BRUIN and REYNARD
by Asbjornsen and Moe · from Norwegian Folk Tales
Original Story
BRUIN AND REYNARD
The Bear and the Fox had once bought a firkin of butter together; they were to
have it at Yule and hid it till then under a thick spruce bush.
After that they went a little way off and lay down on a sunny bank to sleep. So
when they had lain a while the Fox got up, shook himself, and bawled out
“yes”.
Then he ran off straight to the firkin and ate a good third part of it. But
when he came back, and the Bear asked him where he had been, since he was so
fat about the paunch, he said:
“Don’t you believe then that I was bidden to barsel, to a
christening feast.”
“So, so”, said the Bear, “and pray what was the bairn’s
name.”
“Just-begun”, said the Fox.
So they lay down to sleep again. In a little while up jumped the Fox again,
bawled out “yes”, and ran off to the firkin.
This time too he ate a good lump. When he came back, and the Bear asked him
again where he had been, he said:
“Oh, wasn’t I bidden to barsel again, don’t you think.”
“And pray what was the bairn’s name this time”, asked the
Bear.
“Half-eaten”, said the Fox.
The Bear thought that a very queer name, but he hadn’t wondered long over
it before he began to yawn and gape and fell asleep. Well, he hadn’t lain
long before the Fox jumped up as he had done twice before, bawled out
“yes” and ran off to the firkin, which this time he cleared right
out. When he got back he had been bidden to barsel again, and when the Bear
wanted to know the bairn’s name, he answered:
“Licked-to-the-bottom.”
After that they lay down again, and slept a long time; but then they were to go
to the firkin to look at the butter, and when they found it eaten up, the Bear
threw the blame on the Fox, and the Fox on the Bear; and each said the one had
been at the firkin while the other slept.
“Well, well”, said Reynard, “we’ll soon find this out,
which of us has eaten the butter. We’ll just lay down in the sunshine,
and he whose cheeks and chaps are greasiest when we wake, he is the
thief.”
Yes, that trial Bruin was ready to stand; and as he knew in his heart he had
never so much as tasted the butter, he lay down without a care to sleep in the
sun.
Then Reynard stole off to the firkin for a morsel of butter, which stuck there
in a crack, and then he crept back to the Bear, and greased his chaps and
cheeks with it; and then he, too, lay down to sleep as if nothing had happened.
So when they both woke, the sun had melted the butter, and the Bear’s
whiskers were all greasy; and so it was Bruin after all, and no one else, who
had eaten the butter.
TOM TOTHERHOUSE Once on a time there was a Goody who had a deaf husband. A good, easy man he
was, but that was just why she thought more of the lad next door, whom they
called “Tom Totherhouse”. Now the lad that served the deaf man saw
very well that the two had something between them, and one day he said to the
Goody: “Dare you wager ten dollars, mother, that I don’t make you lay bare
your own shame?” “Yes I dare”, said she; and so they wagered ten dollars. So one
day, while the lad and the deaf man stood thrashing in the barn, the lad saw
that Tom Totherhouse came to see the Goody. He said nothing, but a good while
before dinnertime he turned toward the barn-door, and bawled out
“Halloa!” “What! are we to go home already?” said the man, who hadn’t
given any heed to what the lad did. “Yes, we must, since mother calls”, said the lad. So when they got into the passage, the lad began to hem and cough, that the
Goody might get Tom Totherhouse out of the way. But when they came into the
room, there stood a whole bowl of custards on the table. “Nay, nay, mother”, cried out the man; “shall we have
custards to-day?” “Yes, that you shall, dear”, said the Goody; but she was as sour as
verjuice, and as cross as two sticks. So when they had eaten and drank all the good cheer up, off they went again to
their work, and the Goody said to Tom: “Deil take that lad’s sharp nose, this was all his fault; but now
you must be off as fast as you can, and I’ll come down to you in the mead
with a snack between meals.” This the lad stood outside in the passage and listened to. “Do you know, father”, he said, “I think we’d best go
down into the hollow and put our fence to rights, which is blown down, before
the neighbours’ swine get in and root up our meadow.” “Aye, aye, let’s go and do it”, said the man; for he did all
he was told, good, easy man. So when the afternoon was half spent, down came the Goody sneaking along into
the mead, with something under her apron. “Nay, nay, mother”, said the man, “it can’t be you any
longer; are we to have a snack between meals too?” “Yes, yes, that you shall”, she said; but she was sourer and wilder
than ever. So they made merry, and crammed themselves with bannocks and butter, and had a
drop of brandy into the bargain. “I’ll go off to Tom Totherhouse with a snack—shan’t I,
mother?” said the lad. “He’s had nothing between meals,
I’ll be bound.” “Ah! do; there’s a good fellow”, said the Goody, who all at
once got as mild as milk. As he went along the lad broke a bannock to bits, and dropped the crumbs here
and there as he walked. But when he got to Tom Totherhouse he said: “Now, just you take care, for our old cock has found out that you come
too often to see our Goody. He won’t stand it any longer, and has sworn
to drive his axe into you as soon as ever he can set eyes on you.” As for Tom, he was so frightened he scarce knew which way to turn, and the lad
went back again to his master. “There’s something wrong”, he said, “with Tom’s
plough, and he begs you to be so good as to take your axe, and go and see if
you can’t set it right.” Yes, the man set off with his axe, but Tom Totherhouse had scarce caught sight
of him before he took to his heels as fast as he could. The man turned and
twisted the plough round and round, and looked at it on every side, and when he
couldn’t see anything wrong with it he went off home again; but on the
way he picked up the bits of broken bannock which the lad had let fall. His old
dame stood in the meadow and looked at him as he did this for a while, and
wondered and wondered what it could be her husband was gathering up. “Oh, I know”, said the lad, “master’s picking up
stones, I’ll be bound; for he has marked how often this Tom Totherhouse
runs over here; and the old fellow won’t stand it any longer; and now he
has sworn to stone mother to death.” Off went the Goody as fast as her legs could carry her. “What in the world is it that mother is running after now?” asked
the man, when he reached the spot where she had stood. “Oh”, said the lad, “maybe the house at home is on
fire!” So there ran the husband behind and the Goody before; and as she ran she
screeched out: “Ah! ah! don’t stone me to death; don’t stone me to death!
