Page:The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (c1899).djvu/59

 then cackled amongst each other: “I think we are all of opinion that he is very stupid.”

“Yes, stupid enough in all conscience,” said the guinea-fowl, and fell into a rage. So the stork remained silent, and thought of his dear Africa.

“Those are very dainty, thin legs of yours,” said the guinea-fowl; “pray, what may they cost per yard?”

“Quack! quack! quack!” tittered all the ducks, but the stork pretended not to have heard what had been said.

“You may as well laugh too,” said the guinea-fowl to him, “for it was very witty. Or was it above your understanding? In truth, I fancy he is not very deep; we must try and lower ourselves to his level.” And then he clucked, and the ducks cackled, “Ghick, ghack! Ghick, ghack!”

It was quite abominable to hear how they amused themselves.

But Hjalmar went to the hen-house, and opened the door, and called to the stork, who hopped out to him upon deck. He was now rested, and it seemed as if he nodded to Hjalmar to thank him. He then spread his wings, and flew to warmer lands; while the hens clucked, the ducks set up a cackling, and the guinea-fowl turned scarlet in the head.

“We shall cook you to-morow for broth,” said Hjalmar, and thereupon he awoke, and found himself in his little bed.

It was a singular voyage, to be sure, that Olé Luk-Oie had made him take during that night!

HAT do you think I have here?” said Olé Luk-Oie, “only you must not be frightened. It is a little mouse”; and then he stretched forth his hand, in which lay the elegant little creature. “She is come to invite you to a wedding. There are two little mice about to be married to-night. They live under your mother’s store-room floor, which must be a very pretty dwelling.”

“But how can I creep through a little mouse’s hole in the floor?” asked Hjalmar.

“Leave that to me,” said Olé Luk-Oie; “I’ll contrive to make you little enough.” And he touched Hjalmar with his little magic wand, whereupon he became less and less, till at last he was not so long as one’s finger. “Now you can borrow the clothes of the lead soldier, which I think will just fit you; and it looks well to wear a uniform when one goes into company.”

“That’s true,” said Hjalmar; and in a moment he was dressed like the sprucest lead soldier.