some short christmas stories(Ê¥µ®¹ÊÊÂ)-µÚ2ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
does¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡matter£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡shriek¡¡¡¡¡¡out£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡poisoned¡¡¡¡¡¡child£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
strike¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fashionable¡¡¡¡¡¡company¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡consternation£»¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡reason¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡having¡¡
drunk¡¡a¡¡little¡¡teaspoon£»¡¡inadvertently¡¡dissolved¡¡in¡¡too¡¡hot¡¡tea£»¡¡I¡¡was¡¡never¡¡
the¡¡worse¡¡for¡¡it£»¡¡except¡¡by¡¡a¡¡powder£¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡next¡¡¡¡¡¡branches¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tree£»¡¡¡¡¡¡lower¡¡¡¡¡¡down£»¡¡¡¡¡¡hard¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡green¡¡
roller¡¡and¡¡miniature¡¡gardening¡tools£»¡¡how¡¡thick¡¡the¡¡books¡¡begin¡¡to¡¡hang¡£¡¡
Thin¡¡books£»¡¡in¡¡themselves£»¡¡at¡¡first£»¡¡but¡¡many¡¡of¡¡them£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡deliciously¡¡
smooth¡¡covers¡¡of¡¡bright¡¡red¡¡or¡¡green¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡fat¡¡black¡¡letters¡¡to¡¡begin¡¡with£¡¡¡
¡¨A¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡archer£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡shot¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡frog¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡Of¡¡¡¡¡¡course¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡
apple¡pie¡¡also£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡he¡¡is£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡a¡¡good¡¡many¡¡things¡¡in¡¡his¡¡time£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡5¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡6¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡Short¡¡Christmas¡¡Stories¡¡
was¡¡¡¡¡¡A£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡friends£»¡¡¡¡¡¡except¡¡¡¡¡¡X£»¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡
versatility£»¡¡that¡¡I¡¡never¡¡knew¡¡him¡¡to¡¡get¡¡beyond¡¡Xerxes¡¡or¡¡Xantippelike¡¡
Y£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡always¡¡confined¡¡to¡¡a¡¡Yacht¡¡or¡¡a¡¡Yew¡¡Tree£»¡¡and¡¡Z¡¡condemned¡¡
for¡¡ever¡¡to¡¡be¡¡a¡¡Zebra¡¡or¡¡a¡¡Zany¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But£»¡¡now£»¡¡the¡¡very¡¡tree¡¡itself¡¡changes£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡becomes¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bean¡stalkthe¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡marvellous¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡bean¡stalk¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Jack¡¡
climbed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Giant's¡¡¡¡¡¡house£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡now£»¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡dreadfully¡¡¡¡¡¡interesting£»¡¡
double¡headed¡¡giants£»¡¡with¡¡their¡¡clubs¡¡over¡¡their¡¡shoulders£»¡¡begin¡¡to¡¡stride¡¡
along¡¡the¡¡boughs¡¡in¡¡a¡¡perfect¡¡throng£»¡¡dragging¡¡knights¡¡and¡¡ladies¡¡home¡¡for¡¡
dinner¡¡by¡¡the¡¡hair¡¡of¡¡their¡¡heads¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡Jackhow¡¡noble£»¡¡with¡¡his¡¡sword¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡sharpness£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡shoes¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡swiftness£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Again¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡¡¡¡¡¡meditations¡¡
come¡¡upon¡¡me¡¡as¡¡I¡¡gaze¡¡up¡¡at¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡debate¡¡within¡¡myself¡¡whether¡¡
there¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡Jack¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨which¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡am¡¡¡¡¡¡loth¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡believe¡¡¡¡¡¡possible£©£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡
only¡¡one¡¡genuine¡¡original¡¡admirable¡¡Jack£»¡¡who¡¡achieved¡¡all¡¡the¡¡recorded¡¡
exploits¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Good¡¡for¡¡Christmas¡time¡¡is¡¡the¡¡ruddy¡¡colour¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cloak£»¡¡in¡¡which¡¡
the¡¡tree¡¡making¡¡a¡¡forest¡¡of¡¡itself¡¡for¡¡her¡¡to¡¡trip¡¡through£»¡¡with¡¡her¡¡basket¡¡
