Seven at One Blow
by Unknown · from Tales of Laughter: A third fairy book
Adapted Version
The Little Tailor worked. He sewed a coat. He sang a happy song. He felt very hungry. "I want some jam!" he said. He loved sweet jam.
A Jam Seller walked by. The Little Tailor bought jam. He put it on his bread. The jam was very thick. He wanted to eat it. But flies came. Many flies sat on his jam. They ate his sweet treat.
The Little Tailor was angry. He hit the flies. He used a cloth. Seven flies fell down. "Seven at one blow!" he said. He felt very proud. He made a belt. It said "Seven at one blow." He left. He wanted big adventures.
He walked to a mountain. A Big Giant was there. The giant was very big. "Go away!" said the giant. The Little Tailor showed his belt. The giant read the words. The giant squeezed a stone. Water came out. The tailor squeezed cheese. Milk came out. He threw a bird. It flew away. The giant was surprised.
The giant saw a big tree. "Help me carry this," he said. The Little Tailor agreed. The giant put the tree on his back. The tailor climbed on a branch. He sang a happy song. The giant walked and walked. He got very tired. The tailor jumped down. "You are slow!" he said.
The Big Giant asked him to stay. They went to a cave. The tailor was smart. He did not sleep on the bed. He hid in a corner. The giant got angry. He hit the bed hard. The tailor was safe. He ran far away.
The Little Tailor walked on. A king's man saw him. The man read his belt. "Seven at one blow," it said. The man thought he was strong. He took him to The King. The King gave him a job. He was a captain now.
Other soldiers were not happy. They told The King bad things. The King wanted to test him. He sent him to the forest. Two giants lived there. They were very big. The King said, "Make them leave! Go!"
The Little Tailor went alone. He found the two giants. They were sleeping fast. He climbed a tree. He threw small stones. He hit one giant. The giant woke up. He hit the other giant. They got very angry. They fought and ran away.
The King was still not happy. He did not want to share. He had another idea. He sent the tailor away. "Catch a wild Unicorn!" he said. The Unicorn was very fast. It lived in the deep forest.
The Little Tailor found the Unicorn. It ran very fast. He hid behind a tree. The Unicorn ran at the tree. Its horn got stuck. The tailor tied it gently. He used a soft rope. He led the Unicorn away. He took it to The King.
The King had one more task. He sent the tailor again. "Catch a Wild Boar!" he said. The Wild Boar was big. It was very fast. It lived in the woods.
The Little Tailor found the boar. He ran into a house. The Wild Boar followed him. It was too big. It could not get out. The tailor closed the door. He called the helpers. They took the boar away. They put it in a safe pen.
The King had to keep his word. The Little Tailor was brave. He married The Princess. He became a prince. Everyone was surprised. He was not a tailor now. He lived in the castle.
One night, The Princess heard him. He talked in his sleep. He spoke of sewing coats. "He was a tailor!" she thought. She felt very sad. She told The King her secret. She did not want a tailor husband. She wanted him to leave the castle.
A kind helper heard their plan. He told the Little Tailor. The tailor pretended to sleep. The Princess opened the door. The tailor spoke very loud. "I hit seven at one blow!" he said. "I scared giants!" King and Princess heard. They were very scared. They changed their minds.
The Little Tailor stayed. He became a good king. He was still very clever. He ruled the land well. He always wore his belt. It said "Seven at one blow." He felt happy.
Original Story
Seven at one Blow
A tailor sat in his workroom one morning, stitching away busily at a coat for the Lord Mayor. He whistled and sang so gaily that all the little boys who passed the shop on their way to school thought what a fine thing it was to be a tailor, and told one another that when they grew to be men they’d be tailors, too.
“How hungry I feel, to be sure!” cried the little man, at last; “but I’m far too busy to trouble about eating. I must finish his lordship’s coat before I touch a morsel of food,” and he broke once more into a merry song.
“Fine new jam for sale,” sang out an old woman, as she walked along the street.
“Jam! I can’t resist such a treat,” said the tailor; and, running to the door, he shouted: “This way for jam, dame; show me a pot of your very finest.”
The woman handed him jar after jar, but he found fault with all. At last he hit upon some to his liking.
