"There seems to be a village ahead," said the Mole, slowing down and wondering. Because, the path that was trampled out by the feet first became a path, then expanded into a tree path, and finally led them to a gravel road. This village is not to the taste of these two animals. They usually take another road, avoiding churches, post offices or hotels.
Oh, that's all right,' said the Rat. "In this season, at this time, men, women, children, dogs and cats all stay at home quietly to keep warm. We can sneak past without making trouble. If you like, we can peek out the window and see what they are doing. "
When they walked into the village with soft steps and a thin layer of powdery snow,1The night that came quickly in mid-February has enveloped this small village. I can hardly see anything except the dim orange squares on both sides of the street. Through those windows, the fire and lights in each farmhouse flow into the dark world outside. Most of these low lattice windows don't hang curtains, and people in the house don't shy away from the spectators outside the window. They either sit around the coffee table, doing their crafts wholeheartedly, or waving their arms and laughing loudly. Everyone looks elegant and comfortable, which is what skilled actors are eager to achieve-they don't realize a natural state facing the audience. These two audiences, who are far away from home, watch another theater at will. When they see a cat being touched, a sleepy child being carried to bed, or a tired man stretching and knocking on his pipe at the end of a smoking piece of wood, their eyes can't help but show some longing.
However, there is a small window with curtains, which only shows a translucent blank in the dark. Only here, the feeling of home, the feeling of the small world with low curtains in the closet, the feeling of shutting the tense world out of the door and forgetting it completely is the strongest, close to the white curtains and hanging birdcages, reflecting a clear silhouette. Every wire, every perch, every appendage, even yesterday's round sugar cube, is clearly identifiable. The furry bird perched on the perch in the middle of the cage, and its head was deeply buried in its wings. It looked very close to them, as if it could be touched by reaching out. His plump feathered body, even those thin feather tips, are like pencil drawings drawn on a luminous screen. As they watched, the sleepy little thing moved uneasily and woke up. He shook his feathers and held his head high. When he yawned lazily, they could see that his mouth was wide open. He looked around and buried his head under his wings, and his fluffy feathers gradually gathered and stood still. At this time, a cold wind blew into their necks, and the cold rain and snow stung their skin. They seem to wake up from a dream, feel cold toes and tired legs, and realize that they still have a long way to go from home.
Once out of the village, the hut disappeared immediately. On both sides of the road, they smelled the friendly fields again and came at them through the darkness. So they pulled themselves together and embarked on the final journey. This is the way home, this road, they know it will end sooner or later. At that moment, the latch clicked and a fire suddenly appeared in front of me. Familiar things welcome them like overseas travelers who have returned after a long separation. They walked firmly and silently, thinking about their own ideas. The mole was preoccupied with dinner. It was dark and surrounded by strange fields. He just obediently followed the mouse and let the mouse lead him. As for the Rat, he walked ahead as usual, hunched his shoulders slightly and stared at the straight gray road ahead. Therefore, he paid little attention to the poor mole. Just then, a phone call touched the mole like an electric shock.
We humans have long lost our subtle physiological senses, and we can't even find the right words to describe the close communication between an animal and its environment, whether it is alive or not. For example, the nostrils of animals buzz day and night, accompanied by a series of subtle vibrations, such as calling, warning, teasing, refusal and so on. We can only sum it up in one word "smell". At this moment, it was such a mysterious fairy-like voice that reached the mole's ear through the darkness from the void. Its familiar attraction made the mole tremble all over, although he couldn't remember what it was for a moment. walk walk He suddenly stood there, sniffing around, trying to catch the filament that strongly touched his current. Only after a while, he caught it, followed by a frantic memory.
Go home! This is the message they gave him! A series of cordial appeals, a series of gentle touches floating from the air. An invisible little hand pulls and pulls, all in the same direction! Ah, at this moment, it must be in sight. His hometown, since he first discovered this river, he left in a hurry and never looked back at his home! Now, it sends spies and messengers to find him and bring him back. Since he left home that bright morning, he has been immersed in a new life, enjoying all the happy, interesting and charming fresh experiences that this life has brought him. As for his hometown, he never thought about it. Looking back now, my hometown is clearly presented in the dark. Although his home is short and simple, with simple furniture, it belongs to him. This is the home he built for himself, and it is also the home he returned happily after a hard day. The family obviously likes him, misses him and looks forward to his return. Through his nose, the family told him sadly, without anger or anger, but sadly reminded him that the family was here and it needed him.
