Chapter 15 stockholm

There is a large park called Skansen in the suburbs of Stockholm, where many strange things are collected.A few years ago in Skansen Park there was a little old man named Clement Larson, a native of Haiersingland, who came to Skansen to play folk dances and old music on his violin .He mainly came out to play music for tourists in the afternoon, and usually sat there in the morning to look after the unique and unique farmhouses that were shipped to Skansen from all over the country. At first, Clement felt that his old age was better than he could have dreamed of before.But after a while, he began to feel a little daunted, especially when it came to tending the farmhouse.It was all right when people came to visit the farmhouse, but sometimes Clement would sit by himself for hours.At this time, he will miss his hometown very much, and even worry that he will have to resign his current position and go back.He was very poor, and therefore he knew that he would be a burden to the parish workhouse when he returned home, and therefore, although he found it more difficult every day, he intended to try to hold on longer.

On a sunny afternoon in early May, Clement had a few hours to spare, so he went for a walk down a steep slope below Skansen.At that time, he met a man who was fishing on the island, and he was walking towards him with a fish basket on his back.He was a strong young man with quick movements, and he often came to Skansen to sell the live seabirds he caught.Clement had seen him several times. The fisherman stopped Clement and asked him if Skansen's steward was at home.Clement answered his question, and then asked him what treasure was in the fish basket. "You can see what I have caught, Clement," replied the fisherman, "but I wish you could give me some advice as to what price I should make."

He showed Clement the fish basket.Clement glanced into the reel, then glanced again, and suddenly he retracted, taking a few steps back. "My God, Osbjorn!" he said, "how the hell did you get him?" He remembered that, when he was a little boy, his mother used to tell him about the little people who lived under the floorboards.In order not to annoy the little man, he could not shout or be naughty.When he grew up, he thought that the mother brought out the little people and so on was just a trick to keep him from being naughty.However, the mother may not be talking out of thin air, because there is a real little person lying in Osbjorn's fish basket in front of her.

The fear of childhood has not completely disappeared from Clement's memory, as long as he takes a look at the fish basket, he will feel a chill down his spine.Osbjorn sensed that he was frightened and started laughing, but Clement took it so seriously that he didn't find it funny at all. "Tell me, Osbjorn, where on earth did you get him?" he said. "Don't worry about that, I didn't wait to catch him," said Osbjorn, "he came to me himself. I was rowing out to sea early this morning with my shotgun. Before I was far from the shore, I saw a large flock of wild geese flying from the east, yelling. I shot at them, but missed a single one. Instead, this little guy fell from above and landed on the ground near me. In the water very close to the boat. As soon as I reached out, I caught him."

"You missed him, Osbjorn?" "Oh, no, he's all right. But when he just fell, he was terrified and bewildered, and I took the opportunity to tie him up hand and foot with a piece of sail rope so he couldn't run away. You know what? , I thought at once that it would be a good fit for him in Skansen." When the fisherman told the story of his capture of the little man, Clement became extremely embarrassed.All that he had heard as a child about the little people, their vengeance on their enemies and their gratitude to their friends, all came before his eyes.Those who try to capture them and take them captive will never end well. "You should have let him go, Osbjorn."

"I did almost have to let him go," Osbjorn said. "You know, Clement, the geese came home with me. They flew around the island, all the time. All morning, flying and yelling, as if they wanted to get back to the little people. That's not to mention, the gulls, terns, and other small birds near our home that weren't worth my shot all landed on the island on, chirping and chattering. Whenever I go out, they fly around me so that I have to go back to the house. My wife begged me to let him go, but I'm determined to Send him to Skansen. So I put one of my boy's dolls in front of the window, and hid the little fellow deep in the fishbowl, before I went on my way. The birds probably thought the doll in the window was He, when I came out, they stopped chasing me."

"Didn't he say anything?" Clement asked. "That said, at first he wanted to call out to the geese for help, but I didn't let him do that, but blocked his mouth with something." "But, Osbjorn, how can you treat him like this?" said Clement. "Don't you know that he is a supernatural being?" "I don't know what he is," said Osbjorn calmly. "Let other people think about that. I've got him, and I'll be content if I can get him a decent reward." Yes. Now tell me, Clement, how much do you reckon the steward of Skansen Park will give me?"

