The heroine of the book, a girl named Alice, begins her journey to Wonderland unexpectedly for herself: Alice, exhausted from the heat and idleness, suddenly noticed a rabbit, which in itself is not surprising; but this rabbit turned out to be not only a talker (which Alice was not surprised at that moment either), but also the owner of a pocket watch, and besides, he was in a hurry somewhere. Burning with curiosity, Alice rushed after him into a hole and found herself ... in a vertical tunnel, through which it was swift (or not very fast? After all, she had time to notice that she was standing on the shelves along the walls, and even grabbed a jar with a sticker "Orange Marmalade", unfortunately empty) fell through the ground. But everything ends in this world, Alice's fall also ended, and quite happily: she ended up in a large hall, the Rabbit disappeared, but Alice saw many doors, and on the table - a small golden key, with which she managed to open the door to a wonderful garden, but to go through it was impossible to go there: Alice was too big. But she immediately turned up a bottle with the inscription "Drink me"; in spite of Alice's usual caution, she still drank from the bottle and began to shrink, so much so that she was afraid that what happens to the flame of a candle when a candle is blown out might happen to her. It's good that there was a pie with the inscription "Eat me" nearby; having eaten it, Alice waved to such a size that she began to say goodbye to her legs, which remained somewhere far below. Everything here was very strange and unpredictable. Even the multiplication table and long-learned verses came out of Alice sideways; the girl did not recognize herself and even decided that it was not her at all, but a completely different girl; from grief and endless oddities, she began to cry. And she cried a whole lake, even she almost drowned there. But it turned out that she was not alone in the lacrimal lake, a mouse snorted nearby. Polite Alice started a conversation with her (it would be embarrassing to remain silent), but, unfortunately, she started talking about cats, because Alice had a beloved cat at home. However, the Mouse, offended by Alice's callousness, withdrew, and the newly appeared Rabbit sent Alice, like some kind of maid, to his house for a fan and gloves, as he was heading to the Duchess. Alice did not argue, she entered the Rabbit's house, but out of curiosity she drank some liquid from another bottle - and grew to such a size that she almost smashed the house. It’s good that they threw stones at her that turned into pies, she became tiny again and ran away.
For a long time she wandered in the grassy jungle, almost got on the tooth of a young puppy, and finally found herself near big mushroom, on whose hat the Caterpillar sat and importantly smoked a hookah. Alice complained that she was constantly changing in height and did not recognize herself, but the Caterpillar did not find anything special in such changes and reacted to the confused Alice without any sympathy, especially when she heard that she, you see, was not satisfied with the growth of three inches - The caterpillar, however, was very satisfied with such growth! Offended, Alice left, taking with her a piece of mushroom.
The mushroom came in handy when Alice saw the house: she chewed a little mushroom, grew to nine inches and approached the house, on the threshold of which one footman, like a fish, was handing another, like a toad, an invitation to the Duchess to come to the Queen for a game of croquet. Alice asked the Toad Footman for a long time whether she could enter, did not understand anything from his answers (not devoid of their strange logic) and entered the house. She found herself in the kitchen, where it was impossible to breathe from smoke and pepper; there the cook was cooking, and not far away sat the Duchess with a screaming baby in her arms; between times the cook threw dishes at both of them; a big cat was watching all this with a smirk. To the surprised Alice, the Duchess briefly explained that the cat was smiling because he Cheshire Cat, adding that, in fact, all cats know how to smile. After that, the Duchess began to hum a seemingly familiar lullaby to the shrill baby, but this song made Alice feel terrible. In the end, the Duchess threw the bundle with the baby to Alice, who carried the strangely restless grunting baby out of the house and suddenly saw with amazement that it was not a child at all, but a pig! Alice involuntarily remembered other children, which, perhaps, would also have turned out to be very nice little pigs.
Then the Cheshire Cat appeared before Alice again, and she asked him where she should go next. The cat, smiling, explained that if, as she says, she does not care where she comes, then she can go in any direction. He calmly told the girl that everyone in this country is crazy, and even smart little Alice was unable to challenge his evidence. After which the cat disappeared - all except big smile hung in the air for a long time. This property of the Cat was especially useful to him when the ferocious Queen of Hearts ordered to cut off his head: the Cat immediately disappeared, only his head was visible in the air, but how do you order to cut off his head if she doesn’t even have a body? And the Cat just grinned widely.
Alice, meanwhile, went to the crazy March Hare and ended up at a tea party so beloved and familiar to the British, but completely unusual. The Hare and the Mad Hatter were forced to drink tea not once or twice a day (which would have been natural and reasonable), but continuously - such was their punishment for killing Time. Since they treated her very inhospitably, confused her and ridiculed her, Alice left them too and, after new adventures, finally ended up in the royal garden, where gardeners painted white roses red. And then the royal couple appeared, the King of Hearts and the Queen, surrounded by courtiers - smaller cards of diamonds and hearts. And although the King and Queen showed unusual severity to those around them, and the Queen demanded to chop off the heads of almost everyone in a row, Alice was not afraid: after all, they were just cards, she reasoned.
Alice saw almost all her acquaintances in Wonderland in the hall where the Jack of Hearts was tried, which, as was said in old song, stole pies baked by the Queen. What strange testimonies were given in court by frightened witnesses! How the jurors tried to write everything down, and how they confused everything! And suddenly they called Alice, who managed to grow to her usual size. The King and Queen tried to intimidate her, but their attempts were shattered by her sound logic, and she calmly replied to the threat of the death penalty: “You are just a deck of cards” - and the magic dissipated. Alice woke up in the same meadow near her sister. There was a familiar landscape around, familiar sounds were heard. So it was only a dream!
Participating:
1. Lisa - Alice
2. Julia - Mouse Sonya
3. Nata - White Queen
4. Kostya - Cheshire Cat
5. Anya - White Rabbit
6. Natalya Ivanovna - Wise Caterpillar
7. Vika - Hatter
8. Lera - Red Queen
9. Zhenya - Crazy Hare
10. Dodo Bird
11. Dima - Jack
12. Duchess
Scene One (Classroom)
The scenery is on the stage. Turn. Noise and din from children. Lisa takes the stage
All: Oooh! Who's come? Lisa! Great! Come on paw!
Julia: How are you? Alive? And then after your antics with a mouse under the teacher's table...
Lisa: It's okay! Soon everyone will forget about it.
Zhenya: And the parents?
Lisa: Yeah, okay too...
Vika: You didn't tell them, did you?
Lisa: Well... Yeah...
Anechka: You know, your behavior Lately leaves much to be desired.
Kostya: Come on Anka! Leave Lisa alone! She always got out of such situations. It's like you don't know her!
Everyone: ha ha ha!
Call to class. Everyone runs to their places. The teacher enters the class.
All: Hello, Natalya Ivanovna!
Anechka: Natalya Ivanovna, and all the boys except Dima and Kostya have fled!
N.I.: Hello, hello. Sit down please. Oh! So what am I supposed to do with these brats? Okay, now we have Classroom hour and I'd like to discuss this past week... Lisa... Stand up please... (Lisa gets up) Well, what do you say? (Liza is silent) Do you want me to remind you of everything that you have done? She put a mouse under my desk, broke a window playing football, almost set fire to the chemistry room, let a hamster out of the biology room!
Lisa: Hamster himself! I... I... I wanted to stroke him, but he ran away!
NI: This is not an excuse. Well, what should I do, huh? Of course, the parents will have to be called to the school. And what to do with you? Who has any suggestions?
Nata: Excuse me!
Anechka: Shut up, Nata! You can't just forgive for this! Let him be responsible for his actions!
Kostya: Yes, I will forgive you so much later that it will not seem enough! I am for Lisa with a mountain!
Julia: Me too! I'm ready to talk to her!
Anna: Oh right?! Yes, it's a conspiracy!
N.I.: Yes! Calm down everyone now! I don’t understand, guys, can’t you really resolve the dispute without arranging distribution to teams? Some are for Lisa, and others are against? This will not work!
Kostya: Well, how else can it be?
Everyone: ha ha ha
N.I .: Well, try to figure it out yourself for now, and I'll come right away. Nobody's leaving, okay? I do not for a long time. (leaves)
Lera: Yes, she fell in love, that's all! Tries to shine in front of this boy!
The class fell silent, turning to Leroux, and then questioningly to Lisa.
Lisa: What?!
Lera: And then! As if I don’t see how you make eyes at Dima!
Nata: Lera! You are crazy!
Dima: What?! You think what you say!
Yulia: It's not true!
Vika: It can't be! You're lying, Lera!
Lisa: Yes, that's it! Hold me seven!!! (Running after the fleeing Leroy)
Zhenya: Calm down already! I didn't even have breakfast today! And here you are still yelling!
Dima grabs Liza.
Dima: Liza, Liza! Everything, everything! Stop!
Lisa: Let go! Now I'll show this liar where the crayfish hibernate!
Dima: No one believes this! Wait!
Lisa: Okay, that's it, let it go.
Lera: Be, be, be!
N.I. enters the class.
N.I.: Lisa! Lera! Dima! What are you doing here? Well, let's all sit down! As I understand it, you never came to a consensus ... Okay, you still have a whole weekend, think about it. Everybody's Free. And Lisa, don't forget to invite your parents to school.
Lisa: Yes... I remember...
Scene Two (At Home)
There is a bed on the stage.
Lisa takes the stage.
Lisa: It's a beautiful day! Simply top class! Wow! (Lies on the bed) Why?! Why can't you surprise me already?! Why is every day the same? Eh! Life has become so familiar ... Skuukatiyischi .... (yawns, covers himself with a blanket and falls asleep)
Plays the sound of a ticking clock. Lisa tosses and turns. The characters pretend to be in her dreams. Everyone leaves, but the White Rabbit's alarm starts to ring suddenly. Lisa wakes up and B.K. trying to turn off the alarm. Lisa falls out of bed.
Lisa: Hey! Wow, it hurts... Mmm... Oh! It's morning already?! Mother! I'm late for school now! Stop. Where I am? A? Rabbit? (Rabbit runs away) Stop! Wait! (Turns around, sees a door, a table and a bottle on the table) "Drink me"? Hmm... Okay... (Drinking) Ah! What's happening?! I'm shrinking! (goes to the door) yes... the door is my size, but the key.... It's on the table! Oh! Well, what should I do now? ABOUT! Pie! "Eat me"? (Eats) Ah! Here you go! Now I'm growing! Oh! So! Key (takes). So... I got it! (drinking) Phew! Finally! (Opens the door and walks in.)
Scene Three (Visiting the White Rabbit)
There is a house and a White Rabbit on the stage.
White Rabbit: Mary Ann! Mary Ann! Where did you go?! Come here this minute! Mary Ann! Crappy girl! Where did she take them?
Alice enters the stage.
Alice: Where did I go? Rabbit! Speaking?! Ahh!
White Rabbit: Ah! Mary Ann! There you are, where are you! So what are you screaming about, you ask? Run inside the house this minute and bring me my gloves and my fan! (Pushes Alice, but she resists)
Alice: No! Wait a minute!
White Rabbit: Come on! Live! I'm already quite late! (Releasing Alice, unrolling a long scroll and pretending to rehearse)
Alice: He must have mistook me for his servant. Super! I'm in command of a talking rabbit! Okay, where are those gloves with a fan? Another bottle? Can I finally accept my normal size? Ahh! I'm growing! And how!
The rabbit throws the scroll.
White Rabbit: My ears! My mustache! My house! My sweet house! Shh! Shh! For help! Monster! Help!
Alice: I've grown too big!
The White Rabbit runs away.
Alice: No! No! Please don't leave me here!
The White Rabbit brings the Dodo to the stage.
White Rabbit: Dodo! There's a monster in my house, Dodo!
Dodo: Don't shout old man. Everything is not as bad as it seems at first glance.
White Rabbit: Tell me what's in there?!
Dodo: So, therefore, a pen.
White Rabbit: Pen?! Wow pen! Ate in the window climbed!
Dodo: Ah! Monster! Thousand devils! And the situation is hard. But...
White Rabbit: What? What's "but"?
Dodo: But I found an easy solution!
White Rabbit: Like... What?!
Alice: Great!
Dodo: We'll smoke the monster out of there!
White Rabbit and Alice: SMOKE OUT?!
Alice: Don't!
Dodo: Matches?
White Rabbit: Matches. (Gives matches) Ah! My house!
Dodo: So...
Alice: We urgently need to eat something! There's candy here! Ahh! I decrease - a - a - a - I am!
Dodo: More matches.
Rabbit looks at his watch.
White Rabbit: Ah! I am late! I'm late! Farewell Dodo!
Alice: Wait!
Dodo: Honey, do you have any matches?
Alice: No, sorry, I'm in a hurry.
Dodo: No time for everyone! Everyone is in a hurry! Well... Call me when you're free! We will definitely smoke the monster out of there!
Everyone leaves.
Scene Four (Encounter with the Wise Caterpillar)
There is a mushroom on the stage and a caterpillar on the mushroom. Alice enters the stage.
Alice: Well, where did this rabbit run to? Oh! Here you go! Also a caterpillar!
Caterpillar: Who are you?
Alice: And talking again! I'm starting to wonder who I am! Now I'm Mary Ann, now I'm a monster!
Caterpillar: Be clearer. How would you like to be understood?
Alice: Yes, I don’t understand myself anymore! Slept to myself slept... I Wake up. And then ... Now you are big, then small, then this, then that - everything is somehow confused, right?
Caterpillar: Not true!
Alice: I'm starting to feel uncomfortable.
Caterpillar: You? Who are you?
Alice: Well, hello, here we are! You won't even get a word! In my opinion, first YOU should tell who you are!
Caterpillar: Why?
Alice: Yes, that's it! Not only did I get, it’s not clear where, they turn me, then they want to smoke me out, but they also don’t want to talk to me! Wow!
Leaves.
Caterpillar: Come back! I need to tell you something important!
Alice is back.
Alice: Well, what else?!
Caterpillar: Don't lose your temper.
Alice: Is that all?
Caterpillar: No. So what size do you want to be?
Alice: Whatever. I just don't like it when it changes so often. It's clear?
Caterpillar: I don't understand.
Alice: Well then I don't know!
Caterpillar: Do you like your current size?
Alice: Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to be a little taller. I'm almost as tall as a finger! Think about it, it's really embarrassing to be so tall!
Caterpillar: One can only be proud of such growth! I'm that tall myself! Despite my age, I'm still very personal!
Alice: But I'm not used to being that tall!
Caterpillar: You'll get used to it over time, but if you don't like this growth, then eat this piece of mushroom.
Alice: Thank you.
Caterpillar: Farewell!
Alice: What a strange caterpillar... (Eats) Hmm... I don't see any change in my height yet...
Scene Five (Meeting the Duchess)
Knave runs onto the stage.
Knave: Duchess! Duchess! Duchess Invitation! An invitation to croquet to the Queen!
Runs away.
Alice: What was that? What else is the Duchess?
The Jack appears in a place with the Duchess and the Cheshire Cat.
Knave: You have an invitation from the Queen herself!
Duchess: Calm down now! I'm not surprised the Queen invited ME! And now goodbye!
Knave: I obey, your Holiness!
Duchess: Oh! How tired I am of all this! Oh! Child! Pretty!
Alice: Good afternoon. Why is your cat smiling so wide?
Duchess: It's the Cheshire Cat! That's why!
Alice: I didn't know the Cheshire Cat was supposed to smile. To be honest, I didn't even know cats could smile.
Duchess: All of them can. And most do not miss the opportunity.
Cheshire Cat: So what? Why not?
Alice: He talks too?!
Duchess: Yes, and it's no miracle! Everyone here can talk!
Alice: And I, imagine, I didn’t know anyone like that!
Duchess: There's a lot you don't know, that's a fact! If no one poked their nose into other people's business, the world would spin much faster than it does now.
Alice: So what's good about that? No one would know when it's night and when it's day! After all, then it would be from rotation ...
Duchess: Speaking of disgust! They make chops out of disgusting girls!
Alice: I just wanted to say that if now the earth makes one revolution in twenty-four hours ... Or vice versa: twenty-four revolutions in an hour ...
Duchess: Oh, don't torture me, dear! Numbers are my weak point! Well, it's time for me to get ready for the Queen's reception. See you soon, honey!
Scene Six (Conversation with the Cheshire Cat)
Cat: Boo!
Alice: Ahhh! A! It's you, cat.
Cat: Cheshire cat. Did you expect to see the Red Queen?
Alice: Well... I don't know anymore...
Cat: Well then, why be so surprised?
Alice: It's true... but the most important thing is that I'm now of normal height. I wish I knew where to go now...
Cat: It depends a lot on where you want to go.
Alice: I don't seem to care.
Cat: Then it doesn't matter where you go.
Alice: Well, in general, yes. Then... I need to come to someone.
Cat: You will definitely come to someone. Unless, of course, you stop halfway.
Alice: Yes, but I don't know who lives here!
Cat: The Hatter lives in this side, and the Crazy Hare lives in this side. Although you know, they both live in the same direction. Bring on whoever you want, both of them are out of their minds.
Alice: Why would I go to the insane?!
Cat: It still can't be avoided. You see... We're ALL crazy here.
Alice: Oh, is that it?! Certainly! To whom, if not me, to get to the abnormal!
Cat: Oh! Poor thing... Well, goodbye! See you!
Alice: And where is everyone in such a hurry? ...
Cat: Oh yes! By the way! If you want to know, he ran there.
Alice: Who is he?
Cat: White Rabbit.
Alice: Really?!
Cat: Really?
Alice: Run?!
Cat: Who?
Alice: White Rabbit!
Cat: What rabbit?
Alice: Well, you said it yourself! Wow! Unbearable!
Cat: Well, see you then!
Alice: Is there really no one here to talk to?!
White Rabbit: Ah! I am late! I'm late! The queen will cut off my head!
Alice: Ah! Well, wait a little, please!
Everyone runs away.
Scene Seven (Mad Tea Party)
There is a table on the stage and at the table is the Hatter, the Dormouse Mouse and the Crazy Hare.
Alice enters the stage.
All: We're celebrating name days! My? Yours! We are celebrating birthdays! My? Yours!
Alice: Wow! How interesting... (Sits down at the table)
All: There are no seats! There are no seats! There are no seats!
Alice: But there are plenty of empty seats!
Crazy Hare: It's not polite to sit down without an invitation!
Hatter: Not polite - Liv - oh! Totally, completely disrespectful!
Mouse Sonya: This is generally impolite.
Alice: I'm sorry, but I just liked the way you sang...
Crazy Hare: Did you like the way we sang?
Hatter: Oh, what a lovely child! I was just desperate! We are never praised! Do you want a cup?
Crazy Hare: Wouldn't you refuse a cup of tea?
