Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm - Страшные сказки / Scary stories

She confessed her sin, and the executioner struck off her feet with the red shoes on them. The shoes danced away with her little feet, over the fields into the deep forest. But he made wooden feet and a pair of crutches for her. He taught her a hymn that prisoners sing when they are sorry for their deeds. She kissed his hand that held the ax, and went back across the wasteland.

“I suffered enough”, she said. “I shall go to the church again”.

She hobbled to church as fast as she could, but when she got there the red shoes danced in front of her, and she was frightened and turned back.

All week long she was sorry, and cried many bitter tears. But when Sunday came again she said,

“Now I think I am as good as many who sit in church and hold their heads high”.

She started out, but the moment she came to the church gate she saw her red shoes before her. More frightened than ever, she turned away, and with all her heart she really repented.

She went to the pastor’s house, and begged him to give her work as a servant. She promised to work hard, and do all that she could. Wages did not matter, if only she could have a roof over her head and be with good people. The pastor’s wife took pity on her, and gave her work at the parsonage. Karen was faithful and serious. She sat quietly in the evening, and listened to every word when the pastor read the Bible aloud. The children were devoted to her, but when they spoke of frills and furbelows, and of the beautiful queen, she shook her head.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

we shall be rid of them – мы избавимся от них

die of hunger – умереть от голода

plane the planks – строгать доски

be comforted – успокойся

will set to work on that – примемся за это

let fall – уронили

lay in wait for – подстерегала

Shut up! – Заткнись!

at length – наконец

gave in – отступил

to find myself – оказаться

was missing – отсутствовала

took her to wife – взял её в жёны

a lady of quality – знатная дама

God be praised! – Слава Богу!

to buy captains’ commissions – купить капитанские чины

nut-hill – орешниковая гора

remained sticking – застрял

took pity upon her – сжалилась над ней

I shall take good care of her – я о ней позабочусь

didn’t wear a train – не носила шлейфа

Have mercy upon me! – Смилуйся надо мной!