FOUR
by Rose Fyleman · from The Rainbow Cat
Adapted Version
A tiny Fairy flew near a thorny bush. Oh dear! She got stuck! Thorns hurt her. Her pretty dress was torn. She was very sad. She could not get out.
A big Horse came by. The Fairy saw him. "Please help me!" she said. "I am stuck here." She said, "Shiny things."
The Horse said, "No." He liked his skin. He had a good harness. He did not want scratches. "I cannot help you," he said. He walked away.
Then Mr. Robin came. He sat on the bush. "Oh, Mr. Robin!" said the Fairy. "Please help me." She said, "Gold clothes."
Mr. Robin said, "No." He liked his chest. He had baby birds. He must feed them. "I am too busy," he said. He flew away fast.
Mrs. Sheep came next. She ate green grass. "Oh, Mrs. Sheep!" said the Fairy. "Can you help me?" She said, "Teach songs." And smart ideas."
Mrs. Sheep said, "No." She liked her wool coat. Thorns would tear it. She did not want songs. She did not want smart ideas. She walked away slowly.
A plain Pig came by. He saw the sad Fairy. "What is wrong?" he asked. The Fairy told him. The Pig said, "I can help you." He asked for nothing.
The Pig had strong skin. He was not afraid. He pushed into the bush. He made a path. He made a way for the Fairy. She could get out now.
The Fairy was free. She was very happy. The Pig felt a little shy. He thought he was not special. He started to walk away. He wanted no reward.
"Do not go!" said the Fairy. She flew to him fast. "Thank you!" she said. "You must have a gift." She wanted to give him something.
The Fairy thought and thought. She had a good idea. "I know!" she said. "You will have a special tail. A pretty, curly tail."
The Fairy had a magic wand. She touched the Pig's tail. Poof! His tail became curly. It made nice little rings.
From that day, pigs had curly tails. It was a special gift. The Pig was very kind. This is why pigs have curly tails. It is good to be kind. When you help others, good things can happen. The Pig was kind, and he got a special gift. And that is why, even today, pigs have lovely curly tails. All because of one kind pig. What a nice reward for being good!
Original Story
FOUR
Why Pigs Have Curly Tails
THERE was once a fairy who fell into a bramble-bush. It was a very closely grown bush, and she could not get out. She was sadly scratched, and the thorns caught her tiny delicate wings and tore her pretty frail dress into shreds.
The bramble-bush formed part of a hedge which ran along the side of an orchard, and presently a horse came sauntering up to the hedge.
“Oh, please help me, sir,” said the fairy. “I’m caught in a bramble-bush, and can’t get out.”
The horse came and looked at her. “That’s a nasty place to be in,” he said. “What will you give me if I get you out?”
“I’ll give you a golden halter and a silver bit,” said the fairy.
The horse shook his head. “It’s not worth it,” he said. “I should scratch my face. My master loves me for my beautiful satin skin, and I really can’t risk spoiling my appearance. Besides, I have some very nice harness of my own. He sees to that. Sorry I can’t be of any assistance.” And he ambled away.
A little later a robin perched on the bramble-bush. “Oh, please, Mr. Robin, won’t you come and help me?” said the fairy. “I can’t get out.”
“What will you give me,” said the robin, “if I help you out?”
“I’ll give you a jacket of gold and slippers of silver,” said the fairy.
“Thank you very much,” said the robin, “but I don’t think that’s quite my style. I have a nice red waistcoat already and I should hate to look gaudy. Besides, I’m tremendously busy. I’ve got a young family to look after, and my wife doesn’t like me to be away long.” And he flew off.
There were sheep grazing in the field on the other side of the hedge, and one of them came munching close to the bramble-bush.
“Oh, please, Mrs. Sheep,” said the fairy, “can you help me out of here?”
“What will you give me if I do?” said the sheep.
“I will teach you to sing as the fairies sing,” said the fairy. “I will also give you wisdom.” For she was getting more and more anxious, and she thought such lovely gifts would tempt the sheep.
But the sheep stared stupidly with her glassy eyes. “That’s all very well,” she replied, “but I happen to have a very nice voice naturally and can already sing rather well. As for wisdom, I don’t quite know what that is, but I don’t think it sounds very interesting. I’d help you gladly, but the thorns would tear my fine woollen coat, and that would never do. Surely a fine woollen coat is worth much more than wisdom.” And she moved away.