“And how many pounds will you take, sir?”
“I’ll take four ounces,” he replied, in a solemn tone, “and mind you give me good weight.”
The old woman was very angry, for she had expected to sell several pounds, at least; and she went off grumbling, after she had weighed out the four ounces.
“Now for a feed!” cried the little man, taking a loaf from the cupboard as he spoke. He cut off a huge slice, and spread the jam on quite half an inch thick; then he suddenly remembered his work.
“It will never do to get jam on the Lord Mayor’s coat, so I’ll finish it off before I take even one bite,” said he. So he picked up his work once more, and his needle flew in and out like lightning.
139I am afraid the Lord Mayor had some stitches in his garment that were quite a quarter of an inch long.
The tailor glanced longingly at his slice of bread and jam once or twice, but when he looked the third time it was quite covered with flies, and a fine feast they were having off it.
This was too much for the little fellow. Up he jumped, crying:
“So you think I provide bread and jam for you, indeed! Well, we’ll very soon see! Take that!” and he struck the flies such a heavy blow with a duster that no fewer than seven lay dead upon the table, while the others flew up to the ceiling in great haste.
“Seven at one blow!” said the little man with great pride. “Such a brave deed ought to be known all over the town, and it won’t be my fault if folks fail to hear of it.”
So he cut out a wide belt, and stitched on it in big golden letters the words “Seven at one blow.” When this was done he fastened it round him, crying:
“I’m cut out for something better than a tailor, it’s quite clear. I’m one of the world’s great heroes, and I’ll be off at once to seek my fortune.”
He glanced round the cottage, but there was nothing of value to take with him. The only thing he possessed in the world was a small cheese.
“You may as well come, too,” said he, stowing away the cheese in his pocket, “and now I’m off.”
When he got into the street the neighbors all crowded round him to read the words on his belt.
“Seven at one blow!” said they to one another. “What a blessing he’s going; for it wouldn’t be safe to have a man about us who could kill seven of us at one stroke.”
You see, they didn’t know that the tailor had only killed flies; they took it to mean men.
He jogged along for some miles until he came to a hedge, where a little bird was caught in the branches.
“Come along,” said the tailor; “I’ll have you to keep my 140cheese company”; so he caught the bird and put it carefully into his pocket with the cheese.
Soon he reached a lofty mountain, and he made up his mind to climb it and see what was going on at the other side. When he reached the top, there stood a huge giant, gazing down into the valley below.
“Good day,” said the tailor.
The giant turned round, and seeing nobody but the little tailor there, he cried with scorn:
“And what might you be doing here, might I ask? You’d best be off at once.”
“Not so fast, my friend,” said the little man; “read this.”
“Seven at one blow,” read the giant, and he began to wish he’d been more civil.
“Well, I’m sure nobody would think it to look at you,” he replied; “but since you are so clever, do this,” and he picked up a stone and squeezed it until water ran out.
“Do that! Why, it’s mere child’s play to me,” and the man took out his cheese and squeezed it until the whey ran from it. “Now who is cleverer?” asked the tailor. “You see, I can squeeze milk out, while you only get water.”
The giant was too surprised to utter a word for a few minutes; then, taking up another stone, he threw it so high into the air that for a moment they couldn’t see where it went; then down it fell to the ground again.
“Good!” said the tailor; “but I’ll throw a stone that won’t come back again at all.”
Taking the little bird from his pocket, he threw it into the air, and the bird, glad to get away, flew right off and never returned.
This sort of thing didn’t suit the giant at all, for he wasn’t used to being beaten by any one.
“Here’s something that you’ll never manage,” said he to the little man. “Just come and help me to carry this fallen oak-tree for a few miles.”
“Delighted!” said the tailor, “and I’ll take the end with the branches, for it’s sure to be heavier.”
“Agreed,” replied the giant, and he lifted the heavy trunk 141on to his shoulder, while the tailor climbed up among the branches at the other end, and sang with all his might, as though carrying a tree was nothing to him.
The poor giant, who was holding the tree-trunk and the little tailor as well, soon grew tired.
“I’m going to let it fall!” he shouted, and the tailor jumped down from the branches, and pretended he had been helping all the time.