This call is clear, this call is clear. He must obey and go back at once. "Rat!" He shouted happily and excitedly, "Stop! Come back! I need you, quick! "
"oh, come on, mole, come on!" Cried the Rat excitedly, still struggling forward.
"Stop, please, mouse!" The poor mole begged and begged, and his heart ached. "You don't understand! This is my home, my hometown! I just smelled it. It's just around the corner, very close. I have to go back, I have to, I have to! Come back, mouse, please, please! "
By this time, the Rat had gone far ahead. He didn't hear what the Mole was shouting, nor did he hear the sharp and pleading tone in the Mole's voice. Besides, he is worried about the weather, because he also smells something-he suspects that it may snow.
"Mole, we can't stop now, really!" He responded loudly. "No matter what you find, let's have a look tomorrow. But now I dare not stop-it's getting late and it's going to snow again. I am not familiar with this route. Mole, I need to rely on your nose, so come on, good boy! " Without waiting for the mole to answer, the Rat went on.
The poor mole stood alone on the road, and his heart was torn apart. He felt that there was a big stream of sad tears in his chest, which accumulated more and more, and was about to be poured into his throat and produced. However, even in the face of such a severe test, his loyalty to his friends remained unwavering and he never thought about abandoning his friends for a moment. But at the same time, the message from his hometown was begging, feeding in a low voice, casting magic on him, and finally arbitrarily ordering him to obey absolutely. He didn't dare to stay in its magic circle, suddenly broke his heart, turned his face to the road ahead, and followed the Rat's footsteps obediently. Although, the looming smell still sticks to his fading nose, blaming him for having new friends and forgetting old ones.
He had a hard time getting rid of the mouse. The Rat didn't know his secret and chattered happily about what they would do when they got home. How pleasant it is to have a stove of firewood in the living room. What would you like for dinner? He didn't notice his companion's silence and melancholy expression. But later, when they walked a long way and passed some stumps in the roadside bushes, he stopped and said with concern, "hey, mole, old chap, you look exhausted." Without saying a word, your leg seems to be tied with lead. " Let's sit here and have a rest. Fortunately, it hasn't snowed yet, and we have already walked halfway. "
The mole sat sadly on the stump, trying to control his emotions, because he felt that he was going to cry. He has been struggling, forcing him to cry, but crying is disobedient. He just goes up bit by bit, with a sound, followed by a series of dense, and finally he has to stop struggling and cry in despair. Because he knew that he had lost what he had almost found, and it was all over.
The rat was stunned by the mole's sudden sadness and dared not speak for a moment. Finally, he said very calmly and sympathetically, "What's the matter, old chap? Tell me about your troubles and see if I can help. "
The poor mole could hardly speak. His chest heaved violently, and the words came to his mouth and swallowed back. Later, he finally choked up and said, "I know, my home is a poor and dirty hut, not as comfortable as your residence, not as beautiful as the moon, not as spacious as Badger's house, but it is my own little home after all-I like it-I completely forgot about it after I left home-but I …"-Oh, dear! God, you refuse to look back, mouse. I have to leave it, even though I have been smelling it. My heart is broken. Actually, we can go back and have a look, mouse. Just take a look. It's nearby. But you refused to look back, mouse. You refuse to look back! Oh, my God! Oh, my God! "
Memories set off a new wave of sadness, and a violent sob made him stop talking.
The Rat stared straight ahead and said nothing but patted the Mole on the shoulder. After a while, he mumbled in frustration, "Now I understand everything! I am really a pig! A pig. That's me! -a real pig-a real pig! "
The mouse waited until the mole's crying died down and became more or less rhythmic until the mole only sniffed and sobbed occasionally. At this moment, the Rat stood up from the stump and said casually, "Well, old chap, let's get to work now!" " "As he spoke, he walked towards the original road they had worked hard.
"Where are you going (burping), mouse?" The tearful mole looked up at him and exclaimed.
Let's go to your house, old chap,' said the Rat happily. You'd better come too. It may take some effort to find it, and you need your nose.
"Oh, come back, mouse, come back!" The mole got up and ran after the mouse. "I tell you, it's no use! It's too late, too dark, too far away, it's going to snow soon! Besides-I didn't mean to let you know my feelings for it-it was purely accidental and a mistake! Think about the river bank and your dinner! "
"What river bank, what dinner, go to hell!" Said the Rat sincerely. "I tell you, I have to go to your house, even if I stay out all night. Cheer up, old friend, and take my arm, and we will soon be back where we were. "
The mole was still sniffling, pleading, and reluctantly let his friend drag him back. The mouse told him stories all the way to arouse his mood and make this boring journey seem shorter. Later, the rat felt as if they had come to the place where the mole was stumped, and said, "Now, stop talking and get down to business! Use your nose and your heart to find it. "
They walked a short distance in silence. Suddenly, the Rat felt a faint electric shock, which spread from his arm to the mole's whole body. He immediately pulled out his arm, took a step back and waited with rapt attention.
