無靈之體&意大利童話
從前有一個寡婦,帶著一個兒子,兒子名字叫朱瓦寧。當他十三歲的時候,就想出去周遊世界碰運氣。媽媽對他說:“你要出去幹什麽?你不知道你還小嗎?到了你能把我們家屋後的那棵鬆樹一腳踹倒的時候,你就出去。”
從那天起,每天早上,朱瓦寧一起床就對著那棵鬆樹,助跑、起跳,用雙腳猛力地踹向樹幹。鬆樹一動不動,他卻四腳朝天地摔在地上。他站起來,撣撣背上的土,又回到了自己的房間。
終於在一天早上,他使盡全力跳向鬆樹,鬆樹彎了,慢慢地倒了下來,樹根也從地下露了出來,整個鬆樹連根拔起地倒下了。朱瓦寧跑著去告訴媽媽,媽媽來到樹前仔細地看了看,對他說:“我的兒子,現在你可以去你想去的地方了。”朱瓦寧告別了媽媽,出發了。
他走了一天又一天,來到一座城市。這裏的國王有一匹馬,名字叫巡邏道,沒有人能騎它。那些來嚐試的人一開始都覺得能馴服它,最後都被它甩下馬背。朱瓦寧站在旁邊先觀察了一會,發現這匹馬怕見自己的影子。於是他去自薦,要馴服巡邏道。他走近馬廄,喚著它的名字,撫摸它,然後,突然一閃身跳上馬鞍,他小心地讓馬的麵部對著太陽,騎著它出來。這匹馬看不到自己的影子,就不會受驚。朱瓦寧用雙膝夾住馬肚子,勒緊韁繩,放馬奔馳起來。不消一刻鍾,巡邏道就被馴服了,溫順得像一隻小綿羊,但是除了朱瓦寧,它還是不讓別人騎。
從那天起,國王就讓朱瓦寧跟隨他,並且對他特別好,別的侍從都很嫉妒他,開始刁難他。他們想設計趕走他。
應該交待的是這個國王有一個女兒,前些年被一個叫做“無靈之體”的巫師擄走了,誰也說不清被擄到哪裏去了。仆人們對國王說,朱瓦寧向大家吹噓要去解救公主。國王派人把朱瓦寧叫了來。朱瓦寧被蒙在鼓裏,對國王說他對這些事毫不知情。國王卻認為他是用這樣的托詞與他開玩笑,什麽也不顧了,對他說:“要麽你把我的女兒救回來,要麽我就砍下你的腦袋!”
朱瓦寧看到沒有辦法讓國王相信自己,就向國王請求把掛在牆上的那把生了鏽的劍賜給他,然後,騎上巡邏道,出發了。穿過一片森林的時候,他看到一隻獅子向他示意,讓他停下來。朱瓦寧雖然有點怕獅子,但也不願逃走,就從馬鞍上下來,問獅子需要什麽。
獅子說:“朱瓦寧,你看,我們這裏有四個夥伴:我、狗、鷹和螞蟻。我們要分吃這頭死了的驢子,你有劍,你給我們把它分成四份吧!”朱瓦寧砍下驢頭,扔給螞蟻,說:“這是你的,它可以給你做現成的洞穴,在裏邊,你隨時可以找到吃的。”隨後,他又砍下驢子的四個蹄子,拋給狗,說:“這是你的,你慢慢地啃吧。”然後他又掏出驢子的內髒,遞給鷹,說:“這些東西是給你的,你可以把它帶到你住的樹頂上。”最後,他把剩下的東西全部分給了獅子,它是四個動物中最大的,並且尊重他。分好後,他上了馬,剛要繼續出發,就聽到獅子在叫他,他想:完了,我分得不公平。但是獅子對他說:“你是一個公正的人,你給我們分得很好,我們怎麽才能報答你呢?這樣吧,我送給你我的一隻爪子,當你戴上它的時候,你會變成一隻世界上最凶猛的獅子。”狗對他說:“我給你我的一根須子,當你把它放在鼻子的下邊,你會變成一隻世界上最快的狗。”鷹對他說:“我給你我翅膀上的一根羽毛,你可以用它變成一隻世界上最大最強的鷹飛上天空。”螞蟻對他說:“我呢,我給你我的一條細腿,你可以用它變成一隻螞蟻,但是很小很小,即使用放大鏡也看不到它。”
