安徒生童話:the SHADOW影子
the SHADOW
It is in the hot lands that the sun burns， sure enough！ there the people become quite a mahogany brown， ay， and in the HOTTEST lands they are burnt to Negroes. But now it was only to the HOT lands that a learned man had come from the cold； there he thought that he could run about just as when at home， but he soon found out his mistake.
He， and all sensible folks， were obliged to stay within doors——the window-shutters and doors were closed the whole day； it looked as if the whole house slept， or there was no one at home.
the narrow street with the high houses， was built so that the sunshine must fall there from morning till evening——it was really not to be borne.
the learned man from the cold lands——he was a young man， and seemed to be a clever man——sat in a glowing oven； it took effect on him， he became quite meaGRE——even his shadow shrunk in， for the sun had also an effect on it. It was first towards evening when the sun was down， that they began to freshen up again.
In the warm lands every window has a balcony， and the people came out on all the balconies in the street——for one must have air， even if one be accustomed to be mahogany！* It was lively both up and down the street. Tailors， and shoemakers， and all the folks， moved out into the street——chairs and tables were brought forth——and candles burnt——yes， above a thousand lights were burning——and the one talked and the other sung； and people walked and church-bells rang， and asses went along with a dingle-dingle-dong！ for they too had bells on. The street boys were screaming and hooting， and shouting and shooting， with devils and detonating balls——and there came corpse bearers and hood wearers——for there were funerals with psalm and hymn——and then the din of carriages driving and company arriving： yes， it was， in truth， lively enough down in the street. Only in that single house， which stood opposite that in which the learned foreigner lived， it was quite still； and yet some one lived there， for there stood flowers in the balcony——they GREw so well in the sun's heat！ and that they could not do unless they were watered——and some one must water them——there must be somebody there. The door opposite was also opened late in the evening， but it was dark within， at least in the front room；further in there was heard the sound of music. The learned foreigner thought it quite marvellous， but now——it might be that he only imagined it——for he found everything marvellous out there， in the warm lands， if there had only been no sun. The stranger's landlord said that he didn't know who had taken the house opposite， one saw no person about， and as to the music， it appeared to him to be extremely tiresome. “It is as if some one sat there， and practised a piece that he could not master——always the same piece. 'I shall master it！' says he； but yet he cannot master it， however long he plays.”
* the word mahogany can be understood， in Danish， as having two meanings. In general， it means the reddish-brown wood itself； but in jest， it signifies“excessively fine，” which arose from an anecdote of Nyboder， in Copenhagen，（the seamen's quarter.） A sailor's wife， who was always proud and fine， in her way， came to her neighbor， and complained that she had got a splinter in her finger. “What of？” asked the neighbor's wife. “It is a mahogany splinter，”said the other. “Mahogany！ It cannot be less with you！” exclaimed the woman——and thence the proverb， “It is so mahogany！”——（that is， so excessively fine）——is derived.
One night the stranger awoke——he slept with the doors of the balcony open——the curtain before it was raised by the wind， and he thought that a strange lustre came from the opposite neighbor's house； all the flowers shone like flames， in the most beautiful colors， and in the midst of the flowers stood a slender，graceful maiden——it was as if she also shone； the light really hurt his eyes. He now opened them quite wide——yes， he was quite awake； with one spring he was on the floor； he crept gently behind the curtain， but the maiden was gone； the flowers shone no longer， but there they stood， fresh and blooming as ever； the door was ajar， and， far within， the music sounded so soft and delightful， one could really melt away in sweet thoughts from it. Yet it was like a piece of enchantment. And who lived there？ Where was the actual entrance？ The whole of the ground-floor was a row of shops， and there people could not always be running through.
One evening the stranger sat out on the balcony. The light burnt in the room behind him； and thus it was quite natural that his shadow should fall on his opposite neighbor's wall. Yes！ there it sat， directly opposite， between the flowers on the balcony； and when the stranger moved， the shadow also moved：
for that it always does.
“I think my shadow is the only living thing one sees over there，” said the learned man. “See， how nicely it sits between the flowers. The door stands half-open： now the shadow should be cunning， and go into the room， look about，and then come and tell me what it had seen. Come， now！ Be useful， and do me a service，” said he， in jest. “Have the kindness to step in. Now！ Art thou going？” and then he nodded to the shadow， and the shadow nodded again. “Well then， go！ But don't stay away.”
the stranger rose， and his shadow on the opposite neighbor's balcony rose also； the stranger turned round and the shadow also turned round. Yes！ if anyone had paid particular attention to it， they would have seen， quite distinctly， that the shadow went in through the half-open balcony-door of their opposite neighbor， just as the stranger went into his own room， and let the long curtain fall down after him.
Next morning， the learned man went out to drink coffee and read the newspapers.
“What is that？” said he， as he came out into the sunshine. “I have no shadow！
So then， it has actually gone last night， and not come again. It is really tiresome！“
This annoyed him： not so much because the shadow was gone， but because he knew there was a story about a man without a shadow.* It was known to everybody at home， in the cold lands； and if the learned man now came there and told his story， they would say that he was imitating it， and that he had no need to do. He would， therefore， not talk about it at all； and that was wisely thought.
*Peter Schlemihl， the shadowless man.
In the evening he went out again on the balcony. He had placed the light directly behind him， for he knew that the shadow would always have its master for a screen， but he could not entice it. He made himself little； he made himself GREat： but no shadow came again. He said， “Hem！ hem！” but it was of no use.
It was vexatious； but in the warm lands everything grows so quickly； and after the lapse of eight days he observed， to his GREat joy， that a new shadow came in the sunshine. In the course of three weeks he had a very fair shadow，which， when he set out for his home in the northern lands， grew more and more in the journey， so that at last it was so long and so large， that it was more than sufficient.
the learned man then came home， and he wrote books about what was true in the world， and about what was good and what was beautiful； and there passed days and years——yes！ many years passed away.
