The Hill of the Souls

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

One cold night in November, Alonso and Beatriz stay in a castle near a dark forest. The forest is called the Hill of the Souls.

People say the forest is dangerous. They say dead knights walk there at night. They say no one should go there after sunset.

Beatriz laughs. She does not believe the stories. Alonso looks afraid. He knows the stories are old, but he feels nervous.

That night, Beatriz speaks to Alonso.

“Tomorrow is my name day,” she says. “I lost my blue ribbon in the forest. Can you bring it to me?”

Alonso is scared. The forest is dark. The night is cold. The bells ring for the dead.

“I cannot go,” he says. “The forest is dangerous.”

Beatriz looks at him. She smiles, but her eyes are cold.

“You are afraid,” she says. “You are not brave.”

Alonso feels ashamed. He loves Beatriz. He wants to be brave.

“I will go,” he says.

Alonso takes his sword. He walks into the forest. The wind moves the trees. The night is silent.

Beatriz stays in the castle. She listens. She hears bells and strange sounds. She goes to bed and closes her eyes.

In the night, she hears footsteps. Then she hears a scream.

In the morning, Beatriz wakes up. The sun is pale. On her bed, she sees the blue ribbon. It is cold. It has blood on it. Beatriz screams.

People find Alonso’s body in the forest. He is dead.

That night, Beatriz cannot sleep. She hears voices and footsteps again.

They say the souls walk together now on the Hill of the Souls.