The Bouquet – Slavic Legends
Kytice – slovanské pověsti

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Karel Jaromír Erben

The Bouquet – Kytice – e-kniha

Copyright © Albatros Media a. s., 2016

Všechna práva vyhrazena.

Žádná část této publikace nesmí být rozšiřována

bez písemného souhlasu majitelů práv.

The Wedding Shirts

This ghost story happened one dark night. That night the moon was watching over a small village from above, like a big bright eye. The lights in every dwelling had already gone out except for a small house at the edge of the woods. The clock in one of its little rooms had already struck eleven, but a lamp above the kneeler was still shining. A young girl could be seen through the little window, kneeling below a picture of the Virgin Mary. The girl’s head was bowed and her hands were crossed on her chest. Tears trickled down her cheeks and every so often they made her dress wet. The girl moaned: “Oh, my dear father, where are you? The grass grows on your grave. And where are you, my mother? You are lying by my father. And what about you, my little sister? Why did you pass away so young? And you, my dear brother, what bullet killed you on the battlefield?” Thus the girl complained about her lonely fate.

“And where did you go, my love?” the girl continued her lament. “You comforted me before you went away. You told me to sow some flax seeds and think of you every day. I did everything as you said. The first year, I spun the flax, the second year, I wove the linen, and the third year, I sewed the shirts. You told me when the shirts were finished, I should weave myself a wedding crown. Everything is finished; the shirts are in my chest and my crown is already dry, and you are still somewhere far away. You’ve disappeared like a stone in the sea. I’ve already been waiting for three years, but I don’t know whether you are still alive,” the girl lamented. Then, suddenly, she fixed her eyes on Mary, and began to plead: “Oh, Mary almighty, help me, please. Bring back my love from abroad. Either bring him back to me or cut my life short. I don’t want to live without him. Oh, Mary, almighty Mother of God, stand by me in my sorrow.”

At that moment the picture on the wall moved. The girl cried out in terror. The lamp sputtered out. ‘Maybe it was just a draught of wind,’ thought the girl. ‘But what if it was a bad omen?’ Then suddenly someone knocked on the little window. “Are you sleeping, my girl, or are you awake?” she could hear her boyfriend’s voice. “I am back from abroad. Don’t you recognize me? Or have you forgotten about me? Maybe you love someone else,” sounded the voice. The girl couldn’t believe her ears. Her heart leapt for joy. “Oh, my love, is it really you? You know that my heart has always beaten only for you. I’ve just been praying for you,” she said soulfully. “Oh, my girl, quit praying and hurry up! . I’ve come to fetch you, my bride. Just look at the bright moon! It’ll light the way for us,” said the voice impatiently. “Oh dear! What are you saying?” exclaimed the girl in surprise. “Where would we go in the dark night? Can’t you hear the wind raging? Let’s wait until it’s daylight,” she suggested. “It makes no difference if it’s day or night,” answered the voice. “I’m tired and I sleep in the daytime. We’ll be married before the first roosters crow. Just stop worrying and hurry up! This very night you’ll be my wife,” the voice outside promised the girl.

It was the thick of night, and only the moon lit the sky. There was silence all around except for the raging wind. And in the dark night, two pilgrims marched; he walked ahead and she a step after him. In the silence, dogs howled as they picked up the travellers’ scent. It was as if they wanted to say that a dead man was nearby. “It’s a fine, clear night, my love. About this time, the dead climb out of their graves. Before you know where you are, they are close to you. My love, do you feel no fear?” asked the man. “Why should I fear?” said the girl. “You’re by my side, and God’s eye watches over me. But tell me, my darling, if your father is still alive. And will your mother be happy to meet me?” the girl wanted to know. “Oh, my dear, you want to know a lot. Come quickly and all will soon be clear. But hurry, time doesn’t wait and we have a long way to go,” the man told his bride. “Love, what’s that in your right hand?” he asked then. “I’ve brought some prayer books,” she answered. “Oh, throw them away right now!” he ordered. “Those prayers are heavier than stones. Throw them away so you can keep up with me,” he said. Then he seized her books and threw them away, and at once they covered ten miles.

They kept on walking and their journey wound through hills, thick forests and along the rocks. Wild dogs barked all around, as if they had picked up the scent of some nearby misfortune. And the man always went ahead, while the girl hurried after him. Her white feet hurt from the wretched journey and left bloody tracks behind on the thorny bushes and stones. Then suddenly the man spoke to his young companion again. “It’s a nice, clear night, my love. At this time the dead walk among the living. Before you know where you are, they’re close to you. My darling, do you feel no fear?” “Why should I fear?” said the girl. “You’re by my side and God’s hand shelters me. But tell me, my love, what is your house like? Is it furnished well? A clean and bright room? And is the church nearby?” “You want to know a lot, my love,” he answered. “You’ll see everything this very night. Just hurry up, there’s little time and we’ve a long way to go. What’s that round your waist, my dear?” he asked his bride. “I’ve brought along my rosary,” she said. “Oh, it twists around you like a snake and cuts off your breath. Throw it away! There’s no time to lose,” he said. Then he seized her rosary and threw it away and they flew twenty miles at one bound.

