The Pedlar of Swaffham
by Unknown · from More English Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once, there was a pedlar. He lived in a small town. He did not have much money. He worked very hard. He carried his pack. His dog walked with him.
One night, he had a dream. He saw London Bridge. Good news waited there. He had this dream again. He dreamed it three times. It felt very real.
The Pedlar thought about his dream. He must go to London. It was a long way. He packed his things. He walked to the big city. His dog went too.
He stood on London Bridge. He waited for news. He saw many people. But no good news came. He waited for two days. He felt a little sad.
On the third day, a man spoke. He was The Shopkeeper. He had a shop there. "Why do you stand here?" he asked. "Do you sell things?"
The Pedlar said, "No, I do not sell." He said, "I had a dream. Good news is here for me." He told The Shopkeeper his dream. He hoped for good news.
The Shopkeeper laughed at him. "You are silly," he said. "I had a dream too. I dreamed of Swaffham. It was a pedlar's garden. A big oak tree stood there. Gold was under the tree. But I did not go!"
The Pedlar heard these words. He knew The Shopkeeper's dream. It was his own home! He said nothing more. He turned around quickly. He walked home very fast.
He got home to his garden. He found his big oak tree. He started to dig there. He dug and dug. He found a big box. It was full of gold!
The Pedlar was very rich now. He did not forget his town. He was still a kind man. He used his new money. He helped build a church. Everyone was very happy.
People made a statue of him. It stood in the church. The Pedlar had his pack. His dog stood by him. People remember his good story. They remember him always.
The Pedlar learned good things are near. If you keep trying, good things can happen!
Original Story
The Pedlar of Swaffham
In the old days when London Bridge was lined with shops from one end to the other, and salmon swam under the arches, there lived at Swaffham, in Norfolk, a poor pedlar. He'd much ado to make his living, trudging about with his pack at his back and his dog at his heels, and at the close of the day's labour was but too glad to sit down and sleep. Now it fell out that one night he dreamed a dream, and therein he saw the great bridge of London town, and it sounded in his ears that if he went there he should hear joyful news. He made little count of the dream, but on the following night it come back to him, and again on the third night.
Then he said within himself, "I must needs try the issue of it," and so he trudged up to London town. Long was the way and right glad was he when he stood on the great bridge and saw the tall houses on right hand and left, and had glimpses of the water running and the ships sailing by. All day long he paced to and fro, but he heard nothing that might yield him comfort. And again on the morrow he stood and he gazed—he paced afresh the length of London Bridge, but naught did he see and naught did he hear.
Now the third day being come as he still stood and gazed, a shopkeeper hard by spoke to him.
"Friend," said he, "I wonder much at your fruitless standing. Have you no wares to sell?"
"No, indeed," quoth the pedlar.
"And you do not beg for alms."
"Not so long as I can keep myself."
"Then what, I pray thee, dost thou want here, and what may thy business be?"
"Well, kind sir, to tell the truth, I dreamed that if I came hither, I should hear good news."
Right heartily did the shopkeeper laugh.
"Nay, thou must be a fool to take a journey on such a silly errand. I'll tell thee, poor silly country fellow, that I myself dream too o' nights, and that last night I dreamt myself to be in Swaffham, a place clean unknown to me, but in Norfolk if I mistake not, and methought I was in an orchard behind a pedlar's house, and in that orchard was a great oak-tree. Then meseemed that if I digged I should find beneath that tree a great treasure. But think you I'm such a fool as to take on me a long and wearisome journey and all for a silly dream. No, my good fellow, learn wit from a wiser man than thyself. Get thee home, and mind thy business."
When the pedlar heard this he spoke no word, but was exceeding glad in himself, and returning home speedily, digged underneath the great oak-tree, and found a prodigious great treasure. He grew exceeding rich, but he did not forget his duty in the pride of his riches. For he built up again the church at Swaffham, and when he died they put a statue of him therein all in stone with his pack at his back and his dog at his heels. And there it stands to this day to witness if I lie.
Story DNA
Moral
Sometimes, the answers we seek far away are hidden close to home, and perseverance in following one's intuition can lead to unexpected rewards.
Plot Summary
A poor pedlar in Swaffham repeatedly dreams that he will find good news at London Bridge. He travels to London and spends three days fruitlessly waiting on the bridge. On the third day, a shopkeeper, mocking the pedlar's dream, reveals his own dream of a treasure under an oak tree in a pedlar's orchard in Swaffham. Realizing the shopkeeper's dream points to his own home, the pedlar returns, digs under his oak tree, and finds a great treasure. He becomes rich and uses his wealth to rebuild the local church, leaving a lasting legacy.