Alice: I won't. I'm sorry that I interfered with the celebration of the name day ... (Takes a cup)
Crazy Hare: (Takes a cup) Name day? Dear baby, we don't celebrate name days!
Hatter: Of course! Ha-ha! We're not celebrating birthdays here!
Alice: Not a birthday? Sorry, I didn't quite understand.
Crazy Bunny: It's simple. A month is thirty days. No. Well... Not name days are... Well... If there are name days, then they are not. Ha-ha! She doesn't understand anything!
Mouse Sonya: Ts ts ts!
Hatter: Stupid! Ha-ha! Now I will enlighten you. Everyone knows that once a year there is a name day.
Crazy Hare: Only once every year.
Hatter: That means 364 times... Not a name day!
Crazy Hare: That's what we're celebrating!
Alice: So today is not my name day either?
Crazy Hare: Yes, well?
Mouse Sonya: How small is the world and the calendar!
Crazy Hare: Long live not your name day!
Alice: Mine?
Hatter: Yours!
Alice: Mine?
Mouse Sonya: Yours!
Hatter: Blow out the candle and make a wish!
(Alice blows out the candle)
All: Long live not your name day!
Alice: How nice.
Hatter: And so dear ... I got the impression ... Sorry (bites). What you learned is not everything you wanted.
Alice: Yes. Actually, I wanted...
Hatter: Change of cups! Cup change! Transition! Transition!
Alice: But I haven't drunk from that one yet!
Mouse Sonya: Would you like another cup?
Alice: But I haven't had a drop yet! How can I want more?
Mouse Sonya: There is never too much tea!
Hatter: So... I think you're worried about something.
Mouse Sonya: Share with us.
Crazy Hare: Yes. Start from the beginning.
Hatter: And you will finish at the end.
Alice: Well, it all started with the fact that I fell asleep at home. And when I woke up, I found myself in this place.
Crazy Hare: Very interesting.
Hatter: And how do you like our "place"?
Alice: Well... He's kind of weird...
Hatter: My dear! And he's not weird at all!
Mouse Sonya: Yes!
Alice: Well, he's just not for me, that's all!
The White Rabbit enters the stage.
White Rabbit: Ah! My ears! My mustache! What will the queen say? (Looks at watch)
(Hatter pulls out watch)
Hatter: Ho-ho! That's it! What will the queen say when she sees a broken clock!
White Rabbit: Broken?!
Crazy Hare: Of course! But we will definitely fix them!
Hatter: Right now! And so... Jem!
Crazy Hare: Jam.
Hatter: Sugar!
Crazy Hare: Sugar. Tea?
Hatter: Tea! Sugar won't spoil tea! Oil!
Mouse Sonya: Oil.
White Rabbit: My poor watch!
Crazy Hare: Sauce?
Hatter: Sauce! No! The sauce is no good! Silly! That's all! (Gives the watch to the White Rabbit)
White Rabbit: My poor watch... They gave it to me for not a name day...
Hatter: In that case...
All: Long live not your name day!
(White Rabbit runs away)
Alice: Mister Rabbit! Wait! I ask you to! Where did he go? What nonsense is this! Crazy drinking!
Scene Eight (At the Queen's Croquet)
Alice: No... No... It can't be! I... I don't know where to go now! God! Why was I such a fool?... Now I'll never go home... (Crying)
The Cheshire Cat enters the stage.
Cat: Baby, are you crying?
Alice: Cheshire! I'm so glad to see you!
Cat: Did you expect to see the White Rabbit, whom you so wanted to catch up with?
Alice: No! No! Done with rabbits!
Cat: Then why are you crying?
Alice: I want to go home! But how to get there?
Cat: There is no way home from here. From here, all roads lead... to the royal palace.
Alice: But I don't know the queen...
Cat: Not yet?! Oh! Hurry to her! She VERY loves guests! She's just crazy about them!
Alice: Kitty! Kitty! How to get to it?
Cat: Well... you can go there... or you can go there... but some bright minds go... here.
Alice: Ah!
Knave: Pum buru dum purum... To avoid trouble, we paint them red. A flower blooms. To be in time in time, and that not to avoid troubles! There is no way back, I paint them red.
Alice: You can not ask the question, why coloring roses?
Valet: Huh? Well, you see, miss, I planted white roses by mistake and I'm afraid to provoke the wrath of the sinister queen. She will issue an order at that hour... Execute me!
Alice: Nightmare!
Jack: That's why I paint everything.
Alice: Well, well! Then I will help you!
Fanfares begin to play.
Knave: Queen! Queen!
Alice: Queen?!
Knave gives brushes and paint to Alice. All the characters take the stage.
White Rabbit: Her Excellency, Grace, Excellency... The Red Queen!
K. Koroleva: What's going on here?! Who painted them red?! Who dared to start this nonsense?! Who is not saved? The villain loses his head without further ado! A! Jack. Head off the shoulders!
B. Koroleva: Sister, calm down! He just planted white roses by mistake, that's all. White is much better than red.
K. Koroleva: What?! Red is the best! Not like yours!
Alice: Have mercy on him! He tried so hard!
K. Koroleva: And who are you?! Oh! Yes, you are a girl!
Alice: Yes. I hope...
Queen: Look into your eyes with respect! And finally put your hands down! Legs apart! Bow! Mouth wider! And always say: "YES, YOUR MAJESTY"!
Alice: YES, YOUR MAJESTY!
B. Koroleva: Ahah... What a delight.
K. Koroleva: And so, where did you come from and where are you going?
Alice: I was going to my house...
K. Koroleva: To yourself?! Yours is not here! It's all mine!
B. Koroleva: Sister, you will lose your voice if you speak so loudly.
K. Koroleva: (Grumbling)
Alice: Yes... I know... But I thought...
K. Koroleva: Bow while you think. This will save time.
B. Queen: Ah! Don't listen to her, child.
Alice: Yes, your majesty. But I wanted to ask...
K. Koroleva: Here I am asking questions! Do you like to play croquet?
Alice: Mmm... Yes, your majesty.
B. Koroleva: Wonderful. All in place!
The Cheshire Cat enters the stage.
Cat: Well, how are we doing?
Alice: No way!
Cat: What do you mean no way?
Alice: That means nothing at all!
B. Koroleva: To whom are you talking?
Alice: Cat!
K. Koroleva: A cat?! Where is he?!
Alice: There he is!
K. Koroleva: Where?
Alice: Here! Oh!
K. Koroleva: I warn you, my child, if I lose patience, then you will lose your head! Understood?!
B. Queen: Oh! Well, it's started again!
Cat: You know, let's really piss her off? Shall we try?
Alice: Oh! No no!
Cat: This is going to be fun!
Alice: Don't... don't... Don't!
The cat gives the Queen a kick, she falls.
Alice: That's terrible!
Cat: Ha ha ha!
B. Queen: Ah! Ha ha ha...
White Rabbit: My ears! My mustache!
K. Koroleva: Someone will pay for this with their heads! You! Cut off her head! Catch her!
B. Queen: No! She's a child!
Everyone runs away.
Alice runs onto the stage.
Alice: Ah! They fell behind... God! How I want to go home! I'm so tired... (falls asleep)
Music is playing. The characters pretend to be in her dreams.
Scene Nine (At Home Again)
Lisa: Ah! Where I am? I'm home? Hooray! I'm home! (Knocking) Huh? Someone came?
Classmates take the stage.
All: Lisa! How are you? Everything is fine? Why weren't you at school? You are ill?
Lisa: Guys! No ... I seem to have fallen asleep for a long time ... But I had such a dream! And you were there! You were the Queen, and you were the Cheshire Cat, and you were the Hatter... How glad I am to see you!
Kostya: Yes! Here is a dream! Okay, let's go for a walk!
Lisa: Yes, yes, send! And yet this is my best dream ...
Greetings
Chapter II. Sea of tears
Chapter V. The Blue Caterpillar Gives Advice
Chapter VI. Piglet and Pepper
Chapter VII. Crazy Tea Party
Chapter X
Chapter XI. Who stole the pretzels?
Greetings
Tell me, my friend, where does the day begin? A? If you walk above the ground with the sun, then how to determine where Tuesday ends and where Wednesday begins? English writer Lewis Carroll believed that this was probably happening somewhere above the ocean, and they are such large seas and oceans and everyone knows so little what is happening above them ... No one has ever seen how Tuesday becomes Wednesday.
Much obscure in a strange country
You can get confused and lost
Even goosebumps run down the back,
Imagine what could happen.
Suddenly there will be an abyss and a jump is needed,
Do you get scared right away? Will you jump boldly?
A? Uh ... So, my friend,
That's the whole point.
Good and evil in Wonderland - as everywhere they meet,
But only here they live on different shores.
Here on the roads different stories wander,
And fantasies run on thin legs.
Lived and was like that wonderful writer Lewis Carroll. Stop! The confusion has already begun. You get used to my friend - there will be plenty of confusion here. And what is real fairy tale, a real interesting game happens without confusion? So where is the confusion here? He lived… The fact is that he lived to live, but he didn’t exist. A? Eh…
Because in fact there was a completely different person, whose name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. One day, for Alice, a little girl he knew, he began to tell a fairy tale, and then the writer Lewis Carroll was born, because when he later printed it, He signed with this fictitious name. And he began to live and still lives ... So you lived. A? Eh…
So what is left when a jar of jam is eaten? What will be left when the song is sung? Lewis Carroll was left with his smile. Who is that smiling? Lewis Carroll himself, or maybe the Cheshire cat (a character in his fairy tale)? Listen to the end and if you are attentive, and then think a little more, you will definitely understand!
We will start this story with a riddle,
Even Alice will hardly answer,
What remains of the fairy tale later
After being told?
Where, for example, is the magic horn?
Where did the good fairy go?
A? Uh ... So, my friend,
That's the whole point.
They don't evaporate, they don't dissolve
Told in a fairy tale, flashed in a dream.
In Wonderland magical they move,
Of course, we will meet them in this fabulous country ...
Chapter I Down the Rabbit Hole
Alice was tired of sitting idle with her sister on the river bank; once or twice she looked into the book that her sister was reading, but there were no pictures or conversations.
What is the use of a book, thought Alice, if it has neither pictures nor conversations?
She sat and wondered if she should get up and pick flowers for a wreath; her thoughts flowed slowly and incoherently - the heat made her sleepy. Of course, it would be very nice to weave a wreath, but is it worth getting up for this?
Suddenly a white rabbit with red eyes ran past.
Of course, there was nothing surprising in this. True, the Rabbit on the run said:
Oh my God, my God! I am late.
But even this did not seem particularly strange to Alice. (Remembering this later, she thought that she should have been surprised, but at that moment everything seemed quite natural to her.) But when the Rabbit suddenly took his watch out of his vest pocket and, having looked at it, rushed on, Alice jumped to her feet. It dawned on her: after all, she had never seen a rabbit with a watch before, and even with a vest pocket to boot! Burning with curiosity, she ran after him across the field and just had time to notice that he darted into a hole under the hedge.
At the same moment, Alice darted after him, not thinking about how she would get back.
The hole at first went straight, as smooth as a tunnel, and then suddenly abruptly dropped down. Before Alice could even blink an eye, she began to fall, as if into a deep well.
Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, only she had enough time to come to her senses and think about what would happen next. At first she tried to see what was waiting for her downstairs, but it was dark there and she couldn't see anything. Then she began to look around. The walls of the well were lined with cupboards and bookshelves; in some places pictures and maps hung on carnations. Flying past one of the shelves, she grabbed a jar of jam from it. On the bank was written "ORANGE", but alas! she was empty. Alice was afraid to throw the jar down - as if not to kill someone! On the fly, she managed to shove it into some closet.
Here it fell, so fell! thought Alice. “Falling down the stairs is a piece of cake for me now. And our people will think that I am terribly brave. Yes, if I fell off the roof, I wouldn’t even utter a word.
It is quite possible that this would be the case.
And she kept falling and falling. Will there be no end to this?
I wonder how many miles I've already flown? Alice said out loud. - I, truly, approach the center of the earth. Let me remember... It seems to be about four thousand miles down...
You see, Alice had learned something of that sort in her classroom lessons, and although this was not the best time to demonstrate her knowledge - no one was listening to her - she could not help herself.
Yes, that's right, it is, - continued Alice. - But I wonder what latitude and longitude I am at then?
To tell the truth, she had no idea what latitude and longitude were, but she really liked those words. They sounded so important and impressive!
After a pause, she began again:
But will I not fly through the whole earth? That will be funny! I get out - and people are upside down! What are they called there?.. Antipathy, it seems...
In the depths of her soul, she was glad that no one was listening to her at that moment, because the word somehow sounded wrong.
I'll have to ask them what the name of their country is. “Excuse me ma'am, where am I? Australia or New Zealand?
And she tried curtseying. Can you imagine curtsying in the air as you fall? How do you think you could make it?
And she, of course, will think that I am terrible, ignoramus! No, I won't ask anyone! Maybe I'll see an inscription somewhere! And she kept falling and falling. There is nothing to do - after a pause, Alice spoke again.
Dina will be looking for me all evening tonight. She's so bored without me!
Their cat's name was Dina.
I hope they don't forget to pour milk for her in the afternoon... Oh, Dina, dear, what a pity that you are not with me. True, there are no mice in the air, but there are more than enough midges! I wonder if cats eat midges?
Then Alice felt her eyes close. She murmured sleepily:
Do cats eat midges? Do cats eat midges?
Sometimes she did:
Do midges eat cats?
Alice did not know the answer to either the first or the second question, and therefore it did not matter to her which way she asked them. She felt herself falling asleep. She already dreamed that she was walking hand in hand with Dina and anxiously asked her:
Admit it, Dina, have you ever eaten midges?
There was a terrible crash. Alice fell on a pile of deadwood and dry leaves.
She didn't hurt at all and quickly jumped to her feet. I looked up and it was dark. Before her stretched another corridor, and at the end of it flashed the White Rabbit. There was not a moment to lose, and Alice rushed after him. She heard Rabbit disappearing around the corner and say:
Ah, my mustache! Ah, my ears! How late I am!
Turning the corner, Alice expected to see the Rabbit immediately, but he was nowhere to be found. And she found herself in a long, low hall, lit by a row of lamps hanging from the ceiling.
There were many doors in the hall, but they were all locked. Alice tried to open them - first on one side, then on the other, but, making sure that none of them gave in, she walked around the hall, sadly thinking how to get out of here.
Suddenly she saw a glass table with three legs. It had nothing on it but a tiny golden key. Alice thought it was the key to one of the doors, but alas! - either the keyholes were too big, or the key was too small, but it didn't fit any of them, no matter how hard she tried. Walking down the hall for the second time, Alice saw a curtain, which she had not noticed before, and behind it was a small door fifteen inches high. Alice put the key in the keyhole - and, to her greatest joy, he approached!
She opened the door and saw a hole behind it, quite narrow, no wider than a rat's. Alice knelt down and looked into it - in the depths a garden of amazing beauty could be seen. Oh, how she wanted to get out of the dark hall and wander between bright flower beds and cool fountains! But she couldn't even put her head in the hole.
If my head were gone, thought poor Alice, what's the use! Who needs a head without shoulders? Oh why don't I fold like a spyglass! If I only knew where to start, I probably would have been able to.
You see, there were so many wonderful things happening that day that nothing seemed impossible to her now.
There was no point in sitting by the small door, and Alice returned to the glass table, vaguely hoping to find on it another key or, at worst, a guide to folding like a spyglass. However, this time there was a vial on the table.
I'm pretty sure it wasn't here before! Alice said to herself.
A piece of paper was tied to the neck of the vial, and on the piece of paper large beautiful letters it was written: "DRINK ME!"
This, of course, was very nice, but smart little Alice was in no hurry to follow the advice.
First of all, you need to make sure that there is no mark anywhere on this vial: “Poison! " - she said.
You see, she had read all sorts of lovely stories about how children were burned alive or eaten by wild animals - and all these troubles happened to them because they did not want to follow the simple rules that their friends taught them: if you keep too long in hands with a red-hot poker, in the end you will burn yourself; if you slash deeper on the finger with a knife, blood usually comes from the finger; if you drain the vial marked "Poison!" at once, sooner or later you will almost certainly feel unwell. Last Rule Alice remembered firmly.
However, there were no marks on this vial, and Alice ventured to take a sip from it. The drink tasted very good—something like cherry cream pie, pineapple, roast turkey, fudge, and hot buttered toast. Alice drank it to the end.
What a strange feeling! exclaimed Alice. - I, right, fold like a spyglass.
And she was not mistaken - she was now only ten inches tall. She thought that now she could easily pass through the door into the wonderful garden, and she was very glad. But first, just in case, she waited a little - she wanted to make sure that she was no longer shrinking. This worried her a little.
And she tried to imagine what the flame of a candle looks like after the candle goes out. As far as she could remember, she had never seen anything like it.
After waiting a little and making sure that nothing else happened, she decided to go out into the garden at once. Poor thing! Going to the door, she discovered that she had forgotten the golden key on the table, and when she returned to the table, she realized that now she could not reach it. Through the glass, she could clearly see the key lying on the table from below. She tried to climb onto the table on the glass leg, but the leg was very slippery. Tired of her futile efforts, poor Alice sat down on the floor and wept.
Well, that's enough! she told herself sternly a little later. - Tears of sorrow will not help. I advise you to stop right now!
She always gave herself good advice, though followed them infrequently. At times she scolded herself so mercilessly that her eyes filled with tears. And once she even tried to slap her cheeks for cheating by playing a game of croquet alone. This silly girl was very fond of pretending to be two different girls at once.
But now, with all the desire, it is impossible! thought poor Alice. - I'm barely enough for one!
Then she saw a small glass box under the table. Alice opened it - inside there was a pie, on which it was beautifully written in cinnamon: "EAT ME!"
Well, said Alice, I will do so. If at the same time I grow up, I will get the key, and if I decrease, I will crawl under the door. I would just like to get into the garden, but it doesn't matter how!
She took a bite of the pie and thought anxiously:
Growing or shrinking? Growing or shrinking?
At the same time, Alice put her hand on the top of her head in order to feel what was happening to her. But, to her greatest surprise, she did not become either higher or lower. Of course, this is always the case when you eat pies, but Alice has managed to get used to the fact that only amazing things happen around; it seemed to her dull and stupid that life went on as usual again. She took another bite and soon ate the whole pie.
Chapter II. Sea of tears
Everything is weirder and weirder! cried Alice. In her astonishment, she completely forgot how to speak. - I now move apart, like a spyglass. Farewell feet!
(At that moment, she just looked at her feet and saw how swiftly they were carried down. Another moment - and they would disappear from sight.)
My poor legs! Who will take care of you now? Who will put stockings and shoes on you? I can't reach you now, my dears. We will be so far from each other that I will not be at all up to you ... You will have to do without me.
Here she thought about it.
