ALL CHANGE
by Joseph Jacobs · from Europa's Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once there was a man. He was very, very lazy. He did not like to work. He needed food. He worked for a Farmer. He worked very little. The Farmer paid him one pea. "This is your pay," the Farmer said.
Lazy Man took his pea. He went to an inn. He asked First Innkeeper. "Can I sleep here?" he asked. "And my pea?" She had no bed. "I can keep your pea," she said. Lazy Man slept in a barn.
A chicken ate the pea. Lazy Man came back. "Where is my pea?" he asked. First Innkeeper was sad. "A chicken ate it," she said. "Give me the chicken," he said. "Or I tell the judge." She gave the chicken.
Lazy Man went to a new inn. He had the chicken. Second Innkeeper kept it. A big sow ate the chicken. Lazy Man was angry. "Give me the sow," he said. "Or I tell the judge." He gave the sow.
Lazy Man went to a third inn. He had the sow. Third Innkeeper kept it. A mare was in the stable. The mare scared the sow away. Lazy Man came back. "Give me the mare," he said. Third Innkeeper gave the mare.
Lazy Man went to a fourth inn. He had the mare. The Girl took the mare. She gave it water. The mare ran away. The Girl was very sad. Lazy Man asked for help. The Girl agreed.
Fourth Innkeeper did not like this. He did not want trouble. He let The Girl go. The Girl felt bad. She wanted to help. She went with Lazy Man. She walked by his side.
They walked to another inn. The Girl's Aunt lived there. Lazy Man did not know this. He asked for a room. He asked for The Girl.
Lazy Man found a room. He told The Girl to wait. "Stay in this quiet room," he said. He went to sleep. He thought she would stay.
The Aunt saw The Girl. The Girl told her story. The Aunt helped The Girl leave. They put a big dog in the room. The dog was very noisy. It barked and barked.
Lazy Man woke up. He went to the room. He opened the door. The big dog jumped out. It barked very loudly. Lazy Man was scared. He ran away fast. No one saw him again.
Being lazy and tricky is not good. Bad things can happen to tricky people.
Original Story
ALL CHANGE
There was once a man who was the laziest man in all the world. He wouldn't take off his clothes when he went to bed because he didn't want to have to put them on again. He wouldn't raise his cup to his lips but went down and sucked up his tea without carrying the cup. He wouldn't play any sports because he said they made him sweat. And he wouldn't work with his hands for the same reason. But at last he found that he couldn't get anything to eat unless he did some work for it. So he hired himself out to a farmer for the season. But all through the harvest he ate as much and he worked as little as he could; and when the fall came and he went to get his wages from his master all he got was a single pea. "What do you mean by giving me this?" he said to his master. "Why, that is all that your labor is worth," was the reply. "You have eaten as much as you have earned." "None of your lip," said the man; "give me my pea; at any rate I have earned that." So when he got it he went to an inn by the roadside and said to the landlady, "Can you give me lodging for the night, me and my pea?" "Well, no," said the landlady, "I haven't got a bed free, but I can take care of your pea for you." No sooner said than done. The pea was lodged with the landlady, and the laziest man went and lay in a barn near-by.
The landlady put the pea upon a dresser and left it there, and a chicken wandering by saw it and jumped up on the dresser and ate it. So when the laziest man called the next day and asked for his pea the landlady couldn't find it. She said, "The chicken must have swallowed it." "Well, I want my pea," said the man. "You had better give me the chicken." "Why, what—when—how?" stammered the landlady. "The chicken is worth thousands of your pea." "I don't care for that; it has got my pea inside it, and the only way I can get my pea is to have that which holds the pea." "What, give you my chicken for a single pea, nonsense!" "Well, if you don't I'll summon you before the justice." "Ah, well, take the chicken and my bad wishes with it."