Now their journey wound through lowlands, across meadows, streams and moors. There were blue jack-o’-lanterns fluttering and wheeling around in two rows of nine, over the moor. It was as if they were accompanying a corpse to the grave. The frogs in the stream croaked a strange funeral song. And the man always went ahead, while the girl followed him. Her legs were already growing weak, and her bloody feet, cut by the sharp grass, stained the ferns. And the man spoke to his young bride again. “It’s a fine, clear night. Just now, the living go to their graves. Before you know where you are, the grave is near. Aren’t you afraid, my darling?” “Oh no, I’m not. You’re by my side and God’s will shelters me,” the girl answered. “Just don’t hurry so much and let me have a short rest. I’m exhausted, my legs are failing and pain, like a knife, is stabbing into my heart,” she begged. “Don’t be afraid, my girl, we’ll soon be there,” he comforted her. “The feast is ready, our guests await. And time flies quickly. But what are you wearing on that string around your neck?” he asked. “A cross from my mother,” the girl answered. “Oh, that damned bit of gold! Its sharp edges prick you and they do the same to me. Throw it away and you’ll feel like a bird!” he said as he grabbed the little cross and threw it away. Within a moment they flew thirty miles at one bound.

Then, all of a sudden, a tall building appeared on the wide plain. Its windows were long and narrow and a bell tower soared from its roof . “Hey, my girl – we’re here at last! Can’t you see it?” the man asked his bride. “Good heavens! That church, perhaps?” asked the girl in terror. “A church? No, that’s my castle!” the man cried out. “That graveyard and the rows of crosses?” asked the girl nervously. “Those aren’t crosses, that’s my orchard!” exclaimed the man with laughter. “Hey there, my darling, look at me and leap over this wall!” he encouraged his bride. The girl was seized with terror. “Oh no, leave me alone! Your eyes are wild and horrible. Your breath is as fetid as poison and your hands are icy hard as death,” she said with disgust. “There’s no need to fear, my darling,” said the man encouragingly. “We’ll have great fun at my place. There’s plenty of everything there, plenty of meat, but no blood. Tonight it’s going to be different, though. What have you got in that bundle, my love?” he asked. “Those are the shirts that I have sewn,” the girl answered. “We won’t need more than two: that’s one for you, and one for me,” said the man. Laughing, he took her bundle and tossed it onto the grave beyond the fence. “Now look at me, don’t fear, and jump after that bundle across that wall,” he encouraged the girl. “But you’ve gone ahead and I’ve followed you all this way up till now,” answered the girl. “So be the first to jump and show me the way again,” she suggested. Not suspecting a trick, the man leapt over the fence. The girl took advantage of that moment and started running away. Only her white dress was visible in the darkness as it flowed around her in her flight. Her evil companion couldn’t see that there was a shelter close by.

The girl slipped into a little building, whose door wasn’t locked. There weren’t any windows in the room, merely moonlight flashing through the cracks. She hastily bolted the door, shaking like a leaf and begging God for help. Then she fixed her eyes on an odd shape in the middle of the room. She went closer and almost fainted in horror. It was a corpse lying on a board. Then suddenly some strange noise could be heard outside. The monsters from the graves started running around, clattering their jaws and singing their song: “The corpse belongs in the grave’s dark hole, woe to him who neglects his soul!” And then someone knocked at the door of the girl’s shelter. “Hey, dead man, stand up and draw back that bolt for me!” sounded the horrible voice. And the girl recognized it was her evil companion at the door. At his command the dead man opened his eyes, raised his head, and looked around. In despair the girl began to pray earnestly: “Good God, help me! Don’t give me up to Satan’s power! Dead man, lie down, and do not rise. God grant you eternal peace!” said the girl in mortal fear. And the dead man lay down and shut his eyes as before. But her evil groom knocked at the door again. “Hey, dead man, stand up and open your room for me!” he ordered. And the corpse rose from the board and with his stiff arm pointed to the bolt on the door. The girl cried out in horror: “Oh, save my soul, Lord Jesus Christ! Have mercy in my hour of need! Dead man, lie down, and do not stand. God comfort you and me too,” she said. And the dead man lay down again and stretched his limbs, just as before. However, the evil companion outside wasn’t going to surrender. He pounded on the door even more fiercely. “Hey! Dead man, stand up and give me that living girl!” he shouted. Oh, poor, poor girl! The dead man got up for a third time and fixed his big, bleary eyes on the poor maid. She was half-dead with fright, but she gathered her strength and started praying: “Oh, Mary, stand by me, plead with your dear Son for me. Forgive me for my wicked prayer. Forgive my sin! Oh, free me, Mary, Mother of grace, from evil.” And lo! A rooster began to crow nearby and soon all the roosters in the village responded. And the dead man, just as fast as he’d risen before, suddenly fell to the floor and stayed motionless. Everything outside went silent; the wild crowd and the girl’s evil groom disappeared.

