Translation:
The events took place in the small state of Prince Demetrius, which resembles the dwarf principalities that took place in Germany during the time of Hoffmann.
While Demetrius ruled, all the inhabitants of the principality had freedom, which is why freedom-loving fairies and magicians, who personify spirituality, flocked here.
After the death of Demetrius, his place was taken by Paphnutius, who “reorganized” his principality, dispersing all fairies and wizards, except for Rosa-Gorozha (Rozabelverde, Rozhabelverde), patroness of a shelter for noble maidens.
In parallel with the history of the entire principality, the fate of the ugly little Tsakhes, who was born to the peasant woman Lisa, is told.
Often a woman could be found with a basket of brushwood, in which was her son Tsakhes.
Indeed, the woman had every reason to complain about the ugly freak who was born two and a half years ago. What at first glance might have seemed like a quite bizarrely twisted piece of wood was nothing more than an ugly little thing, about two inches tall, that had been lying in the box until now, and now came out and was floundering and growling in the grass. The monster's head sunk deep between its shoulders, a hump grew on its back like a pumpkin, and right away from its chest its thin legs, like hazel sticks, hung down, and it looked like a forked radish. An inattentive eye would not have seen anything on its face, but , having looked more closely, one could notice a long, sharp nose sticking out from under a black shaggy forelock, a pair of small black eyes that sparkled on a face wrinkled like an old man’s - a manifestation, and that’s all.
Translation:
The fairy Rozha-Pregozhikh took pity on the monster and endowed Tsakhes with a magical gift: three golden hairs on his head allowed him to be considered better than he really was.
Combing the tangled hair of Tsakhes with a magic comb, Rosabelverde changed the joyless life of the foolish, crippled poor man, giving him a chance not only to appear, but also to become the best.
When she was tired of sleep, Tsakhes woke up and saw that her child had risen to her feet for the first time and uttered her first words. It was also charming that the local pastor, having met Lisa, offered to take the child in to raise her. The peasant woman understands that her child is a big burden for anyone, so she does not understand why her ugly son turned out to be wonderful for the pastor.
Oh Mrs. Lisa, Mrs. Lisa, what a sweet and handsome boy you have! This is a real please from the Lord - such a wonderful child. - He took the baby in his arms, began to caress him and did not seem to notice at all how the ungracious little one was purring and meowing disgustingly and even tried to bite his respected father on the nose.
Translation:
It was Rosa-Gozha’s spell that began to work. The allegorical image of this heroine is the personification of spirituality and naturalness. Hoffmann associates the face of Rose-Gozha with the beauty and charm of the flower.
Whenever I, a gentle reader, wanted to further remain silent about who Panna von Rozsa-Prigozhikh is, or, as she sometimes calls herself, Rozha-Gorzha-Greenish, then you probably would have already guessed that it was not an ordinary woman. Because it was she who, having stroked and combed little Tsakhesov’s hair, had a mysterious influence on him, and he seemed to the kind-hearted pastor to be such a handsome and smart boy that he even took him for his own son.
Panna von Rozsa-Prigozhich had a sedate appearance, a noble, majestic bearing and a slightly proud, imperious disposition. Her face, although it could be called impeccably beautiful, sometimes produced some strange, almost eerie impression, and especially how she, as usual, motionlessly and sternly peered somewhere in front of her. It seemed that time had no power over her, and this itself could seem strange to someone. But there was still much that amazed her, and anyone who seriously thought about it could not escape the miracle. Firstly, the girl’s relationship with the flowers, from which her name came, was immediately striking. For not only would not a single person in the world be able to raise people like her, wonderful, full-fledged travellers, - it was enough for her to stick some of the dryest little fruit into the ground, and flowers grew from it magnificently and wildly. Then, it is known for certain that during her daily walks in the forest she had conversations with strange voices, which probably sounded almost from trees or flowers, or even from wells and streams.
On the corner of every street there was an edict on the introduction of education, and the police raided the fairies' palaces, confiscated their property and took them into custody.
Only God knows how it happened that the fairy Rojabelverde, the only one of all, found out about everything a few hours before education was introduced and managed to release her swans into the wild and hide her magical rose bushes and other treasures. She even knew that it had been decided to leave her in the country, and although she was very unhappy, she submitted.
Translation:
Time passes. The young poet Balthasar studies at Kerpes University, who loves Candida, the daughter of his professor Mosch Terpin.
Hoffmann continues to sneer at the state of education in the principality, if the leading professors are like Mosch Terpin:
He was, as already said, a professor of natural sciences, he explained why it rains, what thunders, sparkles, why the sun shines during the day and the moon at night, how and why grass grows and much more, and even in such a way that every child could understand would be understandable. First of all, he gained great fame when, after many physical experiments, he managed to prove that darkness occurs mainly due to a lack of light.
Translation:
In contrast to the irony regarding the image of Professor Mosch Terpin, Balthasar is portrayed with romantic elation.
One of that stream of students will immediately catch your attention. You will notice a slender young man of about twenty-three or four years old, from whose dark shining eyes a lively and clear mind speaks. His gaze could be called almost bold, were it not for the gloomy melancholy that lay like a light haze on his pale face and dimmed the passionate rays of his eyes. His surdut, made of thin black cloth, edged with velvet, was sewn almost according to the ancient German pattern; The Surduta suited him very well with an exquisite, snow-white lace collar, as well as a velvet beret that covered his good dark chestnut bangs. This guy, whom you, dear reader, liked so much at first sight, is none other than the student Balthazar, the child of respectable and wealthy parents, a modest, intelligent young man, attentive to work, about whom I tell you, oh my reader, I have a lot to tell in this strange story, what exactly I decided to write.
Translation:
Suddenly, Tsakhes appears in the student circle, who has a wonderful gift of attracting people to himself.
When Professor Mosch Terpin came out to meet them from the next room, leading the ice hand of the little wonderful man, and loudly exclaimed:
Ladies and gentlemen, I recommend to you a young man gifted with extraordinary abilities, for whom it will not be difficult to win your sympathy and your respect. This is the young Mr. Zinnober, who only yesterday arrived at our university and is planning to study law!
Translation:
No matter who spoke gracefully, witty, or emotionally in the presence of Tsakhes, everything was attributed to the stupid little monster.
This happened with the young poet.
Balthazar took out the neatly copied manuscript and began to read. His own work, which truly poured out from the depths of his poetic soul, full of strength and youthful life, inspired him more and more. He read more and more furiously, pouring out all the passion of his loving heart. He trembled with joy when the woman's quiet sighs were barely audible, "Oh!" or men's "Wonderful... Very... Divine!" convinced him that the poem had captivated everyone. Finally he finished. Then everyone shouted:
What a poem! What thoughts! What imagination! What a wonderful poem! Which euphony! Thank you! Thank you, dear Mr. Zinnobere, for the divine sweetness!
