Страшные сказки / Scary stories

And as she was very tired, and hunger tormented her, she thought,

“Ah, I want to find myself[11 - to find myself – оказаться] inside and eat the fruit! Or I’ll die of hunger!”

Then she knelt down, called on the Lord, and prayed. And suddenly an angel came towards her, who made a dam in the water. The moat became dry and she could walk through it.

She went into the garden and the angel went with her. She saw a tree with beautiful pears. Then she went to them, and ate one with her mouth from the tree.

The gardener watched it; but as the angel was nearby, he was afraid and thought the maiden was a spirit, and was silent. He dare not to cry out, or to speak to the spirit.

When the girl ate the pear, she was satisfied. She went and concealed herself among the bushes. The King to whom the garden belonged, came down to it next morning, and counted. He saw that one of the pears was missing[12 - was missing – отсутствовала]. The King asked the gardener about the pear.

The gardener answered,

“Last night, a spirit came in, who had no hands, and ate off one of the pears with its mouth”.

The King said,

“How did the spirit get over the water? Where did it go after that?”

The gardener answered,

“Someone came in a snow-white garment from heaven who made a dam, and kept back the water. So the spirit walked through the moat. And as it was an angel, I was afraid, and asked no questions, and did not cry out.

When the spirit ate the pear, it went back again”.

The King said,

“If it is so as you say, I will watch with you tonight”.

When it grew dark the King came into the garden and brought a priest with him. All three seated themselves beneath the tree and watched. At midnight the maiden came out of the thicket, went to the tree, and again ate one pear off it with her mouth. Beside her stood the angel in white garments. Then the priest went out to them and said,

“Do you come from heaven or from earth? Are you a spirit, or a human being?”

She replied,

“I am no spirit, but an unhappy girl.

Everybody left me”.

The King said,

“I won’t forsake you!”

He took her with him into his royal palace, and as she was so beautiful and good, he loved her with all his heart. He made for her silver hands, and took her to wife[13 - took her to wife – взял её в жёны].