Az Egyszeri Máj
by Unknown · from Török népmesék
Adapted Version
Lila lived in a small, sunny village. Lila lived with her Grandma. Grandma felt hungry. She wanted some meat. "Lila, please get meat," Grandma said. "Wash it well."
Lila went to the market. She bought the meat. She went to the water. Lila washed the meat. A big Stork flew down. It took the meat. The Stork flew away.
Lila felt sad. "Stork, give back my meat!" she cried. The Stork looked at Lila. "Bring me barley," the Stork said. "Then you get meat."
Lila went to the field. The field was dry. "Field, give me barley!" Lila asked. "I need rain," the field said. "Then I give barley."
A Wise Man came by. He saw Lila. "Your wish needs a special smell," he said. Lila went to Mr. Baker. He had special smells.
"Mr. Baker, give me special smell!" Lila asked. "I need new boots," Mr. Baker said. "Get them from Mr. Shoe."
Lila went to Mr. Shoe. "Mr. Shoe, give me boots!" she asked. "I need strong leather," Mr. Shoe said. "Get it from Mr. Hide."
Lila went to Mr. Hide. "Mr. Hide, give me leather!" she asked. "I need raw hide," Mr. Hide said. "Get it from the Ox."
Lila went to the Ox. "Ox, give me raw hide!" she asked. The Ox said, "Moooo!" "I need straw." "Get it from Mr. Green."
Lila went to Mr. Green. "Mr. Green, give me straw!" she asked. Mr. Green smiled. "Tell me a funny story," he said. "Then you get straw."
Lila was brave. She told a funny story. Mr. Green laughed. He gave Lila the straw. Lila felt happy.
Lila gave straw to the Ox. The Ox gave her raw hide. Lila gave hide to Mr. Hide. Mr. Hide gave her leather. Lila gave leather to Mr. Shoe. Mr. Shoe gave her boots. Lila gave boots to Mr. Baker. Mr. Baker gave her special smell.
Lila made the special smell. She wished for rain. Rain came down from the sky. Lila gave rain to the field. The field gave her barley. Lila gave barley to the Stork. The Stork was happy. It gave back the meat!
Lila ran home fast. She had the meat. Grandma was very happy! They cooked the meat. They ate it together. Lila was very happy. Be kind, never give up, do amazing things!
Original Story
Az egyszeri máj.
Májra éhezett az egyszeri öreg asszony. Oda ad a lányának egy-két garast, hogy vegyen rajta májat, mossa tisztára a tóban, és úgy hozza haza. Megy a lány a csársiba (vásárba), megveszi a májat és viszi a tóhoz, hogy majd megöblögeti. Amint javában mosogatja, egyszerre csak egy gólya száll le, kapja a lány kezéből a májat és elrepül vele.
Kéri a lány: «Add vissza a májat gólya, hadd vigyem az anyácskámnak, anyám engem meg ne verjen.»
«Ha árpát hozol helyébe, visszaadom a májat», mondja a gólya.
Megyen a lány a tarlóhoz: «Tarló, nekem árpát adj, árpát adom gólyának, gólya májat visszaadja, májat viszem anyácskámnak.»
«Ha imádkozol Állához esőért, kapsz egy kis árpát», mondja a tarló.
De amint hozzá fog az imádsághoz, hogy: «Adj egy esőt óh én Álláhm, esőt adom tarlónak, tarló nekem árpát adjon, árpát adom gólyának, gólya májat visszaadja, májat viszem anyámnak», jön egy ember és mondja neki, hogy füstölő nélkül semmit sem ér az imádsága, menjen a boltoshoz füstölőért.
Oda megy a boltoshoz: «Boltos nekem füstölőt adj, Álláhnak hadd égessem, Álláh esőt ad majd érte, esőt viszem tarlónak, a tarlótól árpát kapok, árpát adom gólyának, gólya májam visszaadja, májat viszem anyámnak.»
«Adok – mondja a boltos – ha csizmát hozol a csizmadiától.»
Odamegy a lány a csizmadiához és azt mondja neki: «Csizmadia, nekem csizmát adj, csizmát adom boltosnak, boltos füstölőt ad érte, Álláhnak elégetem, Álláh esőt ad majd érte, esőt viszem tarlónak, a tarlótól árpát kapok, árpát adom gólyának, gólya májam visszaadja, májat viszem anyámnak.»
Azt mondja a csizmadia: «Ha bőrt hozol, csizmát kapsz érette.»
Odamegy a lány a vargához és azt mondja neki: «Varga, nekem bőrt adj, hadd adom a csizmásnak, a csizmás csizmát ad érte, azt meg adom a boltosnak, boltos füstölőt ad érte, azt Álláhnak égetem, Álláh esőt ad majd érte, esőt viszem tarlónak, a tarlótól árpát kapok, árpát adom gólyának, gólya májam visszaadja, haza viszem anyámnak.»
«Ha nyers bőrt hozol az ökörtől, csizmának való bőrt kapsz érte», mondja a varga.