Little¡¡¡¡¡¡Red¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Riding¡Hood¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡comes¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡Christmas¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Eve¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡give¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡
information¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cruelty¡¡and¡¡treachery¡¡of¡¡that¡¡dissembling¡¡Wolf¡¡who¡¡ate¡¡
her¡¡grandmother£»¡¡without¡¡making¡¡any¡¡impression¡¡on¡¡his¡¡appetite£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡
ate¡¡her£»¡¡after¡¡making¡¡that¡¡ferocious¡¡joke¡¡about¡¡his¡¡teeth¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡was¡¡my¡¡first¡¡
love¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡felt¡¡that¡¡if¡¡I¡¡could¡¡have¡¡married¡¡Little¡¡Red¡¡Riding¡Hood£»¡¡I¡¡should¡¡
have¡¡known¡¡perfect¡¡bliss¡£¡¡But£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡not¡¡to¡¡be£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡was¡¡nothing¡¡for¡¡
it¡¡but¡¡to¡¡look¡¡out¡¡the¡¡Wolf¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Noah's¡¡Ark¡¡there£»¡¡and¡¡put¡¡him¡¡late¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
procession¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡table£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡monster¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡degraded¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡O¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
wonderful¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Noah's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ark£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡found¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seaworthy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡
washing¡tub£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡animals¡¡were¡¡crammed¡¡in¡¡at¡¡the¡¡roof£»¡¡and¡¡needed¡¡to¡¡
have¡¡their¡¡legs¡¡well¡¡shaken¡¡down¡¡before¡¡they¡¡could¡¡be¡¡got¡¡in£»¡¡even¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡
and¡¡then£»¡¡ten¡¡to¡¡one¡¡but¡¡they¡¡began¡¡to¡¡tumble¡¡out¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡which¡¡was¡¡
but¡¡imperfectly¡¡fastened¡¡with¡¡a¡¡wire¡¡latchbut¡¡what¡¡was¡¡THAT¡¡against¡¡it£¡¡¡
Consider¡¡the¡¡noble¡¡fly£»¡¡a¡¡size¡¡or¡¡two¡¡smaller¡¡than¡¡the¡¡elephant£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡lady¡¡¡
bird£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡butterflyall¡¡¡¡¡¡triumphs¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡art£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Consider¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡goose£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whose¡¡¡¡¡¡feet¡¡
were¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡small£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡whose¡¡¡¡¡¡balance¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡indifferent£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡usually¡¡
tumbled¡¡¡¡¡¡forward£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡knocked¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡animal¡¡¡¡¡¡creation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Consider¡¡
Noah¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡family£»¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡idiotic¡¡¡¡¡¡tobacco¡stoppers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡leopard¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡6¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡7¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡Short¡¡Christmas¡¡Stories¡¡
stuck¡¡to¡¡warm¡¡little¡¡fingers£»¡¡and¡¡how¡¡the¡¡tails¡¡of¡¡the¡¡larger¡¡animals¡¡used¡¡
gradually¡¡to¡¡resolve¡¡themselves¡¡into¡¡frayed¡¡bits¡¡of¡¡string£¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hush£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Again¡¡a¡¡forest£»¡¡and¡¡somebody¡¡up¡¡in¡¡a¡¡treenot¡¡Robin¡¡Hood£»¡¡
not¡¡Valentine£»¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡Yellow¡¡¡¡¡¡Dwarf¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡Mother¡¡
Bunch's¡¡wonders£»¡¡without¡¡mention£©£»¡¡but¡¡an¡¡Eastern¡¡King¡¡with¡¡a¡¡glittering¡¡
scimitar¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡turban¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡By¡¡¡¡¡¡Allah£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡Eastern¡¡¡¡¡¡Kings£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡another£»¡¡
looking¡¡over¡¡his¡¡shoulder£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Down¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡grass£»¡¡at¡¡the¡¡tree's¡¡foot£»¡¡lies¡¡
