THE BOY WHO WAS CALLED THICK-HEAD
by Cyrus MacMillan · from Canadian Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Three brothers lived with their mother. The youngest was Little Bear. He was small. His brothers laughed at him. They called him slow. But his mother said, "You are wise. I know it."
The Chief had a pretty daughter. Chief said, "She will marry a hunter." Brothers wanted her. They went to hunt in the forest.
Little Bear wanted to go too. "Can I come?" he asked. His brothers said no. Mother said, "Let him go." Little Bear went.
The big brothers got many animals. They were proud. But Little Bear found a shiny stone. He loved it. His brothers laughed at him. "A stone!" they said. But his mother smiled. "He is wise," she said.
One day a child saw the shiny stone. "It is so pretty!" said the child. "I will trade a pretty feather." Little Bear liked. So he traded. Now he had a pretty feather.
Then another child saw the feather. "It is so soft!" said the child. "I will trade a smooth shell." Little Bear liked. So he traded. Now he had a smooth shell.
Then an old man saw the shell. "It is so nice!" said the old man. "I will trade a strong branch." Little Bear liked. So he traded. Now he had a strong branch.
Little Bear made a drum from the branch. He played it every day. It made a good sound. He was the only one with a drum. He was very proud.
The Chief had a big party. He saw the drum. "Can I play your drum?" he asked. Little Bear said yes. "But be careful," he said.
But the Chief hit the drum too hard. It broke. The Chief said, "I am sorry. I will give you money." But Little Bear said, "I do not want money. I want my drum. My stone and my feather and my shell and my branch are all in it." The Chief could not fix the drum.
The Chief saw that Little Bear was wise. "You are clever," he said. "I will give you a big reward." Little Bear smiled.
The Chief's daughter saw Little Bear. She saw his good heart. She chose to marry him. She was happy. Little Bear was happy too.
Little Bear and his wife were very happy. His brothers were surprised. His mother smiled and said, "I told you. Little Bear is wise." His mother was right.
Original Story
THE BOY WHO WAS CALLED THICK-HEAD
Three brothers lived with their old Indian mother in the forest near the sea. Their father had long been dead. At his death he had little of the world's goods to his credit and his widow and her sons were very poor. In the place where they dwelt, game was not plentiful, and to get food enough to keep them from want they had often to go far into the forest. The youngest boy was smaller and weaker than the others, and when the two older sons went far away to hunt, they always left him behind, for although he always wished to accompany them they would never allow him to go. He had to do all the work about the house, and all day long he gathered wood in the forest and carried water from the stream. And even when his brothers went out in the spring-time to draw sap from the maple trees he was never permitted to go with them. He was always making mistakes and doing foolish things. His brothers called him Thick-head, and all the people round about said he was a simpleton because of his slow and queer ways. His mother alone was kind to him and she always said, "They may laugh at you and call you fool, but you will prove to be wiser than all of them yet, for so it was told me by a forest fairy at your birth."
The Chief of the people had a beautiful daughter who had many suitors. But her father spurned them all from his door and said, "My daughter is not yet of age to marry; and when her time of marriage comes, she will only marry the man who can make great profit from hunting." The two older sons of the old woman decided that one of them must win the girl. So they prepared to set out on a great hunting expedition far away in the northern forest, for it was now autumn, and the hunter's moon had come. The youngest boy wanted to go with them, for he had never been away from home and he wished to see the world. And his mother said he might go. His brothers were very angry when they heard his request, and they said, "Much good Thick-head can do us in the chase. He will only bring us bad luck. He is not a hunter but a scullion and a drudge fit only for the fireside." But his mother commanded them to grant the boy's wish and they had to obey. So the three brothers set out for the north country, the two older brothers grumbling loudly because they were accompanied by the boy they thought a fool.
The two older brothers had good success in the chase and they killed many animals—deer and rabbits and otters and beavers. And they came home bearing a great quantity of dried meat and skins. They each thought, "Now we have begun to prove our prowess to the Chief, and if we succeed as well next year when the hunter's moon comes again, one of us will surely win his daughter when she is old enough to marry." But all the youngest boy brought home as a result of his journey into the game country was a large Earth-Worm as thick as his finger and as long as his arm. It was the biggest Earth-Worm he had ever seen. He thought it a great curiosity as well as a great discovery, and he was so busy watching it each day that he had no time to hunt. When he brought it home in a box, his brothers said to their mother, "What did we tell you about Thick-head? He has now surely proved himself a fool. He has caught only a fat Earth-Worm in all these weeks." And they noised it abroad in the village and all the people laughed loudly at the simpleton, until "Thick-head's hunt" became a by-word in all the land. But the boy's mother only smiled and said, "He will surprise them all yet."
