SUPPOSING
by David Cory · from Puss Junior and Robinson Crusoe
Adapted Version
The big bell rang! Ding-dong! Everyone woke up in Crusoe Castle. Puss Junior jumped from his bed. Tom Thumb yawned a little. He asked, "Who rings the bell?" Snoozer barked loudly. He wagged his tail.
Mr. Crusoe took the ladder. He put it against the fence. He climbed up to the top. It was a long ladder. Mr. Crusoe was strong. Then he pulled the ladder up. He let it down outside. Snoozer wagged his tail.
A friendly face looked over the wall. It was Friday. His eyes were kind. He waved his hand. Tom Thumb whispered, "It is Friday!" Snoozer barked. Friday smiled a big smile.
Mr. Crusoe and Friday came down. They used the ladder. Mr. Crusoe said, "This is Friday." Puss shook. Tom Thumb shook his hand too. Friday was happy. He liked new friends.
Friday smiled very wide. He said, "Hello!" He looked very happy. Mr. Crusoe said, "He is happy." Likes you. Friday nodded his head. He gave a thumbs up.
Puss Junior asked, "Who rang the bell?" Mr. Crusoe said, "Friday did!" Took Puss back. He showed him the bell. The bell was big. It made a loud sound.
Mr. Crusoe said, "I found this bell." From ship. I tied a rope to the bell. Friday rings it when he is out. I let the ladder down for him. It was a clever plan. It worked very well.
Puss Junior asked, "What if both leave?" Mr. Crusoe said, "We hide the ladder." We put it in the woods. The woods were thick. It was a secret spot. Then no one can find it.
Tom Thumb asked a new question. He said, "What if someone finds it?" What if you are not home? Tom Thumb thought hard. He liked to ask.
Mr. Crusoe said, "I do not know." Maybe they will not think of that. Mr. Crusoe sighed. It was a hard question. Tom Thumb said, "But what if they do?"
Mr. Crusoe said, "Oh dear!" He said, "No more 'what if' games!" I forgot how to play that game. He smiled a little. He loved Tom Thumb.
Mr. Crusoe said, "Let's go to the beach." We can get clams for breakfast. Friday, please boil some water. We will eat steamed clams. Clams are very tasty. They are good to eat.
Mr. Crusoe climbed the ladder. Puss Junior went up too. Tom Thumb followed them. They all went to the beach. The sun was warm. It was a happy day.
Original Story
SUPPOSING
THE loud ringing of a bell awoke everyone in Crusoe Castle. Puss, Junior, jumped out of his hammock and little Tom Thumb yawned and asked in a sleepy voice, "Who's ringing the door-bell?" Then Mr. Crusoe picked up the ladder and went outside and, placing it against the fence, climbed up to the top, and after that he pulled up the ladder and then let it down on the outside. All this time Snoozer stood below wagging his tail, while Mr. Crusoe's two cats, Caromel and Caroline, purred and rubbed against the calendar pole. Pretty soon a curly-headed black face appeared above the wall.
"Black man Friday," whispered Tom Thumb.
"Bow-wow!" yelped Snoozer, and in a few minutes Mr. Crusoe and his man Friday climbed down the ladder.
"This is my good man Friday," said Mr. Crusoe. So Puss and Tom Thumb shook hands with him, which seemed to please him immensely.
"Glum-glum. Blum-blum!" he cried, smiling and showing a row of very white teeth.
"That's 'Howdy! Pleased to meet you,' in his language," said Mr. Crusoe. "He can talk very little English yet. I've had little time to devote to his education so far."
"But who rang the bell?" asked Puss, Junior.
"Why, Friday did, of course," replied Mr. Crusoe. "Come over here and I'll show you," and he led Puss to the rear of the cave.
"I brought this bell from the wreck," explained Mr. Crusoe. "After Friday came to me I tied a rope to it. At the other end of the rope I fastened a door-knob. When I go out Friday usually stays in. And when I ring the bell he lets down the ladder to me. And when he's out he rings the bell, just as he did this morning, and I let the ladder down to him."
"What do you do when both of you go out?" asked Puss. "Does Snoozer attend to the ladder?"
"No, no," replied Mr. Crusoe. "We hide the ladder in the woods nearby. Then when we come back we get it out and stand it up against the wall and climb up."
"Supposing someone should come across the ladder and make a call while you're out?" asked Tom Thumb.
"Well, I don't know whether they'd think of that if they just happened to find the ladder," answered Mr. Crusoe.
"Well, supposing they did," said Tom Thumb.
"Caesar's Ghost!" cried Mr. Crusoe. "Suppose we don't do any more supposing! I've been so long alone that I've forgotten how to play that game. Let's all go down to the beach and get some fresh soft clams for breakfast. Start the water boiling, Friday, we're going to have steamed clams for breakfast." And then Mr. Crusoe climbed up the ladder, with Puss and Tom Thumb close at his heels.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A loud bell rings at Crusoe Castle, revealing Mr. Crusoe's man Friday, who speaks a different language. Mr. Crusoe explains his ingenious system of a ladder and bell for entry and exit, which he brought from a shipwreck. Puss Junior and Tom Thumb, a small boy, question the security of the system, particularly when both Mr. Crusoe and Friday are out. Tom Thumb's persistent 'supposing' questions about potential intruders finding the hidden ladder eventually exasperate Mr. Crusoe, who ends the game by suggesting they all go to the beach for breakfast.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to amusement
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a children's adaptation or spin-off of the classic 'Robinson Crusoe' narrative, focusing on the domestic and logistical aspects of their isolated life rather than survival or exploration.
