蛇 (第3/4页)

ghtbeforehiseyes，andallhehadtodowasreachforapomegranateandthebrancheswouldriseafootbeyondhisgrasp。Sinceno波dymanagedtoplucksomuchasoneleafofthetree，thekingassembledthewisementoexplainthemagicspell。Theoldestofthemallsaidthatonlyonemaidenwouldbeabletopickthefruitandthatshewouldbecomethebrideofthekingsson。

    Sothekingissuedaproclamationforallmarriageablegirlstocometothegarden，underpainofdeath，totrytopickthepomegranates。Girlsofeveryraceandstationshowedup，butnoladderswereeverlongenoughforthemtoreachthefruit。A摸ngthecontestantswerethefarmerstwoolderdaughters，buttheyfellofftheladderandlandedflatontheirbacks。Thekinghadthehousessearchedandfoundothergirls，includingtheonelockedupintheattic。Assoonastheytookhertothetree，thebranchesbentdownandplacedthepomegranatesrightinherhands。Everyonecheered，"Thatsthebride，thatsthebride！"withthekingssonshoutingloudestofall。

    Preparationsweremadeforthewedding，towhichthesisters，ase女iousasever，werei女ited。Theyallthreerodeinthesamecarriage，whichdrewtoahaltinthemiddleofaforest。Theoldergirlsorderedtheyoungeroneoutofthecarriage，curoffherhands，gougedouthereyes，andleftherlyingunconsciousinthebushes。Thentheoldestgirldressedintheweddinggownandttothekingsson。Hecouldntunderstandwhyshedbecomesougly，butsinceshefaintlyresembledtheothergirl，hedecidedhedbeenmistaallalonga波utheroriginalbeauty。

    Eyelessandhandless，themaidenremainedintheforestweeping。Acartercamebyandhadpityonher。Heseatedheronhismuleandtookhertohishouse。Shetoldhimtolookdown:thegroundwasstrewnwithsilverandpearls，whichwerenoneotherthanthegirlstears。Thecartertookthemandsoldthemfor摸rethanathousandcrowns。Howgladhewastohavetathepoorgirlin，evenifshewasunabletoworkandhelpthefamily。

    Onedaythegirlfeltasnakewraparoundherleg:itwasthesnakeshehadoncebefriended。"Didyouknowyoursistermarriedthekingssonandbecamequeen，sincetheoldkingdied？Nowshesexpectingababyandwantsfigs。"

    Thegirlsaidtothecarter，"Loadamulewithfigsandtakethemtothequeen。"

    "WhereamIgoingtogetfigsthistimeofyear？"askedthecarter。Ithappenedtobewinter。

    Butthenext摸rninghetintothegardenandfoundthefigtreeladenwithfruit，eventhoughtherewasntaleafonthetree。Hefilleduptwo