小艾达的花_故事_趣味英语-查字典英语网

小艾达的花

　　“I was in the garden out there yesterday with my mother， said Ida， “but all the leaves were off the trees， and there was not a single flower left. Where are they? I used to see so many in the summer.

　　“they are in the castle， replied the student. “You must know that as soon as the king and all the court are gone into the town， the flowers run out of the garden into the castle， and you should see how merry they are. The two most beautiful roses seat themselves on the throne， and are called the king and queen， then all the red cockscombs range themselves on each side， and bow， these are the lords-in-waiting. After that the pretty flowers come in， and there is a grand ball. The blue violets represent little naval cadets， and dance with hyacinths and crocuses which they call young ladies. The tulips and tiger-lilies are the old ladies who sit and watch the dancing， so that everything may be conducted with order and propriety.

　　“But， said little Ida， “is there no one there to hurt the flowers for dancing in the king's castle?

　　“No one knows anything about it， said the student. “The old steward of the castle， who has to watch there at night， sometimes comes in; but he carries a GREat bunch of keys， and as soon as the flowers hear the keys rattle， they run and hide themselves behind the long curtains， and stand quite still， just peeping their heads out. Then the old steward says， 'I smell flowers here，' but he cannot see them.