princess, and little Gerda wept, and the crow wept; and then, after a few
miles, the crow also said “Farewell,” and this was the saddest parting.
However, he flew to a tree, and stood flapping his black wings as long as he
could see the coach, which glittered in the bright sunshine.
Fifth Story: Little Robber-Girl
The coach drove on through a thick forest, where it lighted up the way
like a torch, and dazzled the eyes of some robbers, who could not bear to let
it pass them unmolested.
“It is gold! it is gold!” cried they, rushing forward, and seizing the horses.
Then they struck the little jockeys, the coachman, and the footman dead,
and pulled little Gerda out of the carriage.
“She is fat and pretty, and she has been fed with the kernels of nuts,” said
the old robber-woman, who had a long beard and eyebrows that hung over
her eyes. “She is as good as a little lamb; how nice she will taste!” and as
she said this, she drew forth a shining knife, that glittered horribly. “Oh!”
screamed the old woman the same moment; for her own daughter, who held
her back, had bitten her in the ear. She was a wild and naughty girl, and the
mother called her an ugly thing, and had not time to kill Gerda.
“She shall play with me,” said the little robber-girl; “she shall give me
her muff and her pretty dress, and sleep with me in my bed.” And then she
bit her mother again, and made her spring in the air, and jump about; and all