“The idea of a man your size finding a tree too heavy to carry!” laughed the little tailor.
“You are a clever little fellow, and no mistake,” replied the giant, “and if you’ll only come and spend the night in our cave, we shall be delighted to have you.”
“I shall have great pleasure in coming, my friend,” answered the little tailor, and together they set off for the giant’s home.
There were seven more giants in the cave, and each one of them was eating a roasted pig for his supper. They gave the little man some food, and then showed him a bed in which he might pass the night. It was so big that, after tossing about for half an hour in it, the tailor thought he would be more comfortable if he slept in the corner, so he crept out without being noticed.
In the middle of the night the giant stole out of bed and went up to the one where he thought the little man was fast asleep. Taking a big bar of iron, he struck such a heavy blow at it that he woke up all the other giants.
“Keep quiet, friends,” said he. “I’ve just killed the little scamp.”
The tailor made his escape as soon as possible, and he journeyed on for many miles, until he began to feel very tired, so he lay down under a tree, and was soon fast asleep. When he awoke, he found a big crowd of people standing round him. Up walked one very wise-looking old man, who was really the king’s prime minister.
“Is it true that you have killed seven at one blow?” he asked.
142“It is a fact,” answered the little tailor.
“Then come with me to the king, my friend, for he’s been searching for a brave man like you for some time past. You are to be made captain of his army, and the king will give you a fine house to live in.”
“That I will,” replied the little man. “It is just the sort of thing that will suit me, and I’ll come at once.”
He hadn’t been in the king’s service long before every one grew jealous of him. The soldiers were afraid that, if they offended him, he would make short work of them all, while the members of the king’s household didn’t fancy the idea of making such a fuss over a stranger.
So the soldiers went in a body to the king and asked that another captain should be put over them, for they were afraid of this one.
The king didn’t like to refuse, for fear they should all desert, and yet he didn’t dare get rid of the captain, in case such a strong and brave man should try to have his revenge.
At last the king hit upon a plan. In some woods close by there lived two giants, who were the terror of the country side; they robbed all the travelers, and if any resistance was offered they killed the men on the spot.
Sending for the little tailor, he said:
“Knowing you to be the bravest man in my kingdom, I want to ask a favor of you. If you will kill these two giants, and bring me back proof that they are dead, you shall marry the princess, my daughter, and have half my kingdom. You shall also take one hundred men to help you, and you are to set off at once.”
“A hundred men, your majesty! Pray, what do I want with a hundred men? If I can kill seven at one blow, I needn’t be afraid of two. I’ll kill them fast enough, never fear.”
The tailor chose ten strong men, and told them to await him on the border of the wood, while he went on quite alone. He could hear the giants snoring for quite half an hour before he reached them, so he knew in which direction to go.
143He found the pair fast asleep under a tree, so he filled his pockets with stones and climbed up into the branches over their heads. Then he began to pelt one of the giants with the missiles, until after a few minutes one of the men awoke. Giving the other a rough push, he cried:
“If you strike me like that again, I’ll know the reason why.”
“I didn’t touch you,” said the other giant crossly, and they were soon fast asleep once more.
Then the tailor threw stones at the other man, and soon he awoke as the first had done.
“What did you throw that at me for?” said he.
“You are dreaming,” answered the other, “I didn’t throw anything.”
No sooner were they fast asleep again, than the little man began to pelt them afresh.
Up they both sprang, and seizing each other, they began to fight in real earnest. Not content with using their fists, they tore up huge trees by the roots, and beat each other until very soon the pair lay dead on the ground.
Down climbed the little tailor, and taking his sword in his hand he plunged it into each giant, and then went back to the edge of the forest where the ten men were waiting for him.
“They are as dead as two door nails,” shouted the little man. “I don’t say that I had an easy task, for they tore up trees by their roots to try to protect themselves with, but, of course, it was no good. What were two giants to a man who has slain seven at one blow?”
But the men wouldn’t believe it until they went into the forest and saw the two dead bodies, lying each in a pool of blood, while the ground was covered with uprooted trees.
Back they went to the king, but instead of handing over half his kingdom, as he had promised, his majesty told the little tailor that there was still another brave deed for him to do before he got the princess for his bride.