So off went the man and sauntered along all day, till that night he came to another inn, and asked the landlord if he and his chicken could stop there. He said, "No, no, we have no room for you, but we can put your chicken in the stable if you like." So the man said, "Yes," and went off for the night. But there was a savage sow in the stable, and during the night she ate up the poor chicken. And when the man came the next morning he said to the landlord, "Please give me my chicken." "I am awfully sorry, sir," said he, "but my sow has eaten it up." The laziest man said, "Then give me your sow." "What, a sow for your chicken, nonsense; go away, my man." "Then if you don't do that I'll have you before the justice." "Ah, well, take the sow and my curses with it," said the landlord.
And the man took the sow and followed it along the road till he came to another inn, and said to the landlady, "Have you room for me and my sow?" "I have not," said the landlady, "but I can put your sow up." So the sow was put in the stable, and the man went off to lie in the barn for the night. Now the sow went roaming about the stable, and coming too near the hoofs of the mare, was hit in the forehead and killed by the mare's hoofs. So when the man came in the morning and asked for his sow the landlady said, "I'm very sorry, sir, but an accident has occurred; my mare has hit your sow in the skull and she is dead." "What, the mare?" "No, your sow." "Then give me the mare." "What, my mare for your sow, nonsense." "Well, if you don't I'll take you before the justice; you'll see if it's nonsense." So after some time the landlady agreed to give the man her mare in exchange for the dead sow.
Then the man followed on in the steps of the mare till he came to another inn, and asked the landlord if he could put him up for the night, him and his mare. The landlord said, "All our beds are full, but you can put the mare up in the stable if you will." "Very well," said the man, and tied the halter of the mare into the ring of the stable. Next morning early the landlord's daughter said to her father, "That poor mare has had nothing to drink; I'll go and lead it to the river." "That is none of your business," said the landlord; "let the man do it himself." "Ah, but the poor thing has had nothing to drink. I'll bring it back soon." So the girl took the mare to the river brink and let it drink the water; but, by chance, the mare slipped into the stream, which was so strong that it carried the mare away. And the young girl ran back to her mother and said, "Oh mother, the mare fell into the stream and it was carried quite away. What shall we do? What shall we do?"
When the man came round that morning he said, "Please give me my mare." "I'm very sorry indeed, sir, but my daughter—that one there—wanted to give the poor thing a drink and took it down to the river and it fell in and was carried away by the stream; I'm very sorry indeed." "Your sorrow won't pay my loss," said the man; "the least you can do is to give me your daughter." "What, my daughter to you because of the mare!" "Well, if you don't I will take you before the justice." Now the landlord didn't like going before the justice.
So after much haggling he agreed to let his daughter go with the man. And they went along, and they went along, and they went along, till at last they came to another inn which was kept by the girl's aunt, though the man didn't know it. So he went in and said, "Can you give me beds for me and my girl here?" So the landlady looked at the girl who said nothing, and said, "Well, I haven't got a bed for you but I have got a bed for her; but perhaps she'll run away." "Oh, I will manage that," said the man. And he went and got a sack and put the girl in it and tied her up; and then he went off. As soon as he was gone the girl's aunt opened the bag and said, "What has happened, my dear?" And she told the whole story. So the aunt took a big dog and put it in the sack; and when the man came the next morning he said, "Where's my girl?" "There she is, so far as I know." So he took the sack and put it on his shoulder and went on his way for a time. Then as the sun grew high he sat down under the shade of a tree and thought he would speak to the girl. And when he opened the sack the big dog flew out at him, and he fell back, and that's the last I heard of him.
Story DNA
Moral
Even the laziest person can be surprisingly resourceful when motivated by self-interest, but their schemes may eventually backfire.
Plot Summary
A notoriously lazy man receives only a single pea for his meager work. When an innkeeper's chicken eats his pea, he demands the chicken. This sets off a chain of events where each subsequent animal (sow, mare) that consumes or kills the previous one is demanded by the man as compensation, always under threat of legal action. Finally, when a mare he acquired drowns due to a landlord's daughter, he demands the daughter. The man then puts the girl in a sack, but her aunt secretly replaces her with a dog. When the man later opens the sack, the dog attacks him, and he is never seen again.
