Old Mother Goose
by Unknown · from Bo-Peep Story Books
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, in a cozy little house in the wood, lived Mother Goose.
Mother Goose lived in a cozy house. It was deep in the green wood. She had a big, white Gander. Mother Goose rode her Gander. They flew high in the sky. It was a fun way to travel. They saw clouds and many birds.
Jack was Mother Goose's son. He was a kind, simple boy. Jack had a good, warm heart. He always tried his very best. He helped his dear mother. He was a good helper.
Mother Goose sent Jack to market. Jack went to the busy town. He bought a white, live goose there. "Here, Mother," he said with a smile. "This goose will be good for us."
Jack's Golden Goose met Gander. They liked each other very much. They ate food together always. They swam in the cool pond. They were the best of friends. They loved to be together.
One morning, Jack went outside. He saw a very shiny egg. The egg was bright, pure gold! His Golden Goose laid this egg. It was a truly magic egg. Jack was very, very happy. He could not believe his eyes. What a wonderful surprise!
Jack ran to Mother Goose. He showed her the gold egg. "Good boy," she said softly. She was happy for her Jack. "This is very good news."
Jack sold his first gold egg. He met a greedy, bad man. The man wanted the magic egg. He gave Jack some money. But it was not enough money. The greedy man tricked poor Jack. He took too much from Jack. Jack felt a little sad then. He did not like this man.
The greedy man was very bad. He wanted more gold eggs. He ran after poor Jack. He pushed Jack down hard. He was a very mean man. He tried to hurt Jack. He wanted the goose too.
The greedy man threw the egg. It fell into the blue sea. Jack jumped in very fast. He got his gold egg back. Jack was very brave and quick. He saved the golden egg.
The greedy man was still angry. He wanted the Golden Goose. He grabbed the gentle goose. He wanted all the gold eggs. He was very selfish and mean. He tried to steal the goose. He held it tightly.
Mother Goose came very quickly. She saw the greedy, bad man. She saved the Golden Goose. She jumped on Gander's strong back. They flew high to the moon. The greedy man was left behind. Mother Goose was very clever. They lived happy on the moon. They were safe and sound there. The goose was safe too.
Original Story
Old Mother Goose.
Old Mother Goose, when
She wanted to wander,
Would ride through the air
On a very fine gander.
Mother Goose had a house
'Twas built in a wood,
Where an owl at the door
For sentinel stood.
This is her son Jack,
A plain-looking lad,
He is not very good,
Nor yet very bad.
She sent him to market,
A live goose he bought;
“Here, mother,” says he,
“It will not go for nought.”
Jack's goose and her gander
Grew very fond,
They'd both eat together,
Or swim in one pond.
Jack found one morning,
As I have been told,
His goose had laid him
An egg of pure gold.
Jack rode to his mother,
The news for to tell;
She call'd him a good boy,
And said it was well.
Jack sold his gold egg
To a rogue of a Jew,
Who cheated him out of
The half of his due.
Then Jack went a-courting,
A lady so gay,
As fair as the lily
And sweet as the May.
The Jew and the Squire
Came close at his back,
And began to belabour
The sides of poor Jack.
They threw the gold egg
In the midst of the sea;
But Jack he jump'd in,
And got it back presently.
The Jew got the goose,
Which he vow'd he would kill,
Resolving at once
His pockets to fill.
Jack's mother came in,
And caught the goose soon,
And, mounting its back,
flew up to the moon.
THE STORY
OF
The Three Bears.
Edited by Madame de Chatelain.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Old Mother Goose lives with her son Jack, who buys a goose that lays golden eggs. Jack is cheated and attacked by a greedy Jew and a Squire who try to steal his fortune and kill the goose. Mother Goose intervenes dramatically, rescuing the goose and flying away with it to the moon, leaving the villains behind.
Themes
Emotional Arc
discovery to conflict to resolution
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The portrayal of the 'Jew' as a rogue is a common, though unfortunate, trope in historical European folklore and literature, reflecting historical prejudices.
Plot Beats (11)
- Old Mother Goose travels through the air on her gander and lives in a house in the wood with an owl sentinel.
- Her son, Jack, is a plain and morally neutral lad.
- Mother Goose sends Jack to market, where he buys a live goose.
- Jack's goose and Mother Goose's gander become fond of each other.
- One morning, Jack discovers his goose has laid an egg of pure gold.
- Jack tells his mother, who approves.
- Jack sells the gold egg to a Jew who cheats him out of half his due.
- Jack goes courting a lady, but the Jew and a Squire attack him from behind.
- They throw the golden egg into the sea, but Jack immediately jumps in and retrieves it.
