神奇的火箭
国王的儿子就要结婚了，所以要在举国上下进行庆典。他为自己的新娘已经等了整整一
年，最后她还是赶来了。她是一位俄国公主，坐着由六只驯鹿拉的雪橇从芬兰一路赶来的。
雪橇看上去像一只巨大的金色天鹅，小公主就安卧在天鹏的两只翅膀之间。那件长长的貂皮
大衣一直垂到她的脚跟，她的头上戴着一顶小巧的银线帽子，她的肤色苍白得就如同她一直
居住的雪宫的颜色。她是如此的苍白，在她驶过街道的时候，沿街的人们都惊讶地叹道：
“她就像一朵白玫瑰！”于是大家纷纷从阳台上朝她抛下鲜花。
在城堡的门口王子正等着迎接她的到来。他有一双梦幻般的紫色眼睛和一头金黄色的头
发。一看见她来了，他就跪下一条腿，吻了她的手。
“你的照片好漂亮，”他轻声地说，“不过你比照片更漂亮。”小公主的脸一下子就红
了。
“她先前像一朵白攻瑰，”一位年轻的侍卫对身边的人说，“可此刻却像一朵红玫瑰
了。”整个宫里的人都快乐无比。
这以后的三天中人人都说着：“白玫瑰，红玫瑰；红玫瑰，白玫瑰。”于是国王下令给
那个侍卫的薪金增加一倍。不过他根本就没有拿薪水，因此这道加薪的命令对他没有任何作
用，然而这被视为一种莫大的荣誉，并按惯例在宫廷报纸上登出。
三天过后便举行了婚礼庆典。这是一次盛大的仪式，新郎和新娘在一幅绣着小珍珠的紫
色鹅绒华盖下手牵着手走着。接着又举行了国宴，持续了五个小时。王子和公主坐在大厅的
首座上，用一只纯清的水晶杯子饮酒。只有真诚的恋人才能用这只杯子喝酒，因为只要虚伪
的嘴唇一挨上杯子，杯子就会变得灰暗无光。
“一眼就能看出他们相亲相爱，”那个小侍卫说，“如同水晶一样纯洁！”为这句话国
王再次下令给他加薪。“多么大的荣耀啊！”群臣们异口同声地喊道。
宴会之后举办了舞会，新郎和新娘将要一块儿跳舞，国王答应为他们吹笛子。他吹得很
不好，可没有人敢对他那么说，因为他是一国之君。说真的，他只会吹两种调子，并且从来
也没有搞清楚他吹的是哪一种，不过也无关紧要，因为不管他吹的是什么，人们都会高喊狂
叫：“棒极了！棒极了！”
这次节目的最后一个项目是施放盛大的烟花，燃放的时间正好定在午夜。小公主一生也
没有看过放烟花，因此国王下令皇家烟花手要亲自出席当天的婚礼以便施放烟花。
“烟花像什么样子？”有一天早上，小公主在露天阳台上散步时这样问过王子。
“它们就像北极光，”国王说，他一贯喜欢替别人回答问题，“只是更自然罢了。我本
人更喜欢烟花而不是星星，因为你一直都明白它们何时会出现，它们就如同我吹笛子一样美
妙。你一定要看看它们。”
就这样在皇家花园的尽头搭起了一座大台子。等皇家烟花手把一切都准备完毕，烟花们
便相互交谈起来。
“世界真是太美丽了，”一个小爆竹大声喊道，“看看那些黄色的郁金香。啊！如果它
们是真正的爆竹，它们会更逗人喜爱的。我很高兴我参加过旅游。旅游大大提高见识，并能
除去一切个人的偏见。”
“国王的花园不是世界，你这个傻爆竹，”一枚罗马烛光弹说，“世界是一个大得很的
地方，你要花三天时间才能看遍全世界。”
“任何地方只要你爱它，它就是你的世界，”一枚深思熟虑的转轮烟火激动地喊道。她
早年曾恋上了一只旧的杉木箱子，并以这段伤心的经历而自豪。“不过爱情已不再时髦了，
诗人们把它给扼杀了。他们对爱情抒发得太多，使人们不再相信那么回事。对此，我一点也
不觉得吃惊。真正的爱情是痛苦的、是沉默的。我记得自己曾有过那么一回——可是现在已
经结束了。浪漫只属于过去。”
“胡说！”罗马烛光弹说，“浪漫永远不会消亡，它犹如月亮一样，永远活着。比如，
新郎和新娘彼此爱得多么热烈。关于他们的故事我是今天早晨从一枚棕色纸做的爆竹那儿听
来的，他碰巧跟我同在一个抽屉里面，并且知道最新的宫中消息。”
可是只见转轮烟火摇摇头，喃喃地说，“浪漫已经消亡了，浪漫已经消亡了，已经消亡
了。”她和其他许多人一样，相信假如你把同一件事情反复说上许多次，最后假的也会变成
真的了。
突然，传来一声尖尖的干咳声，他们都转头四下张望。
