English Original
Often did the Woodcutter and his wife chide him, saying: 'We did not deal with thee as thou dealest with those who are left desolate and have none to succour them. Wherefore art thou so cruel to all who need pity?'
Often did the old priest send for him, seeking to teach him the love of living things: 'The fly is thy brother. Do it no harm. The wild birds that roam through the forest have their freedom. Snare them not for thy pleasure. God made the blind-worm and the mole, and each has its place. Who art thou to bring pain into God's world?'
But the Star-Child heeded not their words. He would frown and flout, and go back to lead his companions. They followed him, for he was fair, fleet of foot, and could dance and make music. When he pierced the dim eyes of the mole with a sharp reed, they laughed. When he cast stones at the leper, they laughed also. In all things he ruled them, and they became hard of heart, even as he was.
One day, a poor beggar-woman passed through the village. Her garments were torn and ragged, her feet bleeding from the rough road. Weary, she sat under a chestnut-tree to rest.
When the Star-Child saw her, he said to his companions, 'See! There sitteth a foul beggar-woman under that fair tree. Come, let us drive her hence, for she is ugly and ill-favoured.'
He threw stones at her and mocked her. She looked at him with terror, her gaze fixed. The Woodcutter, who was cleaving logs nearby, saw this and ran up to rebuke him: 'Surely thou art hard of heart and knowest not mercy. What evil has this poor woman done to thee?'
The Star-Child grew red with anger, stamped his foot, and said, 'Who art thou to question me? I am no son of thine.'
'Thou speakest truly,' answered the Woodcutter, 'yet did I show thee pity when I found thee in the forest.'
Hearing this, the woman gave a loud cry and fell into a swoon. The Woodcutter carried her to his house, where his wife cared for her. When she revived, they offered her food and drink.
But she would neither eat nor drink. Instead, she asked the Woodcutter, 'Didst thou not say the child was found in the forest? Was it not ten years ago this day?'
'Yea,' he answered.
'And what signs didst thou find with him?' she cried. 'Bare he not upon his neck a chain of amber? Was not round him a cloak of gold tissue broidered with stars?'
'Truly,' answered the Woodcutter. He fetched the cloak and the amber chain from a chest and showed them to her.
Seeing them, she wept for joy. 'He is my little son whom I lost in the forest! I pray thee send for him quickly, for in search of him have I wandered over the whole world.'
The Woodcutter and his wife called to the Star-Child, saying, 'Go into the house, and there shalt thou find thy mother, who is waiting for thee.'
He ran in, filled with wonder and gladness. But upon seeing the woman, he laughed scornfully. 'Why, where is my mother? For I see none here but this vile beggar-woman.'
'I am thy mother,' she answered.
'Thou art mad to say so!' cried the Star-Child angrily. 'I am no son of thine, for thou art a beggar, and ugly, and in rags. Therefore get thee hence, and let me see thy foul face no more.'
中文翻译
樵夫和他的妻子常常斥责他，说：“我们待你，不像你对待那些孤苦无依、无人救助的人那样。你为何对一切需要怜悯的人如此残忍？”
老牧师也常派人叫他来，试图教导他爱护生灵：“苍蝇是你的兄弟。不要伤害它。在林中漫游的野鸟拥有自由。不要为了取乐而设陷阱捕捉它们。上帝创造了盲蛇和鼹鼠，各有其位。你又是谁，竟敢给上帝的世界带来痛苦？”
但星孩并不理会他们的话。他会皱眉嘲弄，然后回去带领他的同伴。他们追随他，因为他容貌俊美，脚步轻快，能歌善舞。当他用尖芦苇刺穿鼹鼠模糊的眼睛时，他们大笑。当他向麻风病人扔石头时，他们也大笑。他支配着他们的一切，他们也变得铁石心肠，就像他一样。
一天，一个可怜的乞丐妇人路过村庄。她的衣着破烂不堪，双脚因崎岖的道路而流血。疲惫不堪的她，坐在一棵栗子树下休息。
星孩看见她，便对同伴们说：“看！那棵漂亮的绿树下坐着一个肮脏的乞丐婆。来，我们把她赶走，她又丑又讨人厌。”
他走近朝她扔石头，并嘲笑她。她惊恐地看着他，目光无法从他身上移开。正在附近劈柴的樵夫看到了这一幕，跑过来责备他：“你真是铁石心肠，不知怜悯。这可怜的女人对你做了什么恶事，你要这样对待她？”
星孩气得满脸通红，跺着脚说：“你是谁，竟敢质问我？我又不是你的儿子。”
“你说得对，”樵夫回答，“但当初我在森林里发现你时，确实对你表示了怜悯。”
听到这些话，那妇人发出一声大叫，昏厥过去。樵夫把她抱回自己家，他的妻子照料着她。她苏醒后，他们为她摆上食物和饮料。
但她既不吃也不喝。反而问樵夫：“你不是说那孩子是在森林里发现的吗？难道不是十年前的今天？”
“是的，”他回答。
“你在他身上发现了什么标记吗？”她喊道。“他脖子上不是戴着一串琥珀项链吗？他身上不是裹着一件绣着星星的金线斗篷吗？”
“确实如此，”樵夫答道。他从箱子里取出斗篷和琥珀项链给她看。
一见到它们，她喜极而泣。“他就是我在森林里丢失的小儿子！求你快把他叫来，为了寻找他，我已走遍了全世界。”
樵夫和他的妻子出去叫星孩，对他说：“进屋去吧，你的母亲在那里等着你。”
他满心惊奇和喜悦地跑了进去。但一看到那妇人，他便轻蔑地笑了。“咦，我的母亲在哪里？这里我只看见这个卑贱的乞丐婆。”
“我是你的母亲，”她回答。
“你这么说真是疯了！”星孩愤怒地喊道。“我不是你的儿子，因为你是个乞丐，又丑，又衣衫褴褛。所以你快走吧，别让我再看到你这张丑脸。”