The Devil With the Three Golden Hairs

There was once a poor woman who gave birth to a little son; and as he came into the world with a caul on, it was predicted that in his fourteenth year he would have the King’s daughter for his wife. It happened that soon afterwards the King came into the village, and no one knew that he was the King, and when he asked the people what news there was, they answered, “A child has just been born with a caul on; whatever any one so born undertakes turns out well. It is prophesied, too, that in his fourteenth year he will have the King’s daughter for his wife.”

从前有一个贫苦的女人，生下了一个小儿子；因为他一出生就带着胎膜，人们便预言他到了十四岁那年，将会娶到国王的女儿为妻。恰巧不久之后，国王来到这个村子，谁也不知道他就是国王，他向村民打听有什么新鲜事，村民便答道："刚刚有个孩子出生，带着胎膜；凡是这样出生的人，无论做什么事都会顺顺利利。据说他到了十四岁那年，还会娶到国王的女儿为妻呢。"

The King, who had a bad heart, and was angry about the prophecy, went to the parents, and, seeming quite friendly, said, “You poor people, let me have your child, and I will take care of it.” At first they refused, but when the stranger offered them a large amount of gold for it, and they thought, “It is a luck-child, and everything must turn out well for it,” they at last consented, and gave him the child.

国王生性歹毒，听了这预言十分恼怒，便去找孩子的父母，装出一副十分和善的样子，说道："你们这两个穷苦人，把孩子交给我吧，我会好好照顾他的。"起初他们不肯，可当这陌生人许给他们一大笔金子时，他们心想："这是个有福气的孩子，凡事总会顺顺利利的，"便终于答应了，把孩子交给了他。

The King put it in a box and rode away with it until he came to a deep piece of water; then he threw the box into it and thought, “I have freed my daughter from her unlooked-for suitor.”

国王把孩子装进一个箱子里，骑马带着他走，一直走到一处深水边；然后他把箱子扔进水里，心想："我总算把女儿从这个意想不到的求婚者手里解救出来了。"

The box, however, did not sink, but floated like a boat, and not a drop of water made its way into it. And it floated to within two miles of the King’s chief city, where there was a mill, and it came to a stand-still at the mill-dam. A miller’s boy, who by good luck was standing there, noticed it and pulled it out with a hook, thinking that he had found a great treasure, but when he opened it there lay a pretty boy inside, quite fresh and lively.

可是那箱子并没有沉下去，反倒像船一样漂浮在水面上，一滴水也没渗进去。箱子一路漂到离国王的都城两英里远的地方，那儿有座磨坊，箱子便在磨坊的水坝边停住了。恰巧有个磨坊小工站在那里，他注意到了这个箱子，便用钩子把它捞了上来，还以为自己发现了什么大宝贝呢，可打开一看，里面躺着一个漂亮的男孩，精神饱满，活蹦乱跳的。

He took him to the miller and his wife, and as they had no children they were glad, and said, “God has given him to us.” They took great care of the foundling, and he grew up in all goodness.

他把孩子带去见磨坊主夫妇，他们膝下无子，见了十分欢喜，都说："这是上天赐给我们的。"他们尽心尽力地抚养这个弃儿，他也一天天健康茁壮地长大了。

It happened that once in a storm, the King went into the mill, and he asked the mill-folk if the tall youth was their son. “No,” answered they, “he’s a foundling. Fourteen years ago he floated down to the mill-dam in a box, and the mill-boy pulled him out of the water.”

有一次赶上暴风雨，国王到磨坊里避雨，他便问磨坊里的人，那个高大的少年是不是他们的儿子。"不是，"他们答道，"他是个弃儿。十四年前，他被装在一个箱子里，顺水漂到磨坊的水坝这儿，是磨坊小工把他从水里捞出来的。"

Then the King knew that it was none other than the luck-child which he had thrown into the water, and he said, “My good people, could not the youth take a letter to the Queen; I will give him two gold pieces as a reward?” “Just as the King commands,” answered they, and they told the boy to hold himself in readiness. Then the King wrote a letter to the Queen, wherein he said, “As soon as the boy arrives with this letter, let him be killed and buried, and all must be done before I come home.”

国王这才明白，这正是当年被他扔进水里的那个有福气的孩子，他便说："我的好人们，能不能让这小伙子给王后送一封信去；我给他两块金币作为酬劳。""一切听凭国王吩咐，"他们答道，便叫这孩子做好准备。国王随即写了一封信给王后，信中写道："这男孩带着这封信一到，就把他杀了埋掉，而且必须在我回宫之前办妥此事。"

The boy set out with this letter; but he lost his way, and in the evening came to a large forest. In the darkness he saw a small light; he went towards it and reached a cottage. When he went in, an old woman was sitting by the fire quite alone. She started when she saw the boy, and said, “Whence do you come, and whither are you going?” “I come from the mill,” he answered, “and wish to go to the Queen, to whom I am taking a letter; but as I have lost my way in the forest I should like to stay here over night.”