In the morning the people from the village went to early mass and froze in astonishment. One grave was wide open and a young girl was standing in the mortuary. And on every tomb were scattered shreds of her new shirts. The girl had done well to think of God in her time of need. If she’d obeyed her evil groom, she’d have come to grief. Her graceful body, white and pure, would have been like those shirts.

Vocabulary

ahead [ə'hed] − vpředu

almighty [o:l'maiti] − všemocný, všemohoucí

at one bound [baund] − jedním skokem

await [ə'weit] − očekávat, čekat na

bad omen ['əumən] − zlé znamení

battlefield ['bætl ˌ fi:ld] − bitevní pole

be alive [ə'laiv] − být naživu

be awake [ə'weik] − být vzhůru

before you know where you are − než se naděješ

bleary ['bliəri] eyes − kalné oči

bolt [bəult] − závora; zavřít na závoru

bow [bau] one’s head − sklonit hlavu

bride [braid] − nevěsta

bright [brait] − jasný; veselý

bring along [briŋ ə'loŋ] − přinést s sebou

bullet ['bulit] − kulka, střela

bundle ['bandl] − uzlík, ranec

by my side [said] − po mém boku

chest [čest] − hruď, prsa

clatter ['klætə] − klapat

come to grief [gri:f] − dopadnout špatně

companion [kəm'pænjən] − druh, družka

corpse [ko:ps] − umrlec

crack [kræk] − štěrbina

croak [krəuk] − kvákat, skřehotat

crow [krəu] − kokrhat

cut off one’s breath [breθ] − krátit komu dech

cut one’s life short − zkrátit komu život

damned [dæmd] − proklatý, zlořečený

dead [ded] man − umrlec

draught [dra:ft] − průvan

draw [dro:] back − odstrčit (závoru)

dwelling ['dweliŋ] − obydlí

earnestly ['ɜ:nistli] − upřímně, vroucně

every so often − každou chvíli

evil ['i:vl] − zlo; zlý

exclaim [ik'skleim] − zvolat

exhausted [ig'zo:stid] − vyčerpaný (únavou)

fern [fɜ:n] − kapradí

fetch [feč] − zajít pro, vyzvednout

fetid ['fetid] − páchnoucí

fiercely ['fiəsli] − urputně, zuřivě

flax seed ['flæx ˌ si:d] − lněné semeno

flow [fləu] − vlát (šaty)

flutter ['flatə] − třepetat se

fright [frait] − strach

furnished ['fɜ:ništ] − zařízený (byt)

gather ['gæðə] one’s  − sebrat sílu

strength ghost story ['gəust ˌ sto:ri] − strašidelný příběh

go out [gəu'aut] − zhasnout (světlo)

God grant [gra:nt] you − Bůh ti dej věčný klid!

eternal peace [i'tɜ:nl pi:s]!

Good heavens ['hevnz]! − Ježíši Kriste! Proboha!

grab [græb] sth − urvat co

graceful ['greisfəl] − půvabný, spanilý

grave [greiv] − hrob

graveyard ['greiv ˌ ja:d] − hřbitov

groom [gru:m] − ženich

Hey [hei] there! − Hola!

howl [haul] − výt (pes)

in time of need − v době nouze

It makes no difference. − Na tom nezáleží.

jack-o’-lantern [džæk ə'læntən] − bludička

jaw [džo:] − čelist

keep up with sb − stačit komu

kneel ['ni:l] − klečet

kneeler ['ni:lə] − klekátko

leap [li:p] for joy [džoi] − poskočit radostí

limbs [limz] − údy

linen ['linin] − plátno

lo [ləu] − hle!

lowland ['ləulənd] − nížina

make for [meik fo:] − namířit kam, vyrazit k

march ['ma:č] − jít, kráčet; pochodovat

merely ['miəli] − jen, pouze

misfortune [mis'fo:čən] − neštěstí, smůla

monster ['monstə] − obluda, nestvůra

moor [muə, mo:] − bažina, vřesoviště

mortal fear [ˌ mo:tl'fiə] − smrtelný strach

mortuary ['mo:čuəri] − márnice

Mother of grace [greis]! − Matko milosti!

motionless ['məušənlis] − nehybný

neglect [ni'glekt] − nedbat o, zanedbávat

obey [ə'bei] − (u)poslechnout

Oh dear! − Proboha!

pass away [pa:s ə'wei] − zemřít

pick up a scent [sent] − zavětřit

pilgrim ['pilgrim] − poutník, poutnice

Plead [pli:d] with your Son for me. − Oroduj za mě u svého Syna.

pleadingly ['pli:diŋli] − úpěnlivě

point [point] to − ukázat na

poison ['poizn] − jed

prayer books − modlitební knížky

prick [prik] − píchat

quit [kwit] − zanechat (čeho)

rage [reidž] − burácet (vítr)

raise [reiz] − zvednout (hlavu)

respond [ri'spond] − odpovědět, reagovat

rise [raiz], min. čas rose [rəuz] − vstát, zvednout se

rooster ['ru:stə] (Amer.) − kohout

rosary ['rəuzəri] − růženec

row [rəu] − řada

scatter ['skætə] − rozházet (oblečení)

seize [si:z] − popadnout, chytit

sew [səu] − šít min. čas sewed [səud]

shelter ['šeltə] − úkryt; (u)chránit

shred [šred] − cár, útržek

soar [so:(r)] − tyčit se do výše

soul [səul] − duše (filoz., náb.)