Plot Beats (13)
- A loud bell rings, waking everyone in Crusoe Castle, including Puss Junior and Tom Thumb.
- Mr. Crusoe climbs a ladder to the top of the fence, pulls it up, and then lets it down on the outside.
- A curly-headed black face appears, identified by Tom Thumb as "Black man Friday."
- Mr. Crusoe and Friday climb down the ladder, and Mr. Crusoe introduces Friday to Puss and Tom Thumb.
- Friday expresses his pleasure in his own language, which Mr. Crusoe translates as 'Howdy! Pleased to meet you.'
- Puss Junior asks who rang the bell, and Mr. Crusoe explains it was Friday and shows them the bell system.
- Mr. Crusoe describes how he brought the bell from a wreck and uses it with a rope and doorknob for communication with Friday regarding the ladder.
- Puss Junior asks what happens when both Mr. Crusoe and Friday are out, and Mr. Crusoe explains they hide the ladder in the woods.
- Tom Thumb begins to ask a 'supposing' question about someone finding the ladder while they are out.
- Mr. Crusoe initially dismisses the idea, but Tom Thumb persists with his hypothetical scenario.
- Exasperated, Mr. Crusoe cries, "Caesar's Ghost! Suppose we don't do any more supposing!"
- Mr. Crusoe suggests they all go to the beach for clams and tells Friday to start the water boiling.
- Mr. Crusoe, Puss, and Tom Thumb climb up the ladder to leave for the beach.
Characters
Mr. Crusoe
A resourceful and practical man, likely of European descent, with a sturdy build from years of self-sufficiency. His skin is probably tanned from exposure to the sun.
Attire: Simple, durable clothing made from available materials, likely linen or rough canvas. Perhaps a loose-fitting shirt, trousers, and sturdy, handmade shoes or sandals. Colors would be natural, earthy tones.
Wants: To maintain order and safety in his isolated existence, and to provide for himself and his companions.
Flaw: Can be easily frustrated by abstract or 'supposing' questions, preferring practical solutions.
In this short snippet, he is reminded of the complexities of social interaction and the 'game' of supposing, which he had forgotten during his solitude.
Resourceful, practical, a good leader, a bit weary of hypothetical questions, and capable of adapting to isolation.
Black man Friday
A man of African descent with a curly-headed black face. He is strong and capable, accustomed to physical tasks.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing, likely made from natural fibers or animal skins, suitable for a tropical island environment. Perhaps a loincloth or simple tunic, in earthy tones.
Wants: To serve Mr. Crusoe and integrate into his new life, showing gratitude and loyalty.
Flaw: Limited English language skills, which can sometimes hinder communication.
In this short story, he is introduced as a new, valued member of Crusoe's household, beginning his integration and education.
Friendly, eager to please, loyal, and willing to learn. He expresses joy easily.
Puss, Junior
A young, agile cat, likely small and nimble, capable of jumping out of a hammock.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To understand the events happening around him and to participate in the daily activities.
Flaw: His youth and curiosity might lead him into trouble or ask too many questions.
No significant arc in this short story, serves as an inquisitive observer.
Curious, inquisitive, and active. He is quick to ask questions and follow Mr. Crusoe.
Tom Thumb
A very small boy, consistent with the fairy tale character of Tom Thumb. He is tiny but has a human form.
Attire: Simple, child-appropriate clothing, perhaps a small tunic and breeches, made from practical fabrics like linen or wool, in muted colors.
Wants: To understand the world around him and to explore possibilities through imagination.
Flaw: His tendency to ask endless 'supposing' questions can be frustrating to others.
No significant arc in this short story, serves as the catalyst for the 'supposing' game.
Sleepy at first, but quickly becomes inquisitive and prone to 'supposing' hypothetical situations.
Snoozer
A dog, likely a loyal and watchful breed, given his role. His size and breed are not specified, but he is capable of wagging his tail enthusiastically.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To guard and be a companion to Mr. Crusoe and the others.
Flaw: Not applicable in this context.
No arc in this short story.
Loyal, watchful, and excitable, especially when new people arrive.
Caromel
One of Mr. Crusoe's two cats. Likely a domestic cat, with a soft coat suitable for purring and rubbing.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To seek comfort and express affection.
Flaw: Not applicable in this context.
No arc in this short story.
Affectionate and content.
Caroline
One of Mr. Crusoe's two cats. Likely a domestic cat, with a soft coat suitable for purring and rubbing.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To seek comfort and express affection.
Flaw: Not applicable in this context.
No arc in this short story.
Affectionate and content.
Locations
Crusoe Castle Interior (Cave)
The interior of Crusoe Castle, which is described as a cave, likely with a rustic, makeshift feel. It contains hammocks and is where the bell's rope mechanism is explained.
Mood: Cozy, functional, a bit rustic, homey
Everyone is awakened by the bell, and Mr. Crusoe explains the bell and ladder system to Puss and Tom Thumb.
Crusoe Castle Exterior (Wall and Fence)
The exterior of Crusoe Castle, characterized by a defensive wall and fence. A ladder is used to ascend and descend, connecting the inside to the outside world.
Mood: Secure, isolated, functional
Mr. Crusoe uses the ladder to let Friday in, and Friday appears over the wall.
Nearby Woods
A wooded area close to Crusoe Castle where the ladder is hidden when both Mr. Crusoe and Friday are out.
Mood: Secluded, natural, potentially mysterious
Mr. Crusoe explains that the ladder is hidden here when they both leave the castle.
The Beach
A sandy beach where fresh soft clams can be gathered for breakfast.
Mood: Peaceful, bountiful, natural
Mr. Crusoe suggests they all go to the beach to gather clams for breakfast.