这男孩带着这封信出发了；可他迷了路，傍晚时分来到一片大森林里。天色黑了下来，他看见远处有一点微光，便朝那儿走去，来到一间小屋前。他走进屋里，只见一个老妇人独自坐在炉火旁。她一见这男孩便吃了一惊，说道："你从哪儿来，要往哪儿去？""我从磨坊那边来，"他答道，"想去见王后，给她送一封信；可我在森林里迷了路，想在这儿借宿一晚。"

“You poor boy,” said the woman, “you have come into a den of thieves, and when they come home they will kill you.” “Let them come,” said the boy, “I am not afraid; but I am so tired that I cannot go any farther:” and he stretched himself upon a bench and fell asleep.

"可怜的孩子，"老妇人说道，"你闯进了一个强盗窝，他们回来一定会把你杀了的。""让他们来吧，"男孩说，"我不怕；只是我实在太累了，走不动了。"说着他便在长凳上躺下，睡着了。

Soon afterwards the robbers came, and angrily asked what strange boy was lying there? “Ah,” said the old woman, “it is an innocent child who has lost himself in the forest, and out of pity I have let him come in; he has to take a letter to the Queen.” The robbers opened the letter and read it, and in it was written that the boy as soon as he arrived should be put to death.

不多时强盗们回来了，气冲冲地问是什么陌生的男孩躺在那儿。"哎，"老妇人说道，"这是个无辜的孩子，在森林里迷了路，我出于怜悯才让他进来的；他要给王后送一封信呢。"强盗们把信拆开读了，信里写着，这男孩一到就该被处死。

Then the hard-hearted robbers felt pity, and their leader tore up the letter and wrote another, saying, that as soon as the boy came, he should be married at once to the King’s daughter. Then they let him lie quietly on the bench until the next morning, and when he awoke they gave him the letter, and showed him the right way.

这些心肠冷酷的强盗听了竟也动了怜悯之心，他们的头领便把信撕了，另写了一封，信中说，这男孩一到，就该立刻与国王的女儿完婚。他们让男孩安安稳稳地在长凳上睡到第二天早晨，等他醒来，便把这封信交给他，还给他指明了正确的路。

And the Queen, when she had received the letter and read it, did as was written in it, and had a splendid wedding-feast prepared, and the King’s daughter was married to the luck-child, and as the youth was handsome and agreeable she lived with him in joy and contentment.

王后收到这封信读了之后，便照信中所写去办，准备了一场盛大的婚宴，让国王的女儿与这个有福气的孩子成了婚，这少年既英俊又讨人喜欢，公主便和他过着欢乐美满的生活。

After some time the King returned to his palace and saw that the prophecy was fulfilled, and the luck-child married to his daughter. “How has that come to pass?” said he; “I gave quite another order in my letter.”

过了些日子，国王回到宫中，见预言果然应验，那个有福气的孩子已与自己的女儿成了亲。"这是怎么回事？"他说道，"我在信里明明下的是另一道命令。"

So the Queen gave him the letter, and said that he might see for himself what was written in it. The King read the letter and saw quite well that it had been exchanged for the other. He asked the youth what had become of the letter entrusted to him, and why he had brought another instead of it. “I know nothing about it,” answered he; “it must have been changed in the night, when I slept in the forest.”

王后便把那封信给他看，说他自己可以瞧瞧信里写的是什么。国王读了信，一看便知这信已被人调换过了。他便问那少年，交给他的那封信怎么了，为何他带来的却是另一封。"我什么都不知道，"少年答道，"想必是我在森林里睡觉的那晚，信被人调换了。"

The King said in a passion, “You shall not have everything quite so much your own way; whosoever marries my daughter must fetch me from hell three golden hairs from the head of the devil; bring me what I want, and you shall keep my daughter.” In this way the King hoped to be rid of him for ever. But the luck-child answered, “I will fetch the golden hairs, I am not afraid of the Devil;” thereupon he took leave of them and began his journey.