The boy kept the Earth-Worm in a tiny pen just outside the door of his home. One day a large Duck came waddling along, and sticking her bill over the little fence of the pen she quickly gobbled up the Worm. The boy was very angry and he went to the man who owned the Duck, and said, "Your Duck ate up my pet Worm. I want my Worm." The man offered to pay him whatever price he asked, but the boy said, "I do not want your price. I want my Worm." But the man said, "How can I give you your Worm when my Duck has eaten it up? It is gone for ever." And the boy said, "It is not gone. It is in the Duck's belly. So I must have the Duck." Then to avoid further trouble the man gave Thick-head the Duck, for he thought to himself, "What is the use of arguing with a fool."
The boy took the Duck home and kept it in a little pen near his home with a low fence around it. And he tied a great weight to its foot so that it could not fly away. He was quite happy again, for he thought, "Now I have both my Worm and the Duck." But one day a Fox came prowling along looking for food. He saw the fat Duck tied by the foot in the little pen. And he said, "What good fortune! There is a choice meal for me," and in a twinkling he was over the fence. The Duck quacked and made a great noise, but she was soon silenced. The Fox had just finished eating up the Duck when the boy, who had heard the quacking, came running out of the house. The Fox was smacking his lips after his good meal, and he was too slow in getting away. The boy fell to beating him with a stout club and soon killed him and threw his body into the yard behind the house. And he thought, "That is not so bad. Now I have my Worm and the Duck and the Fox."
That night an old Wolf came through the forest in search of food. He was very hungry, and in the bright moonlight he saw the dead Fox lying in the yard. He pounced upon it greedily and devoured it until not a trace of it was left. But the boy saw him before he could get away, and he came stealthily upon him and killed him with a blow of his axe. "I am surely in good luck," he thought, "for now I have the Worm and the Duck and the Fox and the Wolf." But the next day when he told his brothers of his good fortune and his great skill, they laughed at him loudly and said, "Much good a dead Wolf will do you. Before two days have passed it will be but an evil-smelling thing and we shall have to bury it deep. You are indeed a great fool." The boy pondered for a long time over what they had said, and he thought, "Perhaps they are right. The dead Wolf cannot last long. I will save the skin."
So he skinned the Wolf and dried the skin and made a drum from it. For the drum was one of the few musical instruments of the Indians in those old times, and they beat it loudly at all their dances and festivals. The boy beat the drum each evening, and made a great noise, and he was very proud because he had the only drum in the whole village. One day the Chief sent for him and said to him, "I want to borrow your drum for this evening. I am having a great gathering to announce to all the land that my daughter is now of age to marry and that suitors may now seek her hand in marriage. But we have no musical instruments and I want your drum, and I myself will beat it at the dance." So Thick-head brought his drum to the Chief's house, but he was not very well pleased, because he was not invited to the feast, while his brothers were among the favoured guests. And he said to the Chief, "Be very careful. Do not tear the skin of my drum, for I can never get another like it. My Worm and my Duck and my Fox and my Wolf have all helped to make it."
THAT NIGHT AN OLD WOLF CAME THROUGH THE FOREST IN SEARCH OF FOOD
The next day he went for his drum. But the Chief had struck it too hard and had split it open so that it would now make no sound and it was ruined beyond repair. He offered to pay the boy a great price for it, but the boy said, "I do not want your price. I want my drum. Give me back my drum, for my Worm and the Duck and the Fox and the Wolf are all in it." The Chief said, "How can I give you back your drum when it is broken? It is gone for ever. I will give you anything you desire in exchange for it. Since you do not like the price I offer, you may name your own price and you shall have it." And the boy thought to himself, "Here is a chance for good fortune. Now I shall surprise my brothers." And he said, "Since you cannot give me my drum, I will take your daughter in marriage in exchange." The Chief was much perplexed, but he had to be true to his word. So he gave his daughter to Thick-head, and they were married, and the girl brought him much treasure and they lived very happily. And his brothers were much amazed and angered because they had failed. But his mother said, "I told you he was wiser than you and that he would outwit you yet although you called him Thick-head and fool. For the forest fairy said it to me at his birth."
Story DNA
Moral
True wisdom and fortune can come from unexpected places and through unconventional means, often surprising those who judge by appearances.