Still, you need to be kinder to them, she said to herself. - And then they will take it and go in the wrong direction. OK! For Christmas I will send them new shoes as a gift.
And she began to make plans.
I'll have to send them by messenger, she thought. - That would be funny! Gifts for your own feet! And what a strange address!
"Fireplace Rug
(which is near the Fireplace Grille)
Right Leg
Greetings from Alice.
Well, what nonsense am I talking about!
At that moment she hit her head on the ceiling: she stretched herself up to nine feet, no less. Then she grabbed a golden key from the table and ran to the door to the garden.
Poor Alice! How could she go through the door now? She managed only to look into the garden with one eye - and then for this she had to lie on the floor. There was no hope of going into the hole. She sat down on the floor and began to cry again.
Be ashamed, Alice said to herself a little later. - Such big girl(here, of course, she was right) - and you cry! Stop it now, do you hear?
But the tears flowed in streams, and soon there was a large puddle about four inches deep around her. Water spilled over the floor and already reached the middle of the hall. A little later, the clatter of small feet was heard in the distance. Alice hastily dried her eyes and waited. It was the White Rabbit returning. He was smartly dressed, holding a pair of kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the other. As he ran, he muttered softly:
Oh, my God, what will the Duchess say! She'll be furious if I'm late! Just furious!
Alice was in such despair that she was ready to turn to anyone for help. When the Rabbit came abreast of her, she timidly whispered:
I'm sorry sir...
The rabbit jumped, dropped his gloves and fan, darted away and disappeared into the darkness.
Alice picked up her fan and gloves. It was hot in the hall, and she fanned herself.
No, just think! she said. What a strange day today! And yesterday everything went as usual! Maybe I changed overnight? Let me remember: this morning, when I got up, was it me or was it not me? Looks like it's not really me! But if so, then who am I then? It's so hard...
And she began to go over in her mind the girlfriends who were the same age as her. Maybe she turned into one of them?
Anyway, I'm not Ada! she said decisively. - Her hair is curly, but I don't! And, of course, I'm not Mabel. I know so much and she knows nothing! And in general, she is she, and I am me! How incomprehensible! Well, I'll check if I remember what I knew or not. It means like this: four times five - twelve, four times six - thirteen, four times seven ... So I will never reach twenty! Well, okay, the multiplication table - it doesn't matter! I'll try geography! London is the capital of Paris, and Paris is the capital of Rome, and Rome... No, everything is wrong, everything is wrong! I must have turned into Mabel ... I'll try to read "How she treasures ..."
She folded her hands in her lap as if she were giving a lesson, and began. But her voice sounded somehow strange, as if someone else hoarsely uttered completely different words for her:
How he treasures his tail
Little crocodile! -
Rumbling and hovering over the sand
The Nile lathers diligently!
How skillfully he moves
Neat claw! -
Like a fish he thanks
Swallowing whole!
The words are not the same! said poor Alice, and her eyes filled with tears again. - So, I'm still Mabel! I'll have to live in this old house now. And I don't even have toys! But the lessons will have to be taught endlessly. Well, it's decided: if I'm Mabel, I'll stay here forever. Let them try then, come here for me! They hang, their heads down, they begin to call: "Get up, my dear, to us." And I just look at them and answer: “Tell me first who I am! If I like it, I will rise, and if not, I will stay here until I turn into someone else!”
Then tears welled up in her eyes.
Why is no one coming for me? How tired I am of sitting here alone!
With these words, Alice looked down and, to her surprise, noticed that, while she was talking, she had pulled a tiny Rabbit glove over one hand.
How did I do it? she thought. - It looks like I'm shrinking again.
Alice got up and walked over to the table to find out how tall she was now. She appeared to be no more than two feet tall, and continued to shrink rapidly. She soon realized that the fan she was holding was to blame, and immediately threw it on the floor. And she did well - otherwise she could have completely disappeared!
Phew! Barely escaped! - said Alice, frightened by such a sudden change, but glad that she survived. - And now - in the garden!
And she ran to the door. But alas! The door was locked again, and the golden key lay still on the glass table.
Time after time it doesn't get any easier! thought poor Alice. - I have never been such a baby! Bad business! Worse than ever...
Then she slipped and - bang! - plunged into the water. The water tasted salty and came up to her chin. At first she thought she had somehow fallen into the sea.
In that case, she thought, we can leave by rail.
Alice had been to the seaside only once in her life, and therefore it seemed to her that everything was the same there: in the sea - bathing cabins, on the shore - kids with wooden spatulas build sand castles; then - boarding houses, and behind them - the railway station.
Soon, however, she realized that she had fallen into a puddle of tears, which she herself had wept when she was nine feet tall.
Oh, why did I cry so! thought Alice, swimming in circles and trying to figure out which way the shore was. “It would be foolish if I drowned in my own tears!” And serve me right! Of course, that would be very strange! However, today everything is strange!
Then she heard some splashing nearby and swam there to find out who was splashing there. At first she thought it was a walrus or a hippopotamus, but then she remembered what a baby she was now, and, peering, she saw only a mouse, which, apparently, had also fallen into the water.
Should I talk to her or not? thought Alice. - Today everything is so amazing that, perhaps, she can speak! Anyway, it's worth a try!
And she began:
Oh Mouse! Do you know how to get out of this puddle? I'm so tired of swimming here, O Mouse!
Alice thought that was the proper way to address mice. She had no experience, but she remembered her brother's Latin grammar book.
"Nominative - Mouse,
Genitive - Mice,
Dative - Mice,
Accusative - Mouse,
Vocal - Oh Mouse!
The mouse looked at her in bewilderment and winked at her slightly (so it seemed to Alice, anyway), but did not say a word in reply.
Maybe she doesn't understand English? thought Alice. - What if she's French? Sailed here with William the Conqueror...
Although Alice was proud of her knowledge of history, she did not have a very clear idea of \u200b\u200bwhat happened when. And she began again:
Ou est ma chatte? (Where is my cat? (French).)
In the textbook of the French language, this phrase was the first. The mouse rushed out of the water and trembled all over with horror.
Sorry! said Alice quickly, seeing that she had offended the poor animal. - I forgot that you don't like cats.
Don't like cats? cried the Mouse piercingly. - Would you love them if you were me?
Probably not, - Alice tried to reassure her. - Please, don't be angry! It's a pity that I can't show you our Dina. If you could only see her, I think you would love cats. She is so sweet, so calm,” Alice continued thoughtfully, swimming lazily in the salty water. - He sits by the fireplace, purrs and washes. And it's so soft, I just want to pet it! And how she catches mice!.. Oh, sorry! Excuse me, please!
The Mouse's fur stood on end. Alice realized that she had offended her to the core.
If you don't like it, let's not talk about it anymore," said Alice.
We will not? cried the Mouse, trembling from its head to the very tip of its tail. - You might think that I started this conversation! Our family has always hated cats. Low, vile, vulgar creatures! I don't want to hear about them!
Good good! said Alice, hurrying to translate the conversation. - And ... dogs ... do you like?
The mouse was silent.
Such a cute dog lives next to us! Alice continued happily. - I would love to introduce you to him! Little terrier! His eyes are sparkling, and his fur is brown, long and wavy! Throw him something, he immediately carries back, and then sits on his hind legs and asks to give him a bone! Whatever he does - you can’t remember everything! His owner is a farmer, he says: this dog has no price! He killed all the rats in the area and all the mice ... Oh, my God! said Alice sadly. I think I offended her again!
The mouse swam away from her with all her might, even the waves began to move on the water.
Mouse, honey! Alice called after her affectionately. - Please, come back. If you don't like cats and dogs, I won't say another word about them!
Hearing this, the Mouse turned and slowly swam back. She turned terribly pale. (“Out of anger!” thought Alice).
Let's get out on the shore, - said the Mouse in a quiet, trembling voice, - and I will tell you my story. Then you will understand why I hate cats and dogs.
And I really had to get out. The puddle became more and more crowded from all the birds and animals that fell into it. There were Robin Goose, Dodo Bird, Lori Parrot, Ed Eaglet and all sorts of other amazing creatures. Alice swam forward, and everyone followed her to the shore.
Chapter III. Running in circles and a long story
The company that had gathered on the shore had a very unattractive appearance: the feathers of the birds were ruffled, the fur of the animals was soaked through. Water flowed from them in streams, it was cold and uncomfortable for everyone.
First of all, of course, it was necessary to decide how to dry quickly. They began to take advice. In less than a few minutes, Alice already felt as if she had known them all for a century. She even argued with Lori the Parrot, who pouted and kept saying:
I'm older than you, and I know better what's what!
Alice demanded that he tell him how old he was, but Parrot resolutely refused. That's where the argument ended.
At last the Mouse, whom everyone treated with respect, cried out:
Sit down, everybody sit down and listen. You will dry me up!
Everyone obediently sat down in a circle, and the Mouse stood in the middle. Alice did not take her eyes off her - she knew that if she did not dry up immediately, she was in danger of a severe cold.
Ghe-ghe! - cleared her throat with important view Mouse. - Everyone ready? Then let's start. It will dry you out in no time! Silence! “William the Conqueror, with the blessing of the Pope, quickly achieved complete subjugation of the Anglo-Saxons, who needed firm power and saw many unjust seizures of the throne and lands in their lifetime. Edwin, Earl of Mercia, and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria...
Y-yes! - said the Parrot and shuddered.
Excuse me, - the Mouse asked, frowning, with excessive courtesy, - you seem to have said something?
No, no, - the Parrot answered hastily.
Sounds like it seemed to me, - said the Mouse. - So, I continue. "Edwin, Earl of Mercia, and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria, supported William the Conqueror, and even Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury, found it prudent..."
What did he find? asked Robin Goose.
- "... found it", - answered the Mouse. You don't know what "it" is?
I wish I didn't know, - answered Robin Goose. - When I find something, it's usually a frog or a worm. The question is, what did the archbishop find?
The mouse did not deign to answer him, and continued hurriedly:
- “... I found it prudent and decided, together with Edgar Zteling, to go to Wilhelm and offer him the crown. At first, Wilhelm behaved very restrainedly, but the impudence of his Norman warriors ... "Well, dear, are you drying up? she asked Alice.
It’s pouring from me, ”Alice answered sadly. - I do not think to dry!
In that case, - announced the Dodo, - I propose to adopt a resolution on the immediate dissolution of the meeting in order to take the most urgent measures for the speedy ...
Speak like a human, said Eaglet Ed. I don't even know half of these words! And you yourself, in my opinion, do not understand them.
And Eaglet turned away to hide his smile. The birds giggled softly.
I wanted to say, - Dodo said offendedly, - that you need to arrange a Run in a circle. Then we'll be dry!
And what is it? Alice asked.
To tell the truth, she was not very interested in this, but Dodo was significantly silent - apparently, he was waiting for a question. And, since everyone was also silent, Alice had to ask.
Than to explain, - said Dodo, - it is better to show!
(Maybe you want to play this game sometime in the winter? In that case, I'll tell you what Dodo did.)
First he drew a circle on the ground. True, the circle did not come out very even, but the Dodo said:
The correctness of the form is not essential!
And then he arranged everyone without any order in a circle. No one gave commands - everyone ran when they wanted. It was difficult to understand how and when this competition should end. Half an hour later, when everyone ran in and dried out, Dodo suddenly shouted:
The run is over!
Everyone crowded around him and, breathing heavily, began to ask:
Who won?
The Dodo could not answer this question without thinking carefully. He froze in place, putting his finger to his forehead (that's how Shakespeare is usually portrayed, remember?), and lost himself in thought. And everyone stood around and silently waited. Finally, the Dodo said:
Everyone won! And everyone will get rewards!
And who will distribute them? they all asked in unison.
She, of course, - answered the Dodo, pointing his finger at Alice.
Everyone surrounded Alice and vied with each other shouted:
Rewards! Rewards! Give out rewards!
Alice was confused. Confused, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a bag of candied fruits.
(Fortunately, their tears did not soak them.) She distributed them to the assembled - each a piece of candied fruit, just enough.
But she also deserved a reward, ”said the Mouse.
Of course, - Dodo picked up importantly. And turning to Alice, he asked:
Do you have anything left in your pocket?
No, - answered Alice sadly. - Just a thimble.
Give it here! Dodo ordered.
Then everyone again crowded around Alice, and the Dodo solemnly handed her a thimble and said:
We ask you to accept this elegant thimble as a reward!
This short speech was met with general applause.
Alice thought the whole ceremony very funny, but everyone looked so serious that she did not dare to laugh. She wanted to reply to the Dodo's speech, but she couldn't think of anything and only bowed sedately and took the thimble.
Everyone started to eat. There was a terrible noise and commotion. The big birds immediately swallowed their candied fruits and began to complain that they did not even have time to taste them. And the smaller birds had candied fruits stuck in their throats - they had to be slapped on the back. Finally, everyone ate, sat down again in a circle and asked the Mouse to tell them something else.
You promised to tell us your story, said Alice. - And why do you hate... K and S.
She uttered the last phrase in a whisper, afraid of offending the Mouse again.
It is a very long and sad story,” the Mouse began with a sigh. After a pause, she suddenly squealed:
Scoundrel!
About the tail? - repeated Alice in bewilderment and looked at her tail. - Sad story about the tail?
And while the Mouse was talking, Alice still could not understand what this had to do with the mouse's tail. Therefore, the story that the Mouse told looked like this in her imagination:
Tsap scratch said to the mouse:
Here are the tricks
we will go to court with you,
I will sue you.
And don't you dare deny
we have to get even
because all morning
I'm sitting idle.
And fuck it
the mouse answered:
Without trial and without investigation
sir, they don't do business. -
I am the court, I am the consequence, -
Tsap-scratch answers her. -
I will condemn you to death.
Here you and kaput.
You don't listen! said the Mouse sternly to Alice.
No, why not, - answered Alice modestly. - You've already reached the fifth curl, haven't you?
Nonsense! - angry Mouse. - Forever all sorts of nonsense! How tired I am of them! This is simply unbearable!
What needs to be taken out? Alice asked. (She was always ready to serve.) - Allow me, I'll help!
And I don't think so! - said the Mouse offendedly, got up and walked away. - You're talking nonsense! You really want to insult me!
What do you! Alice objected. - I didn't even think of that! You just get offended all the time.
The mouse only growled in response.
Please don't leave! Alice called after her. - Tell us your story!
And they all supported her in chorus:
Yes, don't leave!
But the Mouse only shook its head impatiently and ran faster.
What a pity she didn't want to stay! sighed Lori the Parrot as soon as she was out of sight.
And old Medusa said to her daughter:
Oh dear, let this be a lesson to you! You should always keep yourself in hand!
hold on better language, mother, - answered the young Medusa with slight irritation. - It's not for you to talk about it. You will even put an oyster out of patience!
Here would be our Dina! said Alice loudly, addressing no one in particular. - She would instantly drag her back!
Let me ask you: who is this Dina? Lori asked. Alice was always happy to talk about her favorite.
This is our cat,” she answered readily. - You can't even imagine how she catches mice! And how many birds! Once - and swallowed, did not even leave bones!
This speech made a deep impression on the audience. The birds hurried home. Old Magpie began to wrap herself in a shawl.
Let me go home! - she said. - The night air is bad for my throat.
Let's go home, my dears! It's time for you to go to bed!
Soon, under various pretexts, everyone went home, and Alice was left alone.
And why am I talking about Dean! Alice thought sadly. Nobody likes her here! You won't find a better cat! Oh, Dina, my dear! Will I ever see you or not?
Then poor Alice began to cry again - she was so sad and lonely.
A little later, the sound of footsteps was heard again. She looked back. Maybe the Mouse stopped being angry and came to finish his story?
Chapter IV. Bill flies out the chimney
But it was the White Rabbit. He trotted back slowly, looking around anxiously, as if looking for something. Alice heard him mutter to himself:
Ah, the Duchess! Duchess! My poor paws! My poor mustache! She orders me to be executed! How to give a drink, orders! Where did I lose them?
Alice immediately guessed that he was looking for a fan and white gloves, and began to look for them, wishing, out of the kindness of her heart, to help him. But the fan and gloves were nowhere to be found. Everything around has changed - a large hall with a glass table and a door has disappeared somewhere, as if it never happened.
Soon the Rabbit noticed Alice.
Hey Mary Ann, he called angrily, what are you doing here? Run home and get me a pair of gloves and a fan! Hurry up!
Alice was so frightened that she rushed with all her might to carry out the task. She did not even try to explain to the Rabbit that he was mistaken.
He must have mistook me for a maid, she thought as she ran. "He'll be surprised when he finds out who I am!" Anyway, I'll take the gloves and the fan to him, if I can find it, of course!
At that moment she saw a clean little house. On the door was nailed a copper plate, polished to a shine, and on the plate was written: “B. RABBIT".
Alice entered without knocking and ran up the stairs. She was very afraid to meet the real Mary Ann. Of course, she would simply kick her out of the house, and then she would not be able to take the fan and gloves to the Rabbit.
How strange that I should be running errands for the Rabbit! thought Alice. - It's not enough for Dina to give me orders!
And she began to invent how it could be. - "Miss Alice! Come here quickly! It's time for a walk, and you're not dressed yet!" - “Now, nanny! I have to keep an eye on the mouse hole until Dina gets back. She told me to watch so that the mouse does not run away! However, Dina, surely, will be expelled if she begins to dispose of it like that!
Thinking in this way, she crept into a small room that was sparkling clean. There was a table by the window, and on it, as she hoped, lay a fan and a few pairs of tiny gloves. Alice took a fan and a pair of gloves and was just about to leave the room, when she suddenly saw a small vial by the mirror. It didn't say "DRINK ME!" but Alice opened it and raised it to her lips.
As soon as I swallow something, she thought, something interesting happens right there. Let's see what happens this time! I would love to grow up again. Tired of being so tiny!
And so it happened - and much faster than Alice expected. She hadn't even finished half her drink when she hit her head on the ceiling. She had to duck so as not to break her neck. She quickly set the vial down on the table.
Well, that's enough, she said. - I hope I'll stop there. I can't get through the door anyway. Why did I drink so much!
Alas! It was too late; she kept growing and growing. She had to kneel down - and in a minute this was not enough. She lay down, bending one arm at the elbow (the arm reached the very door), and the other clasping her head. A minute later, she again felt cramped - she continued to grow. She had to put one arm out the window and put one foot up the chimney.
There's nothing more I can do, whatever happens, she said to herself. - Will something happen to me?
But, fortunately, the effect of the magic drink ended there. She didn't grow anymore. True, it did not make it easier for her. There were no special hopes for salvation, and it is no wonder that she became sad.