国王怒气冲冲地说道："你别想事事都这样称心如意；无论谁要娶我的女儿，都必须从地狱里给我取来魔鬼头上的三根金发；把我要的东西取来，你才能留下我的女儿。"国王这样说，是指望借此彻底摆脱他。可这有福气的孩子却答道："我这就去取那三根金发，我并不怕魔鬼。"说罢便向众人告别，踏上了征途。

The road led him to a large town, where the watchman by the gates asked him what his trade was, and what he knew. “I know everything,” answered the luck-child. “Then you can do us a favour,” said the watchman, “if you will tell us why our market-fountain, which once flowed with wine has become dry, and no longer gives even water?” “That you shall know,” answered he; “only wait until I come back.”

这条路把他引到了一座大城市，城门口的看守问他是干什么营生的，都知道些什么。"我什么都知道，"这有福气的孩子答道。"那你倒可以帮我们个忙，"看守说道，"告诉我们，我们这市集上的喷泉，从前曾流出美酒，如今怎么干涸了，连一滴水都不肯流出来了？""这个你们会知道的，"他答道，"只等我回来吧。"

Then he went farther and came to another town, and there also the gatekeeper asked him what was his trade, and what he knew. “I know everything,” answered he. “Then you can do us a favour and tell us why a tree in our town which once bore golden apples now does not even put forth leaves?” “You shall know that,” answered he; “only wait until I come back.”

于是他继续赶路，来到另一座城市，那儿的守门人也问他是干什么营生的，都知道些什么。"我什么都知道，"他答道。"那你倒可以帮我们个忙，告诉我们，我们城里有一棵树，从前曾结出金苹果，如今怎么连叶子都长不出来了？""这个你们会知道的，"他答道，"只等我回来吧。"

Then he went on and came to a wide river over which he must go. The ferryman asked him what his trade was, and what he knew. “I know everything,” answered he. “Then you can do me a favour,” said the ferryman, “and tell me why I must always be rowing backwards and forwards, and am never set free?” “You shall know that,” answered he; “only wait until I come back.”

于是他继续前行，来到一条宽阔的河边，必须要渡过去。摆渡人问他是干什么营生的，都知道些什么。"我什么都知道，"他答道。"那你倒可以帮我个忙，"摆渡人说道，"告诉我，我为什么总要来来回回地划船，永远也脱不了身？""这个你会知道的，"他答道，"只等我回来吧。"

When he had crossed the water he found the entrance to Hell. It was black and sooty within, and the Devil was not at home, but his grandmother was sitting in a large arm-chair. “What do you want?” said she to him, but she did not look so very wicked. “I should like to have three golden hairs from the devil’s head,” answered he, “else I cannot keep my wife.” “That is a good deal to ask for,” said she; “if the devil comes home and finds you, it will cost you your life; but as I pity you, I will see if I cannot help you.”

渡过河去之后，他找到了地狱的入口。里面漆黑一片，满是煤灰，魔鬼不在家，只有他的祖母坐在一张大扶手椅上。"你想要什么？"她问他，可她看上去并不像那么凶恶。"我想要魔鬼头上的三根金发，"他答道，"不然我就留不住我的妻子了。""这可是不小的要求，"她说道，"要是魔鬼回来撞见了你，你的小命可就没了；不过我可怜你，我倒要看看能不能帮你一把。"

She changed him into an ant and said, “Creep into the folds of my dress, you will be safe there.” “Yes,” answered he, “so far, so good; but there are three things besides that I want to know: why a fountain which once flowed with wine has become dry, and no longer gives even water; why a tree which once bore golden apples does not even put forth leaves; and why a ferry-man must always be going backwards and forwards, and is never set free?”

她把他变成了一只蚂蚁，说道："爬进我裙子的褶皱里去，你在那儿会安全的。""好，"他答道，"这样虽好，可我还有三件事想要知道：为什么一处从前曾流出美酒的喷泉如今干涸了，连一滴水都不肯流出；为什么一棵从前曾结出金苹果的树如今连叶子都长不出来了；还有为什么一个摆渡人总要来来回回地划船，永远也脱不了身？"

“Those are difficult questions,” answered she, “but only be silent and quiet and pay attention to what the devil says when I pull out the three golden hairs.”

"这些都是难题，"她答道，"不过你只管保持安静，仔细听着，等我拔魔鬼那三根金发的时候，听听他都说些什么。"

As the evening came on, the devil returned home. No sooner had he entered than he noticed that the air was not pure. “I smell man’s flesh,” said he; “all is not right here.” Then he pried into every corner, and searched, but could not find anything. His grandmother scolded him. “It has just been swept,” said she, “and everything put in order, and now you are upsetting it again; you have always got man’s flesh in your nose. Sit down and eat your supper.”

