Johnny Gloke
by Unknown · from More English Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once there was a tailor named Johnny. He liked to rest. He did not like to work. He liked to sleep.
Johnny was a tailor. He liked to rest. He wanted to be famous. He wanted to be brave.
One day, Johnny swatted many flies. He said, 'I am strong!' He wanted adventure. He felt very proud.
Johnny took a big, old sword. He heard about two big, grumpy giants. The King would give a prize. This prize was to stop them. The giants were very bad.
Johnny said he would help. He went to the giants' forest. He saw them. He hid in a big, hollow tree. The forest was dark.
Johnny threw a small stone at Big Giant. Big Giant thought Other Giant did it. They started to argue. The giants got angry.
Johnny threw more stones. The giants fought and fought. They got very, very tired. They yelled loudly.
The giants were so tired. They said, 'We are too weak now.' They fell down.
Johnny came out. He shouted, 'I am Johnny!' They were scared. They were tired. They ran away fast. No one saw them again. Johnny was happy.
Johnny went back. Everyone cheered for him. He married the Princess. They were happy. The people loved him.
Bad people made trouble. The King asked Johnny to help. Johnny must lead the soldiers. The land was not safe.
Johnny got on a big horse. He could not ride well. The horse ran very fast. Johnny held on tight.
The horse ran to the bad people. It bumped a tall, wobbly tower. A big, noisy pot fell. It fell on the horse's neck. The pot made a loud sound.
The bad people saw Johnny. He had the noisy pot. They thought, 'Oh no! He is scary!' They ran away fast. They were very afraid.
Johnny won again by accident. He became the King. He was a happy King. He never told his secret. The people cheered again.
Johnny was clever. He was also very lucky. Cleverness is as good as strength. He used his mind.
King Johnny was very happy. He was a clever King. He lived a long, happy life. His kingdom was peaceful.
Original Story
Johnny Gloke
Johnny Gloke was a tailor by trade, but like a man of spirit he grew tired of his tailoring, and wished to follow some other path that would lead to honour and fame. But he did not know what to do at first to gain fame and fortune, so for a time he was fonder of basking idly in the sun than in plying the needle and scissors. One warm day as he was enjoying his ease, he was annoyed by the flies alighting on his bare ankles. He brought his hand down on them with force and killed a goodly number of them. On counting the victims of his valour, he was overjoyed at his success; his heart rose to the doing of great deeds, and he gave vent to his feelings in the saying:—
"Well done! Johnny Gloke,
Kilt fifty flies at one stroke."
His resolution was now taken to cut out his path to fortune and honour. So he took down from its resting-place a rusty old sword that had belonged to some of his forebears, and set out in search of adventures. After travelling a long way, he came to a country that was much troubled by two giants, whom no one was bold enough to meet, and strong enough to overcome. He was soon told of the giants, and learned that the King of the country had offered a great reward and the hand of his daughter in marriage to the man who should rid his land of this scourge. John's heart rose to the deed, and he offered himself for the service. The great haunt of the giants was a wood, and John set out with his old sword to perform his task. When he reached the wood, he laid himself down to think what course he would follow, for he knew how weak he was compared to those he had undertaken to kill. He had not waited long, when he saw them coming with a waggon to fetch wood for fuel. My! they were big ones, with huge heads and long tusks for teeth. Johnny hid himself in the hollow of a tree, thinking only of his own safety. Feeling himself safe, he peeped out of his hiding-place, and watched the two at work. Thus watching he formed his plan of action. He picked up a pebble, threw it with force at one of them, and struck him a sharp blow on the head. The giant in his pain turned at once on his companion, and blamed him in strong words for hitting him. The other denied in anger that he had thrown the pebble. John now saw himself on the high way to gain his reward and the hand of the King's daughter. He kept still, and carefully watched for an opportunity of striking another blow. He soon found it, and right against the giant's head went another pebble. The injured giant fell on his companion in fury, and the two belaboured each other till they were utterly tired out. They sat down on a log to breathe, rest, and recover themselves.
While sitting, one of them said, "Well, all the King's army was not able to take us, but I fear an old woman with a rope's end would be too much for us now."
