THE BIG BLACK SNAKE
by David Cory
Adapted Version
In a small house lived a little girl. She had a magic tree! Do you know what happened?
"I am strong. I am very strong. I can tie up a giant. I can hold him tight. I am like a strong rope. Yes, I am!" said Big Black Snake.
Little Jack Rabbit ran to the snake. "Help us!" he cried. "Ragged Rabbit Giant takes ribbons. He takes them from the magic tree. The Little Girl's tree is sad."
Big Black Snake said, "I will help. I will go now." He went to garden. Uncle John Hare hid. Little Jack Rabbit hid. The Little Girl hid too.
Soon, they heard a loud noise. Oh, what a sound! Ragged Rabbit Giant ran out. Big Black Snake was on him. The snake held him tight. Around his waist, he was.
Big Black Snake held the giant very tight. He wrapped around him. Ragged Rabbit Giant felt squished. He did not like it. He was not happy.
The giant spoke in a whisper. "Please stop!" he said. "I will not come here again. I promise you this. Let me go now."
Big Black Snake winked one eye. He looked at Uncle John Hare. Uncle John Hare was wise. "Make him give a big promise," he said. "A true promise."
Ragged Rabbit Giant made a big promise. He would not bother them again. He said, "I will be good."
The Little Girl said, "Thank you, Snake. You are kind." She ran to the garden. She cut pretty ribbons. She gave them to Big Black Snake. "For your family," she said.
Big Black Snake was happy. He glided away. He went to his home.
Then a bugle sound came. "Listen!" cried The Little Girl. "The Prince comes now!"
Soon, The Prince came. He was on a white horse. "Come with me," he said. "Come to my castle. It is a happy place."
The Little Girl pulled her magic tree. She locked her small house door. The handsome Prince helped her up. She sat on his horse. They rode away fast.
As they rode, a magic happened. The Little Girl grew. She became a beautiful princess. She was very happy now. Everyone learned promises matter. Friends can help.
Original Story
THE BIG BLACK SNAKE
"I'm as strong as an iron rope I can bind a giant fast; If I coil like a belt around his waist, I can make him breathe his last,"
sang the Big Black Snake just as I finished the last story.
"Then help us," said Little Jack Rabbit, "for the Ragged Rabbit Giant is picking all the lovely ribbons from the little girl's magic tree."
"Keep quiet," said the snake, "and I will glide around into the garden and see what I can do."
So Uncle John Hare, Little Jack Rabbit and the little girl hid behind a lilac bush. And pretty soon, not so very long, they heard a dreadful noise. Oh, dear me, yes. And in another minute the Ragged Rabbit Giant ran out of the garden with the big snake coiled about his waist.
Now the Ragged Rabbit Giant was tremendously strong, and the snake found it hard work to squeeze the breath out of him. But, just the same, Ragged Rabbit Giant was mighty uncomfortable, let me tell you. And pretty soon he said in a whisper:
"If you will tell this dreadful snake To bother me no more, I'll never pass this way again Nor knock upon your door."
"Shall I let him go?" asked the snake, winking his left eye at Uncle John Hare. "First make him give us a promise," answered the wise old gentleman rabbit. So the big bunny giant made a solemn vow never to bother them again.
"You are a very kind snake," said the little girl, "I will give you some ribbons for your children's Easter bonnets." And she ran into the garden and with her silver scissors clipped off some pretty ribbons and gave them to the snake, who then glided away to his home.
Just then the sound of a bugle was heard and the little girl cried:
"Here comes the prince on his snow-white steed As my godmother told me he would, To take me away to his castle gay In the midst of the whispering wood."
And sure enough, in a few minutes the prince came by and asked the little girl to come to his castle. So she pulled up the Magic Ribbon Tree and locked the door of her little house, and then the handsome prince lifted her up on the saddle and rode away to the castle. And as soon as the little girl was seated behind him she grew into a beautiful young princess. And in the next story, oh, just wait until you hear what happens.
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Moral of the Story
Sometimes, even the most unlikely allies can help overcome a challenge, and promises should be kept.
Characters
Big Black Snake ◆ supporting
A very large, long, and muscular snake, capable of coiling tightly around a giant. Its scales are a uniform, deep black, giving it a sleek and formidable appearance. It is tremendously strong, described as being 'as strong as an iron rope'.
Attire: None, as it is a snake.
Wants: To prove its strength and be helpful to its friends.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but perhaps a slight vanity regarding its strength.
Remains consistent, proving its strength and kindness.
Boastful, confident, clever, helpful, and surprisingly kind. It enjoys showing off its strength but uses it for good.
Little Jack Rabbit ◆ supporting
A small, agile rabbit with soft fur, likely brown or grey, typical of a young rabbit. He is quick and observant.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To protect the magic tree and help his friends.
