Chapter 41 Ib and little Kristin

Ib and little Kristin Not far from the Goodenough River, in Silkeborg Forest, a mound jutted out of the ground like a ball.People call it "backbone".Below this plateau, facing a little to the west, there is a small farmhouse surrounded by barren land; among the sparse oats and wheat, sand is faintly visible. Many years have now passed.The people who lived here tilled their little fields, and kept three sheep, a pig, and two bulls.Simply put, as long as they are content with what they have, they have enough to eat.True, they could have saved a little money for two horses; but, like other farmers in the neighbourhood, they said, "the horses eat themselves up"--as much as they could produce.

Jeb Jans plowed his little field in the summer.In winter he became an able shoemaker.He also had an assistant—a young man who knew how to make wooden shoes strong, light, and beautiful.They carved wooden shoes and ladles, and there was money to be made in these things.So one cannot call the Jeb Jans family poor. Little Ib was a seven-year-old boy, the only child of the family.He often sits by the side, watching others chipping wood, and also chipping his own wood.But one day he carved two pieces of wood, which looked like a pair of small wooden shoes.He said he was going to give them to little Kristin.She was a boatman's youngest daughter, very delicate and delicate, like a gentleman's child.If her dress had been worthy of her appearance, no one would have thought that she was a child in a hut on the heath of Sescher.Her father lives there.His wife is dead.His source of livelihood was by carrying firewood in his big ship from the forest to the eel weir at Silkeborg, and from here to as far as Randalls.There was no one to take care of Kristin, who was a year younger than Ibbe, so the child was always with him in the boat, on the heath, or in the barberry bushes.When he was going as far as Randalls, little Kristin went to Jeb Jans's.

Ib and Kristin played and ate together, they were very close.Together they dig and dig, they crawl, they walk.One day they boldly ran to the "back" and walked into a wood.They even found a few snipe eggs—a remarkable thing. Ib had never been to Seschede; nor had he sailed in a boat on the little lakes along the banks of Goodenau.Now he was going to do this: Christine's father invited him to go, and he was going to take him home for the night. Early next morning the two boys sat high on a pile of wood in the boat, eating bread and raspberries.The boatman and his assistants hold the boat.The boat sailed along the river, and across the lakes, which at ordinary times seemed to be closed up with trees and reeds, and at a rapid pace.Even though there are many old trees hanging low on the water, they can still find a space to slide over.Many old trees hang down their bare branches, as if they have rolled up their sleeves to expose their bare arms with knots.Many old alder trees were battered by the current; their roots clung to the bottom of the river and looked like wooded islands.Water lilies sway in the river.What a lovely trip!Finally they came to the eel horn weir.Here the water rushes out of the sluice.

This is something worth seeing for Ib and Kristin! At that time, there were no factories or towns here.There is only an old farm here, and there are not many domestic animals in it. The sound of water rushing out of the gate and the sound of wild ducks are the only signs of the existence of living things.After the firewood was unloaded, Kristin's father bought a basket full of eels and a pig that had been killed.He put them all in a basket in the stern, and went up the current, back, but they had a fair wind.When the sails are up, the boat seems to be pulled by two horses. They came to the edge of a wood not far from where the assistant lived.The assistant led Kristin's father to the shore.At the same time, tell the children not to make trouble and beware of trouble.But it didn't take long for the two children to be obedient.They wanted to see the eel and the little pig in the basket.They dragged the little pig out and held it in their arms.When the two of them rushed to hug it, they lost their hands and fell into the water.So the little pig went down the river—and that was terrible.

Ib jumped ashore.He ran a little way on the bank; little Kristin followed him. "Take me with you!" she cried.After a while, they ran into a wood.They could no longer see the boat, nor the river.They ran a little further.Chris Ding fell to the ground and began to cry.Ib lifted her up. "Follow me!" he said. "The house is there." But the house is not there.They walked aimlessly.Walking on dead leaves, on fallen dry branches--they crumbled under their little feet.Then they heard a sharp cry, and they stood listening, when at once they heard the screech of a fly.It was an ugly sound that frightened them very much.But in the dense woods they saw before them very lovely huckleberries, and there were many of them.It was so attractive that they had to stop, so they did, and ate so much that their lips and faces were blue.Then they heard another scream.

"That pig is lost, and we're going to be beaten!" said Chris Ding. "Let us go home!" said Ib. "Home is in the woods." So they went on.They came to a road, but this road did not lead to home.Night also fell.They get scared.The strange hooting of the horned owl and the voices of the other birds broke the strange stillness all around.At last the two of them stopped at the edge of a bush.Kristin wept, and Ib wept too.After weeping for a while, they collapsed on the dry leaves and fell into a deep sleep. When the two little children woke up, the sun was already high.They feel cold.But in the woods on a nearby hill, the sun has already shone in.They can go there to warm up.Ib thought they could see his father's house from there.But in fact they were very far apart, separated by a whole forest.