One evening， as he was sitting in his room， there was a gentle knocking at the door.
“Come in！” said he； but no one came in； so he opened the door， and there stood before him such an extremely lean man， that he felt quite strange. As to the rest， the man was very finely dressed——he must be a gentleman.
“Whom have I the honor of speaking？” asked the learned man.
“Yes！ I thought as much，” said the fine man. “I thought you would not know me. I have got so much body. I have even got flesh and clothes. You certainly never thought of seeing me so well off. Do you not know your old shadow？ You certainly thought I should never more return. Things have gone on well with me since I was last with you. I have， in all respects， become very well off. Shall I purchase my freedom from service？ If so， I can do it”； and then he rattled a whole bunch of valuable seals that hung to his watch， and he stuck his hand in the thick gold chain he wore around his neck——nay！ how all his fingers glittered with diamond rings； and then all were pure gems.
“Nay； I cannot recover from my surprise！” said the learned man. “What is the meaning of all this？”
“Something common， is it not，” said the shadow. “But you yourself do not belong to the common order； and I， as you know well， have from a child followed in your footsteps. As soon as you found I was capable to go out alone in the world， I went my own way. I am in the most brilliant circumstances， but there came a sort of desire over me to see you once more before you die； you will die， I suppose？ I also wished to see this land again——for you know we always love our native land. I know you have got another shadow again； have I anything to pay to it or you？ If so， you will oblige me by saying what it is.”
“Nay， is it really thou？” said the learned man. “It is most remarkable： I never imagined that one's old shadow could come again as a man.”
“Tell me what I have to pay，” said the shadow； “for I don't like to be in any sort of debt.”
“How canst thou talk so？” said the learned man. “What debt is there to talk about？ Make thyself as free as anyone else. I am extremely glad to hear of thy good fortune： sit down， old friend， and tell me a little how it has gone with thee， and what thou hast seen at our opposite neighbor's there——in the warm lands.”
“Yes， I will tell you all about it，” said the shadow， and sat down： “but then you must also promise me， that， wherever you may meet me， you will never say to anyone here in the town that I have been your shadow. I intend to get betrothed， for I can provide for more than one family.”
“Be quite at thy ease about that，” said the learned man； “I shall not say to anyone who thou actually art： here is my hand——I promise it， and a man's bond is his word.”
“A word is a shadow，” said the shadow， “and as such it must speak.”
It was really quite astonishing how much of a man it was. It was dressed entirely in black， and of the very finest cloth； it had patent leather boots，and a hat that could be folded together， so that it was bare crown and brim；not to speak of what we already know it had——seals， gold neck-chain， and diamond rings； yes， the shadow was well-dressed， and it was just that which made it quite a man.
“Now I shall tell you my adventures，” said the shadow； and then he sat， with the polished boots， as heavily as he could， on the arm of the learned man's new shadow， which lay like a poodle-dog at his feet. Now this was perhaps from arrogance； and the shadow on the ground kept itself so still and quiet， that it might hear all that passed： it wished to know how it could get free， and work its way up， so as to become its own master.
“Do you know who lived in our opposite neighbor's house？” said the shadow. “It was the most charming of all beings， it was Poesy！ I was there for three weeks， and that has as much effect as if one had lived three thousand years，and read all that was composed and written； that is what I say， and it is right. I have seen everything and I know everything！”
“Poesy！” cried the learned man. “Yes， yes， she often dwells a recluse in large cities！ Poesy！ Yes， I have seen her——a single short moment， but sleep came into my eyes！ She stood on the balcony and shone as the Aurora Borealis shines. Go on， go on——thou wert on the balcony， and went through the doorway，and then——”
“then I was in the antechamber，” said the shadow. “You always sat and looked over to the antechamber. There was no light； there was a sort of twilight， but the one door stood open directly opposite the other through a long row of rooms and saloons， and there it was lighted up. I should have been completely killed if I had gone over to the maiden； but I was circumspect， I took time to think， and that one must always do.”
“And what didst thou then see？” asked the learned man.
“I saw everything， and I shall tell all to you： but——it is no pride on my part——as a free man， and with the knowledge I have， not to speak of my position in life， my excellent circumstances——I certainly wish that you would say YOU* to me！”
* It is the custom in Denmark for intimate acquaintances to use the second person singular， “Du，” （thou） when speaking to each other. When a friendship is formed between men， they generally affirm it， when occasion offers， either in public or private， by drinking to each other and exclaiming，“thy health，” at the same time striking their glasses together. This is called drinking “Duus”： they are then， “Duus Brodre，” （thou brothers） and ever afterwards use the pronoun “thou，” to each other， it being regarded as more familiar than “De，” （you）。 Father and mother， sister and brother say thou to one another——without regard to age or rank. Master and mistress say thou to their servants the superior to the inferior. But servants and inferiors do not use the same term to their masters， or superiors——nor is it ever used when speaking to a stranger， or anyone with whom they are but slightly acquainted——they then say as in English——you.
“I beg your pardon，” said the learned man； “it is an old habit with me. YOU are perfectly right， and I shall remember it； but now you must tell me all YOU saw！”
“Everything！” said the shadow. “For I saw everything， and I know everything！”
“How did it look in the furthest saloon？” asked the learned man. “Was it there as in the fresh woods？ Was it there as in a holy church？ Were the saloons like the starlit firmament when we stand on the high mountains？”
“Everything was there！” said the shadow. “I did not go quite in， I remained in the foremost room， in the twilight， but I stood there quite well； I saw everything， and I know everything！ I have been in the antechamber at the court of Poesy.”