For a moment, the mole stood still, his nose quivering slightly and smelling the air.
Then, he ran a few steps forward-wrong-stop-try again; Then, he walked slowly, firmly and confidently.
The Rat was very excited and followed the Mole closely. Like a sleepwalker, under the dim starlight, the mole crossed a dry ditch, drilled through a hedge and sniffed a wide, bare and inaccessible field.
Suddenly, without warning, he plunged into the ground. Fortunately, the mouse was alert and immediately followed him down and entered the tunnel sniffed out with his sensitive nose.
The tunnel is narrow and stuffy, with a pungent earthy smell. The Rat thought it took them a long time to reach the finish line, so that he could straighten up, stretch his limbs and shake himself. The mole struck a match, and by the light, the Rat saw them standing in a clearing. The ground was cleaned and covered with sand. Facing them is the small front door of Mole's house, with a bell rope hanging beside it. Above the door, there are three striking Chinese characters: "Mole House".
The mole took a lantern from the wall and lit it. The mouse looked around and found them in a hall. On one side of the door, there is a garden chair, and on the other side, there is a stone scorpion. This is because the mole likes to keep his house tidy and doesn't like other animals kicking his land into small mounds. There are several wire baskets on the wall, which are planted with ferns. There are some brackets between the flower baskets, with clay sculptures on them-Italian heroes such as Gabriel, young Samuel and Queen Victoria. In the lower part of the front hall, there is a nine-column stage, surrounded by stools and small wooden tables with some circles printed on them, which is a sign for placing beer cups. There is a small round pond in the center of the yard, where goldfish are kept and shells built by sea fans are around it. In the middle of the pond, stands a grotesque tower covered with sea fans and shells. At the top of the tower is a big silver-white glass ball, and everything reflected is deformed, which is very funny.
Seeing these friendly things, the mole's face burst into a happy smile. He pushed the mouse into the gate, lit a lamp in the hall and glanced at his old home in a hurry. He saw that everything was covered with a thick layer of dust. He saw the bleak scene of the house he had forgotten for a long time. He saw that its studio was so narrow and its interior furnishings were so shabby. He can't help being depressed again. He slumped in a chair and covered his nose with his paws. "Rat!" He cried sadly, "Why did I do that?" Why did I drag you to this poor and cold hut on such a cold night? Otherwise, you would have returned to the river bank, roasted your feet in front of the blazing fire and surrounded by your good things! "
The Rat ignored his sad remorse and just ran around, opened the door, looked at the room and the storeroom, lit many lamps and candles and put them all over the room. "What a wonderful hut!" He said happily and loudly. "How compact! How ingenious this design is! Everything is fine! We will have a good time tonight. The first thing is to make a good fire. I'll do it.-I'm good at finding things. Is this the living room? Great! Did you design these small sofas on the wall yourself? Great! I'm going to get firewood and coal. What about you, Mole? Go and get a duster-there is one in the drawer of the kitchen table-and dust it off. Go to work, old chap! "
Encouraged by the enthusiasm of his companions, the mole was greatly encouraged. He pulled himself together and cleaned and wiped carefully. The mouse brought firewood again and again, and soon a jubilant fire rose and roared up the chimney. He told the mole to keep warm by the fire. But the mole suddenly became sad again, sitting on a couch in frustration and covering his face with a duster.
"Mouse," he sobbed, "what can you do for dinner? You poor cold, hungry and tired animal, I have nothing to eat for you-not even crumbs! "
"You are a man, why are you so depressed!" Said the Rat reproachfully. "You see. Just now, I clearly saw a screwdriver on the cupboard to open sardines. If there is a screwdriver, why not a jar? Cheer up and come with me. "
So they searched the closet and the house. Although the result is not ideal, it is not too disappointing. Sure enough, I found a can of sardines, almost a box full of biscuits and a sausage wrapped in silver paper.
"Enough for your banquet!" Said the Rat as he set the table. "I dare say that some animals will like to have dinner with us tonight!"
