Myths and Folktales
The Stonecutter
Tasaku, a lowly stonecutter, worked at the foot of a mountain. He was happy with his work until one day a noble prince went by in a magnificent royal procession. Tasaku wished aloud for such great wealth, and the spirit who lived in the mountain heard him.
Tasaku was transformed into a wealthy and powerful prince. He walked happily through his gardens until one day the sun burned his flowers and they wilted. Tasaku realized that the sun was more powerful than a prince, and he asked the mountain to change him into the sun.
Tasaku became the sun and, to show his power, he burned the fields and parched the lands. The people begged for water. Then a cloud came and covered his bright rays. Tasaku saw that the cloud was more powerful than the sun, and he told the spirit to change him into a cloud.
Tasaku became a cloud. With his new powers he made violent storms. Fields flooded; huts and palaces washed away. But the mountain remained. Tasaku was furious. “Make me into a mountain!” he demanded. The spirit obeyed and then departed, for he could do no more.
Tasaku became the mountain and was more powerful than the prince, the sun, and the cloud. But Tasaku felt the sharp sting of a chisel. It was a humble stonecutter, chipping away at his feet. Deep inside, he trembled.
Questions for Discussion
1. Which kind of writing does the story of Tasaku seem most like?
A) A short story
B) A fable
C) A tall tale
D) A newspaper article
2. At the end of the story, how did Tasaku probably feel?
A) Content
B) Surprised
C) Defeated
D) Powerful
3. Sometimes an author makes something happen differently from what the readers expect. In literature this is called irony. Where in the story of Tasaku do you see irony?
A) When Tasaku is a mountain and a stonecutter begins chipping at his feet
B) When Tasaku made violent storms and flooded the fields
C) When Tasaku demanded that the spirit make him into a mountain
D) When the spirit who lived in the mountain heard Tasaku and made him a prince
4. According to the story, which statement below is true?
A) Tasaku started out as a prince.
B) The storms eroded the mountain.
C) Tasaku became unhappy when he wasn’t the most powerful.
D) Tasaku had a lot of respect for nature.
March and the Shepherd
Retold by Domenico Vittorini
One morning at the very beginning of spring, a shepherd led his sheep to graze, and on the way he met March.
"Good morning," said March. "Where are you going to take your sheep to graze today?"
"Well, March, today I am going to the mountains."
"Fine, Shepherd. That’s a good idea. Good luck." But to himself March said, "Here’s where I have some fun, for today I’m going to fix you."
And that day in the mountains the rain came down in buckets. It was a veritable deluge. The shepherd, however, had watched March’s face very carefully and noticed a mischievous look on it. So instead of going to the mountains, he had remained in the plains. In the evening, upon returning home, he met March again.
"Well, Shepherd, how did it go today?"
"It couldn’t have been better. I changed my mind and went to the plains. A very beautiful day. Such a lovely warm sun."
"Really? I’m glad to hear it," said March, but he bit his lip in vexation. "Where are you going tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow I’m going to the plains, too. With this fine weather, I would be crazy if I went to the mountains."
"Oh, really? Fine! Farewell."
And they parted.
But the shepherd didn’t go to the plains again. He went to the mountains. And on the plains March brought rain and wind and hail—a punishment indeed from heaven. In the evening he met the shepherd homeward bound.
"Good evening, Shepherd. How did it go today?"
"Very well indeed. Do you know? I changed my mind again and went to the mountains after all. It was heavenly there. What a day! What a sky! What a sun!"
"I’m really happy to hear it, Shepherd. And where are you going tomorrow?"
"Well, tomorrow I’m going to the plains. I see dark clouds over the mountains. I wouldn’t want to find myself too far from home."
To make a long story short, whenever the shepherd met March, he always told him the opposite of what he planned to do the next day, so March was never able to catch him. The end of the month came, and on the last day, the thirtieth, March said to the shepherd, "Well, Shepherd, how is everything?"
Things couldn’t be any better. This is the end of the month and I’m out of danger. There’s nothing to fear now. I can begin to sleep peacefully."
"That’s true," said March. "And where are you going tomorrow?"