这声音来自一个高大的，模样傲慢的火箭，它被绑在一根长木杆的顶端。它在发表言论
之前，总要先咳上几声，好引起人们的注意。
“啊咳！啊咳！”他咳嗽着。大家都认真地听着，只有可怜的转轮烟火仍旧摇着头，喃
喃地说，“浪漫已经消亡了。”
“肃静！肃静！”一只爆竹大声嚷道。他是个政客似的人物，在本地的选举中总能独占
鳌头，因此他深知如何使用恰当的政治术语。
“死光了，”转轮烟火低声耳语道，说完她就去睡觉了。
等到周围完全安静下来时，火箭发出第三次咳嗽声，并开始了发言。他的语调既缓慢又
清晰，好像是在背诵自己的记录本一样，对他的听众他从来不正眼去看。说实在的，他的风
度是非常出众的。
“国王的儿子真是幸运啊，”他说道，“他结婚的日子正好是我要升天燃放的时候。真
是的，就算是事先安排好的，对他来说也没有比这更好的了；但话又说回来，王子们总是交
好运的。”
“我的妈呀！”小爆竹说，“我的想法却正好相反，我想我们是为了王子的荣誉而升天
燃放的。”
“对于你来说可能是这样的，”他回答说，“事实上这一点是肯定无疑的。不过对我而
言事情就不一祥了。我是一枚非常神奇的火箭，出身于一个了不起的家庭。我母亲是她那个
时代最出名的转轮烟火，并以她优美的舞姿而著称。只要她一出场亮相，她要旋转十九次才
会飞出去，每转上一次，她就会向空中抛撒七颗粉红的彩星。她的直径有三英尺半，是用最
好的火药制成的。我的父亲像我一样也是火箭，他来自法兰西。他飞得可真高，人们都担心
他不会下来了。尽管如此，他还是下来了，因为他性格善良。他化作一阵金色的雨，非常耀
眼地落了下来。报纸用足吹棒的词句描述他的表演。的确，宫廷的报纸把他称为烟花艺术的
一个伟大成就。”
“烟花，烟花，你是指它吗，”一枚孟加拉烟火说，“我知道它是烟花，因为我看见我
的匣子上写着呢。”
“噢，我说的是火炮，”火箭语调严肃地回答说。孟加拉烟火感到自己受到极大的欺
压，并立即去欺负那些小爆竹了，目的是为了表明自己依旧是个重要的角色。
“我是说，”火箭继续说，“我是说——我说的是什么？”
“你在说你自己，”罗马烛光弹回答说。
“的确，我知道我正在讨论某个有趣的话题，却被人给粗暴地打断了。我讨厌各种粗鲁
的举止和不良行为，因为我是个非常敏感的人。全世界没有哪个人比我更敏感了，对此我深
信不疑。”
“一个敏感的人是指什么？”爆竹对罗马烛光弹问道。
“一个人因为自己脚上生鸡眼，便总想着踩别人的脚趾头，”罗马烛光弹低声耳语道。
爆竹差一点没笑破肚皮。
“请问你笑什么呀？”火箭开口问道，“我就一点没有笑。”
“我笑是因为我高兴，”爆竹回答说。
“这理由太自私了，”火箭脸带怒色地说，“你有什么权利高兴？你应该为别人想想。
实际上，你应该为我想想。我总是想着我自己，我也希望别人都会这么做。这就是所谓的同
情。这是个可爱的美德，我这方面的德性就很高。例如，假定今天夜里我出了什么事，那么
对每一个人来说会是多么的不幸！王子和公主再也不会开心了，他们的婚后生活将会被毁
掉；至于国王，他或许经不住这场打击。真的，我一想起自己所处的重要地位，我几乎感动
得流下眼泪。”
“如果你想给别人带来快乐，”罗马烛光弹说，“那么你最好先不要把自己弄得湿乎乎
的。”
“当然了，”孟加拉烟火说，他现在的精神好多了，“这是个简单的常识。”
“常识，一点不假！”火箭愤愤不平地说，“可你忘了我是很不寻常的，而且非常了不
起。啊，任何人如若没有想象力的话，也会具备常识的。然而我有想象力，因为我从没有把
事物按照它们实际的情况去考虑，我总是把它们想象成另外一回事。至于要我本人不要流
泪，很显然在场的各位没人能够欣赏多情的品性。所幸的是我本人并不介意。能够让我维持
一生的唯一一件事就是想到自己要比别人优越得多，这也是我一贯培养的感觉。你们这些人
都是没有情感的。你们只会傻笑或开玩笑，好像王子和公主不是刚刚结婚似的。”
“啊，正是，”一枚小火球动情地叫道，“难道不行吗？这是一件多大的喜事呀，我只
要一飞到天上去，我就会把这一切都讲给星星听。等我给它们讲起美丽的公主，你会看见星
