安徒生童话：母亲的故事_少儿英语故事

安徒生童话：母亲的故事

　　So they went into Deaths great greenhouse， where flowers and trees grew strangely into one another. There stood fine hyacinths under glass bells， and there stood strong-stemmed peonies； there grew water plants， some so fresh，others half sick， the water-snakes lay down on them， and black crabs pinched their stalks. There stood beautiful palm-trees， oaks， and plantains； there stood parsley and flowering thyme： every tree and every flower had its name；each of them was a human life， the human frame still livedone in China， and another in Greenlandround about in the world. There were large trees in small pots， so that they stood so stunted in growth， and ready to burst the pots； in other places， there was a little dull flower in rich mould， with moss round about it， and it was so petted and nursed. But the distressed mother bent down over all the smallest plants， and heard within them how the human heart beat； and amongst millions she knew her childs.

　　There it is！ cried she， and stretched her hands out over a little blue crocus， that hung quite sickly on one side.

　　Dont touch the flower！ said the old woman. But place yourself here， and when Death comesI expect him every momentdo not let him pluck the flower up， but threaten him that you will do the same with the others. Then he will be afraid！ He is responsible for them to OUR LORD， and no one dares to pluck them up before HE gives leave.