朱瓦寧收下了這些禮物,向四隻動物表示了謝意,又出發了。對這四個禮物的效力他還不知道是否該信,因為它們可能是在跟他開玩笑。不過他剛一走出動物們的視線,就停了下來,試起了這些禮物的效力。他變成了獅子、狗、鷹和螞蟻,然後變成了螞蟻、鷹、狗和獅子,然後變成鷹、螞蟻、獅子和狗,然後變成了狗、螞蟻、獅子和鷹,他確信了這些禮物都很靈,滿心喜歡地又啟程了。
森林的盡頭出現了一個湖,湖中有一座城堡,那就是無靈之體巫師的城堡。朱瓦寧變成一隻鷹飛到城堡上一個關著的窗戶的窗台上,然後變成一隻螞蟻從窗戶縫中鑽進了房間。依舊還是隻螞蟻的朱瓦寧的腿,變回人形,一個英俊的小夥子瞬間出現在國王的女兒麵前。
“你別怕!”朱瓦寧做著別出聲的手勢,對她說,“我是來救你的!你必須騙巫師說出怎麽才能殺死他。”
巫師回來了,朱瓦寧又變成螞蟻。國王的女兒使出千嬌百媚,迎接巫師,她讓他坐在她的腳下,讓他把頭靠在她的膝蓋上。然後便對他說:“我親愛的巫師,我知道你是一個無靈魂的軀體,所以是不會死的。但是我總擔心讓別人發現你放靈魂的地方,把你殺死,這樣我會感到很痛苦。”
於是巫師回答她說:“對你我不保密,反正你被關在這裏不可能出賣我。要想殺我首先需要有一隻非常凶猛的獅子去殺死森林中的一隻黑獅子;殺死這隻黑獅子之後,會從它的肚子裏鑽出一隻黑色的狗,它跑得非常快,隻有世界上最快的狗才能追上它。殺死這隻黑狗以後,會從狗的肚子裏飛出一隻黑鷹,我不知道天空中還有什麽別的鷹能跟上它。不過即使這隻黑鷹被殺了,還需要從它肚子裏取出一隻黑蛋,在我的額頭上打破這隻黑蛋,我的靈魂就會飛走,我就會死去。你覺得容易嗎?你覺得會有機會讓你痛苦嗎?”
朱瓦寧用他那對小小的螞蟻耳朵,聽到了一切,他又小步跑著從窗戶縫中爬了出去,回到窗台上。在那裏,他重新變回一隻鷹,飛到森林中。到森林後,他又變成一隻獅子,在樹林中四處巡遊,終於碰到了那隻黑獅子。黑獅子向他猛撲過來,可朱瓦寧是世界上最凶猛的獅子,很快就撕碎了它。(巫師在城堡裏覺得一陣頭暈。)朱瓦寧打開黑獅子的肚子,從裏麵衝出一隻跑得極快的黑狗,但朱瓦寧變成了世界上最快的狗,追上去,與黑狗滾咬在一起,不一會,黑狗就倒在地上死了。(巫師在城堡裏疼得不得不倒在床上。)朱瓦寧又打開黑狗的肚子,從裏麵飛出一隻黑鷹,朱瓦寧立即變成世界上最大的鷹,跟隨著黑鷹在天空中盤旋,不停地衝向黑鷹,用嘴啄他、用爪攻擊它,黑鷹很快就收起了翅膀,摔到地上。(巫師在城堡裏發起了高燒,在棉被裏縮成一團,瑟瑟發抖。)
朱瓦寧變回人形,打開黑鷹的肚子,從裏麵掏出一隻黑蛋,然後來到城堡,把它交給了滿心歡喜的國王的女兒。
國王的女兒問他:“你怎麽做到的?”
朱瓦寧說:“這不算什麽,現在該你了。”
國王的女兒走進巫師的房間,問:“你好點了嗎?”