and I’ll give you my word never to let Tom Totherhouse come near me
again.” “Now the ten dollars are mine”, bawled out the lad; and so they
were.
Story DNA
Moral
Deception, no matter how clever, often leads to exposure and consequences, and cunning can be used to expose wrongdoing.
Plot Summary
Reynard the Fox repeatedly tricks Bruin the Bear into believing he's at christenings, while secretly eating their shared firkin of butter. When the butter is gone, Reynard frames Bruin by smearing butter on his face during a rigged 'truth test'. A second story features a clever lad who wagers he can expose his mistress's affair with Tom Totherhouse. Through a series of cunning deceptions and manipulations, the lad orchestrates events that lead the mistress to confess her infidelity and pay the wager, while the deaf husband remains oblivious.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suspense to satisfaction
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
These are traditional Norwegian folk tales collected by Asbjornsen and Moe, often featuring animal tricksters (like Reynard the Fox) and human domestic dramas, reflecting common societal roles and concerns of the time.
Plot Beats (22)
- Bruin and Reynard buy and hide a firkin of butter for Yule.
- Reynard pretends to be invited to a 'barsel' (christening) and sneaks away to eat a third of the butter.
- Reynard returns and tells Bruin the 'bairn' was named 'Just-begun'.
- Reynard repeats the trick, eats more butter, and names the 'bairn' 'Half-eaten'.
- Reynard repeats the trick a third time, eats all the remaining butter, and names the 'bairn' 'Licked-to-the-bottom'.
- Bruin and Reynard go to retrieve the butter and find it gone, blaming each other.
- Reynard proposes a test: they will sleep in the sun, and the one with the greasiest cheeks is the thief.
- While Bruin sleeps, Reynard finds a bit of butter left in the firkin and smears it on Bruin's face.
- They both wake up, and the sun has melted the butter, making Bruin's face greasy, thus 'proving' his guilt.
- The second story begins with a Goody, her deaf husband, and her lover, Tom Totherhouse.
- The lad serving the deaf man wagers he can expose the Goody's shame for ten dollars.
- The lad calls the husband home early, causing the Goody to hide Tom and serve a lavish meal.
- The Goody plans to meet Tom in the mead with a snack, which the lad overhears.
- The lad convinces the husband to go to the mead to fix a fence, intercepting the Goody's rendezvous.
- The Goody brings a snack, and the lad offers to take some to Tom Totherhouse, dropping crumbs along the way.
- The lad warns Tom that the husband knows and plans to attack him with an axe.
- The lad tells the husband that Tom needs help with his plough, sending him with an axe.
- Tom flees upon seeing the husband with the axe, confirming the lad's warning.
- The husband, finding nothing wrong with the plough, picks up the dropped bannock crumbs on his way home.
- The lad tells the Goody that the husband is picking up stones to stone her to death for her affair.
- The Goody flees in terror, confessing her affair and promising to stop seeing Tom.
- The lad claims his ten dollars, having successfully exposed the Goody's infidelity.
