The Wee, Wee Mannie
by Unknown · from More English Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once there was a little boy. He had a big cow. The little boy wanted milk. He tried to milk the big cow. The big cow did not stand still. She moved a lot.
The little boy talked to the big cow. He spoke nicely. "Please stand still," he said. The big cow did not listen. She moved. She did not stand still.
The little boy went to his mother. "The big cow moves," he said. "She will not stand still." Mother said, "Stick." Tap the big cow.
The little boy went to a tree. He tried to get a stick. The stick did not break. He could not get a stick.
The little boy went back to his mother. "Stick did not break." Mother said, "Go Butcher." Ask him to take cow.
The little boy went to the Butcher. "Take the big cow away," he asked. Butcher said, "No money, no work."
The little boy went to his mother. "The Butcher did not help." His mother thought. "Tell the big cow this. A sad lady needs milk." The little boy went to the big cow. "A sad lady needs milk," he said. The big cow did not care. She did not stand still.
The little boy went to his mother. "The big cow did not care," he said. Mother said, "Tell the cow about a strong man." The little boy went to the big cow. "A strong man is here," he said. "He sits by the sad lady." The big cow did not move. She did not stand still.
The little boy went to his mother. "The big cow did not move," he said. Mother said, "Tell her about his big sword." The little boy went to the big cow. "He has a big sword," he said. The big cow did not care. She did not stand still.
The little boy went to his mother. "The big cow did not care," he said. Mother said, "Big sword will make cow go away." The little boy went to the big cow. He said, "Big sword will make you go away." The big cow looked at the sword. She stood very, very still.
The little boy milked the big cow
Original Story
The Wee, Wee Mannie
Once upon a time, when all big folks were wee ones and all lies were true, there was a wee, wee Mannie that had a big, big Coo. And out he went to milk her of a morning, and said—
"Hold still, my Coo, my hinny,
Hold still, my hinny, my Coo,
And ye shall have for your dinner
What but a milk white doo."
But the big, big Coo wouldn't hold still. "Hout!" said the wee, wee Mannie—
"Hold still, my Coo, my dearie,
And fill my bucket wi' milk,
And if ye 'll be no contrairy
I'll gi'e ye a gown o' silk."
But the big, big Coo wouldn't hold still. "Look at that, now!" said the wee, wee Mannie—
"What's a wee, wee mannie to do,
Wi' such a big contrairy Coo?"
So off he went to his mother at the house. "Mother," said he, "Coo won't stand still, and wee, wee Mannie can't milk big, big Coo."
"Hout!" says his mother, "take stick and beat Coo."
So off he went to get a stick from the tree, and said—
"Break, stick, break,
And I'll gi'e ye a cake."
But the stick wouldn't break, so back he went to the house. "Mother," says he, "Coo won't hold still, stick won't break, wee, wee Mannie can't beat big, big Coo."
"Hout!" says his mother, "go to the Butcher and bid him kill Coo."
So off he went to the Butcher, and said—
"Butcher, kill the big, big Coo,
She'll gi'e us no more milk noo."
But the Butcher wouldn't kill the Coo without a silver penny, so back the Mannie went to the house. "Mother," says he, "Coo won't hold still, stick won't break, Butcher won't kill without a silver penny, and wee, wee Mannie can't milk big, big Coo."
"Well," said his mother, "go to the Coo and tell her there's a weary, weary lady with long yellow hair weeping for a cup o' milk."
So off he went and told the Coo, but she wouldn't hold still, so back he went and told his mother.
"Well," said she, "tell the Coo there's a fine, fine laddie from the wars sitting by the weary, weary lady with golden hair, and she weeping for a sup o' milk."
So off he went and told the Coo, but she wouldn't hold still, so back he went and told his mother.
"Well," said his mother, "tell the big, big Coo there's a sharp, sharp sword at the belt of the fine, fine laddie from the wars who sits beside the weary, weary lady with the golden hair, and she weeping for a sup o' milk."
