Chapter 4 little john two

The poolside is stuffy and dead.The sun was red and tired from the day's work, and before sunset, it temporarily rested on the hill in the distance.The smooth water surface almost fully reflects its fiery appearance.The leaves of the beech trees hanging over the pond looked at themselves carefully in the mirror while they were calm.The lonely heron, who stood with one foot between the broad leaves of the water lily, also forgot that it once went out to catch toads, and just stared ahead in deep reverie. Then John came to the meadow, in order to see the cave of the clouds.thump!thump!The toad jumped off the bank.The mirror of the water rippled, and the image of the sun split into broad ribbons.The beech leaves quivered unhappily, too, for his own observations were not yet finished.

An old, small boat was tied to the exposed roots of the beech tree.John was strictly forbidden to sit up by himself.well!How strong is the temptation tonight!The clouds have made a great gate; behind that the sun must go to rest.The brilliant little clouds are lined up like a team of full-armored guards.The surface of the water also shone, and red sparks flew among the reeds, like arrows. Slowly John untied the rope from the roots of the beech tree.Float there, that grotesque middle!Presto had leaped into the boat before his master was ready, and the reed's stalks bent separately, driving them both slowly out to where the setting sun shone on them with its last rays. go.

John leaned on the front cabin, looking into the depths of the cave of light. -- "Wing!" thought he, "now, Wing, go that way!" -- the sun vanished.The clouds are still shining.The sky in the east is dark blue.Willows stand in rows along the bank.They hold their narrow, white leaves motionless in the air.It hangs like gorgeous light green lace against the dark back. be still!what is this?There seemed to be a blow on the water—like the touch of a breeze that split the water into a deep ditch.This is from Shagang, from the cave of clouds. As John looked around, there was a large blue water dragonfly sitting on the side of the boat.Such a big one was something he had never seen before.It sat very still, but its wings flapped in big circles.This in John, it seems that the tips of its wings form a glowing ring.

"It's a moth," he thought. "That's rare." The ring only grew bigger, and its wings fluttered so fast that John could only see a mist.And I felt it slowly, as if two black eyes were shining out from the fog, and a petite, slender body, wearing light blue clothes, was sitting next to the big dragonfly.A crown of white bindweed was placed on the golden hair, and transparent wings hung from the shoulders, shining in a thousand colors like soap bubbles.John shuddered.This is a miracle! "Will you be my friend?" he whispered. It is a strange etiquette to speak to strangers, but everything here is totally unusual.He also felt that this strange blue thing was already familiar to him.

"Yes, John!" he heard, and the sound was like the rustling of reeds in the evening wind, or the patter of rain on the leaves of the woods. "What should I call you?" John asked. "I was born in the torus of a convolvulus, just call me Xuan'er!" Xuan'er smiled and looked into John's eyes with confidence, which made him feel strangely at ease. "Today is my birthday," Xuan'er said, "I was born in this place, from the first light of the moon and the last light of the sun. People say that the sun is female, but he is not, he is mine Father!"

John promised to say that the sun is male in school tomorrow. "Look! Mother's round, white face has come out.—Thank God, Mother! Oh! No, how she's darkened again!" Xuan'er pointed to the east.In the gray sky, behind the dark leaves of the willow trees hanging over the bright sky, the moon rose big and bright, and wore a very unhappy face. "Oh, oh, mother!--it doesn't matter. I can trust him!" The beautiful thing fluttered its wings with joy, and hit John with the swallow-flower he held in his hand, lightly on the face. "She didn't think I came to you. You were the first. But I trust you, John. You must never mention my name or speak of me to anyone. Will you allow me?"

"Yes, Xuan'er," John said.All this was still new to him.He felt an indescribable happiness, but was afraid that his happiness was a joke.Is he dreaming?Near him lay Presto on the side of the boat, sleeping peacefully.The warm breath of his puppy made him feel better.Mosquitoes and flies circled the water and danced in the air of the linden tree, just like usual.Everything around is so clear and distinct; it should be real.He always felt how Xuan'er's confident gaze stayed on him.Then the plump voice sounded again: "I see you here often, John. Do you know where I am?—I sit probably on the sand of the pond, among the thick weeds, and look up at you, when you drink or see water beetles and Newt, when you bend over the water. But you will never see me. I often peep at you from among the thick reeds. I am always there. When it is hot, I always sleep there, in an empty in a bird's nest. Yes, it's soft."