What? How? - Balthazar cried, but no one paid attention to him, because everyone rushed to Zinnober, who was sitting on the sofa, pouting like a small turkey, creaking in a disgusting voice:
Please... please... when you like... this is a little thing I wrote in a hurry last night.
But the professor of aesthetics shouted:
Wonderful... divine Zinnobere! Sincere friend, you are the first poet in the world after me!
And then Candida stood up, walked up, half-yawning like heat, to Kurdupla, bawled in front of him and kissed him on the disgusting mouth with blue lips.
Translation:
If Zinnober meows vilely and behaves like an animal, someone else is blamed.
The little one screeched so shrilly that the echo went throughout the entire hall, and the guests began to spit in fear from their seats. They surrounded Balthazar and began asking each other why he was shouting so terribly.
“Don’t be offended, dear Mr. Balthazar,” said Professor Mosch Terpin, “but it was still a strange joke.” You apparently wanted us to think that someone stepped on the cat’s tail here!
Cat, cat, drive away the cat! - one nervous lady screamed and instantly lost consciousness.
Whale, whale! - shouted two elderly gentlemen, sick of the same idiosyncrasy, and rushed to the door.
Candida, having poured a whole bottle of smelling water on the tired lady, said quietly to Balthazar:
You see what trouble you have caused with your nasty meowing, dear Mr. Balthazar!
And he didn’t know at all what happened. Blushing with shame and annoyance, he was not able to dare to say a word, to say that it was Zinnober’s cage, and it was not he who meowed so terribly.
Translation:
Only the chosen ones distinguish Zinnober's actions from the talented manifestations of other people. Even Balthasar's friend Fabian and his beloved girl Candida do not notice the terrible spell.
Both Balthasar and the famous virtuoso violinist Vincenzo Sbioku, the talented assistant judge Pulcher gave their knowledge and talents to be torn to pieces by “little Zaches”: everyone considers these to be Zinnober’s talents. The state of people is similar to mass psychosis. Zinnober becomes a respected figure in the Foreign Office.
Doctor Prosper Alpanus, who is actually a magician, arrives at the principality. The doctor's magic mirror reflects the true essence of Zinnober, an ugly and evil dwarf.
Doctor Prosper Alpanus proves to Rose-Gozhi that her actions do not bring good, but evil to everyone who surrounds Zinnober.
“You, my dear lady,” the doctor responded to this, “you have given yourself over to your innate kindness and are wasting your talent on insignificance. Zinnober is and will be, despite your kind help, a little ugly scoundrel who, now that your golden comb has broken, is given entirely into my hands.
Have mercy on him, doctor,” the girl begged.
“Please look here,” said Prosper, showing her Balthasar’s horoscope, which he had drawn up.
Panna looked and cried out pitifully:
Well, if this is the case, then I must yield to a higher power. Poor Zinnober!
Admit it, dear lady,” said the doctor, smiling, “admit that women sometimes very easily succumb to oddities: recklessly satisfying some whim that was born in an instant, they do not pay attention to the suffering they cause to others.” Zinnober must accept the punishment, but he still suffers undeserved honor. With this I pay tribute to your strength, your kindness, your virtues, my dear, most affectionate panel.
Translation:
A broken magic comb no longer works. All that remains is to pluck out the magic hairs that make Zinnober talented, smart, and beautiful in the eyes of society. During preparations for the engagement of Candida and Tsakhes, Balthasar, with the help of Fabian, plucks the magic hairs from Zinnober's head.
Everyone suddenly saw the dwarf as he really was. Having the hope of hiding from the crowd, laughing from the “cheered baboon,” Tsakhes runs to his palace, where he drowns in a silver pot.
The last words of the fairy Rosa-Gozha near the deceased Tsakhes explain the sorceress’s intentions to transform the pitiful semblance of a person into a person who would strive to embrace the immensity.
Poor Tsakhese! Stepson of nature! I wished you well! Perhaps I was mistaken in thinking that the wonderful external talent with which I gifted you would illuminate your soul with a beneficial ray and awaken an inner voice that would tell you: “You are not who they think you are, so try to compare yourself with the person on whose wings You, wingless calico, ascend!" But no inner voice woke up in you. Your scruffy, dead spirit could not rise, you did not get rid of your stupidity, rudeness, bad manners. Ah, if only you had remained a little nonentity, a little, uncouth ignorant, you would have avoided a shameful death!
Translation:
The last request of the compassionate fairy to Prosper Alpanus is to ensure that, after the shameful death, Tsakhes is considered to be the one for whom, thanks to the charms, they were considered to be life. And so it happened.
Another good deed of the fairy concerns the dwarf's mother, Lisa: wonderful sweet onions grow on her plot, and the woman becomes a supplier to the princely court, poverty overcomes her.
Balthazar and Candida celebrate their wedding. The tale, as always, has a good ending. But the ironic ending of “Krihitka Tsakhes” seems to draw readers’ attention to the author’s hidden thought: in life everything is much more complicated.
The span is an ancient measure of length, equal to the distance between the tips of the outstretched thumb and little finger (approximately 20 cm).
Translation Yes. Popovich
The peasant woman Lizi had an ugly son, whose name was Tsakhes. One day she was returning home from the forest with him and, stopping to rest, fell asleep. Fairy Rosabelverde, who was passing by, saw them. She felt terribly sorry for Tsakhes, and she decided to help him. The fairy combed his hair with a magic comb. After this, three fiery hairs appeared on the freak’s head, which endowed him with witchcraft. All the merits and successes of others were now attributed only to him. And all his bad sides (of which there were quite a lot) were different. And only a few people were able to see the truth. When Lizzie woke up and set off again, she met a local pastor. He was so fascinated by this imaginary beauty of Tsakhes that he took him into his care.
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Lizzie, of course, was happy to get rid of the dwarf, who had always been a burden to her.
A young man named Balthazar studies at Kerepes University. He is madly in love with the daughter of his teacher, Professor Turpin, Candida. Little Tsakhes, taking the name Zinnober, comes to this university. He ingratiates himself with Turpin and charms Candida. Everyone around admires the dwarf. Only Balthazar and his friend Fabian see everything as it really is. Zinnober takes the place of a freight forwarder in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then a Privy Councilor for Special Affairs. But here again magical power helps. Prosper Alpanus arrives in Kerpes under the guise of Doctor Prosper, in whom Balthasar guesses as a magician. He reveals Tsakhes' secret. When Rosabelverde, the culprit in this whole story, comes to the magician, he convinces the fairy to refuse protection to the dwarf and breaks the magic comb.
Meanwhile, Turpin is already arranging Zinnober's engagement to Candida. Balthazar appears at the holiday and, tearing out the magic hairs from the dwarf’s head, burns them. The magic instantly dissipates. Then everyone finally begins to see what Zinnober really is. Amazed by this course of events, Tsakhes runs away from the people to his palace. He tries to hide in a jug and, getting stuck, dies. After death, the fairy returns the dwarf to his former attractive appearance. And she gives Tsakhes’s mother a magical sweet onion, and she becomes the personal supplier of this onion for the court. Balthasar and Candida get married, and Alpanus leaves them his possessions and leaves for India.