“But WHAT DID you see？ Did all the gods of the olden times pass through the large saloons？ Did the old heroes combat there？ Did sweet children play there，and relate their dreams？”
“I tell you I was there， and you can conceive that I saw everything there was to be seen. Had you come over there， you would not have been a man； but I became so！ And besides， I learned to know my inward nature， my innate qualities， the relationship I had with Poesy. At the time I was with you， I thought not of that， but always——you know it well——when the sun rose， and when the sun went down， I became so strangely GREat； in the moonlight I was very near being more distinct than yourself； at that time I did not understand my nature； it was revealed to me in the antechamber！ I became a man！ I came out matured； but you were no longer in the warm lands； as a man I was ashamed to go as I did. I was in want of boots， of clothes， of the whole human varnish that makes a man perceptible. I took my way——I tell it to you， but you will not put it in any book——I took my way to the cake woman——I hid myself behind her； the woman didn't think how much she concealed. I went out first in the evening； I ran about the streets in the moonlight； I made myself long up the walls——it tickles the back so delightfully！ I ran up， and ran down， peeped into the highest windows， into the saloons， and on the roofs， I peeped in where no one could peep， and I saw what no one else saw， what no one else should see！ This is， in fact， a base world！ I would not be a man if it were not now once accepted and regarded as something to be so！ I saw the most unimaginable things with the women， with the men， with parents， and with the sweet， matchless children； I saw，” said the shadow， “what no human being must know， but what they would all so willingly know——what is bad in their neighbor. Had I written a newspaper， it would have been read！ But I wrote direct to the persons themselves， and there was consternation in all the towns where I came. They were so afraid of me， and yet they were so excessively fond of me. The professors made a professor of me； the tailors gave me new clothes——I am well furnished； the master of the mint struck new coin for me， and the women said I was so handsome！ And so I became the man I am. And I now bid you farewell. Here is my card——I live on the sunny side of the street， and am always at home in rainy weather！” And so away went the shadow. “That was most extraordinary！” said the learned man. Years and days passed away， then the shadow came again. “How goes it？” said the shadow.
“Alas！” said the learned man. “I write about the true， and the good， and the beautiful， but no one cares to hear such things； I am quite desperate， for I take it so much to heart！”
“But I don't！” said the shadow. “I become fat， and it is that one wants to become！ You do not understand the world. You will become ill by it. You must travel！ I shall make a tour this summer； will you go with me？ I should like to have a travelling companion！ Will you go with me， as shadow？ It will be a GREat pleasure for me to have you with me； I shall pay the travelling expenses！”
“Nay， this is too much！” said the learned man.
“It is just as one takes it！” said the shadow. “It will do you much good to travel！ Will you be my shadow？ You shall have everything free on the journey！”
“Nay， that is too bad！” said the learned man.
“But it is just so with the world！” said the shadow， “and so it will be！” and away it went again.
the learned man was not at all in the most enviable state； grief and torment followed him， and what he said about the true， and the good， and the beautiful， was， to most persons， like roses for a cow！ He was quite ill at last.
“You really look like a shadow！” said his friends to him； and the learned man trembled， for he thought of it.
“You must go to a watering-place！” said the shadow， who came and visited him.“There is nothing else for it！ I will take you with me for old acquaintance' sake； I will pay the travelling expenses， and you write the descriptions——and if they are a little amusing for me on the way！ I will go to a watering-place——my beard does not grow out as it ought——that is also a sickness——and one must have a beard！ Now you be wise and accept the offer； we shall travel as comrades！”
And so they travelled； the shadow was master， and the master was the shadow；they drove with each other， they rode and walked together， side by side，before and behind， just as the sun was； the shadow always took care to keep itself in the master's place. Now the learned man didn't think much about that； he was a very kind-hearted man， and particularly mild and friendly， and so he said one day to the shadow： “As we have now become companions， and in this way have grown up together from childhood， shall we not drink 'thou' together， it is more familiar？”
“You are right，” said the shadow， who was now the proper master. “It is said in a very straight-forward and well-meant manner. You， as a learned man，certainly know how strange nature is. Some persons cannot bear to touch GREy paper， or they become ill； others shiver in every limb if one rub a pane of glass with a nail： I have just such a feeling on hearing you say thou to me； I feel myself as if pressed to the earth in my first situation with you. You see that it is a feeling； that it is not pride： I cannot allow you to say THOU to me， but I will willingly say THOU to you， so it is half done！”
So the shadow said THOU to its former master.
“This is rather too bad，” thought he， “that I must say YOU and he say THOU，”but he was now obliged to put up with it.
So they came to a watering-place where there were many strangers， and amongst them was a princess， who was troubled with seeing too well； and that was so alarming！
She directly observed that the stranger who had just come was quite a different sort of person to all the others； “He has come here in order to get his beard to grow， they say， but I see the real cause， he cannot cast a shadow.”
She had become inquisitive； and so she entered into conversation directly with the strange gentleman， on their promenades. As the daughter of a king， she needed not to stand upon trifles， so she said， “Your complaint is， that you cannot cast a shadow？”
“Your Royal Highness must be improving considerably，” said the shadow， “I know your complaint is， that you see too clearly， but it has decreased， you are cured. I just happen to have a very unusual shadow！ Do you not see that person who always goes with me？ Other persons have a common shadow， but I do not like what is common to all. We give our servants finer cloth for their livery than we ourselves use， and so I had my shadow trimmed up into a man： yes， you see I have even given him a shadow. It is somewhat expensive， but I like to have something for myself！”
“What！” thought the princess. “Should I really be cured！ These baths are the first in the world！ In our time water has wonderful powers. But I shall not leave the place， for it now begins to be amusing here. I am extremely fond of that stranger： would that his beard should not grow， for in that case he will leave us！”
In the evening， the princess and the shadow danced together in the large ball-room. She was light， but he was still lighter； she had never had such a partner in the dance. She told him from what land she came， and he knew that land； he had been there， but then she was not at home； he had peeped in at the window， above and below——he had seen both the one and the other， and so he could answer the princess， and make insinuations， so that she was quite astonished； he must be the wisest man in the whole world！ She felt such respect for what he knew！ So that when they again danced together she fell in love with him； and that the shadow could remark， for she almost pierced him through with her eyes. So they danced once more together； and she was about to declare herself， but she was discreet； she thought of her country and kingdom，and of the many persons she would have to reign over.