Xuan'er happily swayed on the side of the boat, and even used his flowers to ward off mosquitoes. "Now I'm going to have a little party with you. Your ordinary life is so simple. We're going to be good friends, and I've got a lot to tell you. Much better than the schoolteachers tie you up. They don't I know. I have sources that are far better than books. If you don’t believe me, I’ll teach you to read and listen for yourself. I’ll take you with me.” "Oh, Spinner, sweet Spinner! Can you take me there?" cried John, pointing to where the purple light of the setting sun shone in the golden Cloud Gate. ——This gorgeous giant elephant is already afraid of being scattered into pale yellow smoke.But from the deepest part, there is always a reddish light.

Xuan'er stared at the light that gilded his beautiful face and his golden hair, and slowly shook his head. "Not now! Not now, John. You can't ask too much at once. I never went to father myself." "I'm always with my dad," John said. "No! That's not your father. We are brethren, and my father is yours. But your mother is the earth, and that makes us different. You were again born into a family, among men, and I am On the receptacle of a bindweed. That is much better, of course. Still we can be very understanding." So Xuan'er jumped lightly, went to the side of the lightly loaded, unwavering boat, and kissed John's forehead.

But it was a strange feeling for John.This is, it seems that everything around has completely changed.He felt that he saw everything better and more clearly now.He saw how the moon looked at him more lovingly now, and he saw how the water lilies had faces, all of which looked at him in amazement and thought.Now he understood suddenly why the flies danced so joyously up and down, always circling each other, up and down, until they touched the water with their long legs.He had thought about it long ago, but now he understood it naturally. He heard again how the reeds murmured, and how the trees on the bank sighed softly, saying that the sun had gone down.