“啊,我真倒楣,有人背叛了我……”
“我給你做了一碗湯,快喝了吧。”
巫師直起身,坐在床上,低下頭正要喝湯。
“等一下,讓我往湯裏打一個雞蛋,這樣,更有營養。”國王的女兒邊說邊在他的額頭上打碎了那隻黑蛋。無靈之體巫師當即就死了。
朱瓦寧把公主帶回到國王身邊,父女重聚,高興極了,國王馬上就把女兒嫁給了朱瓦寧。
(利古裏亞西海岸)
body-without-soul
therewasawidowwithasonnamedjack,whoatthirteenwantedtoleavehometoseekhisfortune.hismothersaidtohim,"whatdoyouexpecttodooutintheworld?dontyouknowyourestilittleboy?whenyoureabletofellthatpreebehindourhousewithonekick,thenyoucango."
everydayafterthat,assoonasheroseinthemorning,jackwouldgetarunningstartandjumpagainstthetrunkofthetreewithbothfeet,butthepineneverbudgedaninchandhefelltonhisback.hewouldgetupagain,shakethedirtoff,andgobackinside.
astonefinemorninghejumpedwithallhismight,andthetreegavewayandtoppledtotheground,hisrootsintheair.jackranandgothismotherwho,surveyingthefelledtree,said,"youmaynowgowhereveryouwish,myson."jackbidherfarewendsetout.
afterwalkingfordaysanddayshecametoacitywhosekinghadahorsenamedrondellothatnoonehadeverbeenabletoride.peopleconstantlytried,butwerethrownjustwhenitappearedtheywouldseed.lookingon,jacksoonrealizedthatthehorsewasafraidofitsownshadow,sohevolunteeredtobreakrondellohimself.hebeganbygoinguptothehorseinthestable,talkingtoitandpattingit;thenhesuddenlyjumpedintothesaddleandrodetheanimaloutsidestraightintothesun.thatwayitcouldntseeanyshadowtofrightenit.jacktookasteadyholdofthereins,pressedhiskneestothehorse,andgallopedoff.aquarterofanhouterrondellowasasdocileasmb,butletnooneridehimafterthatbutjack.
fromthenon,jackservedtheking,whowassofondofhimthattheotherservantsgrewjealousandplottedtogetridofhim.
nowthekinghadadaughterwhohadbeenkidnappedinherinfancybythesorcererbody-without-soul,andnoonehadheardofhersince.theservantswenttothekingimingjackhadboastedtoeverybodyhewouldfreeher.thekingsentforhim.jackwasamazedandsaidthiswasthefirsthehadevenheardofthekingsdaughter.butthefactthatanyonehaddaredmakelightoftheepisodeconcerninghisdaughtersoinfuriatedthekingthathesaid,"eitheryoufreeher,orillhaveyoubeheaded."
sincetherewasnocalmingthekingnow,jackaskedforarustyswordtheykepthangingonthewall,saddledrondello,androdeoff.crossingaforest,hesawalionmotioninghimtostop.althoughabituneasy,jackdislikedtheideaofrunningaway,sohedismountedandaskedwhatthelionwanted.
"jack,"saidthelion,"asyoucansee,therearefourofushere:myself,adog,aneagle,andanant.wehaveadeaddonkeytoparcmongus.sinceyouhaveasword,carvetheanimndgiveuseachaportion."jackcutoffthedonkeysheadandgaveittotheant."hereyouare.thiswillmakeyouanicehomeandsupplyyouwithallthefoodyoulleverwant."nexthecutoffthehoofsandgavethemtothedog."heressomethingtognawonaslongasyoulike."hecutouttheentrailsandgavethemtotheeagle."thisisyourfood,whichyoucancarrytothetreetopswhereyouperch."alltheresthegavetothelion,whichasthebiggestofthefourdeservedthrgestportion.hegotbackonhishorseandstartedoff,onlytohearhisnamecalled."dearme,"hethought,"imusthavemadesomemistakeindividingtheparts."butthelionsaidtohim,"youdidusabigfavorandyouwereveryfair.asonegooddeeddeservesanother,imgivingyouoneofmywswhichwillturnyouintothefiercestlionintheworldwhenyouwearit."thedogsaid,"hereisoneofmywhiskers,whichwillturnyouintothefastestdogonearth,wheneveryouceitunderyournose."theeaglesaid,"hereisafeatherfrommywingswhichcanchangeyouintothebiggestandstrongesteagleinthesky."theantsaid,"imgivingyouoneofmytinylegs.putitonandyouwillbeanantsosmallthatnoonecanseeyou,evenwithamagnifyingss."
jacktookhispresents,thankedthefouranimals,anddeparted.ashewasuncertainwhetherthegiftsweremagicornot,thinkingtheanimalsmighthaveyedajokeonhim,hestoppedassoonashewasoutofsighttotestthem.hebecamelion,dog,eagle,andant;nextant,eagle,dog,andlion;theneagle,ant,lion,anddog;finallydog,lion,ant,andeagle.yes,everythingworkedlikeacharm!allsmiles,hemovedonward.
beyondtheforestwaske,onwhoseshorestoodthecastleofbody-without-soul.jackchangedintoaneagleandflewstraighttotheedgeofaclosedwindow.thenhechangedintoanantandcrawledintotheroom.itwasabeautifulbedchamberwhere,beneathacanopyythekingsdaughterasleep.stinant,jackwentcrawlingoverhercheekuntilsheawakened.thenheremovedthetinyantleg,andthekingsdaughtersuddentlybeheldahandsomeyouthatherside.
