The Golden Ball
by Unknown · from More English Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Two sisters lived in a small house. A Magic Man came to their door. He gave them each a special golden ball. He said, "Keep them safe! If you lose it, you will be sad. You must leave your home."
The youngest sister was Lily. Lily played with her golden ball. Oh no! The ball went up. It went over a wall. The ball rolled into a spooky house.
Lily was very, very sad. She remembered the Magic Man's words. She thought, "I lost my ball. I must leave my home now."
Lily had a sweetheart, Tom. Tom loved Lily much. He said, "I will find your ball!" Tom went to the house.
A wise old woman appeared. She told Tom, "You must stay three nights. Stay in this house. Then you get the ball back."
First night, a big giant came. He was Big Giant One. Tom was brave. He made the giant fall asleep. The giant rolled out of the house. He rolled far away.
On the second night, another big giant came. He was Big Giant Two. Tom was clever. He made this giant fall asleep. The giant floated up the chimney. He floated far away.
On the third night, Tom heard noise. Little noisy bogles played. They played with the ball under the bed. Tom made a very loud noise! The bogles got scared. They dropped the ball. They ran away fast.
Tom took the golden ball. He ran very, very fast. He ran to find Lily. He wanted to help her. He wanted to save her.
Lily was very sad at home. She packed her small bag. She thought of her mother. She thought of her father. No one could help her now.
Just then, Tom ran in! He ran very fast. He had the shiny golden ball! Lily looked up. She saw Tom.
Tom gave Lily her ball. Lily was so, so happy! She did not have to leave her home. Tom and Lily lived happily ever after. They were always together. Being brave and kind helps you win!
Original Story
The Golden Ball
There were two lasses, daughters of one mother, and as they came from the fair, they saw a right bonny young man stand at the house-door before them. They never saw such a bonny man before. He had gold on his cap, gold on his finger, gold on his neck, a red gold watch-chain—eh! but he had brass. He had a golden ball in each hand. He gave a ball to each lass, and she was to keep it, and if she lost it, she was to be hanged. One of the lasses, 't was the youngest, lost her ball. I'll tell thee how. She was by a park-paling, and she was tossing her ball, and it went up, and up, and up, till it went fair over the paling; and when she climbed up to look, the ball ran along the green grass, and it went right forward to the door of the house, and the ball went in and she saw it no more.
So she was taken away to be hanged by the neck till she was dead because she'd lost her ball.
But she had a sweetheart, and he said he would go and get the ball. So he went to the park-gate, but 't was shut; so he climbed the hedge, and when he got to the top of the hedge, an old woman rose up out of the dyke before him, and said, if he wanted to get the ball, he must sleep three nights in the house. He said he would.
Then he went into the house, and looked for the ball, but could not find it. Night came on and he heard bogles move in the courtyard; so he looked out o' the window, and the yard was full of them.
Presently he heard steps coming upstairs. He hid behind the door, and was as still as a mouse. Then in came a big giant five times as tall as he, and the giant looked round but did not see the lad, so he went to the window and bowed to look out; and as he bowed on his elbows to see the bogles in the yard, the lad stepped behind him, and with one blow of his sword he cut him in twain, so that the top part of him fell in the yard, and the bottom part stood looking out of the window.
There was a great cry from the bogles when they saw half the giant come tumbling down to them, and they called out, "There comes half our master, give us the other half."
So the lad said, "It's no use of thee, thou pair of legs, standing alone at the window, as thou hast no eye to see with, so go join thy brother;" and he cast the lower part of the giant after the top part. Now when the bogles had gotten all the giant they were quiet.
Next night the lad was at the house again, and now a second giant came in at the door, and as he came in the lad cut him in twain, but the legs walked on to the chimney and went up them. "Go, get thee after thy legs," said the lad to the head, and he cast the head up the chimney too.
The third night the lad got into bed, and he heard the bogles striving under the bed, and they had the ball there, and they were casting it to and fro.
Now one of them has his leg thrust out from under the bed, so the lad brings his sword down and cuts it off. Then another thrusts his arm out at other side of the bed, and the lad cuts that off. So at last he had maimed them all, and they all went crying and wailing off, and forgot the ball, but he took it from under the bed, and went to seek his true-love.
Now the lass was taken to York to be hanged; she was brought out on the scaffold, and the hangman said, "Now, lass, thou must hang by the neck till thou be'st dead." But she cried out:
"Stop, stop, I think I see my mother coming!
O mother, hast brought my golden ball
And come to set me free?"