soulfully ['səulfəli] − vroucně

sow flax [səu'flæks] − zasít len

spin [spin] − příst

min.čas spun [span]

sputter ['spatə] out − prasknout a zhasnout (lampa)

stab [stæb] into − bodat do

stiff [stif] − ztuhlý

string [striŋ] − tkanice

the dead [ded] − mrtvý (člověk)

The girl was seized with terror. − Dívky se zmocnila hrůza.

the living ['liviŋ] − živý (člověk)

the Virgin Mary ['vɜ:džin ˌ meəri] − Panna Maria

this very night − ještě tuto noc

throw [θrəu] away − vyhodit, zahodit

tomb [tu:m] − hrob, hrobka

torment ['to:ment] − trápení

toss [tos] − hodit, mrštit

track [træk] − stopa

trickle ['trikl] down − stékat (slzy)

twist [twist] around − vinout se kolem

visible ['vizibl] − viditelný

waist [weist] − pás (část těla)

watch over [woč'əuvə] − dohlížet na

weave [wi:v] min. čas wove [wəuv] − tkát; plést (košík, věnec)

wedding crown ['wediŋ ˌ kraun] − svatební věneček

wicked prayer [ˌ wikid'preə] − zlá (bezbožná) modlitba

wild [waild] − divoký

wind [waind] min. čas wound [waund] − obtočit, ovinout; klikatit se (cesta)

wretched ['rečid] − strastiplný

The comprehension questions:

1. Why was the girl kneeling below the picture of the Virgin Mary and crying?

2. “Either bring him back to me or cut my life short. I don’t want to live without him. Oh, Mary, almighty Mother of God, stand by me in my sorrow.”
What happened after the girl had prayed like that?

3. “I’m tired and I sleep in the daytime. We’ll be married before the first roosters crow.”
These sentences were said by the girl’s nighttime visitor. What did these words suggest about him?

4. Why did the dogs howl as they picked up the travellers’ scent?

5. “About this time, the dead climb out of their graves. Before you know where you are, they are close to you. My love, do you feel no fear?”
Why wasn’t the girl scared upon hearing her companion’s words?

6. “Those prayers are heavier than stones.”
Why did the girl’s companion say that? What did he do after that?

7. “Oh, it twists around you like a snake and cuts off your breath.”
What does “it” mean in this sentence? What happened after the girl’s companion had thrown it away?

8. “Oh, that damned bit of gold! Its sharp edges prick you and they do the same to me.”
What did the girl’s companion mean by “that damned bit of gold”?

9. What did the poor girl see when they reached their destination?

10. What did the girl’s companion want her to do? Did she obey him?

11. Where did the girl find shelter?

12. She went closer and almost fainted in horror.
What made the girl so terrified?

13. And then someone knocked at the door of the girl’s shelter.
Who was the “someone”? What did he want the dead man to do?

14. How did the girl manage to prevent the dead man from opening the shelter?

15. “Oh, Mary, stand by me, plead with your dear Son for me. Forgive my sin!”
Which sin did the girl mean when she prayed like that?

16. What happened when a rooster began to crow nearby?

17. What could the people from the village see on the graveyard in the morning?

“When the little boy is grown, he‘ll make pipes, and, by whistling on them, he can talk with his mother,” said the willow.

The Willow Tree

A young man and his wife lived peacefully in a nice little house at the edge of a small village. Their newborn son cooed in the cradle, and they were both very happy because they loved each other very much.

However, despite being very happy in his marriage, the young man was worried about his wife. There was something wrong with her, something that bothered him. And so one day, at breakfast, he spoke to his young wife. “My darling, my sweet lady, you’ve always been frank with me. However, there’s one thing you’ve never told me. It really troubles me. What’s wrong with you when you are asleep? In the evening, when you go to bed, you are hale and hearty. At night, however, you look as if you were dead. It’s as if your soul has abandoned you. Your body is as cold as if it was ready to go to the grave. Even our little son’s heartbreaking crying can’t awaken you. Just tell me, my lovely lady, are you ill? If you have some disease, we’ll get some good advice. There are a lot of herbs growing in the field. We might, perhaps, find one that restores you to health. And if the herbs don’t help, maybe a spell will work. Spells can sometimes do wonders. They can calm a storm, or govern flames, rocks or wild animals. They can even draw a bright star from the sky. They might bring recovery and salvation for you too.” “Oh, my dear lord, my kind husband, don’t let silly thoughts rack your mind. There isn’t a cure for the lot that fell to you at birth. Human words cannot change destiny. Even though my soul leaves me during the night, I lie safely in God’s protection. Although I am dead while I sleep, my soul comes back with the morning’s light. I rise each morning, well and fit. Therefore, let’s not resist the will of God,” answered the young woman.

