Envoi
by Guy Wetmore Carryl · from Grimm Tales Made Gay
Adapted Version
Hello, little friend! Want to know my story secret?
I think you are smart. Did my stories sound known? Did you think, "I heard this before!"? You are very clever. I could tell! You have good ears!
Here is my secret. I took some old stories. They came from a very clever man. His name was Mr. Grimm. He told dream tales. They were very old tales. He told them long ago. I liked them so much!
But listen now. This very last little lesson is new. It is all new! No one said it before. This is very special. It is my own idea. I made it just for you. Are you ready? Here it comes!
Mr. Grimm made a little wooden doll. That was his story. It was plain and simple. But I gave it clothes! I put on a funny hat. I added bright shoes. I painted a silly smile. I gave it sparkle. I made it shine. I made it smile. I made it dance. Now the doll looks so fun! That is what I did. I dressed up his stories. His stories were good. My clothes made them better.
Half the story came from Mr. Grimm. He made the doll. And the other half came from me! I made the clothes. It is like a cookie. You get half. I get half. We shared it! That is fair. Mr. Grimm and I are a team. We work well together.
But wait! There is one more friend. His name is Mr. Helper. He is very kind. He looked at all. He checked the doll. He checked the clothes. He made sure it was all just right. He made sure it was perfect. He helped make the story better. It is like a cherry on top! Thank you, Mr. Helper. He was a good friend to us. He is a great friend.
So, know this: stories are like big, happy puzzles. Many people help put pieces. Many hands make them great. We all work as one. This makes them extra fun for all!
Original Story
Envoi
Now don’t go and say you’d a dim
Idea of these stories before,
For I’ve frankly confessed them from Grimm,
The monarch of magical lore:
And if, by repeating, I took
Your time, I will candidly vow
This moral (the last in the book)
Has never been published till now!
The Moral: The skeleton’s Grimm,
But I have supplied the apparel,
So it’s fifty per cent, of it Him,
And it’s fifty per cent. of it Carryl.
But still (from the personal severing,
For it isn’t my nature to grump,)
I acknowledge a measure of Levering
Levering-ed the whole of the lump!
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Story DNA
Moral
Authorship can be a blend of original inspiration and adaptation, with credit due to all contributors.
Plot Summary
In this concluding poem, the author, Guy Wetmore Carryl, directly addresses the reader, admitting that his preceding 'Grimm Tales Made Gay' were indeed adaptations of Grimm's originals. He claims, however, that the moral presented in this 'Envoi' is entirely new. Carryl then humorously attributes the stories as 50% Grimm (the 'skeleton') and 50% himself (the 'apparel'), before surprisingly acknowledging an additional, uncredited contribution from someone named Levering, who 'Levering-ed the whole of the lump!'
Themes
Emotional Arc
reflection to acknowledgment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This 'Envoi' serves as a concluding poem to Guy Wetmore Carryl's collection 'Grimm Tales Made Gay,' a book of humorous, satirical adaptations of classic Grimm fairy tales. The reference to 'Levering' is likely a specific inside joke or reference to a contemporary or collaborator of Carryl's.
Plot Beats (6)
- The author directly addresses the reader, anticipating their potential thought that the stories were familiar.
- He openly admits that the preceding stories were adapted from Grimm, the master of magical lore.
- He states that while the stories themselves were retellings, the final moral presented in this 'Envoi' is entirely original and previously unpublished.
- The author then presents the moral, explaining that the 'skeleton' of the stories belongs to Grimm, but he (Carryl) provided the 'apparel' or embellishment.
- He quantifies this as a 50/50 split of authorship between Grimm and himself.
- Finally, the author, setting aside personal pride, acknowledges that a third party, Levering, also contributed significantly to the overall work, having 'Levering-ed the whole of the lump!'
Characters
Grimm ◆ supporting
A scholarly man of average height and build, with a serious, contemplative demeanor. His features are sharp, suggesting a life spent in deep thought and study.
Attire: Formal 19th-century European academic attire: a dark, well-tailored frock coat, a crisp white shirt with a high collar, a dark cravat, and dark trousers. The fabric would be wool or a similar sturdy material, in somber tones like charcoal or black.
Wants: To preserve and document traditional folk tales and cultural heritage.
Flaw: Perhaps too rigid in his approach, lacking the whimsical or modern touch.
Does not change within this short piece, serving as a fixed point of origin for the tales.
Scholarly, foundational, traditional, authoritative, serious.
Image Prompt & Upload
A scholarly 19th-century European man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a serious, contemplative expression, with deep-set eyes and a prominent nose. His dark hair is neatly combed, slightly thinning at the temples. He wears a dark wool frock coat, a crisp white shirt with a high collar, a dark cravat, and dark trousers. He holds a thick, leather-bound book in his left hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Carryl ★ protagonist
A witty and self-aware gentleman, likely of a comfortable build, reflecting his role as an author. His posture would suggest a playful confidence.
Attire: Stylish late 19th/early 20th-century American gentleman's attire: a well-tailored tweed or wool suit in a lighter color (e.g., brown, grey), a patterned waistcoat, a crisp shirt, and a jaunty bow tie or a loosely tied cravat. Perhaps a pocket square for a touch of flair.
Wants: To entertain, to put his own humorous spin on classic tales, and to acknowledge his influences.
Flaw: Perhaps a tendency to over-explain his creative process or to be overly self-referential.
Does not change within this short piece, serving as the authorial voice reflecting on his work.
Witty, self-deprecating, creative, playful, candid.
Image Prompt & Upload
A witty late 19th-century American gentleman standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has an expressive face with a knowing, slightly mischievous smile and a twinkle in his eye. His hair is neatly parted and of moderate length, styled fashionably. He wears a well-tailored light grey tweed suit, a patterned waistcoat, a crisp white shirt, and a jaunty bow tie. He holds a well-worn fountain pen in his right hand and a small, open notebook in his left. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Levering ○ minor
As the character is only mentioned by name and action ('Levering-ed the whole of the lump'), physical details are entirely speculative. They might be imagined as a subtle, influential presence, perhaps with an air of quiet competence.
Attire: No explicit details. Perhaps a simple, professional attire, reflecting a behind-the-scenes role, like a neat, unadorned suit or dress from the period.
Wants: To contribute to the overall quality or completion of the work, to 'Levering-ed the whole of the lump' implies a significant, if uncredited, contribution.
Flaw: Their contribution is acknowledged but not fully detailed, suggesting a background role rather than a prominent one.
Does not change, serves as a named influence.
Influential, contributing, perhaps meticulous, understated.
Image Prompt & Upload
A person of indeterminate gender standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. They have an observant, intelligent gaze and a subtle, knowing smile. Their hair is neatly styled. They wear a simple, professional late 19th-century suit or dress in a muted color like dark grey or navy, with minimal ornamentation. Their posture is composed and steady. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
