THE GREAT WHITE BEAR
by Maud Lindsay
The Big White Bear
A tailor and tinker lived in a town. They liked to say they were very brave.
Mr. Tailor and Mr. Tinker went to the fair. They walked home. It was dark now. They walked through the woods. The moon was bright.
Mr. Tinker said, "I am not scared." Mr. Tailor felt brave. He had a strong heart.
Then a big white thing moved. It came from the bushes. It was a big white sheep. The men saw it. They were very surprised.
Mr. Tailor cried, "A big white bear!" Mr. Tinker was scared. They ran very fast. They ran from the woods.
They ran into the town. They cried, "A bear!" Everyone woke up. The town was noisy.
Many people came out. Mr. Tailor told his story. Mr. Tinker told his story. "It was so big!" they said. "It was very scary!"
Mr. Mayor said, "Scare the bear!" Everyone got sticks. They got pots. They wanted to help.
All the people walked. They walked to the woods. They stopped at the edge. No one wanted to go first. Mr. Tailor said, "Not me!" Mr. Tinker said, "Not me!"
A young man stepped forward. He was the Young Miller. He said, "I will go!" He took a big stick. He took Mr. Mayor's shiny stick. He walked to the woods.
Then, the old white sheep walked out. It said, "Baa, baa!" It was not a bear! It was just a sheep.
Everyone saw the sheep. They laughed and laughed. It was very funny.
Mr. Tailor was quiet. Mr. Tinker was quiet. The sheep walked away. Everyone went home. Sometimes, small things look big.
Original Story
THE GREAT WHITE BEAR
nce upon a time the tailor of Wraye and the tinker of Wraye went to the king's fair together; and when they had seen all the sights that were there they started home together well pleased with their day's outing.
The sun was going down when they left the fair and when they came to the Enchanted Wood through which they had to pass the moon was rising over the hill. And a fine full moon it was, so bright that the night was almost as light as day.
"There are some people who would not venture in this wood at night even when the moon is shining," said the tinker; "but as for me I do not know what fear is."
"Nor I," said the tailor. "I would that every one had as stout a heart as mine."
And it was just then that Grandmother Grey's old white sheep that had wandered into the wood that eve came plodding through the bushes.
"Goodness me! What is that?" said the tinker clutching his companion's arm.
"A bear!" cried the tailor casting one frightened glance toward the bushes. "A great white bear! Run, run for your life."
And run they did! The tailor was small and the tinker was tall, but it was a close race between them, up hill and down hill, and into the town.
"A bear, a great white bear!" they called as they ran; and everybody they met took up the cry: "A bear, a bear!" till the whole town was roused.
The mayor and his wife, the shoemaker and his daughter, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker, the blacksmith and the miller's son—indeed, to make a long story short, everybody who was awake in the town of Wraye—came hurrying out of their houses to hear what the matter was. There was soon as large a crowd as went to church on Sunday gathered about the two friends; and the tailor and the tinker talked as fast as they had run, to tell their thrilling tale.
*"A BEAR!" CRIED THE TAILOR.*
"We were just coming through the wood," said the tailor, "when there, as close to us as the shoemaker is to the blacksmith, we saw——"
"A terrible creature," interrupted the tinker. "'Tis as large as a calf, I assure you——"
"And white as the mayor's shirt," cried the tailor. "It is a marvel that we escaped and if it had not been that I——"
"I saw it first," said the tinker; "but I stood my ground. I did not run till the tailor did."
The two would have been willing to talk till morning had not all the others determined to go to the wood at once and kill the bear.
"I cannot answer for the safety of the town till it is done," said the mayor; so every one ran for a weapon as fast as his feet could carry him.
The mayor brought his long sword that the king had given him, and the carpenter a hatchet, the blacksmith took his hammer, and the miller's son a gun; and the rest of the men whatever they could put their hands on.
The women went, too, with mops and brooms to drive the bear away should he run toward the town; and one little boy who had waked up in the stir followed after them with stones in his hands.
They very soon came to the wood, and then the question was who should go first.
"Let the tinker and the tailor lead the way," said the mayor, "and we will come close after."
"Oh, no, if you please, your honor," said the tinker and the tailor speaking at the very same time. "That will never do. We cannot think of going before you."
"I will go first if the mayor will lend me his sword," said the shoemaker.
"Aye, aye, let the shoemaker go," cried some.
"No, no, 'tis the mayor's place. The king gave the sword to him," said others.
"I could kill the bear while you are talking about it," said the miller's son.
Every one had something to say, but at last it was all settled and the miller's son with the mayor's sword by his side and his own gun in his hand was just slipping into the wood when out walked the old white sheep!
"Baa, baa," she cried, as if to ask, "Pray tell me what the stir's about. Baa, baa!"
"A sheep, a sheep, a great white sheep!" cried the miller's son; and then how the people of Wraye did laugh!
They laughed and they laughed and they laughed, so loud and so long that their laughter was heard all the way to the king's fair and set the people to laughing there.
But whether the tailor and the tinker laughed or not, I do not know.
---
Moral of the Story
Fear can make us see things that aren't there and lead to unnecessary panic.
Characters
The Tailor of Wraye ★ protagonist
A man of short stature and slight build, quick on his feet when frightened. His face is likely pale with wide, fearful eyes when startled.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing suitable for a tailor in a European village setting, likely made of wool or linen in muted colors like brown, grey, or dark blue. Perhaps a simple tunic over trousers, with a leather apron when working, though not specified for the fair.
Wants: To appear brave and stout-hearted, to avoid danger, and to tell a thrilling tale.
