THE FIRE-EATERS
by Laurence Housman · from The Field of Clover
Adapted Version
Once, a boy named Noodle lived. He had a small head, a big heart. His Dad was very smart. His Mom was very smart too. But Noodle was a bit silly. His Mom and Dad were busy with books. They did not play much with him.
Then his Mom and Dad went away. Noodle was alone. He had little food. Soon he had almost nothing. He had just his small house.
One cold night, Noodle heard a knock. He opened the door. Seven little men stood there. They were small and thin. They looked like little fire. Their eyes were bright like flames. They were very cold. They were very hungry.
Noodle had no food. But he had a little fire. "Come in!" said Noodle. "Be warm!" He was very kind.
The little men ran to the fire. They ate the fire! They lapped up the flames. "More! More!" they cried. Noodle gave them wood. They ate the wood fire. He gave them a chair. They ate that fire too. They were the Fire Friends!
Noodle was very kind. He looked at his house. "Eat my house too!" he said. "You can have it all!" They ate all fire.
Soon the house was gone. Noodle sat outside. He had no home now. But the Fire Friends were full. They were happy at last.
The Fire Friends came to Noodle. "Thank you, Noodle!" they all said. "You were so kind. How can we help you?"
"Help me find food and home," said Noodle.
The biggest Fire Friend had a ring. It was a magic ring. It had a bright red stone. "Take this ring," he said. "It will make things good. Bread will be yummy meat. Water will be sweet juice. You will be strong." He put the ring in snow.
The little Fire Friends waved goodbye. They left warm footprints in the snow.
Noodle waited a little while. The ring was cool now. He put it on his finger. Then Noodle walked into the world.
Noodle found some old bread. He touched it with the ring. Wow! It tasted like yummy meat! He found some water. He touched it with the ring. Wow! It tasted like sweet juice! The ring was magic! Noodle smiled a big smile.
Noodle was kind. He shared everything. And so he got a magic ring. Noodle was never hungry again. He lived a very happy life.
Original Story
THE FIRE-EATERS
long time ago there lived a man who had the biggest head in the world. Into it he had crammed all the knowledge that might be gathered from the four corners of the earth. Every one said he was the wisest man living. "If I could only find a wife," said the sage, "as wise for a woman as I am for a man, what a race of head-pieces we could bring into the world!"
He waited many years before any such mate could be found for him: yet, at last, found she was—one into whose head was bestowed all the wisdom that might be gathered from the four quarters of heaven.
They were both old, but kings came from all sides to their wedding, and offered themselves as god-parents to the first-born of the new race that was to be. But, to the grief of his parents, the child, when he arrived, proved to be a simpleton; and no second child ever came to repair the mistake of the first.
That he was a simpleton was evident; his head was small and his limbs were large, and he could run long before he could talk or do arithmetic. In the bitterness of their hearts his father and mother named him Noodle, without the aid of any royal god-parents; and from that moment, for any care they took in his bringing-up, they washed their wise hands of him.
Noodle grew and prospered, and enjoyed life in his own foolish way. When his father and mother died within a short time of each other, they left him alone without any friend in the world.
For a good while Noodle lived on just what he could find in the house, in a hand-to-mouth sort of way, till at last only the furniture and the four bare walls were left to him.
One cold winter's night he sat brooding over the fire, wondering where he should get food for the morrow, when he heard feet coming up to the door, and a knock striking low down upon the panel. Outside there was a faint chirping and crackling sound, and a whispering as of fire licking against the woodwork without.
He opened the door and peered forth into the night. There, just before him, stood seven little men huddled up together; three feet high they were, with bright yellow faces all shrivelled and sharp, and eyes whose light leaped and sank like candle flame before a gust.
When they saw him, they shut their eyes and opened famished mouths at him, pointing inwards with flickering finger-tips, and shivering from head to foot with cold, although it seemed to the youth as if the warmth of a slow fire came from them. 'Alas!' said Noodle, in reply to these signs of hunger, 'I have not left even a crust of bread in the house to give you! But at least come in and make yourselves warm!' He touched the foremost, making signs for them all to enter. 'Ah,' he cried, 'what is this, and what are you, that the mere touch of you burns my finger?'