I have prepared a retelling for you Strange
(Story, 1819) Prince Demetrius ruled in one small state. In this state, every resident was given complete freedom in his endeavors. Fairies and magicians value freedom above all else, so under Demetrius many fairies from the magical land of Dzhinnistan moved to the small principality. But after the death of Demetrius, his heir Paphnutius decided to introduce enlightenment in his fatherland, which seemed to him to mean that all magic should be abolished. Pursuing his goal, he sent all the fairies to Dzhinnistan, and only the fairy Rosabelverde managed to stay in the principality, who persuaded Paf-nutius to give her a place as a canoness in a shelter for noble maidens. The result of the expulsion of the fairies was the drying up of the gardens of this fertile land. And then one day the fairy Rosabelverda, the mistress of flowers, saw the peasant woman Lisa asleep on the side of the road. Lisa was returning from the forest with a basket of brushwood, carrying in the same basket her freak of a son, nicknamed little Tsakhes. This dwarf had a disgusting old face, twig-like legs and spider-like arms. Taking pity on the evil freak, the fairy combed his tangled hair for a long time and, smiling mysteriously, disappeared. As soon as Lisa woke up and set off on the road again, she met a local pastor. For some reason, he really liked the little freak, and, repeating that the boy was a miracle good-looking, decided to take him in. Lisa was glad to get rid of the burden, although she did not understand why people could like her freak. At the same time, the young poet Balthasar, who is in love with the daughter of his professor Mosch Terpin Candida, is studying at Kerpes University. Mosch Terpin was possessed by the ancient Germanic spirit, as he understands it: heaviness combined with vulgarity, even more unbearable than the mystical romanticism of Balthasar. Meanwhile, a new face invades the touching university reserve: little Tsakhes, endowed with a magical gift of attracting people to himself. How- then once, having got into the house of Mosch Terpin, he completely enchants both him and Candida. Now his name is Zinnober. As soon as someone reads poetry or expresses himself wittily in his presence, everyone immediately thinks that this is the merit of Zinnober. As soon as he meowed disgustingly or stumbled, one of the other guests turned out to be guilty. Everyone admires Zinnober's grace and dexterity, and only two students - Balthasar and his friend Fabian - see all the ugliness and malice of the dwarf. Meanwhile, he manages to take the place of a freight forwarder in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then a Privy Councilor for Special Affairs, and all this is by deception, for Zinnober managed to appropriate to himself the merits of the most worthy. One day the city was visited by Doctor Prosper Alpanus, a magician traveling incognito. Balthasar immediately recognized him as a magician, but Phibian, spoiled by enlightenment, at first doubted. However, Alpanus proved his power by showing Zinnober to his friends in a magic mirror. It turned out that the dwarf is not a wizard or a gnome, but an ordinary freak who is helped by some secret force. Alpanus discovered this secret power without difficulty, and the fairy Rosabelverde hastened to pay him a visit. The magician informed the fairy that he had drawn up a horoscope for the dwarf, and that Tsakhes-Zinnober could soon destroy not only Balthasar and Candida, but also the entire principality, where he had become his man at court. The fairy is forced to agree and refuse Tsakhes her protection, especially since Alpanus deliberately broke the magic comb with which she combed his curls. However, after these combings, three fiery hairs appeared in the dwarf's head. They endowed him with witchcraft power: all other people's merits were attributed to him, all his vices to others, and only a few saw the truth. The hairs had to be pulled out and immediately burned, and Balthasar and his friends managed to do this when Mosch Terpin was already arranging Zinnober’s engagement to Candida. Thunder struck, and everyone saw the dwarf as he really was. He was played with like a ball, he was kicked, he was thrown out of the house. In wild anger and horror, he fled to his palace, which the prince had given him, but the confusion among the people grew. Everyone heard about the transformation of the minister. The unfortunate dwarf died, stuck in a jug, where he tried to hide, and as a final benefit, the fairy returned him the appearance of a handsome man after death. She also did not forget the unfortunate man’s mother, the old peasant woman Lisa. Such wonderful and sweet onions grew in Lisa’s garden that she was made the personal supplier of the enlightened court.
Section one
Little freak. How Prince Paphnutius introduced education in his country, and the fairy Rosabelverde ended up in a shelter for noble maidens
On the way, a ragged peasant woman, exhausted from hunger and thirst, fell. She had a box of brushwood over her shoulders. She complained about her unhappy fate, about her miserable life, about the shame that the deformed child she herself had brought to her family. Most of all, she cursed the child, who was already two and a half years old, and she had not even gotten wet on her frail legs and had not learned to talk. her son ate a lot, like an eight-year-old boy, but there was no hope that he would work. In the box, the woman carried her degenerate along with the brushwood: “the monster’s head sunk deep between his shoulders, a hump like a pumpkin grew on his back, and thin legs, like hazel sticks, hung from his chest, so his whole body looked like a forked radish.” . This manifestation had a long, sharp nose, black shaggy hair, and a “pair of black eye sockets” sparkled on her wrinkled, old face.
The woman fell into a deep sleep, and the boy, coming out of the box, was fiddling around next to her. Currently, the patroness of the shelter was walking through the forest. Seeing this picture, she was upset because she could not help the grief of this woman.
Panna caressed the boy, combed his disheveled hair and decided to help his grief in her own way by sprinkling the child with fragrant water.
When the peasant woman woke up, she felt rested and cheerful, praised the curls of her little Tsakhes, and was surprised because he could walk and talk.
On her way home, at the pastor’s request, she stopped to rest at his house. The father praised her little son, who seemed to him a smart and handsome boy. The pastor asked Lisa to leave Tsakhes for his upbringing and, angry with the peasant woman for her beliefs in the foolishness of her own son, he took the monster and clicked the door.
Lisa returned home with a light heart and a box that now, without Tsakhes, seemed almost weightless.
As our reader understands, the whole secret lay in the spell of the patroness. Indeed, she was an extraordinary woman. Everyone who knew her said that since the patroness appeared in this area, she had not changed at all, had not aged. There were rumors back that this girl was a witch. People told all sorts of fables: someone saw her talking to animals and birds in the forest, or how she flew on a broom—they even wanted to throw her into the water to confirm their thoughts. Having learned about such intentions, the patroness complained to the prince, who stood up for her. Then the peasants, having come to their senses, gradually began to forget all sorts of fables and did not touch her anymore.
This respected lady of an imperious character was called Fraulein von Rosenschen, or, as he called himself, Rosenschen-Zelenova. She had a friendly look, and she seemed especially beautiful when the roses were blooming.
Panna Rosenshen was appointed patroness of the refuge by the prince himself, so Baron Pretextatus could not do anything, although he did not like this woman, because in one chronicle he did not find the surname Rosenshen-Zelenova and could not say anything about this pedigree.