However, the woman’s words were entirely in vain. Her husband had quite different plans. He couldn’t come to terms with what his wife had told him. Every particle of his being fought against accepting her unhappy destiny. That very same day, he saw an old sorceress, whose wise advice had already helped many people from the village. The old woman was making a magic potion, pouring water from a bowl into her witch’s cauldron. “Give me some advice, Mother,” begged the man. “You are a prudent woman. You can read people’s fortunes,” he said. “You know the cause of diseases and whether Death lies in wait for someone,” he continued. “Now then, tell me: What’s wrong with my wife? She goes to bed strong and fit, but all night her body lies as if she were dead. She doesn’t breathe or move, there is no trace of her soul. Her body is as cold as if it was ready to go to the grave,” explained the unhappy man. “How can she not be dead at night when she has just half a life?” exclaimed the old woman. “During the day she lives with you in the house. At night, however, her soul is in a tree,” she told the surprised man. “Go to the stream within the game reserve,” the old woman advised. “There you’ll find a willow tree whose bark is white. A yellow bough grows on it. That’s where your wife’s soul goes night after night,” she closed. “Say what? Is this true?” shouted the man angrily. “I didn’t agree to marry a woman who’d spend her life with a willow,” he said bitterly. “My wife shall spend her days and nights with me. Let the willow rot in the ground!” he cried out resolutely.

The man didn’t hesitate. He ran home to take his axe and then he made for the stream. He found the willow tree and cut it off at its roots. The willow fell heavily into the stream. It rustled deeply and gave a sigh as if a human being was dying. It was as if a mother was looking back at her child at the moment of her death. The man was satisfied, though. He was sure that he’d just ensured perfect bliss for his family. ‘From now on nothing will disturb our peace and happiness,’ he said to himself and smiled contentedly. However, when he was approaching home, he suddenly felt strangely uneasy. Then in the distance he saw a crowd of people around their house. ‘That presages some misfortune,’ he thought anxiously. “Why are there so many people around my house?” he asked one of his neighbours when he got closer. “And who’s the death-knell for?” he exclaimed. “Your wife has died,” answered the neighbour sympathetically. “She perished as if felled by a scythe. She was working in the garden and seemed to be quite healthy when suddenly she tumbled like a falling tree. She simply gave out a deep sigh and looked back at her little son,” explained another neighbour. “Woe is me, oh, deepest woe! I killed my kind wife unwittingly. And in that hour I orphaned our little child,” moaned the man.

The desperate man ran back to the stream and spoke to the willow tree. “White willow, oh, willow tree! Why have you made me so unhappy? You’ve taken half my life. What shall I do now?” he asked. “Pull me out of the water,” answered the willow. “Then chop off my yellow bough and have thin boards sawn from my body. Make a cradle from them and put your son in it so that he won’t cry. When he’s being rocked, it’ll be as if his mum was nursing him. Next, plant my bough along the water so that it might stay alive. When the little boy is grown, he’ll make pipes, and, by whistling on them, he can talk with his mother,” said the willow.

The man obeyed and did everything as the willow had advised. However, he could never forgive himself. “If only I’d been able to enjoy what I had. I shouldn’t have resisted destiny. My beloved wife could have lived with me and our son so happily.” That’s how his neighbours often heard him lamenting.

Vocabulary

abandon [ə'bændən] − opustit

anxiously ['æŋkšəsli] − s úzkostí

awaken [ə'weikn] sb − probudit koho

axe [æks] − sekyra

bark [ba:k] − kůra (stromu)

be asleep [bi: ə'sli:p] − spát

be frank [fræŋk] with sb − být ke komu upřímný

beloved [bi'lavid] − drahý, milovaný

bother ['boðə] − trápit

bough [bau] − proutí

bowl [bəul] − miska

calm [ka:m] − uklidnit, utišit

cause [ko:z] − příčina

chop off [čop'of] − useknout

come to terms ['tɜ:mz] with − smířit se s

coo [ku:] − vrnět (dítě)

cradle ['kreidl] − kolébka

cure ['kjuə] − lék; léčba

cut off [kat'of] − useknout

dead [ded] − mrtvý

death [deθ] − smrt

death knell ['deθ ˌ nel] − umíráček

destiny ['destini] − osud, úděl

die [dai] − zemřít

disease [di'zi:z] − nemoc

draw [dro:] a bright star [sta:] − strhnout zářící hvězdu

ensure [in'šuə] − zajistit

entirely vain [in'taiəli ˌ vein] − zcela marný

every particle ['pa:tikl] of his being − celá jeho bytost

fell [fel] − skolit

fight [fait] against sth min. čas fought [fo:t] − bránit se čemu

fit [fit] − zdravý

forgive [fə'giv] oneself − odpustit si

from now on − odteď

game reserve ['geim ˌ rizɜ:v] − obora

give a sigh [sai] − zavzdychat

govern ['gavən] − ovládat

grown [grəun] − dospělý

hale [heil] and hearty ['ha:ti] − zdravý a čilý, kypící zdravím

heartbreaking crying ['ha:t ˌ breikiŋ'kraiŋ] − usedavý pláč

herb [hɜ:b] − léčivá bylina

hesitate ['hezi ˌ teit] − váhat

human being ['hju:mən ˌ bi:iŋ] − lidská bytost, člověk

I lie safely in God’s  protection [prə'tekšən]. − Ležím bezpečně pod ochranou Boží.