"If that be so," said Johnny Gloke, as he sprang, bold as a lion, from his hiding-place, "What do you say to Johnny Gloke with his old roosty sword?" So saying he fell upon them, cut off their heads, and returned in triumph. He received the King's daughter in marriage and for a time lived in peace and happiness. He never told the mode he followed in his dealing with the giants.
Some time after a rebellion broke out among the subjects of his father-in-law. John, on the strength of his former valiant deed, was chosen to quell the rebellion. His heart sank within him, but he could not refuse, and so lose his great name. He was mounted on the fiercest horse that ever saw sun or wind, and set out on his desperate task. He was not accustomed to ride on horseback, and he soon lost all control of his steed. It galloped off at full speed, in the direction of the rebel army. In its wild career it passed under the gallows that stood by the wayside. The gallows was somewhat old and frail, and down it fell on the horse's neck. Still the horse made no stop, but always forward at furious speed towards the rebels. On seeing this strange sight approaching towards them at such a speed they were seized with terror, and cried out to one another, "There comes Johnny Gloke that killed the two giants with the gallows on his horse's neck to hang us all." They broke their ranks, fled in dismay, and never stopped till they reached their homes. Thus was Johnny Gloke a second time victorious. So in due time he came to the throne and lived a long, happy, and good life as king.
Story DNA
Moral
Sometimes, wit and a bit of luck can achieve more than brute force, and reputation can precede and empower a person beyond their true abilities.
Plot Summary
Johnny Gloke, a lazy tailor, dreams of fame. After accidentally killing fifty flies, he declares himself a hero and sets out for adventure. He encounters two fearsome giants, but instead of fighting, he tricks them into fighting each other by throwing pebbles. He then kills the exhausted giants and is hailed as a hero, marrying the King's daughter. Later, chosen to quell a rebellion, Johnny, an unskilled rider, accidentally causes his horse to gallop towards the rebels with a fallen gallows on its neck, terrifying them into fleeing. Johnny is again victorious by accident and eventually becomes king, living a long, happy life based on his undeserved reputation.
Themes
Emotional Arc
insecurity to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a common folk tale trope where a seemingly weak or unassuming character achieves greatness through wit or luck, often by exploiting the fears or weaknesses of their opponents.
Plot Beats (14)
- Johnny Gloke, a tailor, is bored with his trade and dreams of fame, but is lazy.
- He kills fifty flies with one blow, which he interprets as a sign of his valor and decides to seek adventure.
- He takes an old sword and sets out, eventually learning of two giants terrorizing a kingdom and the King's reward for their defeat.
- Johnny offers his service, goes to the giants' wood, and hides in a hollow tree when he sees them.
- He throws pebbles at one giant, making him blame and fight the other.
- Johnny repeats the trick, causing the giants to exhaust themselves fighting each other.
- The giants, tired, remark that even an old woman with a rope could defeat them now.
- Johnny emerges, declares himself, and kills the weakened giants with his sword.
- He returns in triumph, marries the King's daughter, and lives happily for a time.
- A rebellion breaks out, and Johnny is chosen to lead the army due to his reputation.
- He is mounted on a fierce horse, but being an unskilled rider, he loses control.
- The runaway horse gallops towards the rebels, passing under a gallows that falls onto its neck.
- The rebels, seeing Johnny approaching with the gallows, believe he intends to hang them all and flee in terror.
- Johnny is again victorious by accident, eventually becomes king, and rules happily without ever revealing his true methods.
Characters
Johnny Gloke
Of average height and slender build, typical for a tailor, not physically imposing. He likely has a pale complexion from indoor work, with no distinguishing scars or marks.
Attire: Initially, simple, practical tailor's clothes made of sturdy linen or wool in muted colors like brown or grey, perhaps a tunic and breeches. After his marriage, he would wear more refined, but still practical, garments befitting a nobleman or prince, eventually royal robes of rich fabrics like velvet or silk in deep colors, possibly with minimal embroidery, reflecting a pragmatic rather than ostentatious nature.