"I've neither brought thy golden ball
Nor come to set thee free,
But I have come to see thee hung
Upon this gallows-tree."
Then the hangman said, "Now, lass, say thy prayers for thou must die." But she said:
"Stop, stop, I think I see my father coming!
O father, hast brought my golden ball
And come to set me free?"
"I've neither brought thy golden ball
Nor come to set thee free,
But I have come to see thee hung
Upon this gallows-tree."
Then the hangman said, "Hast thee done thy prayers? Now, lass, put thy head into the noose."
But she answered, "Stop, stop, I think I see my brother coming!" And again she sang, and then she thought she saw her sister coming, then her uncle, then her aunt, then her cousin; but after this the hangman said, "I will stop no longer, thou 'rt making game of me. Thou must be hung at once."
But now she saw her sweetheart coming through the crowd, and he held over his head in the air her own golden ball; so she said:
"Stop, stop, I see my sweetheart coming!
Sweetheart, hast brought my golden ball
And come to set me free?"
"Aye, I have brought thy golden ball
And come to set thee free,
I have not come to see thee hung
Upon this gallows-tree."
And he took her home, and they lived happy ever after.
Story DNA
Moral
Loyalty and courage can overcome even the direst of circumstances.
Plot Summary
Two sisters are given magical golden balls, with the penalty of hanging if lost. The youngest sister loses hers and is condemned to death. Her sweetheart bravely ventures into a haunted house, where he spends three nights defeating giants and bogles to retrieve the lost ball. He arrives at the gallows just as his beloved is about to be executed, presenting the golden ball and saving her life, leading to their happy union.
Themes
Emotional Arc
despair to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects a pre-modern justice system where capital punishment was common for seemingly minor offenses, and the 'rule of three' is a common narrative device in European folklore.
Plot Beats (12)
- Two sisters meet a bonny young man who gives each a golden ball, with the penalty of hanging if lost.
- The youngest sister loses her golden ball while tossing it, as it rolls into a mysterious house.
- She is condemned to be hanged for losing the ball.
- Her sweetheart vows to retrieve the ball and goes to the house.
- An old woman appears and tells him he must sleep three nights in the house to get the ball.
- On the first night, he hides and then cuts a giant in half, casting both pieces into the yard where bogles consume them.
- On the second night, he cuts a second giant in half, sending both pieces up the chimney.
- On the third night, he hears bogles under the bed with the ball, and he cuts off their limbs until they flee, leaving the ball.
- He takes the golden ball and rushes to save his true love.
- The lass is on the scaffold, delaying her execution by calling out to her mother, father, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, and cousin, but none bring the ball or offer help.
- Just as the hangman loses patience, her sweetheart arrives with the golden ball.
- He presents the ball, saving her from execution, and they go home to live happily ever after.
Characters
The Youngest Lass
A young woman of average height and build, likely with a fair complexion common in Northern England, given the story's dialect. Her features would be simple and unadorned, reflecting her peasant background.
Attire: Simple, practical attire typical of a 19th-century English peasant lass. This would include a plain linen or wool dress, possibly a smock or kirtle, in muted colors like grey, brown, or undyed cream. She might wear a simple apron over her dress and sturdy, low-heeled shoes or clogs.
Wants: To avoid execution and live freely with her sweetheart.
Flaw: Carelessness, leading to the loss of her golden ball, and a reliance on others (her family, then her sweetheart) to save her.
She begins as a carefree lass, then faces extreme despair and the brink of death, only to be saved by her sweetheart, reinforcing her love and dependence on him.
Carefree, somewhat naive, desperate, hopeful, resilient.
The Sweetheart
A strong and determined young man, likely of a sturdy build, reflecting a life of physical labor. He would be of average height for the region and period, with a practical, no-nonsense demeanor.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing suitable for a young man in rural 19th-century England. This would include a simple linen or wool shirt, sturdy breeches or trousers, and a waistcoat in muted earth tones. He might wear a roughspun jacket and strong leather boots, ready for travel and action.
Wants: To save his true-love from execution by retrieving her golden ball.
Flaw: His love for the lass is his primary motivation, which could also be exploited, though in this story it is his strength.
He transforms from a simple sweetheart into a heroic figure, demonstrating immense bravery and resourcefulness to save his beloved, solidifying their bond.
Brave, loyal, resourceful, determined, heroic.
The Bonny Young Man
An exceptionally handsome and striking young man, described as 'bonny' (attractive) and adorned with visible wealth. He would have a commanding presence.