In the prince’s office they knew that Panna was the glorious fairy Rosabelverde, known throughout the world.
Here's how it happened.
Fairies settled in the beautiful, warm, cozy and carefree country of Prince Demetrius; they loved freedom and a warm climate. The villagers - since there was not a single city in the principality - believed in miracles. After the death of Demetrius, his son Paphnutius began to rule, who was tormented by one thought: why were the people abandoned and dark. He truly began to lead the country by appointing his valet Andres as first minister, who did him a favor by lending him six ducats.
Andres advised Paphnutius to introduce education. But for the method to work better, a lot more had to be done: repair schools, rebuild roads, cut down forests, make the river navigable, plant poplars and acacias, plant potatoes, teach young people to sing evening and morning songs in two voices, inoculate smallpox and drive them out of the country. countries of people who interfere with their dangerous moods. The minister considered fairies to be such people, for they performed miracles and made people incapable of enlightenment. Therefore, it was decided to surround the fairy castles, destroy them, confiscate their property, and deport the fairies themselves to their country of Dzhinnistan, which is known from the Arabian Nights.
Prince Paphnutius signed a decree on the introduction of education. And they decided to leave one fairy to do some useful work among people, then the peasants would forget about the fairies. Thus, they decided to “domesticate” not only the fairy, making her a useful member of society, but also the animals and birds confiscated from these posters.
Fairy Rosabelverde, a few hours before the introduction of education, managed to release her swans and hide her magical roses and various jewelry.
Paphnutius settled Rosabelverde in a shelter for noble maidens, where she called herself Rosenshen-Zelenova and began to manage it.
Chapter two
University in Kerepesi. How Mosch Terpin invited student Balthasar to tea
The All-Svitny scientist Ptolomeus, while on a trip, wrote letters to his friend Rufinus:
“Dear Rufina, I am afraid of the debilitating rays of the sun, so I decided to rest during the day and travel at night. The nights are dark here, and my driver has strayed from the smooth road onto the pavement. My head was covered with bumps, and from the shock I flew out of the carriage, the wheel of which broke. I reached the city, where I met amazingly dressed people. There was something eastern in their clothing that combined with the western. They released artificial clouds from tubes. They surrounded me on all sides and shouted: “philistine! Philistine!" This offended me, so I contacted the police. These barbarian people made a fuss, and my driver advised me to leave this city. Now I am in one of the villages closest to the city, where I am writing to you, my dear Rufinus. I want to learn about the customs and customs of this amazing people, etc.”
My dear reader, the great scientist Ptolomeus Philadelphus did not know that he was near the Kerepes University, and that these strange barbarian people were students. What fear would have gripped him if an hour ago he would have found himself at the house of Mosch Terpin, professor of natural sciences. Students loved his lectures because Mosch Terpin could explain why it rains, why it sparkles and thunders, why the sun shines during the day and the moon at night. And he explains in such a way that every child would understand. Allow me, kind reader, to send you to Kerepes to the house of this scientist. Among the professor's students, one young man, about twenty-three or four years old, will attract your attention. He has an almost bold look, but on his pale face the passionate rays of his eyes were dimmed by dreamy melancholy. This young man, dressed in an ancient German frock coat, is none other than the student Balthasar, the son of respectable wealthy parents, modest and intelligent.
All the students went to the fencing ground, and the pensive Balthazar went for a walk in the grove.
His comrade Fabian suggested practicing the “noble art of fencing”, and not wandering melancholy through the forest, because this is a bad habit.
Fabian went for a walk with a fellow student and started talking about Mr. Mosch Terpin and his lecture. Balthazar yelled that the professor’s natural lectures and experiments were “disgusting laughter from the divine nature.” “Often I wanted to break his glasses and flasks. After his lectures, it seems to me that buildings will collapse on my head, and oppressive horror drives me out of the city. But I can’t help but go to Turpin’s lectures, some strange force pulls me there,” Balthazar explained to his friend.
Fabian exposed this strange power by naming the name of Candida, the professor's daughter, with whom Balthazar fell in love.
The guys noticed a horse without a rider in the distance, thinking that the horse had thrown off its owner. They stopped the horse, with its boots dangling on its sides, to find its rider. But suddenly something small rolled under the horse’s feet. It was a hunchbacked baby who resembled an apple impaled on a fork. Fabian laughed, and the dwarf in a rough voice asked the way to Kerepes.
The kid was trying to put on his boots. Every now and then he stumbled and fell into the sand until Balthazar stuck his thin legs into the boots, lifting the baby up and lowering him into the boots.
Then the strange rider tried to get into the saddle, and again in vain: he turned over and fell. Again Balthazar helped him.
This stranger took offense at Fabiani's laughter and declared that he was "Princeton", so the guy should fight him.
Balthazar shamed his comrade for his behavior, but Fabian was not interested in this, he wanted to quickly return to the city to see the reaction of others. There will be laughter when they see this little ugly horseman. Fabian himself wanted to laugh, so he walked through the forest to the city.
Balthasar, while walking in the forest this time, met Candida and her father. Mosch Terpin invited him to tea and a pleasant conversation. What a smart young man should come.
Chapter Three
Literary tea party at Mosch Terpin. Young Prince
Fabian asked all the passers-by if they had seen the strange baby on horseback. But no one could say anything, and the guy did not notice the mocking smiles on their faces. People only said that two slender horsemen were passing by, one of them was short, handsome and pleasant in appearance. Balthazar and Fabian tried to convince everyone that the baby was disgusting and not good at all, but they had no luck. Fabian reminded his friend that tomorrow they would see “the tender mamzel Candida.”
Candida was as beautiful as a picture, with radiant eyes. She was a slender and agile girl, but her arms and legs could have been more sophisticated if she had eaten less cake. Candida loved cheerful company: she played the piano, sang along, and danced.
But poets can find flaws in every woman. their ideal: a girl should rush for poetry, according to their poems, sing songs to them.
Candida is the most cheerful and carefree, she liked conversations and humor. But there was a feeling in her that never turned into “banal sensitivity.” That's why Fabian decided that she was not suitable for Balthazar.
Fabian, entering Balthazar, smiled, because his friend was sitting so dressed up. The guy wanted to hit the heart of his beloved girl.
At the Terpin House, Candida treated the guests to rum, crackers and flat cakes. The student simply admired her and could not find the right words. The professor introduced Mr. Zinnober to the society, who was to study law at Kerepes University.
Fabian quietly joked to Balthazar: “I guess I’ll have to fight this Potorocha with flutes or maybe with awls! Therefore, I cannot take any other weapon against such a terrible enemy.”
His comrade shamed him again. Balthazar asked the kid if anything bad happened to him because of his unsuccessful horse riding. And Mr. Zinnober did not even remember that he fell from his horse, because it turns out that he was “the best rider” and even taught officers and soldiers riding in the arena.
Suddenly the baby fell head over heels when the stick he was leaning on slipped out of his hands. The dwarf got busy. Everyone decided that there was a huge cat in the hall, and then they said that it was Balthazar who was joking. The student was confused, and Candida calmed him down.