lie [lai] in wait for sb − číhat na koho

look back at sb − ohlédnout se po kom

lot [lot] − osud, úděl

magic potion [ˌ mædžik'pəušən] − kouzelný nápoj, lektvar

marriage ['mæridž] − manželství

now then − nuže tedy

nurse [nɜ :s] − chovat (dítě)

orphan ['o:fən] − sirotek; učinit sirotkem

peacefully ['pi:sfəli] − pokojně

perfect bliss ['pɜ :fikt ˌ blis] − dokonalé štěstí

perish ['periš] − umřít

pipe [paip] − píšťalka

plant [pla:nt] − zasadit (strom)

presage ['presidž] − být předzvěstí

prudent ['pru:dənt] − moudrý, prozíravý

pull out [pul'aut] of − vytáhnout z

rack [ræk] − trápit, trýznit

read sb’s fortune ['fo:čən] − předpovídat komu budoucnost

recovery [ri'kavəri] − uzdravení

resist [ri'zist] sth − vzdorovat čemu

resolutely ['rezə ˌ lu:tli] − odhodlaně, rázně

restore [ri'sto:] sb to health − navrátit komu zdraví

rock [rok] − kolébat (dítě)

root [ru:t] − kořen

rot [rot] − hnít, trouchnivět

rustle ['rasl] − zašelestit

salvation [sæl'veišən] − spása

Say what? − Cože?

scythe [saið] − kosa

silly [sili] thoughts − pošetilé myšlenky

sorceress ['so:səris] − ježibaba, vědma

spell [spel] − kouzelné slovo, zaříkadlo

strangely ['streindžli] − podivně

stream [stri:m] − potok

sympathetically [simpə'θetikli] − soucitně

the will [wil] of God − Boží vůle

thin boards [θin'bo:dz] − prkénka

trouble ['trabl] − trápit

tumble ['tambl] − svalit se

uneasy [an'i:zi] − znepokojený

unwittingly [an'witiŋli] − nevědomky

What’s wrong [roŋ] with my wife? − Co je mé ženě?

whistle ['wisl] − píšťalka; pískat

wild animal [waild'æniməl] − šelma

willow ['wiləu] (tree) − vrba

wise [waiz] − moudrý

witch’s cauldron [ˌ wičiz'ko:ldrən] − čarodějnický kotel

within [wi'ðin] − uvnitř; ne dále než

wonder ['wandə] − div, zázrak

The comprehension questions:

1. Why was the man worried about his young wife?

2. Which treatments did the man suggest to his wife?

3. Why didn’t the woman agree with her husband?

4. Who did the man go to see to ask for advice?

5. “How can she not be dead at night when she has just half a life?”
What did the old woman mean by the words “she has just half a life?”

6. How did the man feel when he heard the truth about his wife? What did he do next?

7. “She was working in the garden and seemed to be quite healthy when suddenly she tumbled like a falling tree.”
Why did the young woman fall dead to the ground out of the blue?

8. “When he’s being rocked, it’ll be as if his mum was nursing him.”
Who said this sentence in the story? How do you understand it?

9. “If only I’d been able to enjoy what I had.”
Which act of his was the man sorry about when he moaned like that?

Quite enchanted, he looked at the pretty maid spinning and the fine straight thread which was growing in her hands.

The Golden Spinning Wheel

A young lord was riding a fiery black horse through the woods. Hunting a deer, he’d gone astray and now was glad to have found the way out of the woods at last. Being very tired and thirsty, he dismounted at a cottage and knocked on the door. “Hello there! Open the door and give me water,” he ordered. “I got lost when hunting and I’m very thirsty,” he explained. A charming girl came out. She fetched water from their well, filled a jug and shyly passed it to the lord. Then she sat down at her distaff and started spinning flax.

The lord stayed on his feet, amazed at the girl’s beauty. He even forgot that his mouth was dry. Quite enchanted, he looked at the pretty maid spinning and the fine straight thread which was growing in her hands. “If your heart and hand are free, I wish you to be my wife,” said the lord without hesitation, drawing the maiden to his side. “Ah, sir, I can’t decide right now without knowing my mother’s will,” said the girl humbly. “And where’s your mother, my angel? I can’t see her anywhere,” said the lord. “My stepmother and her daughter are coming back home tomorrow. They’ve gone to town,” explained the girl. “All right then, I’ll ask your stepmother tomorrow,” the lord decided.