“Just name it, then; I’m more than ready,” was the man’s reply.
144“You are to kill the famous unicorn that is running wild in the forest and doing so much damage. When this is done you shall have your reward at once.”
“No trouble at all, your majesty. I’ll get rid of him in a twinkling.”
He made the ten men wait for him at the entrance to the wood, as they had done the first time, and taking a stout rope and a saw he entered the forest alone.
Up came the unicorn, but just as it was about to rush at the man he darted behind a big tree.
The unicorn dashed with such force against the tree that its horn was caught quite fast and it was kept a prisoner.
Taking his rope, he tied it tightly round the animal, and, after sawing off the horn, back he went to the palace, leading the unicorn by his side.
But even then the king was not satisfied, and he made the little tailor catch a wild boar that had been seen wandering in the woods.
He took a party of huntsmen with him, but again he made them wait on the outskirts of the forest while he went on by himself.
The wild boar made a dash at the little tailor, but the man was too quick for it. He slipped into a little building close by, with the animal at his heels. Then, catching sight of a small window, he forced his way out into the forest again, and while the boar, who was too big and clumsy to follow, stood gazing at the spot where he had disappeared, the tailor ran round and closed the door, keeping the animal quite secure inside. Then he called the hunters, who shot the boar and carried the body back to the palace.
This time the king was obliged to keep his promise; so the little tailor became a prince, and a grand wedding they had, too.
When they had been married for about a couple of years, the princess once overheard her husband talking in his sleep.
“Boy, if you have put a patch on that waistcoat, take the 145Lord Mayor’s coat home at once, or I’ll box your ears,” he said.
“Oh, dear,” cried the princess, “to think that I’ve married a common tailor! Whatever can I do to get rid of him?”
So she told her father the story, and the king said she need not worry, for he would find a way out of the difficulty. She was to leave the door open that night, and while the tailor was sleeping, the king’s servants should steal into the room, bind the tailor, and take him away to be killed.
The princess promised to see that everything was in readiness, and she tripped about all day with a very light heart.
She little knew that one of the tailor’s servants had overheard their cruel plot, and carried the news straight to his master.
That night, when the princess thought her husband was sleeping fast, she crept to the door and opened it.
To her great terror, the tailor began to speak.
“Boy, take the Lord Mayor’s coat home, or I’ll box your ears. Haven’t I killed seven at one blow? Haven’t I slain two giants, a unicorn, and a wild boar? What do I care for the men who are standing outside my door at this moment?”
At these words off flew the men as though they had been shot from a gun, and no more attempts were ever made on his life. So the princess had to make the best of a bad job.
He lived on, and when the old king died he ascended the throne in his stead. So the brave little tailor became ruler over the whole kingdom; and his motto throughout his whole life was, “Seven at one blow.”
Story DNA
Moral
Cleverness and wit can overcome brute strength and fear, often leading to unexpected success.
Plot Summary
A small tailor, after killing seven flies with one blow, proudly embroiders 'Seven at one blow' on a belt and sets out to seek his fortune. Through a series of clever tricks and deceptions, he convinces giants and a king that he possesses immense strength and bravery, overcoming impossible tasks like defeating giants, a unicorn, and a wild boar. He marries a princess, but when she discovers his humble origins and plots his death, his exaggerated reputation once again saves him, ultimately leading him to become king.
Themes
Emotional Arc
insignificance to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale, often attributed to the Brothers Grimm, reflects a common folk tale motif where a smaller, weaker character outwits larger, stronger adversaries through cunning rather than brute force. It subtly critiques social hierarchies where reputation can outweigh reality.
Plot Beats (17)
- A tailor is busy working but gets hungry for jam.
- He buys a small amount of jam, spreads it on bread, but is interrupted by flies.
- He kills seven flies with one blow, makes a belt proclaiming 'Seven at one blow', and leaves his tailoring life to seek fortune.
- He meets a giant and tricks him into believing he can squeeze water from a stone (using cheese) and throw a stone that never returns (using a bird).
- He tricks the giant into carrying a tree, making the giant believe the tailor is also carrying it.
- He stays in the giants' cave, avoids an assassination attempt by sleeping elsewhere, and escapes.
