《安徒生童话英文版》第149章

　　This is somethingdifferent to being a mere plant and bearing flowers. Then I had noattention, nor any water unless it rained; now, I am watched and takencare of. Every morning the maid turns me over, and I have ashower-bath from the watering-pot every evening. Yes, and theclergyman's wife noticed me, and said I was the best piece of linen inthe whole parish. I cannot be happier than I am now."

　　After some time, the linen was taken into the house, placedunder the scissors, and cut and torn into pieces, and then prickedwith needles. This certainly was not pleasant; but at last it was madeinto twelve garments of that kind which people do not like to name,and yet everybody should wear one. "See, now, then," said the flax; "Ihave become something of importance. This was my destiny; it isquite a blessing. Now I shall be of some use in the world, as everyoneought to be; it is the only way to be happy. I am now divided intotwelve pieces, and yet we are all one and the same in the whole dozen.It is most extraordinary good fortune."

　　Years passed away, and at last the linen was so worn it couldscarcely hold together. "It must end very soon," said the pieces toeach other; "we would gladly have held together a little longer, butit is useless to expect impossibilities." And at length they fell intorags and tatters, and thought it was all over with them, for they weretorn to shreds, and steeped in water, and made into a pulp, and dried,and they knew not what besides, till all at once they found themselvesbeautiful white paper. "Well, now, this is a surprise; a glorioussurprise too," said the paper. "I am now finer than ever, and Ishall be written upon, and who can tell what fine things I may havewritten upon me. This is wonderful luck!" And sure enough the mostbeautiful stories and poetry were written upon it, and only once wasthere a blot, which was very fortunate. Then people heard thestories and poetry read, and it made them wiser and better; for allthat was written had a good and sensible meaning, and a great blessingwas contained in the words on this paper.

　　"I never imagined anything like this," said the paper, "when I wasonly a little blue flower, growing in the fields. How could I fancythat I should ever be the means of bringing knowledge and joy toman? I cannot understand it myself, and yet it is really so. Heavenknows that I have done nothing myself, but what I was obliged to dowith my weak powers for my own preservation; and yet I have beenpromoted from one joy and honor to another. Each time I think that thesong is ended; and then something higher and better begins for me. Isuppose now I shall be sent on my travels about the world, so thatpeople may read me. It cannot be otherwise; indeed, it is more thanprobable; for I have more splendid thoughts written upon me, than Ihad pretty flowers in olden times. I am happier than ever."

　　But the paper did not go on its travels; it was sent to theprinter, and all the words written upon it were set up in type, tomake a book, or rather, many hundreds of books; for so many morepersons could derive pleasure and profit from a printed book, thanfrom the written paper; and if the paper had been sent around theworld, it would have been worn out before it had got half throughits journey.

　　"This is certainly the wisest plan," said the written paper; "Ireally did not think of that. I shall remain at home, and be held inhonor, like some old grandfather, as I really am to all these newbooks. They will do some good. I could not have wandered about as theydo. Yet he who wrote all this has looked at me, as every word flowedfrom his pen upon my surface. I am the most honored of all."

　　Then the paper was tied in a bundle with other papers, andthrown into a tub that stood in the washhouse.

　　"After work, it is well to rest," said the paper, "and a very goodopportunity to collect one's thoughts. Now I am able, for the firsttime, to think of my real condition; and to know one's self is trueprogress. What will be done with me now, I wonder?