黑布林英語漁夫和他靈魂

TheFishermanandHisSoul

AbouttheBook

TheFishermanandHisSoulis

ashort

story

fromOscarWilde's

collection

TheHappy

PrinceandOtherTales.Wildewritesthesestoriesforhischildrenin1888.

TheFishermanandHisSoulisthestoryofayoungfisherman.Onedayhecatches

a

mermaidinhisfishingnetandhefallsinlovewithher.Thefishermanlearnshe

cannotbewiththemermaidbecausehehasahumansoul.Thefishermanthentries

tosend

awayhishumansoul.

Thefisherman

learns

fromawitch

howto

sendhis

soul

away.Heisthenfreetobewithhismermaid.Hissoulisaloneintheworld.He

travels

theworld.Eachyear

hecomesback

to

the

fisherman

andtells

himabout

his

travels.

Oneofthethemesofthestoryistemptation.Inthestorythemermaidtemptsthe

fishermanwithstoriesofthesea.Thefishermantemptsthewitchtohelphimsend

awayhissoul.Andhissoultriestotemptthefishermantoleavethemermaid.

Butthemainthemeofthestoryislove.Loveismoreimportantthananything.The

soulcannottemptthefishermanbecausethefisherman

’sloveistoostrong.And

intheend,wediscoverthatyoucannotlivewithoutlove.

TheFishermanandHisSoulis

anexotic

story

with

Oriental

andEastern

influences.

Therearealsomermaids,witchesanddevils.Thelanguageispoeticandisfullof

allegory.

1THEMERMAID

EveryeveningtheyoungFishermangoesoutonthesea.Hethrowshisnetsinto

thewater.Whenthewindblowsfromtheland,hedoesn'tcatchmanyfish.Butwhen

thewindblowsfromthesea,hecatcheslotsoffishandhecansellthematthe

market.

OneeveningtheFisherman'snetisveryheavy.Hethinks,'Areallthefishin

seainmynetOristhereamonsterinmynet'Hepullsandhepullshisnet.

Therearenofishormonstersinhisnet.ButthereisalittleMermaidandshe

issleeping.

TheMermaid'shairisgolden.Herbodyiswhite.Hertailissilverandpearl.

earsarelikesea-shellsandherlipsarelikesea-coral.

HerbeautymakestheFishermanveryhappy.Heleansoutoftheboat.Hetakesthe

Mermaidinhisarms.Shewakesupwhenhetouchesher.Shecrieslikeaseagull

shewantstoescape.ButtheFishermanholdstheMermaidinhisarms.

the

Her

and

‘Please

free

me,'

the

Mermaidcries.

"I

amthe

only

daughter

ofthe

King.

Myfather

isoldandalone.‘Makemeapromise,'saystheFisherman."Icanfree

you.

Bplease

comewhenIcallyou.Youcansingtomeandtothefish.Thenmynetscanalways

befulloffish."

‘Ipromise,'criestheMermaid.

Thefishermanopenshisarmsandfeesthefrightenedswimsdownunderthewater.

Whatisnotapromise

口Astatementinwhichyousaythatsomethingwilldefinitelyhappen.

口Youwilldefinitelydosomething.

口Youwilldefinitelynotdosomething.

口Youguesssomethingwillhappen.

EveryeveningtheFishermangoesoutonthesea.HecallstheMermaid.Shecomes

outofthewaterandsingstohim.ThedolphinsswimroundandroundtheMermaid.

TheseagullsflyroundandroundtheMermaid.

TheMermaidsingsabeautifulsong.ShesingsoftheSea-folkandofthepalace

oftheKing.Shesingsofthegardensoftheseafullofcoralandfish.Shesings

ofwhales,sealionsandseahorses.ShesingsofsunkenshipsandofMermaidsholding

outtheirarmstothesailors,callingthemintothesea.

TheMermaidsingsandsings.Allthefishcomefromthebottomoftheseatolisten

toher.TheFishermanthrowshisnetsintothesea.Hisnetsandboatarefullof

fish.ThentheMermaidstopssinging.ShesmilesattheFishermanandsheswimsback

underthesea.

EveryeveningtheFishermancallstheMermaid.Andeveryeveningshesingsforhim.

Butshedoesnotcomenearhim.TheFishermantriestotouchher.Butsheswimsback

undertheSea.

EveryeveningtheFishermanlistenstotheMermaid.HerSongandhervoicearesweet

tohisears.AndtheFishermanforgetshisnetsandthefish.Hiseyesarefullof

love.

OneeveningtheFishermancallstotheMermaid.

'LittleMermaid,littleMermaid,|loveyou.CanIbeyourhusband'hesays.

