# The Pedlar's Pack explained — The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde

> Chapter companion for The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde by Mary De Morgan.

## What happens

A pedlar, a donkey, a raven, and a hedge-sparrow make a series of false promises to each other for services and payment, leading to a quarrel outside a town. The beadle brings them before the mayor, who punishes them all—the pedlar is imprisoned, the donkey thrashed, and the birds have their tail feathers pulled out—while the mayor keeps the blanket that sparked the final dispute. Each character laments their fate, blaming the others rather than their own dishonesty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Consequences of Deception and Greed

Each character's false promises and greed lead to mutual accusations and harsh punishments, illustrating that dishonesty ultimately backfires.

## Character check-ins

### The Pedlar

Deceives the donkey by promising gold he does not have, then tries to avoid payment; ends up imprisoned and blames the hedge-sparrow.

### The Donkey

Agrees to carry the pedlar's pack for false gold, then makes a similar false promise to the raven; is thrashed and blames the pedlar.

### The Raven

Promises the hedge-sparrow gold for worms, knowing he has none; loses tail feathers and blames the donkey.

### The Hedge-Sparrow

Agrees to bring worms for false gold, then tries to buy a blanket he cannot afford; loses tail feathers and blames the raven.

## Key lines

> I will give you two pieces of gold, said the pedlar, but he did not speak the truth, for he knew he had no gold to give.

The pedlar promised two gold coins, lying because he had none.

_Highlights the initial deception that sets off the chain of false promises._

> You are a set of rogues and vagabonds, said the beadle, and you shall all come before the mayor, and he'll settle your quarrels pretty quickly, and treat you as you deserve.

The beadle called them all dishonest and brought them to the mayor for judgment.

_Shows the official intervention that leads to collective punishment._

> It is very sad to think to what straits an honest man may be brought, he sighed to himself as he sat lamenting his hard fate.

The pedlar lamented his imprisonment, ironically claiming to be honest.

_Demonstrates the pedlar's self-deception and refusal to accept responsibility._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_necklace_of_princess_fiorimonde_se/chapters/the-pedlar-s-pack
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_necklace_of_princess_fiorimonde_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_necklace_of_princess_fiorimonde_se/chapters