The Straw Ox
by Unknown · from Tales of Laughter: A third fairy book
Adapted Version
Once there was an old man. There was an old woman. They were very poor. They had no food. They had no money.
The Old Woman had a good idea. She told The Old Man. "Make a sticky ox," she said. "Make it from straw. Put tar all over it."
The Old Man was not sure. But he made the ox. He made it for his wife. It was a sticky ox.
The Old Woman took The Sticky Ox. She went to the field. A big Bear came. It bit the ox. The Bear got stuck. Stuck, stuck, stuck!
The Old Woman saw the stuck Bear. She called The Old Man. He put the Bear in the cellar. The Bear was in the cellar.
Next day, a Wolf came. It bit the ox. It got stuck. He put the Wolf in the cellar. It was in the cellar.
On the third day, a Fox came. A little Hare came. They bit the ox. They got stuck. The Old Man put them in the cellar.
All animals were in the cellar. The Old Man sharpened his knife. He said, "I will keep you!" Animals felt scared.
The Bear was very scared. It said, "Let me go! I bring much honey!" The Old Man listened.
The Wolf was very scared. It said, "Let me go! I bring many sheep!" The Old Man listened.
Fox promised chickens. Hare promised vegetables! They wanted to be free. They wanted to go home.
The Old Man let them go. The animals ran away. They ran very fast.
Next morning, the animals came back. They brought much honey. They brought many sheep. They brought chickens. They brought vegetables.
The old couple was very happy. They were rich now! They had much food. They had much money. They sold the sheep.
The Sticky Ox broke. Its job was done. It helped the old couple. It was a good ox. The old couple was smart. They used a good idea. Now they were rich!
Original Story
The Straw Ox
There was once upon a time an old man and an old woman. The old man worked in the fields as a pitch burner, while the old woman sat at home and spun flax. They were so poor that they could save nothing at all; all their earnings went in bare food, and when that was gone there was nothing left. At last the old woman had a good idea.
“Look, now, husband,” cried she, “make me a straw ox, and smear it all over with tar.”
“Why, you foolish woman!” said he, “what’s the good of an ox of that sort?”
“Never mind,” said she; “you just make it. I know what I am about.”
What was the poor man to do? He set to work and made the ox of straw, and smeared it all over with tar.
The night passed away, and at early dawn the old woman took her distaff and drove the straw ox out into the steppe to graze, and she herself sat down behind a hillock and began spinning her flax, and cried:
“Graze away, little ox, while I spin my flax; graze away, little ox, while I spin my flax!” And while she spun, her head drooped down, and she began to doze, and while she was dozing, from behind the dark wood and from the back of the huge pines a bear came rushing out upon the ox and said:
“Who are you? Speak and tell me!”
And the ox said:
“A three-year-old heifer am I, made of straw and smeared with tar.”
“Oh!” said the bear, “stuffed with straw and trimmed with tar, are you? Then give me of your straw and tar, that I may patch up my ragged fur again!”
33“Take some,” said the ox, and the bear fell upon him and began to tear away at the tar.
He tore and tore, and buried his teeth in it till he found he couldn’t let go again. He tugged and he tugged, but it was no good, and the ox dragged him gradually off, goodness knows where. Then the old woman awoke, and there was no ox to be seen. “Alas! old fool that I am!” cried she, “perchance it has gone home.” Then she quickly caught up her distaff and spinning-board, threw them over her shoulders, and hastened off home, and she saw that the ox had dragged the bear up to the fence, and in she went to her old man. “Dad, dad!” she cried, “look, look! the ox has brought us a bear. Come out and kill it!” Then the old man jumped up, tore off the bear, tied him up, and threw him in the cellar.
Next morning, between dark and dawn, the old woman took her distaff and drove the ox into the steppe to graze. She herself sat down by a mound, began spinning, and said:
“Graze, graze away, little ox, while I spin my flax! Graze, graze away, little ox, while I spin my flax!” And while she spun, her head drooped down, and she dozed. And, lo! from behind the dark wood, from the back of the huge pines, a gray wolf came rushing out upon the ox and said:
“Who are you? Come, tell me!”
“I am a three-year-old heifer, stuffed with straw and trimmed with tar,” said the ox.
“Oh, trimmed with tar, are you? Then give me of your tar to tar my sides, that the dogs and the sons of dogs tear me not!”
“Take some,” said the ox. And with that the wolf fell upon him and tried to tear the tar off. He tugged and tugged, and tore with his teeth, but could get none off. Then he tried to let go, and couldn’t; tug and worry as he might, it was no good. When the old woman woke, there was no heifer in sight. “Maybe my heifer has gone home!” she cried; “I’ll go home and see.” When she got there she was astonished, for by the paling stood the ox with the wolf still tugging at it. 34She ran and told her old man, and her old man came and threw the wolf into the cellar also.
On the third day the old woman again drove her ox into the pastures to graze, and sat down by a mound and dozed off. Then a fox came running up. “Who are you?” it asked the ox.
“I’m a three-year-old heifer, stuffed with straw and daubed with tar.”