And he told the big, big Coo, but she wouldn't hold still.
Then said his mother, "Run quick and tell her that her head's going to be cut off by the sharp, sharp sword in the hands of the fine, fine laddie, if she doesn't give the sup o' milk the weary, weary lady weeps for."
And wee, wee Mannie went off and told the big, big Coo.
And when Coo saw the glint of the sharp, sharp sword in the hand of the fine, fine laddie come from the wars, and the weary, weary lady weeping for a sup o' milk, she reckoned she'd better hold still; so wee, wee Mannie milked big, big Coo, and the weary, weary lady with the golden hair hushed her weeping and got her sup o' milk, and the fine, fine laddie new come from the wars put by his sharp, sharp sword, and all went well that didn't go ill.
Story DNA
Moral
Sometimes, a direct threat or the fear of consequences is the only way to achieve a desired outcome.
Plot Summary
A wee, wee Mannie struggles to milk his big, big Coo, who refuses to stand still. After his own gentle coaxing fails, he repeatedly consults his mother for advice. His mother suggests a series of escalating actions, from beating the Coo with a stick (which won't break) to having a Butcher kill her (who demands payment). Finally, his mother devises a plan involving a weeping lady, a soldier, and a sharp sword, culminating in a direct threat to the Coo's life. Faced with the ultimate consequence, the Coo finally complies, allowing the Mannie to milk her and provide for the lady.
Themes
Emotional Arc
frustration to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale reflects a common folk tradition of cumulative stories, often used for entertainment and teaching simple lessons, with a distinctly Scottish dialect and phrasing.
Plot Beats (15)
- A wee, wee Mannie tries to milk his big, big Coo, but she won't hold still.
- The Mannie attempts to persuade the Coo with promises of dinner and a silk gown, but she remains stubborn.
- He goes to his mother for advice, who tells him to beat the Coo with a stick.
- The Mannie tries to break a stick from a tree, but it won't break.
- He returns to his mother, who then tells him to ask the Butcher to kill the Coo.
- The Butcher refuses to kill the Coo without a silver penny.
- The Mannie reports back to his mother, who then suggests telling the Coo about a weary lady weeping for milk.
- The Coo still won't hold still after hearing about the lady.
- The mother escalates, suggesting the Mannie tell the Coo about a fine laddie from the wars sitting by the weeping lady.
- The Coo remains unmoving.
- The mother further escalates, suggesting the Mannie mention a sharp sword at the laddie's belt.
- The Coo still won't hold still.
- Finally, the mother instructs the Mannie to tell the Coo that her head will be cut off by the sword if she doesn't give milk.
- The Mannie delivers the ultimate threat, and the Coo, seeing the sword, finally holds still.
- The Mannie milks the Coo, and the weary lady receives her milk.
Characters
The Wee, Wee Mannie
A very small, slender boy, perhaps no taller than a young child, with a slight build. His movements are quick and earnest as he tries to manage his large cow.
Attire: Simple, practical attire of a Scottish peasant boy from an indeterminate historical period, likely a coarse wool or linen tunic in muted earth tones, perhaps a simple kilt or breeches, and sturdy, worn leather shoes or bare feet.
Wants: To milk his cow and fulfill his daily chores, driven by a desire to avoid trouble and satisfy his mother.
Flaw: His small size and lack of physical strength, which make him unable to directly control his large cow or break a stick.
He learns that indirect persuasion and the threat of consequences can be more effective than direct force, even for a 'wee, wee mannie'. He starts by trying to cajole and then physically force, but ultimately succeeds through a clever psychological tactic.
Persistent, earnest, easily frustrated, obedient, resourceful (in relaying messages).
The Big, Big Coo
An exceptionally large dairy cow, significantly bigger than typical cattle, with a robust and imposing build. Her coat is described as 'milk white', suggesting a light-colored or white breed, perhaps a Scottish Shorthorn or similar large, hardy breed.