ButtheMermaidshakesherhead.

'No,'shesays.'Youhaveahumansoul.Icannotloveyouwithyourhumansoul.

SendawayyourhumansoulandIcanloveyou.'

TheFishermanthinks,'Ihaveasoul.ButIcannotseeit.Icannottouchit.I

donotneedit.Icansenditaway.ThenIcanbehappywithmylittleMermaid.'

TheFishermanisfullofjoy.Hestandsinhisboat.HeopenshisarmstotheMermaid.

‘Icansendmysoul

away,'hecries."Youcanbemywife'andIcanbeyour

husband.

Wecanlivetogetheratthebottomofthesea.Youcanshowmeyourkingdom.Wecan

betogether."

ThelittleMermaidisveryhappy.Shelaughsandhidesherfaceinherhands.

‘HowcanIsendmysoulaway'criestheFisherman.

'Idonotknow,'saysthelittleMermaidsadly.

‘TheSea-folkhavenosouls.

’

Thensheswimsbackdownunderthesea.Sheissadnow.

2THEPRIEST

EarlythenextmorningtheFishermangoestothePriest'shouse.

Heknocksthreetimesonthedoor.

Thefishermanentersthehouseandkneelsonthefloor.ThePriestisreading.

'Father,'hesaystothePriest,‘IaminlovewithaMermaid.Icansendmysoul

away.

Mysoulisnotimportanttome.Ithasnovaluetome.|cannotseeit.Icannot

touchit.Idonotneedit.’

‘Areyoumad’repliesthePriest.‘Ofcourseyouneedyoursoul.Godgivesusoursoulstodogoodthings.Humansoulsareprecious.Veryprecious.ForgettheMermaid.TheSea-folkare

lost.Goodandevilarethesameforthem.Theyhavenoplaceinheaven.'

TheFishermanissad.Hehastearsinhiseyes.Hestandsandsays,'Father,Iwant

tobeoneoftheSea-folk.Idon'twantmysoul.Iwanttobewithmylove.MyMermaid

isbeautiful,likethestarsandthemoon.Iloveher,Idon'tneedmysoul.Idon't

needaplaceinheaven.Helpme.Helpmesendawaymysoul.'

"Goaway!Goaway!'criesthePriest.'Youarelost.LostwithyourMermaid.'

ThePriestsendstheFishermanawayandheshutshisdoor.

Fillintheblank.

Humansoulsareimportantforhumansbecausehumansoulsareprecious/Godgives

usoursoulstodogoodthings.

3THEMERCHANTS

TheFishermanwalkstothemarketplace.Heissad.

Themerchantsinthemarketplaceseehim.Oneofthemerchantsseethefisherman,

"Whatdoyouhavetosell’

‘Mysoul.’answerstheFisherman.'Pleasebuyit.Icannotuseit.Icannotsee

it.Icannottouchit.Idonotneedit.

Butthemerchantslaugh.

’

‘Wecannotbuyyoursoul,'theysay."Yoursoulhasnovalueforus.Becomeaslave

andwecansellyourbody.Wecandressyouinpurpleandgiveyouaring.Youcan

becomethegreatQueen'sslave.'

'Howstrange,'thinkstheFisherman.'Forthepriestmysoulhasgreatvalue,but

forthemerchantsithasnovalue.'Andhewalksaway.Hegoestotheseatothink.

WhydoestheFisherman'ssoulhavenovalueforthemerchants

Becausethemerchantscannotsellit.

Becausehissoulisverycheap.

Becausethemerchantssellothergoods.

Becausehissouldoesn’thaveapriceinthemarket.

4THEWITCH

LatertheFishermanremembersayoungWitch.Hisfriendknowsher.Sheisgoodat

spells.

TheFishermanrunstohercave.

‘Iwantasmallthing,'saystheFisherman.'ThePriestsays“no"andthemerchants

laugh.NowIcometoyou.YoucanhelpmeandIcanpayyourprice.'

'Whatdoyouwant'askstheWitch.ShecomesneartotheFisherman.

'Iwanttosendmysoulaway,'saystheFisherman.

TheWitchgrowspale.Shehidesherfaceinherbluecloak."Fisherman,Fisherman,'

shesays,'Itisterribletosendyoursoulaway.'

TheFishermanlaughs,'Mysoulisnotimportantforme,'heanswers."Icannotsee

it.Icannottouchit.Idonotneedit.'

‘Whatcanyougiveme"askstheWitch.HerbeautifuleyeslookattheFisherman.