“Then give me some of your tar to smear my sides with, when those dogs and sons of dogs tear my hide!”
“Take some,” said the ox. Then the fox fastened her teeth in him and couldn’t draw them out again. The old woman told her old man, and he took and cast the fox into the cellar in the same way. And after that they caught Pussy Swiftfoot[5] likewise.
5. The hare.
So when he had got them all safely the old man sat down on a bench before the cellar and began sharpening a knife. And the bear said to him:
“Tell me, daddy, what are you sharpening your knife for?”
“To flay your skin off, that I may make a leather jacket for myself and a pelisse for my old woman.”
“Oh, don’t flay me, daddy dear! Rather let me go, and I’ll bring you a lot of honey.”
“Very well, see you do it,” and he unbound and let the bear go. Then he sat down on the bench and again began sharpening his knife. And the wolf asked him:
“Daddy, what are you sharpening your knife for?”
“To flay off your skin, that I may make me a warm cap against the winter.”
“Oh! Don’t flay me, daddy dear, and I’ll bring you a whole herd of little sheep.”
“Well, see that you do it,” and he let the wolf go.
Then he sat down, and began sharpening his knife again. The fox put out her little snout, and asked him:
“Be so kind, dear daddy, and tell me why you are sharpening your knife?”
35“Little foxes,” said the old man, “have nice skins that do capitally for collars and trimmings, and I want to skin you!”
“Oh! Don’t take my skin away, daddy dear, and I will bring you hens and geese.”
“Very well, see that you do it!” and he let the fox go.
The hare now alone remained, and the old man began sharpening his knife on the hare’s account.
“Why do you do that?” asked puss, and he replied:
“Little hares have nice little, soft, warm skins, which will make me nice gloves and mittens against the winter!”
“Oh, daddy dear! Don’t flay me, and I’ll bring you kale and good cauliflower, if only you let me go!”
Then he let the hare go also.
Then they went to bed: but very early in the morning, when it was neither dusk nor dawn, there was a noise in the doorway like “Durrrrrr!”
“Daddy!” cried the old woman, “there’s some one scratching at the door; go and see who it is!”
The old man went out, and there was the bear carrying a whole hive full of honey. The old man took the honey from the bear; but no sooner did he lie down than again there was another “Durrrrr!” at the door. The old man looked out and saw the wolf driving a whole flock of sheep into the courtyard. Close on his heels came the fox, driving before him geese and hens, and all manner of fowls; and last of all came the hare, bringing cabbage and kale, and all manner of good food. And the old man was glad, and the old woman was glad. And the old man sold the sheep and oxen, and got so rich that he needed nothing more. As for the straw-stuffed ox, it stood in the sun till it fell to pieces.
Story DNA
Moral
Resourcefulness and cleverness can lead to unexpected prosperity.
Plot Summary
A poor old couple, at the old woman's suggestion, creates a straw ox covered in tar. When taken to graze, the ox successively traps a bear, a wolf, a fox, and a hare, all of whom get stuck trying to tear off the tar. The old man secures each animal in his cellar. He then threatens to skin them, prompting each animal to promise valuable goods in exchange for their freedom. Upon release, the animals deliver their promised treasures, making the old couple rich, while the straw ox, its purpose fulfilled, eventually disintegrates.
Themes
Emotional Arc
poverty to prosperity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale reflects the struggles of peasant life, where resourcefulness was key to survival and prosperity was often a dream. The animals (bear, wolf, fox, hare) are common in Eastern European folklore.
Plot Beats (15)
- An old, poor couple lives in destitution, barely able to afford food.
- The old woman proposes a plan: her husband should build a straw ox covered in tar.
- The old man, initially skeptical, complies and builds the tar-covered straw ox.
- The old woman takes the ox to graze in the steppe, where a bear attacks it and gets stuck in the tar.
- The old woman discovers the trapped bear, and the old man secures it in their cellar.
- The next day, a wolf attacks the ox, gets stuck, and is also secured in the cellar by the old man.
- On the third day, a fox and a hare attack the ox, get stuck, and are likewise thrown into the cellar.
- With all four animals trapped, the old man begins sharpening his knife, threatening to skin them for their hides.
- The bear, fearing for its life, promises a hive full of honey in exchange for its freedom.
- The wolf promises a whole herd of sheep to avoid being skinned.
- The fox promises hens and geese, and the hare promises kale and cauliflower, all to be set free.
- The old man releases each animal after they make their promises.
- Early the next morning, the animals return, each bringing the promised goods.
- The old couple becomes rich from the animals' offerings, selling the sheep and oxen.
- The straw ox, having served its purpose, eventually falls apart in the sun.
Characters
The Old Woman
A small, likely stooped woman, worn by a life of poverty and hard work. Her build would be thin, reflecting her meager diet. Her hands would be calloused from spinning flax.
Attire: Simple, patched peasant clothing, likely made of coarse linen or homespun wool in muted, natural colors like brown, gray, or undyed cream. She would wear a long skirt, a simple blouse, and perhaps a headscarf to cover her hair.