Odamegy a lány az ökörhöz és azt mondja neki: «Ökör, nekem nyers bőrt adj, hadd adom a vargának, varga nekem csizmabőrt ad, adom csizmadiának, a csizmástól csizmát kapok, azt meg adom boltosnak, boltos füstölőt ad érte, Álláhnak elégetem, Álláh esőt ad majd érte, esőt viszem tarlónak, a tarlótól árpát kapok, árpát adom gólyának, gólya májam visszaadja, haza viszem anyámnak.»
Azt mondja az ökör: «Ha szalmát hozol, adok érette nyers bőrt.»
Oda megy a lány a gazdához és azt mondja neki: «Gazda nekem szalmát adj, hadd vigyem az ökörnek, ökör nyers bőrt ad majd érte, azt meg viszem vargának, varga ad majd czizmabőrt, viszem el a csizmáshoz, csizmadia csizmát ad majd, azt meg viszem boltosnak, boltos füstölőt ad érte, Álláhnak elégetem, Álláh esőt ad majd érte, esőt viszem tarlónak, a tarlótól árpát kapok, árpát adom gólyának, gólya májam visszaadja, haza viszem anyámnak.»
Azt mondja a lánynak a gazda: «Adok szalmát, ha megcsókolsz.»
Meggondolja a lány, hogy ő bizony megcsókolja, legalább megszabadul ettől a bajától. Odamegy a gazdához, megcsókolja, a csókjáért szalmát kap. A szalmát ökörhöz viszi, ökör érte nyers bőrt ad. Nyersbőr megyen a vargához, vargától kap csizmabőrt. Megy vele csizmadiához, a meg csizmát ad érte. Csizmát viszen a boltoshoz, boltostól füstölőt kap. A füstölőt elégeti, és «Adj egy esőt óh én Álláhm, esőt adom tarlónak, tarló nekem árpát adjon, árpát adom gólyának, gólya visszaadja májam, viszem haza anyámnak», Álláh neki esőt ad. Esőt viszi a tarlóhoz, tarló neki árpát ad. Árpát adja a gólyának, gólya májat visszaadja, májat viszen az anyjának, megfőzik és megeszik.
Story DNA
Moral
Perseverance and a willingness to fulfill requests, even unusual ones, can lead to success.
Plot Summary
An old woman sends her daughter to buy and clean liver. A stork snatches the liver, demanding barley in return. The girl embarks on a long chain of requests, where each entity she asks for help demands something else, leading her from the stubble field to Allah, a shopkeeper, a shoemaker, a tanner, an ox, and finally a farmer who demands a kiss for straw. After fulfilling the farmer's request, the girl successfully reverses the entire chain, retrieving each item until she finally gets the liver back from the stork and brings it home to her mother.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anxiety to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale, while Hungarian in origin, features an invocation to 'Allah' for rain, which is unusual for traditional Hungarian folklore. This could indicate a specific regional variant, a translation artifact, or a historical cross-cultural influence.
Plot Beats (14)
- An old woman sends her daughter to buy and clean liver from the market.
- While cleaning the liver in the lake, a stork snatches it from the girl.
- The girl pleads with the stork, who demands barley in exchange for the liver.
- The girl goes to the stubble field for barley, but the stubble demands rain from Allah.
- A man tells the girl her prayer for rain needs incense, so she goes to the shopkeeper.
- The shopkeeper demands boots from the shoemaker for incense.
- The shoemaker demands leather from the tanner for boots.
- The tanner demands raw hide from the ox for leather.
- The ox demands straw from the farmer for raw hide.
- The girl goes to the farmer, who demands a kiss for straw.
- The girl, desperate, kisses the farmer and receives the straw.
- The girl gives the straw to the ox, gets raw hide, gives it to the tanner, gets leather, gives it to the shoemaker, gets boots, gives them to the shopkeeper, gets incense.
- The girl burns the incense, prays to Allah for rain, receives it, gives it to the stubble, gets barley, gives it to the stork, and finally gets the liver back.
- The girl brings the liver home to her mother, they cook it, and eat it.
Characters
The Girl
Of average height and slender build, likely with a sun-kissed complexion from working outdoors. Her features are probably simple and unadorned, reflecting a peasant background.
Attire: Simple, practical Hungarian peasant attire of the era. This would include a long, loose-fitting linen or cotton chemise (ingváll), possibly a full, gathered skirt (szoknya) in a muted color like brown, grey, or undyed linen, and a plain apron (kötény). Her head might be covered with a simple kerchief (kendő). She would wear sturdy, low-heeled leather shoes or possibly go barefoot if it's warm.
Wants: To retrieve the liver for her mother and avoid punishment, driven by filial duty and fear.
Flaw: Her initial naivety and fear of her mother's anger make her vulnerable to the demands of others.
She transforms from a simple, obedient girl into a determined and resourceful individual who successfully navigates a complex series of negotiations, demonstrating her perseverance.
Obedient, persistent, resourceful, and somewhat naive. She is driven by a desire to please her mother and avoid punishment, showing great determination in her quest.
The Old Woman
Frail and likely stooped with age, with the physical signs of a life of hard work. She would be of average height for an elderly woman of her time.