The shepherd, certain that he had nothing to fear, told March the truth. "Tomorrow," he said, "I shall go to the plains. The distance is shorter and the work less hard."
"Fine. Farewell."
March hastened to the home of his cousin April and told her the whole story. "I want you to lend me at least one day," he said. "I am determined to catch this shepherd." Gentle April was unwilling but March coaxed so hard that finally she consented.
The following morning the shepherd set off for the plains. No sooner had his flock scattered than there arose a storm that chilled his very heart. The sharp wind howled and growled, snow fell in thick, icy flakes, hail pelted down. It was all the shepherd could do to get his sheep back into the fold.
That evening as the shepherd huddled in a corner of his hearth, silent and melancholy, March paid him a visit.
"Good evening, Shepherd," he said.
"Good evening, March."
"How did it go today?"
"I’d rather not talk about it," said the shepherd. "I can’t understand what happened. Not even in the middle of January have I ever seen a storm like the one on the plains today. It seemed as if all the devils had broken loose from hell. Today I had enough rough weather to last me the whole year. And oh, my poor sheep!"
Then at last was March satisfied.
And from that time on March has had thirty-one days because, as it is said in Tuscany, the rascal never returned to April the day he borrowed from her.
Questions for Discussion
1. Which of the following phrases from paragraph 5 is an example of figurative language?
A) “came down in buckets”
B) “going to the mountains”
C) “remained in the plains”
D) “upon returning home”
2. Based on paragraph 8, what is true about March?
A) He wants to visit the mountains.
B) He does not mean what he says.
C) He wants the shepherd to be happy.
D) He does not think the shepherd should leave.
3. Based on paragraphs 17 and 18, what does the shepherd believe?
A) that March is sorry for his earlier actions
B) that he can continue to fool March forever
C) that March has run out of time to bother him
D) that he can convince March to leave him alone
4. Based on the folktale, which of the shepherd’s statements most likely makes March the happiest?
A) “‘I changed my mind again . . .’” (paragraph 14)
B) “‘Things couldn’t be any better.’” (paragraph 18)
C) “‘This is the end of the month . . .’” (paragraph 18)
D) “‘I’d rather not talk about it,’” (paragraph 28)
5. Read the sentence from paragraph 23 below.
It was all the shepherd could do to get his sheep back into the fold.
The word fold is used as which part of speech in the sentence?
A) preposition
B) adjective
C) noun
D) verb
1. A; 2. B; 3. C; 4. D; 5. C
Tantalus
Retold by Gustav Schwab (1792-1850)
Tantalus, son of Zeus, ruled over Sipylus in Lydia. He was very rich in worldly goods and famed for his wealth in both Asia and Greece. If ever the Olympian gods paid honor to a mortal, it was to him. Because of his divine origin, they cherished him as a friend, and at last he was even permitted to dine at the board of Zeus and listen to the words which passed between the immortals. But his vain human spirit could not bear the exquisite burden of unearthly bliss, and he began to sin against the gods in a number of ways: he betrayed their secrets; he filched nectar and ambrosia from their board and distributed it among his companions in the world below; he hid the image of a dog, wrought of precious gold, which another had stolen from Zeus’ temple in Crete, and when the king of the gods demanded it back, he swore he had never seen it. Finally, in his matchless arrogance, he invited the gods to his palace as a return for their hospitality, and in order to test whether they really knew all things, he had his own son Pelops slain and prepared for their meal. Only Demeter ate of the gruesome dish one shoulder-blade. The other gods recognized what had been put before them and threw the torn limbs of the boy into a cauldron, from which Clotho, one of the Fates, drew him forth in fresh beauty. But one shoulder was of ivory!