Clement hesitated to answer, but he was becoming more and more uneasy about the little man.He seemed to really feel that his mother was standing beside him and telling him that he should always treat these little people well. "I don't know how much the steward of Skansenpark will give you, Osbjorn," he said. "If you will hand him over to me, I will pay you twenty crowns." Osbjorn looked at the violinist in amazement when he heard such a large sum of money.He thought that Clement might have thought that the little man had some kind of magical power that would do him good.But he was really not sure whether the manager would value the villain so much and would be willing to pay such a high price.So he accepted Clement's offer.

Clement put the little one he had just bought into his wide pocket, turned back to Skansen Park, and entered a log cabin with no visitors or guards.He closed the door of the room casually, took out the little man, and carefully placed him on a small stool.At this time, the little man was still tied hands and feet, and his mouth was still stuffed and unable to speak. "Now listen to me!" said Clement. "People like you don't like to be seen and prefer to do what you want to do alone. Therefore, I want to give you back your freedom, but you must promise me One condition, that is, you must stay in the park until I promise you to leave here. If you agree to this condition, nod your head three times!"

Clement looked at the little man expectantly, but the little man did not move. "You'll have no trouble here," said Clement, "and I'll bring you your meals every day. You'll have plenty to do here, I suppose, and you won't feel like a year. But , you can't go anywhere else without my permission. Let's work out a code. You stay here as long as I put your meal on a white plate; Put it in a blue dish and you're good to go." Clement stopped talking again, waiting for the little guy to make a statement, but he still didn't move. "Well," said Clement, "in that case, I have nothing more to say but to hand you over to the steward here. You will be kept in a glass case, and all People will come here to see you."

