the time, so that my hands were nearly blistered. From the mountain
itself, there seemed to come forth a great heat, so that I was fearful
that I had come upon a volcano and that I might fall into the crater. I
wanted to go back, but my head became dizzy when I looked over the
narrow ledge on which I stood, into the deep chasm I had left behind me.
I rested awhile; then, after a drink from my water bottle, I crawled
down at the risk of my life.
Reaching the level, I decided to walk around the mountain to see if I
could discover some valley. At this point, I would have preferred
returning to my home, but did not know how I should climb up the steep
slope of the snow plain down which I had fallen.
I followed along the foot of the mountain until I came to a vast forest
which, from under its cliffs, stretched a long distance away. I hoped
when I should reach the other side that I should come to the ocean. In
the forest were only bare trunks of trees fallen in every direction and
many turned up by the roots. Perhaps a great earthquake had destroyed it
and the heat from the mountain had dried up the trees.
With difficulty, I made my way into the tangle. It soon became darker
and with the trunks piled high one on top of another, it seemed to me
that there would be no end to it. On and on I went, hoping each moment
to see a glimmer of light, when suddenly I ran into a steep, rough wall,
but it was unlike anything my Godmother had told me about. On both
sides, to the left and right I went, trying to find a way out; but there
was not even a hole. Only, on each side was another wall like the one I
had run into, and so I found myself in a great cave which, perhaps, in
olden times had been caused by an earthquake and now by way of the
forest led into the heart of the mountain.
I became frightened and lonely, lost in this desolate place, and feared
that I might never again come out into God's world. However, I did not
want to give up without making another effort, so I turned around and
started back through the forest by the way that I had come, dragging
myself wearily over the tangled trunks. Many times I stumbled and fell,
until, finally, weariness overcame me and I sank down in the wood too
worn out to go further. Before I fell asleep, in my thoughts I said good
bye to my dear Godmother, fearing that I might never wake up again.
In my dreams, it seemed as if the whole forest was shaken violently and
that I was lifted bodily and carried to great heights; but I could not
call out or even open my eyes.
When I finally awoke, I found myself lying on the carpet in front of my
castle in broad daylight. I was uncertain whether I had simply dreamed
all about my journey; but, when Godmother came, she asked me with much
concern where I had been and how I had come to be among the great
faggots by the hearth.
I did not understand at all what she meant, but at least my journey was
not a dream and I knew that I had escaped a great danger. I did not want
to tell whither I had been wandering and, moreover, I was sorry that my
courageous efforts had been without success. It seems to me that, for
the present, the journey around the world is too great for my strength
and that I should wait until I am better prepared and know fully about
the direction and the dangers I shall be apt to meet.
Last evening, I read my diary to Godmother, so that she might tell me
the mistakes I had made and how I can better prepare for my next
journey. While I read, she laughed until the tears ran down her cheeks.
I was sorry that she made so light of my efforts and that the dangers I
had encountered seemed so laughable to her, but she endeavored to soothe
me by saying that she was the one who had made the mistakes and had
instructed me badly.
She told me that the journey was over her great feather bed, across the
floor to the hearth, and into the niche where the faggots for the fire
lay. I had no idea that the lodging of human beings is so vast and
imagine that the earth itself must be a great deal larger and that I
shall have to give up my idea. Godmother also advises me to give it up
until I shall be more experienced. In the meantime, she will tell me
stories of the great heroes, their adventures and the wonderful deeds
they accomplished.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CHAPTER FOUR.
LITTLE TOM IN THE ENCHANTED CASTLE.
THE GODMOTHER TELLS LITTLE TOM STORIES.
LITTLE TOM FINDS HIMSELF IN A CLOCK WITH
A CUCKOO AND THINKS HE IS IN AN ENCHANTED
CASTLE.
WHAT ADVENTURES HE HAD IN THE CLOCK.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
The Godmother was very sorry that she had told Little Tom so many things
he had not understood. She realized that it would be impossible to tell
him all about the world until he had seen it for himself; so, taking him
in her hand, she carried him from the bed to the hearth, from there to
the cupboard, then to the door and the window. Everything she showed him
she called by name and explained the uses of the different things so
that he might understand and, another time, not lose his way.
