少女和狮子

少女和狮子

    The Singing, Springing Lark
    Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
    Once upon a time there was a man who was about to set forth on a long journey. At his departure he asked his three daughters what he should bring for them when he returned.
    The oldest one wanted pearls, the second one wanted diamonds, but the third one said, "Father dear, I would like a singing, springing lark."
    The father said, "Yes, if I can get it, you shall have it." Then kissing all three, he set forth.
    Now when the time had come for him to return home, he had bought pearls and diamonds for the two oldest ones, but he had searched everywhere in vain for a singing, springing lark for the youngest one. This made him very sad, for she was his favorite child.
    His path led him through a forest, in the middle of which there was a splendid castle. Near the castle there stood a tree, and at the very top of the tree he saw a singing, springing lark.
    "Aha, you are just what I have been looking for," he said happily, then told his servant to climb up and catch the little creature.
    But as he approached the tree, a lion jumped up from beneath it, shook himself, and roared until the leaves on the trees trembled. "I will eat up anyone who tries to steal my singing, springing lark!" he cried.
    The man said, "I did not know that the bird belongs to you. I will make amends for my wrong and ransom myself with a large sum of money. Just spare my life."
    The lion said, "Nothing can save you unless you will promise to give me that which first meets you upon your arrival at home. If you will do that, I will grant you your life, and you shall have the bird for your daughter as well."
    The man hesitated, saying, "That could be my youngest daughter. She loves me the most, and always runs to meet me when I return home."
    The servant, however, was frightened and said, "Why must it be your daughter that meets you? It could also be a cat or a dog."
    Then the man let himself be persuaded, took the singing, springing lark, and promised to give the lion whatever should first meet him at home.
    When he reached home and entered his house, the first one who met him was none other than his youngest and dearest daughter. She came running up, kissed and hugged him, and when she saw that he had brought with him a singing, springing lark, she was beside herself with joy.
    The father, however, could not be glad, but instead began to cry, saying, "My dearest child, I paid dearly for that little bird. To get it I had to promise you to a wild lion, and when he has you he will tear you to pieces and eat you up." Then he told her everything that had happened, and begged her not to go there, come what may.
    But she consoled him, saying, "Dearest father, your promise must be kept. I will go there and appease the lion, so that I can return safely to you."
    The next morning she had the way pointed out to her, took leave, and in good spirits walked into the woods.
    Now the lion was an enchanted prince. By day he was a lion, and all his people became lions with him, but by night they had their natural human form.
    On her arrival she was kindly received and led into the castle. When night came, the lion was a handsome man, and their wedding was celebrated with splendor. They lived happily together, remaining awake by night, and sleeping by day.
    One day he came and said, "Tomorrow there will be a feast at your father's house, because your oldest sister is getting married. If you would like to go, my lions will take you."
    She said yes, that she would like to see her father again, and she went there, accompanied by the lions.
    There was great joy when she arrived, for they all believed that she had been torn to pieces by the lion, and was no longer alive. But she told them what a handsome husband she had, and how well off she was. She stayed until the wedding was over, and then went back into the woods.
    When the second daughter got married, and she was again invited to the wedding, she said to the lion, "This time I do not want to be alone. You must come with me."
    The lion, however, said that that would be too dangerous for him, for if a ray from a burning light were to fall on him there, he would be transformed into a dove, and would have to fly with doves for seven years.
    "Oh," she said, "do come with me. I will protect you, and guard you from all light."
    So they went together, taking their little child with them as well.
 &n

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