Nutcracker and Mouse King - The Uncle and the Nephew 10

"Nutcracker and Mouse King" is a classic German Christmas story written by E. T. A. Hoffmann, first published in 1816. The tale is known for its adaptation into the popular ballet "The Nutcracker" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.The story revolves around a young girl named Marie Stahlbaum, who receives a special wooden nutcracker doll as a Christmas gift from her godfather, Drosselmeyer. Marie's family is hosting a Christmas Eve party, and during the festivities, the nutcracker is broken by her brother Fritz. Later that night, Marie returns to the living room to check on her beloved nutcracker, and she finds herself drawn into a magical world of adventure.Marie discovers that her nutcracker has come to life, and he leads her into a fantastical realm inhabited by toys, where they must confront the nefarious Mouse King and his army of mice. With the help of the Nutcracker and other enchanting characters, including the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen, Marie embarks on a journey to defeat the Mouse King and restore peace to the Land of Sweets.The story combines elements of fantasy, fairy tale, and Christmas magic, and it explores themes of bravery, transformation, and the power of imagination. E. T. A. Hoffmann's "Nutcracker and Mouse King" has been adapted and retold numerous times over the years, becoming a beloved holiday tradition for many, particularly through the ballet version choreographed by Marius Petipa and set to Tchaikovsky's iconic music.



















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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Chapter ten of Nutcracker and Mouse Kingby E. T. A. Hoffmann.
This LibriVox recording is in the publicdomain the Uncle and nephew. If
any one of my good readers hasever had the misfortune to cut himself with
glass, he knows how it hurtsand how long a time it takes to

(00:23):
heal. Whenever Maria tried to getup, she felt very dizzy, and
so it continued for a whole week, during which time she was obliged to
remain in bed. But at lastshe became entirely well and could play about
the chamber as merrily as ever.Everything in the glass case looked prettily,

(00:47):
for the trees, flowers, andhouses and beautiful puppets stood there as new
and bright as ever. But bestof all, Maria found her dear Nutcracker
again. He stood on the secondshelf and smiled upon her with a good
sound set of teeth. In themidst of all the pleasure which she felt

(01:08):
in gazing at her favorite, apang went through her heart when she thought
that Godfather Drosselmia's story had been nothingelse but the history of the Nutcracker and
of his quarrel with Lady Mouse ringsand her son. She knew well enough
that her Nutcracker could be none otherthan the young Drosselmia of Nuremberg, godfather

(01:34):
Drosselmia's agreeable but now alas enchanted nephewfour that the skillful watchmaker at the court
of purly Pat's father was the counselorDrosselmiah himself. She did not doubt for
an instant, even while he wastelling the story. But why was it

(01:57):
that your uncle did not help you? Why did he not help you?
Complained Maria as it became clearer andclearer to her mind that in that battle
which she saw, Nutcracker's crown andkingdom were at stake. Were not all
the other puppets subject to him?And is it not plain that the prophecy

(02:20):
of the astronomer has been fulfilled andthat young Josselmia is prince and king of
the puppets While the shrewd Maria explainedand arranged all this so well. In
her mind, she believed, sinceshe had seen Nutcracker and his vassals in
life and motion, that they actuallydid live and move. But that was

(02:46):
not so. Everything in the glasscase remained stiff and lifeless. Yet Maria,
far from giving up her conviction,cast all the blame upon the magic
of Lady Mousings and her seven headedson. But if you are not able
to move or to talk to me, dear Master Josselmia, she said aloud

(03:07):
to the Nutcracker, Yet I knowwell enough that you understand me and know
what a good friend I am toyou. You may depend upon my help,
and I will beg of your uncleto bring his skill to your assistance
whenever you have need of it.Nutcracker remained still and motionless, but it

(03:30):
seemed to Maria as if a gentlesigh was breathed in the glass case,
so that the pains trembled scarce audibly, indeed, but with a strange,
sweet tone, and a voice rangout like a little bell. Maria Mine,

(03:51):
I'll be thine, and thou mine, Maria Mine. Maria felt in
the cold shuddering that crept over hera singular pleasure. Twilight had come on.
The doctor with Godfather Dosselmiah entered thesitting room, and it was not

(04:12):
long before Louise had arranged the teatable and all sat around, talking cheerfully
of various things. Maria had veryquietly taken her little arm chair and seated
herself close at Godfather Dossemiah's feet.During a moment when they were all silent,
she looked up with her large blueeyes in the counselor's face and said,

(04:40):
I know, dear Godfather Josselmiah,that my nutcracker is your nephew,
the young Drosselmia of Nuremberg, andhe has become a prince or king rather
as your companion the astronomer foretold.All has turned out exactly. So you
know now that he is at warwith the son of Lady mouse Rings,

(05:02):
with the hateful mouse King. Whydo you not help him? Maria then
related the whole course of the battle, just as she had seen it,
and was often interrupted by the loudlaughter of her mother and Louise. Fred
and Josselmiah only remained serious. Wheredoes the child get all this strange stuff

(05:27):
in her head, said the doctor. She has a lively imagination, replied
the mother. In fact, theyare nothing but dreams caused by her violent
fever. That story is not true, said Fred. My red Hussars are
not such cowards as that. IfI thought so, swords and daggers,

(05:49):
I would make a stir among them. But Godfather Josselmiah, with a strange
smile, took little Maria upon hislap and said, in a softer tone
than he was ever heard to speakin before, Ah, Dear Maria,

(06:10):
more power is given to thee thanto me or to the rest of us.
Thou, like purlipat Art, aprincess born for thou dost reign in
a bright and beautiful kingdom. Butthou hast much to suffer if thou wouldst
take the part of the poor misshapennutcracker, for the mouse king watches for

(06:33):
him at every hole and corner.I cannot thou. Thou alone canst rescue
him. Be firm and true.Neither Maria nor any one else knew what
Drossalmaya meant by these words, andthey appeared so singular to doctor Staalbaum that

(06:57):
he felt the counselor's pulse and said, worthy, friend, you have some
violent congestion about the head. Iwill prescribe something for you. But the
mother shook her head thoughtfully and spoke, I feel what it is that the
counselor means, but I cannot expressit in words. End of Chapter ten