"Ah, Xuan'er! I thank you, this is indeed impressive. Yes, we will get to know each other very well." "Give me your hand," Xuan'er said, spreading her colorful wings.So he took John in the boat, past the water rose leaves shining in the moonlight, and out onto the water. Here and there a toad sat on a leaf.But this time it didn't jump into the water like it did when John came.It bowed only slightly to him, and said, "Garge!" John returned the salute with an equal bow.He was reluctant to show a little arrogance. So they came to the reed, which was so wide that the whole ship was hidden in it before they reached the shore.But John held on tight to his companion, and they scrambled between the tall trunks to land. John was well aware that he had grown very small and light, but this was probably only imagining.He was able to climb up a reed branch, but he had never thought of it. "Be careful," Xuan'er said, "You're about to see something nice." They walked forward wearing thick grass under the dim bushes, through which a few bright moonlight occasionally shined through. "Did you ever hear crickets on a hill at night, John? Didn't they? They seemed to be playing together, and you couldn't tell where the sound was coming from. Well, they don't sing for pleasure." , that sound you hear is from the cricket school, where hundreds of crickets practice their lessons. Be still, we are coming." Sierr!Sierr! The bushes came to light, and as Spin pushed the grass stems away with the flowers, John saw a bright, open ground where the little crickets were doing their things, practicing them on the thin, narrow stalks. homework. Sierr!Sierr! A big, fat cricket is the instructor, watching over the lessons.The students jumped towards it one by one, and they always got there in one jump, and returned to the original place in another jump. If anyone made a wrong jump, he should stand on the fungus and be punished. "Listen well, John! You may learn a little here," said Spinner. How the cricket answered, John knew very well.But that is totally different from what the teachers say in the school.The first is geography.They do not know the parts of the world.They only need to be familiar with twenty-six sand hills and two pools.Where there is farther, no one can know a little bit.The teacher said that anyone who talked about this was just an illusion. This time it's the turn of botany.They all learned well here, and gave them a lot of rewards: all kinds of long, especially tender, brittle grass stems.But what surprised John most was zoology.Animals are distinguished as jumping, flying and crawling.The cricket, which can jump and fly, stands at the top; followed by the toad.Birds are said by them, with all expressions of indignation, to be the greatest evil and danger.Finally, it is about human beings.It was a large, useless and harmful animal of a very low order of evolution, for it could neither jump nor fly, but fortunately it was rare.A little cricket, who had never seen a human being before, mistakenly counted human beings among the harmless animals, and was beaten three times with a straw. John had never heard such a thing! The teacher suddenly shouted: "Stay still! Practice jumping!" All the crickets immediately stopped studying and turned somersaults very quickly and diligently.Fat teacher led. It was hilariously good-looking, and John clapped his hands happily.As soon as they heard them, the whole school suddenly scattered on the hill, and the grass became dead still. "Oh, it's you, John! Don't behave so roughly! It will be seen that you were born among men." "I'm sad, I'll be more careful next time, but that's too funny." "It's so funny," Xuan'er said. They passed the meadow, and went on that side to the hill.Pooh!This was work in the thick sand;—but when John grabbed Twirl's transparent blue coat, he flew up easily and swiftly.In the middle of Gangtou is a hare's nest.The rabbits who live there lie on the mouth of the hole with their heads and paws to enjoy the beautiful night air.Rosa rosea is still in bud, and its delicate, delicate fragrance is mixed with the floral scent of thyme that grows on the hill. John often saw the hare hiding in its hole, and he asked himself, "What's the situation in there? How many can gather there? Don't they worry?" He was very glad when he heard his companion asking the hare if he might visit the cave. "It's all right with me," said the rabbit. "But as it happens, I'm surrendering my cave tonight for a charity ceremony, so I'm not the master in my own home." "Oh, oh, has something unfortunate happened?" "Oh, yes!" said the hare sadly. "A big blow, we'll be hurt for years. A thousand jumps from here, a human dwelling was built. So big, so big!—and the people moved there, bringing with them Dogs. Seven members of my family were killed there, and three times as many were homeless. It was especially bad for the rats and the family of the groundhog, and the toad was also greatly harmed. So Let's hold a meeting for the survivors, and each one will do what he can; I'm handing over my hole. Everyone should leave something for their kind." The sympathetic hare sighed, and with its right front paw drew the long ear over its head to wipe away a tear.Such is its hand towel. There was a rustle in the grass, and a fat, cumbersome body came to the cave. "Look!" Xuan'er said loudly, "Uncle Shuoshu is here." The Shuo Shu didn't pay attention to Xuan'er's words, and placed a whole grain ear wrapped with dry leaves peacefully at the entrance of the hole, then nimbly jumped over the hare's back and went into the hole. "Can we go in?" John asked, really curious. "I would also like to donate a little something." He remembered that there was a biscuit in his