How good it was at home! thought poor Alice. - There I was always the same height! And some mice and rabbits were not my order. Why did I go down that rabbit hole! And yet... nevertheless... Such a life is to my liking - everything here is so unusual! I wonder what happened to me? When I read fairy tales, I knew for sure that this does not happen in the world! And now I got them myself! I need to write a book about me, a big one, a good book. I'll grow up and write...
Here Alice paused, and added sadly:
Yes, but I have already grown up ... At least here I have nowhere else to grow.
What if I stop there? thought Alice. - Perhaps, this is not bad - then I will not grow old! True, I will have to learn lessons all my life. No I do not want to!
Oh, how stupid you are, Alice! she retorted to herself. - How to learn lessons here? There is barely enough room for you... Where are you going to put your textbooks?
So she talked and argued with herself, taking first one side, then the other. The conversation turned out to be very interesting, but then a voice was heard under the windows. She paused and listened.
Following this, the clatter of small feet was heard on the stairs. Alice realized that it was the Rabbit who was looking for her, and, forgetting that she was now a thousand times bigger than him and that she had nothing to fear from him, she trembled so much that the whole house shook.
The rabbit went to the door and pushed it in with his paw. But the door opened into the room, and since Alice rested her elbow on it, she did not give in. Alice heard the Rabbit say:
Well, I'll go around the house and climb out the window...
Oh no! thought Alice.
After waiting for him, according to her calculations, to go to the window, she randomly put out her hand and tried to grab him. There was a scream, something slapped, broken glass rang. It can be seen that he fell into the greenhouses in which cucumbers were grown.
Then there was an angry cry.
Pat! Pat! cried Rabbit. - Yes, where are you?
I'm here! I'm digging apples, your honor!
Digging for apples! the rabbit got angry. - Found the time! Better help me get out of here!
Broken glass rang again.
Tell me, Pat, what's that in the window?
The hand, of course, your honor!
(He pronounced the last two words as one - it turned out something like “your!”)
Cudgel, what kind of hand is this? Have you ever seen such a hand? She just climbed through the window!
Of course it is, yours! It's just a hand!
She doesn't belong there anyway! Go and clean it up, Pat!
There was a long silence, only a whisper was heard from time to time:
Yours, my heart is not lying... Don't, yours! I ask you to...
You are such a coward! Do what you are told!
Here Alice wiggled her fingers in the air again. This time there were two screams. And the glass shattered again.
What big greenhouses there! thought Alice. - I wonder what they will do now! "Put it away, Pat!" I'd love to get out of here too! If only they could help me!
She waited a little longer, but all was quiet. A little later, the creak of wheels and the rumble of voices were heard. There were many of them, and they all spoke with each other.
Where is the second staircase?
I should have brought only one. The second Bill will bring!
Hey Bill! Get her over here!
Put them from this corner!
Gotta tie them up first! They don't even reach the middle!
They will, don't be afraid!
Hey Bill! Catch the rope!
Will the roof hold up?
Carefully! This tile is wobbly...
Broke! Falling down!
Take care of your heads!
There was a loud crack.
Well, who did this?
It seems to me that Bill!
Who will climb into the pipe?
I won't go! Climb yourself!
Well, I do not! Not for any rugs!
Let Bill climb!
Hey Bill! Do you hear? The owner tells you to climb!
Ah, that's it! Alice said to herself. - So, Bill has to climb? Everyone is dumping on him! I would never agree to be in his place. The fireplace here, of course, is small, you won’t particularly swing it, but still I can kick it!
Here's Bill! she said to herself, and kicked with all her might. - I wonder what will happen now!
First she heard everyone shout:
Bill! Bill! There flies Bill!
Hey, there, by the bushes! Catch him!
Keep your head up!
Give him brandy!
Not in that throat...
How are you, old man?
What was that, old man?
Tell me what happened, old man!
I don't know myself... Thank you, no more. I'm already better ... But I just can't get my thoughts together. I feel something hit me from below - and r-times into the sky, like a cracker!
That's for sure, like a joker! - picked up the rest.
We need to burn down the house! said Rabbit suddenly.
Just try - I'll set Dina on you!
There was an instant dead silence.
I wonder what they will do now? thought Alice. - If they had any idea, they would have removed the roof!
After about two minutes, movement began again below. Alice heard the Rabbit say:
To get started, one wheelbarrow is enough.
Wheelbarrows of what? thought Alice.
She didn't think for long. The next minute, a hail of small pebbles rained down through the window. Some hit her right in the face.
I'll stop this now, thought Alice.
There was dead silence again.
Meanwhile, Alice noticed with surprise that the pebbles, falling on the floor, immediately turn into pies. Then it dawned on Alice.
If I eat a pie, she thought, something will definitely happen to me. I have nowhere else to grow, so most likely I will become smaller!
She swallowed one pie and was pleased to notice that her height had shrunk. As soon as she was so reduced that she could pass through the door, she immediately ran out of the house and saw under the windows a whole crowd of birds and animals. In the middle lay on the ground poor Bill the Lizard; two guinea pigs supported his head and gave him something to drink from a bottle. Seeing Alice, everyone rushed to her, but she took off running and soon found herself in a dense forest.
First of all, you need to return to your previous appearance, ”said Alice, making her way between the trees. - And then - to find the way to that wonderful garden. So I'll do it - you can't think of a better plan!
Indeed, the plan was wonderful - so simple and clear. The only bad thing is that Alice had no idea how to do all this. She peered anxiously into the thicket, when suddenly, right above her head, someone barked loudly. She winced and raised her eyes.
The giant puppy looked at her with huge round eyes and quietly extended its paw, trying to touch her.
Be-e-day, ma-a-lenky! - said Alice ingratiatingly and tried to whistle to him, but her lips trembled, and the whistle did not work. What if the puppy is hungry? What good, still eat, no matter how you fawn before him!
Alice bent down, picked up a wand from the ground and, without realizing what she was doing, handed it to the puppy. The puppy squealed with happiness, jumped all its paws into the air and grabbed the stick. Alice dodged and hid behind a thistle bush, afraid that the puppy would trample her in joy. As soon as she appeared from behind the bush, the puppy again rushed to the stick, but did not calculate the strength and flew somersault. Playing with him, thought Alice, is like playing with a draft horse - you'll be killed under the hooves! Alice darted behind the thistle again. And the puppy could not tear himself away from the stick: he ran away, rushed at it with a hoarse bark, and then ran away again. Finally, he got tired and, breathing heavily, sat down at a distance, sticking out his tongue and half-closed his huge eyes.
The time to sneak out was the best. Alice didn't waste a minute. She ran until she was out of breath from exhaustion and the barking of the puppy died away in the distance. Then she stopped and, leaning against the stalk of a buttercup, fanned herself with its leaf.
What a wonderful puppy! said Alice thoughtfully. - I could teach him different tricks, if only ... if only I was the right height! Oh, by the way, I almost forgot - I would still need to grow up! Let me remember how it's done. If I'm not mistaken, you need something to eat or drink. Just what?
And really, what? Alice looked around at the flowers and herbs, but saw nothing of interest. Nearby stood a mushroom - large, almost as tall as her. She looked behind him, and under him, and on either side of him. Then it occurred to her that, if anything, she could see if he had anything on his hat?
She stood up on tiptoe, looked up - and met the eyes of a huge blue caterpillar. She sat with her arms crossed on her chest, and languidly smoked a hookah, not paying any attention to what was happening around.
Alice and the Blue Caterpillar looked at each other for a long time without saying a word. Finally, the Caterpillar took the hookah out of her mouth and slowly, as if half asleep, spoke:
Who are you? asked the Blue Caterpillar. The beginning was not very conducive to conversation.
Right now, I really don’t know, madam,” Alice answered timidly. - I know who I was this morning when I woke up, but since then I have changed several times.
What are you imagining? asked the Caterpillar sternly. - Are you out of your mind?
I don't know, said Alice. - Must be in someone else's. Do you see...
I don't see it, said the Caterpillar.
I’m afraid I won’t be able to explain all this to you, ”said Alice politely. - I don't understand anything myself. So many transformations in one day will confuse anyone.
It won’t knock you down,” said the Caterpillar.
You probably haven’t come across this yet, ”Alice explained. - But when you have to turn into a chrysalis, and then into a butterfly, it will also seem strange to you.
Not at all! said the Caterpillar.
Well, perhaps, said Alice. - I only know that it would be strange for me.
You! repeated the Caterpillar with contempt. - Who are you?
This brought them back to the beginning of the conversation. Alice was a little angry - the Caterpillar spoke to her very unfriendly. She straightened up and said, trying to make her voice more impressive:
I think you should tell me who you are first.
Why? asked the Caterpillar.
The question puzzled Alice. She couldn't think of anything, and the Caterpillar seemed to be quite out of sorts, so Alice turned and walked away.
Come back! the Caterpillar called after her. - I need to tell you something very important.
It sounded tempting - Alice was back.
Keep calm! said the Caterpillar.
This is all? Alice asked, trying not to get angry.
No, replied the Caterpillar.
Alice decided to wait - she had nothing to do anyway, but what if the Caterpillar would tell her something worthwhile? At first, she sucked the hookah for a long time, but finally took it out of her mouth and said:
So you think you've changed?
Yes, madame, - answered Alice, - and it is very sad. I change all the time and don't remember anything.
What don't you remember? asked the Caterpillar.
Read Papa William, the Caterpillar suggested.
Alice folded her hands and began:
Papa William, - said the curious kid, -
Your head is white.
Meanwhile, you always stand upside down.
Do you think this is correct?
In early youth, - the elder said in response, -
I was afraid to spread my brains
But, having learned that there are no brains in my head,
I calmly stand upside down.
You are an old man, - continued the curious youth, -
I noted this fact at the beginning.
Why did you do it so cleverly, father,
Triple backflip?
In early youth, - the old man answered his son, -
I rubbed myself with a special ointment.
For two shillings of the bank - one spool,
Here, would you like to buy a jar to try?
You are not young, - said the inquisitive son, -
You have lived for a hundred years.
Meanwhile two geese at dinner alone
You destroyed it from beak to paws.
In early youth, the muscles of their jaws
I developed by the study of law,
And so often I argued with my wife,
What to chew learned to glory!
My father, will you forgive me despite
To the awkwardness of such a question:
How did you manage to keep a live eel
In balance at the tip of the nose?
No, enough! - said the indignant father. -
There are limits to any patience.
If you ask the fifth question, finally,
Count step by step!
It's all wrong, said the Caterpillar.
Yes, not quite right, - timidly agreed Alice. - Some words are wrong.
Everything is wrong, from the very beginning to the very end, - the Caterpillar said sternly.
There was silence.
What height do you want to be? asked the Caterpillar at last.
Ah, it doesn't matter," said Alice quickly. - Only, you know, it's so unpleasant to change all the time ...
I don't know, said the Caterpillar.
Alice was silent: she had never been so rebuked in her life, and she felt that she was losing patience.
Are you satisfied now? asked the Caterpillar.
If you don't mind, ma'am," answered Alice, "I should like to grow up a little. Three inches is such a terrible height!
This is great growth! - Angrily shouted the Caterpillar and stretched out to its full length. (It was exactly three inches.)
But I'm not used to it! said poor Alice plaintively. And I thought to myself: “How touchy they are all here!”
You'll get used to it in time, - objected the Caterpillar, put the hookah in her mouth and blew smoke into the air.
Alice waited patiently until the Caterpillar would deign to turn his attention back to her. After about two minutes, she took the hookah out of her mouth, yawned - once, twice - and stretched. Then she slid off the mushroom and disappeared into the grass, saying goodbye to Alice:
Bite off on one side - you will grow up, on the other - you will decrease!
On the one hand what? thought Alice. - On the other side of what?
Mushroom, - answered the Caterpillar, as if having heard the question, and disappeared from sight.
For a minute Alice looked thoughtfully at the mushroom, trying to determine where he had one side, and where - the other; the mushroom was round, and this completely confused her. Finally, she made up her mind: she grabbed the mushroom with her hands and broke off a piece on each side.
I wonder which one is which? she thought, and took a bite out of the one she was holding in right hand. At that very moment, she felt a strong blow from below in the chin: it hit her legs!
This sudden change frightened her greatly; there was not a minute to lose, for it was rapidly decreasing. Alice took another piece, but her chin was pressed so firmly against her legs that she could not open her mouth. Finally, she succeeded - and she bit off a little mushroom from her left hand.
Well, the head is finally free! Alice exclaimed happily. However, her joy was immediately replaced by anxiety: her shoulders had disappeared somewhere. She looked down, but saw only a neck of incredible length, which towered like a huge pole above the green sea of leaves.
What is this greenery? said Alice. And where did my shoulders go? My poor hands, where are you? Why can not I see you?
With these words, she moved her hands, but she still could not see them, only a rustle passed through the foliage far below.
Convinced that it would not be possible to raise her hands to her head, Alice decided to bend her head towards them and was delighted to find that her neck, like a snake, bends in any direction. Alice arched her neck in a graceful zigzag, preparing to dive into the foliage (it was already clear to her that these were the tops of the trees under which she had just stood), when suddenly a loud hiss was heard. She shuddered and stepped back. Right in her face, furiously beating its wings, a turtledove rushed,
Snake! shouted the Dove.
I'm not a snake! Alice was outraged. - Leave me alone!
I say snake! repeated the Turtle Dove somewhat more reservedly.
And, with a sob, she added:
I've tried everything - and all to no avail. They are not happy with anything!
I have no idea what you are talking about! said Alice.
Tree roots, river banks, bushes,” continued the Turtle Dove, not listening. - Oh, those snakes! You won't please them!
Alice became more and more perplexed. However, she understood that until the Turtle had finished, it was pointless to ask her questions.
Not only do I hatch chicks, but also guard them day and night from snakes! For three weeks now, I have not closed my eyes for a minute!
I'm sorry you're so disturbed," said Alice. She began to understand what was going on.
And as soon as I settled down on the highest tree, - the Turtle Dove continued louder and louder, and finally bursting into a cry, - as soon as I thought that I had finally got rid of them, how not! They are right here! They're coming at me from the sky! Woo! Snake in the grass!
I'm not a snake! said Alice. - I just... just...
Well, tell me, tell me, who are you? - picked up the Dove. It's obvious you want to think of something.
I... I... a little girl, - Alice said not very confident, remembering how many times she changed that day.
Well, of course, - answered the Turtle Dove with the greatest contempt. - I've seen a lot of little girls in my lifetime, but with such a neck - not a single one! No, you won't fool me! The real snake - that's who you are! You will tell me that you have never tasted eggs.
No, why, I tried, - answered Alice. (She always told the truth.) - Girls, you know, also eat eggs.
It can't be, said the Turtle Dove. "But if that's the case, then they're snakes too!" I have nothing more to say.
The thought struck Alice so much that she fell silent. And Gorlitsa added:
I know, I know, you're looking for eggs! Whether you're a girl or a snake, I don't care.
But I don’t care at all,” Alice hastened to object. - And, to tell the truth, I'm not looking for eggs! And even if I did, I still wouldn't need yours. I don't like raw!
Well, then get out! - said the Turtle Dove gloomily and sat down on her nest again.
Alice began to descend to the ground, which turned out to be not at all easy: her neck kept getting tangled among the branches, so that we had to stop and pull her out of there. A little later, Alice remembered that she was still holding the pieces of the mushroom in her hands, and began to carefully, bit by bit, first from one, and then from the other, now growing, then shrinking, until finally she returned to her former appearance.
At first this seemed very strange to her, since she had already managed to wean herself from her own height, but she soon got used to it and began talking to herself again.
Well, half of the plan is done! How amazing are these changes! You don't know what will happen to you in the next moment ... Well, nothing, now I have the same height again. And now we need to get into that garden. I would like to know: how to do it?
Then she went out into the clearing, where he stood small house not more than four feet high.
Whoever lives there, thought Alice, I can't go there like this. I'll scare them to death!
She set to work on the mushroom and did not approach the house until she had shrunk to nine inches.
Chapter VI. Piglet and Pepper
For a minute she stood and gazed thoughtfully at the house. Suddenly a footman in livery ran out of the forest and pounded on the door. (That it was a footman, she decided from the livery; judging by his appearance, it was just a bream.) Another livery footman with a round physiognomy and bulging eyes, very similar to a frog, opened to him. Alice noticed that both of them were wearing powdered wigs with long curls on their heads. She wanted to know what was happening here - she hid behind a tree and began to listen.
The footman-Bream took out from under his arm a huge letter (no less than the size of himself) and handed it to the Frog.
Duchess,” he said with extraordinary gravity. - From the Queen. Croquet invitation.
The frog accepted the letter and just as importantly repeated its words, only slightly changing their order:
From the Queen. Duchess. Croquet invitation.
Then they bowed to each other so low that their curls were tangled.
Alice laughed so much that she had to run away into the forest so that they would not hear; when she returned and peered out from behind the tree, Bream the Footman was no longer there, and the Frog was sitting on the ground near the door, staring blankly at the sky.
Alice timidly approached the door and knocked.
There's nothing to knock on," said the Lackey. - For two reasons, it's useless. First, I'm on the same side of the door as you. And secondly, they are so noisy there that no one will hear you anyway.
Indeed, there was a terrible noise in the house - someone squealed, someone sneezed, and at times there was a deafening ringing, as if dishes were being beaten there.
Tell me, please, - asked Alice, - how can I get into the house?
You could still knock, - continued the Frog, without answering the question, - if there was a door between us. For example, if you were there, you would knock, and then I would let you out.
All this time he kept looking up at the sky. This struck Alice as extremely impolite.
Maybe it's not his fault, she thought. - It's just that his eyes are almost on the top of his head. But, of course, he could answer questions.
How can I get into the house? she repeated loudly.
I'll sit here, - said the Frog, - at least until tomorrow ...
At that moment, the door swung open, and a huge dish flew at the Frog's head. But the Frog didn't bat an eyelid. The dish flew past, lightly hitting his nose, and shattered against the tree behind him. “or until the day after tomorrow,” he went on, as if nothing had happened.
How can I get into the house? Alice repeated louder.
Is it worth getting there? said the Frog. - That is the question.
Maybe so it was, but Alice did not like it at all.
How they love to argue, those little animals! she thought. - They will drive you crazy with their conversations!
The Frog apparently decided that now is the time to repeat his remarks with slight variations.
So I will sit here, - he said, - day after day, month after month ...
What should I do? Alice asked.
Whatever you want, - answered the Frog and whistled.
There is no need to talk to him, - Alice thought with annoyance. - He's so stupid!
She pushed open the door and entered.
There was smoke in the spacious kitchen; in the middle, on a broken stool, sat the Duchess, rocking the baby; the cook at the stove bent over a huge cauldron filled to the brim with soup.
There is way too much pepper in this soup! thought Alice. She sneezed and couldn't stop.