Plot Summary
Thick-head, the youngest of three brothers, is constantly ridiculed for his foolishness, though his mother believes he will prove wise. When the Chief announces his daughter will marry a great hunter, Thick-head joins his brothers' expedition, but only brings home an Earth-Worm. Through a series of events, the worm is eaten by a duck, the duck by a fox, and the fox by a wolf, with Thick-head acquiring each animal in turn. He then skins the wolf to make a drum, which the Chief borrows and breaks. When the Chief offers payment, Thick-head demands his daughter in marriage as compensation, which the Chief, bound by his word, grants. Thick-head marries the Chief's daughter, lives happily, and his mother's prophecy is fulfilled, much to his brothers' dismay.
Themes
Emotional Arc
underestimated to triumphant
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Cyrus MacMillan was a Canadian folklorist who collected many stories from Indigenous peoples of Canada, particularly the Mi'kmaq. The story reflects traditional ways of life and belief systems, though presented in a simplified fairy tale format.
Plot Beats (13)
- Three poor brothers live with their mother; the youngest is called Thick-head and mocked for his foolishness, but his mother predicts he will be wise.
- The Chief announces his daughter will marry a great hunter, prompting the older brothers to go on a hunting expedition.
- Thick-head insists on joining the hunt, despite his brothers' protests, and his mother supports him.
- The older brothers return with much game, but Thick-head brings only a large Earth-Worm, becoming an object of ridicule.
- A Duck eats Thick-head's worm, and he demands the Duck from its owner, who gives it to him to avoid argument.
- A Fox eats Thick-head's Duck, and Thick-head kills the Fox, claiming it as his own.
- A Wolf eats Thick-head's Fox, and Thick-head kills the Wolf, then decides to skin it to make a drum.
- Thick-head makes a drum from the wolf skin and proudly plays it, being the only one in the village with such an instrument.
- The Chief, hosting a gathering to announce his daughter's marriage eligibility, borrows Thick-head's drum.
- The Chief breaks the drum, and when he offers payment, Thick-head refuses, demanding his drum back, explaining its unique origin from the worm, duck, fox, and wolf.
- Since the Chief cannot restore the drum, Thick-head demands the Chief's daughter in marriage as compensation.
- The Chief, bound by his word, reluctantly gives his daughter to Thick-head.
- Thick-head marries the Chief's daughter, lives happily and prosperously, fulfilling his mother's prophecy and astonishing his brothers.
Characters
Thick-head ★ protagonist
Smaller and weaker than his older brothers, suggesting a slender build. His movements are described as 'slow and queer ways,' implying a deliberate or perhaps somewhat clumsy gait.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a poor boy in a forest dwelling, likely made of animal hides or coarse woven fibers, in natural, earthy tones. Perhaps a tunic and leggings, well-worn and patched from his daily chores.
Wants: To be accepted and to understand the world around him. He wants to keep what he considers his own, leading to a chain of exchanges.
Flaw: Initially perceived as slow and foolish by others, which makes him an easy target for ridicule and underestimation.
Transforms from a ridiculed 'simpleton' and 'Thick-head' into a respected husband of the Chief's daughter, proving his mother's prophecy true and outwitting his brothers and the village.
Persevering, observant, literal-minded, innocent, and surprisingly clever. He is initially seen as foolish by others but proves to be wise in his own way.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Indigenous boy, slender and slightly shorter than average, with dark, straight hair cut to his shoulders, dark brown eyes, and a serious, thoughtful expression. He wears a simple, well-worn tunic of deer hide, cinched at the waist with a leather thong, and plain leggings. He holds a wolf-skin drum in his hands, looking at it with a mix of pride and concern. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Thick-head's Mother ◆ supporting
An old Indian woman, likely with the weathered features of someone who has lived a hard life in the forest. Her posture would convey a quiet strength and resilience.
Attire: Practical, modest clothing made from natural materials, possibly animal skins or woven fibers, in earthy tones. Perhaps a simple dress or tunic with a shawl, reflecting her poverty and cultural background.
Wants: To see her youngest son recognized for his true worth and to fulfill the prophecy given at his birth.
Flaw: Her inability to directly change the perceptions of her older sons or the village towards Thick-head.
Remains consistent in her belief and support for Thick-head, her prophecy coming true by the story's end.
Kind, patient, wise, prophetic, and protective. She is the only one who believes in Thick-head.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Indigenous woman with a kind, knowing smile, deep wrinkles around her dark eyes, and long, dark hair with streaks of grey, braided and falling over her shoulders. She wears a simple, loose-fitting tunic of natural linen in a muted brown, with a woven shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hands are clasped gently in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Chief ◆ supporting
A man of authority and presence, likely well-built and commanding. His appearance would reflect his status as a leader.
Attire: Richly adorned clothing, indicative of his status as a Chief. This would include finely crafted garments made from animal hides or woven fabrics, possibly decorated with intricate beadwork, quillwork, or painted designs. Perhaps a feathered headdress or a distinctive mantle.