星们在眨眼睛。”
“啊！多么渺小的人生观！”火箭说，“然而这正是我所预料的。你们胸无大志；你们
既浅薄又无知。噢，或许王子和公主会到有条深深河流的乡村去住；或许他们只有一个儿
子，那个小男孩他王子一样有一头金发和紫色眼晴；或许有一天小男孩会跟保姆一起出去散
步；或许保姆会在一株古老的大树下睡觉；或许小男孩会掉进深深的流水中淹死了。多么可
怕的灾难啊！可怜的人儿，失去了他们唯一的儿子！这真是太可怕了！我永远也忘不了。”
“但是他们并没有失去他们的独子呀，”罗马烛光弹说，“根本就没有任何不幸发主在
他们身上。”
“我从没说过他们会发生不幸，”火箭回答说，“我只是说他们可能会。如果他们已经
失去了独生子，那么再谈此事还有什么意思。我讨厌那些事后反悔的人。不过一想到他们可
能会失去独子，我就会非常难过。”
“你当然会的！”孟加拉烟火大声嚷道，“实际上，你是我所遇到的最感情用事的人。”
“你是我所遇到的最粗俗的人，”火箭反驳说，“你是无法理解我对王子的友情的。”
“噢，你甚至还不认识他呢，”罗马烛光弹怒吼道。
“我从未说过我认识他，”火箭回答说，“我敢说，如果我认识他，我是不会成为他的
朋友的。认识好多朋友，是件非常危险的事。”
“说真的你最好还是不要流眼泪，”火球说，“这可是件要紧的事。”
“我敢肯定，对你是非常要紧，”火箭回答说，“可我想哭就得哭。”说先他还真的哭
了起来，后水像雨点一样从杆子上流下来，差一点淹死两只正在寻找一块干燥的好地方做窝
的小甲虫。
“他必定有真正的浪漫品质，”转轮烟花说，“根本就没有什么可哭的，他却能哭得起
来。”接着她长叹一日气，又想起了那个杉木箱子。
不过罗马烛光弹和孟加拉烟火却是老大不乐意，他们不停地说着：“胡扯！胡扯！”那
声音可真够大的。他们是非常讲实际的，只要是他们反对的东西，他们就会说是胡扯。
这时明月像一面银色的盾牌冉冉升起；繁星开始闪烁，音乐声从宫中传来。
王子和公主正在领舞。他们跳得可真美，就连那些亭亭玉立的白莲花也透过窗户偷看他
俩，大朵的红色罂粟花频频点头，并打着节拍。
随后十点的钟声敲响了，接着十一点的钟声敲响了，然后是十二点。当午夜最后一下钟
声敲响时，所有的人都来到了露天阳台上，国王派人去叫皇家烟花手。
“开始放烟花吧，”国王宣布说。皇家烟花手深深地鞠了一躬，并迈步向下走到花园的
尽头。他带了六个助手，每个助手都本着一根竿子，竿子的顶头捆着一个点燃的火把。
这的确是一场空前盛大的表演。
飕飕！飕飕！转轮烟花飞了上去，一边飞一边旋转着。轰隆！轰隆！罗马烛光弹又飞了
上去。然后爆竹们便到处狂舞起来，接着孟加拉烟火把一切都映成了红彤彤的。“再见
了，”火球喊了一声就腾空而去，抛下无数蓝色的小火星。啪啪！啦啦！大爆竹们也跟着响
了，他们真是痛快无比。他们个个都非常成功，只剩下神奇的火箭了。他浑身哭得湿乎乎
的，根本就无法升空上天。他身上最好的东西只有火药，火药被泪水打湿后，就什么用场也
派不上了。他的那些穷亲戚们，平时他从未打过招呼，只是偶尔讥讽一下，此刻个个都像盛
开着的燃烧的全色花朵，飞到天空中去了。好哇！好哇！宫廷的人们都欢呼起来；小公主高
兴地笑了起来。
“我猜想他们留着我是为了某个更盛大的庆典时用，”火箭说，“毫无疑问就是这个意
思。”他看上去比以前还要傲慢。
第二天工人们来打归清理。“这些人一看就是代表团的，”火箭说，“我要带着尊严来
迎接他们。”于是他就摆出一幅威严的样子，庄重地皱着眉头，仿佛在思考什么雪要的问题
似的。可是他们一点也没有理睬他，直到要离开的时候，他们中的一人碰巧看见了他。
“嘿！”他大喊了一声，“这么破旧的一枚火箭！”说完他便把火箭丢到墙外的阴沟里去了。
“破旧火箭？破旧火箭？”他在空中一边翻滚着一边说，“不可能！大火箭，那个人就
是这么说的。破旧和大这两个发音是非常接近的，的确它们常常是一样的发音。”接着他就
掉进了阴沟里。
“这里并不舒服，”他说，“可没准是个时髦的浴场，他们送我来是为了要我恢复健
