THE CAPTURED FAIRIES
by James Bowker · from Goblin Tales of Lancashire
Adapted Version
Two men lived in a small village.
Dick and Tom lived in a small village. They liked to catch rabbits there. They did not like to work hard. They were often very lazy men.
One day, they lost their big nets. They had no nets to catch rabbits. This made them feel very sad.
They found some big, empty bags. They still wanted to catch rabbits. Rabbits lived in a special place. They planned to use these bags.
They went to the rabbit place. Dick put The Ferret in a hole. Tom put big bags over other holes. Soon, things moved in the bags. They thought they caught rabbits.
Dick and Tom carried the heavy bags. The bags felt very full now. They walked home in the dark. Then, a tiny voice spoke softly. "Dick, where are you?" it said.
Dick and Tom stopped very fast. They were very, very surprised. A new tiny voice spoke clearly. It came from Tom's big bag. "I am here! In a bag!" "On a back! Going up the hill!"
Dick and Tom were very scared. These were not little rabbits. They were little fairy folk! The men dropped the heavy bags. They ran away very fast. They ran all the way home.
Next morning, they went back slowly. The bags were on the road. The bags were quite empty. They were folded very neatly. The little fairy folk were gone.
Dick and Tom never caught rabbits again. They used the bags for good things. They carried round things in them now. They carried fresh greens too.
The men worked hard each day. They made cloth for the village. The people were very surprised. Dick and Tom were new men.
They told their strange story. It was a big secret they shared. They told about the big bags. They told about the fairy folk.
The story became very famous. Children would sing the fairy words. "Dick, where are you?" they sang. The men smiled gladly then. They were very happy men.
They were happy. They worked hard. And they never forgot the little fairy folk.
Original Story
THE CAPTURED FAIRIES.
THERE once lived in the little village of Hoghton two idle, good-for-nothing fellows, who, somehow or other, managed to exist without spending the day, from morn to dewy eve, at the loom. When their more respectable neighbours were hard at work they generally were to be seen either hanging about the doorway of the little ale-house or playing at dominoes inside the old-fashioned hostelry; and many a time in broad daylight their lusty voices might be heard as they trolled forth the hearty poaching ditty,
'It's my delight, on a shiny night.'
It was understood that they had reason to sympathise with the sentiments expressed in the old ballad. Each was followed by a ragged, suspicious-looking lurcher; and as the four lounged about the place steady-going people shook their heads, and prophesied all sorts of unpleasant terminations to so unsatisfactory a career. So far as the dogs were concerned the dismal forebodings were verified, for from poaching in the society of their masters the clever lurchers took to doing a little on their own account, and both were shot in the pursuit of game by keepers, who were only too glad of an opportunity of ridding the neighbourhood of such misdirected intelligence. Soon after this unfortunate event, the two men, who themselves had a narrow escape, had their nets taken; and, as they were too poor to purchase others, and going about to borrow such articles was equivalent to accusing their friends of poaching habits, they were reduced to the necessity of using sacks whenever they visited the squire's fields.
One night, after climbing the fence and making their way to a well-stocked warren, they put in a solitary ferret and rapidly fixed the sacks over the burrows. They did not wait long in anxious expectation of an exodus before there was a frantic rush, and after hastily grasping the sacks tightly round the necks, and tempting their missionary from the hole, they crept through the hedgerow, and at a sharp pace started for home. For some time they remained unaware of the nature of their load, and they were congratulating themselves upon the success which had crowned their industry, when suddenly there came a cry from one of the prisoners, 'Dick, wheer art ta?' The poachers stood petrified with alarm; and almost immediately a voice from the other bag piped out—
'In a sack,
On a back,
Riding up Hoghton Brow.'8
The terrified men at once let their loads fall, and fled at the top of their speed, leaving behind them the bags full of fairies, who had been driven from their homes by the intruding ferret. Next morning, however, the two poachers ventured to the spot where they had heard the supernatural voices. The sacks neatly folded were lying at the side of the road, and the men took them up very tenderly, as though in expectation of another mysterious utterance, and crept off with them.
Need it be said that those bags were not afterwards used for any purpose more exciting than the carriage of potatoes from the previously neglected bit of garden, the adventure having quite cured the men of any desire to 'pick up' rabbits.
Like most sudden conversions, however, that of the two poachers into hard-working weavers was regarded with suspicion by the inhabitants of the old-world village, and in self-defence the whilom wastrels were forced to tell the story of the imprisonment of the fairies. The wonderful narrative soon got noised abroad; and as the changed characters, on many a summer evening afterwards, sat hard at work in their loom-house, and, perhaps almost instinctively, hummed the old ditty,
'It's my delight, on a shiny night,'
the shock head of a lad would be protruded through the honeysuckle which almost covered the casement, as the grinning youngster, who had been patiently waiting for the weaver to commence his song and give an opportunity for the oft-repeated repartee, cried, 'Nay, it isn't thi delight; "Dick, wheer art ta?"'
Story DNA
Moral
Misdeeds can lead to unexpected and frightening consequences that may force a change in behavior.