It seemed that the little man had been terrified by this remark, and he nodded eagerly in agreement without waiting for Clement to finish speaking. "That's right." Clement said as he took out a knife, cut the rope binding the little man's hands, and hurried towards the door. The boy didn't think about anything else, but hastily untied the rope tied around his feet, and took out the thing stuffed in his mouth.When he turned to thank Clement Larson, Clement was gone. As soon as Clement stepped over the threshold, he met an old gentleman with a good appearance and delicate features, who seemed to be walking towards a nearby scenic spot.Clement could not remember if he had ever seen the handsome old gentleman, but it seemed that the old gentleman must have noticed him when he was playing the violin some time ago, because he stopped and started talking to him start talking. "Hello, Clement!" he said. "How have you been? You haven't been ill? I think you've lost some weight lately." The old gentleman showed such kindness that Clement took courage to relate to him his anxious homesickness. "What?" said the good-looking old gentleman. "You miss home in Stockholm? That's absolutely impossible." The good-looking old man looked a little annoyed, but he probably thought that he was just talking to an old and ignorant Haile Xinglan, so he resumed his original friendly attitude. "You have never heard of Stockholm, Clement. If you have, you will know that your desire to leave here and return to your hometown is nothing more than an illusion. Come with me, go there Sit on the stool next to me for a while, and I'll tell you about Stockholm!" The old gentleman sat down on a stool and looked down first.He is condescending, looking far into the distance, and has a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of Stockholm.Then he took a deep breath, as if he wanted to suck all the beautiful scenery into his heart and lungs.Finally, turning to the old violinist, he said, "Did you see that, Clement!" As he spoke, he drew a small map on the sand in front of him: "Here is Uppland, from which juts southward a headland fragmented by many harbours. Here Thomland borders another headland, equally fragmented, stretching northward. Here, to the west, is a The lake of the island, called Lake Mälaren. To the east is another body of water, which is almost squeezed between the island and the reef, and this is the Baltic Sea. Here, Clement, Uppland and Semland, May At the point where Lake Laren meets the Baltic Sea there is a small river, and in the middle of the river four small islands divide the river into several tributaries, one of which is now called Nordström, but was formerly called Sterksund. "The islands started out as ordinary islands with broad-leaved trees, like many islands in Lake Mälaren today, long uninhabited. You can say that they are located between two bodies of water, two provinces, The location is good, but no one has ever noticed it in the past. Years and years have passed. The islands in Lake Mälaren and the islands outside are inhabited, yet the four small ones in the creek The island is still uninhabited. Occasionally, sailors land on a small island and pitch tents for the night. But no one officially settles there. "One day, a fisherman who lived on Liting Island in the salt lake sailed into Lake Mälaren. He was very lucky that day. He caught a lot of fish, but he forgot to go home in time. He just sailed to It was getting dark near the four small islands. At this time, he thought, he had to go to one of the islands for a while, and wait for the moonlight to go later. There was no better way than that. He knew that there would be a moon that night. "It was late summer, and although it was beginning to get dark, it was still warm and sunny. The fisherman dragged his skiff ashore, and lay down beside the skiff and fell asleep with a stone under his head. When he awoke At that time, the moon had already risen. The bright moon hung high, and the moonlight was bright and clear, illuminating the earth almost as if it were daytime. "The fisherman stood up quickly, and was about to put the boat into the water, when he suddenly saw many small black spots moving in the river. It was a large group of seals, swimming towards the island where he was at full speed. When he found the seals swimming close to the island, , when he climbed ashore, he bent down to find the harpoon that had been on the boat. But when he straightened up, the seals were gone. There were only a group of extremely beautiful young girls on the shore, wearing green silk that swept the floor. skirts and round hats trimmed with pearls. The fishermen immediately understood that they were a group of sea nymphs living on remote and deserted islands. Have fun by the moonlight. "The fisherman quietly lowered his harpoon, and when the fairies climbed up to the island to play, he secretly followed behind and observed them. He had heard people say before that all the fairies were charming and charming, and everything Those who met them were all overwhelmed by their beauty. He had to admit now that it was not an exaggeration at all. "After watching them dance under the tree for a while, he crept to the shore, took a sealskin which the fairy had left there, and hid it under a stone, and then he went back to the boat. Lie down and pretend to sleep. "After a while he saw the fairies coming to the shore and beginning to wear sealskins. At first there was laughter and squabbling, but then there were moans and complaints, because one of the fairies couldn't find them. to her sealskin. They ran here and there by the river to help her search, but found nothing. In the process of searching, they found that the east was pale and day was coming. They felt that they could no longer They stayed on the shore, so they swam away together - leaving only the fairy who had lost the sealskin to sit on the shore and cry. "The fisherman obviously felt very sorry for her, but still forced himself to lie still and wait for daylight. As soon as it was daylight, he got up, put the boat in the water, and pretended to have stumbled upon her while paddling.'You Who is it?' he cried. 'Are you a passenger in distress?' "She ran up to him and asked him if he had seen her sealskin, but the fisherman pretended not to understand her question at all. So she sat down and cried again. While he suggested that she He went into the boat together. 