They climbed up the hill.They were standing on a slope beside a clear, transparent lake.The fish were swimming in schools, the sun shining brightly on them.They had never seen such a sight.Near them was a large bush, covered with hazelnuts, and even clusters of hazelnuts in seven bundles.They pluck the hazelnuts and crack them, scooping out the tender, newly formed kernels inside. But something else astonishing and terrible happened. Out of this jungle came a tall old woman; her face was brown, her hair was black and shining, and her white eyes were shining like those of an African Moor.She was carrying a bundle, and in her hand was a stick with many knots.She is a gypsy.The two children could not immediately understand what she was saying.She took three hazelnuts out of her pocket, and told them that they contained the most beautiful and loveliest things, for they were the fruits of hope.

Ib looked at her.She is very kind.So he took courage and asked her if she could give him these fruits.The woman gave it to him, then plucked some more from the tree, and filled a bag full. Ibu and Kristin opened their eyes wide, looking at the fruit of hope. "Is there a horse-drawn cart in this fruit?" asked Ib. "Yes, there is a golden car with a golden horse," answered the woman. "Give me the fruit, then!" said little Kristin. Ib gave her the fruit, and the woman wrapped the fruit in her scarf for her. "Is there a beautiful little scarf like Christine in it?" asked Ib.

"There are ten scarves in there," replied the woman. "And beautiful clothes, socks and hats." "Then I want this fruit too," said little Kristin. So Ib gave her the second fruit also.The third is a small black thing. "You keep this for yourself!" said Chris Ding. "It's also cute." "What's in it?" asked Ib. "The best thing you like," said the gypsy woman. Ib held the fruit tightly.The woman promised to lead them on the right way home.Now they are moving forward, but in the exact opposite direction of the right path.We can't say that she wants to abduct these two children.On this wild mountain road, they met Kelin, the mountain guard.He knew Ib.With his help, Ib and Kristin finally returned home.People at home are worrying about them.They were forgiven at last, though they deserved a solid beating: first, they dropped the piglet into the water, and second, they slipped away.

Christine went back to her home on the heath; Ib still lived on the farm by the woods.The first thing he had to do at night was to take out the fruit from his pocket—it was said that the "best thing" was hidden in it.He carefully placed it between the door and the door frame, and shut the door hard, and the fruit was crushed.But there are no kernels in it.Just a heap of something like snuff or black loam - what we call worm-eaten fruit. "Yes, that's exactly what I thought," said Ib. "How can the best things in the world be contained in such a small fruit? Kristin will not find a beautiful dress or a golden car in her two fruits!"