“He is a wise man，” said she to herself——“It is well； and he dances delightfully——that is also good； but has he solid knowledge？ That is just as important！ He must be examined.”
So she began， by deGREes， to question him about the most difficult things she could think of， and which she herself could not have answered； so that the shadow made a strange face.
“You cannot answer these questions？” said the princess.
“they belong to my childhood's learning，” said the shadow. “I really believe my shadow， by the door there， can answer them！”
“Your shadow！” said the princess. “That would indeed be marvellous！”
“I will not say for a certainty that he can，” said the shadow， “but I think so； he has now followed me for so many years， and listened to my conversation——I should think it possible. But your royal highness will permit me to observe， that he is so proud of passing himself off for a man， that when he is to be in a proper humor——and he must be so to answer well——he must be treated quite like a man.”
“Oh！ I like that！” said the princess.
So she went to the learned man by the door， and she spoke to him about the sun and the moon， and about persons out of and in the world， and he answered with wisdom and prudence.
“What a man that must be who has so wise a shadow！” thought she. “It will be a real blessing to my people and kingdom if I choose him for my consort——I will do it！”
they were soon aGREed， both the princess and the shadow； but no one was to know about it before she arrived in her own kingdom.
“No one——not even my shadow！” said the shadow， and he had his own thoughts about it！
Now they were in the country where the princess reigned when she was at home.
“Listen， my good friend，” said the shadow to the learned man. “I have now become as happy and mighty as anyone can be； I will， therefore， do something particular for thee！ Thou shalt always live with me in the palace， drive with me in my royal carriage， and have ten thousand pounds a year； but then thou must submit to be called SHADOW by all and everyone； thou must not say that thou hast ever been a man； and once a year， when I sit on the balcony in the sunshine， thou must lie at my feet， as a shadow shall do！ I must tell thee： I am going to marry the king's daughter， and the nuptials are to take place this evening！”
“Nay， this is going too far！” said the learned man. “I will not have it； I will not do it！ It is to deceive the whole country and the princess too！ I will tell everything！ That I am a man， and that thou art a shadow——thou art only dressed up！”
“there is no one who will believe it！” said the shadow. “Be reasonable， or I will call the guard！”