"No bread!" The mole groaned with a sad face; "No butter, no-"
"No foie gras, no champagne!" Said the Rat, curled his lips. "I remember-what's in that little door at the end of the aisle? Your storage room, of course! All the good things in your family are hidden there! You wait. "
He went into the storeroom and came out in a short time, covered with a little dust, with a bottle of beer in each paw and a bottle of beer in each armpit. "Mole, it seems that you are still a gourmet who enjoys it," he commented. "All delicious, as much wow. This cabin is more pleasant than anywhere else. Hey, where did you get these photos? Hanging these pictures makes this hut look more like home. Tell me how you arranged it like this? "
Just as the Rat was busy taking plates, knives and forks and mixing mustard in the egg cup, the Mole's chest was still fluctuating excitedly. He began to talk to the Rat. At first he was a little embarrassed, but later he became more and more energetic and unrestrained. He told him how this was designed and how that was worked out, that it was an aunt's accident, that it was a great discovery and a good deal, and that this thing was saved and bought. As he spoke, his mood improved and he couldn't help fondling his belongings with his hands. He held up a lamp and introduced their characteristics to the guests in detail, forgetting the dinner they all urgently needed. As for the rat, although he was hungry, he tried to pretend as if nothing had happened, nodded seriously, studied it carefully with a frown, looked at the loophole and said "great" and "great".
Finally, the mouse coaxed him back to the table. Just as he was about to open the canned sardines seriously, there was a noise in the yard-like stamping his feet on the sand and whispering. Some words came into their ears intermittently-"Okay, now everyone stands in a row-Tommy, hold the lantern higher-clear your throat first-after I called one, two, three and stopped coughing-where is little Bill? Come on, we are all waiting for-"
"What's the matter?" Asked the Rat, stopping what he was doing.
"It must be a vole," replied the Mole, looking very happy. "At this time of year, they go to various houses to sing Christmas songs as usual, which has become a fashion in this area. They never miss my house-they are always the last to come to the mole's house. I always treat them to some hot drinks, and if I can afford it, I also treat them to dinner. Listening to them sing Christmas songs is like going back to the past. "
"Let's see!" Cried the Rat, who jumped up and ran to the door.
They opened the door at once, and a beautiful and moving holiday scene appeared in front of them. In the front hall, under the dim light of a horn lantern, eighty little voles stood in a semicircle, each with a long red wool scarf, their front paws deeply inserted in their pockets, and their feet gently pedaled on the ground to keep warm. Bead-bright eyes, shyly looking at each other, snickering, sniffing, pulling sleeves, for quite a while. When the door opened, the old vole with the lantern shouted "Ready-one, two, three!" " "I began to sing together in a harsh voice, singing an old Christmas song. This song was written by their ancestors in the fallow fields covered with frost or by the fireside closed by heavy snow, and passed down from generation to generation. Every Christmas, the vole will stand on the muddy street and sing these hymns to the brightly lit windows.
Christmas carol
Folks, in this cold season,
Open your door,
Let's stop by your fireside,
Although ice and snow will take advantage of this,
You will have fun in the Ming Dynasty!
We stood in the frost, rain and snow,
Oh, fingers, high heels,
Bless you from afar-
You sit by the fire, we stand in the middle of the street-
Wish you a happy tomorrow morning!
Because before midnight,
A star guides us forward,
Blessings and good luck from heaven-
Blessed by the Ming dynasty, blessed all the year round,
The joy of North Korea is endless!
Yue Se, a good man, trudged through the snow-
See a star above the stable in the distance;
Maria doesn't have to go any further—
Welcome, cabin, maternity bed under the roof!
She will be very happy tomorrow morning!
So they heard the angel say:
"Who cheered for Christmas first?
Are all animals,
Because they live in a stable,
Tomorrow morning happiness will belong to them! "
The singing stopped, the singers smiled shyly, looked at each other, and then there was silence-but only for a moment. Then, from the ground in the distance, through the tunnel they came through, there was a faint hum and cheerful music was played.
"Great, children!" Cried the Rat enthusiastically. "Come in, warm up, warm up and eat something hot!"
Yes, Field Mouse, come in,' cried the Mole. "Just like the past! Close the gate. Move that bench to the fire. Now, please wait for us-alas, mouse! " He shouted in despair and slumped in his chair, tears almost falling down. "What shall we do? We have nothing to invite them to dinner! "
"I'll take care of this," said the majestic mouse. "Hey, lanterns, you come here, I have something to ask you. Tell me, are there any shops open at this time? "
"Of course, sir," replied the field mouse respectfully. "At this time of year, our shop is open day and night."