The fairy was beginning to despair; she thought she would never, never be able to get back to Fairyland. But just as she had given up hope, a pig came wandering past, making ugly noises and staring about with his little blue eyes. He spied the fairy sitting in the midst of the bramble-bush with her head down on her knees.
“What’s the matter?” said the pig.
The fairy raised her head and saw the pig’s ugly pink snout poking in between the bramble-twigs.
“I think I can get you out,” he said, when she had told him her trouble. “I’m not much to look at, but I’ve got a good tough hide, and at any rate I shan’t be afraid of a few scratches spoiling my beauty.” So with a good many snuffles and grunts he pushed his head and shoulders well into the middle of the bush and made a clear way for the fairy to get out.
She gave a sigh of relief when she found herself once more free and in the clear sunshine, and the pig stood and looked at her admiringly, for she was a dear little thing. He was so conscious of his ugliness beside her pretty grace that he turned away and started off down the orchard.
“Don’t go—oh, don’t go,” said the fairy.
The pig turned round.
“You’ve not had your reward,” said the fairy.
“I don’t want any reward, thank you,” grunted the pig, and moved on.
But the fairy persisted. She flew after him. “You must have a reward,” she said. “I shall be most unhappy if you don’t.”
“But I don’t want anything, thank you,” said the pig. “I have been very glad to help you.”
The fairy stood in front of him, anxiously pondering as to what she could possibly give him that might be of any use. Nobody seemed to want her fairy gifts. She looked him up and down.
“Wouldn’t you like something—something to make you more beautiful?” she said.
She really meant less ugly, but she was so grateful to the pig that she was very anxious not to hurt his feelings, and so she put it that way.
“I’m afraid it’s rather hopeless,” said the pig, with half a smile. “You see, I’m such an ugly fellow. You’d have to alter me all over.”
“But surely—a little something ...” said the fairy, and she looked at him more thoughtfully than ever.
Now all this happened a very long time ago, when pigs had quite straight tails like most of the other animals, and suddenly, looking at his tail, the fairy had an idea. “I know, I know,” she said. “You shall have a curly tail. It will be an immense improvement, and so uncommon.”
The pig looked rather pleased. “Well, have your own way,” he said. “I can’t see my own tail, in any case, but I dare say it wouldn’t look bad.”
So the fairy touched the pig’s tail with her wand, and it instantly curled up into nice little rings.
Ever since that day pigs have had curly tails, and now you know how they came by this beautiful adornment.
Story DNA
Moral
True kindness is its own reward, but sometimes it brings unexpected beauty.
Plot Summary
A tiny fairy gets hopelessly caught in a thorny bramble-bush. She appeals to a horse, a robin, and a sheep for help, offering them valuable rewards, but each animal refuses due to their vanity or self-interest. Finally, an 'ugly' pig comes along and, without asking for anything in return, bravely pushes into the thorns to free the fairy. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the fairy insists on rewarding the humble pig, who initially declines, and ultimately bestows upon him a unique and beautiful curly tail, explaining why pigs have them to this day.
Themes
Emotional Arc
despair to relief to contentment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Rose Fyleman was a British writer known for her fairy poems and stories, often characterized by lightheartedness and charm.
Plot Beats (14)
- A fairy gets trapped and scratched in a bramble-bush.
- A horse passes by, and the fairy asks for help, offering a golden halter and silver bit.
- The horse refuses, prioritizing his appearance and existing harness.
- A robin passes by, and the fairy offers a jacket of gold and slippers of silver.
- The robin refuses, preferring his red waistcoat and citing family obligations.
- A sheep passes by, and the fairy offers to teach her to sing and give her wisdom.
- The sheep refuses, valuing her woollen coat over the fairy's gifts and dismissing wisdom.
- A pig, considered ugly, approaches and, seeing the fairy's distress, offers to help without asking for reward.
- The pig pushes into the thorny bush with his tough hide, creating a path for the fairy to escape.
- The fairy is free and relieved, while the pig, conscious of his ugliness, tries to leave without a reward.
- The fairy insists on giving the pig a reward for his selflessness.
- After some thought, the fairy decides to give the pig a unique and beautiful curly tail.
- The fairy touches the pig's tail with her wand, transforming it into nice little rings.
- The story concludes by stating that this is why pigs have had curly tails ever since.
Characters
The Fairy ★ protagonist
Tiny and delicate, easily scratched by thorns. Her wings are frail and easily torn. Her overall build is petite and graceful.
Attire: A pretty, frail dress, torn into shreds by the bramble-bush. Implied to be made of light, ethereal fabric, possibly in soft, natural colors.