到了傍晚，魔鬼回来了。他刚一进门，就察觉到空气不对劲。"我闻到人肉的味道，"他说道，"这儿一定有什么不对劲。"于是他四处搜寻，翻遍了每一个角落，却什么也没找到。他的祖母便责备起他来。"刚打扫干净，"她说道，"什么都收拾得整整齐齐的，你又要把它翻得乱七八糟；你这鼻子总是嗅出人肉的味道来。快坐下吃你的晚饭吧。"

When he had eaten and drunk he was tired, and laid his head in his grandmother’s lap, and before long he was fast asleep, snoring and breathing heavily. Then the old woman took hold of a golden hair, pulled it out, and laid it down near her. “Oh!” cried the devil, “what are you doing?” “I have had a bad dream,” answered the grandmother, “so I seized hold of your hair.” “What did you dream then?” said the devil.

他吃饱喝足之后觉得困了，便把头枕在祖母的膝上，不一会儿就沉沉睡去，鼾声大作，呼吸沉重。老妇人便趁机抓住一根金发，拔了下来，放在自己身边。"哎呀！"魔鬼叫道，"你在干什么？""我做了个噩梦，"祖母答道，"所以才抓住了你的头发。""你梦见什么了？"魔鬼问道。

“I dreamed that a fountain in a market-place from which wine once flowed was dried up, and not even water would flow out of it; what is the cause of it?” “Oh, ho! if they did but know it,” answered the devil; “there is a toad sitting under a stone in the well; if they killed it, the wine would flow again.”

"我梦见集市上一处从前曾流出美酒的喷泉干涸了，连一滴水都不肯流出来；这是什么缘故呢？""哦哈！要是他们知道就好了，"魔鬼答道，"井里有块石头，石头底下坐着一只癞蛤蟆；只要把它杀了，美酒就会重新流出来。"

He went to sleep again and snored until the windows shook. Then she pulled the second hair out. “Ha! what are you doing?” cried the devil angrily. “Do not take it ill,” said she, “I did it in a dream.” “What have you dreamt this time?” asked he. “I dreamt that in a certain kingdom there stood an apple-tree which had once borne golden apples, but now would not even bear leaves. What, think you, was the reason?”

他又睡着了，鼾声震得窗户都在颤动。于是老妇人又拔下第二根金发。"哈！你在干什么？"魔鬼怒气冲冲地叫道。"别生气，"她说道，"我是在梦里不小心弄的。""这回你又梦见什么了？"他问道。"我梦见在某个王国里，有一棵从前曾结出金苹果的苹果树，如今连叶子都不肯长了。你说说看，这是什么缘故？"

“Oh! if they did but know,” answered the devil. “A mouse is gnawing at the root; if they killed this they would have golden apples again, but if it gnaws much longer the tree will wither altogether. But leave me alone with your dreams: if you disturb me in my sleep again you will get a box on the ear.”

"哦！要是他们知道就好了，"魔鬼答道。"有只老鼠正在啃它的树根；只要把这老鼠杀了，他们就又能有金苹果了，可要是再让它啃下去，这棵树迟早会彻底枯死的。可你别再拿你的梦来烦我了：要是你再打扰我睡觉，我可要打你一记耳光了。"

The grandmother spoke gently to him until he fell asleep again and snored. Then she took hold of the third golden hair and pulled it out. The devil jumped up, roared out, and would have treated her ill if she had not quieted him once more and said, “Who can help bad dreams?” “What was the dream, then?” asked he, and was quite curious. “I dreamt of a ferry-man who complained that he must always ferry from one side to the other, and was never released. What is the cause of it?”

祖母温言软语地哄他，直到他又睡着了，鼾声又起。于是她抓住第三根金发，把它拔了下来。魔鬼一下子跳了起来，怒吼一声，若不是她赶紧又安抚了他，说道："谁又能管得住做噩梦呢？"他险些就要对她动粗了。"那你这回又梦见什么了？"他问道，倒也十分好奇。"我梦见一个摆渡人在抱怨，说他总要从这岸摆渡到那岸，永远也没个尽头。这是什么缘故呢？"

“Ah! the fool,” answered the devil; “when any one comes and wants to go across he must put the oar in his hand, and the other man will have to ferry and he will be free.” As the grandmother had plucked out the three golden hairs, and the three questions were answered, she let the old serpent alone, and he slept until daybreak.

"啊，这个傻子，"魔鬼答道，"只要有人过来想要渡河，他把船桨往那人手里一塞，让那人来摆渡，他自己不就自由了吗。"祖母既已拔下了那三根金发，那三个问题也都有了答案，便由着这条老毒蛇去了，他一直睡到天亮。

When the devil had gone out again the old woman took the ant out of the folds of her dress, and gave the luck-child his human shape again. “There are the three golden hairs for you,” said she. “What the Devil said to your three questions, I suppose you heard?” “Yes,” answered he, “I heard, and will take care to remember.” “You have what you want,” said she, “and now you can go your way.” He thanked the old woman for helping him in his need, and left hell well content that everything had turned out so fortunately.

