Household Tales · Chapter
The Little Folks’ Presents explained
A tailor and a goldsmith encounter a group of dancing little folk led by an old man, who shaves their heads and directs them to take coals.
What happens
A tailor and a goldsmith encounter a group of dancing little folk led by an old man, who shaves their heads and directs them to take coals. The coals turn to gold overnight, but the greedy goldsmith returns for more and is punished when his gold reverts to coal and he grows a second hump, while the contented tailor keeps his wealth and marries his sweetheart.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Its Downfall
The goldsmith's greed drives him to return for more treasure, resulting in his gold turning to coal and his body being deformed.
Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished
The contented tailor is rewarded with lasting wealth and happiness, while the greedy goldsmith is punished with loss and deformity.
Characters to notice
- the girl
Not present in this chapter.
Key passages
“A tailor and a goldsmith were travelling together, and one evening when the sun had sunk behind the mountains, they heard the sound of distant music, which became more and more distinct.”
A tailor and a goldsmith, traveling together, heard distant music growing clearer as the sun set behind the mountains.
Opening scene setting the stage for the supernatural encounter.
“The old man made a sign that they should enter, and the little folks willingly opened their circle.”
The old man gestured for them to join, and the little folk opened their circle to welcome them.
The invitation to join the dance.
“When they had got into the valley, the clock of the neighbouring monastery struck twelve, and the song ceased. In a moment all had vanished, and the hill lay in solitude in the moonlight.”
As they reached the valley, the monastery clock struck midnight, the music stopped, and the little folk vanished, leaving the hill empty in the moonlight.
The magical scene ends at midnight.
“They felt in the pockets, and could not believe their eyes when they saw that they were not filled with coals, but with pure gold; happily, too, the hair of their heads and beards was there again as thick as ever.”
They discovered the coals had turned into pure gold, and their shaved hair had grown back fully.
The first reward for their obedience.
“Then he recognized the punishment of his greediness, and began to weep aloud.”
He realized his greed had brought punishment and wept loudly.
The goldsmith's moment of regret.