‘Fivepiecesofgold’,hesay,"mynets,myhouseandmyboat.Tellmehowtosendmysoulaway.ThenIcangiveyoueverything.'

TheWitchlaughs,‘WithmyspellsIcanhavegoldandsilver.Moneyisnotimportant

tome.’

'Ifyoudon’twantgoldorsilver,whatcanIgiveyou’CriestheFisherman.

TheWitchtouchestheFisherman'shair.Herhandisthinandwhite.'Dancewith

me,Fisherman,'Shesays.Sheissmiling.

‘Isthatall’!askstheFisherman.'Thatisall,'sheanswers.Shesmilesagain.

‘Wecandanceatsunset,'hesays.'Thenyoucantellmehowtosendmysoulaway.'

Thewitchshakesherhead.

"Whenthemoonisfull,'shesays.ShegoesovertotheFishermanandshespeaks

closetohisear.'Tonightatthetopofthemountain,'shewhispers.

TheFishermanlooksattheWitch.

'Waitformeatthetopofthemountain,underthetree.Whenthemoonisfull,

wecandancetogether.'

"Yes,'criestheFisherman.'Tonightwecandance.Itisasmallpriceforme.'

Herunsbacktothetown.Heishappy.

TheWitchwatcheshimleave.Shegoesintothecave.Shelooksinamirror.She

isangry.

"Whydoeshe

not

lovemeIambeautiful,

too.WhydoeshelovetheMermaidandnot

me'

WhyistheWitchveryangry

BecauseshecannotdancewiththeFisherman.

BecausetheFishermanlovestheMermaid,nother.

BecausetheFishermanthinkssheisugly.

BecausetheWitchcandonothingfortheFisherman.

Intheeveningthemoonrisesinthesky.TheFishermanclimbstothetopofthe

mountain.Hewaitsunderthetree.Heseestheseabelow.Therearefishingboats

onthesea.

Atmidnightthewitchescome.Theyflyintheairlikebats.Theylandonthetop

ofthemountain.ThentheyoungWitcharrives.Herredhairblowsinthewind.She

iswearingagolddressandagreenhat.

TheWitchwalkstothetree.ShepullstheFishermanintothelightofthemoon.

Theybegintodance.Theydanceanddance.Roundandround.

"Faster,'criestheWitch.'Faster,faster!'

Noweverythingisgoingroundandround.TheFishermanfeelsfrightened.

evilintheair.TheWitchandtheFishermanaredancingroundandround.Hehears

theWitchlaugh.

Hefeels

Thenadogbarksandthedancersstop.

"Come!"whisperstheWitchtotheFisherman.Hefollowsher.Butfirsthesaysthe

holyname.

Atthatmomentthewitchesscreamandflyaway.TheWitchwiththeredhairalso

triestogoaway.ButtheFishermanCatchesherandholdsherinhisarms.

Whydothewitchesscreamandflyaway

Whatishappening

BecauseincallingtheholynametheFishermanissendingtheir

‘evil

’

spirits

andpowersaway.

'Freeme,'saystheWitch.

'No,'heanswers.'Tellmethesecret.'

'Whatsecret'saystheWitch.Shefightslikeawildcat.Shewantstobefree.

'Youknow,'hereplies.

Heholdsherinhisarms.Shecannotescape.

'AmInotbeautifullikethedaughterofthesea'shewhispersclosetothe

Fisherman'sface.

"Keepyourpromise.Don'tbeafalsewitch,'theFishermansays.

TheWitchgrowspale.

'Asyouwish,'shesays.‘Itisyoursoul,notmine.'

TheWitchgiveshimalittleknife.

‘Whatisthisfor'theFishermanasks.

TheWitchissilentforafewmoments.Sheisafraid.Thenshesays,'Manhasashadow'.

Thisshadowisnottheshadowofyourbody.Itisthebodyofyoursoul.Standon

theseashorewiththemoonbehindyou.Thencutawayyourshadowfromyourbody.

Cutawayyoursoul'sbody.Sendyoursoulaway.Thenyoursoulcanleaveyou.'

TheFishermanisafraid,too.'Isthistrue'hesays.

'Itistrue,'shecries.'Butyoucanonlydoitonce.'Sheholdshisknees,and

sheiscrying.

TheFishermanpushestheWitchaway.Heputstheknifeintohisbeltandheclimbs

downthemountain.

5THESOUL

TheFishermanclimbsdownthemountain.TheFisherman'ssoulcallstohim,'Don't

sendmeaway.Please,don'tsendmeaway.'

'Youarenotimportanttome,'saystheFisherman.'Goaway.Gowhereyouwant.My

loveiscallingme.'