With this, Tantalus had exceeded all bounds of iniquity, and the gods thrust him down to Hades, where he was punished with cruel torments. He had to stand in the middle of a lake whose waters came to his chin, yet he suffered burning thirst, for he could not reach the draught so close to his lips. Whenever he bent down to quench his thirst, the water receded, and at his feet lay the dark dry earth. At the same time he had to endure the pangs of hunger. Behind him, on the margin of the lake, grew beautiful fruit trees which arched their boughs over his head. Looking up, he saw juicy pears, red-cheeked apples, glowing pomegranates, plump figs, and green olives. But the moment he reached to pluck them, a strong wind whipped the branches up into the clouds. His last and most terrible torment was the incessant fear of death. A great block of stone hung in the air over his head and constantly threatened to crush him. So impious Tantalus, who scorned the gods, was destined to threefold, perpetual suffering in the underworld.
Questions for Discussion
1. According to the myth, what is one reason Tantalus is initially honored by the gods?
A) He is the child of a god.
B) He has achieved great success.
C) He helps the gods administer justice.
D) He has encountered much misfortune.
2. According to the myth, why does Tantalus begin to “sin against the gods”?
A) The gods take away his wealth.
B) He has an argument with the gods.
C) He begins to believe he is as good as the gods.
D) The gods tell him he can no longer dine with them.
3. Based on the myth, what do the first two “cruel torments” Tantalus experiences have in common?
A) They are a reflection of his crimes.
B) They are a constant source of temptation.
C) They force him to perform physical labor.
D) They force him to make amends to the gods.
4. Based on the myth, what is suggested by the treatment Tantalus receives in Hades?
A) Gods should never trust a mortal.
B) Certain fates are worse than death.
C) A person’s family should be honored.
D) A person’s mistakes should be forgiven.
5. Read the definition of tantalize below.
tantalize: To excite another by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach: TEASE
Which aspect of Tantalus’s life prompted the creation of the word tantalize?
A) his immense wealth
B) his matchless arrogance
C) his form of punishment
D) his contempt for the gods
1. A; 2. C; 3. B; 4. B; 5. C
The Clever Thief
In Korea, many years ago there once lived an old thief who was known throughout the country as a very clever person—far too clever to be captured. However, one morning he was so careless and overconfident that he was caught stealing some spices from a shopkeeper. With great satisfaction the police brought the thief before an extremely severe judge who fined the old man very heavily. Unable to pay the sum, the thief had to submit instead to a very lengthy jail sentence. When he arrived at the prison he examined with great thoroughness his cell and the building itself, looking for a means of escape. Finding none, he soon gave up the idea of escape and instead decided upon another way of getting out of jail. Early one morning he called for the jailkeeper.
"Yes,” the keeper inquired gruffly, “what do you want?”
“Take me before the king,” demanded the thief.
“The king!” The jailkeeper threw back his head and gasped with laughter. “Why should the king see you?”
The thief ignored the jailkeeper’s scorn. “Tell him I have a gift for him—of extraordinary value.”
The jailkeeper, impressed with the old man’s seriousness, finally agreed to arrange the interview. The next afternoon the thief was taken to the royal quarters. There the king sat upon an enormous throne, looking very impressive and stern.
“Well, well, what is it? What do you have for me?” asked the king. “I don’t have all day to spend on the likes of you, you know.”
Before replying, the thief noted that the prime minister, the secretary of state, the general of the army, and the head jailkeeper were also present.
“Your Majesty,” said the thief, “I have come here to present you with a rare and valuable gift.”
Slipping his hand into his pocket, he carefully withdrew a tiny box, elegantly wrapped in gold paper with silver ribbons.
The king took the package and swiftly opened it. Examining the contents, his face suddenly flushed red with rage and his voice filled the room with a series of royal bellows.
“What is the meaning of this? How dare you bring me an ordinary plum pit!”
“True,” admitted the old thief quietly, “it is a plum pit.” Here he paused for emphasis. “But by no means an ordinary one.”
“What do you mean by that?” stormed the king.
“He who plants this pit,” stated the old man, “will reap nothing but golden plums.”
A moment of astonished silence greeted this news.
Finally the king said, “Well, if that’s the case, why haven’t you planted it yourself?”
“For a very good reason, Your Majesty,” answered the thief. “Only people who have never stolen or cheated can reap the benefit. Otherwise, the tree will bear only ordinary plums. That is why,” and the old thief smiled in his most winning way, “I have brought the pit to you. Certainly, Your Majesty has never stolen anything or cheated.”