Flaw: Extreme cowardice and a tendency to exaggerate his own bravery.
Starts by boasting of his bravery, then is exposed as a coward, though the story doesn't explicitly state his reaction to the revelation.
Cowardly, boastful (initially), easily frightened, quick to panic, prone to exaggeration.
The Tinker of Wraye ★ protagonist
A tall man, perhaps a bit lanky, but capable of running quickly. His face might show a mix of bravado and genuine fear.
Attire: Rugged, well-worn clothing suitable for a traveling tinker in a European village setting, likely made of sturdy wool or canvas in earthy tones. Perhaps a patched tunic, sturdy trousers, and worn leather boots.
Wants: To appear brave, to avoid danger, and to tell a thrilling tale, also to outdo the tailor in his account.
Flaw: Extreme cowardice and a tendency to exaggerate his own bravery, coupled with a competitive streak.
Starts by boasting of his bravery, then is exposed as a coward, though the story doesn't explicitly state his reaction to the revelation.
Boastful (initially), easily frightened, quick to panic, prone to exaggeration, competitive (even in fear).
Grandmother Grey's Old White Sheep ○ minor
An old, large white sheep, with thick, perhaps slightly matted or discolored wool from wandering. Her movements are slow and deliberate, plodding.
Attire: Her natural fleece, thick and white.
Wants: Simply wandering and grazing, perhaps seeking her way home.
Flaw: Her unassuming nature makes her an easy target for misidentification.
Unchanged, she simply appears and causes the resolution of the plot.
Innocent, calm, curious (as she approaches the crowd), oblivious to the panic she causes.
The Mayor of Wraye ◆ supporting
A man of authority, likely well-fed and of a respectable build. His demeanor is serious and concerned when leading the town.
Attire: Formal attire befitting a mayor in a European village setting, likely made of finer wool or velvet in dark, rich colors like deep red or forest green, possibly with some simple embroidery. A clean white linen shirt is mentioned.
Wants: To ensure the safety and well-being of his town, to uphold his authority.
Flaw: Perhaps a bit too quick to believe exaggerated tales, and a bit pompous.
Leads the town to confront the perceived threat, then joins in the general laughter when the truth is revealed.
Responsible, concerned for his town's safety, decisive (initially), a leader, but also capable of laughter.
The Miller's Son ◆ supporting
Likely strong and capable from working at the mill, with a confident and perhaps slightly brash demeanor.
Attire: Sturdy, practical clothing suitable for a miller's son, likely made of coarse linen or wool in light, earthy tones, possibly dusted with flour. Perhaps a simple tunic, trousers, and sturdy boots.
Wants: To confront the perceived threat, to show his courage and capability.
Flaw: A bit overconfident and quick to act without full information.
Eagerly steps forward to lead the charge against the 'bear', then is the first to identify the sheep and laugh.
Brave, decisive, a bit impatient, eager to prove himself, quick-witted.
Locations
The Enchanted Wood
A dense, mysterious forest that the tailor and tinker must pass through. The moon, described as a fine full moon, rises over the hill, making the night almost as light as day.
Mood: Initially serene and bright due to the moon, quickly turns fearful and chaotic for the protagonists, then becomes a scene of comedic misunderstanding.
The tailor and tinker encounter what they believe to be a 'great white bear' (actually a sheep), leading to their panicked flight and the subsequent town-wide alarm. Later, the entire town gathers here to confront the 'bear'.
The Town of Wraye
A bustling, close-knit European town where various tradespeople live. Houses are close together, and the community is easily roused.
Mood: Initially sleepy, then quickly becomes chaotic and alarmed, transforming into a scene of communal action and eventual uproarious laughter.
The tailor and tinker's cries of 'A bear!' rouse the entire town. A large crowd gathers, and the townspeople arm themselves to confront the perceived threat, demonstrating their communal spirit and readiness to act.
Story DNA
Moral
Fear can make us see things that aren't there and lead to unnecessary panic.
Plot Summary
Two boastful men, a tailor and a tinker, are returning home through an enchanted wood at night when they are startled by an old white sheep. Mistaking it for a 'great white bear,' they flee in terror, raising an alarm that rouses the entire town of Wraye. The townspeople, armed with various weapons, prepare to hunt the supposed bear, with the two cowards refusing to lead the charge. Just as the miller's son prepares to enter the wood, the harmless sheep calmly reappears, exposing the men's exaggeration and causing the entire town to erupt in laughter at their collective folly.
Themes
Emotional Arc
false alarm to relief and amusement
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a simpler, pre-industrial village life where news travels by word of mouth and community panic can spread quickly.
Plot Beats (13)
- The tailor and tinker return from the king's fair, walking through the Enchanted Wood at night.
- They boast about their lack of fear, despite the darkness.
- An old white sheep emerges from the bushes, startling them.
- The tailor and tinker mistake the sheep for a 'great white bear' and flee in terror.
- They run into town, shouting about the bear, and rouse the entire populace.
- A large crowd gathers, and the tailor and tinker exaggerate their encounter with the 'terrible creature'.
- The mayor decides the bear must be killed for the town's safety, and everyone arms themselves.
- The townspeople, including women and a small boy, march to the wood.
- At the edge of the wood, they debate who should go first, with the tailor and tinker refusing to lead.
- The miller's son, armed with a gun and the mayor's sword, steps forward to enter the wood.
- The old white sheep walks out of the wood, bleating, revealing the truth.
- The townspeople burst into uproarious laughter at their collective mistake.
- The story concludes, leaving the tailor and tinker's reaction to their embarrassment unstated.