pocket.When he took it out, he really realized how small he had become.It took him two hands to hold it up, and he wondered how it could fit in his pocket. "This is rare and very precious!" the hare shouted... "What a rich gift!" It very respectfully allows two to enter the door.It was dark in the cave; John was willing to let Spinner go ahead.But immediately they saw a little light green light, approaching them.Here is a firefly, to please them, to shine upon them. "It looks like it's going to be extremely beautiful tonight," said Firefly's leader. "There have been a lot of visitors here. I think you are elves, right?" The firefly looked at John and was a little skeptical. "Just report us as goblins." Xuan'er replied. "Do you know that your king is also attending the meeting?" Huoying continued. "Is the boss here? I like it very much!" Xuan'er said loudly, "I know him personally." "Ah!" said the Firefly,—"I didn't know I had glory," and its little light was almost extinguished in astonishment. "That's right, what His Majesty loves most is the free air, but for the purpose of charity, he can do anything. This should be a very glorious meeting." That's true.The lobby in the Rabbit building is brilliantly decorated.The ground was well treaded and sprinkled with fragrant thyme; in front of the entrance hung a bat on its hind legs;This is a way to save money.The walls of the lobby are decorated with dead leaves, cobwebs, and small, hanging bats.Countless fireflies come and go, and are still hovering on the top, creating an exciting activity of illumination.Above the hall was a throne of decayed tree trunks, shining with diamond-like results.This is a brilliant scenario! There are already many visitors.In this unfamiliar environment, John felt like half of the family, only clinging to Xuan'er.He sees strange things.A woodchuck chatted with the voles about pretty lamps and decorations with great interest.In one corner sat two fat toads, shaking their heads and talking about the long drought.A toad tried to lead a corporal across the hall arm in arm, which was very difficult for it, because it was a little nervous and impatient, so it always messed up the decorations on the wall every time. On the throne sat the superior, the king of demons, surrounded by a small group of attendants of demons, some of whom looked down contemptuously.The king himself was extraordinarily amiable, just like a king, and talked amicably with all kinds of visitors.He had traveled from the East, and wore a strange garment, made of beautiful flowers and leaves of various colors.No such flowers grow here, John thought.On his head was a dark blue torus, exuding a fresh fragrance, like a newly folded one.In his hand he holds one of the lotus' tendrils as a royal stick. All those present were in his favor.He praised the moonlight here, and said that the local fireflies are also beautiful, almost the same as the eastern ones.He looked at the decorations on the wall very contentedly, and a groundhog also saw that His Majesty had taken a rest, so he nodded contentedly. "Come with me," Xuan'er said to John, "I want to introduce you." So they rushed straight to the king's throne. As soon as Shangshou recognized Xuan'er, he happily stretched out his arms and kissed him.This stirred up whispers among the guests, envious glances among the goblin's entourage.The two fat toads in the corner chattered about "sycophants" "beggars" and "wouldn't last long" and nodded sensibly.Xuan'er had a long conversation with her superior, and used strange words, so she called John over. "Give me your hand, John!" said the king. "Xuan'er's friends are my friends. I'm willing to help you if I can. I want to give you a token of our party." The superior unfastened a small gold key from his necklace, and handed it to John.He accepted it very respectfully, holding it tightly in his hand. "This spoon can be your happiness," continued the king, "and it can open a golden casket in which to hide some noble treasures. But I cannot tell you who has the casket. You only have to seek it zealously. If you are good friends with me and Master Xuan'er and are faithful, then you will succeed." The Demon King then nodded his fair head kindly, and John thanked him with great joy. The three toads sitting a little higher on the wet berry moss joined together to form the leader of the slow round dance, and the couple also cooperated.Anyone who didn't dance was pushed aside by a green lizard who was acting as master of ceremonies and was busy with his duties. The two toads were very annoyed and complained together that they could not see.By this time the dancing had begun. But it is ridiculous!Each danced as it was, and naturally assumed the attitude that what it did was much better than the other.Rats and toads jumped up and down on their hind legs, an old rat spun so wildly that all the dancers ducked from in front of him, and a fat tree snail, the only fat tree snail, dared to fight the dirt. The dog came and went around, but was soon abandoned, under the front wall, so that she (translator's note: snail) suffered from low back pain, and the real reason was that she didn't understand those things very well. Yet everything was done with honesty and dignity.Everyone regarded these as honors, and watched the king anxiously, hoping to see some expression of appreciation on his face.Wang was afraid of causing dissatisfaction, so he just stared ahead.His attendants, who valued their virtuosity in character, came to join in the dance, and looked on haughtily. John has had a long time.When he saw how a big lizard swung a small toad, often lifting the poor toad high from the ground, and swung it in a semicircle in the air, he burst into loud laughter. , to