FALSEHOOD and WICKEDNESS
by Unknown · from Jewish fairy stories
Adapted Version
Noah built a big boat called an ark. He was very kind and good. The flood came with lots of water. Animals came in twos to the ark. They walked in pairs, side by side. Noah smiled and let them all in.
Falsehood told many lies every day. She had no ark to stay in. The water was very high and scary. She needed help and a safe place.
She knocked on the big ark door. Noah looked out from his window. "You are all alone," he said. "You cannot come in without a pair."
Falsehood felt very sad and alone. She walked away from the ark. She met Wickedness on the wet ground. He was a bad and lazy person.
"Noah needs a pair," she lied softly. "He said so to everyone." Wickedness listened to her clever words. He was smart but also bad.
"Be my partner," said Falsehood sweetly. "I will share all my money." Wickedness liked money very much. "Okay," he said with a smile.
They made a deal together right there. They shook hands on their promise. Noah saw them standing as a pair. He let them both into the ark.
Inside the ark, Falsehood worked very hard. She got lots of money from others. Wickedness did nothing to help at all. He just watched her work all day.
Falsehood felt sad and very tired. "I do all the work," she thought. Wickedness was lazy and did not care. She was angry inside her heart.
Later, the water slowly went down. Everyone left the big wooden ark. Falsehood had a big bag of money. Wickedness walked right beside her still.
"Can I have some money?" asked Falsehood. "I worked very hard for it." Wickedness laughed a mean, loud laugh. "No," he said, holding the bag.
"Our deal is very clear," he said. "I take all the money." Falsehood got nothing from her work. She was very, very sad now.
Lying can seem good at first. But being bad takes everything away. So, it is better to be honest and kind.
Original Story
FALSEHOOD AND WICKEDNESS
Falsehood and Wickedness
After good old father Noah had completed the building of the ark, the animals were gathered together near it by the angels appointed over them. They came in pairs, and Noah stood at the door of the ark to see that each one entered with its mate. As soon as the waters of the flood rose upon the surface of the earth, the children of men hid themselves in their homes for safety. All traffic and business ceased, for the angel of death was abroad. This state of affairs caused Falsehood to realize that henceforth there was no chance of her plying her trade. Was it not quite evident that the ever-increasing waters of the flood would soon sweep away the wicked folk who had rebelled against their Heavenly Creator? Where should Falsehood betake herself for safety?
Forthwith she hastened to the ark, but its door was shut. What was to be done?
Falsehood knocked at the door with trembling hand. Noah opened the window of the ark, and put out his head to see who was knocking. It was a strange creature before his door. Noah had never seen her before, because he was a righteous man who never told lies.
“What dost thou want?” he cried.
“Let me come in, please,” she replied.
“Gladly,” cried Noah, “would I admit thee if thy mate were with thee, for only pairs are admitted here.”
In grief and disappointment Falsehood went away. She had not gone a few yards before she met her old friend Wickedness, who was now out of employment.
“Whence cometh thou, dear friend Falsehood?” asked Wickedness.
“I come,” said Falsehood, “from old father Noah. Just listen. I asked him to let me come into the ark, but he refused unless I complied with his rules.”
“What does he require?” asked Wickedness.
“The good old man stipulated that I must have a mate, because all the creatures admitted into the ark are in pairs,” Falsehood replied.
“Now, dear friend, is this the truth?” queried Wickedness with a merry twinkle in his evil eye.
“Of course it is the truth, on my word of honour,” rejoined Falsehood. “Come now,” she added, “wilt thou be my mate? Are we not just fit to be joined together, two honest and poor creatures?”
“If I agree,” said Wickedness, “what wilt thou give me in return?”
Falsehood thought awhile and with a cunning look at her friend she exclaimed,—
“I faithfully promise to give to thee all that I earn in the ark. Have no fear, I shall do excellent business even there, because I feel very fit and energetic.”
Wickedness agreed to the terms immediately, and there and then a proper agreement was drawn up, and duly signed and sealed. Without further delay they both hastened to Noah, who readily admitted the happy pair.
Falsehood soon began to be very busy and earned good money. She often thought of her agreement with Wickedness with regret, as she realized that she alone did all the business. She even said to him one day,—
“Look here, how easily can I carry on my trade single-handed?”
He merely reminded her of the agreement, and day by day he wrote down in his ledger the sum total of the day’s takings.
At the end of the year, for the flood lasted twelve months, they came out of the ark. Falsehood brought home much treasure, but Wickedness came with her and claimed the whole of the hard-earned fortune. Thereupon Falsehood said to herself, “I will ask my mate to give me some of my earnings.”
She approached Wickedness and in a gentle voice said,—
“Dearest friend, please give me a share of what I have so honestly earned, for I alone did all the work.”
Wickedness looked at her in contempt and with harsh voice cried aloud,—
“Thy share is nought, O cheat! Did we not solemnly agree that I was to take everything which thou shouldst earn? How could I break our agreement? Would this not be a very wicked thing to do, now would it not?”
Falsehood held her peace and went away, well knowing that she had been foiled in her attempt to cheat her friend Wickedness. True indeed is the proverb: “Falsehood begets much, but Wickedness taketh all that away.”
(Yalḳuṭ, Psalms § 638.)
Story DNA
Moral
Falsehood may create opportunities, but Wickedness ultimately consumes all its gains.