"That's good!" Said the Rat. "You take a lantern to buy it for me-"
Then they whispered for a while, and the mole only heard a few words, what-"be careful, be fresh!" " No, one pound is enough. Perkins has to do it. I don't want the best from others. No, if that one doesn't, try another one. Yes, of course, it's homemade, not canned. Well, do your best! "Then, I heard a string of jingles. A coin fell from one paw to the other and gave the vole a big shopping basket, so the vole went out quickly with a lantern.
The rest of the voles, sitting in a row on the bench, hung their calves and swayed back and forth, enjoying the warmth of the fire. They baked the chilblain on their feet on the fire until it itched. The mole tried to guide them to speak freely, but failed, so he told them the history of the family and asked them to name many of their younger brothers one by one. It seems that their younger brother is still not allowed to go out to sing Christmas songs this year because they are still young, but maybe they will get permission from their parents soon.
At this time, the mouse is busy looking at the trademark on the beer bottle. "I can see that this is an old Burton," he commented approvingly. "The mole has a good eye! It's genuine! Now we can use it to make hot liqueur! Mole, get your things ready and I'll pull out the cork. "
Liqueur was quickly mixed, so the tin pot full of wine was deeply inserted into the red flame; Soon, every vole was sipping, coughing, choking (because a little hot and sweet wine is enough), wiping away tears and laughing, forgetting that he had been frozen in his life.
These little guys can still act,' said the Mole to the Rat. "This play is all written by them and acted by them. That was a great performance! Last year, they gave us a wonderful play about a vole caught by a pirate ship in North Africa at sea and forced to paddle in the cabin. Later, he escaped and returned to his hometown, while his beloved girl entered the monastery. Hey, you! I remember you taking part in the performance. Stand up and recite a line for us. "
The named vole stood up, giggled shyly and glanced around, but he was tongue-tied and couldn't read a word. His companions cheered him up, and the mole coaxed him and encouraged him. The mouse even grabbed him by the shoulder and shook him, but it was useless. He just can't get rid of fainting. They circled around him, like a group of sailors, and saved a drowning man for a long time according to the rules of the royal drowning rescue association. At this time, the latch clicked, the door opened, and the vole carrying the lantern staggered in by the heavy basket.
When the real thing in the basket was poured on the dining table, no one mentioned acting again. Under the control of the mouse, every animal begins to do something or take something away. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Just like in a dream, the mole sat at one end of the table and saw that the table was empty just now, and now it was full of delicious food. He saw that all his children were beaming and eagerly devouring, and he himself let go of his stomach and munched on the magically transformed food. He thought to himself that this time he went home, he didn't expect the result to be so satisfactory. They chatted over dinner. The vole told him the latest local news and tried his best to answer hundreds of questions he asked. The Rat seldom talks, but only meets the needs of his guests and enjoys himself, so that the Mole has nothing to worry about.
Finally, the voles twittered, thanked their hosts one by one, congratulated them on their happy holidays, and left. Their pockets are full of souvenirs for their brothers and sisters at home. When the last guest was sent away, the door closed and the jingle of lanterns faded away. The mole and the rat turned on the fire, pulled up their chairs, warmed up the last glass of liqueur before going to bed, and talked about what had happened in this long day. Finally, the Rat yawned a lot and said, "Mole, old friend, I'm really exhausted. The word "sleepy" is far from enough Your own bed is over there, right? Then I'll sleep in this bed. This cabin is really great! Everything is convenient! "
The mouse climbed into his bed, wrapped himself in a blanket, and immediately fell into the arms of his dream, just like a row of barley fell into the arms of a harvester.
The tired mole couldn't wait to go to bed quickly, so he immediately leaned his head on the pillow and felt very comfortable. But before he closes his eyes, he must look around his room. The room looks very soft and warm in the light of the fire. A flash of fire lit up his familiar friendly objects. These things have already become a part of him unconsciously, and now they are welcoming him back with a smile and no complaints. His present mental state is exactly the state that the alert mouse quietly introduced him to. He clearly saw how ordinary and small his homes were, but he also knew how important they were to him and how special such a safe haven was in his life. He has no intention of leaving his new life and bright world. He is not going to leave the sunshine and air and all the joy they give him, climb underground and stay at home. The attraction of the ground world is too strong, even underground, it still keeps calling him. He knew he had to go back to that bigger stage. However, it is always a good thing to have such a home. This place belongs to him completely, and these people are always happy to see him, and no matter when he comes back, he will always receive the same kind reception.