vent his interest. This caused an excitement.The music was muted.Wang looked around sternly.The master of ceremonies rushed to the laugher, and severely reprimanded him, the behavior needs to be polite. "Dancing is a most solemn thing," it said, "and there is nothing ridiculous about it. This is a noble meeting, and people dance here not just for fun. Each has his own speciality, and no one wants to be laughed at." , this is disrespectful. Other than that, it is a sad ceremony that everyone is here, for a great cause. Be polite here, and don't act like a human being!" This frightened John.He saw hostile looks everywhere.His intimacy with the king made him many enemies.Xuan'er pulls him aside: "We'd better go, John!" he murmured. "You're screwing it up again. Yeah, yeah, if educated from humans, that's it!" They scurried hastily from under the wings of the bat-keeper and out onto the dark road.The respectful Firefly was waiting for them. "Have you had a good time?" it asked, "Have you talked with the previous king?" "Oh, yes! That's an interesting meeting," said John. "Must you stand on this dark road forever?" "This is a free choice," Huoying said in a sad voice. "I can no longer participate in such a boring rally." "Go!" Xuan'er said, "You don't think so." "However, this is the truth. Earlier—at one time earlier, I also participated in various meetings, dancing, and wandering. But now I am swept away by sorrow, and now..." It is still so excited, as for it disappears of light. Fortunately, they were near the entrance of the cave, and the hare heard them approaching, and moved a little to the side to let in the moonlight. As soon as they were outside by the hare, John said, "Then tell me your story, Firefly!" "Ah!" sighed Firefly, "it's simple and sad. It doesn't make you happy." "Let's talk about it, let's talk about it!" Everyone shouted. "Then you all know that we fireflies are a most extraordinary thing. Well, I think no one can deny that we fireflies are the most gifted of all living things." "Why? I would like to know that," said the hare. Firefly replied with contempt: "Can you shine?" "No, that's not the case." The hare had to agree. "So, we shine, all of us! And we can shine or extinguish at will. Light is the highest gift, and a living being can shine the highest. Who else will compete with us for the top? We men have wings besides. , and can fly miles away.” "I can't do that either." The hare confessed humbly. "Because we have the gift of light," went on Firefly, "other animals mourn us, and no bird attacks us. Only one animal, the lowest of all, seeks us out and takes us .That is man, the most savage product of creation." Speaking of this, John stared at Xuan'er, as if he didn't understand it.Xuan'er only smiled, and motioned for him to tell him not to speak. "Once, I too flew to and fro, a bright misty light, happy in the dark thickets. On the lonely wet grass, on the bank of the ditch. Here lived her, and her presence, and my happiness was Inseparable. She glowed gorgeously in the blue jasper light, and as she crawled along the grass, so strongly captivated my boyish heart. I flew around her, and tried to use the change of color to draw her attention. Fortunately, I saw how she had accepted my salute, and shyly hid her light. Trembling with emotion, I knew to restrain my wings and descend to to my beloved, as a mighty sound filled the air. Dark shapes approached. They were human beings. I ran in terror. They pursued me and shone with a heavy, black beat me. But my wings carry me a little faster than their heavy legs. When I come back..." The storyteller stopped talking at this point.First there was the stimulant moment of silence—then all three listeners fell into apprehensive silence—and then it went on: "You have expected. My tender fiancée--the brightest and brightest of all--she has vanished, captured by malicious men. The quiet, damp little meadow is trampled, And her beloved dwelling on the edge of the ditch is bleak and desolate. I'm alone in the world." The sentimental hare still pulled his ear over and wiped a tear from his eye. "I have changed since then. I am opposed to all frivolous entertainment. I only remember her I lost, and I still think about the time when I meet her again." "Is that so? Do you still have such hope?" the hare asked happily. "More sure than hope, I am sure. There I will meet my lover again." "However..." the hare wanted to retort. "Rabbit," Firefly said solemnly, "I know that only those who should be wandering in the dark will doubt. But if it is visible, if it is seen with your own eyes, then any doubt That is a mystery to me. Over there!" said the worm, looking up in awe at the star-studded sky, "over there I saw her! All my ancestors, all my friends, and her, I I see a majestic radiance more distinctly than on this earth. Alas! When will I suddenly leave this empty life and fly to her who tempts and attracts me? Alas! What? When, when?..." Sighing, the Light Worm left its listener and crawled into the dark cave again. "Poor thing!" said the Hare, "I hope it's not bad." "I hope so," John agreed. "I don't think so," Xuan'er said, "but it's very touching." "Love Spin," said John, "I'm tired and going to sleep." "Come then, lie here beside me, and I will cover you with my cloak." Xuan'er took his blue cloak and covered John and himself.Thus they lay on the fragrant grass of Gunpo, embracing each other tightly. "You lay your heads so flat," cried the hare, "would you like to lay your head on me?" This is an offer they cannot refuse. "Good evening, mother." Xuan'er said to the moon. So John clutched the little golden key in his hand, and resting his head on the downy fur of the good hare, he fell asleep soundly.