The following day, the lord knocked on the door of the cottage again. “Hey! Open up, good people, so that my eyes can quickly see my heart’s joy,” he said impatiently. This time an old hag, all skin and bone, walked out. “What brings our fine guest?” she asked. “I bring you news that will change your life. I want to marry your stepdaughter,” answered the lord. “Oh, sir, what a strange thing! Who could have thought of something like that!” said the old woman in a rasping voice. “Welcome to our poor house, fine guest. However, we don’t know your name. How did you get here?” asked the hag. “I’m your lord and the king of this country. It was just dumb luck that brought me to your place. I’ll give you a lot of silver and gold if you give me your stepdaughter, the pretty spinning maid,” said the lord. “Oh, my lord and king! That’s very strange! Who could have dreamt of such a thing! We’re only simple folk, your Majesty. We aren’t worthy of your grace,” said the hag slyly. “And I love my stepchild so much. I’d rather let my own daughter go. They are as alike as two eyes in a single head. And her thread is pure silk,” croaked the hag. “Old woman, I don’t like your plans,” answered the king. “Now carry out what I order. Tomorrow morning bring your stepdaughter to my royal palace,” he commanded.

The next morning the hag woke up her stepdaughter. “Get up, my girl, it’s time to go. The king is awaiting you. There’s going to be a feast in the royal palace. Oh, I hoped I’d never see this day. May you be happy with your majestic husband!” said the old woman with a false smile on her lips. “Get dressed, my little sister, hurry up! The royal castle’s full of guests,” said the girl’s stepsister. “Oh, how high you’ve aimed and left me, poor and humble, behind. But all the same – fare well!” she said with false sincerity. “Come on, Dornička, so that your lord doesn’t start to worry,” said the hag to her stepdaughter sweetly. “When you are beyond the woods, you’ll hardly remember your home. Come along, quickly, come!” she encouraged the girl. Suddenly, the girl noticed a knife flash in her stepmother’s hand. “Oh, dear mother, why are you taking that knife with you?” she asked. “A knife can be good for us. Where cold shadows lie in the brush, I’ll gouge out the evil serpents’ eyes. Come now, my girl, quickly, come!” said the hag. At that moment the girl saw an axe in her stepsister’s hand. “Sister, dear sister, why have you brought that axe with you?” she asked. “An axe is good: in the bushes I’ll hack off the fierce beast’s limbs. Come on, quickly, come!” said the girl’s stepsister.

When the women arrived in the dark forest, the bad hag and her daughter suddenly exclaimed: “Ha, you are the snake and you are the beast!” At that moment the forest, hills and valleys wept to see how cruelly the two women murdered the wretched girl. “And now, enjoy your lord the king,” said the old woman to her daughter. “Enjoy his lusty body and look into his clear eyes, my pretty spinning maid,” she added with a smile. “Oh, mother, what shall I do with these eyes and limbs?” asked the girl. “Don’t leave them by the body or someone will put them back in place. You’d better take them along,” advised the hag.

When the women came to the edge of the forest, the old woman soothed her daughter: “Have no fear, my girl. You look just like your stepsister. You’re as alike as two peas in a pod. No, don’t be afraid!” And as they reached the royal palace, the king was already looking out of the window. He went towards the mother and the bride to welcome them, not suspecting treachery. The wedding came, and there was merrymaking, feasting, music and dancing without end for seven days. The bride was happy and laughed all the time. But on the eighth day, the king was called away to war. “Now farewell, my dear wife,” said the king. “I must go to bitter combat against our enemies. But when I come back from the war, the sweet flower of our love will bloom again. Until that time, take up your spinning wheel and spin busily at home,” said the king, kissing his beloved wife.

And what was that poor young maiden’s fate in the deep, desolate forest? Like six open springs, her life was streaming away on the soft green moss. Her body was going cold and her blood had almost stopped flowing when a strange old man emerged all of a sudden from the rocks. His long grey beard, which went down to his knees, was streaming in the wind. The old man lifted the poor girl’s body up onto his shoulders and bore it to his cave. There he ordered his son: “Get up, my lad, take to your heels. Fetch the golden spinning wheel and sell it at the royal palace, but for no other price than a pair of feet.”

The boy did as his father had ordered. He sat down by the gateway of the palace, holding the golden spinning wheel. The queen was just looking out of the window and she immediately noticed the precious spinning wheel as it sparkled in the sun. “Oh, I wish I had that wonderful spinning wheel, made entirely of solid gold!” she said. “Go down, mother, and ask that boy about its price.” The old woman obliged her daughter. She quickly ran down to the gate and spoke to the boy. “Buy it, my lady, it is cheap. My father hasn’t priced it high. It will cost but two feet,” answered the boy. “Feet? That’s really an odd price!” exclaimed the queen upon hearing about the price. “But I want it all the same. Go to my chamber, mother. You’ll find our Dora’s feet there. Give them to the boy,” she ordered. And the old woman did everything according to her daughter’s wishes. The boy took the feet and ran quickly back to the woods. When he reached the cave, his father was already expecting him impatiently. “My lad, bring some living water so that this body will be free of harm, just as it used to be,” he asked his son. Then the old man put the feet to the legs, sprinkled them with the living water, and life blazed again in each foot. At once the lower body grew together and healed up and it was flawless, as if it had never been harmed. And the old man ordered his son again: “Now go, my lad, move and fetch that golden distaff from the shelf. Sell it at the royal palace, but for no other price than a pair of hands.”