TheFishermanarrivesattheseashore.Hestandswithhisbacktothemoon.Helooks

atthesea.Whitearmsarecallinghim.Hisshadowliesbeforehim.Hisshadowis

thebodyofhisSoul.

TheSoulspeaksagain,'Sendmeawaywithyourheart.'

'HowcanIlovemyMermaidwithnoheart'repliestheFisherman.

'Bekind,'saystheSoul.'Givemeyourheart.'

'MyheartisformyMermaid.Go!'

'CanInotalsolove'theSoultriesagain.

‘Go!Youarenotimportanttome,'criestheFisherman.Hetakesthelittleknifeandhecutshisshadowawayfromhisfeet.

Theshadowrisesandstandsbeforehim.TheshadowisthesamesizeastheFisherman.

‘Go!'saystheFisherman."Idon'twanttoseeyouagain.'

‘No,'repliestheSoul.

‘Iwanttomeetyouagain.'

'How'askstheFisherman."Youcannotfollowmeunderthesea.

’

'EveryyearIcancomebacktothisplace,'saysthe

Soul.

‘Icancall

youandyou

cancome.'

'OK,'repliestheFisherman.'Icancome.'

TheFishermanjumpsintothewater.TheTritonsblowtheirhornsandthelittle

Mermaidcomestomeethim.Shekisseshim.Theygodownunderthewater.

TheSoulwatchesonthebeach.Heisallalone.

6THEFIRSTYEAR

Thefirstyearpasses

andthe

Soulcomesbackto

the

seashore.

Hecalls

the

Fisherman.

TheFishermanrisesfromthedeepwaterandsays,

‘Whydoyoucallme

’

"Comeandlistentomystory,'saystheSoul.

TheFishermancomesnear.Heliesinthewater.Heleanshisheadonhishandand

listens.

TheSoulbeginshisstory:

IdecidetogototheEast.EverythingintheEastiswise.Itravelforsixdays.

OntheseventhdayIcometothelandoftheTartars.Therearelotsofhillsand

thelandisdryandhot.Isitunderatreeandwatch.Peoplecomeandgo.Thenthe

Tartarsgoandfight.

Themoonishigh.Iseeafire.Therearemerchantssittingoncarpets.Thereare

tentsandcamels.Igooverandthechiefmerchantstandsupandtakesouthissword.

'Whoareyou'heasksme.

'IamaPrince.IamrunningawayfromtheTartars.Idonotwanttobetheirslave,'

|answer.

ThemerchanttakesmyhandandIsitbesidehim.Thenaservantbringsmemilkand

food.

UsetheInternettofindoutabouttheTartars.

Whoarethey

Wheredotheylive

Inthemorningthecaravanstartsonitsjourney.|rideonared-haired

camelnext

tothechief.Themenofwarwalkwiththeirweapons.Eightymulesfollowuswith

allthethingswehavetosell.Therearefortycamelsinthecaravan.

WeleavethelandoftheTartarsandwetraveltomanystrangelands.

Wecometoalandwherethepeoplecursethemoon,Weseegryphonsguardingtheir

goldonwhiterocks,dragonssleepingintheircaves.Wepassmountains

withsnow.

Wepassvalleyswithpygmiesshootingarrows.Atnightwehearwildmenbeattheir

drums.

WecometotheToweroftheapes.Weputfruitbeforetheapes.Theydonothurt

us.

WecometotheToweroftheserpents.Wegivethemwarmmilkinbowls.Theyallow

ustopass.

ThreetimesonourjourneywecrosstheriverOxus.WeCrossonraftsofwood.The

river-horsestrytofightus.Buttheyseecamelsandtheyareafraid.

Wepaymoneytotheguardsofthecities.Buttheydonotopenthedoorsoftheir

cities.Theythrowbreadandcakesoverthewalls.

Wearriveatvillagesandthepeoplerunawayinfear.

Onourjourneywefightmanybattles.Manypeopleonthecaravandieinbattle.And

manypeopleonthecaravandieofhunger.Thesurvivorsstarttotalkaboutme.Do

IbringbadfortuneIpickupasnake.ItbitesmebutIdon'tfeelanything.Now

thepeopleareafraidofme.

Afterfour

monthswearriveatthecity

oflllel

andweknockatthe

bigmetalgates.

Theguards

openthegates

andwegotothe

marketplace.Themerchants

andtheservants

starttoselltheir

goods.Thepeoplecomeandlook.Onthefirstdaythepriestscomeandbuy.Onthe

seconddaythenoblescomeandbuy.Onthethirddaythecraftsmenandslavescome

andbuy.