"dontbeafraid,"hesaid,signalingsilence."ivetofreeyou.youmustgetthesorcerertotellyouwhatcouldkillhim."
whenthesorcererreturned,jackedchangedbackintoanant.thekingsdaughtermadeabigto-dooverbody-without-soul,seatinghimatherfeetanddrawninghisheadontohep.thenshebegan:"mydarlingsorcerer,iknowyoureabodywithoutasondthereforeincapableofdying.butiliveinconstantfearofsomeonefindingyoursondputtingyoutodeath."
"icantellyouthesecret,"repliedthesorcerer,"sinceyoureimprisonedhereandcantpossiblybetrayme.toymewouldrequirealionmightyenoughtokillthecklionintheforest.outofthebellyofthedeadlionwouldleapackdogsoswiftthatonlythefastestdogonearthcouldcatchit.outofthebellyofthedeadckdogwouldflyackeaglethatcouldwithstandeveryeagleunderthesun.butifbychancethateaglewerein,ackeggwouldhavetobetakenoutofitscrawandcrackedovermybrowformysoultoflyawayandleavemedead.doesallthatseemeasy?doyouhaveanyrealgroundsforworry?"
withhistinyantears,jacktookineveryword,thencrawledbackunderthewindowtotheledge,whereheagainturnedintoaneagleandsoaredintotheforest.therehechangedintoalionandstalkedtheunderbrushuntilhecamefacetofacewiththecklion.thecklionjumpedhim,butjack,beingthestrongestlionintheworld,toreittobits.(backatthecastle,thesorcererfelthisheadspin.)thelionsbellywasslitopen,andoutboltedaswift-footedckdog,butjackturnedintothefastestdogonearth,caughthim,andtheyrolledtogetherinaball,bitingeachotheruntiltheckdoydead.(backatthecastle,thesorcererhadtotaketohisbed.)thedogsbellywasslitopenandoutflewackeagle,butjackbecamethemostpowerfuleagleunderthesunandtheysoaredthroughtheskypeckingandwingeachotheruntiltheckeaglefoldeditswingsandfelltoearth.(atthecastle,thesorcererranahighfeverandcurledupunderthebedclothes.)
jackchangedbackintoaman,openedtheeaglescraw,andremovedtheckegg.hereturnedtothecastleandgaveittothekingsdaughter,whowasoverjoyed.
"howonearthdidyoudoit?"sheasked.
"nothingtoit,"repliedjack."therestisnowuptoyou."
thekingsdaughterenteredthesorcerersbedchamber,asking,"howdoyoufeel?"
"woesme!ivebeenbetrayed"
"ibroughtyouacupofbroth.drinksome."
thesorcerersatupinhisbedandbentovertodrinkthebroth.
"here,letmebreakaneggintoitandgiveitmorebody."atthat,thekingsdaughterbroketheckeggoverhisbrowandbody-without-souldiedonthespot.
jacktookthekingsdaughterhometoherfather.everyonewasoverjoyed,andtheyoungcouplewasmarriedforthwith.
(rivieraligurediponente)
notes:
"body-without-soul"(corpo-senzanima)fromandrews,46,rivieraligure.
thisligurianjackdiffersfromfellowheroesandliberatorsofprincessesbyhissystematautiousnessborderingondistrust(heisoneofthefewwho,theminutehereceivesamagicgift,musttestitbeforeheisabletobelieveinit).inthatrespecthetakesafterhismother,whowillnotlethimgooutintotheworlduntilhehasgivenproofofperseverancebyfellingthetreewithhiskicks.ihavebeenfaithfultotheoriginalversionwhileaimingtoendowitwithaparticrrhythm.