Winter is here and so is the new year. Several years have passed.Ib was now to be confirmed, and he lived far from the vicar.Meanwhile, one day the boatman came to see Ib's father and mother, and told them that Christine was about to go off to help now; Profession.Please think about it!She was going to the west of Herning County to help a rich innkeeper.She first helped the hostess to take care of the inn.If she did well enough to be confirmed, the master could keep her. So Ib and Christine said good-bye to each other.Everyone called them a pair of lovers.When they broke up, she showed him, and she still had to keep those two fruits.He gave it to her when they got lost in the woods.She also told him that she still kept in the trunk the pair of wooden shoes he had carved with his own hands as a gift for her, and they parted. Ib was confirmed, but he still lived in his mother's house, because he was already an able shoemaker, and he could also take care of the field work in the summer.His mother couldn't find anyone else to do these things because his father was dead. He only occasionally heard a little news about Christine from passing messengers or eel catchers: she lived well in the rich shopkeeper's family.After she was confirmed, she wrote a letter to her father and also greeted Ib and his mother, and mentioned that she had received from her master and mistress six shirts and a new clothes.This is indeed good news. On a warm day in the spring of the following year, Ib and the old mother heard a knock at the door. It was the boatman and Kristin.She's coming to play all day.She took advantage of her visit to Durm and back.She was very pretty, almost like a young lady; she wore beautiful clothes--well made, and just suited her figure.She stood in front of him very generously; Ib was wearing only his usual work clothes.He could not utter a word; he held her hand, of course, firmly, and was heartily happy; but he could not speak.Kristin didn't feel restrained at all.She was talking—that's what she was talking about.She also kissed Ib directly on the lips. "You really don't know me?" she asked.Still, he just stood holding her hand when it was just the two of them in the room.All he could say were: "You are such a lady! But I am such a clumsy one. How I miss you, Kristin! How I miss the old days!" They walked arm in arm to the ridge, and looked out over the Goodenough, Seshad, and the heather-covered banks.But Ib did not say a word.When they were about to part, he felt very clearly that Kristin should be his wife.Indeed, they were known as a pair of lovers when they were children.It seemed to him as though they had actually been engaged, although neither of them had spoken of it. They had only a few hours together now, for Chrissine was going to Durham for a ride back West early next morning.Her father and Ib kept sending her to Dem.It was a clear moonlit night.When they reached the finish line, Ib was still holding Kristin's hand and couldn't let go.His eyes sparkled, but the words drew back as they came to his lips.When he finally said it, it was from the bottom of his heart: "Christian, if you hadn't become so rich," he said, "if you could live in my mother's house and be My wife, then the two of us will be married one day. But we can wait some time!" "Yes, we'll see later, Ib!" she said.So she shook his hand; she also kissed his lips. "I believe you, Ib," said Kristin, "I think I like you too—but I must think!" So they broke up.Ib told the boatman that he and Kristin were so on good terms that it seemed as if they had been engaged.So the boatman said that he had always hoped for such a result.He came home with Ib; that night he shared a bed with the young man, and their engagement was no longer discussed. A year has passed.Ib and Kristin passed two letters.In front of their signatures, these words are always written: "Forever faithful, until death!" One day the boatman came to see Ibu and conveyed Christine's greetings.What he was about to say next was a bit hesitant, but it was nothing more than this: Everything was fine with Christine, not only fine, but she became a beautiful girl, and many people pursued her, and many People love her.The master's young master once came home to live for some time.He works in a large institution in Copenhagen; he likes Kristin very much, and she has feelings for him, and his parents have not expressed disapproval; but Kristin feels very heavy in her heart because Ib had loved her so much; so she also thought about giving up her luck—this is what the boatman said. At first Ibu didn't say a word, but his face was as pale as a white cloth.He shook his head slightly, and then said slowly: "Chris Ding shouldn't give up her luck!" "Then please write a few words to her!" said the boatman. Ib then sat down to write, but to his surprise he could not put his words into sentences.He started scribbling and scribbling, and then tore the entire sheet off.But the next morning, the letter was finally written and ready to be sent to Kristin. The full text is as follows: I also read your letter to your father.I know from your letter that everything is fine with you and will get better.Christine, please ask yourself, and think carefully about what will happen to you if you accept me as your husband.I am so poor.Please think not of me and my situation, but of your own interests.You are bound by no promises to me.If you have ever made a promise to me in your heart, I am willing to relieve you of this burden.May all the happiness in the world be yours, Christine, and God will comfort my heart! your ever faithful friend Ib The letter was sent, and Kristin received it. In November, the announcement of her marriage was published in the church on the heath at the same time as in Copenhagen, where the groom lived.So she traveled with her mistress to Copenhagen, because the bridegroom had many things to do and could not return to distant Ulan.On the way, Kristin passes through a small town called Fendel, where she meets her father.This is the closest place to him.Here they say goodbye to each other. The matter had been brought up before; but Ib was not interested.His old mother seemed to be very worried when he said these things.He was, indeed, brooding, thinking of three hazelnuts which he had received as a boy from a gipsy woman—two of which he had already given to Christine.This is the fruit of hope.Among her two fruits, one hid golden chariots and horses, and the other the most beautiful clothes.It is now a fact!In Copenhagen, the capital city, she now has all the luxurious things.The prophecy about her has now come