- He is found by the king's prime minister and, due to his belt, is made captain of the king's army.
- Jealous soldiers and courtiers complain to the king, who devises a plan to get rid of the tailor by sending him to kill two dangerous giants.
- The tailor goes alone, pelts the sleeping giants with stones, causing them to fight and kill each other.
- The king, still unwilling to give up his daughter and half the kingdom, sends the tailor to kill a unicorn.
- The tailor traps the unicorn by making it charge into a tree, then ties it up and brings it back.
- The king then sends him to catch a wild boar.
- The tailor traps the wild boar in a building and calls the huntsmen to kill it.
- The king is forced to fulfill his promise, and the tailor marries the princess and becomes a prince.
- The princess overhears him talking in his sleep about his tailor past and plots with her father to have him killed.
- The tailor, warned by a servant, pretends to be awake and boasts of his deeds, scaring off the assassins.
- The tailor lives on, eventually becomes king, and rules with his motto 'Seven at one blow'.
Characters
The Tailor
A small, nimble man, not physically imposing but quick and agile. His small stature is often contrasted with the large feats he claims to accomplish.
Attire: Initially, simple, practical work clothes: a plain linen shirt, sturdy breeches, and a leather apron, perhaps in muted tones like brown or grey. After his 'heroic' deed, he wears a wide belt with 'Seven at one blow' stitched in big golden letters, which becomes his signature attire.
Wants: To gain fame, fortune, and a better life than that of a simple tailor. He desires recognition and a higher social standing.
Flaw: His extreme boastfulness and tendency to exaggerate his feats, which, while leading to his success, also puts him in dangerous situations and nearly exposes him.
Transforms from a humble, unknown tailor into a celebrated hero, prince, and eventually king, all through a series of clever deceptions and accidental bravery. He learns to leverage his reputation and wits to achieve power and status.
Boastful, clever, opportunistic, resourceful, and surprisingly brave (though often by accident or trickery). He is quick-witted and able to turn situations to his advantage.
The Old Woman (Jam Seller)
An old woman, likely with a weathered face from years of selling in the market. Her build would be typical for an older working woman, perhaps a bit stooped from carrying goods.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant clothing: a long, dark wool skirt, a plain linen blouse, and a sturdy apron, perhaps a shawl or headscarf. Colors would be muted and earthy.
Wants: To sell her jam and earn a living.
Flaw: Her short temper and expectation of larger sales.
No significant arc; she serves as a catalyst for the Tailor's first 'heroic' act.
Grumpy, easily annoyed, and focused on making a sale. She is quick to express her displeasure when her expectations are not met.
The Giant
A huge, imposing figure of immense size and strength, far larger than any human. He is described as 'huge' and capable of squeezing water from a stone and carrying an oak tree.
Attire: Simple, rugged clothing befitting a creature of the wilderness: perhaps a rough animal hide tunic or a coarse, undyed linen garment, and simple leather bindings or boots. Colors would be earthy and natural.
Wants: To assert his dominance and maintain his reputation as the strongest creature in his domain. He wants to challenge and defeat anyone who dares to cross him.
Flaw: His lack of cunning and reliance on brute force, making him susceptible to the Tailor's tricks. He is easily deceived.
Initially scornful, he becomes increasingly surprised and frustrated by the Tailor's apparent strength and cleverness, eventually being outsmarted and humiliated. He does not change but is defeated.
Boastful of his strength, easily surprised, somewhat gullible, and prone to anger when outsmarted. He is accustomed to being the strongest and is not used to being beaten.
The King
A regal figure, likely of mature age, embodying authority and power. His build would be stately, perhaps a bit portly, indicative of a life of comfort.
Attire: Rich, formal royal attire: a flowing velvet robe in deep jewel tones (e.g., crimson or royal blue), embroidered with gold thread, over a fine silk tunic. A golden crown adorned with jewels, and perhaps a scepter. This would be typical of a European monarch.
Wants: To protect his kingdom and ensure the safety of his people, and to find a suitable, brave husband for his daughter.
Flaw: His initial skepticism and reluctance to part with his kingdom or daughter, leading him to set increasingly difficult tasks.