OnedayIamwalkinginthestreetsofthecity.Icometothetempleofthecity's

god.Therearepriestsinyellowclothes.Thetempleisrose-redwithbellsonthe

roof.Isitinfrontofthetemplebyapoolofcoolwater.Apriestcomestome.

'Whatdoyouwant'heasks.

'Iwanttoseethegod,'Ireply.

"Thegodissleeping,'saysthepriest,

'Tellmewhere,andIcanwatchhimsleep,'Ianswer.

'Thegodisatafeast,

’hecries.

'GivemewineandIcandrinkwithhim,'Ianswer.

Thepriestlooksatme,thenhetakesmebythehandandwegointothetemple.

InthefirstroomIseeastatue.Itismadeofebonyanditisthesizeofaman.

Thereisarubyonitsforehead.

'Isthisthegod'Isaytothepriest.

"Thisisthegod,'heanswers.

'Thisisnotthegod!Showmethegod,'Ishout.AndItouchhishandanditbecomes

small.

'CuremeandIcanshowyouthegod,'hesays.

SoIbreatheonhishandanditbecomesnormalagain.Thepriestisafraid.

InthesecondroomIseeanotherstatue.Itismadeofivory.

Itistwice'thesizeofamananditissittingonajadeflower.

'Isthisthegod'Isaytothepriest.

'Thisisthegod,'heanswers.

'Thisisnotthegod!Showmethegod!'Ishout.AndItouchhiseyesandhebecomes

blind.

'CuremeandIcanshowyouthegod,'saysthepriest.

SoIbreatheonhiseyesandhecanseeagain.Nowthepriesisafraid.

Inthethirdroomtherearenostatues.Butthereisaroundmirror.Themirroris

madeofmetalanditisonastonestep.

"Whereisthegod"Iaskthepriest.

‘Thereisnogod,’heanswers.‘ThisistheMirrorofWisdom.Whenyoulookinto

it,youcansee

everythinginheavenandonearth.Butyoucannotseeyourownface.Whenyoulook

intothismirror,youcanseeeverythingandyoubecomewise.Nothingishiddenfrom

you.TherearelotsofothermirrorsintheworldbutthereisonlyoneMirrorof

Wisdom.TheMirrorsofWisdomisthegod,andweworshipit.'

Ilookintothemirror,andIseeeverythingonheavenandonearth.Thepriestis

tellingthetruth.

ThenIdoastrangething.ItakethemirrorandIhidetheMirrorofWisdom.The

mirrorisinavalleyaday'sjourneyfromhere.

ThisistheendoftheSoul'sstory.

ThentheSoulturnstotheFishermanandsays,"CanIbecomeyoursoulagainIcan

becomeyourservant.YoucanhavetheMirrorofWisdomandbecomewise.Youcanhave

Wisdom.'

ButtheFishermanlaughs,"Idon'twantWisdom.IwantLove,’hecries.'Thelittle

Mermaidlovesme.'

'No,'saystheSoul."Wisdomisimportant,too.'

IwantLove,'answerstheFisherman.Hejumpsbackintothesea.

TheSoulgoesaway.Heiscrying.

DoyouthinktheFishermanchooseswell

WhichonedoyouchooseWisdomorLove

7THESECONDYEAR

ThesecondyearpassesandtheSoulcomesbacktotheseashore.

HeCallstheFisherman.TheFishermanrisesfromthedeepwaterandsays,

‘Whydo

youcallme

’

‘Comeandlistentomystory,'saystheSoul.

TheFishermancomesnear.Heliesinthewater.Heleanshisheadonhishandand

listens.

TheSoulbeginshisstory:

Thistime

Idecidetogoto

theSouth.Everything

intheSouth

isprecious.

I

travel

forsixdays.OntheseventhdayIcometothecityofAshter.

Thereare

ninegatestothis

cityandthereare

watch-towers

onthewalls.

In

every

towerthereisanarcherwithabowinhishand.Atsunrisehehitsagongwithhis

arrow.Andatsunsetheblowsahorn.Itrytoenterbuttheguardsstopme.

'Whatdoyouwant'aguardasksme.

IamaDervish,'lanswer.'IamtravellingtothecityofMecca.'

TheguardsopenthegatesandIenterthecity.

Inside

the

city

there

is

abazaar.

There

are

coloured

Paper

lanterns.

Themerchants

sitonsilkcarpets.Theyhavestraightblack

beardsandgoldenturbans.Theysell

perfumesfromtheislandsintheIndianSea.Theyselloilsandspices.Theysell

silver

bracelets,

earrings

andrings,

alldecoratedwith

precious

stones.