The turmoil in the hall subsided, everyone sat down and had some conversations. It was a convenient time to read a new, fresh work. And Balthazar, coming to his senses, read his poem about the nightingale and the purple rose. He read passionately, pouring out all the passion of his loving heart. The guy trembled with joy when he heard sighs or words: “Wonderful... Extremely... Divine! The poem captivated everyone.
But as soon as he finished reading, the listeners rushed to the dwarf with their praises and cries about his talent. Balthazar was confused. Even Fabian was convinced that the poems were written and read by Zinnober. A beautiful girl, Candida, at the request of those present, gave the freak her kiss. Balthasar got angry, and Fabian said that his comrade was jealous of Candida, and invited him to make friends with this young man, because he really deserves praise.
Now in the hall, Mosch Terpin with his physical equipment showed everyone the experience, and again the audience praised and applauded “dear Mr. Zinnober.” They tried to pick him up or shake his hand, but he “behaved extremely indecently”: he waved his small legs, throwing them into the professor’s thick belly and then croaked in a disgusting voice, creaked, pouting, “like a small turkey.”
Among the company was also the young Prince Gregor, who was studying at the university. He is very handsome with a noble and relaxed behavior, which showed his high birth.
Now Prince Gregor did not leave Zinnober, praising him as the best poet and physicist.
Mosch Terpin put forward versions that perhaps his protégé, Mr. Zinnober, is of princely, even royal blood: he is talented, noble in behavior. This is how the pastor who raised him recommended him.
At that moment they announced that dinner was ready. Zinnober hobbled towards Candida, clumsily grabbed her hand and led her into the dining room. How furiously Balthazar rushed into the dark night, through the storm and rain, home.
Chapter Four
As the Italian violinist Sbioka boasted of putting Mr. Zinnober into double bass, and Referendar Pulcher could not get a position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. How Balthasar was enchanted with the head of a stick
Balthazar sat on a stone in the wilderness, thinking about Candide. He understood, after analyzing the latest events, that the baby was fascinated, and this witchcraft must be stopped.
Returning to Kerepes, Balthasar met Signor Vincenzo Sbioca, a world-famous violin virtuoso, from whom he studied to play for two years. Sbioka spoke about his concert, where all the applause and praise went to Mr. Zinnober, and he, the musician, was almost beaten. Signora Bragazzi is in a fever, because everyone praised Zinnober’s singing, but she sang the aria. Offended by all this, Vincenzo Sbioca boasted of putting Zinnober into the double bass.
Balthasar had barely seen off the violinist when he saw his fellow referendar Pulcher trying to shoot himself. Pulcher spoke about his oral examination for the position of secret freight forwarder in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The embassy adviser encouraged him, because the labor submitted to the ministry was approved by the minister himself.
— The adviser took the exam from me and the little dwarf. I answered all the questions, but the monster mumbled. The kid behaved indecently, fell from a high chair several times, and I had to sit him down. The adviser smiled kindly at him, they hired him, and they scolded me as if I had come drunk, fell out of my chair, behaved obscenely and knew nothing.
Balthazar shared his thoughts about witchcraft with the referendum, and they decided to bring the baby out into the open.
The comrades heard the music of harmony. A man dressed in Chinese was riding through the forest, with a magnificent beret on his head. The carriage is made of crystal and the wheels too. White unicorns were pulling a carriage, instead of a driver there was a golden pheasant, and a golden beetle was sitting behind. The man greeted his friends, and a bright beam fell on Balthazar from the shiny head of a long stick held by the stranger. It was as if someone had stabbed the young man in the chest. From that moment he decided that this man would save them from the “unholy Zinnoberian spell.”
Chapter Five
How Prince Barsanuf made the secret forwarder Zinnober a secret adviser for special matters. A picture book by Dr. Prosper Alpanus. Baltazarov's escape
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, under whom Herr Zinnober took up his new position, was a descendant of Baron Protextatus von Mondschein, who searched in the chronicles for the genealogy of the fairy Rosabelverde. His ancestor's name was Protextatus von Mondschein, and he had the best education.
The successor of the great Paphnutius, Prince Barsanuf loved him, because every question must be answered, he danced well and understood financial matters.
The baron invited the prince to breakfast with Leipzig larks and a glass of Gdansk golden vodka. Zinnober was also invited. The prince praised the baby, thinking that now it was he who filled out the papers so beautifully and correctly. At this time, the baby stuffed himself with larks, muttering and slurping insignificantly, and put an oil stain on the prince’s cashmere pants.
One young man approached, saying that it was he who was writing the report. But the prince snapped at him, accusing the guy of lying, also noticed that he was the one slurping and put a stain on his trousers.
During breakfast, the prince appointed Mr. Zinnober as Privy Councilor for Special Affairs, remarking: “A true Englishman!
Fabian told Balthasar about Zinnober's career, how Candida fell in love with him and became involved. And Balthazar was not bothered by this. He told his friend about what he had heard and seen in the forest, about the witchcraft of the dwarf.
Fabian insisted that this stranger was not a wizard, but Doctor Prosper Alpanus, who wanted to appear to be one. To make sure of this, the comrades went to the doctor’s villa.
They knocked on the lattice gate with a hammer, an underground rumble was heard, and the gate slowly opened. The guys walked along a wide alley, and two huge frogs jumped along them. Fabian threw a stone at one, and suddenly she turned into a woman, ugly and old, and the other turned into a man who was carefully digging a garden.
It seemed to Balthazar that white unicorns were grazing on the grass, and Fabian saw only horses among them.
Instead of a doorman there was a golden, ostrich-like, shiny bird. Fabian couldn’t believe his eyes here either, insisting that it was a guy in disguise.
The guests were greeted by Doctor Alpanus. Balthasar told him everything he thought about Zinnober. In his library, the owner took a book about root brownies, where they were drawn. When the doctor touched them, they came to life, then he stuffed them into the book again. Balthasar did not find little Zinnober either among the brownies or among the red-haired gnomes.
Then Dr. Alpanus decided to perform another operation. They went into another hall, where Prosper Alpanus demanded that Balthasar wish for Candida to appear.
Blue smoke appeared. Candida appeared, and next to her was the nasty Zinnober, whom she spoiled. Prosper gave Balthasar a club to beat the monster.
After this experience, the doctor concluded: Zinnober is a man, but what forces help him. He invited Balthazar to come again. Fabian shouted that he didn’t believe in these old wives’ tales. Prosper Alpanus reassured him by stroking his arm, from shoulder to wrist.
On the way to Kerepes, Balthazar noticed that his friend had a strange frock coat: the skirts were long and the sleeves were short.
Fabian himself did not understand anything. Having reached the gate, he saw that his sleeves were shortening, and his skirts were lengthening and dragging along the ground behind him. Passers-by laughed at him, and children pulled and tore his coat. As soon as he jumped into a house, the floors disappeared and sleeves appeared.
