THE HILLMAN and THE HOUSEWIFE
by Ada M. Skinner · from Merry Tales
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, there was a woman. She liked money very much. She did not like to spend it. One day, a little man came. He was from the hills. He knocked on her door. "Can I borrow a pot?" he asked. "There is a party."
The Helper Girl opened the door. The Woman thought fast. "Give him the old pot," she said. "It has a hole. He will fix it for us. We save money that way. We do not pay the tinker." The Helper Girl took the pot.
The Little Man came back soon. He brought the pot. The pot was fixed. It was very good.
The Helper Girl wanted to cook. She put milk in the pot. She put the pot on the fire. The milk got hot. Then the milk burned. Smoke came out. No one could drink it. It was bad milk.
The Woman was very angry. A tiny voice spoke. It came from the chimney. "Bad milk costs money!" it said.
The Woman was still angry. She took the pot. She put more milk in it. She put it on the fire. The milk burned again. More smoke came out. It was bad milk again.
The tiny voice spoke again. "More bad milk!" it said. "More money is gone!" The Woman was very mad.
The Woman cleaned the pot well. She tried one more time. She put milk in the pot. She put it on the fire. The milk burned again. So much bad milk! It was the third time.
The Woman was very sad. She cried. She lost much milk. The tiny voice laughed. "You did not save money!" it said. "You lost money! You were tricky. But you did not save the tinker."
Then the Little Man came. He came down the chimney! He laughed out loud. He went away. He was very happy.
After that day, the pot worked well. It was a good pot. The Woman learned a lesson. It is not good to trick people. Being kind is better.
Original Story
THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE
One day a hillman knocked at the door of a selfish housewife.
“Can you lend me a saucepan, good mother?” said he. “There’s a wedding in the hill, and all the pots are in use.”
“Is he to have one?” asked the servant girl who had opened the door.
“Ay, to be sure,” said the housewife. But when the maid was taking a saucepan from the shelf, the housewife whispered slyly to her, “Do not lend him a good pan; get the old one out of the cupboard. It leaks, and the hillmen are so neat and such nimble workers that they are sure to mend it before they send it home. So one does a good turn and saves sixpence from the tinker.”
16The maid fetched the old saucepan which had been laid by till the tinker’s next visit and gave it to the dwarf, who thanked her and went away.
The saucepan was soon returned neatly mended and ready for use. At supper time the maid filled the pan with milk and set it on the fire for the children’s supper, but in a few minutes the milk was so burned and smoked that no one could touch it. Even the pigs would not drink the wash into which the milk was thrown.
“Ah, you good-for-nothing girl!” cried the housewife as this time she filled the pan herself. “Your careless ways would ruin the richest. There’s a whole quart of milk spoiled at once.”
“A quart of milk costs twopence!” cried a queer small voice from the chimney corner.
The housewife had not left the saucepan for two minutes when the milk boiled over and was all burned and smoked as before.
“The pan must be dirty,” cried the housewife in a rage; “and there are two full quarts 17of milk as good as thrown to the dogs. Oh, what dreadful waste!”
“Two quarts of milk cost fourpence!” cried the queer small voice.
After a long scrubbing, the saucepan was once more filled with milk and set on the fire, but in a little while the milk was burned and smoked again.
The housewife burst into tears at the waste, and cried out, “Never before did such a thing happen to me since I kept house! Three quarts of milk burned for one meal.”
“Three quarts of milk cost sixpence!” cried the queer small voice. “You didn’t save the tinker after all!”
Then the hillman himself came tumbling down the chimney and went off laughing through the door. But from that time the saucepan was as good as any other.
Story DNA
Moral
Deceit and selfishness often lead to unexpected and ironic consequences, costing more in the long run than honesty.
Plot Summary
A selfish housewife lends a leaky saucepan to a hillman, hoping he will mend it for free. He returns it mended, but then the pan magically spoils three successive quarts of milk, costing the housewife more than a tinker would have charged. A voice from the chimney, revealed to be the hillman, mocks her failed scheme. The hillman then tumbles down the chimney, laughs, and leaves, and the saucepan returns to normal, having taught the housewife a costly lesson about her deceit.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The concept of 'hillmen' or 'little folk' is common in various European folklores, often interacting with humans in ways that test their character or teach lessons.
Plot Beats (11)
- A hillman asks a selfish housewife to borrow a saucepan for a wedding.
- The housewife, seeing an opportunity to save money, instructs her maid to lend him a leaky, old pan, expecting him to mend it.
- The hillman returns the saucepan, neatly mended.
- The maid tries to use the mended pan to heat milk for supper, but the milk quickly burns and smokes.
- A small voice from the chimney corner comments on the cost of the spoiled milk.
- The housewife, annoyed, tries to use the pan herself, and a second quart of milk is also spoiled.
- The small voice again comments on the increased cost of the spoiled milk.
- After a thorough scrubbing, the housewife tries the pan a third time, and a third quart of milk is spoiled.
- The housewife cries over the waste, and the small voice from the chimney reveals her failed scheme, stating she didn't save the tinker after all.
- The hillman tumbles down the chimney, laughs, and departs.
- From that moment on, the saucepan functions perfectly.
Characters
The Housewife ★ protagonist
A woman of sturdy build, likely of average height for her time, with a practical but somewhat severe countenance. Her hands might show signs of hard work, but her overall demeanor suggests a comfortable, if not wealthy, household.