Plot Summary
Two idle poachers, after losing their dogs and nets, resort to using sacks for hunting rabbits. One night, they capture what they believe to be game, but as they carry their loads home, voices from within the sacks reveal they have inadvertently captured fairies. Terrified, the men drop the sacks and flee. This supernatural encounter completely reforms them; they abandon poaching, become diligent weavers, and are forced to recount their incredible story to explain their sudden change, which becomes a local legend and a source of good-natured teasing.
Themes
Emotional Arc
complacency to terror to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a time when poaching was a common issue in rural England, often by those struggling economically, and local folklore was a significant part of community life.
Plot Beats (12)
- Two idle poachers, accompanied by their lurchers, are known for their lazy habits and illegal hunting in Hoghton village.
- Their dogs are eventually shot by gamekeepers, and their nets are confiscated, leaving them without tools for poaching.
- The poachers resort to using sacks for their next poaching attempt at a well-stocked warren.
- They insert a ferret into a burrow and place sacks over the exits, soon capturing several creatures.
- As they carry the heavy sacks home, one of the captives inside a sack calls out, "Dick, wheer art ta?"
- A voice from the other sack responds with a rhyming verse, revealing they are in sacks on backs, riding up Hoghton Brow.
- Realizing they have captured fairies, the poachers are overcome with terror and drop their sacks, fleeing for their lives.
- The next morning, they cautiously return to find the sacks neatly folded, confirming the supernatural encounter.
- The experience completely cures them of poaching; they begin using the sacks for mundane tasks like carrying potatoes.
- Their sudden transformation into diligent weavers is met with suspicion by the villagers.
- To explain their change, the poachers are compelled to recount their terrifying encounter with the captured fairies.
- The story becomes a local legend, and the men are often teased by youngsters who repeat the fairies' dialogue when they hum their old poaching song.
Characters
Dick ★ protagonist
A man of average height and a somewhat lean, wiry build, indicative of a life spent outdoors but not in strenuous labor. His movements are often slow and deliberate when lounging, but capable of quick bursts of speed when fleeing. His hands are likely calloused from rough work and handling nets.
Attire: Wears practical, well-worn, and somewhat dirty clothing typical of a rural English poacher in the 19th century. This would include a coarse, dark wool or fustian jacket, a drab linen or cotton shirt, sturdy corduroy trousers, and heavy, mud-caked leather boots. His clothes are likely patched and faded.
Wants: To avoid honest work, to acquire food (rabbits) through poaching, and later, to live a respectable life free from supernatural terror.
Flaw: Cowardice, idleness, superstition, and a tendency to take the easy way out.
Transforms from an idle poacher into a hard-working weaver after a terrifying encounter with fairies, becoming a local legend due to his story.
Idle, opportunistic, easily frightened, resourceful (in poaching), superstitious, ultimately reformed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A lean, adult man of average height, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a rough, unshaven face with small, wary dark eyes and unkempt, short dark hair. He wears a dark, coarse fustian jacket with visible patches, a drab linen shirt, sturdy corduroy trousers, and heavy, mud-caked leather boots. His posture is slightly hunched, and he holds a coarse linen sack loosely in one hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Second Poacher ★ protagonist
Similar to Dick, a man of average height and a somewhat lean, wiry build, accustomed to physical activity but not heavy labor. His movements are often slow and deliberate when lounging, but capable of quick bursts of speed when fleeing. His hands are likely calloused from rough work and handling nets.
Attire: Wears practical, well-worn, and somewhat dirty clothing typical of a rural English poacher in the 19th century. This would include a coarse, dark wool or fustian jacket, a drab linen or cotton shirt, sturdy corduroy trousers, and heavy, mud-caked leather boots. His clothes are likely patched and faded.
Wants: To avoid honest work, to acquire food (rabbits) through poaching, and later, to live a respectable life free from supernatural terror.
Flaw: Cowardice, idleness, superstition, and a tendency to take the easy way out.
Transforms from an idle poacher into a hard-working weaver after a terrifying encounter with fairies, becoming a local legend due to his story.
Idle, opportunistic, easily frightened, resourceful (in poaching), superstitious, ultimately reformed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A lean, adult man of average height, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a rough, unshaven face with small, wary dark eyes and unkempt, short dark hair. He wears a dark, coarse fustian jacket with visible patches, a drab linen shirt, sturdy corduroy trousers, and heavy, mud-caked leather boots. His posture is slightly hunched, and he holds a coarse linen sack loosely in one hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fairy in Dick's Sack ◆ supporting
Tiny, ethereal, and delicate, with a translucent quality to its form, suggesting a being of light and air rather than solid matter. Its movements are quick and flitting, even when confined.
Attire: No discernible clothing, but rather an iridescent shimmer or a faint glow that seems to emanate from its form, like the subtle colors of a dragonfly's wing.
Wants: To return to its home and freedom.
Flaw: Vulnerability to capture by larger beings, easily displaced from its home.
Briefly captured, then released, returning to its unseen world.
