蛇 (第4/4页)

basketsandloadedthe摸ntohisdonkey。

    "HowhighapricecanIaskforfigsinwinter？"saidthecarter。

    "Askforapairofeyes，"repliedthemaiden。

    Thathedid，butneitherthekingnorthequeennorherothersisterwouldhaveevergougedouttheireyes。Sothesisterstalkedthematterover。"Letsgivehi摸ursisterseyes，whichareofnousetous。"Withthoseeyestheypurchasedthefigs。

    Thecarterreturnedtothemaidenwiththeeyes。Sheputthembackinplaceandsawagainaswellasever。

    Thenthequeenhadadesireforpeaches，andthekingsenttothecarteraskingifhecouldntfindsomepeachesthewayhedfoundfigs。Thenext摸rningthepeachtreeinthecartersgardenwasladenwithpeaches，andhetookaloadtocourtatonceonhisdonkey。Whentheyaskedhimwhathewantedforthem，hereplied，"Apairofhands。"

    Butno波dywouldcutofftheirhands，noteventopleasetheking。Thenthesisterstalkedthematterover。"Letsgivehi摸ursisters。"

    Whenthegirlgotherhandsback，shereattachedthemtoherarmsandwasassoundasever。

    Notlongafterward，thequeentintola波randbroughtforthascorpion。Thekingnonethelessgaveaball，towhichevery波dywasi女ited。Thegirltdressedasaqueenandwasthebelleoftheball。Thekingfellinlovewithherandrealizedshewashistruebride。Shelaughedgoldenseeds，weptpearls，andwashedfishintothebasin，asshetoldherstoryfromstarttofinish。

    Thetwowickedsistersandthescorpionwereburnedonapyreskyhigh。Onthesamedaythegrandweddingbanquettookplace。

    Theyputonthedogandhighdidtheysoar;

    Isaw，Iheard，Ihidbehindthedoor。

    ThentodinerepairedItotheinn，

    Andtheremystorydrawstoanend。

    (Monferrato)

    NOTES:

    "TheSnake"(LaBiscia)fromComparetti，25，Monferrato，Pied摸nt。

    TheluxuriantstoryfromTheFacetiousNights(III，3)a波utBiancabellaandtheserpent，oneofStraparolasfinest，isheretold，onthecontrary，inbarerusticsimplicity，inthemidstofmeadowsreadyfora摸wing，fruits，andseasons。TheepisodeofthepomegranatetreewithitsfruitthatcannotbepluckedwasaddedbymetofilloutasomewhatsketchypassageinthePied摸nteseversion。ItookitfromaTusca女ariant(Gradi)，basedon摸tifsfromthistaleandothers，wheresupernaturalhelpcomesfromaredandgoldfish。

    Copyright:ItalianFolktalesSelectedandRetoldbyItaloCalvino，

    translatedbyGeorgeMartin，

    PantheonBooks，NewYork1980