“I will go directly to the princess！” said the learned man.
“But I will go first！” said the shadow. “And thou wilt go to prison！” and that he was obliged to do——for the sentinels obeyed him whom they knew the king's daughter was to marry.
“You tremble！” said the princess， as the shadow came into her chamber. “Has anything happened？ You must not be unwell this evening， now that we are to have our nuptials celebrated.”
“I have lived to see the most cruel thing that anyone can live to see！” said the shadow. “Only imagine——yes， it is true， such a poor shadow-skull cannot bear much——only think， my shadow has become mad； he thinks that he is a man，and that I——now only think——that I am his shadow！”
“It is terrible！” said the princess； “but he is confined， is he not？”
“That he is. I am afraid that he will never recover.”
“Poor shadow！” said the princess. “He is very unfortunate； it would be a real work of charity to deliver him from the little life he has， and， when I think properly over the matter， I am of opinion that it will be necessary to do away with him in all stillness！”
“It is certainly hard，” said the shadow， “for he was a faithful servant！” and then he gave a sort of sigh.
“You are a noble character！” said the princess.
the whole city was illuminated in the evening， and the cannons went off with a bum！ bum！ and the soldiers presented arms. That was a marriage！ The princess and the shadow went out on the balcony to show themselves， and get another hurrah！
the learned man heard nothing of all this——for they had deprived him of life.
影子
在熱帶的國度裏，太陽曬得非常厲害。人們都給曬成棕色，像桃花心木一樣；在最熱的國度裏，人們就給曬成了黑人。不過現在有一位住在寒帶的學者偏偏要到這些熱的國家裏來。他以爲自己可以在這些國家裏面漫遊一番，像在本國一樣，不過不多久他就改變了看法。像一切有理智的人一樣，他得待在家裏，把百葉窗和門整天都關起來，這看起來好像整屋子的人都在睡覺或者家裏沒有一個人似的。他所住的那條有許多高房子的狹小街道，建築得恰恰使太陽從早到晚都照在它上面。這真叫人吃不消！
這位從寒帶國家來的學者是一個聰明的年輕人。他覺得好像是坐在一個白熱的爐子裏面。這弄得他筋疲力盡。他變得非常瘦，連他的影子也萎縮起來，比在家時小了不知多少。太陽也把它烤得沒精打采。只有太陽落了以後，他和影子在晚間才恢復過來。這種情形看起來倒真是一樁很有趣味的事兒。蠟燭一拿進房間裏來，影子就在牆上伸長起來。它把自己伸得很高，甚至伸到天花板上面去了。爲了要重新獲得氣力，它不得不伸長。
這位學者走到陽臺上去，也伸了伸身體。星星在那美麗的晴空一出現，他覺得自己又有了生氣。在這些街上所有的陽臺上面——在熱帶的國家裏，每個窗子上都有一個陽臺——現在都有人走出來了，因爲人們到底要呼吸些新鮮空氣，即使要變成桃花心木的顏色也管不了。這時上上下下都顯得生氣勃勃起來。鞋匠啦，裁縫啦，在家都搬到街上來。桌子和椅子也被搬出來了；蠟燭也點起來了——是的，不止一千根蠟燭。這個人聊天，那個人唱歌；人們散步，馬車奔馳，驢子走路 ——丁當——丁當——丁當！因爲它們身上都戴着鈴鐺。死人在聖詩聲中入了土；野孩子在放焰火；教堂的鐘聲在響。的確，街上充滿了活躍的空氣。
只有在那位外國學者住所對面的一間房子裏，一切是沉寂的。但是那裏面卻住着一個人，因爲陽臺上有好幾棵花。這些花兒在太陽光中長得非常美麗。如果沒有人澆水，它們決不會長得這樣好的；所以一定有什麼人在那兒爲它們澆水，因此一定有人住在那兒。天黑的時候，那兒的門也打開了，但是裏面卻很黑暗，最低限度前房是如此。更朝裏一點有音樂飄出來。這位外國學者認爲這音樂很美妙，不過這可能只是他的幻想，因爲他發現在這些熱帶的國家裏面，什麼東西都是頂美麗的——如果沒有太陽的話。這位外國人的房東說，他不知道誰租了對面的房子——那裏從來沒有任何人出現過；至於那音樂，他覺得單調之至。
他說：“好像有某個人坐在那兒，老是練習他彈不好的一個調子——一個不變的調子。他似乎在說：”我終究要學會它。'但是不管他彈多久，他老是學不會。“