At this time, Balthazar was dragged into an alley by Pulcher. He said that they were looking for Balthazar because he was accused of violating domestic law: he broke into Mosch Terpin’s house and beat the ugly baby to death. The referendar promised the guy his help, and now sent him to the village of Goch-Jakobsheim, where the famous scientist Ptolomeus Philadelphus wrote his book about an unknown student tribe.
Chapter Six
As Privy Councilor, Zinnober combed his hair in his garden and took a dewy bath. Order of the Green-Spotted Tiger. How Panna Rosenschen visited Prosper Alpanus
Professor Mosch Terpin was happy that his daughter was marrying the Privy Councilor. Now he can rise up the ranks, just like his brother-in-law.
At dawn, Secretary Adrian, the young man who almost lost his place in the ministry office, walked around Zinnober. He regained the prince's favor by obtaining for him a wonderful remedy for removing stains. Privy Councilor Zinnober lived in a beautiful house with an even better garden. Every nine days at dawn he himself, without a servant, although it was very difficult for him, got dressed and went into the garden.
Pulcher and Adrian sensed some kind of secret and, recognizing the valet whom the master was supposed to go to the garden at night, they entered the estate.
They saw that some woman with wings on her shoulders flew to the baby and combed his long curls with a golden comb. She wished him to be reasonable. And Kurdupel replied that he was already the smartest.
When the woman disappeared, Pulcher and Adrian jumped out of the bushes, noting that he had been well combed.
Zinnober wanted to run away, but his frail legs let him down. He fell and became entangled in the flowers that overgrown him.
On this occasion, Pulcher wrote a letter to Balthasar. Zinnober, upset by this incident, lay down in bed and moaned. Rumors of his illness came to the prince, who sent him his own physician.
The life doctor determined that the Privy Councilor does not spare himself for the sake of the fatherland. He probably noticed the red stripe on Zinnober's head and inadvertently touched it. Zinnober, sinister with rage, slapped the doctor in the face, the echo went through the room:
- I’m healthy, what do you want from me? I’ll get dressed now and go to the ministry for the conference.
Pretextatus von Mondschein asked Little Zinnober to read a note that he allegedly wrote himself. Hoping for the talent of the Privy Councilor, Pretextatus wanted to win from this report.
But in fact, the note was not written by Minister Mondschein, but by Secretary Adrian.
The kid mumbled and mumbled incomprehensibly, so the prince himself began to read the report. Satisfied, he appointed Zinnober minister and sent Mondschein to rest. The prince also awarded the baby the Order of the Green-Spotted Tiger; he wanted to hang the order ribbon, but it did not hang as it should, according to the rules, on Zinnober - the hill got in the way.
But the prince gathered an order council, which he ordered to figure out how to secure this ribbon on the body of the new minister. He gave them eight days. There were philosophers and a natural scientist here.
Everyone thought. In order to think better, they created conditions of complete silence: in the palace they walked in soft slippers, spoke in a whisper; near the palace the street was covered with a thick layer of straw; It was forbidden to beat drums and play musical instruments near the palace.
The theater tailor Kes, a dexterous and cunning man, was invited to the council. He quickly came up with the idea that the ribbon could be secured with buttons.
The prince approved the resolution of the order council: to introduce several degrees of the Order of the Green-Spotted Tiger, depending on the number of buttons. Minister Zinnober received a special reward: an order with twenty diamond buttons, since that is how many he needed for his strange figure.
Despite his wise invention, the prince did not like the tailor Kes, but still awarded him an order with two gold buttons.
Doctor Alpanus spent the whole night composing Balthasar's horoscope and learned something about the little Zinnober. He wanted to go to Hoch-Jakobsheim, and Fraulein von Rosenschen came to see him.
Vonbula in a long black dress and black haze. Directing the beam of his stick at her, Prosper saw a patroness in white robes, with transparent wings behind her back, with white and red roses in her hair.
He hid the stick and invited the lady for coffee. On this day, a lot of miracles happened: a lady spilled coffee, broke a golden comb, became a butterfly and a mouse, and the doctor turned over into a beetle, then a cat.
Prosper Alpanus told Madame Rosenchen that it was he who warned her about the introduction of education, it was he who kept his park and his magical supplies intact.
Panna asked the doctor to pardon her comrade as her pupil, then the sage showed Balthasar his horoscope. And Panna Rosenshen yielded to this higher power. Thus, the patroness and the wizard are friends.
Chapter Seven
How Professor Mosch Terpin explored nature in the princely cellar. "Mycetes Beelzebub" (1). The despair of student Balthazar. Gift of Prosper Alpanus
Balthazar received a letter from Referendary Pulcher: “Our affairs, dear friend Balthazar, are getting worse. The disgusting Zinnober is now Minister of Foreign Affairs and has received the Order of the Green-Spotted Tiger with twenty buttons. Professor Mosch Terpin, through his future son-in-law, received the position of Director General of all Natural Affairs. He censors and revises solar and lunar eclipses, as well as weather predictions in state-sanctioned calendars, and especially examines nature in the residence and surrounding area. He receives rare birds, the best animals, and in order to explore their nature, he orders them to be roasted, and then eats them. Zinnober made sure that Mosch Terpin could study his new treatise on wine in the princely cellar. He studied a lot of wine and champagne this way.
The minister promises to take revenge on you. And my every meeting with him becomes fatal. In the zoological office, when he stood in front of a glass cabinet with rare American monkeys, strangers confused him with a monkey, calling him Howler Beelzebub. I laughed so hard I couldn't help myself. Zinnober almost burst, his legs gave out, and the valet carried him to the carriage. He even refused the services of the prince's physician. Farewell, Balthazar, don’t lose hope, better hide.”
Balthasar sat brooding in the depths of the forest, lamenting his fate and the vain promises of Prosper Alpanus. Suddenly something flashed strangely, the guy saw a doctor flying towards him on an insect that looked like a field pipit.
Prosper forgave the young man for his thoughts and told him about his love. In India he has a beloved one, from whom his friend Lotus conveyed greetings to him. Point replacement, that was the name of the Indian princess, calls him to her. He also told about Panna von Rosenschen and her pet little Tsakhes.
His strange charms are hidden in three fiery shiny hairs, which Balthazar must pull out and immediately burn so that trouble does not happen. In order to look at the hairs, Alpanus gave the boy a lorgnette, and for his punished comrade Fabian - a tortoiseshell snuffbox, which would relieve him of his spell. Prosper will draw up a formal deed of gift, naming him Balthazar's uncle and giving him his wonderful estate. There, after the wedding, the young man lives with his young wife. This estate has the best vegetables for salads, the best weather for laundry, the best carpets that don’t spoil or get stained.
And Prosper Alpanus himself will go to his Balsamina.
(1) Mycetes Beelzebub (lat.) - Beelzebub monkey.