Wants: To escape the bramble-bush and return to Fairyland. Later, to adequately reward her rescuer.
Flaw: Physically vulnerable and helpless when caught; her gifts are not universally valued.
Starts helpless and despairing, then finds relief and gratitude, ultimately using her magic to bestow a unique gift.
Distressed, grateful, persistent, thoughtful, anxious, generous.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tiny, delicate female figure with fair skin and a graceful build, wearing a pretty, ethereal dress torn into shreds. Her small, translucent wings are also torn. She has a distressed but hopeful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Horse ○ minor
Possesses a beautiful, satin-like skin. Implied to be well-groomed and cared for by his master. A strong, healthy build.
Attire: Has his own 'very nice harness', implying a polished leather bridle and saddle, possibly with decorative metalwork, provided by his master.
Wants: To maintain his pristine appearance and avoid any risk to his beauty.
Flaw: Extreme vanity and superficiality.
Remains unchanged, prioritizing his appearance over helping others.
Vain, self-important, cautious, dismissive, materialistic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, adult horse with a muscular build and sleek, satin-like coat. He wears a polished leather bridle with decorative metalwork. His expression is one of mild disdain and self-importance. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Mr. Robin ○ minor
A small bird, specifically a robin. Agile and capable of flight.
Attire: His natural plumage, specifically his 'nice red waistcoat' (referring to his red breast feathers). He dislikes the idea of looking 'gaudy'.
Wants: To care for his young family and avoid anything that would make him look 'gaudy'.
Flaw: Self-preoccupation and a disinterest in others' troubles.
Remains unchanged, prioritizing his family and appearance.
Busy, family-oriented, practical, somewhat vain about his natural appearance, dismissive of 'gaudy' things.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, plump robin perched on a branch, facing forward. It has a bright red breast, brown back, and dark eyes. Its posture is alert and slightly busy. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Mrs. Sheep ○ minor
Covered in a 'fine woollen coat'. Has 'glassy eyes'. Implied to be a typical sheep, somewhat stout and woolly.
Attire: Her natural 'fine woollen coat', which she values highly.
Wants: To protect her 'fine woollen coat' and avoid anything she doesn't understand or value.
Flaw: Lack of intelligence and superficiality.
Remains unchanged, prioritizing her physical comfort over helping others or gaining wisdom.
Stupid, vain about her wool, dismissive of abstract concepts like wisdom, self-interested.
Image Prompt & Upload
A plump, woolly sheep with a thick, white fleece. It has glassy, vacant eyes and a simple, unthinking expression. Its posture is slightly hunched as if grazing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Pig ◆ supporting
Described as 'ugly' with an 'ugly pink snout'. Possesses a 'good tough hide' that is not easily scratched. Initially has a straight tail.
Attire: His natural skin and bristles, which are tough and not valued for beauty.
Wants: To help someone in need, without expectation of reward. Later, to accept a gift from the grateful Fairy.
Flaw: His perceived ugliness makes him self-conscious and initially reluctant to accept a reward.
Starts as an 'ugly' but kind helper, and through his selfless act, receives a unique and beautiful adornment, changing the appearance of all pigs forever.
Kind, selfless, humble, practical, observant, initially self-conscious about his appearance, grateful for the gift.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, adult pig with a stout body and a tough, pinkish-grey hide. It has a prominent, ugly pink snout and small, observant blue eyes. Its tail is curled into nice little rings. Its expression is kind and humble. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Bramble-bush in an Orchard Hedge
A very closely grown, thorny bramble-bush forming part of a hedge that runs along the side of a sunlit orchard. The thorns are sharp and catch delicate things easily.
Mood: initially desperate and trapped, then hopeful
The fairy is trapped here and seeks help from various animals.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dense, thorny bramble-bush with dark green leaves and sharp, visible thorns, forming a thick hedge. Bright, clear sunshine illuminates the bush, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Beyond the hedge, the soft, blurred shapes of fruit trees in an orchard are visible under a bright sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Sunlit Orchard Path
A path or open area within an orchard, bathed in clear sunshine, where the pig wanders after helping the fairy. The ground is likely grassy or earthy.
Mood: relief, gratitude, gentle, magical
The fairy rewards the pig with a curly tail after he helps her.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-drenched, grassy path winding gently through a traditional English apple orchard. The ground is covered in short, green grass with occasional wildflowers. Soft, golden sunlight filters through the leafy canopies of mature apple trees, creating bright patches and soft shadows on the path. The air feels warm and clear. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.