這個外國人有天晚上醒來了。他是睡在敞開的陽臺門口的。風把它前面的簾子掀開，於是他就幻想自己看見一道奇異的光從對面的陽臺上射來。所有的花都亮起來了，很像色彩鮮豔的火焰。在這些花兒中間立着一位美麗苗條的姑娘。她也似乎射出一道光來。這的確刺傷他的眼睛。不過這是因爲他從睡夢中驚醒時把眼睛睜得太大了的緣故。他一翻身就跳到地上來了。他輕輕地走到簾子後面去，但是那個姑娘卻不見了，光也沒有了，花兒也不再閃亮，只是立在那兒，像平時一樣地好看。那扇門還是半掩着，從裏面飄出一陣音樂聲——那麼柔和，那麼美妙，使人一聽到它就沉浸到甜美的幻想中去。這真妤像是一個幻境。但是誰住在那兒呢？真正的入口是在什麼地方呢？因爲最下面一層全是店鋪，人們不能老是隨便從這些鋪子進出的。
有一天晚上，這位外國人坐在他的陽臺上。在他後邊的那個房間裏點着燈，因此他的影子很自然地就射到對面屋子的牆上去了。它的確正坐在那個陽臺上的花叢中間。當這外國人動一下的時候，他的影子也就動一下。
“我相信，我們在這兒所能看到的唯一活着的東西，就是我的影子。”這位學者說。“你看，它坐在花叢中間的一副樣兒多麼可愛。門是半開着的，但是這影子應該放聰明些，走進裏面去瞧瞧，然後再回來把它所看到的東西告訴我。”
“是的，你應該變得有用一點纔對啊！”他開玩笑地說。“請你走進去吧。嗯，你進去嗎？”於是他對影子點點頭；影子也對他點點頭。“那麼就請你進去吧，但是不要一去就不回來啦。”
這位外國人站起來，對面陽臺上的影子也站了起來。這位外國人掉轉身；影子也同時掉轉身。如果有人仔細注意一下的話，就可以清楚地看出，當這位外國人走進自己的房間、放下那長簾子的時候，影子也走進對面陽臺上那扇半掩着的門裏去。
第二天早晨，這位學者出去喝咖啡，還要去看看報紙。
“這是怎麼一回事兒？”當他走到太陽光裏的時候，他忽然問。“我的影子不見了！它昨天晚上真的走開了，沒有再回來。這真是一件怪討厭的事兒！”
這使他煩惱起來，並不完全是因爲他的影子不見了，而是因爲他知道一個關於沒有影子的人的故事。住在寒帶國度裏的家鄉人都知道這個故事。如果這位學者回到家裏、把自己的故事講出來的話，大家將會說這是他模仿那個故事編出來的。他不願意人們這樣議論他。因此他就打算完全不提這事情——這是一個合理的想法。
晚上他又走到他的陽臺上來，他已經把燭燈仔細地在他後面放好，因爲他知道影子總是需要它的主人作爲掩護的，但是他沒有辦法把它引出來。他把自己變小，把自己擴大，但是影子卻沒有產生，因此也沒有影子走出來。他說：“出來！出來！”但是這一點用也沒有。
這真使人苦惱。不過在熱帶的國度裏，一切東西都長得非常快。過了一個星期以後，有一件事使他非常高興：他發現當他走到太陽光裏去的時候，一個新的影子從他的腿上生出來了。他身上一定有一個影子的根。三個星期以後，他已經有了一個相當可觀的影子了。當他動身回到他的北國去的時候，影子在路上更長了許多；到後來它長得又高又大，就是去掉它半截也沒有關係。
這位學者回到家裏來了。他寫了許多書，研究這世界上什麼是真，什麼是善，什麼是美。於是日子一天一天地過去了，許多歲月也過去了，許多許多年也過去了。
有一天晚上，他正坐在房間裏，有人在門上輕輕地敲了幾下。“請進來！”他說；可是沒有什麼人進來。於是他把門打開；他看到自己面前站着一個瘦得出奇的人。這使他感到非常驚奇。但是這個人的衣服卻穿得非常入時；他一定是一個有地位的人。
“請問尊姓大名？”這位教授問。
“咳！”這位有紳士風度的客人說，“我早就想到，您是不會認識我的！我現在成了一個具體的人，有了真正的血肉和衣服。您從來也沒有想到會看到我是這個樣子。您不認識您的老影子了嗎？您決沒有想到我會再來。自從我上次跟您在一起以後，我的一切情況進展得非常順利。無論在哪方面說起來，我現在算得是很富有了；如果我想擺脫奴役，贖回自由，我也可以辦得到！”
於是他把掛在表上的一串護身符①搖了一下，然後把手伸到頸項上戴着的一個很粗的金項鍊上去。這時鑽石戒指在他的手指上發出多麼亮的閃光呵！而且每件東西都是真的！
“不成，這把我弄得有點糊塗！”學者說。“這究竟是怎麼一回事情？”
“決不是普通的事情！”影子說。“不過您自己也不是一個普通的人呀。您知道得很清楚，從我小時候起，我就寸步不離開您。只有當您覺得我成熟了、可以單獨在這個世界上生活，我才自找出路。找現在的境遇是再美好電沒有，不過我對您起了一種懷念的心情，想在您死去以前來看您一次。您總會死去的！同時我也想再看看這些地方，因爲一個人總是喜愛自己的祖國的。我知道您現在已經有了另一個影子；要不要我對您——或者對它——付出一點什麼代價呢？您只須告訴我好了。”
“嗨，原來是你呀！”學者說。“這真奇怪極了！我從來沒有想到，一個人的舊影子會像人一樣又迴轉來！”
“請告訴我，我應該付出些什麼，”影子說，“因爲我討厭老欠別人的債。”
“你怎能講這類的話呢？”學者說。“現在談什麼債呢？你跟任何人一樣，是自由的！你有這樣的好運氣，我感到非常快樂。請坐吧，老朋友，請告訴我一點你過去的生活情況，和你在那個熱帶國家，在我們對面那所房子裏所看到的事情。”
“是的，我可以告訴您，”影子說。於是他就坐下來。“不過請您答應我：隨便您在什麼地方遇見我，請不要告訴這城裏的任何人，說我曾經是您的影子！我現在有意訂婚，因爲我現在的能力供養一個家庭還綽綽有餘。”
“請放心，”學者說，“我決不把你的本來面目告訴任何人。請握我的手吧。我答應你。一個男子漢——說話算話。”
“一個影子——說話算話！”影子說，因爲他不得不這樣講。
說來也真夠了不起，他現在成了一個多麼完整的人。他全身是黑色的打扮：他穿着最好的黑衣服，漆皮鞋，戴着一頂可以疊得只剩下一個頂和邊的帽子。除此以外，他還有我們已經知道的護身符、金項鍊和鑽石戒指。影子真是穿得異乎尋常地漂亮。正是這種打扮使他看起來像一個人。
“現在我對您講吧，”影子說。於是他把他穿着漆皮鞋的腳使勁地踩在學者新影子的手臂上——它躺在他的腳下像一隻小獅子狗。這種作法可能是由於驕傲而起，也可能是因爲他想要把這新影子粘在他的腳上。不過這個伏着的影子是非常安靜的，因爲它想靜聽他們講話。它也想知道，一個影子怎樣可以獲得自由，成爲自己的主人。
“您知道住在那對面房間裏的人是誰嗎？”影子問。“那是一切生物中最可愛的一個人；那是詩神！我在那兒住了三個星期。這使人好像在那兒住了一千年、讀了世界上所有的詩和文章似的。我敢說這句話，而且這是真話，我看到了一切，我知道了一切！”