Without answer they huddled tremblingly across the threshold; but so soon as they saw the fire burning on the hearth, they yelped all together like a pack of hounds, and, throwing themselves face forwards into the hot embers, began ravenously to lap up the flames. They lapped and lapped, and the more they lapped the more the fire sank away and died. Then with their flickering finger-tips they stirred the hot logs and coals, burrowing after the thin tapes and swirls of vanishing flame, and fetching them out like small blue eels still wriggling for escape.
After each blue wisp had been gulped down, they sipped and sucked at their fingers for any least tricklet of flavour that might be left; and at the last seemed more famished than when they began.
'More, more, O wise Noodle, give us more!' they cried; and Noodle threw the last of his fuel on the embers.
They breathed round it, fanning it into a great blaze that leaped and danced up to the rafters; then they fell on, till not a fleck or a flake of it was left. Noodle, seeing them still famished, broke up a stool and threw that on the hearth. And again they flared it with their breath and gobbled off the flame. When the stool was finished he threw in the table, then the dresser, and after that the oak-chest and the window-seat.
Still they feasted and were not fed. Noodle fetched an axe, and broke down the door; then he wrenched up the boards from the floor, and pulled the beams and rafters out of the ceiling; yet, even so, his guests were not to be satisfied.
'I have nothing left,' he said, 'but the house itself; but since you are still hungry you shall be welcome to it!'
He scattered the fire that remained upon the hearth, and threw it out and about the room; and as he ran forth to escape, up against all the walls and right through the roof rose a great crackling sheaf of flame. In the midst of the fire, Noodle could see his seven guests lying along on their bellies, slopping their hands in the heat, and lapping up the flames with their tongues. 'Surely,' he thought, 'I have given them enough to eat at last!'
After a while all the fire was eaten away, and only the black and smouldering ruins were left. Day came coldly to light, and there sat Noodle, without a home in the world, watching with considerate eye his seven guests finishing their inordinate repast.
They all rose to their feet together, and came towards him bowing; as they approached he felt the heat of their bodies as it had been seven furnaces.
'Enough, O wise Noodle!' said they, 'we have had enough!' 'That,' answered Noodle, 'is the least thing left me to wonder at. Go your ways in peace; but first tell me, who are you?' They replied, 'We are the Fire-eaters: far from our own land, and strangers, you have done us this service; what, now, can we do to serve you?' 'Put me in the way of a living,' said Noodle, 'and you will do me the greatest service of all.'
Then the one of them who seemed to be chief took from his finger a ring having for its centre a great firestone, and threw it into the snow, saying, 'Wait for three hours till the ring shall have had time to cool, then take it, and wear it; and whatever fortune you deserve it shall bring you. For this ring is the sweetener of everything that it touches: bread it turns into rich meats, water into strong wine, grief into virtue, and labour into strength. Also, if you ever need our help, you have but to brandish the ring, and the gleam of it will reach us, and we will be with you wherever you may be.'
With that they bowed their top-knots to the ground and departed, inverting themselves swiftly till only the shining print of seven pairs of feet remained, red-hot, over the place where they had been standing.
Noodle waited for three hours; then he took up the firestone ring, and putting it on his finger set out into the world.
At the first door he came to, he begged a crust of bread, and touching it with the ring found it tasted like rich meats, well cooked and delicately flavoured. Also, the water which he drew in the hollow of his hand from a brook by the roadside tasted to him like strong wine.
Story DNA
Moral
True wisdom and generosity can lead to unexpected rewards, even for the simple-minded.
Plot Summary
Noodle, the simpleton son of two supremely wise parents, is neglected and left destitute after their deaths. One cold night, seven famished 'Fire-eaters' arrive at his door, and Noodle, with selfless generosity, offers them his entire house to consume. In gratitude, the Fire-eaters bestow upon Noodle a magical firestone ring that transforms anything it touches into something better, promising him deserved fortune. Noodle tests the ring, finding that it turns meager food and water into rich delicacies, signifying the beginning of his prosperous new life.