the¡¡full¡¡length¡¡of¡¡a¡¡coal¡black¡¡Giant£»¡¡stretched¡¡asleep£»¡¡with¡¡his¡¡head¡¡in¡¡a¡¡
lady's¡¡lap£»¡¡and¡¡near¡¡them¡¡is¡¡a¡¡glass¡¡box£»¡¡fastened¡¡with¡¡four¡¡locks¡¡of¡¡shining¡¡
steel£»¡¡in¡¡which¡¡he¡¡keeps¡¡the¡¡lady¡¡prisoner¡¡when¡¡he¡¡is¡¡awake¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡see¡¡the¡¡
four¡¡keys¡¡at¡¡his¡¡girdle¡¡now¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡lady¡¡makes¡¡signs¡¡to¡¡the¡¡two¡¡kings¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
tree£»¡¡who¡¡softly¡¡descend¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡the¡¡setting¡in¡¡of¡¡the¡¡bright¡¡Arabian¡¡Nights¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡now¡¡all¡¡common¡¡things¡¡become¡¡uncommon¡¡and¡¡enchanted¡¡to¡¡me¡£¡¡
All¡¡¡¡¡¡lamps¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡wonderful£»¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡rings¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡talismans¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Common¡¡¡¡¡¡flower¡pots¡¡
are¡¡full¡¡of¡¡treasure£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡little¡¡earth¡¡scattered¡¡on¡¡the¡¡top£»¡¡trees¡¡are¡¡for¡¡Ali¡¡
Baba¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡hide¡¡¡¡¡¡in£»¡¡¡¡beef¡steaks¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡throw¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Valley¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
Diamonds£»¡¡that¡¡the¡¡precious¡¡stones¡¡may¡¡stick¡¡to¡¡them£»¡¡and¡¡be¡¡carried¡¡by¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡eagles¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡nests£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whence¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡traders£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡loud¡¡¡¡¡¡cries£»¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡scare¡¡
them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tarts¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡made£»¡¡¡¡¡¡according¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡recipe¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Vizier's¡¡¡¡¡¡son¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
Bussorah£»¡¡who¡¡turned¡¡pastrycook¡¡after¡¡he¡¡was¡¡set¡¡down¡¡in¡¡his¡¡drawers¡¡at¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡gate¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Damascus£»¡¡¡¡¡¡cobblers¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡Mustaphas£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡habit¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
sewing¡¡up¡¡people¡¡cut¡¡into¡¡four¡¡pieces£»¡¡to¡¡whom¡¡they¡¡are¡¡taken¡¡blind¡fold¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Any¡¡iron¡¡ring¡¡let¡¡into¡¡stone¡¡is¡¡the¡¡entrance¡¡to¡¡a¡¡cave¡¡which¡¡only¡¡waits¡¡
for¡¡the¡¡magician£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡little¡¡fire£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡necromancy£»¡¡that¡¡will¡¡make¡¡the¡¡
earth¡¡¡¡¡¡shake¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dates¡¡¡¡¡¡imported¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡tree¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡
unlucky¡¡date£»¡¡with¡¡whose¡¡shell¡¡the¡¡merchant¡¡knocked¡¡out¡¡the¡¡eye¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
genie's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡invisible¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡son¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡olives¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡stock¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡fresh¡¡¡¡¡¡fruit£»¡¡
concerning¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Commander¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Faithful¡¡¡¡¡¡overheard¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡boy¡¡
conduct¡¡the¡¡fictitious¡¡trial¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fraudulent¡¡olive¡¡merchant£»¡¡all¡¡apples¡¡are¡¡
akin¡¡to¡¡the¡¡apple¡¡purchased¡¡£¨with¡¡two¡¡others£©¡¡from¡¡the¡¡Sultan's¡¡gardener¡¡
for¡¡three¡¡sequins£»¡¡and¡¡which¡¡the¡¡tall¡¡black¡¡slave¡¡stole¡¡from¡¡the¡¡child¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡
dogs¡¡are¡¡associated¡¡with¡¡the¡¡dog£»¡¡really¡¡a¡¡transformed¡¡man£»¡¡who¡¡jumped¡¡
upon¡¡the¡¡baker's¡¡counter£»¡¡and¡¡put¡¡his¡¡paw¡¡on¡¡the¡¡piece¡¡of¡¡bad¡¡money¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡
rice¡¡recalls¡¡the¡¡rice¡¡which¡¡the¡¡awful¡¡lady£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡a¡¡ghoule£»¡¡could¡¡only¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡7¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡8¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡Short¡¡Christmas¡¡Stories¡¡
peck¡¡by¡¡grains£»¡¡because¡¡of¡¡her¡¡nightly¡¡feasts¡¡in¡¡the¡¡burial¡place¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡My¡¡very¡¡
rocking¡horse£»there¡¡he¡¡is£»¡¡with¡¡his¡¡nostrils¡¡turned¡¡completely¡¡inside¡out£»¡¡
indicative¡¡of¡¡Blood£¡should¡¡have¡¡a¡¡peg¡¡in¡¡his¡¡neck£»¡¡by¡¡virtue¡¡thereof¡¡to¡¡
fly¡¡away¡¡with¡¡me£»¡¡as¡¡the¡¡wooden¡¡horse¡¡did¡¡with¡¡the¡¡Prince¡¡of¡¡Persia£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
sight¡¡of¡¡all¡¡his¡¡father's¡¡Court¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yes£»¡¡on¡¡every¡¡object¡¡that¡¡I¡¡recognise¡¡among¡¡those¡¡upper¡¡branches¡¡of¡¡
my¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Christmas¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tree£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡fairy¡¡¡¡¡¡light£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡wake¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡bed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡
daybreak£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cold£»¡¡¡¡¡¡dark£»¡¡¡¡¡¡winter¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mornings£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡white¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡snow¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dimly¡¡
beheld£»¡¡outside£»¡¡through¡¡the¡¡frost¡¡on¡¡the¡¡window¡pane£»¡¡I¡¡hear¡¡Dinarzade¡£¡¡
¡¨Sister£»¡¡¡¡¡¡sister£»¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡awake£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡pray¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡finish¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡history¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
Young¡¡King¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Black¡¡Islands¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Scheherazade¡¡replies£»¡¡¡¨If¡¡my¡¡lord¡¡the¡¡
Sultan¡¡will¡¡suffer¡¡me¡¡to¡¡live¡¡another¡¡day£»¡¡sister£»¡¡I¡¡will¡¡not¡¡only¡¡finish¡¡that£»¡¡
but¡¡tell¡¡you¡¡a¡¡more¡¡wonderful¡¡story¡¡yet¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then£»¡¡the¡¡gracious¡¡Sultan¡¡goes¡¡
out£»¡¡giving¡¡no¡¡orders¡¡for¡¡the¡¡execution£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡all¡¡three¡¡breathe¡¡again¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡this¡¡height¡¡of¡¡my¡¡tree¡¡I¡¡begin¡¡to¡¡see£»¡¡cowering¡¡among¡¡the¡¡leaves¡¡¡¡it¡¡
may¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡born¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡turkey£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡pudding£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡mince¡¡¡¡¡¡pie£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡many¡¡
fancies£»¡¡jumbled¡¡with¡¡Robinson¡¡Crusoe¡¡on¡¡his¡¡desert¡¡island£»¡¡Philip¡¡Quarll¡¡
among¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡monkeys£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sandford¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Merton¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Barlow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mother¡¡
Bunch£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Maskor¡¡it¡¡may¡¡be¡¡the¡¡result¡¡of¡¡indigestion£»¡¡assisted¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡
imagination¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡doctoringa¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡prodigious¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡nightmare¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡
exceedingly¡¡indistinct£»¡¡that¡¡I¡¡don't¡¡know¡¡why¡¡it's¡¡frightfulbut¡¡I¡¡know¡¡it¡¡is¡£¡¡
I¡¡can¡¡only¡¡make¡¡out¡¡that¡¡it¡¡is¡¡an¡¡immense¡¡array¡¡of¡¡shapeless¡¡things£»¡¡which¡¡
appear¡¡to¡¡be¡¡planted¡¡on¡¡a¡¡vast¡¡exaggeration¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lazy¡tongs¡¡that¡¡used¡¡to¡¡
bear¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡toy¡¡¡¡¡¡soldiers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡slowly¡¡¡¡¡¡coming¡¡¡¡¡¡close¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
receding¡¡to¡¡an¡¡immeasurable¡¡distance¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡it¡¡comes¡¡closest£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡worse¡£¡¡
In¡¡¡¡¡¡connection¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡descry¡¡¡¡remembrances¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡winter¡¡nights¡¡¡¡¡¡incredibly¡¡