In any case, there was too much pepper in the air. Even the Duchess sneezed from time to time, and the baby sneezed and squealed non-stop. Only the cook did not sneeze, and even - huge cat that sat by the stove and smiled from ear to ear.
Can you please tell me why your cat is smiling like that? Alice asked timidly. She didn't know if it was good for her to speak first, but she couldn't help it.
Because, said the Duchess. - It's a Cheshire cat - that's why! Oh you pig!
She uttered the last words with such fury that Alice jumped straight up. But she immediately realized that this did not refer to her, but to the baby, and with determination she continued:
I didn't know Cheshire cats were always smiling. To be honest, I didn't even know cats could smile.
They know how, - answered the Duchess. And almost everyone is smiling.
I have never seen such a cat, - politely remarked Alice, very pleased that the conversation was going so well.
You haven't seen much," the Duchess snapped. - That's for sure!
Alice did not like her tone at all, and she thought that it would be better to turn the conversation to something else. While she was thinking about what else she should talk about, the cook took the cauldron off the stove and, without wasting words, began to throw everything that came to her hand at the Duchess and the baby: a shovel, a poker, charcoal tongs flew at their heads ; they were followed by cups, plates and saucers. But the Duchess did not raise an eyebrow, even though something hit her; and the baby was so flooded before that it was impossible to understand whether it hurt him or not.
Be careful, I beg you, ”shouted Alice, jumping up in fear. -
Oh, right in the nose! Poor nose!
(At that moment, a huge dish flew right past the baby and almost cut off his nose.)
If some people didn't interfere in other people's business, - the Duchess grumbled hoarsely, - the earth would spin faster!
Nothing good would come of it, - said Alice, rejoicing at the opportunity to show her knowledge. “Just imagine what would happen to day and night. After all, the earth makes a revolution in twenty-four hours ...
Turnover? repeated the Duchess thoughtfully. And, turning to the cook, she added:
Take her for a ride! First, chop off her head!
Alice glanced anxiously at the cook, but she took no notice of the hint and continued to stir her soup.
Twenty-four, I think,” continued Alice thoughtfully, “maybe twelve?
Leave me alone,” said the Duchess. I've never been good with numbers!
She sang a lullaby and rocked the baby, shaking it violently at the end of each verse.
Beat your son
Because he sneezes.
He teases you for sure
Annoying on purpose!
(He was picked up by the baby and the cook)
Woof! Woof! Woof!
The Duchess sang the second verse. She threw the baby up to the ceiling and caught him, and he squealed so much that Alice could hardly understand the words.
Any son beats his mother
Because he sneezes.
He might love pepper
But he just doesn't want to!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Hold on! cried the Duchess suddenly, and threw the baby to Alice.
You can rock it a little if that's how you like it. And I have to go and change for the Queen's croquet.
With that, she ran out of the kitchen. The cook threw a pot after her, but missed.
Alice almost dropped the baby from her hands. He had a strange look, and his arms and legs stuck out in different sides like a starfish. The poor thing was puffing like a locomotive, and was flexing all over, so that Alice could hardly hold him.
Finally, she understood how to handle him: she took him by the right ear with one hand, and with the other - by left leg, twisted into a knot and held, not releasing for a minute. So she managed to get him out of the house.
If I don't take the kid with me, thought Alice, they'll kill him in a day or two. Leaving him here is a crime!
She said the last words aloud, and the baby grunted softly in agreement (he had already stopped sneezing).
Don't grunt, said Alice. - Express your thoughts in a different way!
The baby grunted again. Alice looked at him with concern. It seemed very suspicious to her: the nose was so upturned that it looked more like a piglet, and the eyes were too small for a baby. In general, Alice did not like his appearance at all.
Maybe he just sobbed, she thought, and looked into his eyes for tears.
There were no tears.
That's what, my dear, - said Alice seriously, - if you are going to turn into a piglet, I will not know you any more. So look!
The poor thing sobbed again (or grunted - hard to tell!), and they continued on their way in silence.
Alice was already beginning to think about what to do with him when she got home, when suddenly he grunted again, so loudly that she was frightened. She peered into his face and clearly saw: it was a real pig! It would be foolish to carry it on. Alice set him down on the ground and was very glad to see how cheerfully he trotted away.
If he had grown a little, she thought, he would have made a very unpleasant child. And as a pig, he is very cute!
And she began to think of other children who would have made excellent piglets.
If I only knew how to transform them, she thought, and shuddered. A few paces away, the Cheshire Cat sat on a branch.
Seeing Alice, the Cat only smiled. He looked good-natured, but his claws were long and his teeth were so numerous that Alice knew at once that he was not to be trifled with.
Kitty! Cheshik! Alice began timidly. She didn't know if he liked the name, but he only smiled wider in response.
Nothing, - thought Alice, - seems satisfied. She asked aloud:
Please tell me where should I go from here? Where do you want to go? - answered the Cat.
I don't care... - said Alice.
Then it doesn't matter where you go, - said the Cat.
Just to get somewhere, - Alice explained.
You will definitely get somewhere, - said the Cat. - You just need to walk long enough.
It was impossible to disagree with this. Alice decided to change the subject.
What kind of people live here? she asked.
Over there, - said the Cat and waved his right paw, - lives the Hatter. And there, - and he waved his left, - the March Hare. It doesn't matter who you go to. Both are out of their minds.
What am I crazy for? said Alice.
Nothing can be done, - objected the Cat. - We are all out of our minds here - you and I.
How do you know I'm out of my mind? Alice asked.
Of course, not in his own way, - answered the Cat. "Otherwise how would you be here?"
This argument seemed to Alice not at all convincing, but she did not argue, but only asked:
How do you know you're out of your mind?
Let's start with the fact that the dog is sane. Agree?
Let's say, agreed Alice.
In my opinion, you are not grumbling, but purring, ”Alice objected. Anyway, that's what I call it.
Call it what you want, - said the Cat. - The essence of this does not change. Are you playing croquet at the Queen's tonight?
I'd love to," said Alice, "but I haven't been invited yet.
Then until the evening, - said the Cat and disappeared.
Alice was not very surprised by this - she had already begun to get used to all sorts of oddities. She stood and looked at the branch where the Cat had just been sitting, when suddenly he reappeared in the same place.
By the way, what happened to the baby? - said the Cat. - I completely forgot to ask you.
He turned into a pig, - answered Alice, and without batting an eyelid.
I thought so, - said the Cat and disappeared again.
Alice waited a little to see if he would appear again, but he did not appear, and she went to where, according to him, the March Hare lived.
I have already seen the hatmakers, she said to herself. - The March Hare, in my opinion, is much more interesting. Besides, it's May now - perhaps he's come to his senses a little.
Then she looked up and saw the Cat again.
How did you say: into a pig or into a caterpillar? - asked the Cat.
I said: into a pig, - Alice answered. - Can you disappear and appear not so suddenly? And then my head is spinning.
Good, - said the Cat and disappeared - this time very slowly. The tip of his tail disappeared first, and his smile last; she hovered in the air for a long time, when everything else was already gone.
Y-yes! thought Alice. - I saw cats without smiles, but a smile without a cat! I have never seen anything like this in my life.
Walking a little further, she saw the March Hare's house. It was impossible to make a mistake - two pipes protruded from the hare fur on the roof, surprisingly similar to hare ears. The house was so big that Alice decided to eat some of the mushroom she was holding in her left hand first. After waiting until she was two feet tall, she moved hesitantly towards the house.
But is he still violent? she thought. - I'd rather go to the Hatter!
Chapter VII. Crazy Tea Party
Near the house, under a tree, there was a laid table, and at the table the March Hare and the Hatter were drinking tea; between them the Dormouse Mouse slept soundly. Hatter and Hare leaned on her as if on a pillow, and talked over her head:
Poor Sonya, thought Alice. How uncomfortable she must be! However, she sleeps - so she doesn't care.
The table was large, but the teapots sat on one end, on the corner. Seeing Alice, they shouted:
Busy! Busy! There are no seats!
As many places as you want! - Alice was indignant and sat down in a large chair at the head of the table.
Have some wine, the March Hare suggested cheerfully.
Alice looked at the table, but saw no bottle or glasses.
I don't see him, she said.
Still would! He is not here! replied the March Hare.
Why are you offering it to me? Alice got angry. - That's not very polite.
Why did you sit down uninvited? replied the March Hare. - It's also impolite!
I didn't know this table was just for you, said Alice. - There are many more devices.
You've grown too big! said the Hatter suddenly. Until now, he had been silent and only looked at Alice with curiosity.
It wouldn't hurt to get a haircut.
Learn not to get personal, ”Alice answered, not without severity. - It's very rude.
Hatter opened his eyes wide, but could not find anything to answer.
How does a raven look like a desk? he asked at last.
That's better, thought Alice. - Riddles are much more fun...
I think I can guess that,” she said aloud.
Are you saying that you think you know the answer to this riddle? asked the March Hare.
Quite right, agreed Alice.
I would have said so, ”said the March Hare. - You should always say what you think.
That's what I do," Alice hastened to explain. - At least... At least I always think what I say... and it's the same thing...
It's not the same thing at all," the Hatter objected. - So you still have something good to say, as if “I see what I eat” and “I eat what I see” are one and the same!
So you will still say that “What I have, I love” and “What I love, I have” are one and the same! said the March Hare.
So you still say, ”Sonya said without opening her eyes,“ as if “I breathe while I sleep” and “I sleep while I breathe” are one and the same!
For you, it is, in any case, one and the same! said the Hatter, and the conversation ended there.
For a minute they all sat in silence. Alice tried to remember what little she knew about ravens and desks. The Hatter spoke first.
What is today's date? he asked, turning to Alice and taking a watch out of his pocket. He looked at them anxiously, shook them, and put them to his ear.
Alice thought and answered:
Fourth.
They are two days behind,” the Hatter sighed.
I told you not to lubricate them butter! he added angrily, turning to the March Hare.
The oil was the freshest,” the Hare objected timidly.
Yes, but there must have been some crumbs in there,” the Hatter grumbled. - It was not necessary to smear with a bread knife.
The March Hare took the watch and looked at it dejectedly, then dipped it into a cup of tea and looked again.
I assure you the oil was the freshest,” he repeated. Apparently, he couldn't think of anything else.
Alice peered curiously over his shoulder.
What a funny watch! she remarked. - They show the date, not the hour!
What's wrong with that? muttered the Hatter. - Does your watch show the year?
Of course not, Alice answered readily. “After all, the year goes on for a very long time!
Well, I have the same! said the Hatter.
Alice was confused. The Hatter's words seemed to make no sense, even though every single word was understandable.
I don't quite understand you," she said politely.
The Dormouse is sleeping again, - the Hatter noticed and splashed hot tea on her nose.
Sonya shook her head in annoyance and, without opening her eyes, said:
Of course, of course, I was just about to say the same thing.
Did you solve the riddle? asked the Hatter, turning back to Alice.
No, Alice replied. - I give up. What is the answer?
I have no idea, said the Hatter.
And I, too, - picked up the March Hare.
Alice sighed.
If you have nothing to do, - she said with annoyance, - you could come up with something better than riddles without an answer. And you are just wasting your time!
If you knew Time as well as I do, said the Hatter, you wouldn't say that. You won't lose it! Not attacked!
I don't understand, said Alice.
Still would! The Hatter shook his head contemptuously. “You never spoke to him!
Maybe she didn’t talk, ”Alice answered cautiously. - But more than once I thought about how to kill time!
Ah! then everything is clear,” said the Hatter. - Kill Time! How could he like that! If you did not quarrel with him, you could ask him for whatever you want. Let's say it's nine o'clock in the morning - it's time to go to class. And you whispered a word to him and - r-time! - arrows ran forward! Half past two - lunch!
(- That would be good! - the March Hare sighed softly.)
Of course, that would be fine, - said Alice thoughtfully, - but I won’t have time to get hungry.
At first, perhaps not, said the Hatter. - But you can keep the arrows at half past two as long as you want.
That's what you did, right? Alice asked.
The Hatter shook his head grimly.
No, he replied. - We quarreled with him in March - just before this one (he pointed with a spoon at the March Hare) went crazy. queen gave big concert and I had to sing "Owl". Do you know this song?
You blink, my owl!
I don't know what's wrong with you!
I heard something like that,” said Alice.
You are high above us.
Like a tray above heaven!
Then Sonya started up and sang in her sleep: “You are blinking, blinking, blinking ...”
She couldn't stop. The Hare and the Hatter had to pinch her on both sides to keep her quiet.
As soon as I finished the first verse, someone said: “Of course, it would be better if he kept quiet, but you have to kill time somehow!” The queen screams: “To kill time! He wants to kill Time! Cut off his head!"
What cruelty! exclaimed Alice.
Since then, - the Hatter continued sadly, - Time won't lift a finger for me! And it's six on the clock...
Then it dawned on Alice.
Is that why it's served here for tea? she asked.
Yes, answered the Hatter with a sigh. It's always tea time here. We don't even have time to wash the dishes!
And just transfer, right? Alice guessed.
Quite right, said the Hatter. - Let's drink a cup and move on to the next one.
And when you reach the end, then what? Alice dared to ask.
What if we change the subject? asked the March Hare and yawned widely. I'm tired of these conversations. I suggest: let the young lady tell us a fairy tale.
I'm afraid I don't know anything, - Alice was frightened.
Then let Sonya tell, - shouted the Hatter and the Hare. - Sonya, wake up!
Sonya slowly opened her eyes.
I did not think to sleep, - she whispered hoarsely. - I heard everything you said.
Tell a story! demanded the March Hare.
Yes, please tell me, - picked up Alice.
And hurry up," added the Hatter. - And then you will fall asleep again!
Once upon a time there were three sisters, - Sonya began quickly. - Their names were Elsie, Lacey and Tilly, and they lived at the bottom of the well...
And what did they eat? Alice asked. She was always interested in what people eat and drink.
Kissel, - Sonya answered, thinking a little.
All the time one jelly? It's impossible," Alice objected softly. They would then get sick.
They got sick, - said Sonya. - And very seriously.
Alice tried to understand how it is possible to eat one jelly all her life, but it was so strange and surprising that she only asked:
Why did they live at the bottom of the well?
Have some more tea,” said the March Hare, leaning towards Alice.
More? Alice asked resentfully. - I haven't drunk anything yet.
She doesn’t want more tea,” the March Hare said into space.
Surely you want to say that she does not want less tea: it is much easier to drink more, and not less, than nothing, ”said the Hatter.
Nobody asked your opinion, - said Alice.
Now who's getting personal? asked the Hatter triumphantly.
Alice didn't know what to say to that. She poured herself some tea and buttered the bread, and then turned to Sonya and repeated her question:
So why did they live at the bottom of the well? Sonya thought again and finally said:
Because there was jelly in the well.
There are no such wells, - Alice shouted indignantly. But the Hatter and the March Hare shushed her, and the Dormouse muttered grimly:
If you don't know how to behave, tell yourself!
I'm sorry, - Alice said meekly. Please continue, I won't interrupt anymore. Maybe somewhere there is one such well.
She also said "one"! Sonya snorted.
However, she agreed to continue the story.
And I must tell you that these three sisters lived in clover ...
Clover? Alice asked. - What did they sing?
They didn’t sing, but drank, - answered Sonya. - Kissel, of course.
I want a clean cup,” the Hatter interrupted her. - Let's move up.
And he moved to the next chair. The Dormouse sat in his place, the March Hare in the Dormouse's place, and Alice, reluctantly, in the Hare's place. In this case, one Hatter won; Alice, on the other hand, lost badly, because the March Hare had just knocked the milk jug onto his plate.
Alice did not want to offend Sonya again, and she cautiously asked:
I don't understand... How did they live there?
What is there not to understand, - said the Hatter. - Fish live in water. And these sisters lived in jelly! Got it, stupid?
But why? Alice asked the Dormouse, pretending not to have heard the Hatter's last remark.
Because they were jelly young ladies.
This answer so embarrassed poor Alice that she fell silent.
So they lived, - Sonya continued in a sleepy voice, yawning and rubbing her eyes, - like fish in jelly. They also drew... stuff... anything that starts with an M.
Why on M? Alice asked.
Why not? asked the March Hare.
Alice was silent.
I'd like to draw too," she finally said. - At the well.
Draw and prick? - asked the Hare.
Sonya, meanwhile, closed her eyes and dozed off. But then the Hatter pinched her, and she shrieked and woke up.
Starts with M, she continued. - They drew mousetraps, a month, mathematics, a set... Have you ever seen how a set is drawn?
Lots of what? Alice asked.
Nothing, said Sonya. - Just a lot!
I don't know, - began Alice, - maybe...
If you don't know, shut up,' the Hatter cut her off.
Alice could not endure such rudeness: she silently got up and walked away. The Dormouse immediately fell asleep, and the Hare and the Hatter did not pay any attention to Alice's departure, although she turned around twice, hoping that they would come to their senses and call her back.
Glancing back for the last time, she saw that they were putting Sonya into the teapot.
I will never go there again! - Alice repeated to herself, making her way through the forest. "I've never seen such a stupid tea party in my life!"
Then she noticed a door in one tree.
How strange! thought Alice. - However, today everything is strange. Let me go through this door.
And so she did.
And again she found herself in a long hall near a glass table.
Well, now I'll be smarter, - she said to herself, took the key and, first of all, unlocked the door leading to the garden. And then she took out the pieces of mushroom that she had in her pocket and ate until she was a foot tall. Then she made her way along a narrow corridor and finally found herself in a wonderful garden among bright flowers and cool fountains.
Chapter VIII. Royal croquet
At the entrance to the garden grew a large rose bush- the roses on it were white, but three gardeners stood nearby and diligently painted them red. Alice was surprised and went closer to find out what was happening there. As she approached, she heard one of the gardeners say to another:
Watch out, Five! Again you splattered me!
It's not my fault, - the Five answered gloomily. - It was the Seven who pushed me under the elbow!
Seven looked at him and said:
That's right, Five! Always blame someone else!
You'd better keep quiet, - said the Five. “Yesterday I heard with my own ears how the Queen said that it was time for you to cut off your head!”
For what? asked the first gardener.
You, Deuce, this does not concern! - cut Seven.
No, it does, - objected Five. And I'll tell him why. Because he brought the cook tulip bulbs instead of onions!
Seven threw a brush.
Well, you know, such injustice ... - he began, but then his eyes fell on Alice, and he fell silent. The other two looked back, and all three bowed low.
Tell me, please, - Alice asked timidly, - why do you paint these roses?
Five and Seven said nothing, but looked at Two; he looked back and said softly:
You see, young lady, it was necessary to plant red roses, and we, fools, planted white ones. If the Queen finds out, we'll be decapitated, you know. So, young lady, you understand, we are trying here until she comes ...
At that moment Five (he had been peering into the garden all this time) called out:
Queen!