Then she placed him on the floor and Tom, looking around, measured the
distances with his eye, so that he would know how far he would have to
travel to each object. He crawled around the corners, examined the feet
of the furniture and remembered all the things she told him could be
moved, like the chairs, the poker and the foot-stool, so that he could
make no mistakes as to his whereabouts in case he could not find one of
the household articles in its place. Very soon he learned to know the
whole room as well as his own dwelling, and the Godmother, when she left
him in the morning, found she could put him on the floor without fear
and permit him to run where he pleased and to examine everything; but
she was afraid to take him outside the hut lest something should injure
him or he should get lost.
Little Tom was quite satisfied, for his explorations kept him busy.
Every evening, he told his Godmother all the things he had found under
the cupboard and the linen press and around the hearth, and she was
surprised to learn how her room appeared when looked at from the floor.
Then she told him more stories and became as interested herself in the
fairy tales as when she first heard them as a child. Often they sat thus
together even into the night. Little Tom could not hear enough of the
sweet princesses taken away by the wizards into deep caverns; the brave
heroes fighting the dragons and the witches; the glass castles which
revolved on the nightmare's foot; the valiant tailor who fought with the
giants; the clever shoemaker who had a magic sack; and of how the strong
blacksmith cheated the devil and death.
But, best of all, he liked the story of the enchanted castle, suspended
high above the earth. This castle seemed deserted, but whoever could
sleep there three nights, and, without saying a word, let himself be
tormented and tortured by the wicked spirits, would set free a beautiful
princess who had been enchanted by a witch. And so, one day, a brave lad
hid himself in the bucket which was lowered each morning to the earth
and let himself be pulled up to the castle, where he stayed three
nights. Every night he heard terrible noises; the spirits came and
pounded him, pinched him and squeezed him; but he valiantly stood the
torture and never spoke, screamed or cried out with pain. After the
third night, an enormous griffin flew in the window, bearing on his back
the beautiful princess who had been freed. The brave lad also climbed on
his back and the griffin flew with them down to the earth. There he
married the princess and they lived happily together ever afterwards in
their kingdom.
Little Tom liked the manly courage of this hero. He seemed braver than
all the other knights, for he knew how to suffer and bear torture and to
sacrifice himself for the poor princess. Tom thought that such sacrifice
was more beautiful than all the heroic deeds. He wished that he could
have such an adventure and give himself to torture, so that he might
free a princess.
One morning, before going to the field, the Godmother placed Tom on the
floor as usual, and then went out to get Speckle. As Tom ran about the
room, he came suddenly upon a great brass cylinder.
Never before had he seen it there and he wondered what it could be. He
wanted to climb up but it was so round and so smooth that he could find
no foothold. He ran to the hearth and taking a strong twig which he
rested against the cylinder clambered to the top; but when he got there
his twig slipped and fell down on the floor.
Tom then noticed that on the top of the cylinder was a little depression
and, in its centre, a hook from which a strong chain ran up in the air.
He seated himself by this hook and was almost breathless when he thought
that it might be a bucket lowered to the earth by its great chain from
an enchanted castle in the sky. He sat waiting for the chain to pull him
up, trembling with pleasure at the thought that he would get into the
castle and rescue the enchanted princess.
He was not at all afraid of the pain or the torture, for he knew that if
he did not cry out, the great bird would fly into the castle bearing the
princess he had set free.
At that moment, the Godmother returned, took up her cloak and was about
to leave the room again when she suddenly remembered that she had
forgotten to wind the clock. So she went to the wall, and taking hold of
the little hook, lifted the run-down weight from the floor to the clock.
She did not notice Little Tom sitting on the weight; but he heard a
terrible noise and felt himself hoisted by the chain into the sky. He
did not speak or cry out, for he knew if he should make a noise, the
evil spirits would tear him to pieces.
The Godmother went out to her work in the field and there sat Little Tom
on the weight at a dizzy height, up in the air under the enchanted
castle. The rattling of the chain had ceased, but above him in the
castle, Tom heard a strong voice repeating, "Tick, tack, tick, tack".