Attire: None, as she is an animal. The Mannie offers her a 'gown o' silk', which she never receives.
Wants: To avoid being milked, perhaps out of simple bovine stubbornness or discomfort.
Flaw: Fear of physical harm, specifically the sharp sword.
She begins as a resistant, uncooperative animal but is ultimately coerced into submission by the threat of violence, learning to comply out of fear.
Stubborn, contrary, intelligent (enough to understand threats), easily swayed by fear.
The Mother
A sturdy, practical woman, likely of middle age, with a no-nonsense demeanor. Her build suggests a life of hard work in a rural setting.
Attire: Simple, functional Scottish peasant clothing: a long, dark wool skirt, a plain linen blouse, and a practical apron, possibly a shawl over her shoulders, all in muted, earthy tones.
Wants: To ensure the cow is milked and the household runs smoothly, and to teach her son how to solve problems.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but her initial suggestions are direct and physical, which fail.
She serves as a static mentor figure, guiding her son through different problem-solving approaches until a successful one is found. She doesn't change, but her methods evolve.
Practical, resourceful, firm, patient (up to a point), clever.
The Butcher
A burly, strong man, with a robust build from his trade. His hands are large and calloused.
Attire: Practical, blood-stained leather apron over a simple linen shirt and sturdy trousers, typical of a working butcher. He might have a heavy cleaver tucked into his belt.
Wants: To earn money for his services.
Flaw: His reliance on payment, which prevents him from acting without it.
A static character, serving as an obstacle due to his professional requirements.
Practical, mercenary, unwilling to work without payment.
The Weary, Weary Lady with Long Yellow Hair
A delicate and visibly distressed young woman, likely slender and pale from her 'weary' state. Her long yellow hair is a prominent feature.
Attire: Suggests a lady of some standing, perhaps a simple but fine gown in a muted color, possibly light blue or grey, indicating her weariness rather than opulence. The fabric would be soft, like linen or fine wool.
Wants: To receive a cup of milk to alleviate her weariness.
Flaw: Her extreme weariness and inability to help herself.
A static character whose distress is used as a narrative device to motivate others. She receives her milk and ceases weeping.
Distressed, vulnerable, passive, dependent.
The Fine, Fine Laddie from the Wars
A strong, capable young man, likely lean and muscular from military service. His presence suggests protection and readiness.
Attire: Suggests a soldier recently returned from war: sturdy, practical, but well-maintained clothing, possibly a dark wool tunic or jerkin, breeches, and tall leather boots. His 'sharp, sharp sword' is a key accessory.
Wants: To protect the weary lady and ensure her needs are met, and to be ready to act if necessary.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but he is initially passive, waiting for instruction or a clear threat.
A static character whose presence and potential for violence are used as a narrative device to intimidate the cow. He puts away his sword once the problem is resolved.
Protective, capable, observant, ready for action.
Locations
The Farmyard
A simple, open farmyard, likely muddy or grassy, where the wee, wee Mannie attempts to milk his large cow. It's a functional space, not particularly picturesque, with the cow as the central feature.
Mood: Frustrated, mundane, slightly chaotic due to the uncooperative cow
The initial conflict of the story, where the Mannie tries and fails to milk the cow.
The Mannie's Cottage
A small, humble Scottish cottage, likely built of stone or wattle-and-daub with a thatched roof, where the Mannie consults his mother. The interior would be simple, perhaps with a hearth and basic furnishings.
Mood: Warm, domestic, a place of counsel and simple living
The Mannie repeatedly seeks advice and solutions from his mother.
The Tree
A specific tree, likely sturdy and mature, from which the Mannie attempts to break a stick. It's a natural feature in the landscape near the cottage.
Mood: Natural, unyielding, a momentary obstacle
The Mannie's failed attempt to acquire a stick to beat the cow.