Old Mother Wiggle-Waggle
by Unknown · from More English Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, in a cozy den, lived Foxy Fox and Mrs. Fox. They were very, very hungry! They had no food. They had no fork. They had no knife. They ate with their paws. They loved to eat bones.
Foxy Fox went out one night. The night was clear. He wanted food. He asked the moon for light. "Shine bright!" he said. He had a long way to go. He needed food for his den.
Foxy Fox came to a farmyard. Ducks and geese were there. They saw Foxy Fox. They felt scared. They made loud noises. Their rest was gone. Foxy Fox was near.
Foxy Fox saw a big drake. He saw a fat Grey Goose. "Oh, a yummy dinner!" he thought. "I will take you home. My family will like you. This is a good plan."
Foxy Fox caught the Grey Goose. He took her quickly. Then he caught the Black Duck. He put the duck on his back. The Black Duck made a sound. "Quack, quack, quack!" it went. Its legs moved in the air.
The Farmer's Wife woke up. She looked out her window. "Oh no!" she cried. "The Grey Goose is gone! Foxy Fox took her away. My husband, wake up now!"
Farmer John got out of bed. He put on his red cap. "I will catch that fox!" he said. "I will set a trap. Foxy Fox cannot get away."
But Foxy Fox was very clever. He ran very fast. Farmer John could not catch him. Foxy Fox ran through the town. He was too quick for them.
Foxy Fox ran to the hill top. He felt very happy. He blew his trumpet. It made a loud sound. He was safe and sound. He made it home.
Foxy Fox came home at last. His little foxes waited. Mrs. Fox waited too. "Look!" he said. "Here is a fat duck! Its legs still move!" They were all very happy.
Foxy Fox sat with his wife. They ate the yummy duck. They had no fork. They had no knife. They ate it all up! The little ones were happy.
Original Story
Old Mother Wiggle-Waggle
The fox and his wife they had a great strife,
They never ate mustard in all their whole life;
They ate their meat without fork or knife
And loved to be picking a bone, e-ho!
The fox went out, one still, clear night,
And he prayed the moon to give him light,
For he'd a long way to travel that night,
Before he got back to his den-o!
The fox when he came to yonder stile,
He lifted his lugs and he listened a while!
"Oh, ho!" said the fox, "it's but a short mile
From this unto yonder wee town, e-ho!"
And first he arrived at a farmer's yard,
Where the ducks and the geese declared it was hard,
That their nerves should be shaken and their rest should be marred
By the visits of Mister Fox-o!
The fox when he came to the farmer's gate,
Who should he see but the farmer's drake;
"I love you well for your master's sake,
And long to be picking your bones, e-ho!"
The grey goose she ran round the hay-stack,
"Oh, ho!" said the fox, "you are very fat;
You'll grease my beard and ride on my back
From this into yonder wee town, e-ho!"
Then he took the grey goose by her sleeve,
And said: "Madam Grey Goose, by your leave
I'll take you away without reprieve,
And carry you back to my den-o!"
And he seized the black duck by the neck,
And slung him all across his back,
The black duck cried out "quack, quack, quack,"
With his legs all dangling down-o!
Old Mother Wiggle-Waggle hopped out of bed,
Out of the window she popped her old head;
"Oh! husband, oh! husband, the grey goose is gone,
And the fox is off to his den, oh!"
Then the old man got up in his red cap,
And swore he would catch the fox in a trap;
But the fox was too cunning, and gave him the slip,
And ran through the town, the town, oh!
When he got to the top of the hill,
He blew his trumpet both loud and shrill,
For joy that he was safe and sound
Through the town, oh!
But at last he arrived at his home again,
To his dear little foxes, eight, nine, ten,
Says he "You're in luck, here's a fine fat duck
With his legs all dangling down-o!"
So he sat down together with his hungry wife,
And they did very well without fork or knife,
They never ate a better duck in all their life,
And the little ones picked the bones-o!
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A hungry fox, needing to feed his family, ventures out one night to a farmer's yard. He cunningly captures a grey goose and a black duck, despite their protests. Old Mother Wiggle-Waggle discovers the theft and alerts her husband, who attempts to catch the fox. However, the fox is too clever and escapes, returning triumphantly to his den where his wife and many little foxes eagerly await their feast.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is often presented as a nursery rhyme or folk song, reflecting a simple, pre-industrial rural setting where foxes were a common threat to poultry.
Plot Beats (11)
- The fox and his wife are hungry and have a peculiar way of eating.
- The fox ventures out at night, seeking food and asking the moon for light.