- The Jew then seizes Jack's goose, vowing to kill it to get rich.
- Mother Goose arrives, catches the goose, mounts its back, and flies up to the moon with it.
Characters
Old Mother Goose
A spry, slender elderly woman, perhaps a bit stooped from age but with surprising agility. Her movements are quick and decisive, especially when flying.
Attire: Simple, practical 18th-century English peasant attire: a long, dark wool skirt, a plain linen blouse, a sturdy apron, and a dark shawl draped over her shoulders. She might wear a pointed cap or a mob cap.
Wants: To protect her family and her magical gander, and to maintain a peaceful, if unusual, life.
Flaw: Her age might make her seem vulnerable, though she often proves otherwise.
She remains largely consistent, acting as a guiding and protective force, ultimately saving the goose.
Wise, protective, resourceful, decisive, and a bit whimsical.
Jack
A young man of average height and build, not particularly striking in appearance. He has a somewhat unassuming presence.
Attire: Simple, functional 18th-century English peasant clothing: a loose-fitting linen shirt, practical breeches, a plain waistcoat, and sturdy leather boots. Colors would be muted, like browns, greys, and undyed linen.
Wants: To please his mother, to make a living, and later, to pursue love and recover his gold egg.
Flaw: Naivety and poor judgment, leading him to be cheated.
Starts as a simple, somewhat naive lad, experiences being cheated and attacked, and shows persistence in retrieving his property.
Simple, somewhat naive, easily swayed, but ultimately good-hearted and persistent.
The Gander
A very large, strong, and majestic white gander, significantly larger than a typical goose, capable of carrying a human through the air. Its feathers are pristine white, and its eyes are intelligent and alert.
Attire: Natural white feathers.
Wants: To serve Old Mother Goose and protect its companion, the goose.
Flaw: Vulnerability to human schemes, though its strength often overcomes this.
Remains a steadfast and powerful ally.
Loyal, strong, intelligent, and protective.
Jack's Goose
A healthy, plump white goose, of a size that would be considered a good market purchase. Its feathers are clean and white.
Attire: Natural white feathers.
Wants: To lay golden eggs for Jack, to be with the gander.
Flaw: Vulnerability to being captured and harmed by humans.
Transforms from an ordinary goose into a magical one, becoming a source of wealth and a target for villains.
Gentle, prolific (magically), and affectionate.
The Rogue of a Jew
A man of average build, perhaps with a slightly shifty demeanor. The story implies a negative stereotype, so visually, he might be depicted with features that were unfortunately common in caricatures of the time, such as a hooked nose or a slightly hunched posture, though this should be handled with extreme sensitivity to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Attire: Clothing that suggests he is a merchant or moneylender of the 18th century, but perhaps slightly worn or less refined than a squire. Dark, practical garments like a long coat, breeches, and a waistcoat, possibly with a small cap or hat.
Wants: To acquire wealth through dishonest means, specifically the golden eggs.
Flaw: Overconfidence and a lack of moral compass, leading to his downfall.
Introduced as a cheat, escalates to violence, and is ultimately thwarted.
Greedy, dishonest, cunning, and aggressive.
The Squire
A man of some standing, likely well-fed and robust, reflecting his social status. He would appear physically imposing when acting aggressively.
Attire: Fine 18th-century gentleman's attire: a richly colored velvet or wool coat, embroidered waistcoat, lace cravat, breeches, and polished leather shoes. Colors might be deep blues, reds, or greens.
Wants: To acquire wealth, likely the golden eggs, and to assert his social dominance.
Flaw: His reliance on brute force and his lack of foresight.
Introduced as an aggressor, ultimately thwarted in his attempt to steal.
Arrogant, violent, opportunistic, and lacking in honor.
Locations
Mother Goose's House in the Wood
A rustic, cozy cottage nestled deep within a dense, ancient wood, with an owl perched vigilantly at the door acting as a sentinel.
Mood: Secluded, slightly magical, homey, watchful.
Mother Goose lives here; Jack returns here to tell her about the golden egg; Mother Goose catches the goose here before flying to the moon.
The Market
A bustling marketplace where Jack buys a live goose.
Mood: Lively, busy, transactional, potentially a bit chaotic.
Jack purchases the goose that will lay golden eggs.
The Pond
A body of water where Jack's goose and Mother Goose's gander swim together.
Mood: Peaceful, natural, idyllic.
The goose and gander form a bond here, hinting at the goose's special nature.
The Sea
A vast expanse of water where the golden egg is thrown and retrieved.
Mood: Dramatic, open, perilous yet ultimately triumphant.
The golden egg is thrown into the sea by the rogue and squire, and Jack bravely retrieves it.