copyright:italianfolktalesselectedandretoldbyitalocalvino,
trantedbygeorgemartin,
pantheonbooks,newyork1980
從前有一個寡婦,帶著一個兒子,兒子名字叫朱瓦寧。當他十三歲的時候,就想出去周遊世界碰運氣。媽媽對他說:“你要出去幹什麽?你不知道你還小嗎?到了你能把我們家屋後的那棵鬆樹一腳踹倒的時候,你就出去。”
從那天起,每天早上,朱瓦寧一起床就對著那棵鬆樹,助跑、起跳,用雙腳猛力地踹向樹幹。鬆樹一動不動,他卻四腳朝天地摔在地上。他站起來,撣撣背上的土,又回到了自己的房間。
終於在一天早上,他使盡全力跳向鬆樹,鬆樹彎了,慢慢地倒了下來,樹根也從地下露了出來,整個鬆樹連根拔起地倒下了。朱瓦寧跑著去告訴媽媽,媽媽來到樹前仔細地看了看,對他說:“我的兒子,現在你可以去你想去的地方了。”朱瓦寧告別了媽媽,出發了。
他走了一天又一天,來到一座城市。這裏的國王有一匹馬,名字叫巡邏道,沒有人能騎它。那些來嚐試的人一開始都覺得能馴服它,最後都被它甩下馬背。朱瓦寧站在旁邊先觀察了一會,發現這匹馬怕見自己的影子。於是他去自薦,要馴服巡邏道。他走近馬廄,喚著它的名字,撫摸它,然後,突然一閃身跳上馬鞍,他小心地讓馬的麵部對著太陽,騎著它出來。這匹馬看不到自己的影子,就不會受驚。朱瓦寧用雙膝夾住馬肚子,勒緊韁繩,放馬奔馳起來。不消一刻鍾,巡邏道就被馴服了,溫順得像一隻小綿羊,但是除了朱瓦寧,它還是不讓別人騎。
從那天起,國王就讓朱瓦寧跟隨他,並且對他特別好,別的侍從都很嫉妒他,開始刁難他。他們想設計趕走他。
應該交待的是這個國王有一個女兒,前些年被一個叫做“無靈之體”的巫師擄走了,誰也說不清被擄到哪裏去了。仆人們對國王說,朱瓦寧向大家吹噓要去解救公主。國王派人把朱瓦寧叫了來。朱瓦寧被蒙在鼓裏,對國王說他對這些事毫不知情。國王卻認為他是用這樣的托詞與他開玩笑,什麽也不顧了,對他說:“要麽你把我的女兒救回來,要麽我就砍下你的腦袋!”
朱瓦寧看到沒有辦法讓國王相信自己,就向國王請求把掛在牆上的那把生了鏽的劍賜給他,然後,騎上巡邏道,出發了。穿過一片森林的時候,他看到一隻獅子向他示意,讓他停下來。朱瓦寧雖然有點怕獅子,但也不願逃走,就從馬鞍上下來,問獅子需要什麽。
獅子說:“朱瓦寧,你看,我們這裏有四個夥伴:我、狗、鷹和螞蟻。我們要分吃這頭死了的驢子,你有劍,你給我們把它分成四份吧!”朱瓦寧砍下驢頭,扔給螞蟻,說:“這是你的,它可以給你做現成的洞穴,在裏邊,你隨時可以找到吃的。”隨後,他又砍下驢子的四個蹄子,拋給狗,說:“這是你的,你慢慢地啃吧。”然後他又掏出驢子的內髒,遞給鷹,說:“這些東西是給你的,你可以把它帶到你住的樹頂上。”最後,他把剩下的東西全部分給了獅子,它是四個動物中最大的,並且尊重他。分好後,他上了馬,剛要繼續出發,就聽到獅子在叫他,他想:完了,我分得不公平。但是獅子對他說:“你是一個公正的人,你給我們分得很好,我們怎麽才能報答你呢?這樣吧,我送給你我的一隻爪子,當你戴上它的時候,你會變成一隻世界上最凶猛的獅子。”狗對他說:“我給你我的一根須子,當你把它放在鼻子的下邊,你會變成一隻世界上最快的狗。”鷹對他說:“我給你我翅膀上的一根羽毛,你可以用它變成一隻世界上最大最強的鷹飛上天空。”螞蟻對他說:“我呢,我給你我的一條細腿,你可以用它變成一隻螞蟻,但是很小很小,即使用放大鏡也看不到它。”