等魔鬼再度出门之后，老妇人便把那只蚂蚁从裙褶里取出来，重新让这有福气的孩子恢复了人形。"这三根金发给你，"她说道，"魔鬼对你那三个问题是怎么说的，你想必都听见了吧？""是的，"他答道，"我都听见了，一定牢牢记住。""你要的东西都有了，"她说道，"现在你可以上路了。"他感谢老妇人在他危难之际出手相助，心满意足地离开了地狱，庆幸一切都这样顺利地了结了。

When he came to the ferry-man he was expected to give the promised answer. “Ferry me across first,” said the luck-child, “and then I will tell you how you can be set free,” and when he reached the opposite shore he gave him the devil’s advice: “Next time any one comes, who wants to be ferried over, just put the oar in his hand.”

他来到摆渡人那儿，摆渡人正等着他兑现承诺的答案。"先渡我过河，"这有福气的孩子说道，"我再告诉你怎样才能脱身，"等他到了对岸，便把魔鬼的话告诉了摆渡人："下次再有人来想要摆渡，你只管把船桨塞到他手里就是了。"

He went on and came to the town wherein stood the unfruitful tree, and there too the watchman wanted an answer. So he told him what he had heard from the devil: “Kill the mouse which is gnawing at its root, and it will again bear golden apples.” Then the watchman thanked him, and gave him as a reward two asses laden with gold, which followed him.

他继续赶路，来到那座立着不结果实的树的城市，那儿的看守也向他讨要答案。于是他便把从魔鬼那儿听来的话告诉了看守："把正在啃树根的老鼠杀了，它就又会结出金苹果来。"看守谢过了他，还赏给他两头驮满金子的驴子，跟着他一路而行。

At last he came to the town whose well was dry. He told the watchman what the devil had said: “A toad is in the well beneath a stone; you must find it and kill it, and the well will again give wine in plenty.” The watchman thanked him, and also gave him two asses laden with gold.

最后他来到了那座喷泉干涸的城市。他把魔鬼说的话告诉了看守："井里一块石头底下有只癞蛤蟆，你们得把它找出来杀掉，喷泉就会重新涌出大量美酒来。"看守谢过了他，也赏给他两头驮满金子的驴子。

At last the luck-child got home to his wife, who was heartily glad to see him again, and to hear how well he had prospered in everything. To the King he took what he had asked for, the devil’s three golden hairs, and when the King saw the four asses laden with gold he was quite content, and said, “Now all the conditions are fulfilled, and you can keep my daughter. But tell me, dear son-in-law, where did all that gold come from? this is tremendous wealth!”

这有福气的孩子终于回到了妻子身边，妻子见他平安归来，欣喜万分，又听说他一路上事事顺利，更是高兴。他把国王要的东西——魔鬼的三根金发——都带给了国王，国王一见那四头驮满金子的驴子，十分满意，说道："如今条件都已满足，你可以留下我的女儿了。不过告诉我，亲爱的女婿，这些金子都是从哪儿来的？这可是好大一笔财富啊！"

“I was rowed across a river,” answered he, “and got it there; it lies on the shore instead of sand.” “Can I too fetch some of it?” said the King; and he was quite eager about it. “As much as you like,” answered he. “There is a ferry-man on the river; let him ferry you over, and you can fill your sacks on the other side.” The greedy King set out in all haste, and when he came to the river he beckoned to the ferry-man to put him across.

"我是坐船渡过一条河的时候，"他答道，"在那儿弄到的；那金子就铺在岸边，就跟沙子似的。""我也能去弄一些吗？"国王说道，显得十分急切。"你想要多少都行，"他答道。"河上有个摆渡人；让他渡你过河，你到了对岸就能把口袋装满了。"这贪婪的国王急急忙忙地出发了，一到河边，便招手叫摆渡人渡他过河。

The ferry-man came and bade him get in, and when they got to the other shore he put the oar in his hand and sprang out. But from this time forth the King had to ferry, as a punishment for his sins. Perhaps he is ferrying still? If he is, it is because no one has taken the oar from him.

摆渡人过来叫他上船，等他们到了对岸，摆渡人便把船桨塞到他手里，自己一跃跳上了岸。可从那时起，国王便不得不去摆渡了，这是他罪有应得的惩罚。也许他至今还在摆渡吧？倘若真是如此，那也是因为还没有人从他手里接过那支船桨。