TAFFY
by David Cory · from Puss Junior and Robinson Crusoe
Adapted Version
Puss, Junior, Tom Thumb walk. They hear a sound. It is the Butcher singing a song. The Butcher sings a rhyme. "Taffy came to my house. Taffy took my meat. I went to Taffy's house. I was very mad." The Butcher looks angry. He shakes his head. He looks upset. His face is red. He is very upset.
Puss, Junior says Taffy was naughty. Butcher sad. He shakes his head slowly. "I was too angry," he says. "I hurt Taffy. Taffy is very sick now. He is in bed for many weeks. The doctor says Taffy must rest. He cannot get up. Taffy needs to sleep. He needs quiet time."
"Oh no!" says Tom Thumb. The Butcher sighs a big sigh. He looks at his feet. He says, "I feel bad now. I was not careful. I wish I was careful. He goes inside. The door closes. He is alone now."
Puss, Junior feels a little sad for Taffy. He thinks about Taffy's name. He thinks about Taffy in bed. He says, "Maybe Taffy is not so bad. I want to know more. Let's go see him! He smiles. His smile is warm. He feels curious."
Tom Thumb laughs a little. He asks, "Is Taffy sweet like candy? You like candy, Puss, Junior! He laughs. "Maybe!" he says. "Come on, Tom Thumb. We will find out! We will go now."
They ask people, "Where does Taffy live?" People tell them his house. They walk up the street. They see the house. The house is small. It has a red door. The door is bright red. There are pretty flowers. The flowers are yellow and blue. A green vine grows on the wall. Taffy's house looks warm and nice. It is the prettiest house. It looks very friendly.
Puss, Junior feels happy now. He looks at the pretty house. He thinks, "This house is so nice!" "I think Taffy is nice!" he says. He walks to the door. He lifts his hand. He knocks on the door. *Knock, knock.* He waits.
Original Story
TAFFY
"TAFFY was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief,
Taffy came to my house and stole a piece of beef;
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy wasn't home,
Taffy came to my house and stole a marrow-bone;
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was in bed,
I took the marrow-bone and beat about his head."
"Well, I guess you did what was right," said Puss, Junior, as he and Tom Thumb neared a butcher shop in a small village.
The butcher, who had just spoken in rhyme, shifted from one foot to the other in an uneasy sort of way. "But that isn't all," he went on to say, in rather an anxious tone of voice.
"Tell us the worst, then," laughed Puss, Junior, who didn't appear very sympathetic, although the name Taffy appealed to him and made him wonder what sort of a person Taffy was.
"The truth of the matter is," the butcher went on to say, "I hit him a bit too hard with the marrow-bone. His head is in bad shape, and the doctor says it will be some weeks yet before Taffy gets out of bed."
"Gracious me!" exclaimed Tom Thumb. "Why weren't you more careful?"
"That's just it," replied the butcher. "Why wasn't I more careful?" And then he gave a sigh and went into his shop to wait on a customer.
"Let's make a call on Taffy," said Puss, Junior. "Somehow, I can't help liking him. I don't know whether it's on account of his name, or not. But Taffy sounds awfully nice to me."
"It tastes awfully good to me," laughed Tom Thumb. "You must have him mixed up with candy. That's the reason you like him, I guess."
"Come on and we'll soon find out," cried Puss, Junior. "I'm curious to see what 'Welsh Taffy' is like." So they both walked up the street, inquiring on the way where Taffy lived. If the house Taffy owned was any indication that Taffy was a nice sort of person, it certainly spoke well for him, for it was the prettiest and most homelike little place Puss had ever seen.
"I like him already," said Puss, as he knocked on the door.
Story DNA
Moral
Revenge can lead to unintended and regrettable consequences, and it's important to understand the full story before judging someone.
Plot Summary
Puss, Junior and Tom Thumb encounter a butcher who recites a rhyme about Taffy the thief and his own violent retaliation. The butcher then expresses regret, revealing Taffy is severely injured. Despite the initial story, Puss, Junior feels an inexplicable liking for Taffy and convinces Tom Thumb to visit him. They find Taffy's house to be surprisingly charming, reinforcing Puss's positive impression, and the story ends as Puss, Junior knocks on the door, eager to meet Taffy.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to concern
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story plays on the existing nursery rhyme 'Taffy was a Welshman', which has historical roots in anti-Welsh sentiment, but recontextualizes it to challenge stereotypes and promote empathy.
Plot Beats (7)
- Puss, Junior and Tom Thumb hear a butcher recite the rhyme about Taffy stealing beef and a marrow-bone, and the butcher retaliating by beating Taffy.