Theysell

finewinefromShiraz.Thewineissweet,likehoney.Icanhearguitarsplaying

inthetea-housesandtheairsmellssweet.

Inthe

marketplace

there

arethefruit-sellers.

Theysell

all

kinds

offruit:

purple

figs',yellowmelons,redapples,whitegrapes,red-goldorangesandyellow-green

lemons.Iseeanelephant

eatingorangesatastall.Everyoneislookingatitandlaughing.

InAshterthepeoplearestrange.Whentheyarehappy,theygotothebird-seller

andtheybuyabird

in

acage.

Theyfree

the

bird

from

the

cage.

Andtheir

happiness

becomesgreater.

But

whenthey

are

sad,

they

takethorns.

Theyhurt

themselves

with

thethornsbecausetheydonotwanttheirsadnesstogoaway.

Oneevening

Imeetsomemen.Theyare

crying

achair

through

thebazaar.

It

is

made

ofbamboo.Thewindowshavebeautifulcurtains.Abeautifulwhitefacelooksout

atmeandsmiles.

Sheis

Circassian.

Themenare

movingquickly

but

I

follow

behind.

Iwanttoseethebeautifulwhitefaceagain.

Theystopatasquare

white

house.

Thehousehas

nowindows.

There

is

alittle

door,

likethedoorofatomb.TheyknockthreetimesandanArmenianlooksout.Heputs

acarpetontheground.

Thewomanstepsout.Sheturnsandsmilesatmeagain.

WhenthemoonrisesIreturntothesameplace.Ilookforthehouse.Butitisnot

there.Idonotseethebeautifulwomanagain.

OnthefeastoftheNewMoontheyoungEmperorleaveshispalacetopray.Hishair

andbeardarecoloredwithrose-leaves.Hischeeksarecoveredwithgolddust.The

palmsofhisfeetand

handsareyellowwithsaffron.

Atsunriseheleavesthepalacewithasilverrobe.Andatsunsethereturnstohis

palacewithagoldrobe.Thepeopleinthestreetseehim.Theylieontheground

andtheycovertheirfaces.

ButIdonot.Istandandlookathim.TheEmperorseesmeandstops.Hewaitsfor

metoobey.ButIdonotobey.Thepeopletellmetoleavethecity.ButIdonot.

IntheeveningIaminthetea-houseintheStreetofPomegranates.Iamlyingon

softcushionsonthefloor.TheEmperor’sguardsenter.Theytakemeandtheylead

metothepalace.Theyclosethedoors.Theyputachainonthedoor.Thereisa

greatcourtinside.Thewallsarewhitewithsomegreenandbluedrawings.Thepillars

areofgreenmarbleandthefloorispink.

Icrossthecourt.Twoveiledwomenshoutatmefromabalcony.Buttheguardsmove

meforward.Theyopenagatewegointoagarden.Anightingalesingsfromatree.

Attheendofthegardenthereisalittlepavilion.Twofatmencometomeetus.

Astheywalk,theyareeatingsweetsandfruitfromthetrees.Theyandtheguards

leavemeinfrontofthepavilionandIgoin.

TheyoungEmperorislyingonlionskins.Thereisaslavestandingbehindhim.On

atablethereisbigscimitarsword.

TheEmperorseesmeandsays,‘WhoareyouDoyouknowIamtheEmperorofthis

city'

ButIdonotanswer.

TheEmperorpointstothescimitarsword.Theslavetakesitandattacksme.The

swordgoesthroughmybody.Butitdoesnothurtme.Theslavefallstothefloor.

Heisveryafraid.

TheEmperorjumpsto

his

feet.Hetries

to

attackmebut

hecannot

hurtme,either.

TheEmperorthenkillstheslave.Nowtheslavecannottellanyoneaboutme.

TheEmperorlooksat

meandcries,'AreyouamagicianWhycanI

notkillyouLeave

mycity.Icannotbetherulerofthecitywithyouhere.LeavethecityandIcan

betheruler,again.'

"Givemehalfyourtreasure,'Ianswer.'ThenIcanleave.'

TheEmperortakesmebythehand.Wegooutintothegarden.Wepasstheguardand

thefatmen.Theylookatmeinfear.

Weenterthepalaceandgotoalargeroom.TheEmperortouchesoneofthewalls

anditopens.Wewalkdownacorridorthatislitbymanytorches.Whenwearrive

atthecentreofthecorridor,

theEmperorsaysamagicwordandabig

stonedooropens.

TheEmperorputs

hishand

overhisfacetoprotecthiseyes.

Inside,theroomisfulloftreasure:pearls,rubies,gold,golddust,opals,

sapphires,jade,emeralds

?