Characters
Bruin ★ protagonist
Large, strong bear
Trusting, easily fooled, slow-witted
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic brown bear in its prime, standing upright on hind legs, wearing a simple green tunic and brown trousers. Its thick, glossy fur is well-groomed, with a warm and determined expression, bright eyes looking forward. Posed confidently with one paw resting on its hip, full body visible head to toe. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Reynard ⚔ antagonist
Sleek fox
Cunning, deceitful, clever
Image Prompt & Upload
A sly anthropomorphic fox with sleek russet fur and sharp amber eyes, wearing an ornate crimson doublet with gold embroidery over a white silk shirt, dark leather breeches, and polished boots. He stands with a confident, slightly hunched posture, one paw resting on his hip while the other holds a slender black cane. His muzzle is curled into a knowing smirk, ears perked forward alertly. He wears a small, elegant feathered cap tilted at a jaunty angle. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Tom Totherhouse ◆ supporting
Not described
Attire: Simple rural clothing appropriate for farm work
Easily frightened, opportunistic
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult male with a friendly, earnest expression, appearing helpful and approachable. He has short, tidy brown hair and a clean-shaven face. He is dressed in a simple, well-worn tunic of undyed linen over brown trousers and sturdy leather boots. He stands in a relaxed, attentive posture, as if waiting to assist. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Goody ◆ supporting
Not described
Attire: Typical peasant woman's dress of the time
Deceitful, easily manipulated, adulterous
Image Prompt & Upload
A kindly middle-aged woman with a warm, gentle smile and crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. She has soft, silver-streaked brown hair pinned up in a practical bun. She wears a simple, faded blue dress with a clean white apron, sturdy brown boots, and a small silver locket around her neck. Her posture is slightly bent forward in a nurturing, helpful stance, as if offering assistance. She holds a woven basket filled with freshly baked bread and herbs. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Deaf Husband ◆ supporting
Not described
Attire: Simple rural clothing appropriate for farm work
Good-natured, oblivious, easily led
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged man with a kind, weathered face and gentle brown eyes. He has short, salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He wears simple, worn clothing: a faded blue linen shirt, brown trousers, and a leather apron. He stands with a slight hunch, his head tilted attentively, one hand cupping his ear as if straining to hear. Small, antique brass hearing aids are visible in both ears. His expression is patient and slightly puzzled. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Lad ◆ supporting
Not described
Attire: Simple rural clothing appropriate for a farmhand
Clever, mischievous, observant
Image Prompt & Upload
A teenage boy with a kind, open face and messy brown hair. He wears a simple, slightly worn tunic over trousers and sturdy leather boots. He stands with a relaxed posture, his weight on one foot, hands loosely at his sides, offering a gentle, slightly shy smile. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Thick spruce bush
A dense spruce bush, thick enough to conceal a firkin of butter.
Mood: Secretive, hidden
The bear and fox hide their butter, setting up the central conflict.
Image Prompt & Upload
Late afternoon sun filters through a dense, impenetrable thicket of ancient spruce trees. The air is still and heavy with the scent of pine resin. Thick, gnarled branches, laden with dark green needles, intertwine to form a nearly solid wall, casting deep, cool shadows on the mossy ground below. Shafts of golden light pierce the canopy, illuminating floating dust motes and the rough, textured bark. The forest floor is a carpet of fallen needles and resilient ferns, with hints of damp earth. The atmosphere is hushed, secluded, and deeply green. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Sunny bank
A grassy bank exposed to the sun, suitable for sleeping.
Mood: Peaceful, lazy, deceptive
The fox repeatedly sneaks away to eat the butter while the bear sleeps.
Image Prompt & Upload
Midday sun shines brightly on a gently sloping grassy bank, casting soft shadows from blades of lush green grass. The bank is dotted with small, sunny wildflowers in pale yellow and white. In the distance, a line of tall, leafy trees provides a soft, dark green backdrop. The atmosphere is warm, still, and drowsy, with a clear blue sky overhead. The light is golden and intense, highlighting the textures of the grass and the quiet, sleepy quality of the secluded spot. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Barn
A barn where the deaf man and the lad are threshing.
Mood: Working, tense, suspicious
The lad notices Tom Totherhouse visiting the Goody.
Image Prompt & Upload
Late afternoon sun slants through weathered barn board gaps, illuminating swirling dust motes and golden chaff. A vast, dim interior reveals heavy wooden beams, a hay-strewn dirt floor, and scattered sheaves of wheat. Two abandoned wooden flails rest against a rough-hewn post. Deep shadows pool in the stalls, contrasting with the warm, hazy light. The air feels thick with the scent of dry grain and old wood. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Meadow
A grassy meadow with a blown-down fence.
Mood: Secluded, illicit, watchful
The Goody meets Tom Totherhouse for a snack, observed by the lad.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, sun-drenched meadow of tall emerald grass and wildflowers swaying in a gentle breeze under a late afternoon sky. In the foreground, an old, weathered wooden fence lies partially collapsed, its posts leaning and rails broken, overgrown with creeping ivy and daisies. Long, golden-hour shadows stretch across the rolling landscape. In the distance, a line of soft, misty blue hills meets the horizon beneath a sky painted with wisps of orange and lavender clouds. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Tom Totherhouse's plough field
A field where Tom Totherhouse's plough is located.
Mood: Isolated, fearful, accusatory
The lad tricks the husband into chasing Tom Totherhouse away.
Image Prompt & Upload
Golden hour light spills across a freshly ploughed field, the rich, dark earth turned in deep, rhythmic furrows. A simple wooden plough rests at the edge, its iron blade catching the last amber rays. The field is bordered by a low, ancient stone wall draped in moss, beyond which a misty forest of silver birch and oak begins. Wildflowers—pale bluebells and tiny white stars—sprout along the furrow edges. The sky is a soft gradient of peach and lavender, with a few early fireflies beginning to glow like fallen sparks in the shadowed areas. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