“Alas,” declared the king with great regret in his voice—for he was an honest man no matter what other faults he had—“I am afraid I am not the right person.”
“What do you mean?” cried the others present.
But the king remained silent, remembering how he had once stolen some pennies from his mother’s purse when he was a little boy.
“Well, how about the prime minister?” suggested the thief. “Perhaps he—”
But the old thief got no further with his sentence.
“Impossible!” blustered the prime minister with a very red face. He had often accepted bribes from people who wanted fine positions in the government. Surely, the pit would never work for him.
“You then, General?” asked the thief, turning to the head of the army.
“No, no,” muttered the general with lowered eyes. He had become an enormously rich man by cheating his soldiers of part of their pay.
“Well then, Mr. Secretary of State?” offered the thief.
“I’m afraid not,” sputtered the honorable old man, whose conscience was obviously troubling him. Like the prime minister, he had at times accepted money in return for favors.
“Then the head jailkeeper must be our man,” said the thief solemnly as he turned to the last candidate.
Silently the jailkeeper shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. “I’m afraid I’m not right either,” he said at last. He was remembering how he was always treating new prisoners, sending those who gave him money to the best quarters and reserving the worst cells for the poor and unfortunate.
Refusing to give up, the thief suggested several other officials. Each of the fi ne gentlemen, however, rejected in his turn the offer of the plum pit that would bear him golden fruit forever.
When the room was entirely still, each official trying to hide his embarrassment, the old thief suddenly burst out laughing.
“You gentlemen,” he exclaimed, “you embezzle and you steal, and yet you never end up in jail!”
He searched their faces earnestly, and then in a quiet voice, he added, “I have done nothing more than steal some spices, and for this I have been condemned to serve five years in jail.”
For quite some time the king and his officials remained silent with shame.
At last the king stirred. “I would suggest,” he said in a low voice, looking at each of his ministers one by one, “that we all contribute to this man’s fine, so that he will not go back to jail.”
Immediately the necessary money was gathered and placed at the monarch’s feet. Calling the old thief to him, the king gave him the money.
“Go, my good man,” he said. “You are free.
You have spent enough time in prison. From your experience you have instructed us wisely. Ministers and kings sometimes forget themselves. We will remember your lesson well.”
And so, with nothing more than a plum pit to help him, the very clever old thief left jail a free man.
Questions for Discussion
1. In paragraph 2, the word gruffly means
A) simply.
B) seriously.
C) lazily.
D) roughly.
2. In paragraphs 2 through 5, what is the jailkeeper’s attitude toward the thief?
A) disrespectful
B) regretful
C) concerned
D) panicked
3. Read the excerpt from the story below.
“He who plants this pit,” stated the old man, “will reap nothing but golden plums.”
The word reap means to
A) obtain.
B) buy.
C) build.
D) present.
4. According to the thief, the plum pit will yield golden plums only if
A) the plum is old and rotten.
B) the thief is still in jail.
C) the planter is honest.
D) the owner likes plums.
5. What stops all of the officials from taking the plum pit?
A) They decide planting it is too much work.
B) They have guilty consciences.
C) They want to see golden plums.
D) They hope someone else will take it.
6. Read the excerpt from the story below.
“You gentlemen,” he exclaimed, “you embezzle and you steal, and yet you never end up in jail!”
He searched their faces earnestly, and then in a quiet voice, he added, “I have done nothing more than steal some spices, and for this I have been condemned to serve five years in jail.”
What was the thief most likely looking for when “he searched their faces earnestly”?
A) shame
B) pride
C) power
D) greed
7. The most likely reason the king and other officials pay the thief’s fine is because they are
A) wealthy.
B) ashamed.
C) grateful.
D) suspicious.
8. What will the jailkeeper in this folktale most likely do next?
A) ask permission to plant the plum pit
B) confess his misconduct to the king
C) treat his prisoners more fairly
D) try to put the thief back in jail
1. D; 2. A; 3. A; 4. C; 5. B; 6. A; 7. B; 8. C