TheEmperortakeshishandsawayfromhisface.

'Thisismyhouseoftreasure,

’hesays.

‘Icangiveyouhalfofmytreasure.

Icanalsogiveyoucamelsandcameldrivers.Thenyoumustleave.Youcanleave

tonight.Leavebeforethesunrises.

‘ldon’twantyourtreasure,

’Isay.

‘IwanttheIittleringonyourfinger.

’

‘ltisonlyapoorring,'hecries.‘Ithasnovalue.Takehalfmytreasureand

leavethecity.’

Whatdoyouthinktheringcando

口Itisaringoflove.

Itisaringofriches.

口Itisaringofnovalue.

口Itisaringofwisdom.

'No,'Ianswer.'Iwantyourring.Iknowthereiswritinginsideit.Iknowitis

animportantring.ItistheRingofRiches.'

TheEmperorisafraidandhesays,'Takeallthetreasureandleavemycity.Take

myhalfofthetreasure,too.’

ThenIdoastrangething.ItaketheRingofRichesandhideit.Theringisin

acaveaday'sjourneyfromhere.

ThisistheendcftheSoul'sstory.

"Come,'saystheSoultotheFisherman.'Comewithmetothecave.Youcanhavethe

RingofRiches.Youcanhavealltherichesintheworld.Youcanberich.'

ButtheFishermanlaughs,'IwantLove,notRiches,'hecries.'ThelittleMermaid

lovesme.'

‘No,’saystheSoul.'Richesareimportant,too.'

'No,IwantLove,'answerstheFisherman.Hejumpsbackintothesea.

TheSoulgoesaway.Heiscrying.

8THETHIRDYEAR

ThethirdyearpassesandtheSoulcomesbacktotheseashore.

Hecalls

theFisherman.

Thefishermanrisesfromthedeepwaterandsays,

‘Whydoyoucallme

’

'Comeandlistentomytravels,’saystheSoul.

TheFishermancomesnear.Heliesinthewater.Heleanshisheadonhishandand

listens.

‘Iknowacitynotfarfromhere,’saystheSoultotheFisherman.

‘Thereisa

beautifulgirlthere.Thisgirlcandanceverywell.Shedancesinherbarefeet

andwithaveil

onherface.

Sheis

amarvelous

dancer.

Thiscity

isaday’sjourney

fromhere.

’

Thefisherman

listens

tothe

words

of

theSoul.

Heremembershis

little

MermaidShe

hasnofeetandshecannotdance.TheFishermanwantstoseethebeautifuldancer.

Hethinks,

‘It

isonlyaday's

journey

fromhere

andthenI

canreturn

to

mylove.'

TheFishermanlaughsandstandsupinthewater.Hegoestotheshore.Helaughs

againonthebeach.HeholdsouthisarmstohisSoul.HisSoulcriesforjoy.He

runstomeettheFishermanandbecomesonewithhim.TheFishermanseeshisshadow

onthesand.HisSoulispartofhim,again.

'Come,followme,'saystheSoul.

TheFisherman

andhis

Soultravel

fast.

Theytravel

all

night

andall

day.Theycome

toacity.

‘Isthisthecity

’theFishermanaskshisSoul.'Canweseethedancer

’

'No,'answerstheSoul,'thisisanothercity.Butwecanvisitit.'

Theyenter

the

city.

Theywalkthrough

thestreets.

Theypassthe

jewellery

sellers.

TheFishermanseesasilvercup.

‘Takethesilvercupandhideit,'sayshisSoul.

TheFishermantakesthecup.Hehidesitinhisclothes.Theyleavethecity.

Whentheyarefarfromthecity,theFishermanstops.Heisangry.Hethrowsthe

cupaway.

‘Whydoyoutellmetotakethecupandhideit'heaskshisSoul.

‘Itisanevil

thingtodo.'

ButhisSoulanswershim,'Beatpeace,beatpeace.'

Ontheeveningoftheseconddaytheycometoanothercity.

‘Isthisthecity'thefishermanaskshisSoul."Canweseethedancer'

‘No,’answerstheSoul,‘thisisadifferentcity.Butwevisitit.'

Theyenterthecity.Theywalkthroughthestreets.Theypasstheshoesellers.The

Fishermanseesachildstandingbyabottleofwater.

'Hitthechild,'sayshisSoul.

TheFishermanhitsthechild.Hehitsthechilduntilitcries.Thentheyrunaway.

Whentheyarefarfromthecity,theFishermanstops.Heisangry.

"Whydoyoutellmetohitthechild'heaskshisSoul.

‘Itisanevilthingto

do.'

