Finnish Tale
The Old Farmer and the Tricksters
Cheating doesn’t pay off and this is what the two tricksters in the story learn. Although they trick the old farmer, he then gives them a good lesson.
Once upon a time, long long ago, a very unpleasant thing happened in Vietnam. There was a huge
One day, when it had got so bad that he couldn’t survive without water any longer, a toad decided that he would make the long journey to heaven and tell the gods what was
The toad gathered the other animals, told them about his plan, and asked whether any of them would go with him.
A crab crawled out from the crowd of thirst-tormented animals and said: “I will go with you!”
“Me too,” added a buzzy
“Count me in too!” called a fox, stepping forwards.
“And me,” growled a bear.
“I’ll join
So the very next day, the six animals set out on their journey. They walked and walked until eventually they reached the gates of the heavenly palace. In front of the gates they saw an enormous gong. That gave the toad an
“Crab, you hide over there in that water jar,” he suggested, “and Bee, you stay here behind the doorpost. The rest of you, hang back until I call you.”
Then the toad took the drumstick and hit the gong so hard that a loud boom resounded far and
The thunder god told him: “My Lord, a little toad sounded…