Themes
Emotional Arc
indifference to cunning to comeuppance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Joseph Jacobs was a prominent collector and re-teller of English fairy tales, often simplifying them for children while retaining their traditional structure and humor.
Plot Beats (11)
- A man known for extreme laziness is forced to work for food and receives only a single pea as wages.
- He demands the pea and seeks lodging for himself and his pea at an inn; the landlady agrees to keep the pea.
- A chicken eats the pea, so the man demands the chicken from the landlady, threatening to go to the justice.
- He travels to another inn, where his chicken is eaten by a sow; he demands the sow from the landlord, again threatening legal action.
- At a third inn, the sow is accidentally killed by a mare; he demands the mare from the landlady.
- At a fourth inn, the mare drowns while being led to water by the landlord's daughter; he demands the daughter as compensation.
- The landlord, unwilling to face the justice, reluctantly gives his daughter to the man.
- The man and the girl arrive at an inn run by the girl's aunt (unknown to the man).
- The man puts the girl in a sack for safekeeping while he sleeps.
- The girl's aunt frees her niece and replaces her with a large dog in the sack.
- The man takes the sack with the dog, and later, when he opens it to speak to the 'girl,' the dog attacks him, and he disappears.
Characters
The Laziest Man ★ protagonist
Of average height and build, likely unkempt due to his laziness. His movements are slow and deliberate, conserving energy. He probably has a slightly disheveled appearance from not changing clothes often.
Attire: Simple, worn peasant clothing, likely made of coarse linen or wool in muted earth tones (browns, greys). His clothes would be rumpled and possibly stained, reflecting his disinterest in personal upkeep. He wouldn't wear anything elaborate or clean.
Wants: To acquire goods and comfort with the absolute minimum effort possible, and to avoid any form of work or exertion.
Flaw: His overwhelming laziness, which prevents him from truly earning anything and ultimately leads to his downfall.
He starts by trying to get something for nothing and succeeds in escalating his 'wages' through cunning. His arc ends abruptly when his trickery is turned against him, and he is presumably chased away or harmed by the dog.
Extremely lazy, cunning, persistent, litigious (threatening justice), opportunistic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A lazy adult man with a slumped posture, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has an unkempt, tired expression, with dark, messy, medium-length hair. He wears a rumpled, coarse brown linen tunic, loose grey trousers, and worn leather boots. His hands are in his pockets, and he looks slightly bored. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Farmer ○ minor
A sturdy, weathered man, likely with strong hands and a tanned face from working outdoors. He would be of average height and build, reflecting a life of physical labor.
Attire: Practical, durable peasant farmer's clothing: a simple linen shirt, sturdy wool trousers, and a leather apron or vest. Colors would be earthy and functional, like browns, greens, and greys. Worn but clean.
Wants: To run his farm efficiently and fairly compensate his workers based on their output.
Flaw: Perhaps a slight underestimation of the Laziest Man's cunning.
A static character who appears briefly to set the protagonist's journey in motion.
Practical, fair (in his own estimation), direct, observant, somewhat stern.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy adult farmer, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a tanned, weathered face with a stern expression, short brown hair, and observant eyes. He wears a practical, clean, cream linen shirt, sturdy dark green wool trousers, and a brown leather vest. His hands are calloused. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Inn Landlady (Chicken) ◆ supporting
A bustling, perhaps slightly stout woman, accustomed to the physical demands of running an inn. She would have a practical, no-nonsense demeanor.
Attire: A practical, clean, and sturdy innkeeper's dress, likely made of wool or heavy linen in a dark color (e.g., deep blue, forest green) with a white apron over it. Perhaps a simple cap or head covering.
Wants: To run her inn smoothly and avoid trouble, especially legal disputes.
Flaw: Her fear of legal action, which makes her susceptible to the Laziest Man's threats.