long£»¡¡of¡¡being¡¡sent¡¡early¡¡to¡¡bed£»¡¡as¡¡a¡¡punishment¡¡for¡¡some¡¡small¡¡offence£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡waking¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡hours£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡sensation¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡having¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡asleep¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡
nights£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡laden¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hopelessness¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡morning¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dawning£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
oppression¡¡of¡¡a¡¡weight¡¡of¡¡remorse¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡now£»¡¡I¡¡see¡¡a¡¡wonderful¡¡row¡¡of¡¡little¡¡lights¡¡rise¡¡smoothly¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
ground£»¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡vast¡¡¡¡¡¡green¡¡¡¡¡¡curtain¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bell¡¡¡¡¡¡ringsa¡¡¡¡¡¡magic¡¡¡¡¡¡bell£»¡¡
which¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡¡¡sounds¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡ears¡¡¡¡¡¡unlike¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡bellsand¡¡¡¡¡¡music¡¡¡¡¡¡plays£»¡¡
amidst¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡buzz¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡voices£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡fragrant¡¡¡¡¡¡smell¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡orange¡peel¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡oil¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡8¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡9¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡Short¡¡Christmas¡¡Stories¡¡
Anon£»¡¡the¡¡magic¡¡bell¡¡commands¡¡the¡¡music¡¡to¡¡cease£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡great¡¡green¡¡
curtain¡¡rolls¡¡itself¡¡up¡¡majestically£»¡¡and¡¡The¡¡Play¡¡begins£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡devoted¡¡dog¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡Montargis¡¡¡¡¡¡avenges¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡death¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡master£»¡¡¡¡¡¡foully¡¡¡¡¡¡murdered¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
Forest¡¡of¡¡Bondy£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡humorous¡¡Peasant¡¡with¡¡a¡¡red¡¡nose¡¡and¡¡a¡¡very¡¡little¡¡
hat£»¡¡whom¡¡I¡¡take¡¡from¡¡this¡¡hour¡¡forth¡¡to¡¡my¡¡bosom¡¡as¡¡a¡¡friend¡¡£¨I¡¡think¡¡he¡¡
was¡¡a¡¡Waiter¡¡or¡¡an¡¡Hostler¡¡at¡¡a¡¡village¡¡Inn£»¡¡but¡¡many¡¡years¡¡have¡¡passed¡¡
since¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡met£©£»¡¡¡¡¡¡remarks¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sassigassity¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡dog¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡
indeed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡surprising£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡evermore¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡jocular¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡conceit¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡live¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡
remembrance¡¡fresh¡¡and¡¡unfading£»¡¡overtopping¡¡all¡¡possible¡¡jokes£»¡¡unto¡¡the¡¡
end¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Or¡¡¡¡¡¡now£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡learn¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡bitter¡¡¡¡¡¡tears¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡poor¡¡¡¡¡¡Jane¡¡¡¡¡¡Shore£»¡¡
dressed¡¡all¡¡in¡¡white£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡her¡¡brown¡¡hair¡¡hanging¡¡down£»¡¡went¡¡starving¡¡
through¡¡the¡¡streets£»¡¡or¡¡how¡¡George¡¡Barnwell¡¡killed¡¡the¡¡worthiest¡¡uncle¡¡that¡¡
ever¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡had£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡afterwards¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡sorry¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡ought¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
been¡¡¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡¡¡off¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Comes¡¡¡¡¡¡swift¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡comfort¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Pantomimestupendou