朱瓦寧收下了這些禮物,向四隻動物表示了謝意,又出發了。對這四個禮物的效力他還不知道是否該信,因為它們可能是在跟他開玩笑。不過他剛一走出動物們的視線,就停了下來,試起了這些禮物的效力。他變成了獅子、狗、鷹和螞蟻,然後變成了螞蟻、鷹、狗和獅子,然後變成鷹、螞蟻、獅子和狗,然後變成了狗、螞蟻、獅子和鷹,他確信了這些禮物都很靈,滿心喜歡地又啟程了。
森林的盡頭出現了一個湖,湖中有一座城堡,那就是無靈之體巫師的城堡。朱瓦寧變成一隻鷹飛到城堡上一個關著的窗戶的窗台上,然後變成一隻螞蟻從窗戶縫中鑽進了房間。依舊還是隻螞蟻的朱瓦寧的腿,變回人形,一個英俊的小夥子瞬間出現在國王的女兒麵前。
“你別怕!”朱瓦寧做著別出聲的手勢,對她說,“我是來救你的!你必須騙巫師說出怎麽才能殺死他。”
巫師回來了,朱瓦寧又變成螞蟻。國王的女兒使出千嬌百媚,迎接巫師,她讓他坐在她的腳下,讓他把頭靠在她的膝蓋上。然後便對他說:“我親愛的巫師,我知道你是一個無靈魂的軀體,所以是不會死的。但是我總擔心讓別人發現你放靈魂的地方,把你殺死,這樣我會感到很痛苦。”
於是巫師回答她說:“對你我不保密,反正你被關在這裏不可能出賣我。要想殺我首先需要有一隻非常凶猛的獅子去殺死森林中的一隻黑獅子;殺死這隻黑獅子之後,會從它的肚子裏鑽出一隻黑色的狗,它跑得非常快,隻有世界上最快的狗才能追上它。殺死這隻黑狗以後,會從狗的肚子裏飛出一隻黑鷹,我不知道天空中還有什麽別的鷹能跟上它。不過即使這隻黑鷹被殺了,還需要從它肚子裏取出一隻黑蛋,在我的額頭上打破這隻黑蛋,我的靈魂就會飛走,我就會死去。你覺得容易嗎?你覺得會有機會讓你痛苦嗎?”
朱瓦寧用他那對小小的螞蟻耳朵,聽到了一切,他又小步跑著從窗戶縫中爬了出去,回到窗台上。在那裏,他重新變回一隻鷹,飛到森林中。到森林後,他又變成一隻獅子,在樹林中四處巡遊,終於碰到了那隻黑獅子。黑獅子向他猛撲過來,可朱瓦寧是世界上最凶猛的獅子,很快就撕碎了它。(巫師在城堡裏覺得一陣頭暈。)朱瓦寧打開黑獅子的肚子,從裏麵衝出一隻跑得極快的黑狗,但朱瓦寧變成了世界上最快的狗,追上去,與黑狗滾咬在一起,不一會,黑狗就倒在地上死了。(巫師在城堡裏疼得不得不倒在床上。)朱瓦寧又打開黑狗的肚子,從裏麵飛出一隻黑鷹,朱瓦寧立即變成世界上最大的鷹,跟隨著黑鷹在天空中盤旋,不停地衝向黑鷹,用嘴啄他、用爪攻擊它,黑鷹很快就收起了翅膀,摔到地上。(巫師在城堡裏發起了高燒,在棉被裏縮成一團,瑟瑟發抖。)
朱瓦寧變回人形,打開黑鷹的肚子,從裏麵掏出一隻黑蛋,然後來到城堡,把它交給了滿心歡喜的國王的女兒。
國王的女兒問他:“你怎麽做到的?”
朱瓦寧說:“這不算什麽,現在該你了。”
國王的女兒走進巫師的房間,問:“你好點了嗎?”
