The Snipe
by Herman Hofberg · from Swedish fairy tales
Adapted Version
Listen closely! Have you heard a bird? It sounds like a horse. This bird flies very fast. Its wings make a loud sound. The sound is like a horse's neigh. It lives near water.
Farmer John had a big horse. He had a servant named Lazy Sam. Sam took the horse to a field. Sam forgot to give the horse water. He did this many times. The horse was often thirsty.
Summer was very hot. There was no rain. The field had no water. The horse was very thirsty. It felt very sad. It stood alone in the hot sun. It needed water badly.
One day, Farmer John spoke to Sam. 'Go get my horse,' he said. 'Bring it from the field.' Sam went to the field.
Sam looked for the horse. He looked in the field. He looked everywhere. But he did not find the horse. Sam did not come back. He did not tell Farmer John.
Farmer John waited for Sam. Sam did not come. Farmer John went to look. He looked for his horse too. He looked everywhere. But the horse was gone. Farmer John felt very sad.
Many days passed by. Farmer John was still sad. He walked in the fields. He still looked for his horse. Then he heard a sound. It sounded like a horse's neigh.
Farmer John looked up. He saw a horse! It looked like his horse. The horse was drinking water. It was in a green field. Farmer John felt happy. He thought, 'My horse is here!'
Farmer John called out. 'Hello, horse!' he said. He walked closer to it. The horse made a neigh sound. It sounded happy too.
Farmer John reached out his hand. He wanted to touch the horse. But then, poof! The horse changed. It became a bird! Farmer John was very surprised. He could not believe his eyes.
The bird made a neigh sound. It was the special bird sound. It flew high into the sky. Farmer John watched it go. He was very surprised. He stood there alone.
From that day, Farmer John changed. He took care of his horses. He made sure they had water. He gave them fresh food. He was a very good farmer now. He loved his animals.
It is good to care for friends. It is good to care for pets. They need food. They need water. We must give it every day. Farmer John learned a big lesson. He always gave his horses water. He was a very good farmer now. Sometimes, he heard the bird's neigh. It flew in the sky.
Original Story
The Snipe.
The snipe, as is well known, is a bird which inhabits low, marshy meadows, and which, in flight, makes a noise with its wings not unlike the neighing of a horse.
A farmer, who himself never looked after his property, had in his employ a lazy and negligent servant. One dry summer the man rode his master’s horse, many days in succession, to a pasture where there was no water, without first giving it drink, as he had been instructed. So the poor animal was thus left to suffer through the long dry period.
It happened one day that the farmer would go to the city, and commanded the servant to fetch the horse from the pasture. The man went, but search where he would, no horse could be found. The servant not returning in season, his master set out after him, but neither could he find the animal. It had disappeared from the pasture completely, and was not found again.
Some days later, when the farmer was again out, continuing the search, to his surprise he heard a neighing in the air. Soon after he observed his horse, as he supposed, standing and drinking in an adjoining meadow. “Are you there, Grålle?” cried the farmer, and hastened to catch the horse. His shout was answered with a neigh.
“Grålle, Grålle, my boy!” continued the farmer, in persuasive tones and was about to grasp the halter, when the horse was transformed into a bird, which, with another neigh, flew into the air.
From that day the farmer took care of his own horses, and before all else he saw to it that they did not want for water when they went to pasture.
Story DNA
Moral
Neglecting one's responsibilities, especially towards living creatures, can lead to irreversible loss and regret.
Plot Summary
A negligent farmer and his lazy servant fail to provide water for their horse, leading to its suffering. One day, the horse disappears, and despite searching, it cannot be found. Days later, the farmer encounters what he believes is his horse, only for it to transform into a snipe and fly away as he tries to catch it. This magical event serves as a profound lesson, prompting the farmer to become responsible for his animals' welfare.
Themes
Emotional Arc
ignorance to regret to wisdom
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Herman Hofberg was a Swedish folklorist, and this tale reflects common themes in Scandinavian folk tradition regarding responsibility and nature.
Plot Beats (12)
- The story introduces the snipe, a marsh bird known for its horse-like neigh.
- A negligent farmer employs a lazy servant who repeatedly fails to give the farmer's horse water.
- The horse suffers greatly during a dry summer due to the servant's neglect.
- One day, the farmer instructs the servant to fetch the horse from the pasture.
- The servant searches but cannot find the horse, failing to return.
- The farmer goes to search himself but also cannot find the horse, which has completely disappeared.
- Days later, while still searching, the farmer hears a neighing sound.
- He then sees what he believes is his horse, 'Grålle', drinking in a nearby meadow.