“詩神！”學者大叫一聲。“是的，是的！她常常作爲一個隱士，住在大城市裏面。詩神！是的，我親眼看到過她一剎那，不過我的眼皮那時被睡蟲壓得沉重；她站在陽臺上，發出—道很像北極光的光。請告訴我吧！請告訴我吧！你那時是立在陽臺上的。你走進那個門裏去，於是——”
“於是我就走進了前房，”影子說，“那時您坐在對面，老是朝着這個前房裏瞧。那兒沒有點燈，只有一種模糊的光。不過裏面卻有一整排廳堂和房間，門都是一個接着一個地開着的；房裏都點着燈。要不是我直接走進去，到那個姑娘的身旁，我簡直要被這強烈的光照死了。不過我是很冷靜的，我靜靜地等着——這正是一個人所應取的態度。”
“你看到了什麼呢？”這位學者問。
“我看到了一切，我將全部告訴您。不過——這並不是我的自高自大——作爲一個自由人，加上我所有的學問，且不說我高尚的地位和優越的條件，——我希望您把我稱做'您‘。”
“請原諒！”學者說，“這是一個老習慣，很不容易去掉。——您是絕對正確的，我一定記住。不過現在請您把您所看到的一切都告訴我吧。”
“一切！”影子說，“因爲我看到了一切，同時我知道一切。”
“那個內房裏的一切是個什麼樣兒的呢？”學者問。“是像在一個空氣新鮮的山林裏嗎？是像在一個神廟裏嗎？那些房間是像一個人站在高山上看到的滿天星斗的高空嗎？”
“那兒一切都有，”影子說，“我沒有完全走進裏面去，只是站在陰暗的前房裏，不過我在那兒的地位站得非常好。我看到一切，我知道一切。我曾經到前房詩之宮裏去過。”
“不過您到底看到了什麼呢？在那些大廳裏面是不是有遠古的神祗走過？是不是有古代的英雄在那兒比武？是不是有美麗的孩子們在那兒嬉戲，在那兒講他們所做過的夢？”
“我告訴您，我到那兒去過，因此您懂得我在那兒看到了我所能看到的一切！如果您到那兒去過，您不會成爲另外一個人；但是我卻成了一個人了，同時我還學到了理解我內在的天性，我的本質和我與詩的關係。是的，當我以前和您在一起的時候，我不曾想到過這些東西。不過您知道，在太陽上升或落下去的時候，我就變得分外地高大。在月光裏面，我看起來比您更真實。那時我不認識我內在的本質；我只有到了那個前房裏才認出來。我變成一個人了！
“我完全成形了。您已經不再在那些溫暖的國度裏。作爲一個人，我就覺得以原來的形態出現是羞恥的：我需要皮鞋、衣服和一個具體的人所應當有的各種修飾，——我自己藏起來；是的，我把這都告訴您了——請您不要把它寫進任何書裏去。我跑到賣糕餅女人的裙子下面去，在那裏面藏起來。這個女人一點也不知道她藏着一件多麼大的東西。起初我只有在晚上才走出來，我在街上的月光下面走來走去。我在牆上伸得很長，這使得我背上發癢，怪舒服的啦！我跑上跑下，我通過最高的窗子向客廳裏面望去；我通過屋頂向誰也望不見的地方望去；我看到誰也沒有見過和誰也不應該見到的東西。整個地說來，這是一個卑鄙骯髒的世界！要不是大家認爲做一個人是件了不起的事情，我決不願意做一個人。
“我看到一些在男人、女人、父母和'親愛無比的‘孩子們中間發生的最不可思議的事情。我看到誰也不知道、但是大家卻非常想知道的事情——他們的鄰居做的壞事。如果我把這些事情寫出來在報紙上發表的話，那麼看的人可就多了！但是我只直接寫給一些有關的人看，因此我到哪個城市，哪個城市就起了一陣恐怖。人們那麼害怕我，結果他們都變得非常喜歡我。教授推選我爲教授；裁縫送給我新衣服穿，我什麼也不缺少。造幣廠長爲我造錢；女人們說我長得漂亮！——這麼一來，我就成爲現在這樣的一個人了。咳，現在我要告別了。這是我的名片；我住在有太陽的那一邊。下雨的時候我總在家裏。”
影子告別了。
“這真是稀奇，”學者說。
許多歲月過去了。影子又來拜訪。
“您好嗎？”他問。
“哎呀！”學者說，“我正在寫關於真、關於善、關於美的文章。但是誰也不願意聽這類的事兒；我簡直有些失望，因爲這使我難過。”
“但是我卻不這樣，”影子說。“我正長得心寬體胖——一個人應該這樣才成。你不瞭解這個世界，因此你快要病了。你應該去旅行一下。這個夏天我將要到外面去跑跑；你也來嗎？我倒很希望有一位旅伴呢。您願不願作爲我的影子，跟我一道來？有您在一起，對我說來將是一樁很大的愉快。我願意擔負您的一切旅行費用。”
“這未免有點太過分了，”學者說。
“這要看您對這個問題取一種什麼態度，”影子回答說，“旅行一次會對您有很大的好處。如果您願意做我的影子，那麼您將得到一切旅行的利益，而卻沒有旅行的負擔。”
“這未免有點太那個了！”學者說。
“世事就是如此呀！”影子說，“而且將來也會是如此！”
於是影子就走了。
這位學者並不完全是很舒服的。憂愁和顧慮緊跟着他。他所談的真、善、美對於大多數的人說來，正如玫瑰花之對於一頭母牛一樣，引不起興趣。——最後他病了。
“你看起來真像一個影子，”大家對他說。他想到這句話時，身上就冷了半截。
“您應該到一個溫泉去療養！”影子來拜訪他的時候說。“再沒有別的辦法。看在我們老交情的分上，我可以把您帶去。我來付出一切旅行的費用，您可以把這次旅行描寫一番，同時也可以使我在路上消消遣。我要到一個溫泉去住住。我的鬍子長得不正常，而這是一種病態。但是我必須有鬍子，現在請您放聰明一些，接受我的提議吧：我們可以作爲好朋友去旅行一番。”
這麼着，他們就去旅行了。影子現在成爲主人了，而主人卻成了影子。他們一起坐着車子，一起騎着馬，一起並肩走着路；他們彼此有時在前，有時在後，完全依太陽的位置而定。影子總是很當心地要顯出主人的身份。這位學者卻沒有想到這一點，因爲他有一顆很善良的心，而且是一個特別溫和和友愛的人。因此有一天主人對影子說：
“我們現在成爲旅伴了——這一點也不用懷疑；同時我們也是從小在一起長大的，我們結拜爲兄弟好不好？這樣我們就可以變得更親密些。”
“您說得對！”影子說——他現在事實上是主人，“您這句話非常直率，而且用意很好。我現在也要以誠相見，想什麼就說什麼。您是一個有學問的人；我想您知道得很清楚，人性是多麼古怪。有些人不能摸一下灰紙——他們一看到灰紙就討厭。有些人看到一個人用釘子在玻璃窗上劃一下就全身發抖。我聽到您把我稱爲'你‘，也有同樣的感覺。像我跟您當初的關係一樣，我覺得好像我是被睬到地上。您要知道，這是一種感覺，並不是自高自大的問題。我不能讓您對我說'你 ’，但是我倒很願意把您稱爲'你‘呢。這樣我們就兩不吃虧了。”
從這時起，影子就把他從前的主人稱爲“你”。
“這未免有點太過火了，”後者想，“我得喊'您‘，而他卻把我稱爲'你’。”但是他也只好忍受了。