“啊,我真倒楣,有人背叛了我……”
“我給你做了一碗湯,快喝了吧。”
巫師直起身,坐在床上,低下頭正要喝湯。
“等一下,讓我往湯裏打一個雞蛋,這樣,更有營養。”國王的女兒邊說邊在他的額頭上打碎了那隻黑蛋。無靈之體巫師當即就死了。
朱瓦寧把公主帶回到國王身邊,父女重聚,高興極了,國王馬上就把女兒嫁給了朱瓦寧。
(利古裏亞西海岸)
body-without-soul
therewasawidowwithasonnamedjack,whoatthirteenwantedtoleavehometoseekhisfortune.hismothersaidtohim,"whatdoyouexpecttodooutintheworld?dontyouknowyourestilittleboy?whenyoureabletofellthatpreebehindourhousewithonekick,thenyoucango."
everydayafterthat,assoonasheroseinthemorning,jackwouldgetarunningstartandjumpagainstthetrunkofthetreewithbothfeet,butthepineneverbudgedaninchandhefelltonhisback.hewouldgetupagain,shakethedirtoff,andgobackinside.
astonefinemorninghejumpedwithallhismight,andthetreegavewayandtoppledtotheground,hisrootsintheair.jackranandgothismotherwho,surveyingthefelledtree,said,"youmaynowgowhereveryouwish,myson."jackbidherfarewendsetout.
afterwalkingfordaysanddayshecametoacitywhosekinghadahorsenamedrondellothatnoonehadeverbeenabletoride.peopleconstantlytried,butwerethrownjustwhenitappearedtheywouldseed.lookingon,jacksoonrealizedthatthehorsewasafraidofitsownshadow,sohevolunteeredtobreakrondellohimself.hebeganbygoinguptothehorseinthestable,talkingtoitandpattingit;thenhesuddenlyjumpedintothesaddleandrodetheanimaloutsidestraightintothesun.thatwayitcouldntseeanyshadowtofrightenit.jacktookasteadyholdofthereins,pressedhiskneestothehorse,andgallopedoff.aquarterofanhouterrondellowasasdocileasmb,butletnooneridehimafterthatbutjack.
fromthenon,jackservedtheking,whowassofondofhimthattheotherservantsgrewjealousandplottedtogetridofhim.
nowthekinghadadaughterwhohadbeenkidnappedinherinfancybythesorcererbody-without-soul,andnoonehadheardofhersince.theservantswenttothekingimingjackhadboastedtoeverybodyhewouldfreeher.thekingsentforhim.jackwasamazedandsaidthiswasthefirsthehadevenheardofthekingsdaughter.butthefactthatanyonehaddaredmakelightoftheepisodeconcerninghisdaughtersoinfuriatedthekingthathesaid,"eitheryoufreeher,orillhaveyoubeheaded."
sincetherewasnocalmingthekingnow,jackaskedforarustyswordtheykepthangingonthewall,saddledrondello,androdeoff.crossingaforest,hesawalionmotioninghimtostop.althoughabituneasy,jackdislikedtheideaofrunningaway,sohedismountedandaskedwhatthelionwanted.
"jack,"saidthelion,"asyoucansee,therearefourofushere:myself,adog,aneagle,andanant.wehaveadeaddonkeytoparcmongus.sinceyouhaveasword,carvetheanimndgiveuseachaportion."jackcutoffthedonkeysheadandgaveittotheant."hereyouare.thiswillmakeyouanicehomeandsupplyyouwithallthefoodyoulleverwant."nexthecutoffthehoofsandgavethemtothedog."heressomethingtognawonaslongasyoulike."hecutouttheentrailsandgavethemtotheeagle."thisisyourfood,whichyoucancarrytothetreetopswhereyouperch."alltheresthegavetothelion,whichasthebiggestofthefourdeservedthrgestportion.hegotbackonhishorseandstartedoff,onlytohearhisnamecalled."dearme,"hethought,"imusthavemadesomemistakeindividingtheparts."butthelionsaidtohim,"youdidusabigfavorandyouwereveryfair.asonegooddeeddeservesanother,imgivingyouoneofmywswhichwillturnyouintothefiercestlionintheworldwhenyouwearit."thedogsaid,"hereisoneofmywhiskers,whichwillturnyouintothefastestdogonearth,wheneveryouceitunderyournose."theeaglesaid,"hereisafeatherfrommywingswhichcanchangeyouintothebiggestandstrongesteagleinthesky."theantsaid,"imgivingyouoneofmytinylegs.putitonandyouwillbeanantsosmallthatnoonecanseeyou,evenwithamagnifyingss."
jacktookhispresents,thankedthefouranimals,anddeparted.ashewasuncertainwhetherthegiftsweremagicornot,thinkingtheanimalsmighthaveyedajokeonhim,hestoppedassoonashewasoutofsighttotestthem.hebecamelion,dog,eagle,andant;nextant,eagle,dog,andlion;theneagle,ant,lion,anddog;finallydog,lion,ant,andeagle.yes,everythingworkedlikeacharm!allsmiles,hemovedonward.
beyondtheforestwaske,onwhoseshorestoodthecastleofbody-without-soul.jackchangedintoaneagleandflewstraighttotheedgeofaclosedwindow.thenhechangedintoanantandcrawledintotheroom.itwasabeautifulbedchamberwhere,beneathacanopyythekingsdaughterasleep.stinant,jackwentcrawlingoverhercheekuntilsheawakened.thenheremovedthetinyantleg,andthekingsdaughtersuddentlybeheldahandsomeyouthatherside.
