ATU 671

“Bobino.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 64-71.

Anonymous — Tue, 30 May 2023 02:59:12 +0000

“Bobino.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 64-71. Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/29/2023 - 20:59

Tale Summary

There was once a boy named Bobino, who was the only son of a rich merchant, and had arrived home after being sent to study with a master to learn all sorts of foreign languages. He walked one evening in the garden with his father, when the sparrows above them were twittering in such a way that the merchant became annoyed. Bobino offered to tell him what the birds were saying, and when his father inquired, he explained that he had been taught the language of animals. The man was irate for having wasted his money on such foolishness, and when the house dog barked at them, Bobino again offered to translate, and again his father angrily denied. Later, they sat for supper and a number of frogs could be heard croaking, and the irritated merchant became even more upset when his son asked if he could explain their words. Early the next morning two servants woke the young man and escorted him to a carriage, which was headed in an unknown direction to Bobino. He noticed that one of the servant's eyes were red from crying, and worn down by Bobino’s inquiries, the man told him that they were bringing him to his death on his father’s orders. He explained further that the merchant was upset that after years of education the boy had only learned the language of animals, and also told him that neither him nor the other servant had the heart to carry out his wishes. Instead, they killed a dog which had followed them to bring its heart to the merchant in lieu of Bobino’s. The young man traveled until he came to a house of some herdsmen that evening, where he was granted food and shelter for the night. While they ate supper the dog began to bark, and after listening closely Bobino warned the herdsmen that at midnight a band of robbers would attack the house and to arm themselves. He explained that he knew the language of animals, and though the men were astonished by him, they did what he instructed and hid the women and armed themselves. At midnight, the robbers attacked but were beaten back by the prepared herdsmen. They were grateful to Bobino, but he wanted to see more of the world and did not stay. He walked until he came to a peasant’s house, where a group of frogs were croaking and throwing a bottle to one another. He was given supper by the peasant, who told him that his eldest daughter was deathly ill and that the servant had lost her medicine so there was no hope. Bobino told the man that he believed the small bottle he saw with the frogs was that medicine, and it proved true when it was given to the girl and she was cured. He explained that he knew because he understood the frogs, and continued on his way. He found two men resting under a tree and joined them in conversation, learning that later that day a new ruler was to be chosen in a neighboring town. Some sparrows began twittering, and Bobino told the men that the birds told him that one of them three would be chosen as ruler. While the young man napped, the two strangers rushed to town where there was a crowd gathered in the marketplace, as the new ruler would be decided by whom an eagle chose. When it was released, it circled above everyone before flying to Bobino, who had followed his companion’s footsteps. He was proclaimed the new ruler of the town, and there lived happily and ruled wisely.

Fairy Tale Title

Bobino

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Common Tale Type

The Three Languages

Tale Classification

ATU 671

Page Range of Tale

pp. 64-71

Full Citation of Tale

“Bobino.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 64-71.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

AV��ʪ and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Rose Fairy Book

Book Author/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Publisher

Longmans, Green

Date Published

1948

Decade Published

1940-1949

Publisher City

New York

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Presents a collection of fairy tales from the folklore of France, Italy and Spain

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“The Language of Animals” Europa’s Fairy Book, Joseph Jacobs, New York, London: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1916, pp. 66-71.

Anonymous — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 14:31:17 +0000

“The Language of Animals” Europa’s Fairy Book, Joseph Jacobs, New York, London: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1916, pp. 66-71. Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/30/2022 - 07:31

Joseph Jacobs

Tale Summary

There was once a simple-minded boy named Jack, who was sent off to school for a year by his father in order to learn something. When he returned home, he told his father that he now understands a dog when it barks. His father sends him away again, and he once more comes home, saying he understands what a frog is saying when it croaks. He is sent away to school one more time, and comes back to say he understands the sounds of birds singing. His father decides to test him, and asks him what the birds over their heads are saying. Reluctantly, Jack repeats their words, which are that there will come a day when Jack’s father will offer him water on bended knees, and his mother will offer a towel. Jack’s father is very angry, and pays a robber to kill him to prevent this from happening, but the robber alerts Jack and tells him to run away, and gives a deer heart to the father. On his way, Jack stops at a castle, where there are dogs barking. He tells the lord of the castle that there will be an attack that night, and even though he is made fun of, there are extra men put on guard. There is an attack, so Jack is paid a reward, and continues onward with another traveler. They stop at another castle, where the lord’s daughter is very ill. Jack says he heard the frogs talking about it, and the cause of her illness was that she dropped her holy wafer and a frog ate it. They retrieve the wafer, and the daughter is cured, so Jack receives another reward. The two men continue traveling, with the company of another traveler. They are journeying towards Rome, when Jack says that he heard the birds say that one of them will be the Pope. When they reach the city, they learn that the Pope has just died, and that they are naming his successor. Everyone will pass through an arch with a bell and two doves, and whoever the doves land on will be the next Pope. His two companions go first with no luck, and then Jack goes through the arch, and the doves land on him. He travels back to his home town and demands a great banquet, ordering his father to bring him water and his mother bring him a towel. He reveals himself as their son, and forgives his father, taking them both to live with him.

Fairy Tale Title

The Language of Animals

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Joseph Jacobs

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

John D. Batten

Common Tale Type

The Three Languages

Tale Classification

ATU 671

Page Range of Tale

pp. 66-71

Full Citation of Tale

“The Language of Animals” Europa’s Fairy Book, Joseph Jacobs, New York, London: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1916, pp. 66-71.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

AV��ʪ and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2022

Book Title

Europa's Fairy Book

Book Author/Editor(s)

Joseph Jacobs

Illustrator(s)

John D. Batten

Publisher

G. P. Putnam's sons, The Knickerbocker Press

Date Published

1916

Decade Published

1910-1919

Publisher City

New York
London

Publisher Country

United States
United Kingdom

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Europa’s Fairy Tales is a book from the 1910s which was a collection of fairy tales. It was printed for children with illustrations and easy-to-read text.

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