true! The fruit of Ib contained only a pinch of black earth.The gypsy woman had said it was the "best thing" he had ever had.Yes, this is now a fact too!Black soil was the best he could get.Now he understood what the woman meant: his best things were in the black earth, deep in the grave. Many years passed—not many years, but it seemed to Ib a long time. The elderly innkeepers passed away one after another.Their entire fortune—thousands of dollars—went to their son.Yes, now Kristin can have a golden car and many beautiful clothes. In the following two years, Chris Ding did not write back.When her father finally got a letter from her, it was not written in exuberance and joy.Poor Kristin!Neither she nor her husband knew how to use this wealth sparingly.It's easy come, easy go.It does not bring happiness because they do not wish for it themselves. The heather is blooming and thanks again.The snowflakes drifted several times over the Secher wasteland and on the ridges.Below this ridge, Ib lived in a place out of the wind. The spring sun shone brightly; and one day while Ib was plowing, the plow suddenly passed over something that looked like flint.Then a black mass like shavings rose from the soil.When Ib picked it up, he found that it was a piece of metal.The place where the plowshare had cut it was now shining brightly.It turned out to be a large armlet left over from the days of the pagans.He has turned an ancient tomb; now he has found its treasure.Ib showed what he had found to the priest.The priest explained its value to him, and he went to the local judge.The judge reported the discovery to the authorities in Copenhagen, and at the same time urged him to deliver it himself. "You found the best thing in the soil!" said the judge. "The best thing!" thought Ib. "The best thing I could get, and found it in the earth! If it is the best thing, then the gypsy woman's prophecy to me has been fulfilled!" So Ib sailed from Ahus to royal Copenhagen.He had only crossed the Goodenough before, so this trip, for him, was a crossing of the ocean. He arrived in Copenhagen. The price of the gold he found was paid to him by the authorities.It was a lot of money—six hundred dollars.Ib, who had come from the woods of Sescheid, could now take a walk in the bustling metropolis. One day, before he was going back to Aarhus with the captain, he got lost in the streets; he took the opposite direction from the one he should have taken.He crossed the Knibel Bridge and ran to the suburb of Kristianhaven instead of walking towards the West Gate wall.He was indeed going west, but not where he was supposed to be.No one can be seen here.At last a very small girl came out of a dilapidated house.Ib asked the boy which street he was looking for.She froze for a moment, glanced at him, and then burst into tears.He asked her why she was sad, but he couldn't understand her answer.They came under a street lamp, and the light was shining on her face.He felt very strange, because this was the real Christine appearing before him, exactly as he could remember her as a child. He followed the girl into the shabby room and up a narrow, shabby staircase, which led to a small room on the top floor.The air here is stale and stuffy, and there is no light; from a small corner, a sigh floats sounds and rapid breathing.Ib struck a match.The child's mother was lying on a tattered bed. "Can I help you with anything?" asked Ib. "The little girl brought me here, but I'm a stranger in this town. Do you have any neighbors or friends you want me to find for you?" So he lifted the sick woman's head up. This turned out to be Chris Ding who grew up on the wasteland of Sescher! In Yulan's house, no one mentioned her name for many years, for fear of disturbing Ib's peaceful mood.Some legends about her are indeed not very good.The truth of the matter was that her husband, since he had inherited his parents' fortune, had become conceited and misbehaving.He gave up his reliable job and traveled abroad for half a year; when he came back, he was already in debt, but he still lived a luxurious life.As the old saying goes, the car tilted step by step, and finally turned over completely.Many of his playful friends say he deserves it, because he lives like a complete madman.His body was found one morning in the river in the Royal Gardens. The hand of the god of death was already resting on Chris Ding's head.The youngest child she had hoped for in happiness, but was born in misery, went to the grave within a few weeks of birth.Now it comes to Kristin herself.She was mortally ill and neglected; she lay in a shabby room, and this poverty, which she might have endured as a child in the wasteland of Secher, now made her miserable, because she had grown accustomed to it. Wealthy life now.Starving and needy with her now was her oldest child—a little Christine, too.It was she who brought Ib in. "I'm afraid I'm dying, leaving this lonely child!" she sighed. "How is she going to live in this world?" She couldn't say anything else. Ib struck another match and found a candle stub.He lit it to illuminate the dilapidated house. Ib looked at the little girl, and he thought of Kristin when she was young.He felt that, for Christine's sake, he should love the child, though he did not know her.The dying woman stared at him: her eyes widened—did she know him?He didn't know, and he didn't hear a word she said. It was in the woods beside the Goodenough River, not far from Secher's Badlands.The air was gloomy, and the heather had faded.The wild westerly wind blew the yellow leaves from the woods into the river and onto the heath.In this thatched hut on this waste land, strangers now live.But down that ridge, in a sheltered place under many big trees, was a small farm.It's freshly painted and painted.Inside the house, peat was burning in the stove.There was sunlight in the house now--sunlight from a child's eye.Laughter, like the tune of a lark in spring, escaped from the child's bright red lips.She sits on Ib's lap; he is her father and her mother, for her parents, like the dreams of children and men, are gone.Ib sits in a clean and beautiful house, and is now a happy man; but the little girl's mother lies in the cemetery of the poor in the capital city of Copenhagen. It is said that in the bottom of Ib's chest was money - gold obtained from the black earth.He also got a little Kristin. ①The Gudena River is the longest river in Denmark, with a total length of more than 300 miles. ②Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark.From here to Copenhagen, it takes eight hours by sea.This is the longest journey for a Dane.