康。我的神经的确受到极大的伤害，我也需要休息了。”
这时一只小青蛙朝他游了过来，他有一双明亮闪光的宝石眼睛，和一件绿色斑纹的外衣。
“看来，是个新到的！”青蛙说，“啊，毕竟跟稀泥巴不一样。我只要能享受雨天和一
条阴沟，我便会十分幸福。你认为下午会下雨吗？我真希望如此，可你看这蓝蓝的天空，万
里无云，多么可惜啊！”
“啊咳！啊咳！”火箭说着便咳了起来。
“你的声音多好听啊！”青蛙大声叫道．“真像是青蛙的呱呱叫声，这种呱呱声当然是
世界上最美好的音乐了。今天晚上你可以来听听我们合唱队的演出。我们都在农夫房屋旁的
老鸭池中，月亮一升起我们便开始表演。那可太迷人了，人人都睁着双眼躺着听我们唱。其
实，就在昨天我还听农夫的妻子对她的母亲说，就是因为我们的存在，使她整夜一点儿也睡
不着。能受到这么多人的欢迎，真是谢天谢地。”
“啊咳！啊咳！”火箭生气地说。由于连一句话也插不进去，他感到非常恼火。
“当然了，美妙的音乐，”青蛙继续说，“我希望你能到鸭池来。我要去看我的女儿们
了。我有六个漂亮的女儿，我很担心梭鱼会遇到她们。他是个地道的怪物，会毫不犹豫地拿
她们当早餐吃掉的。好了，再见，我们的谈话真让我开心，我信得过你。”
“谈话，一点不假！”火箭说，“都是你一个人在说话，那不算谈话。”
“总得要人听啊，”青蛙回答说，“我也喜欢一个人谈话。这节省时间，且避免争吵。”
“可我却喜欢争吵，”火箭说。
“我不希望这样，”青蛙得意地说，“争吵太粗俗了，因为在好的社会中，人人都会持
有完全一致的意见。再一次告别了，我看见我的女儿在那边。”说完小青蛙就游走了。
“你是个非常讨厌的家伙，”火箭说，“且教养又很差。我讨厌人们只顾谈论自己，就
跟你这样，要知道此时别人也想说说话，就像我这样。这就是我所说的自私，自私是十分可
恶的事，特别是对于我这种品性的人来说，因为我是以同情心而出了名的。说实在的，你应
该以我为学习榜样，你或许找不到比我更好的榜样了。既然你还有机会，你最好把握住，因
为我差不多马上就要返回宫中去了。我在宫中是个大宠儿；其实，王子和公主在昨天就为庆
祝我而举办了婚礼。当然，这些事你是一无所知的，因为你是个乡巴佬。”
“跟他讲话没有任何益处，”一只蜻蜓开口说，他此刻正坐在一株棕色的香蒲顶上。
“没有任何益处，因为他已经走开了。”
“嗯，那是他的损失，不是我的，”火箭回答说。“我不会仅仅因为他不理会我，就停
止对他说话。我喜欢听自己讲话，这是我最大的乐趣之一。我常常一个人讲上一大堆话，我
可是太聪明了，有时候我连我自己讲的话也不懂。”
“那么你真应该去讲授哲学，”晴蜓说，说完他展开自己一对可爱的纱翼朝空中飞去了。
“他不留在这儿可算是傻极了！”火箭说，“我敢说他并不是经常有这样的机会来提高
智力的。然而，我一点也不介意。像我这样的天才肯定有一天会得人赏识的。”他往稀泥中
陷得更深了。
过了一会儿一只白色的大鸭子向他游了过来。她有一对黄色的腿和一双蹼足，而且由于
她走起路来一摇一摆的，便被视为是个大美人。
“嘎，嘎，嘎，”她叫着说，“你的样子多么古怪啊！我可以问问你是怎么生得如此模
样的吗？或者是由于一次事故造成的？”
“很显然，你一直都住在乡下，”火箭回答说，“不然你会知道我是谁的。不过，我会
原谅你的无知。期望别人跟自己一样了不起是不公平的。等你听说我能够飞上天空并撒下一
阵金色的雨点后，你一定会感到惊讶的。”
“我倒不看重那个，”鸭子说，“因为我看不出它对别人会有什么好处。眼下，要是你
能像牛一样地去犁地，像马一样地去拉车，或像牧羊犬那样地照看羊群，那还算是个人物。”
“我的好人啊，”火箭用十分高傲的语言大声说道，“可见你是属于下等阶层的。我这
样身份的人是永远不会有用的。我们已经有了一定的成就，那就足够了。我本人对各种所谓
的勤劳并没有好感，尤其对像你赞赏的那些勤劳更是一点好感也没有。说实话，我一贯认为
做艰苦的工作仅仅是那些无事可干的人们的一种逃避方式。”
“好吧，好吧，”鸭子说，她是个处事平稳的人，也从未跟任何人争吵过，“各人有各