The gardeners fell on their faces. Footsteps were heard. Alice turned around - she was impatient to see the Queen.
Ten soldiers marched ahead, lances in hand; they were very similar to gardeners - the same flat and square, with arms and legs at the corners. Behind them walked ten courtiers; their clothes were embroidered with crosses, and they walked two by two, like soldiers. Royal children ran after the courtiers, on their clothes there were hearts embroidered with pure gold; there were also ten of them; cute crumbs held hands and jumped merrily on the go. They were followed by guests, more and more Kings and Queens. The White Rabbit was there too; he said something quickly and nervously and smiled at everyone. He walked past Alice and did not notice her. Behind the guests was the Jack of Hearts, on a scarlet pillow he carried a crown. And the King and Queen of Hearts closed this magnificent procession.
Alice hesitated: maybe she should fall on her face at the sight of such a brilliant procession? However, she did not remember any rules in this regard.
And in general, why arrange processions if everyone will fall on their faces? Nobody will see it then...
And she remained standing.
When the procession came abreast of Alice, everyone stopped and stared at her, and the Queen asked sternly:
Who else is this?
She turned to Knave, but he only smiled and bowed in response.
Fool! said the Queen, shaking her head in annoyance. Then she turned to Alice and asked:
What is your name, child?
My name is Alice, by Your Majesty's permission, - Alice answered politely.
Yes, it's just a deck of cards! Why should I be afraid of them?
And who are they? asked the Queen, pointing to the gardeners who had collapsed around the bush. They lay face down, and since the shirts in the stack were all the same, she couldn't tell if they were gardeners, or courtiers, or maybe her own children.
How should I know, ”Alice answered, surprised at her own courage. - It doesn't concern me.
The queen turned purple with rage and, flashing her eyes like a wild beast, yelled at the top of her voice:
Cut off her head! Cut off...
Nonsense! said Alice very loudly and decisively.
The queen was silent.
And the King put his hand on her shoulder and timidly said:
Think again, friend! She's just a child!
The Queen angrily turned away from him and ordered Knave:
Turn them over!
Knave carefully turned the gardeners over with the toe of his boot.
Get up! shouted the Queen in a loud, piercing voice. The gardeners jumped up and began to bow to the Queen, the King, the royal children and all the rest.
Stop this minute! yelled the Queen. - I'm dizzy from your bows!
And, looking at the rose-bush, she added:
What were you doing here?
With Your Majesty's permission, - Deuce began humbly, dropping to one knee, - we wanted ...
All clear! - said the Queen, who in the meantime was carefully examining the roses. - Cut off their heads!
Don't be afraid, said Alice. - I won't let you get hurt.
And she put them into a flower pot that stood nearby. The soldiers walked around, searched, and walked away.
Well, cut off their heads? cried the Queen.
Their heads are gone, Your Majesty, the soldiers barked.
Great! yelled the Queen. - Shall we play croquet?
The soldiers silently looked at Alice: it was clear that the Queen was addressing her.
Let's play! cried Alice.
Went! roared the Queen.
And Alice entered the crowd of guests, wondering in perplexity what would happen next.
What... what beautiful weather today, isn't it? someone said timidly. She looked up and saw that the White Rabbit was walking beside her and looking at her uneasily.
Yes, the weather is wonderful, - Alice agreed. - Where is the Duchess?
Shh, shushed Rabbit, looking around anxiously. He stood on tiptoe and whispered in her ear:
She was sentenced to death.
For what? Alice asked.
You seem to have said, "What a pity"? asked Rabbit.
And I didn’t think so, ”said Alice. I don't feel sorry for her at all! I said: "For what?"
She slapped the Queen, said the Rabbit. Alice snorted happily.
Quiet! Rabbit was scared. - Suddenly the Queen will hear! You see, the Duchess is late, and the Queen says...
All in place! cried the Queen in a thunderous voice.
And everyone ran, bumping into each other, falling and jumping up. However, a minute later everyone was already standing in their places. The game has begun.
Alice thought that she had never seen such a strange croquet ground in her life: continuous ruts and furrows. Hedgehogs served as balls, flamingos served as hammers, and soldiers served as gates. They made a bridge - and so they stood while the game was going on.
At first, Alice could not cope with her flamingo in any way: she just puts it upside down under her arm, takes his legs back, aims and is about to hit the hedgehog with it, when he arches his neck and looks her straight in the eyes, and so surprised that she starts to laugh ; and when she succeeds in lowering him upside down again, behold! - the hedgehog is gone, he turned around and quietly trot himself away. In addition, all her hedgehogs fell into ruts, and the gate soldiers unbent and went to the other end of the platform. In a word, Alice soon decided that this was a very difficult game.
The players hit all at once, without waiting for their turn, and quarreled and fought all the time over hedgehogs; Soon the Queen became furious, stamping her feet and shouting over and over again:
Cut off her head! Off with his head!
Alice was worried; True, she had not yet had a dispute with the Queen because of anything, but one could arise at any moment.
What will happen to me then? thought Alice. “They love to cut heads here. It is strange that anyone else survived at all!
She looked around and began to think about how to sneak away unnoticed, when suddenly something incomprehensible appeared above her head. At first, Alice could not understand what it was, but after a minute she realized that a smile hovered alone in the air.
It's the Cheshire Cat, she said to herself. - That's good! There will be someone to talk to, at least!
Well how are you? - asked the Cat, as soon as his mouth appeared in the air.
Alice waited until the eyes appeared and nodded.
It's useless to answer now anyway, she thought. - I'll wait until the ears appear - or at least one!
In a minute the whole head appeared; Alice put the flamingo on the ground and began her story, glad to have someone to talk to. The cat, obviously, decided that the head was enough, and did not continue to appear.
I don't think they play like that at all," said Alice. - There is no justice, and everyone screams so much that you can’t hear your own voice. There are no rules, and if there are, then no one follows them. You have no idea how difficult it is to play when everything is alive. For example, the gate through which I now need to pass, went for a walk to the other side of the site! I would drive away the Queen's hedgehog now - but only he ran away as soon as he saw mine!
How do you like the Queen? - asked the Cat quietly.
I don't like it at all," said Alice. - She's so...
At that moment she noticed that the Queen was standing behind her, listening.
He plays so well, - said Alice quickly, - that at least give up right away.
The queen smiled and walked away.
Who are you talking to? asked the King, going up to Alice and looking curiously at the floating head.
This is my friend, the Cheshire Cat, - answered Alice. - Allow me to introduce...
I don’t like him at all,” said the King. - However, let him kiss my hand, if he wants.
I have no special desire, - said the Cat.
Don't you dare speak insolently, the King muttered. - And don't look at me like that.
And he hid behind Alice's back.
Cats are not forbidden to look at kings, said Alice. - I read it somewhere, I just don't remember where.
No, it must be removed, - said the King decisively.
Seeing the Queen passing by, he called out:
Darling, tell them to put this cat away!
The Queen had one answer for everything.
Cut off his head! she shouted without looking.
I'll bring the executioner myself! - said the King happily and ran away.
Alice heard the Queen shouting something in the distance and went to see what was going on. She had already heard the Queen order the heads of three players to be cut off for missing their turn. In general, Alice did not like what was happening very much: such confusion reigned around that she could not figure out who to play. And she wandered back, looking for her hedgehog in the ruts.
She saw him immediately - he fought with another hedgehog. It would be nice to hit him, but Alisin the flamingo wandered to the other end of the garden; Alice saw him trying unsuccessfully to fly up a tree.
When Alice finally caught him and brought him back, the hedgehogs had already stopped fighting and fled.
So be it, thought Alice. - All the same, the gates are also gone.
She tucked the flamingo under her arm so that it wouldn't run away again, and returned to the Cat; she wanted to talk to him more.
As she approached the place where his head was floating in the air, she was surprised to see that a large crowd had formed around her. The executioner, the King and the Queen argued noisily; each shouted his own, not listening to the other, while the rest were silent and only shifted from foot to foot in embarrassment.
Seeing Alice, all three rushed to her so that she would resolve their dispute. They loudly repeated their arguments, but since they were all talking at the same time, she could not understand what was the matter.
The executioner said that it was impossible to cut off the head if there was nothing else besides the head; he has never done such a thing and is not going to do it; he's too old for that, that's what!
The king said that once there is a head, it can be cut off. And there is nothing to talk nonsense!
And the Queen said that if they didn't stop talking this very minute and get down to business, she would have everyone's heads cut off!
(These words plunged society into despondency.)
Alice did not find anything better than to say:
The cat belongs to the Duchess. It would be better to consult with her.
She is in prison,” said the Queen, and turned to the executioner. - Bring her here!
The executioner rushed with all legs to fulfill the order.
As soon as he ran away, the Cat's head began to slowly melt in the air, so that by the time the executioner brought the Duchess, the head was no longer visible. The king and the executioner rushed about the croquet court, and the guests returned to the game.
Chapter IX. The Tale of the Turtle Kwazii
Oh, dear, you can’t even imagine how glad I am to see you, ”the Duchess said tenderly, took Alice by the arm and led her aside.
Alice was pleasantly surprised to see the Duchess in such a good mood, and thought that it must have been the pepper that made her so quick-tempered.
When I am a Duchess, she said to herself (without much hope, it is true), I won't have any pepper in my kitchen. The soup is delicious without it! From pepper, right, and they begin to argue with everyone ...
Alice was very happy that she had discovered a new rule.
From vinegar - they bite, - she continued thoughtfully, - from mustard - they are upset, from onions - they are cunning, from wine - they blame, and from baking - they become kinder. What a pity that no one knows about it ... Everything would be so simple. Eat a muffin - and dobrel!
She completely forgot about the Duchess and shuddered when she said directly into her ear:
You're thinking about something, my dear, and you don't say a word. And the moral from here is... No, I can't think of something! Nothing, I'll remember later...
Or maybe there is no moral here, - Alice remarked.
How is it not! said the Duchess. - Everything has its own morality, you just need to be able to find it!
And with these words she clung to Alice.
Alice did not like this at all: firstly, the Duchess was so ugly, and, secondly, her chin was exactly at the level of Alice's shoulder, and this chin was very sharp. But there was nothing to do - Alice could not ask the Duchess to move back!
The game seems to have gone more cheerfully, - she remarked, in order to somehow support the conversation.
I agree with you completely,” said the Duchess. - And the moral from here is: "Love, love, you move the world ..."
And it seemed to me that someone said that the most important thing is not to meddle in other people's affairs, ”Alice whispered.
So it's the same thing, - said the Duchess, plunging her chin into Alice's shoulder. - And the moral from here is this: think about the meaning, and the words will come by themselves!
How she loves to find morals everywhere, thought Alice.
You wonder, of course," said the Duchess, "why I don't put my arm around your waist. To tell you the truth, I'm not entirely sure about your flamingo. Or still take the risk?
He might even bite,” said the prudent Alice, who did not at all want the Duchess to hug her.
Quite right, agreed the Duchess. - Flamingos bite like mustard. And the moral from here is this: these are birds of the same flight!
Only mustard is not a bird at all, ”said Alice.
You are quite right, as always," said the Duchess. What clarity of thought!
Mustard seems to be a mineral,” Alice went on thoughtfully.
Of course, a mineral, - confirmed the Duchess. She was ready to agree with everything Alice said. - A mineral of great explosive power. Mines are made from it and laid during digging ... And the moral from here is this: a good mine with bad game- the most important!
I remembered, - said Alice suddenly, having missed the last words of the Duchess. - Mustard is a vegetable. True, it does not look like a vegetable - and yet it is a vegetable!
I agree with you completely,” said the Duchess. - And the moral from here is this: every vegetable has its time. Or, if you like, I will put it more simply: never think that you are different from what you could be other than being different in cases where it is impossible not to be otherwise.
I think I would understand better,” said Alice politely, “if I could write it down. And so I didn't really get it.
It's all nonsense compared to what I could say if I wanted to," replied the flattered Duchess.
Please don't worry, said Alice.
Well, what are you, is this a concern, - objected the Duchess. - I give you everything I had time to say.
A trifling gift, Alice thought to herself. - It's good that they don't give these for birthdays!
However, she didn't dare to say it out loud.
Are you thinking about something again? the Duchess asked, and again plunged her chin into Alice's shoulder.
Why shouldn't I think? Alice answered. She was somehow uncomfortable.
Why shouldn't a pig fly? said the Duchess. And the moral...
Here, to Alice's great surprise, the Duchess fell silent and trembled. Alice looked up and saw that before them, with her arms crossed over her chest and a menacing frown, stood the Queen.
Beautiful weather, Your Majesty,” the Duchess whispered weakly.
I'm giving you fair warning," the Queen shouted and stamped her foot. “Either we lose your company, or you lose your head. Decide now - no, twice as fast! The duchess made up her mind and disappeared at once.
Let's get back to our game, - said the Queen to Alice.
Alice was so frightened that, without saying a word, she followed her to the landing. The guests meanwhile took advantage of the Queen's absence and rested in the shade; however, seeing that the Queen was returning, they hurried to their seats. And the Queen, coming up, simply announced that a minute of delay would cost them all their lives.
While the game was going on, the Queen constantly quarreled with the players and shouted:
Cut off his head! Head off her shoulders!
The soldiers got up from the ground and took the unfortunate into custody. Vorottsev as a result became less and less. In less than half an hour, they were gone at all, and all the players were tremblingly waiting for the execution.
Finally, the Queen stopped playing and, catching her breath, asked Alice:
Have you seen the Quasi Turtle?
No, said Alice. - I don't even know who it is.
Well, said the Queen. "That's what quasi-turtle soup is made from."
Never seen or heard of, said Alice.
Then let's go, - said the Queen. - He will tell you everything.
And they went. As she was leaving, Alice heard the King say softly to the guests:
We forgive you all.
That's good! Alice rejoiced. (She was very sad, thinking about the executions.)
Soon they saw the Griffin fast asleep in the sun.
Get up, idler, - said the Queen, - take this young lady to the Quasi Turtle. Let her tell her your story. And I have to go back: I ordered someone to be executed there, I need to see that everything is as it should be.
And she went away, leaving Alice with the Gryphon. He did not inspire much confidence in Alice, but, thinking that it was probably calmer with him than with the Queen, she remained.
Laughter - and only! he muttered half to himself, half to Alice.
Laughter? - Alice asked in confusion.
Well, yes, - answered the Gryphon. - It's all fiction. Execute! He will say too! They didn't have that sort of thing. Okay, let's go!
Everyone here just says "let's go"! thought Alice, obediently following the Gryphon. “Never in my life have I been pushed around like that!”
After walking quite a bit, they saw the Turtle Quasi in the distance; he lay on a rocky ledge and sighed with such anguish, as if his heart were breaking. Alice felt sorry for him from the bottom of her heart.
Why is he so sad? she asked the Gryphon. And he answered her in almost the same words:
All this is fiction. Sad! Say it too! There is nothing for him to be sad about. Okay, let's go!
And they came up to the Quasi Turtle. He looked at them with large, tearful eyes, but said nothing.
This young lady, - began the Gryphon, - wants to hear your story. Take it out and tell her this story! That's it!
Well, I'll tell you," said Quasi in a hollow voice. - Sit down and don't open your mouth until I finish.
The Gryphon and Alice sat down. There was silence.
I don't know how he's going to end if he can't get started, Alice thought to herself.
But there was nothing to be done - she patiently waited.
Once upon a time,” the Quasi Turtle finally said with a deep sigh, “I was a real Turtle.
And again there was silence. Only the Gryphon coughed from time to time, and Quasi sobbed incessantly. Alice was about to get up and say, "Thank you, sir, for a very fascinating story." But then I decided to wait.
Finally, the Quasi Turtle calmed down a little and, sighing heavily, spoke.
When we were little, we went to school at the bottom of the sea. Our teacher was an old turtle. We called him Sprutik.
Why did you call him Sprutik, - Alice asked, - if in fact he was a Turtle?
We called him the Sprutik, because he always walked with a twig, - the Quasi Turtle answered angrily. - You're not very smart!
I would be ashamed to ask such simple things, - picked up the Gryphon.
They both fell silent and stared at poor Alice. She was ready to sink into the ground. Finally, the Gryphon turned to the Quasi Turtle and said:
Come on, old man, hurry up! You can't sit here all day...
And Quasi continued.
Yes, we went to school, and our school was at the bottom of the sea, although you may not believe this ...
Why? Alice objected. - I didn't say a word.
No, she said, - insisted Quasi.
Don't mind! shouted the Gryphon. But Alice did not think to object.
We got the best education, - continued Turtle Kwazii. - And no wonder - after all, we went to school every day ...
I also went to school every day,” Alice said. - There is nothing special about it.
Did they teach you anything extra? Quasi asked anxiously.
Yes, Alice replied. - Music and French.
What about laundry? said the Quasi Turtle quickly.
No, of course not, - Alice answered indignantly.
Well, it means that your school was not very good, - said Quasi with relief. - And in our school, they always added to the bill: "French, music and laundry extra."
Why do you need laundry? Alice asked. - After all, you lived at the bottom of the sea.
I couldn't do the laundry anyway," Quasi Turtle sighed. - I couldn't afford it. I studied only compulsory subjects.
Which? Alice asked.
At first we, as it should be, Sneezed and Squeaked, - answered the Turtle Quasi. - And then they set about the four actions of Arithmetic: Gliding, Lamenting, Tenderness and Exhaustion.
I've never heard of "Lamentation," Alice ventured to remark.
I've never heard of The Lament! exclaimed the Gryphon, raising his paws to the sky. - What is "read", I hope you know?
Yes, - answered Alice uncertainly, - look what is written in the book and ... read.
Well, yes, - said the Gryphon, - and if you don’t know what “to lament” means, then you are completely stupid.
Alice lost all desire to find out what "Lamentation" was, she turned to the Quasi Turtle and asked:
What else did you learn?
We also had Reefs - Ancient Greece And ancient rome, Dirty Writing and Coltsfoot. And more Mimic experiments; Our mimic was an old eel, he came once a week. He also taught us Triconometry, Physiognomy...
Faces? Alice asked.
I can’t show you this,” said the Turtle Quasi. - I'm too old for this. And the Gryphon did not deal with it.
I didn’t have time,” the Gryphon confirmed. - But I received a classical education.
Like this? Alice asked.
And here's how, - answered the Gryphon. - My teacher, an old crab, and I went outside and played hopscotch all day. What a teacher!
A real classic! Quasi said with a sigh. - But I didn’t get to him ... They say he taught Brass, Drama and Mexico ...
That's for sure, - agreed the Gryphon. And both hung their heads and sighed.
How long did your classes last? Alice asked, hurrying to translate the conversation.
It depended on us, - answered the Turtle Quasi. - As soon as we take everything, we'll finish it.
Will you borrow? Alice was surprised.