Themes
Emotional Arc
struggle to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
London Bridge was indeed lined with houses and shops from the medieval period until the early 19th century. The story reflects a time when travel was arduous and local communities were self-contained.
Plot Beats (11)
- A poor pedlar in Swaffham, Norfolk, struggles to earn a living.
- He dreams three nights in a row that he will find joyful news at London Bridge.
- Despite his doubts, he decides to travel to London to investigate the dream.
- He spends two days on London Bridge, finding no news or comfort.
- On the third day, a shopkeeper questions his persistent loitering.
- The pedlar explains his dream to the shopkeeper.
- The shopkeeper laughs at the pedlar's foolishness but then recounts his own dream about a treasure under an oak tree in a pedlar's orchard in Swaffham.
- The pedlar, recognizing the description of his own home, immediately returns to Swaffham.
- He digs under the oak tree in his orchard and unearths a vast treasure.
- The pedlar becomes very wealthy but remains humble and uses his riches to rebuild the local church.
- A statue of the pedlar with his pack and dog is placed in the church, commemorating his story.
Characters
The Pedlar of Swaffham
A man of average height and lean build, weathered by years of walking and carrying his pack. His hands are likely calloused from his trade. His overall appearance suggests a life of hard work and modest means.
Attire: Simple, durable clothing suitable for a 15th-16th century English pedlar. He would wear a coarse wool tunic or jerkin, likely in muted earth tones like brown or grey, over a linen shirt. His breeches would be practical, and he would wear sturdy leather boots, worn from many journeys. A wide leather belt would hold his pouch and perhaps a small knife.
Wants: Initially, to find the 'joyful news' promised in his dream, which translates to seeking a better life and escaping poverty. Later, to use his wealth responsibly and for the good of his community.
Flaw: Perhaps a touch naive or overly literal in his interpretation of dreams, leading him on a long journey without immediate results.
Transforms from a struggling, poor pedlar to an exceedingly rich and respected benefactor of his community, demonstrating that wealth does not corrupt his character.
Persevering, humble, trusting (in his dreams), observant, and ultimately generous. He is not easily deterred and follows through on his convictions.
The Shopkeeper
A well-fed, perhaps slightly portly man, indicating his successful trade. He would have a more refined appearance than the pedlar, reflecting his urban setting and prosperity.
Attire: The attire of a prosperous London merchant of the 15th-16th century. He would wear a doublet and hose made of finer wool or even velvet, perhaps in a deep color like blue or green, with a clean linen shirt underneath. His shoes would be well-made leather. He might wear a simple cap or hat indoors.
Wants: To conduct his business, and perhaps to amuse himself by engaging with what he perceives as a simpleton.
Flaw: His cynicism and inability to believe in the power of dreams, which causes him to miss out on a potential fortune.
Does not undergo a significant arc, remaining a static character whose role is to provide the crucial information to the protagonist.
Skeptical, pragmatic, jovial (in a mocking way), and somewhat condescending towards the 'country fellow'. He is quick to dismiss what he considers foolishness.
The Pedlar's Dog
A small to medium-sized working dog, perhaps a terrier or a lurcher type, with a lean and hardy build. Its coat would be practical, likely short or wiry, and possibly a common color like brown, black, or brindle, showing signs of travel and outdoor life.
Attire: None, other than its natural fur coat.
Wants: To stay by its master's side.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, but its reliance on its master for survival.
No arc, remains a constant, loyal presence.
Loyal, patient, and a constant companion. It is a silent observer of the Pedlar's journeys.
Locations
The Pedlar's House and Orchard
A humble pedlar's house in Swaffham, Norfolk, with an orchard behind it. The orchard features a large, ancient oak tree, under which the treasure is buried.
Mood: Initially humble and ordinary, later transformed into a place of discovery and fortune.
The pedlar's home base; the location of the dream's fulfillment and the discovery of the treasure.
Old London Bridge
The historic London Bridge, lined with shops and tall houses on both sides, with the River Thames flowing beneath its arches. Salmon are mentioned swimming in the river.
Mood: Busy, bustling, initially confusing and fruitless for the pedlar, then a place of revelation.
The pedlar's journey destination where he receives the crucial information about his treasure from a shopkeeper.
Swaffham Church
The church in Swaffham, rebuilt by the pedlar after he became rich. It contains a stone statue of the pedlar with his pack and dog.
Mood: Reverent, historical, a testament to the pedlar's legacy and gratitude.
The final resting place of the pedlar's legacy, commemorating his good fortune and generosity.