他們來到一個溫泉。這兒住着許多外國人；他們之中有一位美麗的公主。她得了一種病，那就是她的眼睛看東西非常銳利——這可以使人感到極端地不安。
她馬上就注意到，新來的這位人物跟其他的人不同。
“大家都說他到這兒來爲的是要使他的鬍子生長。不過我卻能看出真正的原由——他不能投射出一個影子來。” 她有些好奇，因此她馬上就在散步場上跟這位陌生的紳士聊起天來。作爲一個公主，她沒有什麼客氣的必要，因此她就直截了當地對他說：
“你的毛病就是不能投射出影子。”
“公主殿下的身體現在好多了，”影子說，“我知道您的毛病是：您看事情過於尖銳。不過這毛病已經沒有了，您已經治好了。我恰恰有一個相當不平常的影子！您沒有看到老跟我在一起的這個人麼？別的人都有一個普通的影子，但是我卻不喜歡普通的東西。有人喜歡把比自己衣服質料還要好的料子給僕人做制服穿；同樣，我要讓我的影子打扮得像一個獨立的人。您看我還讓他有一個自己的影子。這筆費用可是不小，但是我喜歡與衆不同一點。”
“怎麼！”公主想。“我的病已經真正治好了嗎？這是世界上一個最好的溫泉。它的水現在有一種奇異的力量。不過我現在還不打算離開這裏，因爲這地方開始使我很感興趣。這個陌生人非常逗我的喜愛。我只希望他的鬍鬚不要長起來，因爲如果他長好了的話，那麼他就要走了。”
這天晚上公主和影子在一個寬廣的大廳裏跳舞。她的體態輕盈，但是他的身體更輕。她從來沒有遇見過這樣一個跳舞的人。她告訴他，她是從哪一個國家來的，而他恰恰知道這個國家——他到那兒去過，但是那時她已經離開了。他曾經從窗口向她宮殿的內部看過——上上下下地看過。他看到了這，也看到了那。因此他可以回答公主的問題，同時暗示一些事情——這使得她非常驚奇。他一定是世界上最聰明的人了！因此她對於他的知識的淵博起了無限的敬意。當她再次和他跳舞的時候，她不禁對他發生了愛情。影子特別注意到了這一點，因爲她的眼睛一直在盯着他。
她跟他又跳了一次舞。她幾乎把心中的話說出來了，不過她是一個很懂得分寸的人：她想到了她的國家。她的王國和她將要統治的那些人民。
“他是一個聰明人，”她對自己說。“這是很好的；而且他跳舞也很出色——這也是很好的。但是我不知道他的學問是不是根底很深？這也是一個重要的問題：必須把他考察一下才是。”
於是她馬上問了他一個非常困難、連她自己也回答不出來的問題。影子做了一個鬼臉。
“你回答不了，”公主說。
“我小時候就知道了，”影子說，“而且我相信，連站在門那兒的我的影子都能回答得出來。”
“你的影子！”公主叫了一聲，“那倒真是了不起。”
“我並不是肯定地說他能回答，”影子說，“不過我相信他能夠回答。這許多年來，他一直跟着我，聽我談話。不過請殿下原諒，我要提醒您注意，他認爲自己是一個人，而且以此自豪；所以如果您要使他的心情好、使他能正確地回答問題，那末您得把他當做一個真正的人來看待。”
“我可以這樣辦，”公主說。
於是她走到那位站在門旁的學者身邊去。她跟他談到太陽和月亮，談到人類的內心和外表；這位學者回答得既聰明，又正確。
“有這樣一個聰明的影子的人，一定不是普通人，”她想。“如果我把他選做我的丈夫的話，那對於我的國家和人民一定是一樁莫大的幸事。——我要這樣辦！”
於是他們——公主和影子——馬上就達到了一個諒解。不過在她沒有回到自己的王國去以前，誰也不能知道這件事情。
“誰也不會知道——即使我的影子也不會知道的，”影子說。他說這句話有他自己的理由。
他們一起回到公主在家時所統治的那個國家裏去。
“請聽着，我的好朋友，”影子對學者說。“現在一個人所能希望得到的幸運和權力，我都有了。我現在也要爲你做點特別的事情。你將永遠跟我一起住在我的宮殿裏，跟我一起乘坐我的皇家御車，而且每年還能領十萬塊錢的俸祿。不過你得讓大家把你叫做影子，同時永遠不准你說你曾經是一個人。一年一度，當我坐在陽臺上太陽光裏讓大家看我的時候②，你得像一個影子的樣兒，乖乖地躺在我的腳下。我可以告訴你，我快要跟公主結婚了；婚禮就在今天晚上舉行。”
“哎，這未免做得太過火了！”學者說。“我不能接受，我決不幹這類的事兒。這簡直是欺騙公主和全國的人民。我要把一切事情講出來——我是人，你是影子，你不過打扮得像一個人一樣罷了！”
“決沒有人會相信你的話！”影子說。“請你放聰明一點吧，否則我就要喊警衛來了！”
“我將直接去告訴公主！”學者說。
“但是我會比你先去，”影子說：“你將走進監牢。”
事實上，結果也就是如此，因爲警衛知道他要跟公主結婚，所以就服從了他的指揮。
“你在發抖，”當影子走進房裏去的時候，公主說。“出了什麼事情嗎？我們快要結婚，你今晚不能生病呀！”
“我遇見世上一件最駭人聽聞的事情！”影子說。“請想想吧！——當然，一個可憐的影子的頭腦是經不起擡舉的——請想想吧！我的影子瘋了：他幻想他變成了一個人；他以爲——請想想吧——他以爲我是他的影子！”
“這真可怕！”公主說。“我想他已經被關起來了吧？”
“當然啦。我恐怕他永遠也恢復不了理智了。”
“可憐的影子！”公主說，“他真是不幸。把他從他渺小的生命中解脫出來，我想也算是一樁善行吧。當我把這事情仔細思量一番以後，我覺得把他不聲不響處置掉是必要的。”
“這當然未免有點過火，因爲他一直是一個很忠實的僕人，”影子說，同時假裝嘆了一口氣。
“你真是一個品質高貴的人，”公主說，在他面前深深地鞠了一躬。
這天晚上，整個城市大放光明；禮炮在一齊放射——轟轟！兵士們都在舉槍致敬。這是舉行婚禮！公主和影子在陽臺上向百姓露面，再次接受羣衆的歡呼。
那位學者對於這個盛大的慶祝一點也沒有聽到，因爲他已經被處決了。
①在歐洲，特別是在民間，人門常常在身邊帶些小玩意兒，迷信地認爲它們可以帶來好運。
②在歐洲，根據封建時代遺留下來的慣例，國王和王后，或者公主和駙馬，在每年國慶節日的時候，走到陽臺上來，向外面歡呼的民衆答禮。
（1847）
這篇寓言性的故事首先發表在《新的童話》裏。這是作者1846年夏天在意大利南部海濱城市那不勒斯寫成的。那裏的氣候炎熱，特別是在夏天。這種 “炎熱”可能是促使作者寫成這篇故事的“靈感”。但這個故事本身卻是“冷酷”的，冷酷得使人感到毛骨悚然，可是這也並非是現實人生中不可能發生的事。那位學者，即所謂知識分子，有時免不了會被自己的影子所淹覆而成爲無辜的犧牲品，只不過他本人意識不到罷了。這也說明善良、天真、仁愛的安徒生觀察生活是多麼銳利——不愧是一個偉大的作家！