Initially reluctant to accept the Tailor as a worthy suitor, he is repeatedly forced to acknowledge the Tailor's 'heroism' and eventually fulfills his promise, though not without trying to avoid it.
Demanding, somewhat skeptical, but ultimately bound by his word (though he tries to find loopholes). He values bravery and strength, and is concerned with the safety of his kingdom.
The Princess
A beautiful young woman, as expected of a princess. Her appearance would be refined and graceful.
Attire: Elegant, luxurious gowns made of fine silks and brocades in soft, rich colors (e.g., pale blue, rose, gold), with intricate embroidery and perhaps a delicate lace trim. She would wear subtle jewelry, such as a pearl necklace or a small tiara. This would be typical of a European princess.
Wants: To maintain her royal status and avoid marrying someone she considers beneath her. Later, to get rid of her husband.
Flaw: Her class prejudice and her willingness to conspire against her husband based on superficial reasons.
Begins by despising the idea of marrying a commoner, then is forced to accept the Tailor as her husband. She attempts to get rid of him but ultimately fails and is forced to make the best of her situation, accepting her fate.
Initially proud and disdainful of commoners, she is horrified at the prospect of marrying a tailor. She is somewhat naive and easily manipulated by her father, but also capable of plotting against her husband.
The Unicorn
A magnificent, pure white horse-like creature with a single, spiraling horn on its forehead. Its coat is pristine, and its build is powerful yet graceful.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To roam freely and defend its territory, causing damage to anything that threatens it.
Flaw: Its impulsive nature and tendency to charge headlong, which the Tailor exploits to trap its horn.
Remains a wild creature until it is outsmarted and captured by the Tailor, losing its horn and being led back to the palace.
Wild, powerful, and dangerous, capable of causing significant damage. It is driven by instinct and territoriality.
The Wild Boar
A large, formidable wild boar with coarse, dark bristles and sharp tusks. It is described as 'big and clumsy' but also capable of a 'dash'.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To defend itself and its territory, attacking anything it perceives as a threat.
Flaw: Its size and clumsiness, which prevent it from following the Tailor through a small window.
Remains a wild, dangerous animal until it is outsmarted and trapped by the Tailor, leading to its capture and death.
Aggressive, territorial, and driven by instinct. It is a dangerous creature that charges at threats.
Locations
Tailor's Workroom
A small, bustling room filled with the tools of a tailor's trade, likely in a German half-timbered house. Sunlight streams through a window, illuminating dust motes and fabric scraps. A workbench or table is central, cluttered with sewing materials and a freshly cut slice of bread and jam.
Mood: Initially cheerful and industrious, then slightly frustrated, finally triumphant and proud.
The tailor kills seven flies with one blow, leading to his famous boast and the start of his adventure.
Lofty Mountain Peak
The rugged, windswept summit of a tall, rocky mountain, offering expansive views of a valley below. The ground is uneven, composed of large stones and sparse, hardy vegetation. The air is clear and crisp.
Mood: Challenging, awe-inspiring, then tense and competitive.
The tailor encounters the first giant and outwits him with his cleverness and trickery.
Forest Edge / Giant's Sleeping Place
A dense, ancient forest, likely a German or Central European woodland, characterized by towering oak trees and thick undergrowth. The ground is covered with fallen leaves and moss. Deep within, two massive giants sleep soundly beneath a particularly large tree.
Mood: Initially peaceful and quiet, then chaotic and violent.
The tailor orchestrates the giants' demise by provoking them into fighting each other.
Small Forest Building
A rustic, small, and simple wooden building, possibly a hunter's hut or woodshed, nestled within the dense forest. It has a single small window and a sturdy wooden door. The interior is cramped and basic.
Mood: Tense and strategic, then triumphant.
The tailor traps the wild boar inside, demonstrating his cunning.
Royal Palace Bedroom
A lavish bedroom within a grand Central European royal palace, likely featuring ornate wooden furniture, rich tapestries, and a large, comfortable bed with heavy drapes. The room is dimly lit at night.
Mood: Initially conspiratorial and fearful, then dramatically relieved.
The princess attempts to have the tailor killed, but his 'sleep-talking' saves him.