Wants: To find a suitable, skilled hunter for his daughter and to uphold his word and honor.
Flaw: His pride and perhaps a rigid adherence to tradition, which initially blinds him to Thick-head's unconventional wisdom.
Starts by spurning all suitors and setting a specific condition for his daughter's marriage. He is then forced to honor his word to Thick-head, leading to an unexpected outcome.
Proud, traditional, a man of his word, initially dismissive of Thick-head but ultimately honorable.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dignified Indigenous man of mature age, with a strong, square jaw, dark, intelligent eyes, and long, dark hair, partially grey, adorned with a traditional feathered headdress. He wears a finely crafted tunic of tanned deerskin, intricately embroidered with geometric patterns in red and black, and a heavy, beaded necklace. His posture is upright and commanding. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Chief's Daughter ◆ supporting
Described as 'beautiful,' implying graceful features and a pleasing physique. Her appearance would be consistent with Indigenous women of her culture.
Attire: Elegant and finely made clothing, reflecting her status as the Chief's daughter. This would include a dress or tunic of soft deerskin or finely woven fabric, possibly adorned with beadwork, quillwork, or shell decorations. Her attire would be modest but beautiful.
Wants: To fulfill her father's wishes and societal expectations, ultimately finding happiness in her unexpected marriage.
Flaw: Her agency is limited by her father's decisions regarding her marriage.
Initially a prize to be won, she becomes the wife of Thick-head, bringing him treasure and living happily, suggesting she finds contentment in the marriage.
Not explicitly detailed, but her acceptance of the marriage implies a sense of duty and perhaps a quiet resilience.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful young Indigenous woman with a serene expression, large dark eyes, and long, straight dark hair flowing down her back, adorned with a few small, polished beads. She wears a finely tailored dress of soft, light-colored deerskin, decorated with subtle geometric patterns in dark thread along the hem and sleeves. Her posture is graceful and composed. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Family Home in the Forest
A humble dwelling situated deep within a forest near the sea, likely a wigwam or longhouse built from natural materials like bark and timber, with a small, low-fenced pen just outside the door. The surrounding area is characterized by dense woods and a nearby stream.
Mood: Humble, industrious, initially somewhat oppressive for the youngest boy, later a place of quiet observation and unexpected fortune.
The boy lives here, performs chores, keeps his Earth-Worm, Duck, and Fox in pens, and kills the Wolf in the yard. It's the base for his transformative journey.
Image Prompt & Upload
A traditional Mi'kmaq wigwam, constructed from birch bark over a conical frame of spruce poles, nestled among tall, ancient pine trees and deciduous maples. A small, roughly constructed wooden pen with a low fence sits just outside the entrance. The ground is covered with fallen pine needles and mossy rocks, with a faint path leading deeper into the dense, shadowed forest. Soft, diffused daylight filters through the canopy, creating dappled light on the forest floor. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Northern Hunting Forest
A vast, remote forest located to the north, described as 'game country'. It is autumn, and the hunter's moon is present, suggesting clear, cool nights and changing foliage.
Mood: Wild, abundant (for game), remote, a place of challenge and opportunity.
The older brothers hunt successfully here, while the youngest boy discovers the large Earth-Worm.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, ancient boreal forest in late autumn, with towering spruce and fir trees interspersed with golden-leaved birches and maples. The forest floor is a rich tapestry of fallen leaves in shades of russet, gold, and deep red, interspersed with dark green moss and exposed roots. A bright, full hunter's moon hangs low in a clear, deep blue sky, casting long, sharp shadows through the dense tree trunks. A faint mist rises from the distant undergrowth, adding to the cool, crisp atmosphere. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Chief's House
The residence of the Chief, a prominent structure in the village, likely a larger, more elaborately constructed longhouse or wigwam, suitable for 'great gatherings' and feasts. It is where the drum is used and eventually broken.
Mood: Important, ceremonial, bustling with activity during the gathering, later a place of negotiation and resolution.
The Chief borrows the boy's drum for a significant gathering to announce his daughter's marriage eligibility. The drum is broken here, leading to the boy's marriage to the Chief's daughter.
Image Prompt & Upload
An interior view of a grand Mi'kmaq longhouse, with a central hearth emitting warm, flickering light onto the smoke-darkened timber frame and bark walls. Elaborate woven mats and furs cover sections of the floor. People are gathered, some seated on raised platforms along the walls, others standing. The air is thick with the scent of woodsmoke and food. Soft, warm light from the central fire illuminates faces and traditional regalia, while shadows dance in the corners. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