Plot Summary
As the Great Flood begins, Falsehood is denied entry to Noah's Ark because she lacks a mate. She then encounters Wickedness, who is also unemployed, and cunningly proposes they enter the ark together as a 'pair,' promising Wickedness all her future earnings. Wickedness agrees, and they formalize their deal. Inside the ark, Falsehood thrives and earns much, but later regrets her bargain. After the flood, Falsehood attempts to reclaim a share of her earnings, but Wickedness coldly reminds her of their agreement, taking everything and leaving Falsehood empty-handed, thus proving that while Falsehood may create, Wickedness ultimately consumes all.
Themes
Emotional Arc
cunning to regret to defeat
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is presented as a midrash, an interpretive story or parable associated with Jewish religious texts, specifically the Yalḳuṭ Shimoni, a compilation of aggadic midrashim.
Plot Beats (14)
- Noah finishes the ark, and animals enter in pairs as the flood begins.
- Falsehood realizes her trade is impossible during the flood and seeks refuge in the ark.
- Noah denies Falsehood entry because she lacks a mate, as only pairs are admitted.
- Falsehood encounters her friend Wickedness, who is also out of work.
- Falsehood explains her situation to Wickedness, lying that Noah requires a mate for entry.
- Falsehood proposes that Wickedness be her mate, promising him all her earnings in exchange for entry.
- Wickedness agrees, and they sign a formal agreement.
- Noah admits Falsehood and Wickedness into the ark as a pair.
- Inside the ark, Falsehood becomes very busy and earns a great deal of money.
- Falsehood begins to regret her agreement, feeling she does all the work.
- After a year, the flood ends, and they exit the ark.
- Falsehood asks Wickedness for a share of her earnings, arguing she did all the work.
- Wickedness scornfully rejects her, citing their unbreakable agreement.
- Falsehood is foiled and leaves empty-handed, confirming the proverb about Falsehood and Wickedness.
Characters
Falsehood
Slender and agile, with a deceptive grace. Her movements are fluid and quick, allowing her to appear innocent or cunning as needed. She has delicate hands, often clasped together in a feigned gesture of sincerity.
Attire: A flowing gown of iridescent, shimmering fabric that changes color slightly with the light, suggesting an elusive quality. It is a pale, almost silvery-white, made of a fine, slippery silk that seems to cling and flow. The sleeves are long and wide, allowing for dramatic gestures. There are no obvious embellishments, as her 'truth' is in her shifting appearance.
Wants: To survive the flood and continue her 'trade' of deception; to accumulate wealth and benefit from her lies.
Flaw: Her inherent nature to lie and deceive, which ultimately leads to her being outsmarted by Wickedness.
She attempts to secure her survival by deceiving Noah, then partners with Wickedness, believing she can outsmart him. She learns that her own nature makes her vulnerable to greater wickedness, ending up foiled and losing all her earnings.
Deceptive, cunning, self-serving, persuasive, regretful (of her agreement).
Wickedness
A robust and imposing figure, with a strong, unyielding build. His presence is heavy and commanding. He has large, calloused hands, often resting on his hips or folded across his chest, indicating his assertive nature.
Attire: A heavy, dark tunic made of coarse, rough-spun wool in deep shades of charcoal or forest green, suggesting a grounded, unyielding nature. It is practical and unadorned, emphasizing his focus on tangible gains. He wears a wide, dark leather belt, from which a small, plain ledger and quill are often visible.
Wants: To profit from Falsehood's 'earnings' and to assert his dominance; to accumulate wealth through others' efforts.
Flaw: His own inherent wickedness, which makes him incapable of empathy or generosity, though in this story it serves him well.
He enters into a partnership with Falsehood, knowing he can exploit her. He successfully takes all her earnings, proving the proverb that 'Wickedness taketh all that away.' He remains unchanged, his nature reinforced.
Cunning, exploitative, unyielding, pragmatic, contemptuous.
Noah
A venerable and sturdy elderly man, with a strong, weathered build from years of labor and righteousness. His hands are large and capable, showing the marks of a carpenter and farmer. He carries himself with a quiet dignity.
Attire: Simple, practical robes of undyed linen or coarse wool, in earthy tones of brown or grey, suitable for a man of his time and purpose. He might wear a simple head covering to protect from the elements, possibly a linen wrap or a cap of woven reeds.
Wants: To fulfill God's command to save all creatures in pairs; to maintain the integrity of the ark's purpose.
Flaw: His strict adherence to rules, which allows Falsehood and Wickedness to enter by appearing to comply.
He serves as the gatekeeper of the ark, upholding the rules set forth for entry. He remains steadfast in his role, unknowingly admitting Falsehood and Wickedness.
Righteous, obedient, discerning, fair, steadfast.
Locations
The Ark's Exterior
The massive wooden ark, recently completed, stands on dry land with its door shut. The surrounding area is initially dry, but quickly becomes engulfed by the rising waters of the flood, creating a desolate, watery landscape.
Mood: Desperate, foreboding, isolated, a last refuge
Falsehood attempts to gain entry to the ark, is initially refused, and later returns with Wickedness to be admitted.
The Ark's Interior
The interior of the ark, bustling with pairs of animals. It is a confined, functional space, likely constructed from sturdy wood, designed for survival rather than comfort. It serves as a temporary home for all creatures during the flood.
Mood: Cramped, busy, secure, a haven
Falsehood and Wickedness reside here for twelve months, with Falsehood 'earning' and Wickedness recording the 'takings'.
The Post-Flood Earth
The earth after the floodwaters have receded, revealing a world reborn. It is a fresh, perhaps muddy, but ultimately renewed landscape, ready for new beginnings.
Mood: New beginnings, quiet, reflective, a sense of finality
Falsehood and Wickedness emerge from the ark, and Wickedness claims all of Falsehood's 'earnings'.