Attire: Practical, worn Hungarian peasant clothing suitable for an elderly woman. This would include a dark, simple dress or skirt and bodice, perhaps made of homespun wool or linen, and a plain apron. She would likely wear a dark headscarf (kendő) at all times.
Wants: To satisfy her craving for liver.
Flaw: Her age and inability to perform tasks herself, relying entirely on her daughter.
Remains largely unchanged, her desire for the liver is fulfilled at the end.
Demanding, particular, and somewhat strict. Her desire for the liver drives the entire plot, indicating a strong will.
The Stork
A large, elegant white bird with long, slender red legs and a long, pointed red beak. Its wingtips are black, contrasting sharply with its white body. It stands tall and graceful.
Attire: Its natural plumage of white feathers with black primary flight feathers.
Wants: To acquire barley.
Flaw: Its desire for barley, which makes it willing to negotiate.
Remains unchanged, simply acts as a catalyst for the girl's journey.
Opportunistic, clever, and somewhat demanding. It seizes an opportunity and then sets a condition for return, showing a transactional nature.
The Man
An ordinary man, likely a local villager or traveler. Average height and build, perhaps a bit weathered from outdoor life.
Attire: Simple, functional Hungarian peasant clothing. This would include a linen shirt, possibly a vest, trousers (gatya), and sturdy leather boots. He might wear a simple felt hat (kalap).
Wants: To offer advice to the girl.
Flaw: None apparent in the story.
Remains unchanged, serves a brief functional role.
Helpful, knowledgeable (about religious customs), and direct.
The Shopkeeper
Likely a man of average build, perhaps a bit stouter than a field worker, reflecting a less physically demanding occupation. He would be of average height.
Attire: More refined than a peasant, but still practical. He would wear a clean linen shirt, a waistcoat (mellény), and trousers, possibly made of a finer wool or cotton. He might have a simple apron over his clothes to protect them. His shoes would be sturdy but less rustic than a peasant's.
Wants: To acquire new boots.
Flaw: His desire for new boots, which makes him willing to trade.
Remains unchanged, serves a functional role in the chain.
Transactional, business-minded, and firm in his demands.
The Cobbler
Likely a man with strong, dexterous hands from his craft. Average height and build, perhaps a bit stocky from sitting at his workbench.
Attire: Practical, sturdy work clothes. A leather apron over a linen shirt and trousers would be typical. His clothes might show signs of wear and tear, perhaps stained with leather dyes or glue.
Wants: To acquire leather for his craft.
Flaw: His need for raw materials (leather).
Remains unchanged, serves a functional role in the chain.
Practical, skilled, and transactional. He values his materials and labor.
The Tanner
Likely a robust man, accustomed to physical labor. His hands and forearms might be particularly strong. His clothing might be stained from his work.
Attire: Very practical, durable work clothes, likely stained and worn. A heavy linen or wool tunic, sturdy trousers, and possibly a thick leather apron. His clothes would be designed for protection from chemicals and physical labor.
Wants: To acquire raw hide for tanning.
Flaw: His need for raw materials (untanned hide).
Remains unchanged, serves a functional role in the chain.
Practical, industrious, and transactional. He understands the value of raw materials.
The Ox
A large, powerful draft animal with a muscular build. It has a thick hide, possibly brown or reddish-brown, and strong, curved horns. Its eyes are large and placid.
Attire: Its natural hide.
Wants: To acquire straw for food.
Flaw: Its need for sustenance (straw).
Remains unchanged, serves a functional role in the chain.
Patient, strong, and driven by basic needs (food).
The Farmer
A robust man, strong from working the land. Likely of average height, with a sturdy build. His skin would be tanned and weathered.
Attire: Typical Hungarian peasant farmer attire: a loose linen shirt, sturdy trousers (gatya), and possibly a vest. He might wear a wide-brimmed felt hat (kalap) to protect from the sun. His boots would be practical and well-worn.
Wants: To receive a kiss from the girl.
Flaw: His desire for a kiss, which makes him willing to trade.
Remains unchanged, serves a functional role in the chain.
Jovial, opportunistic, and perhaps a bit flirtatious or playful. He uses his position to gain a small personal favor.
Locations
The Market (Csársiba)
A bustling outdoor market, likely in a Hungarian village setting, where goods like liver are sold. Implied to be a lively place of commerce.
Mood: bustling, ordinary, transactional
The girl buys the liver for her mother.
The Lake
A body of fresh water, likely a pond or small lake, where the girl intends to clean the liver. It is a natural, open space.
Mood: peaceful, natural, then suddenly dramatic
The stork snatches the liver from the girl's hands, initiating her quest.
The Stubble Field (Tarló)
A field of harvested grain, leaving short stalks (stubble) in the ground. It is dry and barren, in need of rain.
Mood: desolate, parched, hopeful
The stubble field demands rain from Allah in exchange for barley, leading the girl to seek incense.
The Farmer's House/Farmyard (Gazda)
The farmyard of a Hungarian farmer, likely with a traditional farmhouse and outbuildings. It's a place of agricultural activity.
Mood: rural, domestic, transactional
The girl finally obtains the straw by kissing the farmer, completing the chain of exchanges.