Wants: To escape poverty and provide for herself and her husband.
Flaw: Her tendency to doze off while watching the ox, which allows the animals to approach it.
She initiates the plan that transforms their fortunes, moving from a state of destitution to one of comfort and wealth.
Resourceful, clever, determined, practical, a bit naive (dozing off repeatedly), and ultimately successful.
The Old Man
A lean, strong man, despite his age, from years of physical labor as a pitch burner. His hands would be rough and stained from his work.
Attire: Rough, practical peasant clothing, likely made of coarse wool or leather, in dark, earthy tones suitable for a pitch burner. He would wear a tunic or shirt, trousers, and sturdy boots.
Wants: To provide for his family and escape poverty, though he relies on his wife's ideas.
Flaw: His initial skepticism and lack of imagination, needing his wife to spur him to action.
He moves from a state of skepticism and poverty to one of wealth, learning to trust his wife's unconventional ideas.
Skeptical initially, obedient to his wife, practical, decisive, a bit gruff but ultimately kind (releasing the animals for promises).
The Straw Ox
A life-sized ox figure, crudely constructed from straw and completely covered in a thick, sticky layer of black tar. It appears somewhat stiff and immobile, but its tarry surface is its key feature.
Attire: Its 'skin' is entirely made of straw and tar.
Wants: None, it is an inanimate object.
Flaw: Its inability to move or defend itself, relying entirely on its sticky surface.
Its purpose is fulfilled as it captures multiple animals, leading to the old couple's prosperity. It eventually falls to pieces from exposure.
Passive, unreactive, serves as a trap.
The Bear
A large, powerful brown bear, described as having 'ragged fur,' suggesting it might be a bit scruffy or unkempt from living in the wild.
Attire: Its natural fur coat.
Wants: To patch its ragged fur, later to escape being flayed.
Flaw: Its greed and impulsiveness lead it to get stuck in the tar.
Captured by the ox, threatened with death, and then released in exchange for a large amount of honey, transforming from a threat to a benefactor.
Aggressive, opportunistic, somewhat naive, desperate (to patch its fur), and ultimately fearful when threatened.
The Wolf
A gray wolf, likely lean and powerful, with a strong build typical of a predator.
Attire: Its natural gray fur coat.
Wants: To tar its sides to protect itself from dogs, later to escape being flayed.
Flaw: Its impulsiveness and desire for protection lead it to get stuck in the tar.
Captured by the ox, threatened with death, and then released in exchange for a flock of sheep, transforming from a threat to a benefactor.
Predatory, opportunistic, fearful (of dogs), and later desperate and bargaining.
The Fox
A cunning fox, likely sleek and agile, with reddish-brown fur.
Attire: Its natural reddish-brown fur coat.
Wants: To smear its sides with tar for protection against dogs, later to escape being flayed.
Flaw: Its desire for protection leads it to get stuck in the tar.
Captured by the ox, threatened with death, and then released in exchange for hens and geese, transforming from a threat to a benefactor.
Cunning, opportunistic, fearful (of dogs), and later desperate and bargaining.
The Hare
A small, swift hare, described as 'Pussy Swiftfoot,' implying speed and agility. Its fur would be soft and brown or gray.
Attire: Its natural soft fur coat.
Wants: To avoid being flayed, later to bring vegetables.
Flaw: Its timidity and vulnerability make it an easy target for the tar trap.
Captured by the ox, threatened with death, and then released in exchange for vegetables, transforming from a threat to a benefactor.
Timid, fearful, and desperate when threatened, but capable of bargaining.
Locations
Poor Couple's Cottage
A humble, small, and sparsely furnished cottage, likely a traditional Eastern European izba or khata, with a simple wooden structure, possibly a thatched roof, and a basic hearth. The interior would be dim, lit by a small window or firelight, with a spinning wheel as a prominent feature.
Mood: Impoverished, simple, domestic, hopeful (when the old woman has her idea).
The old woman conceives the idea for the straw ox; the old man builds it; the animals are brought here after being caught.
The Steppe Pasture
A vast, open grassland typical of the Eastern European steppe, characterized by rolling hills, sparse vegetation, and distant dark woods of huge pines. The ground is likely dry and covered in short grasses, with occasional hillocks providing cover.
Mood: Quiet, vast, serene, then tense and surprising as animals appear.
The straw ox is put out to graze; the old woman dozes; the bear, wolf, fox, and hare get stuck to the ox.
Cottage Cellar
A dark, cool, and damp underground storage space beneath the cottage, likely with earthen walls, a dirt floor, and a simple wooden door. It would be used for storing provisions and, in this case, captured animals.
Mood: Confined, dark, tense, a place of temporary imprisonment.
The captured animals are thrown into the cellar before being interrogated and released.
Cottage Courtyard/Fence
A simple, unpaved area directly outside the cottage, enclosed by a basic wooden fence or paling. It serves as a transition space between the house and the open steppe, where daily chores might be done and animals gathered.
Mood: Domestic, busy, then filled with unexpected bounty.
The old man sharpens his knife and negotiates with the animals; the animals return with their gifts.