Attire: Extremely opulent and showy attire, indicating significant wealth. This would include a fine suit or coat, possibly made of velvet or silk, in rich colors. Crucially, he is adorned with gold: gold on his cap, gold rings on his fingers, a gold chain around his neck, and a red gold watch-chain. This suggests a fashionable gentleman of the 19th century, perhaps a dandy or a wealthy merchant.
Wants: To bestow a mysterious gift and challenge upon the lasses, possibly for amusement or an unknown purpose.
Flaw: Not applicable, as he appears only briefly and without conflict.
He serves as the catalyst for the story's main conflict but does not undergo any personal change.
Charismatic, wealthy, mysterious, perhaps a touch mischievous for setting such a high-stakes condition.
The Old Woman
An ancient, possibly wizened woman, appearing suddenly from a ditch. Her appearance would suggest a life lived close to nature and possibly hardship.
Attire: Simple, worn, and possibly patched clothing typical of an elderly rural woman, perhaps a dark, coarse wool cloak or shawl, and a plain, long dress in muted colors. Her attire would blend with the natural environment from which she emerges.
Wants: To set a condition for entering the house and retrieving the ball, acting as a guardian or test-giver.
Flaw: Not applicable; she is a figure of power and knowledge.
She serves as a plot device to guide the sweetheart and does not change.
Mysterious, knowing, enigmatic, a gatekeeper of sorts.
The First Giant
A colossal figure, five times the height of a human man, with immense bulk and strength. His skin might be rough or craggy, indicative of his monstrous nature.
Attire: Simple, oversized, and possibly tattered clothing, such as a rough tunic or animal hide, befitting a monstrous giant. Colors would be dark and earthy.
Wants: To inhabit the house and interact with the bogles, possibly guarding the golden ball indirectly.
Flaw: His immense size makes him slow and predictable, allowing the sweetheart to surprise him. His lack of perception is also a weakness.
He is defeated and dismembered by the sweetheart, serving as an obstacle.
Slow-witted, imposing, easily outsmarted.
The Second Giant
Another colossal giant, similar in size and build to the first, but with a different reaction to being cut in twain.
Attire: Similar to the first giant, simple, oversized, and possibly tattered clothing in dark, earthy tones.
Wants: To inhabit the house, similar to the first giant.
Flaw: His predictable entry and the sweetheart's readiness allow for his swift defeat. His legs' independent movement is a strange weakness.
He is defeated and dismembered by the sweetheart, serving as another obstacle.
Persistent, monstrous, easily outsmarted.
The Bogles
Undescribed beyond being present in the courtyard and under the bed. Implied to be shadowy, mischievous, and possibly grotesque spirits or goblins. They have limbs that can be cut off.
Attire: Not described, likely indistinct or tattered, blending into the shadows.
Wants: To torment the living, to possess the golden ball, and to mourn their master.
Flaw: Vulnerable to physical attack, easily maimed and scared off.
They are defeated and driven away by the sweetheart, losing their power and the golden ball.
Mischievous, tormenting, easily distracted by pain, cowardly when injured.
The Hangman
A stern and unyielding man, likely of a robust build, necessary for his profession. His features would be grim and unexpressive.
Attire: Dark, somber, and practical clothing, typical of an executioner in 19th-century England. This would include a dark coat, trousers, and possibly a hood or cap, though not explicitly mentioned. His attire would be functional and devoid of ornamentation.
Wants: To carry out the sentence of execution as per his duty.
Flaw: His patience can be tested by the lass's delaying tactics.
He remains unchanged, serving as the instrument of justice (or injustice) until the last moment.
Stern, dutiful, impatient, professional.
Locations
The Park Paling
A boundary fence, likely wooden, separating a public or common area from a private park. The grass on the park side is green and well-maintained.
Mood: initially playful, then anxious and foreboding
The youngest lass loses her golden ball over the paling, leading to her predicament.
The Haunted House
An old, possibly derelict house within the park, with a courtyard, stairs, a window overlooking the courtyard, a chimney, and a bed. It is inhabited by giants and bogles.
Mood: eerie, terrifying, suspenseful, dangerous
The sweetheart confronts and defeats the giants and bogles over three nights to retrieve the golden ball.
York Scaffold
A public execution platform in York, likely made of rough-hewn timber, set up in a crowded square or marketplace. It features a gallows-tree and a noose.
Mood: somber, tense, desperate, then hopeful
The lass is brought to be hanged, and her sweetheart arrives just in time with the golden ball to save her.