Why are the classes called that? Griffin explained. - Because in the classroom we occupy our teacher's mind ... And as soon as we occupy everything and leave him nothing, we will immediately finish. In such cases, they say: “He doesn’t mind” ... Got it?
This was so new to Alice that she could not help thinking.
What then happens to the teacher? she asked a little later.
Maybe enough about the lessons, - the Gryphon intervened decisively. - Tell her about our games...
Chapter X
Turtle Quasi took a deep breath and wiped his eyes. He glanced at Alice - apparently, he wanted to say something, but he was choked with sobs.
Well, it's like a bone stuck in his throat, - said the Gryphon, after waiting a little.
And he began to shake Kwazi and beat him on the back. Finally, the Quasi Turtle found his voice and, shedding tears, spoke:
You probably didn't live long at the bottom of the sea...
Didn't live, said Alice.
And I must have never seen a live lobster...
But I tried it ... - Alice began, but she caught herself and shook her head. - No, I didn't.
So you have no idea how nice it is to dance a sea quadrille with lobsters.
No, I don't," Alice sighed. - What kind of dance is this?
First of all, - began the Gryphon, - everyone lines up on the seashore ...
In two rows! shouted the Turtle Quasi. - Seals, salmon, marine; turtles and all. And as soon as you clear the shore of jellyfish...
And it's not so easy, - put in the Gryphon.
First you take two steps forward ... - continued Turtle Kwazii.
Taking a lobster by the hand! shouted the Gryphon.
Of course, - confirmed Turtle Quasi. - You make two passes forward, throw yourself at your partners ...
You change lobsters - and you come back in the same order, - finished the Gryphon.
And then, - continued the Turtle Quasi, - you throw ...
Lobsters! shouted the Gryphon, jumping into the air.
Swim after them! the Gryphon yelled happily.
Tumbling once in the sea! - exclaimed the Turtle Quasi and walked the wheel on the sand.
And return to the beach! That's the whole first figure, - said Quasi in a suddenly low voice. And the two friends, just now, as if mad, jumping on the sand, became sad, sat down and looked longingly at Alice.
It must be very beautiful dance' said Alice timidly.
Do you wanna take a look? asked the Quasi Turtle.
Very much, said Alice.
Get up, - ordered the Gryphon Quasi. - Let's show her the first figure. Nothing that there are no lobsters ... We can do without them. Who will sing?
Sing you, - said the Gryphon. - I don't remember the words.
And they danced importantly around Alice, waving their heads in time and not noticing that every now and then they stepped on her feet. Turtle Quasi sang a sad song.
The cod says to the snail: “Hurry, my friend, go!
A dolphin will step on my tail - it trails behind.
You see, crabs, turtles rush to the sea past us.
Today we have a ball on the seaside, will you go dancing with us?
Do you want, can, can, do you want to dance with us?
You don't know how nice, how fun it is to be a cod.
If we are thrown into the sea and the sea wall sweeps us away!”
"Oh! - the snail squeaked. - They will throw us far!
I don't want, I can't, I don't want to dance with you.
I can’t, I don’t want to, I can’t start dancing!”
“Oh, what is so far? - answered the cod. -
Where it is far from England, there France is close.
Many miles from the shores there are shores again.
Don't be shy, my snail, and let's go dancing with me.
Do you want, can, can, do you want to go dancing with me?
Can you, would you, would you, could you come dance with me?”
Thank you very much,” said Alice, glad that the dance was finally over. - It was very interesting to see. And I really liked the song about cod! So funny...
By the way, about cod, - began the Turtle Kwazii. - You, of course, saw her?
Yes, said Alice. She used to come to our place for lunch sometimes.
She paused in fright, but Quasi Turtle was not embarrassed.
I don't know what you mean by that, - remarked Turtle Quasi, - but since you met so often, you certainly know what she looks like...
Yes, I think I know,” said Alice thoughtfully. - Tail in the mouth, and all in breadcrumbs.
You are mistaken about crackers, - objected the Quasi Turtle, - crackers would still be washed away into the sea ... Well, her tail, however, is in her mouth. The fact is that...
Here the Quasi Turtle yawned widely and closed his eyes.
Explain to her about the tail, he said to the Gryphon.
The fact is, - said the Gryphon, - that she is very fond of dancing with lobsters. So they throw it into the sea. So she flies far, far away. Here her tail gets stuck in her mouth - so hard that you can’t pull it out. All.
Thank you, Alice said. - It is very interesting. I didn't know anything about cod.
If you want, - said the Gryphon, - I can tell you a lot more about cod! Do you know why they call it cod?
I never thought about it, - Alice answered. - Why?
There is a lot of cod, - said the Gryphon significantly.
Alice was confused.
Lots of cod? she asked in bewilderment.
Well, yes, - confirmed the Gryphon. - She is a so-so fish, there is little sense from her, but a lot of cod.
Alice was silent and only looked at the Gryphon with wide eyes.
He likes to talk very much, - continued the Gryphon. - As soon as it starts to crack, at least run away. And I have chosen my own friends. One old man Sudachok goes to her. Chatting from morning to night! And the Pike runs in - so she pecks everyone. Sometimes there is a catfish - this one doubts everything ... And when they all get together, they will make such a fuss that the head is spinning ... Do you know the Beluga?
Alice nodded.
So they brought her. No way, poor thing, can not come to her senses. Everything roars and roars...
That's why they say: "Roars like a beluga"? Alice asked timidly.
Well, yes, - said the Gryphon. - That's why.
Then the Quasi Turtle opened his eyes.
Well, enough of that, he said. - Now tell me about your adventures.
I'll be happy to tell you everything that happened to me this morning, - said Alice uncertainly. - And I won’t talk about yesterday, because then I was completely different.
Explain yourself, - said the Turtle Quasi.
No, adventures first, - the Gryphon interrupted him impatiently. - To explain very long.
And Alice began to tell everything that had happened to her from the moment she saw the White Rabbit. At first she was a little uneasy: the Gryphon and the Quasi Turtle moved so close to her and opened their eyes and mouths so wide; but then she grew bolder. The Gryphon and the Quasi Turtle were silent until she came to the point of meeting the Blue Caterpillar and trying to read Papa William to her. Here the Turtle Quasi took a deep breath and said:
Very strange!
Nowhere is weirder! said the Gryphon.
All the words are wrong, - thoughtfully said Turtle Quasi. - It would be nice if she read something to us. Tell her to start.
And he looked at the Griffin, as if he had power over Alice.
How everyone here likes to dispose, - thought Alice. - All they do is force them to read. You might think that I'm at school.
You boiled me! Oh, where's my wig?
And straightening his waistcoat and bow with his nose.
He walks on his toes like a London dandy.
If the shallows are deserted and quiet all around,
He screams that he doesn't care about sharks,
But as soon as he notices sharks in the distance,
He will hide in the sand and shout guard!
Not at all like what I read as a child at school, - said the Gryphon.
I have never heard these verses,” said Kwazi. - But, to tell the truth, - this is terrible nonsense!
Alice said nothing; she sat down on the sand and covered her face with her hands; she couldn't believe that things could still be the way they were before.
She can’t explain anything,” the Gryphon said hastily.
And turning to Alice, he added:
Why is he on tiptoes? asked Quasi. - Explain this to me.
This is such a position in dancing, - said Alice.
But she herself did not understand anything; she didn't want to talk about it anymore.
Alice did not dare to disobey, although she was sure that everything would turn out wrong again, and continued in a trembling voice:
I was walking through the garden one day and suddenly I saw
How the Owl and the Jackal shared the gingerbread.
And the Jackal swallowed the gingerbread whole,
And the Owl only gave a saucer with a rim.
And then he suggested to her: “Let's finish the division -
You take a spoon, I - a fork and a knife.
And, having eaten, the Jackal lay down on the grass,
But first, for dessert, he swallowed ...
Yes, perhaps that's enough, - said the Gryphon to Alice's great joy.
Do you want us to dance again? continued the Gryphon. - Or better let Quasi sing you a song?
Please, a song, if possible, - Alice answered with such fervor that the Gryphon only shrugged.
There is no dispute about tastes,” he remarked offendedly. “Sing her “Evening Meal,” old chap.
The tortoise Quasi took a deep breath and, sobbing, sang:
Evening food, favorite sea soup!
When you shine, green and thick, -
Who will not breathe, who will not understand you then,
Evening food, blissful food!
Evening food, blissful food!
Bliss-e-nnaya E-yes!
Bliss-e-nnaya E-yes!
Evening food
Blessed, blessed Food!
Evening food! Who, contrary to the heart,
Will he ask for salmon and demand cod?
We will forget everything for you, almost a task
rum this blissful Food!
Free of charge this blissful Food!
Bliss-e-nnaya E-yes!
Bliss-e-nnaya E-yes!
Evening food
Blessed, blessed FOOD!
Repeat the chorus! said the Gryphon.
The tortoise Quasi was about to open his mouth, at that moment he heard in the distance:
Judgment is coming!
Let's run! - said the Gryphon, grabbing Alice by the hand and dragging him along, without having finished listening to the song to the end.
And who is being judged? asked Alice breathlessly.
But the Gryphon only repeated:
Let's run! Let's run!
And added a step.
And the breeze from the sea carried a sad chant:
Evening food
Blessed, blessed Food!
He sounded quieter and quieter and, finally, completely silent.
Chapter XI. Who stole the pretzels?
The King and Queen of Hearts sat on the throne, and the rest of the cards and a lot of all sorts of birds and animals crowded around. Knave in chains stood between two soldiers in front of the throne. The White Rabbit spun around the King, holding a trumpet in one hand and a long parchment scroll in the other. There was a table in the middle, and on the table was a large dish of pretzels. They looked so appetizing that Alice immediately salivated.
Rather, they would have finished judging, she thought, and served refreshments.
There were no particular hopes for this, however, and she began to look around in order to somehow pass the time.
Alice had never been to court before, although she had read about it in books. She was very pleased that almost everything here was familiar to her.
There's the judge, she said to herself. - Once in a wig, then the judge.
The judge, by the way, was the King himself, and since he had to put the crown on a wig, he did not feel too confident. Besides, it wasn't very pretty.
These are jury seats, thought Alice. - And these twelve creatures (she had to use this word, because there were animals and birds), apparently, are the jury.
She repeated the last word to herself two or three times - she was very proud that she knew such a difficult word; there are few girls her age, Alice thought (and she was right about that), who understand what it means. However, to call them "jurers" would also be correct.
The jurors, meanwhile, were scribbling something quickly on the slates.
What are they writing? Alice asked the Gryphon in a whisper. Because the trial hasn't started yet...
They write down their names,” the Gryphon whispered back. - They are afraid that they will not be forgotten until the end of the trial.
That's stupid! - Alice said loudly in an indignant tone, but at the same moment the White Rabbit cried out:
Don't make noise in the courtroom!
And the King put on his glasses and looked anxiously into the hall: apparently, he wanted to know who was making noise. Alice was silent.
From her seat, she saw - as clearly as if she was standing behind their shoulders - that the jury immediately began to write: “That's stupid!”. She even noticed that one of them did not know how to spell "stupid", and had to ask a neighbor.
I imagine that they will write there until the end of the trial! thought Alice.
One of the jurors' lead creaked all the time. This, of course, Alice could not bear: she went up and stood behind him; seizing the opportunity, she deftly snatched the stylus. She did all this so quickly that the poor juror (it was little Bill) did not understand what had happened; looking for a lead, he decided to write with his finger. This was of little use, since the finger did not leave any mark on the slate.
Herald, read the accusation! said the King.
The White Rabbit blew his trumpet three times, unrolled the parchment scroll, and read:
The Lady of Hearts baked pretzels
On a fine summer day.
Jack of Hearts was smarter than all
And dragged seven pretzels.
Consider your decision! said the King to the jury.
No, no, - Rabbit hastily interrupted him. - It is too early. Everything has to be according to the rules.
Call the first witness, the King ordered. The White Rabbit blew his trumpet three times and shouted: - First Witness!
The Hatter was the first witness. He approached the throne, holding a cup of tea in one hand and a sandwich in the other.
I beg your pardon, Your Majesty,” he began, “that I came here with a cup. But I was just drinking tea when they came for me. Didn't get to finish...
I could have done it, said the King. - When did you start?
The Hatter glanced at the March Hare, who followed him hand in hand with the Dormouse.
The fourteenth of March, I think, - he said.
Fifteenth,” said the March Hare.
Sixteenth, - muttered Dormouse.
Write it down, the King told the jury, and they quickly wrote down all three dates on slates, and then added them up and converted them into shillings and pence.
Take off your hat, said the King to the Hatter.
She's not mine," said the Hatter.
Stolen! shouted the King triumphantly, and turned to the jury, who at once took up their slates.
I keep them to sell,” the Hatter explained. - I don't have any of my own, because I'm a Hat Maker.
Then the Queen put on her glasses and looked point-blank at the Hatter - he turned pale and shifted from foot to foot.
Give evidence, - said the King, - and do not be nervous, otherwise I will order you to be executed on the spot.
This did not cheer up the Hatter very much: he stomped on the spot, looking frightened at the Queen, and in dismay bit off a piece of cup instead of a sandwich.
At that moment, Alice felt strange. She could not understand what was happening to her, but at last it dawned on her: she was growing again! At first she wanted to get up and leave the courtroom, but on reflection she decided to stay and sit as long as there was room for her.
And you could not push so hard? asked Sonya, who was sitting next to her. - I can hardly breathe.
I can't help it," Alice said guiltily. - I'm growing.
You have no right to grow up here, - Sonya noticed.
Nonsense, - answered, emboldened, Alice. - You know very well that you yourself are growing.
Yes, but I'm growing at a decent rate, - Sonya objected, - not like some ... It's just ridiculous, growing up like that!
She pouted, stood up and crossed to the other side of the hall. And the Queen, meanwhile, kept looking straight at the Hatter, and before Sonya had time to sit down, the Queen frowned and ordered:
Submit here a list of those who sang at the last concert!
Here the poor Hatter trembled so much that his shoes fell off both his feet.
Give your testimony, - the King repeated angrily, - otherwise I will order you to be executed. I don't care if you're nervous or not!
I'm a little man," said the Hatter in a trembling voice, "and before I had time to drink my tea... it's only been a week since I started... I've almost run out of bread and butter... and I kept thinking about the eagle owl above us who is like a tray above heaven...
About what? asked the King.
Tray... above the skies...
Well, of course, - said the King sternly, - under the nose - this is one thing, and above the heavens - quite another! Are you taking me for a fool? Continue!
I’m a small man,” continued the Hatter, “and only after that everything flashed before my eyes ... only suddenly the March Hare speaks ...
I didn’t say anything,” the March Hare interrupted him hastily.
No, I did,” said the Hatter.
I didn’t think so, said the March Hare. - I deny everything!
He denies everything, said the King. - Do not enter into the protocol!
Well, then, then, the Dormouse said, - continued the Hatter, looking anxiously at the Dormouse. But Sonya did not deny anything - she was fast asleep.
Then I cut myself some more bread," continued the Hatter, "and buttered it...
But what did Sonya say? one of the jurors asked.
I don't remember," said the Hatter.
Try to remember, - said the King, - otherwise I will order you to be executed.
The unfortunate Hatter dropped his cup and sandwich from his hands and dropped to one knee.
I am a small man, he repeated. - And I kept thinking about the owl ...
You yourself are an owl, said the King.
Here one of the guinea pigs applauded loudly and was subdued. (Since this word is not easy, I will explain to you what it means. The attendants took a large bag, put the pig upside down in it, tied the bag and sat on it.)
I am very glad that I saw how it is done, thought Alice. - And then I so often read in the newspapers: "Attempts to resist were suppressed ..." Now I know what it is!
Well, that's enough, - said the King to the Hatter. - Turn around!
And I’m all round anyway,” the Hatter retorted happily. - My hats are round, blanks too ...
Round you fool, that's who you are! said the King.
Here another pig applauded and was subdued.
Well, the pigs are finished, thought Alice. “Now things are going to be more fun.
You are free, said the King to the Hatter.
And the Hatter ran out of the courtroom without even bothering to put on his shoes.
And cut off his head there in the street, - added the Queen, turning to one of the attendants.
But the Hatter was already far away.
Call a witness, the King ordered.
The witness was a cook. She held a pepperbox in her hands. She had not yet entered the courtroom, and those who were sitting near the door suddenly sneezed as one. Alice immediately guessed who was about to enter.
Give your testimony here, - said the King.
And I don’t think so,” answered the cook.
The king looked puzzled at the White Rabbit.
Your Majesty will have to cross-examine her,” Rabbit whispered.
Well, cross, so cross, - the King sighed, crossed his arms over his chest and, frowning menacingly, squinted his eyes so much that Alice was frightened. Finally, the King asked in a low voice:
What are pretzels made from?
Pepper, mostly, answered the cook.
From jelly, - said a sleepy voice behind her.
Grab that Sonya! yelled the Queen. - Cut off her head! Hit her in the neck! Suppress her! Pinch her! Cut off her mustache!
Everyone rushed to catch Sonya. There was a commotion, and when at last everyone was seated again, the cook had disappeared.
That's good, - said the King with relief. - Call the next witness!
Now, darling, you cross-examine her yourself. And then my head hurt.
The White Rabbit rustled the list.
I wonder who they will call now, Alice thought. So far they don't have any evidence...
Imagine her surprise when the White Rabbit yelled in his tiny voice:
Chapter XII. Alice testifies
Here! cried Alice, forgetting in her excitement how she had grown in the last few minutes, and so quickly jumped up from her seat that she brushed the edge of her skirt with the bench on which the jury were sitting - the bench overturned and all the jurors fell down on the heads of the seated audience. There they lay, reminding Alice of the fish that had been lying helplessly on the floor a week ago when she accidentally knocked over the aquarium.
Excuse me, please! cried Alice, distressed, and hastily began to select the jury; the case of the aquarium never left her mind, and for some reason it seemed to her that if the jury were not picked up as soon as possible and put back on the bench, they would certainly die.
The court will continue to work only after all the jurors return to their places, the King said sternly.
I repeat: everything! Every single one! - he said with an arrangement, without taking his eyes off Alice.
Alice glanced at the jury, and found that in her haste she had placed Bill the Lizard upside down on the bench; the poor fellow wagged his tail sadly, but could not turn over. She quickly picked him up and set him down properly.
She thought to herself:
Of course, it doesn't matter at all. What is upside down, what is down, there is no benefit from it in court.
As soon as the jury recovered a little and got back the leads and boards lost in the fall, they began to diligently write the history of this incident. Only Bill sat motionless, his mouth wide open and staring at the sky: apparently, he could not come to his senses.
What do you know about this case? asked the King.
Nothing, said Alice.
Nothing at all? the King insisted.
Nothing at all,” Alice repeated.
This is very important,” said the King, turning to the jury. They rushed to write, but then the White Rabbit intervened.
