LAWKAMERCYME
by Flora Annie Webster Steel
The Old Woman and Her Dog
Once there was an old woman. She had things to sell. She went to the market. She walked to the market. She wanted to sell her goods. She carried a big basket. It was full of eggs.
The Old Woman felt very tired. The sun was warm. She sat down by the road. She closed her eyes. She fell fast asleep there. She snored softly.
A pedlar walked along the road. He saw The Old Woman. She was sleeping soundly. The pedlar had big scissors. They were very sharp. He thought of a trick. It was a silly trick. He cut her long clothes. He cut them very short. Now her clothes were small. They were much too small.
The Old Woman woke up. She felt a cold breeze. The air was chilly. She shivered and shook. Her legs felt very cold. Her clothes were short now. She felt very strange. She did not know why. She looked all around her. She saw the road. She saw the trees.
The Old Woman looked at her clothes. They were very short. "Oh dear!" she said. "My clothes are so small!" She saw her legs. They were bare. "This is not me!" she cried. "My clothes are not mine!" She felt confused. She shook her head.
The Old Woman had an idea. It was a good idea. She would go to her home. Her little dog was there. He would know her face. He knew her very well. If he wagged his tail, she was herself. If he barked at her, she was not. She must go home now. She must find out.
The Old Woman walked home. It was dark outside. The stars were out. Her little dog saw her. He ran to the door. He looked at her clothes. He did not know her. He growled low. "Woof! Woof!" he barked loudly. He barked and barked. He barked at the strange woman.
The Old Woman started to cry. Big tears fell. "Oh dear!" she said. "My dog does not know me! This is not me!" She felt very sad. She felt lost. She did not know who she was.
Original Story
LAWKAMERCYME
There was an old woman, as I've heard tell, She went to the market her eggs for to sell; She went to the market, all on a market-day, And she fell asleep on the king's highway. There came by a pedlar, whose name it was Stout, He cut all her petticoats all round about; He cut her petticoats up to the knees, Which made the old woman to shiver and freeze. When this old woman first did awake, She 'gan to shiver, she 'gan to shake; She 'gan to wonder, she 'gan to cry— "Lawkamercyme! this is none of I! "But if it be I, as I do hope it be, I've a little dog at home, and sure he'll know me; If it be I, he'll wag his little tail, And if it be not I, then he'll bark and wail." Home went the old woman, all in the dark; Up got the little dog, and he began to bark, He began to bark, and she began to cry— "Lawkamercyme! this is none of I!"
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Characters
The Old Woman ★ protagonist
A small, somewhat frail elderly woman, likely with the stooped posture common in old age from a life of labor. Her build would be thin, perhaps a bit bony, consistent with someone who works hard and lives simply.
Attire: She wears multiple layers of simple, practical clothing suitable for a market-goer in a historical English setting. This includes a plain, long-sleeved linen or wool shift, covered by several heavy wool petticoats for warmth and modesty, likely in muted colors like brown, grey, or dark blue. Over these, she would wear a simple, long-sleeved dress or gown, possibly with a plain apron. Her head would be covered by a linen coif or a simple shawl.
Wants: To sell her eggs at the market and return home safely. Fundamentally, she is motivated by the simple comforts and routines of her life.
Flaw: Her advanced age makes her vulnerable to falling asleep in public and to being easily disoriented. Her sense of self is tied to external appearances and recognition.
She begins as a confident, if elderly, market-goer. She experiences a profound crisis of identity due to a prank, leading to extreme confusion and distress, and ends the story still in a state of bewilderment, unable to recognize herself even through her dog's reaction.
Simple, hardworking, easily confused, somewhat dependent on external validation (her dog's recognition). She is prone to bewilderment and distress when her routine or identity is challenged.
The Pedlar Stout ⚔ antagonist
A man of average height and build, likely sturdy from carrying his wares. He would have a practical, perhaps slightly roguish appearance.
Attire: Typical attire for an English pedlar of the period: sturdy, practical clothes made of wool or coarse linen. This would include breeches, a simple shirt, a waistcoat, and a durable coat, all in earthy tones. He would likely wear sturdy leather boots and carry a large pack or basket of wares.
Wants: To amuse himself by playing a prank on the sleeping old woman. His motivation is purely for entertainment at another's expense.
Flaw: Lack of empathy, tendency to find amusement in others' misfortune.
He appears, commits his prank, and disappears, showing no change or consequence within the story.
Mischievous, prankster, perhaps a bit cruel or thoughtless, opportunistic.
The Little Dog ◆ supporting
A small, lively dog, likely a common breed or mix found in rural England, such as a terrier type. It would be agile and quick.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To greet its owner and protect its home. Its actions are driven by instinct and its bond with the old woman.
Flaw: Its inability to communicate complex thoughts, leading to a misunderstanding of the old woman's altered appearance.
It acts as a mirror to the old woman's identity crisis, first expected to confirm her identity, then confirming her fears by not recognizing her due to her altered appearance.
Loyal, protective, discerning (in its own way), reactive.
Locations
King's Highway
A public road, likely unpaved and dusty, leading to a market town. It is wide enough for travelers and pedlars, with open, exposed surroundings.
Mood: Initially peaceful and mundane, becoming vulnerable and bewildering.
The old woman falls asleep, and the pedlar cuts her petticoats, leading to her confusion upon waking.
Old Woman's Cottage
A humble, small cottage, likely of English rural design, with a simple interior where a small dog resides. The interior is dark, suggesting minimal lighting or the late hour.
Mood: Familiar and comforting, but quickly turns to confusion and distress.
The old woman returns home hoping her dog will recognize her, but its barking confirms her identity crisis.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
An old woman falls asleep on the way to market, and a pedlar cuts her petticoats short as a prank. Upon waking, she is so disoriented by her altered appearance that she believes she is no longer herself. She decides to test her identity by seeing if her dog recognizes her, but when the dog barks at her, she is convinced that she is indeed not herself and cries.
Themes
Emotional Arc
confusion to despair
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a traditional nursery rhyme or folk song, often passed down orally, reflecting simple rural life and humor.
Plot Beats (8)
- An old woman travels to market to sell her eggs.
- She falls asleep on the king's highway.
- A pedlar named Stout passes by and cuts her petticoats short.
- The old woman wakes up, feeling cold and disoriented.
- She looks at herself and exclaims, 'Lawkamercyme! this is none of I!'
- She decides to go home, believing her dog will recognize her if she is indeed herself.
- Upon her arrival, her dog barks at her, not recognizing her.
- The old woman cries, convinced by the dog's reaction that she is not herself.
