THE STORY THAT NEVER ENDS
by Parker Fillmore · from Czechoslovak Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once there was a shepherd. He had many, many sheep. The Shepherd loved his sheep. He took them to green grass. The grass was across a small brook. The brook flowed with water. The Sheep ate the green grass. They ate all day long. The sun was warm. The day was long.
One evening, the sun went down. The Shepherd wanted to go home. The brook was big now. Rain made the water rise. There was a small bridge. The bridge was very narrow. The Sheep must cross it. They must go one by one. Slowly, slowly they walked. One sheep. Then another sheep.
Now, we must wait. The Sheep cross the bridge. One by one. It takes a long time. They walk very slowly. We will wait for them. Then the story can go on. We must be patient. Are you waiting too? Yes, we are waiting.
Are you still waiting? Yes, we are. The Sheep are still crossing. It is a slow walk. One little step. Then another little step. We must wait some more. We cannot rush them. They are very careful.
Look closely at the bridge. One sheep crosses. Then another sheep. Not many sheep are over yet. There are still so many. So many fluffy white sheep. They take their time. They walk very slowly. One by one. We must be patient. Very, very patient.
Still waiting? Oh dear. More Sheep are coming. They are on the bridge. One by one. The Shepherd watches them. He is very calm. We must be calm too. This takes a long time.
More Sheep. One by one. They walk slowly, slowly. Their little hooves click. They cross the small bridge. The Shepherd waits. We wait with him. The Sheep keep coming. There are so many.
The night passed by. The moon went away. The sun came up again. The Sheep were still crossing. So many Sheep were left. They were not all home yet. The Shepherd looked at them. It was time for grass again. He turned the Sheep around. They walked back to the grass. One by one. Slowly, slowly. Some tasks take a very long time. That is part of the fun. And the sheep are still crossing, even now. One by one. Slowly, slowly. Good night!
Original Story
THE STORY THAT NEVER ENDS
243]
THE STORY THAT NEVER ENDS
(To be told very seriously)
ONCE upon a time there was a shepherd who had a great flock of sheep. He used to pasture them in a meadow on the other side of a brook. One day the sun had already set before he started home. Recent rains had swollen the brook so that he and the sheep had to cross on a little footbridge. The bridge was so narrow that the sheep had to pass over one by one.
Now we’ll wait until he drives them all over. Then I’ll go on with my story.
(When the children grow impatient and beg for a continuation of the story, they are told that there are many sheep and that up to this time only a few have crossed. A little later when their impatience again breaks out, they are told that the sheep are still crossing. And so on indefinitely. In conclusion:)
In fact there were so many sheep that when morning came they were still crossing, and then it was time for the shepherd to turn around and drive them back again to pasture!
Transcriber's Note
Minor printer errors have been repaired.
The frontispiece illustration has been moved to follow the title page. Other illustrations have been moved where necessary so that they are not in the middle of a paragraph.
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Story DNA
Plot Summary
A shepherd needs to guide his vast flock of sheep across a narrow footbridge over a swollen brook, forcing them to cross one by one. The narrator pauses the story, instructing the audience to wait until all the sheep have crossed. As the audience grows impatient and repeatedly asks for the story to continue, the narrator consistently replies that the sheep are still crossing. Ultimately, the story concludes by stating that so many sheep were crossing that by morning, they were still not finished, and it was time for the shepherd to turn them around and drive them back to pasture, implying an endless cycle.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to playful frustration
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a common type of 'endless story' or 'trickster tale' found in many cultures, designed to lull children to sleep or to playfully frustrate them.
Plot Beats (8)
- A shepherd has a large flock of sheep he pastures across a brook.
- One evening, the brook is swollen, and the sheep must cross a narrow footbridge one by one.
- The narrator pauses the story, stating they will wait for all the sheep to cross before continuing.
- The audience becomes impatient and asks for the story to resume.
- The narrator informs the audience that only a few sheep have crossed so far.
- The audience again expresses impatience.
- The narrator reiterates that the sheep are still crossing.
- The story concludes by revealing that so many sheep were crossing that by morning, they were still not finished, and it was time for the shepherd to take them back to pasture.
Characters
The Shepherd ★ protagonist
A man of average height and sturdy build, accustomed to outdoor life. His skin is weathered from sun and wind exposure, suggesting a life spent outdoors tending to his flock. He moves with a practical, unhurried pace.
Attire: He wears simple, durable clothing suitable for a shepherd in a Central European setting, likely a thick wool tunic or shirt in muted earth tones (greys, browns, greens), sturdy linen trousers, and practical leather boots. He might have a rough woven cloak for warmth and a wide-brimmed felt hat to shield him from the elements.
Wants: To ensure the safety and well-being of his flock, and to get them home safely across the swollen brook.
Flaw: His unwavering patience can lead to endless, repetitive tasks.
He experiences no significant arc within the story; his character is defined by his unchanging task.
Patient, diligent, responsible, persistent, calm.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult male shepherd standing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a weathered, tanned face with kind eyes, and practical, medium-brown hair. He wears a thick, muted grey wool tunic, sturdy brown linen trousers, and worn leather boots. A rough, dark green woven cloak is draped over his shoulders, and a wide-brimmed, dark brown felt hat is on his head. He holds a tall, wooden shepherd's crook in his right hand, resting it on the ground. His expression is patient and calm. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Flock of Sheep ◆ supporting
A large, dense group of domestic sheep, varying in size from lambs to mature ewes and rams. They are covered in thick, creamy-white wool, some with smudges of dirt from the pasture. Their legs are slender, and their bodies are rounded and heavy with wool.
Attire: Natural wool coats, creamy-white in color, often with some natural dirt or grass stains.
Wants: To follow their shepherd and cross the brook to safety or pasture.
Flaw: Their slowness and inability to cross the bridge quickly.
They experience no arc; their role is to provide the endless task.
Docile, herd-minded, patient (due to their slow crossing), somewhat timid.
Image Prompt & Upload
A single domestic sheep standing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has a thick, creamy-white wool coat, a small, gentle face with dark oval eyes, and a pinkish-grey snout. Its legs are slender, and its body is rounded. It stands patiently. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Shepherd's Meadow
A lush, open meadow where a large flock of sheep graze, located on the far side of a brook. The ground is likely soft and green from recent rains.
Mood: Peaceful, pastoral, slightly melancholic as evening approaches.
The shepherd pastures his sheep here before attempting to cross the brook to go home.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, verdant meadow stretching into the distance, dotted with a large flock of white sheep. The ground is a rich, damp green, with subtle undulations. In the background, a narrow, winding brook glimmers under the soft, fading light of a late afternoon sun. The sky is a gradient of warm oranges and soft purples, hinting at dusk. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Swollen Brook and Narrow Footbridge
A brook, significantly swollen by recent rains, making it impassable except for a very narrow footbridge. The bridge is so slender that only one sheep can cross at a time.
Mood: Challenging, slow, monotonous, with a sense of endless waiting.
The shepherd and his sheep attempt to cross this obstacle, leading to the 'never-ending' scenario.
Image Prompt & Upload
A turbulent, dark brook, swollen with recent rains, rushes beneath a very narrow, simple wooden footbridge. The water is a murky brown, reflecting the dim light of a setting sun or early moonlight. The bridge consists of just a few weathered planks, barely wide enough for a single sheep. On either side, the banks are muddy and lined with sparse, damp vegetation. The air is cool and humid. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.