Flaw: His small size makes him vulnerable to larger threats.
Remains consistent, acting as a concerned friend.
Observant, quick to ask for help, a bit timid but brave when needed.
Ragged Rabbit Giant ⚔ antagonist
A tremendously strong, very large rabbit-like giant. His fur is likely disheveled or 'ragged', suggesting a rough or unkempt appearance. He possesses immense physical power.
Attire: Likely minimal or tattered clothing, consistent with his 'ragged' description, or perhaps just his fur.
Wants: To take the ribbons from the magic tree for unknown reasons, likely for personal gain or simple mischief.
Flaw: Easily subdued by superior strength and quick to make promises to escape discomfort.
Starts as a nuisance, is defeated, and promises to change his ways.
Mischievous, destructive, selfish, and easily intimidated once overpowered.
Uncle John Hare ◆ supporting
An older, wise hare, likely with distinguished features. His fur might be slightly grizzled or lighter in color due to age. He carries an air of calm authority.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To ensure justice and safety for his friends, and to teach lessons.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but perhaps his age makes him less physically capable than younger characters.
Remains consistent, serving as a source of wisdom.
Wise, calm, thoughtful, and strategic. He offers good counsel.
The Little Girl ★ protagonist
A small, innocent child who transforms into a beautiful young princess. Before transformation, she is likely of average height and build for a young girl. After, she is graceful and elegant.
Attire: Before: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a child living in a small house, perhaps a modest dress. After: Implied to be wearing fine attire befitting a princess, though not explicitly described.
Wants: To protect her magic tree and eventually to find her destiny with the prince.
Flaw: Her initial vulnerability as a child against a giant.
Transforms from a little girl into a beautiful young princess, fulfilling her destiny.
Kind, grateful, observant, and trusting. She is resourceful and has a strong sense of justice.
The Prince ◆ supporting
A handsome young man, riding a snow-white steed. He is likely of noble bearing and athletic build, befitting a prince.
Attire: Implied to be wearing regal attire, though not explicitly described. Perhaps a tunic and breeches of fine fabric, with some embellishment, suitable for riding.
Wants: To find the little girl and take her to his castle, as foretold.
Flaw: None shown in this story segment.
Appears to fulfill his role in the prophecy, taking the little girl to her new life.
Chivalrous, kind, and fulfilling his destiny.
Locations
The Little Girl's Garden
A vibrant garden where a unique 'Magic Ribbon Tree' grows, laden with colorful ribbons. It is adjacent to the little girl's small house and features a lilac bush for hiding.
Mood: Initially peaceful and magical, then tense during the giant's intrusion, finally relieved and celebratory.
The Ragged Rabbit Giant attempts to steal ribbons, the Big Black Snake confronts him, and the little girl clips ribbons for the snake.
The Whispering Wood
A forest setting through which the prince rides to reach his castle. The name suggests a gentle, perhaps magical, quality to the trees.
Mood: Anticipatory, romantic, magical.
The prince arrives on his snow-white steed to take the little girl to his castle.
Story DNA
Moral
Sometimes, even the most unlikely allies can help overcome a challenge, and promises should be kept.
Plot Summary
When the Ragged Rabbit Giant begins stealing ribbons from a little girl's Magic Ribbon Tree, Little Jack Rabbit and Uncle John Hare enlist the help of a boastful Big Black Snake. The snake confronts the giant, coiling around him until the giant, in discomfort, promises to never bother them again. After securing a solemn vow, the snake releases the giant, and the little girl rewards the snake with ribbons. Soon after, a prince arrives as foretold, taking the little girl to his castle, where she transforms into a beautiful princess.
Themes
Emotional Arc
threat to relief to joy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
David Cory was an American author known for his children's stories, often featuring animal characters and simple morals, popular in the early 20th century.
Plot Beats (14)
- The Big Black Snake boasts about its strength to bind giants.
- Little Jack Rabbit asks the snake for help because the Ragged Rabbit Giant is stealing ribbons from the little girl's magic tree.
- The snake agrees to help and glides into the garden while the others hide.
- A dreadful noise is heard, and the Ragged Rabbit Giant runs out with the snake coiled around his waist.
- The snake struggles to squeeze the giant, but the giant is very uncomfortable.
- The giant whispers a promise to never return if the snake stops bothering him.
- The snake winks at Uncle John Hare, who advises making the giant give a solemn promise.
- The giant makes a solemn vow never to bother them again.
- The little girl thanks the snake and gives him ribbons for his children's Easter bonnets.
- The snake glides away to his home.
- A bugle sounds, and the little girl announces the arrival of a prince.
- The prince arrives and invites the little girl to his castle.
- The little girl pulls up her Magic Ribbon Tree, locks her house, and rides away with the prince.
- As she rides, the little girl transforms into a beautiful young princess.
