Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Karlssonwaitsforamomentortwotolettheenginewarmup; thenheaccelerates,takesoff,andglidesonhiswaywithallthedignityandpoiseofastatesman; thatis,ifyoucanpictureastatesmanwithamotoronhisback. 

           Karlssonisverycontentedinhislittlehouseontopoftheroof. Intheeveningshesitsonhisfrontdoorstep,smokingapipeandwatchingthestars. Naturally,youcanseethestarsmuchbetterfromtheroofthanfromanywhereelseinthehouse,soitisreallysurprisingthatmorepeopledonotliveonroofs. Buttheoccupantsofthehousedon’tknowthatyoucanliveonaroof; theydon’tevenknowthatKarlssonhasacottageupthere,itissowellhiddenbehindthebigchimney. Besides,mostpeopledon’tnoticelittlehouseslikeKarlsson’s,noteveniftheytripoverthem. 

           AchimneysweeponcecaughtsightofKarlsson’shousewhenhewasabouttosweepthechimney. Hewasastonished. "It’sodd,"hesaidtohimself."There’sahousehere.It’shardtobelieve,butthere’sactuallyahouseontheroof!Howcouldithavegothere?" 

           Butthenhebegantosweepthechimneyandforgotallaboutthehouseandnevergaveitanotherthought. 

           ItwasniceforErictobecomeacquaintedwithKarlsson, because,wheneverKarlssonflewpast,lifebecameadventurousandexciting. MaybeKarlssonwaspleasedtomaketheacquaintanceofEric,too, foritmustbealittledullsometimestoliveallaloneinahousewhichnobodyknowsisthere. Itmustbepleasanttohearsomebodycallingout,"Hi-ho,Karlsson!"whenyouflypast.