'Come home with me,' said he, 'my mother will take care of you! There is neither bed to sleep nor food to eat, and you cannot sit on this island forever. ’ he said so sweetly, that he finally persuaded her to come aboard with him. "The poor fairy was treated very well by the fisherman and his mother, and she enjoyed their company. She grew happier every day, and helped the old woman with the housework, just like a native girl on the island. The difference But she was more beautiful than any other girl. One day the fisherman asked her if she would be his wife, and she agreed immediately without objecting. "So they began to prepare for the wedding. When the Sea-nymph was dressed to be a bride, she put on the floor-sweeping green silk dress that the fishermen had first seen her in, and the sparkling However, there was no priest or church on the small island where they lived at that time, and the bridegroom, bride and wedding guests had to board boats and sail to Lake Mälaren to the first place they met. Go to a church for a wedding. "The fisherman was in a boat with his bride and mother, and he was so skilled at rowing that he soon overtook all the other boats. When he rowed a long way and saw the small island in the Stroman River, he couldn't help feeling very proud , smiling. It was on that island that he got the bride who was now all dressed up and sitting proudly beside him. 'What are you laughing at?' she asked. "'Oh, I was thinking of the night when I hid your sealskin,' replied the Fisherman, who now felt quite sure of her, and there was no need to hide anything more. "'What are you talking about?' said the bride. 'I don't have any sealskins.' She seems to have forgotten all about the past.' Don't you remember how you danced on the shore with the sea nymphs? ?' he asked again. "'I don't know what you're talking about,' said the bride, 'I think you must have had a strange dream last night.' "'If I show you your sealskin, you will believe me, won't you?' said the fisherman, and immediately turned the bow of the boat and sailed to the island. When he landed, he was under the stone where the sealskin was hidden. Found the seal skin. "However, as soon as the bride saw the sealskin, she snatched it up and quickly put it on her head. The sealskin wrapped her around her as if alive, and she immediately jumped into the Stroman river. "When the groom saw her flee, he threw himself into the water, but did not catch her. When he saw that there was nothing he could do to keep her, he took up his harpoon in desperation and threw it at her. He threw It was more accurate than he expected, for the poor fairy uttered a scream and disappeared into the deep water. "The fisherman was still standing on the shore, expecting her to reappear. But then he noticed that the water around him began to radiate a soft radiance, presenting a beautiful scene he had never seen before. On the water There were flashes of pink and white, as if the colors were playing on the inside of the shell, and it was so vivid and beautiful. "When the glistening water came to the shore, the fisherman felt that the shore had changed. Flowers bloomed on the shore, and the fragrance was thick. The shore was also covered with a soft light, giving people a wonderful fragrance like never before. Feel. "Now he knows the secret. For as it happens with sea nymphs, whoever sees them must find them more beautiful than any other, and now when the nymph's blood and When the water mingled and bathed the shores, her beauty was transferred to the shores, and it became a legacy left by the fairies to the shores, so that whoever sees them loves them and longs to go to them." At this point the handsome old gentleman stopped, turned to Clement and looked at him, who nodded gravely at him, but said nothing, so as not to interrupt him. story. "Now you see, Clement," continued the old gentleman, with a sly look in his eye, "that people have migrated to these islands since then. At first it was fishermen and farmers settled there, and others were drawn there. One fine day, the king and his steward sailed across the Strommon, and at once began to speak of these isles. They agreed The layout of these islands is very special, and every ship that wants to enter Lake Mälaren must pass through these small islands. The steward proposed to build a lock on this channel, which can be opened or closed at will: let merchant ships go, and robber ships Get out of the gate." "It did," said the old gentleman, getting up again and began to draw in the sand with his cane. "On the largest of these islands, you see, here is where the steward built A castle, with a very strong main tower on it, called Sherna. In this way they built a wall around the island, with a gate on the north and south sides of the wall, and a strong tower on each side of the wall. Bridges were built between the islands to connect the islands, and tall towers were built at the head of the bridges. In the waters around all the islands, they buried wooden posts with gates, so that the energy could be turned on. In this way, no ship can pass without permission. "Therefore, you see, Clement, these four islets, long neglected, soon became formidable fortifications. Not only that, but these shores and straits attracted people, who came here from far and wide, Settled on the island. They began to build a church for themselves, which was later called the cathedral. The cathedral is here, next to the castle. Inside the walls, are the small huts that the newly moved residents built for themselves There are not too many buildings here, but at that time it didn't need too many buildings to be regarded as a city. The name of the city is Stockholm, and this name has been used until today. "At last one day, Clement, the steward who initiated the project and carried it out died, but Stockholm did not lack architects for the loss of such a steward. Some monks came to the country, They were Franciscan monks. Stockholm attracted them here, so they also proposed to build a monastery in the city. They got an island from the king, a smaller one, which is the one facing Mera They built a monastery on this island, so this island is called Gray Friars Island. However, some other monks called Black Brothers also came to Stockholm, and they also asked for the right to build a monastery in Stockholm , their monastery was built on Ystad Island, not far from the South Gate. Here, on the largest island in the north of the city, the Holy Spirit House, or Hospital, was built; on another island, the industrious people A mill was built, and the monks fished near the stone island near the inside. You know, there is only one island left now, because the canal that used to be between the two islands has now been filled, but the island is still called Whitsunday Island. "Now, Clement, the island that used to be covered with hardwood trees has been filled with houses, but people keep coming here, you know, it's the shore and the water that draws people here. Santa Clara The devout female believers of La Church also came here to apply for a building site. For them, they have no other