"dontbeafraid,"hesaid,signalingsilence."ivetofreeyou.youmustgetthesorcerertotellyouwhatcouldkillhim."
whenthesorcererreturned,jackedchangedbackintoanant.thekingsdaughtermadeabigto-dooverbody-without-soul,seatinghimatherfeetanddrawninghisheadontohep.thenshebegan:"mydarlingsorcerer,iknowyoureabodywithoutasondthereforeincapableofdying.butiliveinconstantfearofsomeonefindingyoursondputtingyoutodeath."
"icantellyouthesecret,"repliedthesorcerer,"sinceyoureimprisonedhereandcantpossiblybetrayme.toymewouldrequirealionmightyenoughtokillthecklionintheforest.outofthebellyofthedeadlionwouldleapackdogsoswiftthatonlythefastestdogonearthcouldcatchit.outofthebellyofthedeadckdogwouldflyackeaglethatcouldwithstandeveryeagleunderthesun.butifbychancethateaglewerein,ackeggwouldhavetobetakenoutofitscrawandcrackedovermybrowformysoultoflyawayandleavemedead.doesallthatseemeasy?doyouhaveanyrealgroundsforworry?"
withhistinyantears,jacktookineveryword,thencrawledbackunderthewindowtotheledge,whereheagainturnedintoaneagleandsoaredintotheforest.therehechangedintoalionandstalkedtheunderbrushuntilhecamefacetofacewiththecklion.thecklionjumpedhim,butjack,beingthestrongestlionintheworld,toreittobits.(backatthecastle,thesorcererfelthisheadspin.)thelionsbellywasslitopen,andoutboltedaswift-footedckdog,butjackturnedintothefastestdogonearth,caughthim,andtheyrolledtogetherinaball,bitingeachotheruntiltheckdoydead.(backatthecastle,thesorcererhadtotaketohisbed.)thedogsbellywasslitopenandoutflewackeagle,butjackbecamethemostpowerfuleagleunderthesunandtheysoaredthroughtheskypeckingandwingeachotheruntiltheckeaglefoldeditswingsandfelltoearth.(atthecastle,thesorcererranahighfeverandcurledupunderthebedclothes.)
jackchangedbackintoaman,openedtheeaglescraw,andremovedtheckegg.hereturnedtothecastleandgaveittothekingsdaughter,whowasoverjoyed.
"howonearthdidyoudoit?"sheasked.
"nothingtoit,"repliedjack."therestisnowuptoyou."
thekingsdaughterenteredthesorcerersbedchamber,asking,"howdoyoufeel?"
"woesme!ivebeenbetrayed"
"ibroughtyouacupofbroth.drinksome."
thesorcerersatupinhisbedandbentovertodrinkthebroth.
"here,letmebreakaneggintoitandgiveitmorebody."atthat,thekingsdaughterbroketheckeggoverhisbrowandbody-without-souldiedonthespot.
jacktookthekingsdaughterhometoherfather.everyonewasoverjoyed,andtheyoungcouplewasmarriedforthwith.
(rivieraligurediponente)
notes:
"body-without-soul"(corpo-senzanima)fromandrews,46,rivieraligure.
thisligurianjackdiffersfromfellowheroesandliberatorsofprincessesbyhissystematautiousnessborderingondistrust(heisoneofthefewwho,theminutehereceivesamagicgift,musttestitbeforeheisabletobelieveinit).inthatrespecthetakesafterhismother,whowillnotlethimgooutintotheworlduntilhehasgivenproofofperseverancebyfellingthetreewithhiskicks.ihavebeenfaithfultotheoriginalversionwhileaimingtoendowitwithaparticrrhythm.
copyright:italianfolktalesselectedandretoldbyitalocalvino,
trantedbygeorgemartin,
pantheonbooks,newyork1980