- He arrives at a farmer's yard, where ducks and geese are disturbed by his presence.
- The fox spots a drake and a fat grey goose, expressing his desire to eat them.
- He captures the grey goose and then a black duck, carrying them on his back.
- Old Mother Wiggle-Waggle wakes up, discovers the missing goose, and alerts her husband.
- The farmer, in his red cap, vows to catch the fox in a trap.
- The cunning fox evades the farmer and runs through the town.
- Reaching the top of a hill, the fox blows his trumpet in triumph.
- He arrives home to his ten little foxes and his wife, presenting the duck.
- The fox family enjoys a meal of the stolen duck, picking the bones clean.
Characters
The Fox
A medium-sized, lean fox with a lithe build, indicative of a hunter. His fur is a vibrant reddish-brown, typical of a European red fox, with a bushy tail tipped in white. He moves with a silent, agile grace.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To hunt and bring food back to his family (his wife and cubs).
Flaw: His overconfidence and tendency to boast (blowing his trumpet) could potentially draw unwanted attention.
He successfully executes his hunt and returns home triumphant, reinforcing his role as a provider and trickster.
Cunning, audacious, resourceful, and a bit boastful. He is driven by hunger and the need to provide for his family, but also enjoys the thrill of the chase and outsmarting others.
The Fox's Wife
A vixen, similar in appearance to her husband but perhaps slightly smaller or more slender. Her fur is also reddish-brown, well-kept.
Attire: None, as she is an animal.
Wants: To feed herself and her cubs.
Flaw: Her hunger, which makes her reliant on her husband's hunting prowess.
She remains in the den, eagerly awaiting her husband's return with food, and then enjoys the meal.
Hungry, perhaps a bit demanding or anxious due to the need to feed her cubs. She shares her husband's appreciation for meat.
Old Mother Wiggle-Waggle
An elderly woman, likely with a somewhat frail or 'wiggle-waggle' gait, suggesting age. She is quick to react despite her age.
Attire: Nightclothes, likely a simple nightgown or shift, as she hops out of bed. These would be made of plain linen or cotton, suitable for a farmer's wife in a rural setting.
Wants: To protect her livestock and alert her husband to danger.
Flaw: Her age might limit her physical ability to pursue the fox herself.
She acts as the initial alarm-raiser, setting the pursuit in motion.
Alert, observant, and quick to raise an alarm. She is concerned for her farm animals.
The Old Man (Farmer)
An elderly farmer, likely sturdy from a life of farm work, but perhaps a bit slow to rouse. He is described as wearing a red cap.
Attire: He gets up and puts on a red cap. His other clothes would be typical farmer's attire for the period: a simple linen shirt, wool trousers, and sturdy boots, possibly over his nightclothes in his haste.
Wants: To protect his livestock and punish the fox for stealing.
Flaw: His inability to outsmart the cunning fox.
He attempts to catch the fox but is ultimately outsmarted.
Determined, resolute, and easily angered when his property is threatened. He is committed to catching the fox.
The Grey Goose
A large, plump grey goose, described as 'very fat,' indicating good health and readiness for consumption. She has typical goose features.
Attire: None, as she is an animal.
Wants: To survive and avoid being caught.
Flaw: Her inability to outrun or fight off the fox.
She is captured by the fox.
Frightened and attempts to escape.
The Black Duck
A black duck, likely a domestic breed, with typical duck features. He is described as having his legs dangling down when carried by the fox.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To escape and survive.
Flaw: His vulnerability to predators.
He is captured and carried away by the fox to be eaten.
Frightened and vocal in his distress.
Locations
The Fox's Den
A hidden, cozy den, likely underground or within a rocky outcrop, where the fox lives with his wife and numerous kits. It's a place of safety and warmth, where they consume their meals.
Mood: Cozy, safe, familial, hungry, ultimately satisfied.
The fox departs from here on his hunting trip and returns here with his prey to feed his family.
Farmer's Yard
A bustling farmyard, likely in a rural English setting, with a gate, a hay-stack, and various fowl like ducks and geese. It's a place of activity and vulnerability for the farm animals.
Mood: Vulnerable, chaotic, rural, tense.
The fox infiltrates this yard to steal the grey goose and black duck, causing a commotion and alerting the farmer and his wife.
Top of the Hill
A vantage point on a hill overlooking a 'wee town', where the fox pauses to celebrate his escape.
Mood: Triumphant, open, relieved.
The fox, having successfully evaded the farmer, stops here to blow his trumpet in celebration before returning to his den.