A static character who serves as an obstacle and a stepping stone for the protagonist's scheme.
Practical, initially accommodating, easily flustered, ultimately resigned, protective of her property.
Image Prompt & Upload
A bustling adult woman, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a round, slightly flushed face with a flustered expression, practical brown hair tied in a neat bun, and alert eyes. She wears a clean, dark blue wool dress with a crisp white apron tied over it, and simple leather shoes. Her hands are clasped in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Inn Landlord (Sow) ◆ supporting
A robust, perhaps gruff man, likely broad-shouldered from lifting barrels and managing an inn. He would have a strong, imposing presence.
Attire: Sturdy, practical innkeeper's clothing: a thick linen shirt, a dark wool waistcoat, and heavy trousers. Perhaps a leather apron. Colors would be dark and functional. Worn but well-maintained.
Wants: To protect his property and avoid legal entanglements.
Flaw: His aversion to legal disputes, which makes him vulnerable to the Laziest Man's threats.
A static character who serves as an obstacle and a stepping stone for the protagonist's scheme.
Gruff, initially dismissive, protective of his property, ultimately yielding to threats of legal action.
Image Prompt & Upload
A robust adult innkeeper, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a ruddy, strong-jawed face with a gruff expression, short dark hair, and stern eyes. He wears a thick cream linen shirt, a dark green wool waistcoat, and heavy brown trousers. His arms are crossed over his chest. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Inn Landlady (Mare) ◆ supporting
Similar to the first landlady, a practical woman, perhaps a bit more weary or resigned, given the progression of events. She would be of average build.
Attire: A functional, dark-colored dress made of sturdy fabric, with a simple apron. Less pristine than the first landlady, reflecting the wear and tear of innkeeping. Perhaps a shawl over her shoulders.
Wants: To avoid legal trouble and manage her inn.
Flaw: Her fear of legal action, which makes her susceptible to the Laziest Man's threats.
A static character who serves as an obstacle and a stepping stone for the protagonist's scheme.
Practical, apologetic, initially resistant, but ultimately yields to threats.
Image Prompt & Upload
A practical adult innkeeper, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a tired but firm face with a worried expression, grey hair pulled back tightly, and resigned eyes. She wears a dark grey wool dress with a simple white apron and a dark blue shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hands are clasped in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Inn Landlord (Daughter) ◆ supporting
A man similar in build to the previous landlord, perhaps a bit older and more established. He would have a commanding presence.
Attire: Formal innkeeper's attire: a dark, well-made wool coat over a linen shirt and waistcoat, with sturdy trousers. Perhaps a cravat. Colors would be dark and respectable. Clean and well-maintained.
Wants: To protect his daughter and avoid legal trouble.
Flaw: His strong aversion to going before the justice, which the Laziest Man exploits.
A static character who serves as an obstacle and a stepping stone for the protagonist's scheme.
Authoritative, protective of his family, initially dismissive, but ultimately yields to legal threats.
Image Prompt & Upload
An authoritative adult innkeeper, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a stern, slightly exasperated face, short greying dark hair, and deep-set, authoritative eyes. He wears a dark grey wool coat over a crisp white linen shirt and a dark red waistcoat, with sturdy black trousers. His hands are clasped behind his back. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Girl ◆ supporting
A young woman of average height and slender build, likely appearing somewhat innocent and kind. Her movements would be gentle and perhaps a little timid after her ordeal.
Attire: Simple, modest peasant girl's clothing: a light-colored linen dress, perhaps with a simple pattern, and a plain apron. Practical but clean. Colors would be soft, like pale blue or cream.
Wants: Initially, to care for animals. Later, to escape her predicament.
Flaw: Her initial naivety and compassion, which leads to the mare's loss and her own capture.
She starts as a compassionate helper, becomes a victim of the Laziest Man's scheme, and then, with her aunt's help, becomes an agent of his downfall.