At first Tom was frightened by this moving spectre, but he soon
discovered that it never went away from the wall. This calmed his fears
and he decided that he would go farther into the dark rooms of the
castle, in spite of the poisonous odors that came from them.
Returning to his chain he clambered higher and higher, until he came to
the powerful cylinder around which the chain was wound. Everywhere, it
was dusty and musty with much dark, greasy slime which soiled his hands
and clothes. Such a desolate, lonely castle he had never dreamed could
exist. Nowhere, a living soul.
Little Tom sat down on the big cylinder, waiting to see what would
happen and wondering what tortures lay before him. Resolutely, he said
to himself that he would not scream, no matter if the spectres should
tear him into little pieces.
Suddenly, the cylinder under him moved and shook so that he nearly fell
off; but he caught hold of the chain and lay quite still, stretched out
to his full length. Then he saw something bright, and directly above him
move, and the giant tooth of a great wheel bent over and caught him by
the coat. Tom thought that his torture was about to begin, but he
resolved that he, would not give up easily; so, bravely grasping the
tooth itself, he pulled himself up with all his strength until he sat
astride the great wheel.
Now, he felt easier, but the wheel started to move carrying him still
higher. In a moment, he was lifted high above the great cylinder and saw
another wheel, with other great teeth approaching, which fitted closely
into the notches of the wheel on which he sat and, with powerful force,
turned it up and up. He was afraid that he would be caught between the
two, so climbing over his wheel, he worked his way back to the cylinder;
but this was also moving, so that he could not stand upright on it. As
his eyes had by this time become accustomed to the darkness, he saw
about him in every direction, wheels, levers, teeth and cylinders.
Everything was moving and turning around. Poor little Tom was suddenly
snatched by a great metal talon which almost tore out his shoulder and
he was terribly pinched, squeezed and pressed.
Setting his teeth so that he would not cry out, he drew his dagger and
cut away a piece of his coat, which was already caught between the two
cylinders, and sprang blindly to one side, not knowing where he would
land. His hand touched an upright steel post which he grasped firmly
and, climbing upward, he reached a great globe that seemed to stand
quite still. Here he felt safe for the moment, but he knew that this was
not the end of his tortures.
Close to the globe was a large, metal vessel, to which he clambered and,
working his way to the top, where it was fastened, sat down to rest. He
hoped that this would not move. From his safe perch he looked below him
into the tangle of wheels and teeth and levers, where everything was
rustling, growling, and whirring. From all this he had barely escaped
with his life.
He wondered how long he had been bearing this torture and when it would
end. While he sat there thinking, all of a sudden the globe which he had
just left, raised itself, something below rustled and the globe struck
itself against the vessel with a deafening clang. The great vessel
trembled and resounded with a terrible noise, so that Tom almost fell
from his seat. He perceived that this was a new kind of torture, worse
even than the first. His arms and legs shook with the vibration, his
spine prickled and his head began to whirl. Again the globe beat against
the vessel, and again. The clock was sounding three quarters of the
hour.
[Illustration]
After this, everything became quiet and Little Tom heaved a sigh of
relief. On the great bell he sat very sadly. He would have returned into
the machinery below him, for the whole world, as he thought a crowd of
witches and spirits were storming there and waiting to tear him to
pieces if he should utter a single sound. But he could see no other way
out, for around him was nothing but darkness and gloom. He hoped that
when the torture should stop, the castle would open and the great
griffin would appear to carry him safely back to earth. He wondered what
sort of a princess she would be whom he would save and whether she would
be as beautiful as his own mother had been.
In this way, another quarter of an hour passed; but to Tom, sitting
there in the darkness, it seemed like an eternity. Again, the machinery
began to whir and the castle shook. The globe beat into the bell as if
it were crazy. Little Tom was stiff with fright as he shook and trembled
under the powerful blows.
Suddenly, the little doors in front of him flew open, letting the light
of day into the castle; and he saw the great cuckoo, which he at once
took for the griffin. The bird ran out a little way from the roof and
called "Cuckoo, cuckoo".