人的爱好。我想，无论如何，你要在这儿安家落户了吧。”
“啊！当然不会了，”火箭嚷道，“我只是个过路人，一位有名望的客人。事实是我觉
得这地方好无聊。这儿既不宁静，又没有社交生活。说实在的，这儿根本就是郊外。我可能
要回到宫里去，因为我注定了要在世界上做一番成就的。”
“我也曾想过要投身于公众事业中去，”鸭子说，“世上有那么多需要革新的事物。老
实说，我前些时干过一阵会议的主席工作，我们通过决议谴责一切我们不喜欢的东西。然
而，它们好像并没有多大效果。现在我一心从事家务，照看我的家庭。”
“我生来就是为了这个社会的，”火箭说，“我所有的亲戚也都是如此，甚至包括他们
中最卑微的。只要我们一出场，随时都会引起广泛的关注。其实还没轮到我出场呢，不过只
要我一出现，准会是壮观的场面。说到家务事，它会使人早早地衰老，并无心追求更高的目
标。”
“啊！更高的生活目标，它们该有多好呀！”鸭子说，“可它倒使我觉得好饥饿。”说
完她就朝下游泅水而去，同时还“嘎，嘎，嘎”地叫着。
“回来，快回来！”火箭尖声明着，“我有好多话要对你说。”但是鸭子没理会他。
“我很高兴她离去了，”他对自己说，“她的思想的确只算得上一般。”他往稀泥中陷得更
深了，这时才开始想起天才的寂寞来。忽然有两个小男孩身穿白色的粗布衫，手拿一只水
壶，怀里抱着好些柴火，朝岸边跑了过来。
“这一定是那个代表团了，”火箭说着，又努力表现出非常庄重的样子。
“嘿！”其中的一个孩子叫道，“快看这根旧木棍！我不知道它怎么会在这儿。”他把
火箭从阴沟里拾起。
“旧木棍！”火箭说，“不可能！金木棍，这才是他说的。金木棍才是很中听的话。实
际上，他把我错当成宫中的某位显贵了。”
“我们把它放到火里去吧！”另一个孩子说，“它会帮着把水烧开。”
于是他俩把柴火堆在一起，把火箭放在最上面，并点燃了火。
“这下可太棒了，”火箭大声叫道，“他们要在大白天里把我给燃放了，这样人人都会
看见我了。”
“我们现在去睡觉吧，”他俩说，“睡醒时水壶的水就会烧开了。”说完他们便在草地
上躺下身，闭上了眼睛。
火箭浑身都湿透了，所以花了好长时间才把他烤干。不过，到最后火苗还是把他点燃了。
“现在我就要升空了！”他大叫起来，同时把身体挺得笔直笔直的。“我知道我要飞得
比星星更高，比月亮更高，比太阳更高。其实，我会飞得高到——”
嘶嘶！嘶嘶！嘶嘶！他垂直朝天空中飞去。
“太棒了！”他叫了起来，“我要这样一直飞下去，我是多么的成功啊！”
不过，没有人看见他。
这时他开始感到有一股奇怪的刺痛袭遍全身。
“现在我就要爆炸了，”他大声喊道，“我要点燃整个世界，我要声威大震，让所有的
人在这一年里都不再谈论别的事情。”的确他真的爆炸了。呼！呼：呼！火药爆炸了。这是
千真万确的。
可是没有人听见他，就连那两个小孩也没有听见，因为他俩睡得可熟了。
接着他所剩下的只有木棍了，木棍掉下去，正好落在一只在阴沟边散步的鹅的背上。
“天呀！”鹅叫了起来，“怎么下起棍子来了。”说完就跳进河里去了。
“我知道我会创造奇迹的，”火箭喘息着说，然后他就熄灭了。
t
to be married, so there were general
rejoicings. ed a
she had arrived. She was a Russian Princess, and had driven all
the sledge
he swans wings
lay ttle Princess herself. her long ermine-cloak reached
rigo , on iny cap of silver
tissue, and she Snow Palace in which she had
always lived. So pale was s as she
streets all t;Se rose!quot; they
cried, and the balconies.