Themes
Emotional Arc
neglect to prosperity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Laurence Housman was a British writer and illustrator, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his fairy tales and fantasy.
Plot Beats (13)
- A supremely wise man and woman give birth to a simpleton son, Noodle, whom they neglect due to his lack of intellect.
- Noodle's parents die, leaving him alone and destitute, living hand-to-mouth until he has nothing left but his house.
- On a cold night, seven small, shrivelled, fire-like men arrive at Noodle's door, showing signs of extreme hunger and cold.
- Noodle, despite having no food, invites them in to warm themselves by his dwindling fire.
- The little men reveal themselves as 'Fire-eaters' by consuming Noodle's fire, then his remaining fuel, and then his furniture.
- Noodle, with selfless generosity, continues to provide for them, eventually breaking down and offering his entire house for them to eat.
- The Fire-eaters consume the entire house, leaving only smouldering ruins, and Noodle is left homeless but has satisfied his guests.
- The Fire-eaters, now full, thank Noodle for his service and ask how they can repay him.
- Noodle asks them to help him make a living.
- The chief Fire-eater gives Noodle a magical firestone ring that sweetens everything it touches, turning bread into meat, water into wine, and labor into strength, and promises their help if he ever brandishes it.
- The Fire-eaters depart, leaving red-hot footprints in the snow.
- Noodle waits three hours for the ring to cool, then puts it on and sets out into the world.
- Noodle tests the ring, finding that a crust of bread tastes like rich meat and brook water tastes like strong wine, confirming the ring's power.
Characters
The Sage (Noodle's Father) ◆ supporting
A man of advanced years, distinguished by an extraordinarily large head, disproportionately vast compared to his body, suggesting a life dedicated to intellectual pursuits rather than physical labor. His build is likely slight or average, making his head even more prominent.
Attire: Though not explicitly described, as a man of great wisdom and implied wealth (given his wife's status and royal god-parents), he would wear garments befitting a scholar or a respected elder of his time and region. Likely simple but well-made robes of natural fibers, perhaps in muted, dignified colors, suggesting a focus on intellect over ostentation.
Wants: To find an equally wise partner to produce a child of superior intellect and to perpetuate his legacy of wisdom.
Flaw: Intellectual snobbery and an inability to appreciate non-intellectual forms of worth; he values only wisdom and dismisses his son for not meeting his expectations.
He remains static, his pride and intellectual focus preventing him from accepting his son's simple nature.
Intellectual, proud, ambitious (for his lineage), disappointed, dismissive.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man with a very large, prominent head, a high forehead, and a thoughtful, somewhat stern expression. His hair is white and neatly combed. He wears a simple, long, dark grey linen robe with wide sleeves, and a plain belt. His posture is slightly stooped, hands clasped in front of him. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Wise Woman (Noodle's Mother) ◆ supporting
An elderly woman, whose physical description is not detailed beyond her wisdom. She is implied to be of similar social standing to her husband, suggesting a dignified appearance. Her head, like her husband's, is implied to be large to contain her vast wisdom.
Attire: As the wife of the wisest man and a woman of great wisdom herself, she would wear dignified, well-made garments. Perhaps a long, flowing dress or robe of fine, but not overly ornate, fabric in muted, rich colors, reflecting her intellectual rather than frivolous nature.
Wants: To find an equally wise partner to produce a child of superior intellect and to perpetuate her legacy of wisdom.
Flaw: Intellectual snobbery and an inability to appreciate non-intellectual forms of worth; she values only wisdom and dismisses her son for not meeting her expectations.
She remains static, her pride and intellectual focus preventing her from accepting her son's simple nature.
Intellectual, proud, disappointed, dismissive.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly woman with a dignified and intelligent expression, her face showing lines of wisdom. Her white hair is neatly styled in a bun at the nape of her neck. She wears a long, flowing, dark blue velvet gown with a high neckline and long sleeves. Her posture is upright and composed. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Noodle ★ protagonist
A young man with a small head and large limbs, suggesting a strong, perhaps clumsy, physique. He is described as being able to run long before he could talk or do arithmetic, implying a more physical and less intellectual development.