Tom sprang from the bell to the bird and cried out victoriously. He
thought that his torture was at an end and that he had broken the spell
of the enchanted castle. Now, he wanted to find the princess he had set
free. But, suddenly, the doors closed with a bang, catching Tom between
them and squeezing him so hard that he nearly lost his breath. He was
terribly afraid, fearing lest he had cried out too soon and spoiled the
rescue and now would be torn to pieces by the spectres.
He struggled in vain to tear himself loose. Below him, the clock was
moaning and groaning; and, far down, he looked into the depths of the
chasm. Already, he bade farewell to the world and started shouting at
the top of his lungs.
At this moment, his Godmother came in from the field and, hearing the
clock rattling, she wondered what could be the matter with it, that it
should make such a noise. Looking at the partly closed doors, she
perceived that something was caught between them. Stepping up on a
chair, she saw Little Tom struggling and crying for help. She released
him at once and carried him safely down. He told her what had happened
saying that he wanted to rescue the princess in the enchanted castle,
but had spoiled the rescue by crying out too soon.
This time, the Godmother did not laugh at him. She was afraid that he
had been hurt and was very sorry that her stories had brought him into
such danger. For a long time, Tom could not believe that he had been
mistaken and that in the clock there were no spectres. She raised him up
to the dial plate, showed him the painted roses and the numbers,
explaining all about them and showing how the little hands worked all by
themselves, day and night, to tell how the time was passing. He became
very much encouraged, as he began to understand. Then he sat astride the
long hand as if he were on a horse and liked it so much, that the
Godmother had to warn him not to slide down and kill himself.
[Illustration]
CHAPTER FIVE.
LITTLE TOM'S ADVENTURES IN THE GARDEN.
THE GODMOTHER TELLS LITTLE TOM ALL ABOUT HELL
AND PARADISE.
LITTLE TOM IN MIRMEX'S GARDEN, ON THE ROSE-BUSH,
ON THE POPPY-BED AND AMONG THE
STRAWBERRIES.
THE STRIKE. LITTLE TOM IN THE BLACK KITCHEN.
THE COCKROACH.
WHERE THE GODMOTHER FOUND LITTLE TOM.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
The Godmother realized that it would not do to tell Tom too many fairy
tales, so, instead, she said that she would tell him other stories more
beautiful than the made-up ones.
During the day, Little Tom recovered from the adventures of the morning
and looked forward to the evening, when he was to hear something new.
After their supper, the Godmother spoke about the wickedness in the
world and told him that, in the next world, would come justice and
rewards; that those who had lived rightly and stood the trials of this
world patiently, would live in Paradise, where there is eternal life and
pleasure, where beautiful flowers grow, sweet fruits ripen and angels
fly about the blue heaven and sing; that those who had lived wickedly
and committed crimes would be taken away by wicked spirits and punished.
Tom was greatly affected by this explanation and longed to see
Paradise; but he was fearful lest he had done something wrong and that
the little devils would carry him away. He asked his Godmother what he
should do to live right and so earn Paradise. She promised that she
would instruct him in order that he might know how to avoid sin. As it
was now late in the evening, they went to bed, Little Tom dreaming all
night long of Paradise, of walking through the delightful groves and
listening to the angels' songs.
In the morning, when the Godmother arose, she found that it was a warm,
bright day and opened the window through which came the scents of the
old lime tree, the carnations and the roses. Then she went into the
black kitchen, started the fire and hung a pot of potatoes to cook for
lunch, on the hook over the hearth. She told Tom that she was going to
the village and that he should not run around and again get into danger.
Having promised not to run around the room, Tom sat down by Castle
Easter Egg, under the fir tree, and wrote of the experiences through
which he had passed.
But, after she had gone, he became curious to know whence came the
lovely fragrance. He ran down from his garden, crossed the linen press
to the window and stood upon the ledge. Above him he saw the blue sky
and the golden sun; he heard the blackbirds and thrushes singing in the
lilac bushes; and such a beautiful perfume came to him that his heart
was filled with joy. Without realizing what he was doing, he felt he
must go out and look at this magic world. Grasping the old vine by the
window, he slid down very carefully through the transparent green
leaves, jumped into the middle of a red carnation among its opening
petals, and felt as though he were in a cloud of perfume. He waded
through the soft, little petals, pressing them with his hands, and was
sure that he was in Paradise itself! Yes, it must be the Paradise his
Godmother had so beautifully described. What lights, colors and odors
were here! What pleasure to gaze at the broad forest of red, white and
pink bouquets and on the infinite green plain beyond, on which other
blossoms like these were growing!
