英语故事:The Ruby Prince

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Once upon a time a poor Brahman was walking along a dusty road, when he saw something sparkling on the ground. On picking it up, it turned out to be a small red stone, so, thinking it somewhat curious, the Brahman put it into his pocket and went on his way. By and by he came to a corn-merchant's shop, at the side of the road, and being hungry he bethought himself of the red stone, and taking it out, offered it to the corn-dealer in exchange for a bite and sup, as he had no money in his pocket.

Now, for a wonder, the shopkeeper was an honest man, so, after looking at the stone, he bade the Brahman take it to the king, for, said he, "all the goods in my shop are not its equal in value!"

Then the Brahman carried the stone to the king's palace, and asked to be shown into his presence. But the prime minister refused at first to admit him; nevertheless, when the Brahman persisted that he had something beyond price to show, he was allowed to see the king.

Now the snake-stone was just like a rubyto be careful, wrapped it in cotton-wool, and put it away in an empty chest, locking the chest with double locks.

So there the ruby snake-stone lay for twelve long years. At the end of that time the king sent for his queen, and said," Bring me the ruby; I wish to satisfy myself that it is safe,"

The queen took her keys, and going to her room, opened the chest, and, lo! the ruby was gone, and in its place was a handsome stripling! She shut down the box again in a great hurry, and thought and thought what she had better do to break the news to the king.

Now as she thought, the king became impatient, and sent a servant to ask what the delay was. Then the queen bade the servant carry the box to the audience chamberwith her keys, she unlocked the chest before the king.

Out stepped the handsome stripling, to everybody's astonishmentof the town, and saw an old woman making bread, and as she mixed the flour she laughed, and as she kneaded it she cried.

"Why do you laugh and cry, mother?" asked Prince Ruby.

"Because my son must die to-day." returned the woman." There is an ogre in this town, which every day eats a young man. It is my son's turn to provide the dinner, and that is why I weep."

Then Prince Ruby laughed at her fears, and said he would kill the ogre and set the town free; only the old woman must let him sleep a while in her house, and promise to wake him when the time came to go forthand meet the ogre.

"What good will that do to me?" asked the old woman; "you will only be killed, and then my son will have to go to-morrow. Sleep on, stranger, if you will, but I will not wake you!"

Then Prince Ruby laughed again. "It is of no use, mother!" he said, "fight the ogre I will; and as you will not wake me I must even go to the place of meeting and sleep there."

So he rode off on his steed beyond the gates of the city, and, tying his horse to a tree he lay down to sleep peacefully. By and by the ogre came for its dinner, but hearing no noise, and seeing no one, it thought the townspeople had failed in their bargain, and prepared to revenge itself. But Ruby Prince jumped up, refreshed by slumberprince who sleeps so soundly."

And when he saw the handsome young stripling, he recognised him as the lad whom he had driven from the palace. Then he turned to his prime minister, and said, "What reward should this youth have?"

And the prime minister answered at once, "Your daughter in marriage, and half your kingdom, is not too high a reward for the service he has rendered!"

So Ruby Prince was married in great state to the king's fair daughter, and half the kingdom was given him to rule.

But the young bride, much as she loved her gallanthusband, was vexedbecause she knew not who he was, and because the other women in the palace twitted her with having married a stranger, a man come from No-man's-land, whom none called brother.

So, day after day, she would ask her husband to tell her who he was and whence he came, and every day Ruby Prince would reply, "Dear heart, ask me anything but that; for that you must not know!"

Yet still the princess begged, and prayed, and wept, and coaxedby the river side, she whispered, "If you love me, tell me of what race you are!"

Now Ruby Prince's foot touched the water as he replied, "Dear heart, anything but that; for that you must not know!"

Still the princess, imagining she saw signs of yielding in his face, said again, "If you love me, tell me of what race you are!"

Then Ruby Prince stood knee-deep in the water, and his face was sad as he replied, "Dear heart, anything but that; for that you must not know!"

Once again the wilfulbride put her question, and Ruby Prince was waist-deep in the stream.

"Dear heart, anything but that!"

"Tell me! tell me!" cried the princess, and, lo! as she spokesticks, I lay down to rest under a tree, and fell asleep. When I awoke it was light, neither daylight nor moonlight; and while I wondered, a sweeper came out from a snake-hole at the foot of the tree, and swept the ground with his broom; then followed a water-carrier, who sprinkled the ground with water; and after that two carpet-bearers, who spread costlyrugs, and then disappeared. Even as I wondered what these preparations meant, a noise of music fell upon my ear, and from the snake-hole came forth a goodly procession of young men, glittering with jewels, and one in the midst, who seemed to be the king. Then, while the musicians played, one by one the young men rose and danced before the king. But one, who wore a red star on his forehead, danced but ill, and looked pale and wanfond of dancing, and yet it is only men who dance before him. Now, if a woman were to do so, who knows but he might be so pleased that he would grant her anything she asked? Let me try!"

"Nay," replied the princess, "I will learn of you and try myself."

So the princess learnt to dance, and in an incredibly short time she far surpassed her teacher. Never before or since was such a gracefulher, the princess held her tongue, and never again asked her husband of what race he came.

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