifdead.

　　Mysisterlovedmebestofall;

　　'Well,'saidlittleMarleen,'Iwillgoouttooandseeifthebirdwillgivemeanything.'

　　Soshewentout.

　　Shelaidherkerchiefoverme,

　　Andtookmybonesthattheymightlie

　　andhethrewdowntheshoestoher,

　　Underneaththejuniper-tree

　　Kywitt,Kywitt,whatabeautifulbirdamI!'

　　Andshenowfeltquitehappyandlighthearted;sheputontheshoesanddancedandjumpedaboutinthem.'Iwassomiserable,'shesaid,'whenIcameout,butthathasallpassedaway;thatisindeedasplendidbird,andhehasgivenmeapairofredshoes.'

　　Thewifesprangup,withherhairstandingoutfromherheadlikeflamesoffire.'ThenIwillgoouttoo,'shesaid,'andseeifitwilllightenmymisery,forIfeelasiftheworldwerecomingtoanend.'

　　Butasshecrossedthethreshold,crash!thebirdthrewthemillstonedownonherhead,andshewascrushedtodeath.

　　ThefatherandlittleMarleenheardthesoundandranout,buttheyonlysawmistandflameandfirerisingfromthespot,andwhenthesehadpassed,therestoodthelittle

　　other,andhetookthefatherandlittleMarleenbythehand;thentheyallthreerejoiced,andwentinsidetogetherandsatdowntotheirdinnersandate. 蓝星，夏国。

　　肿瘤科病房，弥漫着医院独有的消毒水味道。病房是单人间，设施俱全，温馨舒适。

　

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　可对于孑然一身的路遥来讲，却是无人问津的等死之地。

　　他是癌症晚期，靠着意志力撑到现在，但也只是多受几天罪罢了。

　　此刻，路遥躺在病床上，怔怔望着床头柜上的水杯，想喝口水。

　　可他拼尽全力却无法让身体离开病床。剧痛和衰弱，让这原本无比简单的事情成了奢望。

　　这时，一道幸灾乐祸的声音响起：“表哥~你真是狼狈呢。连喝口水都得指望别人施舍。”

　　一位英俊的年轻男子悠闲坐在病床前，翘着二郎腿，眼睛笑成一道缝。

　　“你求求我，我给你喝口水如何？”

　　路遥面无表情，一言不发。自从失去了自理能力，一帮亲戚的嘴脸已经见多了，不差这一个。

　　男子起身，将水杯拿在手里递过来，“表哥别生气，我开玩笑的，你对我这么好，喂你口水还是能办到的。”

　　说完话，他将水杯里的水，缓缓倒在路遥苍白消瘦的脸上。

　　被呛到，路遥无力的咳嗽几声，好在少量的水流过嗓子，让他有了几丝说话的力气：

　

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　“张鑫，为什么？我从未得罪过你。你去星盟国留学，还是我资助的！”

　　张鑫将水杯放下，不紧不慢的说：“谁让你这么古板呢，只是运点感冒药罢了，又不犯法，你非得千方百计的拦着。”

　　路遥脸上闪过一丝了然之色，道：“张鑫你这垃圾，狗改不了吃屎。将感冒药运到国外提炼毒品……咳咳……”

　　张鑫理了下领带，笑道：“你别血口喷人啊，我可是国际知名企业家。这次回国，‘省招商引资局’还打电话欢迎我呢~”

　　路遥叹了口气，现在的自己什么都做不了，索性闭上眼睛不再说话，安静等待死亡的到来。

　　但张鑫却不想让眼前饱受病痛折磨、即将离世的表兄走好。他附身靠近，悄悄说道：琇書蛧

　　“表哥啊~其实呢，我这次回国主要就是见你一面，告诉你一声——你的癌，是我弄出来的~”

　　路遥陡然挣开眼，“你说什么！”

　　张鑫笑眯眯的掏出个铅盒打开，里面是件古怪的三角形饰物，仅有巴掌大小，中间是只眼睛似的图案，一看就很有年代感。

　　“眼熟吧？这是我亲手送你的，货真价实的古董。我在里面掺了点放射性物质，长期接触就会变成你现在这副鬼样子。”

　　路遥马上认出来，这是自己很喜欢的一件古物，天天摆在书桌上，时不时的把玩，没想到却是要人命的东西！

　　他伸出枯枝似的手臂，死死的抓住眼前人的胳膊！“你……”

　　“别激动~表哥，我西装很贵的。”张鑫轻松拿掉路遥的手，小心的捏起铅盒，将放射性饰物塞进他怀里。

　　“我赶飞机，得先走一步。你好好留着这个当做纪念吧，有机会再去你的坟头蹦迪~”

　　说完话，张鑫从容起身离开。临走前，还回头俏皮的眨眨眼。他原本就男生女相，此时的神态动作居然有些娇媚。

　　保镖很有眼力劲，赶紧打开病房门。同时用无线耳麦联络同事，提前发动汽车。

　　~~~~~~~~

　　路遥只能无力的瘫在床上，浑身皆是钻心剜骨般的剧痛，还有无穷悔恨、不甘。

　

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　但很快，剧痛渐渐消失，只剩麻木，路遥隐约听到过世的双亲在喊他。

　　就在路遥的身体越来越飘，即将失去意识时，胸口突然阵阵发烫，将他惊醒。

　　从怀中摸出那三角形饰物，发现这玩意变得滚烫无比，还在缓缓发光！

秀书网为你提供最快的格林童话集更新，THE JUNIPER-TREE免费阅读。https://www.xiumb9.com