Section eight
In the morning Balthazar sneaked into Kerepes to the house of his friend Fabian. Fabian lay pale in bed. Now he already believed in all sorts of charms, because no matter what suit, which was not tailor-made, it still shortened the sleeves and lengthened the hems. There were a lot of suits hanging in his house right now. Fabian told his friend that theologians consider him a sectarian, and diplomats consider him a rebel. The rector called him, and the student appeared in a vest without a frock coat. Mr. Rector became terribly angry and ordered him to appear in decent form in a week. This deadline expired today. Balthasar handed Fabiano the snuff box. When the guys opened it, a beautifully tailored tailcoat made of the finest cloth fell out of it. This tailcoat suited the young man very well. The spell has disappeared. Balthasar then told his friend about his conversation with Uncle Prosper Alpanus. Fabian promised his support and help.
At that moment Referendar Pulcher was walking down the street, very upset. And Fabian called out to him, and he himself went to see the rector.
Pulcher listened to Balthasar's story, speaking about the sad hour, because it was today that the disgusting dwarf would solemnly celebrate his engagement. Mosch Terpin even invited the prince. In the hall, lit by hundreds of candles, stood the decorated little Zinnober, holding the hand of the young Candida, he grinned and grinned disgustingly. When the time came to exchange rings, Balthazar burst into the hall, followed by Pulcher and Fabian. Everyone started screaming and complaining about this disgrace. Balthazar, through a piece of glass, is probing a magical strand of hair. He grabbed him and Zinnober began to kick his legs, scratch, and bite. Then Fabian and Pulcher began to hold the baby. After this, neither the prince nor those around him saw in him that Minister Zinnober; everyone began to laugh at the Kurdupel dwarf, a disgusting monster.
The prince was angry with Mosch Terpin and took away the position of general director of natural affairs from him, because he did not find his minister at the engagement.
Mosch Terpin, out of rage, wanted to throw the dwarf out of the window, and the caretaker of the zoological office confused the baby with a monkey. The monster ran out into mocking laughter and, grunting, ran home, unnoticed even by her servants.
Balthasar told everything to Candida, who was fooled by Zinnober's spell. And the girl confessed her love to him. Mosch Terpin screamed, wringing his hands. He was also assured of the charms of the ugly curdupel, received from the fairy Rosabelverde.
“Yes,” said Mosch Terpin, “yes, I was enchanted by the ugly sorcerer... I can no longer stand on my feet... I am floating under the ceiling... Prosper Alpanus will come for me... I will fly on a butterfly... the fairy will comb my hair | Rosabelverde... patroness Rosenchen... I will become a minister! King! Emperor!
Candida and Balthazar informed the professor about their decision to get married. The father allowed: “... Marry, Love, starve together, I will give Candida not a penny of dowry.”
Balthasar wanted to convince him that they would not starve, and they postponed it until tomorrow, because Mr. Professor was very, very tired.
Chapter Nine
How old Lisa started a riot, and Minister Zinnober slipped while running away. How Prince Barsanuf became depressed, how he ate onions, and how no one could replace Zinnober for him
Minister Zinnober's carriage stood in vain almost all night at Terpin's house. For a long time the driver did not believe that Zinnober had gone home on foot and was not here.
Arriving home, he asked the valet, or the owner of the house. The servant said that the gentleman returned from the holiday dissatisfied, now grunting, now meowing like a cat, crawling under the valet’s feet. And now they sleep, snoring as they always do on big matters.
The servants went to check, and now Zinnober is snoring. The baby snored, won, whistled in a bizarre way.
Early in the morning there was a noise in the minister's house. Some old peasant woman, dressed in a wretched festive dress that had long since faded, asked to be her son, little Tsakhes. The doorman said that this was the house of Minister Zinnober, and there was no such thing among the servants. The woman was driven away.
Then she sat down on the stone steps of the house on the other side of the street. People began to gather around her. They didn't know if she was crazy or if there was truth in her words. The woman looked at the Zinnober window. And then she smiled:
- Here he is, my little Tsakhes.
Everyone looked there and began to laugh when they saw little Zinnober, in embroidered scarlet robes, hanging with an order ribbon, standing at the window that reached the very floor.
The spectators, laughing, shouted:
- Little Tsakhes! Little Tsakhes!
The servants laughed the most furiously when they saw their master.
The minister, realizing that they were laughing at him, began to threaten the police, guards, and prison. But the more the minister lashed out, the louder the laughter rose. They started throwing stones and vegetables at him.
Meanwhile, a rumor spread that this was really little Tsakhes, who had climbed to the top through shameful lies and deceit, taking away the proud name of Zinnober.
People poured into the ministers' house, the valet wrung his hands. He could not find his owner, and neither did the people.
When the riot subsided, Zinnober did not leave his hiding place. The valet noticed “that one beautiful silver vessel with ears, which always stood in the white of the toilet, because the minister valued it very much, as a precious gift from the prince himself, had small, thin legs sticking out.” When the servant pulled him out of there, His Excellency was dead - the valet began to cry; Having dried him, he put him in bed and called the life doctor.
Fraulein von Rosenschen entered the room. She calmed the people down, and after her came Lisa, little Tsakhes’s own mother. Dead Zinnober now seemed better than he ever had in his life. A soft, light smile froze on his lips. The hair again fell on the shoulders in curls, and did not curl up. Panna stroked the baby’s head, and instantly a red stripe glistened in his hair.
Lisa began to cry and complain: it would be better if he stayed at home, I would carry him in a basket, and they would give me coins someday.
Lisa thought that this whole house and the money that her son had made would remain hers. But no. The woman became even more upset. She wanted to take her little Tsakhes so that the priest would stuff him. The fairy got angry, sent the woman out, ordered her to wait, and wanted to do something to console and help.
Rosabelverde thanked Prosper Alpanus, who restored the baby to his appearance, that the monster would be buried with honors.
Prince Barsanuf cried a lot when he saw his minister dead. The life doctor, having examined the deceased, determined the cause of death - not physical, but mental. He believed that the minister was busy with government affairs, and that the pressure of the medal ribbon interfered with the activity of the brain and nodal system.
The prince cried a little more and left. Leaving the house, he saw old Lisa with a wreath of golden bow. He spoke to her kindly, tasted her golden sweet onions, and ordered her to supply onions to the prince’s kitchen. The prince tried the sweet, strong, hot onion, and in front of him he saw the deceased Zinnober, who whispered to him: “Buy, eat this onion, prince, for the benefit of the state!” The prince gave the League several gold pieces, and so she got out of poverty with the help of the secret charms of the beautiful Rose.
The funeral of Minister Zinnober was one of the most magnificent: he was buried with honor, remembering all the services of his mind to the state.
Last section
How Professor Mosch Terpin calmed down, and Candida was never irritated again. Like a golden beetle buzzed in the ear of Doctor Prosper Alpanas, he said goodbye and left, and Balthazar lived happily with his wife
Now, dear reader, I want to say goodbye to you. The one who copies these sheets for you knows a lot about the glorious deeds of Zinnober and would gladly tell you. But alas! Looking back at strange events, having accumulated them, he is afraid of losing your trust, dear reader. Having written “The Last Section,” he asks to look at these images at ease, even to make friends with them.
