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22-the boy and the wolves-第1部分

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 THE BOY AND THE WOLVES; OR THE BROKEN PROMISE'18'



'18' A North American Indian story。



Once upon a time an Indian hunter built himself a house in the

middle of a great forest; far away from all his tribe; for his

heart was gentle and kind; and he was weary of the treachery and

cruel deeds of those who had been his friends。  So he left them;

and took his wife and three children; and they journeyed on until

they found a spot near to a clear stream; where they began to cut

down trees; and to make ready their wigwam。  For many years they

lived peacefully and happily in this sheltered place; never

leaving it except to hunt the wild animals; which served them

both for food and clothes。  At last; however; the strong man felt

sick; and before long he knew he must die。



So he gathered his family round him; and said his last words to

them。  'You; my wife; the companion of my days; will follow me

ere many moons have waned to the island of the blest。  But for

you; O my children; whose lives are but newly begun; the

wickedness; unkindness; and ingratitude from which I fled are

before you。  Yet I shall go hence in peace; my children; if you

will promise always to love each other; and never to forsake your

youngest brother。



'Never!' they replied; holding out their hands。  And the hunter

died content。



Scarcely eight moons had passed when; just as he had said; the

wife went forth; and followed her husband; but before leaving her

children she bade the two elder ones think of their promise never

to forsake the younger; for he was a child; and weak。  And while

the snow lay thick upon the ground; they tended him and cherished

him; but when the earth showed green again; the heart of the

young man stirred within him; and he longed to see the wigwams of

the village where his father's youth was spent。 



Therefore he opened all his heart to his sister; who answered:

'My brother; I understand your longing for our fellow…men; whom

here we cannot see。  But remember our father's words。  Shall we

not seek our own pleasures; and forget the little one?'



But he would not listen; and; making no reply; he took his bow

and arrows and left the hut。  The snows fell and melted; yet he

never returned; and at last the heart of the girl grew cold and

hard; and her little boy became a burden in her eyes; till one

day she spoke thus to him: 'See; there is food for many days to

come。  Stay here within the shelter of the hut。  I go to seek our

brother; and when I have found him I shall return hither。'



But when; after hard journeying; she reached the village where

her brother dwelt; and saw that he had a wife and was happy; and

when she; too; was sought by a young brave; then she also forgot

the boy alone in the forest; and thought only of her husband。



Now as soon as the little boy had eaten all the food which his

sister had left him; he went out into the woods; and gathered

berries and dug up roots; and while the sun shone he was

contented and had his fill。  But when the snows began and the

wind howled; then his stomach felt empty and his limbs cold; and

he hid in trees all the night; and only crept out to eat what the

wolves had left behind。  And by…and…by; having no other friends;

he sought their company; and sat by while they devoured their

prey; and they grew to know him; and gave him food。  And without

them he would have died in the snow。



But at last the snows melted; and the ice upon the great lake;

and as the wolves went down to the shore; the boy went after

them。  And it happened one day that his big brother was fishing

in his canoe near the shore; and he heard the voice of a child

singing in the Indian tone



     'My brother; my brother!

      I am becoming a wolf;

      I am becoming a wolf!'



And when he had so sung he howled as wolves howl。  Then the heart

of the elder sunk; and he hastened towards him; crying; 'Brother;

little brother; come to me;' but he; being half a wolf; only

continued his song。  And the louder the elder called him;

'Brother; little brother; come to me;' the swifter he fled after

his brothers the wolves; and the heavier grew his skin; till;

with a long howl; he vanished into the depths of the forest。



So; with shame and anguish in his soul; the elder brother went

back to his village; and; with his sister; mourned the little boy

and the broken promise till the end of his life。

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