Attire: A practical, sturdy dress made of wool or linen in muted colors like grey, brown, or dark blue, typical of a European housewife in a rural setting. She might wear a plain apron over her dress, possibly with a simple kerchief or cap on her head.
Wants: To save money and maintain her household with minimal expense, even if it means being dishonest or unkind.
Flaw: Her greed and selfishness, which ultimately lead to her own frustration and loss.
She learns a lesson about the futility of her miserly ways, as her attempts to save money backfire, costing her more in the end. The saucepan is 'as good as any other' by the end, implying her lesson is learned.
Selfish, calculating, miserly, short-tempered, and proud. She prioritizes saving money over kindness or honesty.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult woman of sturdy build, average height, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a round face with a slightly pinched expression, narrow brown eyes, and fair skin. Her dark blonde hair is pulled back into a neat bun, covered by a simple white cap. She wears a practical, sturdy dark grey wool dress with a plain white linen apron tied over it. Her posture is upright and rigid, with her hands clasped in front of her. She has a stern, calculating expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Hillman ⚔ antagonist
A small, sturdy, and nimble figure, characteristic of a dwarf or gnome from European folklore. He would have a weathered, earthy appearance, suggesting a life lived outdoors or underground.
Attire: Simple, rustic clothing made of natural materials like rough wool or leather, in earthy tones such as greens, browns, and greys. He might wear a tunic, breeches, and sturdy boots, possibly with a pointed cap.
Wants: Initially, to borrow a saucepan for a wedding. Later, to teach the selfish housewife a lesson about her miserly and dishonest ways.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, as he is a magical being enacting justice.
He acts as an agent of poetic justice, revealing the consequences of the housewife's selfishness. He doesn't change, but rather facilitates change in the situation.
Mischievous, clever, observant, and fair-minded (in his own way, by delivering poetic justice).
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, sturdy male figure, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a wizened, mischievous face with deep-set, twinkling dark eyes and a long, well-kept grey beard. His grey hair peeks out from under a pointed brown cap. He wears a rustic green wool tunic, brown breeches, and sturdy leather boots. His posture is slightly stooped but nimble, with his hands clasped in front of him. He has a knowing, slightly amused expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Servant Girl ◆ supporting
A young woman of slender build, likely of average height, with an unassuming demeanor. Her appearance would be neat and tidy, reflecting her role in a household.
Attire: A plain, practical dress made of linen or coarse cotton in muted colors, typical of a servant in a European household. She would wear a simple apron over her dress.
Wants: To perform her duties as instructed by her mistress and avoid punishment or reprimand.
Flaw: Her lack of agency; she is bound by her role as a servant and cannot defy her mistress.
She remains a static character, serving as a witness to the housewife's actions and the Hillman's magic.
Obedient, diligent, and perhaps a little weary or resigned to her mistress's demands. She follows instructions without question.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult woman of slender build, average height, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a simple, soft-featured face with quiet brown eyes and fair skin. Her light brown hair is neatly braided and pinned up. She wears a plain, practical light blue linen dress with a clean white apron tied over it. Her posture is slightly submissive, with her hands clasped in front of her. She has a quiet, unassuming expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Housewife's Cottage Doorway
The entrance to a modest, likely rural, dwelling. The door would be made of sturdy wood, possibly weathered, with a simple latch. The immediate exterior might feature a small, trodden path leading up to it.
Mood: Initially mundane, quickly becomes a place of subtle deception and transaction.
The hillman's initial request for a saucepan, setting the premise for the story's conflict.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, weathered wooden door of a small, traditional British cottage, possibly with a thatched roof partially visible. The door is slightly ajar, revealing a glimpse of a dimly lit interior. A small, well-trodden dirt path leads up to the door. Soft, diffused morning light illuminates the scene, casting gentle shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Housewife's Kitchen Hearth
A central, working area of a humble British cottage kitchen, dominated by a stone or brick hearth with an open fire. A mantelpiece might be above, and cooking utensils would hang nearby. The floor would likely be stone or packed earth, and the walls plastered or whitewashed.
Mood: Initially domestic and busy, quickly turns chaotic and frustrating due to the spoiled milk.
The repeated burning of the milk, the housewife's growing frustration, and the hillman's voice from the chimney.
Image Prompt & Upload
A warm, rustic kitchen hearth in a traditional British cottage. A robust stone or brick fireplace dominates the scene, with a lively fire burning within, casting flickering orange light onto the surrounding timber-framed walls. An iron pot hook suspends a dark metal saucepan directly over the flames. Above, the dark opening of the chimney is visible. The floor is made of rough-hewn flagstones, and various simple wooden cooking utensils hang from pegs on the wall. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Chimney Corner
The recessed area beside the fireplace, offering a cozy, sheltered spot. It would be dark and sooty, providing a hidden vantage point for the unseen hillman. Perhaps a small wooden stool or bench might be tucked into the corner.
Mood: Mysterious, slightly eerie, and ultimately mischievous, as the hillman's voice emanates from here.
The hillman's taunting commentary on the cost of the spoiled milk, and his dramatic exit.
Image Prompt & Upload
A deep, shadowed chimney corner within a rustic British cottage kitchen. The rough stone or brick of the fireplace extends into a dark, sooty recess, barely illuminated by the distant glow of the hearth fire. Cobwebs might subtly cling to the upper reaches of the corner. The air feels still and slightly cool, contrasting with the warmth of the fire. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