The story could have ended with the death of Zinnober, and it would have been better to end with a joyful wedding.
Balthasar reassured Mosch Terpin by showing Minister Zinnober through the lorgnette; surprised him by introducing him to his uncle Prosper Alpanus, who gave the newlyweds his estate with surrounding forests, fields, and meadows. Here the professor could study his new experiments.
The guy introduced Candida's father to a spacious beer hall, which was no worse than a princely cellar.
At this point the professor calmed down.
Balthazar's wedding was celebrated in a suburban villa. The bride was absorbed by the fairy Rosabelverde, who surrounded the girl with her charms. Candida was extremely charming. In addition, Rosenshen gave her a wonderful magic necklace, and since then she put it on, and she never got irritated over trifles.
The young man and the young woman were happy.
The wizard and the sorceress decorated the wedding with miracles: sweet songs about love, tables with dishes and crystal bottles rose from the ground.
At night the golden beetle descended, and Prosper, saying goodbye to everyone, flew to India.
Balthasar, remembering the advice of Prosper Alpanus, wisely used the beautiful suburban estate, and became a good poet. Candida was never irritated, for she did not take off her necklace. The young people lacked nothing, they lived a happy family life.
So, the fairy tale about the baby Tsakhes, nicknamed Zinnober, now really has a completely happy ending p>
CHAPTER FIRST
Little werewolf. - The great danger that threatened the pastor’s nose.
How Prince Paphnutius implanted enlightenment in his country, and the fairy
Rosabelverde ended up in a shelter for noble maidens.
Not far from a friendly village, right next to the road, on the ground scorched by the heat of the sun, lay a poor, ragged peasant woman. Tormented by hunger, tormented by thirst, completely exhausted, the unfortunate woman fell under the weight of a basket filled to the brim with brushwood, which she had collected with difficulty in the forest, and since she could hardly catch her breath, it occurred to her that death had come and the end of her inconsolable grief had come. . Nevertheless, she soon gathered her strength, loosened the ropes that tied the basket to her back, and slowly dragged herself onto the nearby lawn. Then she began to complain loudly.
“Really,” she complained, “is it really only me and my poor husband who have to endure all the troubles and misfortunes? Aren’t we the only ones in the whole village living in constant poverty, although we work until we sweat, and barely get enough to satisfy our hunger? About three years ago, when my husband, digging up the garden, found gold coins in the ground, we really imagined that happiness had finally turned to us and there would be carefree days. What happened? Thieves stole the money, the house and barn burned to the ground, the grain in the field was destroyed by hail, and in order to fulfill the measure of our grief, God punished us with this little werewolf that I gave birth to the shame and ridicule of the entire village. Two and a half years have passed by St. Lawrence Day, and he still does not control his spider legs and, instead of speaking, he only purrs and meows like a cat. And the damned freak eats like a big eight-year-old, but all this is of no use to him. God, have mercy on him and on us! Are we really forced to feed and raise a little boy to our own torment and even greater need; Day by day the baby will eat and drink more and more, but will never work. No, no, not a single person can bear this! Oh, if only I could die! - And then the unfortunate woman began to cry and moan until grief completely overpowered her and she, exhausted, fell asleep.
The poor woman could rightfully cry about the disgusting freak she gave birth to two and a half years ago. What at first glance could well be mistaken for an outlandish stump of a gnarled tree was in fact an ugly child, no taller than two spans in height, lying across the basket - now he crawled out of it and grumbled about in the grass. The head went deep into the shoulders, where the back was, there was a growth like a pumpkin, and immediately from the chest there were legs, thin as hazel twigs, so that the whole thing resembled a forked radish. An unsighted eye would not have been able to discern the face, but, looking more closely, one could notice a long, sharp nose protruding from under the black tangled hair, and small black sparkling eyes - which, together with the wrinkled, completely senile features of the face, seemed to reveal the little alraun.
And when, as it is said, the woman, tormented by grief, fell into a deep sleep, and her son leaned against her, it happened that Fraulein von Rosenschen, the canoness of the nearby shelter for noble maidens, was returning that way from a walk. She stopped, and the disastrous sight that presented itself touched her greatly, for she was by nature kind and compassionate.
“Righteous heaven,” she exclaimed, “how much need and grief there is in this world!” Poor, unhappy woman! I know she’s barely alive, because she’s working beyond her strength; hunger and care overwhelmed her. Now I just felt my poverty and powerlessness! Oh, if only I could help as much as I wanted! However, all that I have left, those few gifts that hostile fate could neither steal nor destroy, all that is still within my control, I want to firmly and not falsely use to ward off disaster. Money, if I had it, would not help you, poor thing, and perhaps would even worsen your lot. You and your husband, both of you, are not destined for wealth, and whoever is not destined for it, his gold floats out of his pocket and he doesn’t know how. It only causes him new sorrows, and the more he suffers, the poorer he becomes. But I know - more than any need, more than any poverty, it gnaws at your heart that you gave birth to this tiny monster, which, like a heavy ominous yoke, you are forced to bear all your life. This boy will never become tall, handsome, strong, intelligent, but perhaps he will be able to help in another way.
Then the fraulein sank down onto the grass and took the baby on her lap. The evil freak floundered and resisted, grumbled and tried to bite the fraulein on the finger, but she said:
Calm down, calm down, May bug! - and began to quietly and gently stroke his head, running her palm from his forehead to the back of his head. And little by little, the baby’s tousled hair smoothed out, parted, lay in dense strands around his forehead, and fell in soft curls onto his protruding shoulders and pumpkin-shaped back. The baby became calmer and calmer and finally fell asleep. Then Fraulein Rosenschen carefully laid him on the grass next to his mother, sprayed her with fragrant alcohol from a snuff bottle and hurriedly left.
Waking up soon, the woman felt that she had miraculously become stronger and refreshed. She felt as if she had had a hearty lunch and a good sip of wine.
“Hey,” she exclaimed, “how much joy and cheerfulness the short sleep brought me.” However, the sun is setting - it's time to go home! “Here she was about to put the basket on her shoulders, but, looking into it, she missed the baby, who at the same moment rose from the grass and whimpered pitifully. Looking at him, the mother clasped her hands in amazement and exclaimed:
Tsakhes, little Tsakhes, who combed your hair so beautifully? Tsakhes, little Tsakhes, how these curls would suit you if you weren’t such a disgusting freak! Well, come here, come, get into the basket. “She wanted to grab him and put him on the brushwood, but little Tsakhes began to kick back and meowed very clearly:
I don't feel like it!
Tsakhes, little Tsakhes! - the woman screamed without remembering herself. - Who taught you to speak? Well, if you have such good hair and speak so well, then surely you can run? “She put the basket on her back, little Tsakhes grabbed her apron, and so they went to the village.
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