The boy did as his father had wanted. He sat down by the gateway of the palace, carrying the golden distaff. The queen peeped out of the window and exclaimed: “Oh, if only that distaff were mine, for it matches the spinning wheel! Go down, mother, and quickly ask the boy about its price,” she ordered. The old woman obeyed, ran down to the gate and spoke to the boy. “Buy it, my lady, it is cheap. My father hasn’t priced it high. It will cost but two hands,” answered the boy. The queen was surprised when her mother told her. “Hands? That’s really a strange price,” she said. “But I want it all the same. Go to my chamber, mother, and bring out Dora’s hands. Give them to him,” she ordered. And her mother did everything according to her command. The boy took the hands and hurried back to the woods. His father was already awaiting him impatiently in the cave. “Lad, bring me some living water so that this body will be free of harm, just as it used to be,” he told his son. Then he put the hands to the arms, sprinkled them with the living water, and life blazed again in each hand. At once the body grew together and healed up and it was flawless, as if it had never been harmed. And the old man spoke to his son again: “My dear boy, hurry on your way. I’ve got a golden bobbin for sale today. Sell it at the royal palace, but for no other price than a pair of eyes.”

The boy did as his father had told him. He sat down by the gateway, holding the golden bobbin. The queen looked out of the window and exclaimed: “Oh, if only that bobbin were mine to match the golden distaff!” And she approached her mother again. “Go, mother, and ask what the price of the bobbin is,” she said. The old woman ran down to the gate and spoke to the boy for the third time. “Eyes, my lady,” answered the boy. “That’s my father’s order. Nothing but two eyes.” “Eyes? That’s an incredible thing!” cried out the old woman. “And who’s your father, boy?” she asked. “You don’t need to know my father. If anyone looks for him, he won’t find him. He only appears if he wants,” the boy answered. Whereupon the hag ran back to her daughter and told her everything. “Mother, dear mother, what shall I do?” called out the queen helplessly after she’d heard her mother. “But I must have that bobbin!” she decided. “Go to my chamber, mother, and bring out Dora’s eyes. Let him take them,” she ordered. The old woman obeyed her daughter for the third time. The boy took the eyes and ran back to the wood as quickly as he could. No sooner had he come into the cave than his father called to him: “And now, lad, come on, bring me the living water so that this body will be free of harm, just as it was before.” Then he fitted the eyes into their sockets, sprinkled the living water on them, and the flame was lit again. The girl awoke and looked all around. However, she couldn’t see anybody, only herself, all alone.

When three weeks had passed, the king triumphantly returned from the war. “My dear lady, how are you?” he asked, kissing his wife’s cheeks. “I wonder if you did everything according to my wishes,” he wanted to know. “I took your words to heart, my lord,” the queen answered. “Look at what I have bought! I’m sure this spinning wheel is unique, and this distaff and bobbin are pure gold, too. All out of love for you!” she said. “Come here, my lady; sit down and spin a golden thread of love for me,” the king told her. The queen blithely sat down at the spinning wheel. After she started to turn it, however, she suddenly turned pale and started to tremble. The golden wheel sang this song: “Whirr – an evil thread you spin! You came here to deceive the king! Your stepsister you did slay and tore her limbs and eyes away. Whirr – an evil thread!” “What kind of wheel is that?” asked the king in astonishment. “What a strange song it plays! Play it again for me, my dear. I didn’t understand those words. Spin, my lady, spin!” The queen twirled the spinning wheel again and it started playing its song: “Whirr – an evil thread you spin! You wanted to deceive the king. His true fiancée you did slay and her part you came to play. Whirr – an evil thread!” “What a fearful song you play, my lady. You are not what you seem to be!” exclaimed the king. “Play it a third time, my dear, so that I can hear the whole message. Spin, my lady, spin!” On the verge of fainting, the queen twirled the golden wheel again and it started singing its song: “Whirr – an evil thread you spin! You came here to deceive the king. In the woods there is a rocky hole, your sister lies in it – her lord you stole! Whirr – an evil thread!” Having heard this song, the king understood everything. He leapt on his horse and rode to the woods. He searched the whole wide forest, calling: “Where are you, my dear Dornička? Where can I find you, my dearest love?”

And hark! Horse shoes rang merrily through the woods. The lord and his true bride rode his fiery black horse back to the royal palace. A wedding was held again, and the bride was like a blooming rose. There was merrymaking, feasting, music and dancing without end for three weeks.

And what about the mother, that wicked hag? And what of her daughter, that snake-hearted wench? The king’s men tore the eyeballs from their heads and cut off their hands and feet. Their body parts were scattered in the woods and left to the wolves. What they had done to that poor girl was now the price they paid themselves, deep down in the forest.

And what about that golden spinning wheel? It only played three times, and nobody has seen or heard it since that day.

…

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