Playful, mischievous, easily startled, vocal.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tiny, ethereal, translucent creature, glowing faintly, struggling within a coarse, dark linen sack. Its form is delicate and indistinct, with large, luminous eyes. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fairy in the Second Poacher's Sack ◆ supporting
Tiny, ethereal, and delicate, with a translucent quality to its form, suggesting a being of light and air rather than solid matter. Its movements are quick and flitting, even when confined.
Attire: No discernible clothing, but rather an iridescent shimmer or a faint glow that seems to emanate from its form, like the subtle colors of a dragonfly's wing.
Wants: To return to its home and freedom.
Flaw: Vulnerability to capture by larger beings, easily displaced from its home.
Briefly captured, then released, returning to its unseen world.
Playful, mischievous, easily startled, vocal, poetic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tiny, ethereal, translucent creature, glowing faintly, struggling within a coarse, dark linen sack. Its form is delicate and indistinct, with large, luminous eyes. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Ferret ○ minor
A small, slender, agile creature with a long, lithe body, short legs, and a pointed snout. Its fur is typically a creamy white or light brown, with pink eyes if albino, or dark eyes if sable.
Attire: None.
Wants: To flush out prey from burrows.
Flaw: None apparent in the story; it is highly effective at its task.
Remains unchanged, performing its function as a tool for the poachers.
Instinct-driven, tenacious, effective hunter, oblivious to supernatural beings.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, slender ferret with creamy white fur and pink eyes, its body long and lithe, its snout pointed. It is shown in a low, slinking posture, as if moving through a burrow. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Grinning Youngster ○ minor
A small, energetic boy, likely thin from a rural upbringing, with a shock of unruly hair. His movements are quick and playful.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing typical of a rural English child in the 19th century, such as a coarse linen smock or shirt, short breeches, and perhaps bare feet or simple worn shoes.
Wants: To tease the reformed poachers and participate in the local folklore.
Flaw: None apparent, acts as a symbol of the community's memory.
Remains a static character, representing the enduring legacy of the poachers' tale.
Mischievous, playful, patient (waiting for the song), quick-witted (with his repartee).
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy, child-aged, with a round, mischievous face and bright, curious eyes, a wide impish grin. His hair is thick, disheveled, and stands up in a 'shock head' style, medium brown in color. He wears a simple, coarse linen smock. He is shown peeking through a dense tangle of honeysuckle. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Hoghton Village Ale-house
An old-fashioned hostelry, likely a traditional English pub with a simple, rustic interior, possibly with a stone or timber structure, and a doorway where idle fellows would hang about.
Mood: Languid, gossipy, slightly disreputable
The usual haunt of the two idle poachers, where they spent their days instead of working.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, half-timbered English ale-house from the 18th century, with a heavy oak door slightly ajar. Sunlight streams through a small, leaded-pane window, illuminating dust motes in the warm, dim interior. A simple wooden table with dominoes sits near the hearth. The walls are rough plaster, and the floor is packed earth or flagstones. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Squire's Warren near Hoghton Brow
A well-stocked rabbit warren, likely a field or open land belonging to the squire, bordered by a fence and a hedgerow. The ground would be uneven with numerous rabbit burrows.
Mood: Tense, secretive, eerie
The location where the poachers set their traps, accidentally capturing fairies instead of rabbits, and where they heard the fairies' voices.
Image Prompt & Upload
A moonlit English countryside scene at night. A low, weathered wooden fence separates a dense, tangled hedgerow from a wide, grassy field dotted with numerous rabbit burrows. The ground is uneven, with patches of short grass and exposed earth. The sky is dark with a few stars, casting long, soft shadows. The overall mood is quiet and slightly mysterious. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Hoghton Brow Roadside
A roadside spot on Hoghton Brow, where the poachers dropped their sacks. The road would likely be a dirt or gravel track, possibly with some verge or ditch.
Mood: Apprehensive, quiet, slightly supernatural
The place where the terrified poachers abandoned their fairy-filled sacks, and where they returned the next morning to find the empty sacks.
Image Prompt & Upload
A quiet, rural English dirt track winding gently uphill, flanked by a grassy verge with wild grasses and a few scattered wildflowers. The morning light is soft and diffused, casting gentle shadows. Two neatly folded, empty burlap sacks lie innocently on the side of the road. The background shows distant rolling hills under a pale blue sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Weaver's Loom-house
A small, humble loom-house, likely an extension or a separate outbuilding of a traditional English cottage, with a casement window almost covered by honeysuckle.
Mood: Cozy, industrious, nostalgic, slightly humorous
Where the reformed poachers now diligently work as weavers, often retelling their fairy encounter to curious youngsters.
Image Prompt & Upload
The interior of a rustic 18th-century English weaver's loom-house at golden hour. Warm, soft light streams through a small, leaded-pane casement window, heavily framed and partially obscured by lush green honeysuckle vines with small, fragrant blossoms. A sturdy wooden loom dominates the foreground, with threads stretched taut. The walls are rough-hewn timber or simple plaster, and the floor is worn wood. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
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