- The farmer calls out to the horse and approaches it, receiving a neigh in response.
- As the farmer reaches for the horse's halter, the animal transforms into a bird.
- The bird, a snipe, lets out another neigh and flies into the air.
- From that day forward, the farmer personally ensures his horses are well-cared for and always have water.
Characters
The Farmer ★ protagonist
A man of average height and build, likely with a weathered appearance from outdoor work, though initially negligent in his duties. His features would suggest a Northern European, possibly Swedish, background, given the story's origin.
Attire: Practical, sturdy Northern European farmer's attire of the 19th century: a coarse linen or wool shirt, sturdy trousers (possibly homespun), and a simple waistcoat. Colors would be muted earth tones like grey, brown, or undyed linen. He might wear a simple cap or hat for sun protection.
Wants: Initially, to maintain his property and livestock through the labor of others. Later, to find his lost horse and, after its transformation, to ensure the well-being of his remaining animals.
Flaw: Laziness and a lack of direct oversight, leading to the suffering of his animals and the loss of his horse.
Transforms from a negligent and irresponsible owner to a diligent and caring one, directly overseeing the welfare of his horses after a supernatural event.
Negligent, initially irresponsible, surprised, regretful, ultimately responsible, observant.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult Northern European farmer, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a weathered face with a short, practical brown beard and kind, observant blue eyes. His hair is short, practical, and brown. He wears a sturdy, undyed linen shirt, dark grey wool trousers, and a simple brown leather waistcoat. His hands are calloused. He has a look of profound surprise and dawning understanding on his face. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Servant ○ minor
A man of average build, likely appearing somewhat disheveled or unkempt due to his lazy nature. His features would be consistent with a Northern European peasant of the era.
Attire: Simple, worn Northern European peasant clothing: a coarse linen tunic or shirt, practical trousers, and possibly a simple leather jerkin or waistcoat. Colors would be drab and functional, likely earth tones.
Wants: To avoid strenuous work and fulfill his duties with minimal effort.
Flaw: Extreme laziness and disregard for the well-being of the animals under his care.
Does not undergo a significant arc within the story; his actions serve as the catalyst for the main plot.
Lazy, negligent, irresponsible, forgetful.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult Northern European peasant man, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a plain, somewhat tired face with dull brown eyes and unkempt brown hair. He wears a coarse, undyed linen tunic, patched brown wool trousers, and worn leather boots. His posture is slightly slumped, indicating a lack of energy. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Grålle (The Horse / The Snipe) ◆ supporting
Initially, a grey horse (Grålle means 'Grey' in Swedish), likely appearing somewhat gaunt or distressed due to lack of water. After transformation, it becomes a snipe: a medium-sized, plump wading bird with long legs, a very long, straight bill, and cryptic brown, black, and white streaked plumage, perfectly camouflaged in marshy environments.
Attire: N/A (animal)
Wants: As a horse: to find water and survive. As a snipe: to escape human negligence and live freely.
Flaw: As a horse: vulnerability to human neglect and thirst.
Transforms from a suffering domestic animal into a free, magical wild bird, escaping its former life of neglect.
Suffering, resilient (in its transformation), elusive, perhaps mischievous (in its final neigh).
Image Prompt & Upload
A medium-sized, plump wading bird with long, slender legs and a very long, straight bill. Its plumage is cryptically patterned with streaks of rich brown, black, and creamy white, providing excellent camouflage. Its small, dark eyes are set high on its head. It is captured mid-flight, with its wings making a distinctive sound, looking back over its shoulder with a knowing expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Dry Pasture
A low, marshy meadow, now parched and dry due to a long summer drought, lacking any water source. The ground is likely cracked earth with sparse, withered grass.
Mood: Desolate, neglected, suffering
The horse is repeatedly left without water here, leading to its suffering and eventual disappearance.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, parched meadow under a harsh, clear summer sky. The ground is a network of deep cracks in dry, light brown earth, with only scattered clumps of brittle, yellowed grass. In the distance, a few stunted, drought-stressed birch trees stand against the horizon. The air shimmers with heat. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Adjoining Meadow
A low, marshy meadow, distinct from the dry pasture, where water is present. The ground is likely soft and damp, with lush vegetation typical of a wetland.
Mood: Surprising, mysterious, slightly eerie
The farmer discovers what he believes to be his horse drinking here, only for it to transform into a snipe.
Image Prompt & Upload
A verdant, low-lying meadow with a shallow, clear stream meandering through it. The banks are thick with lush green grass and clusters of tall reeds, their tips swaying gently. Soft afternoon light illuminates the scene, reflecting off the water's surface. The ground is damp and rich with life. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
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