- Puss, Junior initially approves of the butcher's actions, but the butcher then reveals Taffy is severely injured and confined to bed for weeks.
- Tom Thumb expresses shock at the butcher's lack of care, and the butcher sighs with regret.
- Puss, Junior feels an inexplicable liking for Taffy, despite the theft, and suggests they visit him.
- Tom Thumb jokes about Puss, Junior confusing Taffy with candy, but agrees to go.
- They inquire about Taffy's residence and find his house to be surprisingly pretty and homelike.
- Puss, Junior, further impressed, declares he likes Taffy already and knocks on the door.
Characters
Taffy
A Welshman, currently confined to bed due to a head injury. His build is not specified, but he is described as having a head that was 'in bad shape' after being struck with a marrow-bone. His overall appearance is likely that of a common man from a small village.
Attire: Currently in bed, so likely wearing simple nightclothes or a nightshirt made of linen or cotton, appropriate for a common villager of the era. Prior to his injury, he would have worn practical, sturdy clothing suitable for a working man, perhaps wool trousers and a simple tunic or shirt.
Wants: To acquire food (beef, marrow-bone), likely due to hunger or poverty, or simply a mischievous nature.
Flaw: His thieving habit and lack of caution, which led to his injury.
Starts as a thief, ends up injured and bedridden, becoming the object of curiosity and potential sympathy from Puss, Junior and Tom Thumb.
Thievish, opportunistic, perhaps a bit reckless (given his repeated thefts from the same person). Despite his actions, Puss, Junior finds him likable, suggesting he might have a charming or endearing quality that belies his criminal tendencies.
The Butcher
A man of average height and build, likely sturdy from his profession. He shifts from foot to foot, indicating unease. His hands might be large and calloused from handling meat.
Attire: Wearing practical, blood-stained work clothes typical of a butcher in a small village. This would likely include a heavy linen or canvas apron over a simple tunic or shirt, and sturdy trousers, possibly leather or thick wool, with practical leather boots. The apron would be a key identifier of his profession.
Wants: To protect his property from theft, but then to express his remorse and anxiety over the severity of Taffy's injury.
Flaw: His temper and lack of control when retaliating against Taffy, leading to excessive force.
Starts by recounting a tale of justified retaliation, but then reveals his deep regret and anxiety over the consequences of his actions.
Regretful, anxious, prone to rhyming (at least in this instance), and somewhat moralistic (believing he did 'what was right' initially, but then regretting his excess).
Puss, Junior
A bipedal cat, likely resembling a younger version of Puss in Boots. He would have a sleek, agile build, with fur that is probably a rich ginger or tawny color, consistent with a 'Puss' character. His height would be comparable to a human child or small adult.
Attire: Likely wears clothing similar to a human, but tailored for a bipedal cat. This would include a small, perhaps slightly flamboyant, jacket or doublet, breeches, and small boots, possibly with a feather in a cap, though less grand than his famous father. The colors might be earthy tones or a vibrant green or blue.
Wants: To explore, to understand people, and to satisfy his curiosity about Taffy.
Flaw: Perhaps a naive charm or tendency to be swayed by superficial appeal (like a name).
Starts by hearing a story of theft and retribution, and ends by developing a strong curiosity and liking for the thief, Taffy, leading him to visit.
Curious, adventurous, somewhat mischievous, empathetic (despite his initial lack of sympathy for the butcher), and easily charmed by names or concepts (like 'Taffy' or 'Welsh Taffy').
Tom Thumb
A very small human boy, literally the size of a thumb. He would have a diminutive but perfectly proportioned body, with a child's features. His size is his most defining physical trait.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing scaled down to his size. This might include a tiny tunic, breeches, and perhaps a small cap, made of durable fabrics like linen or wool, in muted colors like brown, grey, or forest green.
Wants: To accompany Puss, Junior, and to understand the situation, often from a more grounded perspective.
Flaw: His small size makes him vulnerable and perhaps a bit more timid.
Remains consistent, acting as the more cautious and literal companion to Puss, Junior.
More cautious and practical than Puss, Junior. He expresses concern and is more literal-minded (confusing 'Taffy' with candy).
Locations
Village Butcher Shop
A small, bustling butcher shop in a village, with the butcher standing uneasily outside.
Mood: Slightly anxious and gossipy, but also lively with village activity.
Puss, Junior and Tom Thumb learn the full story of Taffy and the butcher's regret.
Taffy's House
The prettiest and most homelike little place Puss had ever seen, indicating Taffy's good nature.
Mood: Charming, inviting, and peaceful, despite the owner's current predicament.
Puss, Junior and Tom Thumb arrive at Taffy's home, forming a positive impression of him before meeting.