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have brought it to thee to have care of it； and he stirred not
from the threshold。
what is it？ she cried。 show it to me； for the house is bare；
and we have need of many things。 and he drew the cloak back； and
showed her the sleeping child。
alack； goodman！ she murmured； have we not children of our own；
that thou must needs bring a changeling to sit by the hearth？ and
who knows if it will not bring us bad fortune？ and how shall we
tend it？ and she was wroth against him。
nay； but it is a star…child； he answered； and he told her the
strange manner of the finding of it。
but she would not be appeased； but mocked at him； and spoke
angrily； and cried： our children lack bread； and shall we feed
the child of another？ who is there who careth for us？ and who
giveth us food？
nay； but god careth for the sparrows even； and feedeth them； he
answered。
do not the sparrows die of hunger in the winter？ she asked。 and
is it not winter now？
and the man answered nothing； but stirred not from the threshold。
and a bitter wind from the forest came in through the open door；
and made her tremble； and she shivered； and said to him： wilt
thou not close the door？ there eth a bitter wind into the
house； and i am cold。
into a house where a heart is hard eth there not always a
bitter wind？ he asked。 and the woman answered him nothing； but
crept closer to the fire。
and after a time she turned round and looked at him； and her eyes
were full of tears。 and he came in swiftly； and placed the child
in her arms； and she kissed it； and laid it in a little bed where
the youngest of their own children was lying。 and on the morrow
the woodcutter took the curious cloak of gold and placed it in a
great chest； and a chain of amber that was round the childs neck
his wife took and set it in the chest also。
so the star…child was brought up with the children of the
woodcutter； and sat at the same board with them； and was their
playmate。 and every year he became more beautiful to look at； so
that all those who dwelt in the village were filled with wonder；
for； while they were swarthy and black…haired； he was white and
delicate as sawn ivory； and his curls were like the rings of the
daffodil。 his lips； also； were like the petals of a red flower；
and his eyes were like violets by a river of pure water； and his
body like the narcissus of a field where the mower es not。
yet did his beauty work him evil。 for he grew proud； and cruel；
and selfish。 the children of the woodcutter； and the other
children of the village； he despised； saying that they were of mean
parentage； while he was noble； being sprang from a star； and he
made himself master over them； and called them his servants。 no
pity had he for the poor； or for those who were blind or maimed or
in any way afflicted； but would cast stones at them and drive them
forth on to the highway； and bid them beg their bread elsewhere； so
that none save the outlaws came twice to that village to ask for
alms。 indeed； he was as one enamoured of beauty； and would mock at
the weakly and ill…favoured； and make jest of them； and himself he
loved； and in summer； when the winds were still； he would lie by
the well in the priests orchard and look down at the marvel of his
own face； and laugh for the pleasure he had in his fairness。
often did the woodcutter and his wife chide him； and say： we did
not deal with thee as thou dealest with those who are left
desolate； and have none to succour them。 wherefore art thou so
cruel to all who need pity？
often did the old priest send for him； and seek to teach him the
love of living things； saying to him： the fly is thy brother。 do
it no harm。 the wild birds that roam through the forest have their
freedom。 snare them not for thy pleasure。 god made the blind…worm
and the mole； and each has its place。 who art thou to bring pain
into gods world？ even the cattle of the field praise him。〃
but the star…child heeded not their words； but would frown and
flout； and go back to his panions； and lead them。 and his
panions followed him； for he was fair； and fleet of foot； and
could dance； and pipe； and make music。 and wherever the star…child
led them they followed； and whatever the star…child bade them do；
that did they。 and when he pierced with a sharp reed the dim eyes
of the mole； they laughed； and when he cast stones at the leper
they laughed also。 and in all things he ruled them； and they
became hard of heart even as he was。
now there passed one day through the village a poor beggar…woman。
her garments were torn and ragged； and her feet were bleeding from
the rough road on which she had travelled； and she was in very evil
plight。 and being weary she sat her down under a chestnut…tree to
rest。
but when the star…child saw her； he said to his panions； see！
there sitteth a foul beggar…woman under that fair and green…leaved
tree。 e； let us drive her hence； for she is ugly and ill…
favoured。
so he came near and threw stones at her； and mocked her； and she
looked at him with terror in her eyes； nor did she move her gaze
from him。 and when the woodcutter； who was cleaving logs in a
haggard hard by； saw what the star…child was doing； he ran up and
rebuked him； and said to him： surely thou art hard of heart and
knowest not mercy； for what evil has this poor woman done to thee
that thou shouldst treat her in this wise？
and the star…child grew red with anger； and stamped his foot upon
the ground； and said； who art thou to question me what i do？ i am
no son of thine to do thy bidding。
thou speakest truly； answered the wood…cutter； yet did i show
thee pity when i found thee in the forest。
and when the woman heard these words she gave a loud cry； and fell
into a swoon。 and the woodcutter carried her to his own house； and
his wife had care of her； and when she rose up from the swoon into
which she had fallen； they set meat and drink before her； and bade
her have fort。
but she would neither eat