At te of tle ting to receive her.
eyes, and his hair was like fine gold. hen
he saw her he sank upon one knee, and kissed her hand.
quot;Your picture iful,quot; ;but you are more
beautiful turequot;; and ttle Princess blushed.
quot;Se rose before,quot; said a young Page to his
neig;but s;; and t
ed.
For t t about saying, quot;e rose,
Red rose, Red rose, e rosequot;; and t the
Pages salary o be doubled. As all
t of muco it
Gazette.
ed. It was
a magnificent ceremony, and the bride and bridegroom walked hand in
embroidered tle
pearls. tate Banquet, wed for five
at top of t hall
and drank out of a cup of clear crystal. Only true lovers could
drink out of touc, it grew grey
and dull and cloudy.
quot;Its quite clear t t; said ttle Page,
quot;as clear as crystal!quot; and the King doubled his salary a second
time. quot; an ; cried all tiers.
After t to be a Ball. the bride and bridegroom
o dance togeto
play te. no one o
tell wo
airs, and e certain
made no matter, for, wever ,
quot;C;
t item on to
be let off exactly at midnigtle Princess had never seen
a firehe Royal
Pyrotec stendance on the day of her marriage.
quot; are fire; she Prince, one morning,
as serrace.
quot;t; said the King, who always
ansions t o ot;only much
more natural. I prefer to stars myself, as you always know
ful as my own
flute-playing. You must certainly see t;
So at t stand up,
and as soon as tec everyts
proper place, to talk to eacher.
quot;tainly very beautiful,quot; cried a little Squib.
quot;Just look at tulips. hey were real crackers
t be lovelier. I am very glad I ravelled.
travel improves th all ones
prejudices.quot;
quot;t t; said a big
Roman Candle; quot;t ake
you to see it t;
quot;Any place you love is to you,quot; exclaimed a pensive
Cattaco an old deal box in early
life, and prided ; quot;but love is not
fass . te so much
about it t nobody believed t surprised. true
love suffers, and is silent. I remember myself once - But it is
no matter no.quot;
quot;Nonsense!quot; said t;Romance never dies. It is like
the bride and bridegroom, for
instance, love eac this
morning from a broridge, aying in
test Court ne;
But t;Romance is dead, Romance
is dead, Romance is dead,quot; shose
people hing over and over a
great many times, it becomes true in the end.
Suddenly, a shey all looked round.
It came from a tall, supercilious-looking Rocket, o
tick. he always coughed before he made any
observation, so as to attract attention.
quot;A; ened except the poor
Catill shaking her head, and murmuring,
quot;Romance is dead.quot;
quot;Order! order!quot; cried out a Cracker. hing of a
politician, and aken a prominent part in the local
elections, so ary expressions to use.
quot;Quite dead,quot; o
sleep.
As soon as t silence, t coughird
time and began. inct voice, as if
ating he shoulder
of to ,
distinguished manner.
quot;unate it is for t; ;t he is
to be married on to be let off. Really,
if it could not urned out
better for , Princes are al;
quot;Dear me!quot; said ttle Squib, quot;I t it e ther
o be let off in t;
quot;It may be so ; ;indeed, I t
it is, but is different. I am a very remarkable Rocket,
and come of remarkable parents. My mot celebrated
Catherine heel of her day, and was renowned for her graceful
dancing. public appearance she spun round
nineteen times before s out, and eacime t she did so
so tars. S and a
er, and made of t gunpoher
like myself, and of Frencraction. he flew so
t he would never come down
again. ion, and he
made a most brilliant descent in a she
nee about tering terms.
Indeed, t Gazette called riumpec.quot;
quot;Pyrotecec; said a Bengal Lig;I know
it is Pyrotec ten on my oer.quot;
quot;ell, I said Pylotec; ans, in a severe tone
of voice, and t felt so crus
once to bully ttle squibs, in order to s ill
a person of some importance.
quot;I ; continued t, quot;I was saying - was I
saying?quot;
quot;You alking about yourself,quot; replied the Roman Candle.
quot;Of course; I kneeresting subject when I
errupted. I e rudeness and bad manners of
every kind, for I am extremely sensitive. No one in the whole
ive as I am, I am quite sure of t.quot;
quot; is a sensitive person?quot; said to the Roman Candle.
quot;A person her
peoples toes,quot; anshe
Cracker nearly exploded er.
quot;Pray, ; inquired t; quot;I am not
laug;
quot;I am laug; replied the Cracker.
quot;t is a very selfis; said t angrily. quot;
rigo be others.