choice but to live on the north bank, which is the place called Norlmalm. Of course they are not very satisfied with this. Because The terrain is higher there, and the gallows in Stockholm is erected on the high ground, so it has become a place where people look down on it. Nevertheless, the female members of the Santa Clara Church built it on the shore of the lake under the high ground. built their church and long monastery house. Not long after they took root there, more followers came there. Farther to the north, on the high ground, a monastery with a church was built. The hospital, dedicated to St. John, and a church was built on this site under the heights to St. Jacob. "Even in Sodermalm, where the hills rise along the banks of the river, a church was built there for the Virgin Mary. "But you must not think, Clement, that it was only monks and nuns who settled in Stockholm. There were many others, and the greatest number of them was a large number of German merchants and artisans. They were more skilled than the Swedes. , Good technology, better at doing business, so they are very popular. They lived in the city, demolished the original small and simple houses, and built tall and gorgeous houses with stones. However, the open space in the city is very limited, and they have to Houses were built one next to the other, with gables facing the narrow street. "Yes, you see, Clement, that Stockholm draws people to it." At this moment, another gentleman walked quickly down the path towards them.However, as soon as the old gentleman who was talking to Clement waved his hand, the man stopped in the distance.The proud old gentleman now sat down on the bench next to Clement. "Now I want you to do one thing for me, Clement," he said. "I won't have any more chances to talk to you, but I'll have someone send you a book about Stockholm. You want Read it carefully from the beginning to the end. Now, I can say that I have laid a foundation for you to understand Stockholm, the next step is to read your own. You should continue to read in order to understand the history of the city's changes ...read how the city built on the archipelago expanded from a small walled city with narrow streets to a city of houses and sea that unfolded below us! Read the people How the splendid palace below us was built on that gloomy Selna site, and how the Greyfriars Church became the royal burial place of Sweden! Read how one island after another was built Full of houses! Read how the vegetable gardens in the South and North City became beautiful parks and residential areas! Read how a high slope was lowered, and how the straits were filled! Read the royal gardens of successive kings How it became the people's favorite tourist area! You should consider this your hometown, Clement. This city is not only for Stockholmers, it is for you and all of Sweden. "When you read about Stockholm, Clement, please note that everything I have said above is true, and it has the power to draw everyone here! First the king moved here, and the The dignitaries also built their grand mansions here, and then others were attracted here one after another, and now you see, Clement, Stockholm is no longer an isolated city, nor Not a city that belongs to its surroundings, but a city that belongs to the whole country. "You know, Clement, every diocese holds its own council, but in Stockholm there is a national people's parliament. You know, there is one judge in each jurisdiction throughout the country, but in Stockholm there is one The courts that govern them. You know, there are barracks and troops all over the country, but the commander who governs them is in Stockholm. The railways extend to every corner of the country, but the agency that manages the huge railway system is in Stockholm .Here are also the councils of priests, teachers, doctors, magistrates, etc. This is the center of our country, Clement. It is from here that the money in your pocket is issued, and we stick it on the envelope. Stamps are also printed here. All Swedes can be provided with what they need here, and all Swedes can also order here. No one will feel strange and homesick here. This is the home of all Swedes. "When you read what's written about what's been concentrated in Stockholm, Clement, think also of the following kinds of things that are drawn here, the old farmhouses in Skansen, the Old dances, old costumes and old household items, those who played the violin and told the stories. Stockholm drew all that was good and old to Skansen, to commemorate them and make them add to the world. New brilliance. "But especially remember, Clement, that when you read the book about Stockholm, you must sit in this place! You will see how the waves shone with joyful splendor, how the shores Beautifully radiant. Imagine that you have entered dreamland, Clement." The free-spirited old gentleman raised his voice so that his words sounded like a firm and forceful order, and his eyes sparkled.He stood up, waved his hand lightly, and left Clement.Clement also understood at this time that the person speaking to him must be a noble gentleman, and he bowed deeply behind him. The next day, a courtier brought Clement a big red book and a letter.The letter stated that the book was given to him by the king. During the next few days little old man Clement Larsson was so dazed that it was almost impossible for him to utter a sensible word.After a week he went to the superintendent to resign, thinking he had to go home. "Why do you want to go home? Can't you manage to adjust yourself to life here?" asked the steward. "Oh yes, I've had a good time here," Clement said, "and it's not an issue now. But anyway, I have to go home." Clement was in a dilemma because the king had told him to try to get to know Stockholm and get used to life here.But Clement had to go home first, and tell his folks at home what the king had said to him, or he would never be at peace.He would stand at the door of the church in his hometown, and tell the noble and the humble how kind and friendly the king was to him, how he had sat side by side on a stool with him, and gave him a book, and even took out a book out of his busy schedule. Time to talk to an old, impoverished violinist, and spend a full hour trying to get rid of his homesickness.It would be a great thing to tell the Lapp old man and the Dalarna woman in Skansen, but what about the folks back home? Even if Clement were to end up in the workhouse, his situation would not be difficult in the future because of this conversation with the king.He is a very different man now, people will treat him differently and respect him. Clement could not restrain this new feeling of homesickness.He had to go to the steward and explain to him that he had to resign and go home.