Wants: To escape his mundane life as a tailor and achieve honor, fame, and wealth, specifically the King's reward and the hand of his daughter.
Flaw: Physical cowardice and a lack of true strength. He relies on trickery and luck rather than direct confrontation.
Transforms from an idle tailor into a celebrated hero and eventually a king, not through traditional bravery but through cunning, luck, and a knack for self-preservation. He learns to leverage perception over reality.
Lazy, cunning, opportunistic, surprisingly brave when cornered, and a quick thinker. He is driven by a desire for fame and fortune but lacks genuine physical courage.
First Giant
Enormous in stature, much taller and broader than any human, with a powerful, muscular build. His skin is likely rough and weathered, perhaps a greyish or earthy tone, indicating a life outdoors and immense strength.
Attire: Minimal and practical, likely consisting of rough animal hides or simple, torn garments made of coarse fabric, perhaps a loincloth or a crude tunic, showing off his immense physique.
Wants: To live undisturbed in the wood, gathering fuel, and asserting dominance over the land.
Flaw: Lack of intelligence, gullibility, and a quick temper, which makes him easily manipulated.
Remains unchanged in personality, ultimately falling victim to Johnny Gloke's cunning due to his own brutish nature and lack of wit.
Brutish, easily angered, quick to blame, and physically strong but not intelligent. He is prone to violence when provoked.
Second Giant
Equally enormous and powerful as his companion, with a similar muscular build and rough, weathered skin. He is a mirror in size and strength to the First Giant.
Attire: Minimal and practical, likely consisting of rough animal hides or simple, torn garments made of coarse fabric, perhaps a loincloth or a crude tunic, showing off his immense physique.
Wants: To live undisturbed in the wood, gathering fuel, and asserting dominance over the land.
Flaw: Lack of intelligence, gullibility, and a quick temper, which makes him easily manipulated.
Remains unchanged in personality, ultimately falling victim to Johnny Gloke's cunning due to his own brutish nature and lack of wit.
Brutish, easily angered, quick to deny blame, and physically strong but not intelligent. He is prone to violence when provoked.
King's Daughter
As a princess, she would be expected to be beautiful, with a graceful figure. Her exact physical traits are not specified, but she would likely possess features considered attractive in her cultural context.
Attire: Elegant but not overly ostentatious gowns made of fine fabrics like silk or brocade, in rich colors such as deep blue, emerald green, or crimson. Her attire would be well-fitted, perhaps with subtle embroidery or delicate lace, reflecting her royal status without being excessively elaborate.
Wants: To see her kingdom freed from the giants and to fulfill her duty to her father and her people.
Flaw: Her agency is limited by her royal position; she is a prize to be won rather than an active participant.
She serves as a catalyst for Johnny Gloke's ambition and becomes his wife, securing his rise to power. Her personal arc is not detailed.
Implied to be a dutiful daughter, as she is offered as a reward. She is likely gentle and kind, accepting her fate as part of a royal bargain.
Locations
Johnny Gloke's Home
A humble tailor's dwelling, likely a small, simple cottage, where Johnny Gloke spent his days. It contains his tailoring tools and an old, rusty sword.
Mood: Initially mundane and slightly lazy, transforming into a place of sudden inspiration and resolve.
Johnny Gloke, annoyed by flies, kills fifty in one stroke, leading to his boast and decision to seek fame and fortune.
The Giants' Wood
A dense, ancient wood, the primary haunt of two fearsome giants. It contains large trees, some hollow, and provides materials for fuel.
Mood: Initially foreboding and dangerous due to the giants' presence, but becomes a scene of cunning and eventual triumph.
Johnny Gloke hides in a hollow tree, uses pebbles to trick the giants into fighting each other, and then slays them with his sword.
The Road to the Rebel Army with Gallows
A desolate road leading towards the rebel army, featuring an old, frail gallows by the wayside.
Mood: Initially tense and desperate for Johnny, but transforms into a scene of accidental terror and victory for the rebels.
Johnny Gloke, out of control on his horse, rides under the gallows, which collapses onto his horse's neck, terrifying the rebel army into retreat.