1、the Saucy Boyby Hans Christian Andersen（1835） ONCE upon a time there was an old poet， oneof those right good old poets. One evening， as he was sitting at home， therewas a terrible storm going on outside； the rain waspouring down， but the old poet s
2、at comfortably inhis chimney-corner， where the fire was burningand the apples were roasting. “there will not be a dry thread left on the poor people who are out in this weather，” hesaid. “Oh， open the door！ I am so cold and wet through，” called a l
3、ittle child outside. It wascrying and knocking at the door， whilst the rain was pouring down and the wind was rattling allthe windows. “Poor creature！” said the poet， and got up and opened the door. Before him stood a littleboy； he was naked， and th
4、e water flowed from his long fair locks. He was shivering withcold； if he had not been let in， he would certainly have perished in the storm. “Poor little thing！” said the poet， and took him by the hand.“Come to me； I will soonwarm you. You shall ha
5、ve some wine and an apple， for you are such a pretty boy.” And he was， too. His eyes sparkled like two bright stars， and although the water floweddown from his fair locks， they still curled quite beautifully. He looked like a little angel， but was
6、pale with cold， and trembling all over. In his hand heheld a splendid bow， but it had been entirely spoilt by the rain， and the colours of the prettyarrows had run into one another by getting wet. the old man sat down by the fire， and taking the lit
7、tle boy on his knee， wrung the waterout of his locks and warmed his hands in his own. He then made him some hot spiced wine， which quickly revived him； so that withreddening cheeks， he sprang upon the floor and danced around the old man. “You are a
8、 merry boy，” said the latter.“What is your name？” “My name is Cupid，” he answered.“Don't you know me？ there lies my bow. I shoot withthat， you know. Look， the weather is getting fine again—the moon is shining.” “But your bow is spoilt，” said the ol