Attire: Initially, he would wear simple, worn clothing, reflecting his hand-to-mouth existence after his parents' death. Perhaps a patched tunic and trousers of coarse linen or wool, in earthy tones, showing signs of neglect and poverty.
Wants: Initially, to survive and find food. Later, to make a living and find his place in the world.
Flaw: His simple-mindedness makes him vulnerable to manipulation and unable to understand complex situations.
Transforms from a destitute simpleton into a fortunate individual who, through his kindness and the magical ring, finds a way to make a living and thrive.
Simple-minded, kind-hearted, generous, naive, resilient, resourceful (in a simple way).
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man standing, facing forward, with a noticeably small head and disproportionately large, sturdy limbs. He has a kind, slightly bewildered expression, with wide, innocent brown eyes and short, messy light brown hair. He wears a patched, faded green linen tunic, loose-fitting brown trousers, and simple leather boots. His posture is slightly awkward but earnest. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fire-eaters ◆ supporting
Seven small, identical men, each three feet tall. They are described as having bright yellow faces, all shrivelled and sharp, and eyes whose light leaped and sank like candle flame. They shiver from cold despite emanating warmth. They have flickering fingertips.
Attire: No specific clothing is mentioned, suggesting they are either unclothed or their attire is so minimal or integrated with their fiery nature as to be indistinguishable. They are described as 'huddled up together' and shivering, implying a lack of substantial clothing.
Wants: To consume fire to sate their insatiable hunger and survive.
Flaw: Their constant, extreme hunger for fire, which makes them dependent on others or their environment.
They remain static in their nature but act as a catalyst for Noodle's transformation, rewarding his kindness.
Famished, ravenous, grateful, powerful, mysterious.
Image Prompt & Upload
Seven identical small figures, each three feet tall, standing huddled together. They have bright yellow, shrivelled, sharp faces with eyes that glow and dim like candle flames. Their skin has a slightly cracked, dry texture. They have small, dark top-knots on their heads. They appear to be shivering slightly, but a faint, warm glow emanates from their bodies. Their fingertips flicker with tiny flames. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Noodle's Ancestral Home
A once well-furnished, but now dilapidated, single-room dwelling, likely a simple European cottage, with a central hearth for fire. It becomes increasingly bare as Noodle burns the furniture, then the floorboards, beams, and rafters. Ultimately, it is consumed by flames.
Mood: desolate, cold, then intensely warm and chaotic
Noodle meets the Fire-eaters and feeds them his entire house, leading to its destruction.
Image Prompt & Upload
A desolate, single-room European cottage interior at night, with a large stone hearth at its center. The room is in disarray, with broken wooden furniture scattered around. Intense, bright orange and blue flames leap from the hearth, reaching towards the exposed wooden rafters of the ceiling. The remaining walls are bare and dark, casting long, flickering shadows. Outside, a cold winter's night is implied through the gloom beyond the broken window. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Ruins of Noodle's Home
The smouldering, blackened remains of Noodle's cottage, with only charred timbers and ash left. The ground around is covered in snow.
Mood: cold, desolate, aftermath, quiet
Noodle watches the Fire-eaters finish their meal amidst the ruins and receives the magical ring.
Image Prompt & Upload
A cold, stark winter dawn scene. In the foreground, the smouldering, blackened ruins of a small European cottage are visible, reduced to charred timbers and piles of ash. The ground is covered in a pristine layer of white snow, with faint blue light of dawn illuminating the scene. Seven distinct, glowing red-hot footprints are imprinted in the snow where the Fire-eaters stood. The sky above is a pale, cold grey. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Roadside Brook
A small, natural stream or brook running by the side of a path or road, likely in a rural European setting.
Mood: simple, natural, hopeful
Noodle tests the magical ring, turning water into wine.
Image Prompt & Upload
A winding, simple dirt path alongside a gently flowing brook in a European countryside. The water in the brook is clear and reflects the pale daylight. Sparse, frost-kissed grasses and small, bare-branched shrubs line the banks of the stream. The path itself is uneven, with small stones and patches of mud. A sense of quiet, natural simplicity pervades the scene. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