As Tom walked to the edge of this flower, it bent over and he fell into
the grass. But he did not mind this at all. He waded through the grass
until he came upon a path, full of hard, shining little stones.
He felt easy in his heart and shouted with delight, drinking the dew
drops on the blades of grass and saying over and over to himself. "I am
in Paradise, the place of eternal life and eternal pleasure." He wanted
to cross the path to the other side, where he saw great trees growing
with broad crowns--his Godmother's rose bushes--and he was curious to
learn what other charming things he might discover.
But it was not easy for him to cross the path. He fell into little
holes and stumbled over the sand grains which seemed to him like high
stones. When he stood in the middle of the path, he saw a great black
creature, with six legs and two horns, about to run by him. He stopped,
instinctively placing his hand on the hilt of his dagger, but at the
same time the creature stopped also and gazed at him with bulging eyes,
raising its horns in the air.
[Illustration]
Little Tom went on bravely and at once recognized an ant. At first, it
retreated, then ran towards him and said, "Prince, it pleases me very
much that I have found you again. I was once at your father's court,
with a message from our people to thank him for his hospitality and for
the shelter he gave us when our town was attacked. I am Mirmex and I
knew your father very well. All of us were deeply grieved when we
learned that your town was flooded and destroyed."
Tom was heartily glad to meet some one with whom he could speak on a
basis of equality and began at once to tell the ant about his
adventures; but Mirmex excused himself, saying that he was too busy to
stop long; so he asked Tom to accompany him. Tom was surprised to learn
that Mirmex had work in his Godmother's Paradise, but Mirmex was already
running ahead and Tom could hardly catch up with him.
They crossed the path and waded through the grass to the trunk of the
rose-bush, up which Mirmex climbed quickly. Tom saw on the trunk a crowd
of little ants, each carrying a small bit of earth in its antennae.
Presently, Mirmex came back to Tom. "There is a great obstacle up
there," he said, pointing to the bush. "The trunk is covered all the way
around with some sticky grease and our workmen can not crawl over it to
get to the leaves. We are now trying to build a bridge across this
place, but are not succeeding very well."
[Illustration]
Little Tom promised to help them. Four strong workmen raised him over
their heads and pushed him up the trunk to the dangerous strip, where he
sat on a crooked thorn and saw how the ants were putting bits of earth
on the grease to build a bridge across it; but it was too thick and the
feet of those who were in front were caught in it. Tom drew his dagger
and, stepping out on the thorn, dug the ants free and then scratched a
broad path in the grease. Over this the ants sifted sand and soon began
to run across it in such crowds, that the leaves appeared all black.
With difficulty, Tom crawled up after them and, finding a seat on a
rosebud, watched them working. Those on the leaves were biting out
little round pieces which they threw to the ground, where others were
waiting. These at once put the green circles over their heads like
parasols and, in a long stream, hurried to the fence. Tom wanted to know
what they were going to do with the leaves and called to Mirmex as he
was passing near him. Mirmex answered that just then, he had no time;
but, later, he would explain everything.
Tom then asked Mirmex to have him carried down to the ground, as he
wished to look at the other wonders of Paradise. "With pleasure,"
answered Mirmex, "but perhaps you would like a horse to ride upon around
the garden." Before Tom could reply, a beautiful, green steed jumped
upon the rose bud. Tom climbed upon him, the grasshopper spread his
wings, flew to the ground, and then, with great leaps, carried him to
the poppy beds.
[Illustration]
In the green shade among the high stalks, it was agreeably cool. Little
Tom rode through this giant forest, above which flamed red and white
blossoms like huge lamps. The beauty of it all was enchanting. When
Mirmex came to him, Tom spoke of the place with enthusiasm; but Mirmex
merely waved his hand. "This is only a useless desert," he said. "There
are many like it in the garden; but ride after me and I will show you a
more beautiful place."