 There was once an old woman who lived quietly with her two dogs. One day she decided to visit her only relative, a great-granddaughter. Just before she left, she told her dogs to stay close to home and not wander. She’d been walking for a while when she met a fox. “Hey old woman, I’m going to eat you.” “Wait,” said the woman. “If you eat me now, all you’ll have is a bit of skin and bones. I’m on my way to see my great-granddaughter who will feed me well. Why don’t you wait until I return home? There will be more of me to eat.” The fox agreed. The old woman continued walking. All of a sudden a tiger jumped out, licking his lips. “Hey old woman, I’m going to eat you.” “You don’t want to eat me now, I’m nothing but skin and bones. Wait until I come back from visiting my great-granddaughter. She’ll fatten me up with delicious food.” The tiger agreed. She was close to her granddaughter’s house when a bear spotted her. “Old woman, I’m going to eat you.” The old woman looked at the bear and said, “If you eat me now you’ll feast on skin and bones. Wait until I come back from visiting my great-granddaughter. She’ll feed me well and I’ll be nice and plump.” The bear agreed. The old woman had a wonderful time with her great-granddaughter, who fed her delicious food. When she was preparing to leave, she told her about the fox, tiger, and bear who were waiting to eat her. Her great-granddaughter said, “Don’t worry. I will put you into a hollowed-out gourd with a bit to eat. All they will see is a weather-beaten gourd and you will be safe.” The old woman got into the gourd, settled herself comfortably, and was given a good push that sent it rolling toward her home. Soon the bear, who was waiting for the old woman, saw the gourd but didn’t find the woman inside, nor did it seem good to eat so he gave it a strong push and it rolled away. When the tiger saw the gourd, he sighed. Nothing to eat. He gave it a mighty push and it rolled away. When the fox saw the gourd, he wondered what was inside and gave it a strong kick. The shell broke open and out fell the old woman. “Hey old woman, you can’t trick me again, I’m going to eat you now.” The old woman said, “Of course, but it’s a beautiful day. Why don’t we go sit on top of that hill and I’ll share my rice with you.” When they were on top of the hill, she called to her dogs. “Quickly! Come to me!” Suddenly two enormous dogs rushed to the old woman and snarled at the fox, baring their teeth, barking furiously. Terrified, the fox ran away as fast as he could. The old woman and the dogs walked home in peace.
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World TalesAge old stories of wit and wisdom from around the world. Tales retold by Nancy King. Archives
June 2025
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Nancy King is a widely published author and a professor emerita at the University of Delaware, where she has taught theater, drama, playwriting, creative writing, and multidisciplinary studies with an emphasis on world literature. She has published seven previous works of nonfiction and five novels. Her new memoir, Breaking the Silence, explores the power of stories in healing from trauma and abuse. Her career has emphasized the use of her own experience in being silenced to encourage students to find their voices and to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with authenticity, as a way to add meaning to their lives.
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