In fact, you s me. I am alhinking
about myself, and I expect everybody else to do t is
is a beautiful virtue, and I possess
it in a ance, anyto
me to-nig a misfortune t he
Prince and Princess would never be heir whole married
life get
over it. Really, on tance of my
position, I am almost moved to tears.quot;
quot;If you to give pleasure to ot; cried the Roman Candle,
quot;you ter keep yourself dry.quot;
quot;Certainly,quot; exclaimed t, wter
spirits; quot;t is only common sense.quot;
quot;Common sense, indeed!quot; said t indignantly; quot;you forget
t I am very uncommon, and very remarkable. hy, anybody can
tion. But I
ion, for I never they really are; I
ale different. As for keeping
myself dry, tly no one all
appreciate an emotional nature. Fortunately for myself, I dont
care. t sustains one the
consciousness of ty of everybody else, and
t I ivated. But none of you
s. as if
t just been married.quot;
quot;ell, really,quot; exclaimed a small Fire-balloon, quot; is a
most joyful occasion, and end to
tell tars all about it. You winkle walk
to t tty bride.quot;
quot;A a trivial vie; said t; quot;but it is only
ed. thing in you; you are hollow and
empty. o live in a
country whey may have one
only son, a little fair- eyes like the Prince
to h his nurse;
and pero sleep under a great elder-tree; and
pertle boy may fall into the deep river and be drowned.
a terrible misfortune! Poor people, to lose their only son!
It is really too dreadful! I s over it.quot;
quot;But t lost t; said t;no
misfortune o t all.quot;
quot;I never said t t; replied t; quot;I said t they
mig there would be no use in
saying anyt tter. I e people who cry over
spilt milk. But lose their only son,
I certainly am very muced.quot;
quot;You certainly are!quot; cried t. quot;In fact, you are the
most affected person I ever met.quot;
quot;You are t person I ever met,quot; said t, quot;and you
cannot understand my friends;
quot; even knohe Roman Candle.
quot;I never said I kne. quot;I dare say t
if I kne is a very
dangerous to kno;
quot;You ter keep yourself dry,quot; said the Fire-balloon.
quot;t is tant t;
quot;Very important for you, I ,quot; ans,
quot;but I s;; and ually burst into real
tears, wick like rain-drops, and nearly
drotle beetles, ting up
oget to live in.
quot; ruly romantic nature,quot; said therine heel,
quot;for all to quot;; and she
about the deal box.
But t e indignant, and
kept saying, quot;; at top of they
remely practical, and o anything
t humbug.
tars
began to she palace.
they danced so
beautifully t tall the window and
c red poppies nodded t
time.
ten oclock struck, and t
t stroke of midnig on terrace, and
t for tec.
quot;Let t; said the Royal
Pyrotec made a lohe
garden. tendants h him, each of whom carried a
ligorc the end of a long pole.
It ainly a magnificent display.
therine heel, as she spun round and
round. Boom! Boom! the Squibs danced
all over ts made everything look
scarlet. quot;Good-bye,quot; cried the Fire-balloon, as he soared away,
dropping tiny blue sparks. Bang! Bang! anshe Crackers, who
success
except t. he
could not go off at all. t the gunpowder,
and t ears t it was of no use. All his poor
relations, to
up into th blossoms of
fire. ; and ttle Princess
laugh pleasure.
quot;I suppose t; said the
Rocket; quot;no doubt t is means,quot; and he looked more
supercilious than ever.
t day to put everytidy. quot;this is
evidently a deputation,quot; said t; quot;I h
becoming dignityquot; so o frown
severely as if some very important subject.
But took no notice of all till t going
a sig;; he cried,
quot;!quot; and o tch.
quot;BAD Rocket? BAD Rocket?quot; he air;
quot;impossible! GRAND Rocket, t is he man said. BAD and
GRAND sound very mucen are t;;
and o the mud.
quot;It is not comfortable ; ;but no doubt it is some
fasering-place, and t me ao recruit
my ainly very muctered, and I
require rest.quot;
ttle Frog, jetled
coat, so him.
quot;A ne; said t;ell, after all there is
notch, and I am
quite afternoon? I am sure I
te blue and cloudless. a pity!quot;
quot;A; said t, and o cough.
quot; a delig; cried t;Really it is
quite like a croak, and croaking is of course t musical
sound in this evening. e
sit in the farmers house, and as soon
as t is so entrancing t everybody
lies ao listen to us. In fact, it erday t I
o s get a
nig of us. It is most gratifying to
find oneself so popular.quot;
quot;A; said t angrily. he was very much annoyed
t get a word in.
quot;A deligainly,quot; continued t;I hope you
o to look for my
daugiful daughe
Pike may meet t monster, and would have no
ation in breakfasting off them. ell, good-bye: I have
enjoyed our conversation very muc;
quot;Conversation, indeed!quot; said t. quot;You alked the
is not conversation.quot;
quot;Somebody must listen,quot; ans;and I like to do all
talking myself. It saves time, and prevents arguments.quot;
quot;But I like arguments,quot; said t.
quot;I ,quot; said tly. quot;Arguments are extremely
vulgar, for everybody in good society ly the same
opinions. Good-bye a second time; I see my daughe
distance and ttle Frog swam away.
quot;You are a very irritating person,quot; said t, quot;and very ill-
bred. I e people themselves, as you do, when one
s to talk about oneself, as I do. It is w I call
selfis detestable thing, especially
to any one of my temperament, for I am well known for my
sympatic nature. In fact, you sake example by me; you
could not possibly ter model. No you he
cter avail yourself of it, for I am going back to
Court almost immediately. I am a great favourite at Court; in
fact, terday in my honour.