ButhisSoulanswershim,'Beatpeace,beatpeace.'

Ontheeveningofthethirddaytheycometoacity.

‘Isthisthecity

’TheFishermanaskshisSoul.

’Canweseethedancer

’

"Perhaps,'replieshisSoul.

‘Wecanvisititandsee'

Theyenter

thecity

andtheywalkthrough

thestreets.

ButtheFishermancannotfind

thedancer.Andthepeopleofthecitylookathim.Heisafraid.

'Let'sleave,'saystheFishermantohisSoul.

‘Thedancerisnothere.'

ButhisSoulanswershim,'No,sheisnothere,butlet'sstay.Thenightisdark

andtherearerobb

ersoutsidethecity.

’

SotheFishermansitsandrestsinthemarketplace.

AmerchantcomesandtalkstotheFisherman.ThemerchantofferstheFishermana

placetosleep.Theygotothemerchant'shouse.Themerchantgiveshimfoodand

aplacetorest.The

Fisherman

thanksthemerchant.Hekisses

thering

onhishand.Thenhegoesto

sleep.

ThreehourbeforethesunrisestheFisherman'sSoulwakeshim.

‘Gotothemerchant'sroom,'theSoultellshim.

‘Killthemerchantandtakehis

gold.'

TheFishermangoestothemerchant'sroom.Thereisaswordandninesmallbagsof

gold.Hetouchesthemerchant'ssword.Themerchantwakesandjumpsup.

'Igiveyoufoodandab

ed.Whydoyouwanttohurtme

’

AndtheSoulsaystotheFisherman,'Hithim.'

TheFishermanhitsthemerchantandthemerchantfalls.ThentheFishermantakes

theninebagsofgoldandherunsoutofthehouseandleavesthecity.

Whentheyarefarfromthecity,theFishermanstops.Heisveryangry.

‘Whydoyoutellmetohitthemerchantandtakehisgold’heaskshisSoul.‘You

areevil.'

ButhisSoulanswershim,‘Beatpeace,beatpeace.’

‘No,’criestheFisherman,‘Icannotbeatpeace.Youtellmetodoevilthings.

Ihateyou.Whyareyoudoingthistome’

AndhisSoulanswers,‘Forthreeyearslhavenoheart.Withoutaheart!Ilearn

todoevilthings.AndIlikedoingevilthings.

’

"Whatareyousaying"saystheFisherman.

"Youknow,'repliestheSoul.Youknowwell.DoyounotrememberButdon'tworry.

Nowyoucannotfeel

pain,

but

youcancausepain.

Youcannotgivepleasure,

butyou

canreceiveit.'

TheFishermanhearsthesewordsandheisafraid.

'No,'saystheFishermantohisSoul.

‘Youareevil.Andyouareteachingmeevil

things.Youwantmetoforgetaboutmylove,theMermaid.'

"WhydoInothave

aheart

Donot

forget!’says

theSoul.

‘Come,follow

me!Let's

gotoanothercity.Wehaveninebagsofgold.

’

"'No,"criesthefisherman,andhethrowstheninebagsofgoldontheground.

‘I

don’twanttobewithyou.Idon

’twanttotravelwithyou.'

TheFishermanturnshisbacktothemoon.Hetakeshislittleknifeandhetries

tocuthisshadowoffhisbody.HewantstosendawayhisSoulagain.

Butnothinghappens.Hecannotcuthisshadowoff.

'TheWitch'sspellcannotworktwice,'hisSoulsaystohim.

‘Icannotleaveyou.

Youcannotsentmeaway.Man

CansendhisSoulawayonce

inhislife.Whenyoutake

backyourSoul,youmustkeepitforever.’

TheFishermangrowspaleandcries,'SheisafalseWitch!

’

‘No,’

answershisSoul.

‘Sheisnotfalse.Thinkaboutherwords.

’

CanyouremembertheWitch'swordsYoucandothisonlyonce.

DoesshetellliestotheFishermanNo,shedoesnottelllies.

TheFishermanrealiseshecannotsendawayhisSoul.HisSoulisnowevilandis

withhimforever.AndtheFishermanfallsontheground,crying.

9THESOUL'SANSWERS

InthemorningtheFishermangetsup.HesaystohisSoul,

‘Iamtryingmyhands

soIcannotdowhatyouwant.IamclosingmylipssoIcannotspeakyourwords.

Iamnowreturningtomylove,tomylittleMermaid.Iamreturningtothesea.I

cancallher.Icantellheraboutmyevildoings.Andaboutyou.

’

ButhisSoulsays,

‘WhydoyouwanttoreturntoherTherearelotsofbeautiful