Kind, compassionate (towards the mare), obedient (to her father), quiet, resourceful (with her aunt's help).
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult peasant girl, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a gentle, slightly worried face with soft features, long light brown hair in a simple braid, and kind, expressive eyes. She wears a simple pale blue linen dress with a cream apron over it, and practical leather shoes. Her hands are clasped loosely in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Girl's Aunt ◆ supporting
A shrewd and capable woman, likely of average height and build, with a keen eye. She would appear practical and intelligent.
Attire: A respectable, well-maintained innkeeper's dress, perhaps a dark color like deep red or forest green, with a clean apron. She would look competent and in control.
Wants: To protect her niece and outsmart the Laziest Man.
Flaw: None apparent; she is the one who outsmarts the protagonist.
A static character who appears at the end to resolve the conflict and bring about the protagonist's downfall.
Shrewd, clever, protective of her niece, resourceful, decisive.
Image Prompt & Upload
A shrewd adult innkeeper, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a sharp, intelligent face with a knowing smile, dark hair with streaks of grey pulled back neatly, and observant, clever eyes. She wears a respectable deep red wool dress with a clean white apron over it, and practical leather shoes. Her hands are clasped in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Farmer's Farmyard
A bustling farmyard, likely with a barn, outbuildings, and fields stretching beyond. The ground would be trodden earth, possibly muddy in places, with farm implements scattered about. The air would carry the scent of hay and animals.
Mood: Practical, busy, slightly tense due to the man's laziness and the farmer's frustration.
The lazy man receives his meager wage of a single pea from the farmer.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic English farmyard in late autumn. Weathered timber barns with thatched roofs stand around a central dirt yard. A few chickens peck at the ground near a stone well. Distant fields show stubble from harvest under a pale, diffused autumn sky. Low sunlight casts long, soft shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Roadside Inn (First)
A modest, cozy inn by the side of a well-traveled road. It would have a common room with a dresser, and stables nearby for travelers' animals. The architecture would be typical of a rural English inn, perhaps half-timbered with a slate or tiled roof.
Mood: Initially welcoming, then quickly turning to frustration and argument.
The man exchanges his pea for a chicken after it's eaten, setting off the chain of 'all change'.
Image Prompt & Upload
A quaint, two-story English roadside inn at dusk. The ground floor is rough-hewn stone, transitioning to dark timber framing with white infill on the upper story, under a steeply pitched slate roof. A warm glow emanates from a leaded-pane window. A simple wooden sign hangs by the door. A dirt road passes in front, flanked by tall, mature oak trees. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
River Brink
The edge of a flowing river, likely with a gentle slope down to the water. The banks would be grassy or muddy, possibly with some reeds or small bushes. The river itself would be wide and strong, suggesting a significant current.
Mood: Initially peaceful, quickly turning to panic and despair.
The landlord's daughter takes the mare to drink, and it is swept away by the river.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, fast-flowing river with clear, cool water, reflecting a pale morning sky. The riverbank is a mix of short, damp grass and exposed, smooth river stones, with a few gnarled willow trees leaning over the water. The current creates small ripples and eddies. In the distance, rolling green hills are visible under a soft, diffused light. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Shady Tree by the Road
A large, mature tree offering ample shade, likely beside a dirt road. The ground beneath would be dry earth or sparse grass, perhaps with fallen leaves. It's a place for rest and contemplation on a sunny day.
Mood: Initially calm and reflective, abruptly turning to shock and chaos.
The man opens the sack, expecting the girl, but a dog leaps out, marking his final, surprising comeuppance.
Image Prompt & Upload
A massive, ancient English oak tree stands majestically beside a winding dirt road, its broad canopy casting a deep, cool shadow on the ground below. The road is well-worn, with faint wagon ruts. Beyond the tree, sun-drenched fields stretch to the horizon under a clear, bright autumn sky. The ground beneath the tree is a mix of dry earth and scattered fallen leaves. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