Of course you knoters, for you are a
provincial.quot;
quot;talking to ; said a Dragon-fly, who was
sitting on top of a large bro all, for
;
quot;ell, t is mine,quot; ans. quot;I am not
going to stop talking to tention.
I like alk. It is one of my greatest pleasures. I
often ions all by myself, and I am so clever
t sometimes I dont understand a single word of w I am
saying.quot;
quot;tainly lecture on P; said the Dragon-
fly; and he spread a pair of lovely gauze wings and soared away
into the sky.
quot; to stay ; said t. quot;I am
sure t often got such a chance of improving his mind.
care a bit. Genius like mine is sure to be
appreciated some dayquot;; and tle deeper into the
mud.
After some time a large e Duck so him. She had yellow
legs, and , and beauty on account
of her waddle.
quot;Quack, quack, quack,quot; s; a curious shape you are!
May I ask , or is it t of an
accident?quot;
quot;It is quite evident t you ry,quot;
ans, quot;otherwise you would know who I am. however,
I excuse your ignorance. It o expect other people
to be as remarkable as oneself. You be surprised to
I can fly up into the sky, and come down in a shower of
golden rain.quot;
quot;I dont t,quot; said t;as I cannot see w
use it is to any one. Now, if you could ploughe
ox, or dra like ter the
collie-dog, t ;
quot;My good creature,quot; cried t in a very y tone of
voice, quot;I see t you belong to the lower orders. A person of my
position is never useful. e ain accompliss, and
t is more t. I h
industry of any kind, least of all ries as you seem
to recommend. Indeed, I hard work
is simply tever to do.quot;
quot;ell, ; said the Duck, who was of a very peaceable
disposition, and never quarrelled ;everybody has
different tastes. I any rate, t you are going to take
up your residence ;
quot;O; cried t. quot;I am merely a visitor, a
distinguisor. t is t I find ther
tedious. ty ude. In fact, it
is essentially suburban. I so Court, for I
kno I am destined to make a sensation in t;
quot;I s of entering public life once myself,quot; remarked the
Duck; quot;t need reforming. Indeed, I
took t a meeting some time ago, and we passed
resolutions condemning everyt like. however,
t seem to . Now I go in for
domesticity, and look after my family.quot;
quot;I am made for public life,quot; said t, quot;and so are all my
relations, even t of te
great attention. I actually appeared myself, but when I
do so it sigicity, it ages
one rapidly, and distracts ones mind from ;
quot;A; said the Duck;
quot;and t reminds me ;: and she swam away down
tream, saying, quot;Quack, quack, quack.quot;
quot;Come back! come back!quot; screamed t, quot;I deal
to say to youquot;; but ttention to ;I am glad
t s; o ;she has a decidedly
middle-class mindquot;; and tle deeper still into the mud,
and began to t the loneliness of genius, when suddenly
ttle boys in h a
kettle and some faggots.
quot;t be tation,quot; said t, and ried to
look very dignified.
quot;; cried one of t;look at tick! I wonder
came ;; and out of tch.
quot;OLD Stick!quot; said t, quot;impossible! GOLD Stick, t is
ary. In fact, he
mistakes me for one of t dignitaries!quot;
quot;Let us put it into t; said t;it will o
boil ttle.quot;
So ts toget t on top, and
lit the fire.
quot;t,quot; cried t, quot;to let me
off in broad day-lig every one can see me.quot;
quot;e o sleep no; t;and whe
kettle ;; and t
their eyes.
t ime to burn. At last,
him.
quot;No; iff and
straig;I know I sars, much
, I shall
go so - quot;
Fizz! Fizz! Fizz! and straigo the air.
quot;Delig; ;I s a
success I am!quot;
But nobody saw him.
to feel a curious tingling sensation all over him.
quot;Noo explode,quot; ;I s the whole
alk about
anyt; And ainly did explode.
Bang! Bang! Bang! t about it.
But nobody even ttle boys, for they were
sound asleep.
t of ick, and this fell down on
taking a ch.
quot;Good ; cried t;It is going to rain sticksquot;; and
so ter.
quot;I kne sensation,quot; gasped t, and
out.
End