Your Majesty wants to say, of course: it doesn't matter, - he said respectfully. However, at the same time, he frowned and gave signs to the King.
Yes," said the King hastily. - That's exactly what I wanted to say. Doesn't matter! Of course it doesn't matter!
Important - unimportant... unimportant - important...
Some jurors wrote "Important!" while others wrote "It doesn't matter!" Alice stood so close that she could see everything perfectly.
It doesn't matter, she thought.
At that moment the King, who was rapidly writing something in his notebook, called out:
Looked at the book and read:
- "Rule 42. Anyone over a mile tall should leave the hall immediately."
And everyone was staring at Alice.
I don't have a mile," said Alice.
No, there is, - objected the King.
You are two miles away, no less,” added the Queen.
I'm not going anywhere, said Alice. - And in general, this is not a real rule. You just made it up.
This is the oldest rule in the book! the King objected.
Why is it then the 42nd? Alice asked. - It should be the first!
The king turned pale and hastily closed the book.
Consider your decision,” he told the jury in a low, trembling voice.
The White Rabbit hastily jumped up from his seat.
With Your Majesty's permission," he said, "there is more evidence here. One document has just been found.
What's in it? asked the Queen.
I haven't read it yet," replied the White Rabbit, "but I think it's a letter from the accused... to someone...
Of course, someone, - said the King. - It is unlikely that he wrote a letter to anyone. This is usually not done.
To whom is it addressed? one of the jurors asked.
No one, - answered the White Rabbit. “Anyway, nothing is written on the back.
With these words, he unfolded the letter and added:
This is not even a letter, but poetry.
Defendant's handwriting? asked another juror.
No, answered the White Rabbit. And that's the most suspicious.
(The jury is confused.)
So, he forged the handwriting, - said the King.
(The jury brightened up.)
With Your Majesty's permission, - said Knave, - I did not write this letter, and they will not prove it. There is no signature.
So much the worse, said the King. - So, you have something bad conceived, otherwise you would have signed, like all honest people.
Everyone applauded: for the first time all day, the King said something really smart.
Guilt proved, - said the Queen. - Hit him...
Nothing like this! Alice objected. - You don't even know what the poems are about.
Read them! said the King to the Rabbit.
Rabbit put on his glasses.
Where to start, Your Majesty? - he asked.
Start from the beginning, - the King answered importantly, - and continue until you reach the end. When you get there - stop!
There was dead silence. Here is what the White Rabbit read.
I know you spoke to her
And with him, of course, too.
She said, "Very nice
But he can't swim.
She and he were there
(What everyone in the world knows)
But, if the case was given a move.
You would be responsible.
I gave them three, they gave us five,
You promised them six.
But everyone came back to you again,
Although they were mine.
You weren't involved with her
To such an evil deed
Though he once said
That they are tired of everything.
Of course she's hot
Do not argue with me in vain.
Yes, you see, slash in the shoulder
Not so safe.
But he must not know
(Don't spill it by accident).
The rest of the century has nothing to do with it,
And this is our secret.
This is a very important piece of evidence,” said the King, rubbing his hands. Everything we've heard today pales in comparison. Now let the jury consider their...
But Alice did not let him finish.
If any of them can explain these verses to me, said Alice, sense!
The jurors wrote down, "She's sure they don't make any sense," but none of them made any attempt to explain the verses.
If they make no sense, said the King, so much the better. You don't have to try to explain them. However...
Then he laid the poems on his knees, looked at them with one eye and said:
However, I seem to be able to explain something, “... but he cannot swim ...”
And, turning to the Knave, the King asked:
You can't swim, can you?
Jack shook his head sadly.
Where do I go! - he said.
(That was true - it was paper after all.)
So, - said the King and again bent over the verses. “... Everyone in the world knows” - this is, of course, about the jury. "I gave them three, they gave us five..." So that's what he did with the pretzels!
But it says that "everyone has returned to you again," Alice remarked.
Of course they are back,” shouted the King, triumphantly pointing to a dish of pretzels on the table. - It is obvious. - "She's hot, of course..." - he muttered and looked at the Queen. - Are you hot, darling?
Well, what are you, I am unusually restrained, - the Queen answered and threw the inkwell at Little Bill. (The poor fellow had given up writing on the blackboard with his finger, finding that he was not leaving any mark on the blackboard, but now he hurried to start writing again, dipping his finger in the ink that dripped from his face.)
- "Chop off the shoulder ..." - the King read and looked at the Queen again. - Do you ever chop on the shoulder, darling?
Never, said the Queen.
And, turning away, she cried out, pointing her finger at poor Bill:
Cut off his head! Head off the shoulders!
Ah, I understand,” said the King. - You chop off our shoulders, I'm not talking!
And he looked around with a smile. Everyone was silent.
It's a pun! shouted the King angrily.
And everyone laughed.
Let the jury decide if he's guilty or not, said the King for the twentieth time that day.
No! said the Queen. - Let them pronounce the verdict! And he is guilty or not - then we'll figure it out!
Nonsense! Alice said loudly. - As soon as such a thing can come to mind!
Be silent! cried the Queen, turning purple.
I don't think so, said Alice.
Cut off her head! the Queen shouted at the top of her voice.
Nobody moved.
Who are you afraid of? said Alice. (She has already grown to her usual height.) - You're just a deck of cards!
Then all the cards rose into the air and flew into Alice's face.
She screamed - half frightened, half angry - began to fight them off ... and found herself lying on the shore, her head on her sister's lap, and she was quietly brushing dry leaves that had fallen from a tree from her face.
Alice, honey, wake up! - said the sister. - How long did you sleep!
What a strange dream I had! - said Alice and told her sister everything that she remembered about her amazing adventures, about which you have just read.
And when she finished, her sister kissed her and said:
True, the dream was very strange! Now run home, or you'll be late for tea.
Alice jumped to her feet and ran. And while she was running, all the time she thought what a wonderful dream she had.
And her sister remained sitting on the shore. She propped herself on her arm and looked at the setting sun and thought of little Alice and her marvelous Adventures until she fell into a half-sleep. And that's what she liked.
First she saw Alice - again small arms wrapped around her knees, again large shining eyes looked up at her. She heard her voice and saw Alice shake her head to push back the hair that was always in her eyes. She listened: everything around came to life, and strange creatures that Alice dreamed seemed to surround her.
The long grass at her feet rustled as the White Rabbit ran past; in the pond nearby, a frightened Mouse swam with a splash; there was a clang of dishes - this was the March Hare giving his friends endless tea to drink; The queen yelled piercingly: “Chop off his head!” Again the baby sneezed on the Duchess's lap, and plates and saucers whistled around; again the cry of the Griffin was heard in the air, the creak of the lead on the board, the squeal of the suppressed pig, and the distant sob of the unfortunate Quasi.
So she sat, closing her eyes, imagining that she, too, was in Wonderland, although she knew that she should open them, as everything around would again become familiar and ordinary; it is only the wind rustling the grass, driving ripples across the pond and shaking the reeds; the clatter of crockery will turn into the tinkling of a bell around a sheep's neck, the shrill voice of the Queen into a shepherd's cry, the cry of a baby and the cry of a Griffin into the noise of a barnyard, and the wailing of the Quasi Turtle (she knew this) will merge with the distant lowing of cows.
And, finally, she imagined how her little sister would grow up and, retaining a simple and loving childish heart in her mature years, would begin to gather other children around her, and how their eyes would sparkle from marvelous tales. Perhaps she will tell them about Wonderland and, having shared with them their simple sorrows and simple joys, she will remember her childhood and happy summer days.
"Alice" is a godsend for the collector. For 150 years, it has been illustrated by so many artists that it is not possible to determine their exact number.
But it is likely that in this parameter, the fairy tale by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson is the expected record holder.
We are not targeted collectors of "Alice", therefore in Inostranka itself there are several more of them than in ours - there will be a separate post about the "Alices" stored in the fund, but for now I will show books from the open access of the Children's Hall.
First published with classic illustrations John Tenniel. Unfortunately, some of them have not preserved the original cover, so I give only the titles.
1. Carroll Lewis. The Lewis Carroll book\ill. by John Tenniel, Henry Holiday. - NY, 1939.
2. Carroll Lewis. The Annotated Alice. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass\ ill. John Tenniel. - New York: Potter, 1966.
Martin Gardner is an American writer, mathematician, and popularizer of science.
3. Carroll L. Alice for kids / ill. J. Tenniel, cover by E. Gertrude Thomson, per. N. Demurova - - M .: TriMag, 2011.
Carroll was well aware that for very young readers the text would be difficult, so a quarter of a century after the first edition, he retold "Alice" especially for them. John Tenniel, based on his black and white illustrations drew new, enlarged, slightly modified color illustrations, and another well-known artist Victorian era Edmund Evans created woodcuts and printed color illustrations from them.
The book was published last year in Russian by the TriMag publishing house. Like the original 1890 edition, the book contains: opening poem Lewis Carroll "Sweet Baby", his preface addressed to mothers, as well as the appendices - "Easter Greeting" and the poem "Christmas Message".
4. Carroll L. Alice in Wonderland. Alice in the Wonderland / ill. John Tenniel, per. N. Demurova . - M.: Nauka, 1991.
Domestic classic academic commented edition.
The publication includes both fairy tales by Carroll with detailed comments Martin Gardner, as well as articles by writers and scientists on different aspects Carroll's work. Among them are the works of G.K. Chesterton, W. Wolf, W. de La Mara, as well as articles by Russian scientists. It is unique in that it also includes an episode from Through the Looking-Glass - "Bumblebee in a Wig", which Carroll left out during the proofreading process.
Much less well-known compared to John Tenniel's illustrations are the author's own illustrations, which appeared a few years earlier in a manuscript given to Alice Liddell at Christmas 1862 "in memory of a summer day" - the very day when Lewis Carroll invented and told the tale to Alice and her sisters. He then called it a little differently - "Alice's Adventures Underground." With his illustrations, Carroll gave direction to many subsequent artists, his images are often imitated (along with the images created jointly by John Tenniel) - which is not surprising, because this is how the author himself imagined his characters.
The first facsimile edition of the manuscript appeared in 1886, when the work itself was already a huge success.
Ours came out 100 years later.
5. Carroll Lewis. Alice's Adventures Under Ground/ ill. Lewis Carroll. - London: Pavilion Books, 1989.
The Russian reader can get acquainted with Arthur Rackham's illustrations for "Alice" live, thanks to "ID Meshcheryakov", which released "Alice in Wonderland" with his illustrations in Russian in 2010.
6. Carroll L. \ ill. Arthur Rackham. - 1926.
7. Carroll L. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland \ ill. Robert Ingpen. - Sterling, 2009.
8. Carroll L. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland\ill. Barry Mozer. - Berkeley: University of California Press, 1982.
This solid deluxe edition for adult admirers of "Alice" was released for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lewis Carroll.
Layout and illustrations done modern master woodcuts by Barry Moser.
Illustration from the scene of Alice's fall. "Do cats eat bats?"
Cats turn into mice. Mice in cats.
A very unusual image of the Quasi-Turtle.
Alice in Barry Moser is more of an image than a real girl. Facial features behind the bangs are barely distinguishable.
And here is the actual self-portrait of Barry Moser himself.
Such bright, capacious, memorable characters simply had to be created by an equally colorful person))
9. Carroll L. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland\ill. Helen Oxenbury. -
There are a lot of drawings in a completely childish and kind book by Helen Oxenbury - the artist obviously wanted to illustrate every interesting episode.
The main character is very modern - not at all the Victorian girl that she is usually portrayed.
Cover fragment.
10. Carroll L. Alice in Wunderland\ill. Anthony Browne. - Oldenburg: Lappan Verlag, 1989.
Anthony Brownie
We are so accustomed to the fact that the great gorilla lover Anthony Brown illustrates mainly his books, that this find pleasantly surprised us.
True, it was not without gorillas :))
Actually, in this illustration you can find a gorilla.
11. Carroll L. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Through the Looking Glass\ill. Merwin Peake
The first edition of "Alice" with illustrations by Mervin Peak was published in 1946 in Sweden. Mervyn Peake was a writer and poet of nonsense, the author of the trilogy about Titus Groan, illustrated both his own and other people's books. He worked mainly with ink and pen.
Flirtatious Alice.
Gangster-looking rabbit.
Please note that Mervyn Peak's caterpillar has ears :).
Creepy cat.
The same edition included "Alice Through the Looking Glass" ( about editions of "Alice Through the Looking Glass" in our collection can be found in the next post).
12. Carroll L. Alice in Wonderland / ill. Tove Jansson.- M.: Ripol-Kit, 2009.
Tove Jansson took up Alice in Wonderland much later than the first Moomintroll was drawn. Moreover, by this time the entire Moomin Valley had already been created - with Moomin trolls, hemules, fillyjonks, Wifsls and tofsls and other conspicuous creatures inhabiting its nooks and crannies. And Jansson herself became a famous writer and artist and even managed to receive the Finnish Literature Prize and become the winner of another award - the most prestigious Hans Christian Andersen medal.
13. Carroll Lewis. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, told for young readers by the author himself/ Per. from English. N. Demurova; ill. E. Bazanova. - Kaliningrad: Amber Tale, 2006.
Another "Alice for kids", this time with illustrations by contemporary Russian artist Elena Bazanova. Very touching, tender, completely childish "Alice", in which there are no evil or frightening images. The main character here is very similar to the real Alice Liddell.
14. Carroll Lewis. Anya in Wonderland / ill. A. Gennadiev, per. V. Nabokov. - M.: Children's literature, 1989.
In my opinion, one of the most bizarre, frightening and at the same time beautiful artistic solutions for Alice.
Especially for those who see blue and white dreams.
Alice here is very reminiscent of Anna Akhmatova - and in the whole book, it seems to me, there is some touch of decadence.
15. Alice in Wonderland. - M.: Egmont Russia Ltd., 1997.
Book version of the same name animated film Disney studios.
Gennady Kalinovsky participated in several editions of "Alisa". For each of them he created a new layout and new illustrations.
We have Alice in Wonderland in 1987 and 1988 editions.
16. Carroll Lewis. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice in the Wonderland/ ill. Gennady Kalinovsky. - Novosibirsk book publishing house, 1987.
18. Carroll Lewis. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice Through the Looking Glass/ ill. E. Nazarov. - M.: Pravda, 1989.
19. Carroll Lewis. Les aventures d "Alice au pays du merveilleux ailleurs / Dessinateur Jong Romano; Traduction Guy Leclerq. - Au Bord des continents, 2000.
The fairy tale "Alice in Wonderland" is such a significant work for world literature that many, following the English poet Auden, compare the day when it appeared in scale, for example, with US Independence Day.
The story of Alice, who fell down the rabbit hole and entered the land of the absurd, appeared, as is commonly believed, on July 4, 1862. On this hot summer day, in the company of three girls, eight, ten and thirteen years old, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson and a friend were traveling by boat on the Thames. To pass the time of walking and relaxing on the shore, Dodgson allegedly told the story of the real adventures of the girls' middle sister, Alice Lidell.
History of creation
The writer had been working on the handwritten version of the tale since November of that year, and in the spring of the following year, 1863, the manuscript was shown to George MacDonald, another friend of Dodgson's. In its final form, it was presented on November 26, 1864 to Alice Lidell with a dedication: "Dear Girl in Memory of summer day" and was called "Alice's Adventures Underground".
The handwritten version was significantly improved and published on July 4, 1965 by Macmillam and Co with illustrations by John Tenniel. The author came up with pseudonym, Lewis Carroll, by translating the name and surname twice into Latin and back into English.
Description of the work and main characters
There are several main characters in the story. In its plot, the characteristic signs of the social and political life of England in the 19th century, the scientific community of that time, and folklore are beaten.
The plot begins with a description of a trip along the river, which actually took place in the summer of 1862. The fabulousness of the action begins when, during a stop on the shore, Alice sees a rabbit running away in a hat and gloves, rushes after him and falls into a hole. After flying it, she lands in an underground wonderland. The plot of the adventure is tied to Alice's search for the door to the garden, which she saw through the keyhole in the White Rabbit's house after landing. Looking for a way out into the garden, the heroine constantly finds herself involved in various ridiculous situations with other characters in the fairy tale. The work ends with another absurd adventure, during which Alice wakes up and sees that she is still in the company of friends on the river bank.
Main character and other characters
Each character in the tale personifies one of the phenomena that existed in England at that time. Some have prototypes among real people surrounded by Dodgson and Alice Lidell. Under the name of the Dodo bird, for example, the author hid himself. In the March Hare and Sonya, contemporaries recognized the identities of three famous philosophers of that time.
There are several other main characters in the fairy tale: the Queen of Hearts, who immediately demands executions, the ugly Duchess, the insane "little man" Hatter (Hatter), the Quasi Turtle, the Griffin, the Cheshire Cat, known from the beginning of the fairy tale, the White Rabbit and the Caterpillar.
The author left unchanged and not necessary for decoding only the image main character, although he always emphasized that he was not written off from a real child. Alice, according to the memoirs of contemporaries, is easily guessed in the middle daughter of Professor Lidell. The girl has a talent for benevolent curiosity and a logical mindset, an original property.
Analysis of the work
The idea of a fairy tale is based on playing out phenomena and events through the prism of absurdity. The realization of the idea became possible thanks to the image of the main character - Alice is trying to find a logical justification for the ridiculous situations in which she finds herself. Thanks to this technique, the absurdity of the action looms with striking relief.
Carroll introduced into the plot many phenomena that existed in the English life of that time. Playing them in a fairy tale plot, he invites the reader to recognize them. The work is a kind of game with contemporaries on the subject of their erudition and knowledge of the history of England, modern life countries. Many riddles introduced into the fairy tale do not have an unambiguous answer, therefore they are considered unsolved today.
So, it remained a mystery what Carroll hid under the name Mary Ann, whom the White Rabbit called Alice, and why she had to find a fan and gloves. There are several clues. Some of the researchers, for example, associate the appearance of the name with the French Revolution, the instrument of which was the guillotine. Thus, Alice, in their opinion, is connected with two other characters, the Queen of Hearts and the Duchess, who have a penchant for violence.
Mathematician Dodgson introduced a large number of logical and mathematical riddles into a work. Alice, for example, falling into a hole, tries to remember the multiplication table. Having started counting incorrectly, the heroine involuntarily falls into a mathematical trap cleverly set by the author. Throughout the entire action of the tale, the reader is required to solve many puzzles that Carroll scattered throughout the text without counting.
The fairy tale "Alice in Wonderland" is equally interesting to children and adult readers, which is quite rare in literature. Everyone, regardless of the level of erudition, finds food for the mind in the work. The tale has a high artistic value, thanks to subtle humor, excellent literary style, complex, entertaining plot.
