Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 7 1889.djvu/303

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Title of Story.—The Wonderful Musician.

Dramatis Personæ.—Musician.—Wolf.—Fox.—Hare.—Woodcutter.

Abstract of Story.—(l) A musician wandering alone in forest, plays fiddle to attract some one as companion. Wolf comes, admires his music, and wishes to learn how to play. Musician, to be rid of him, says an obedient pupil can easily learn. Taking wolf to a hollow oak-tree with a cleft in it, he directs him to put his fore-paws into crevice; then, picking up a stone, he wedges them there, and goes on his way.—(2) Presently his playing attracts a fox, who likewise desires to learn the art. Musician takes him to a footpath amid high bushes; bends two young trees down; ties one of fox's front paws to each; then releases trees, and fox is jerked up in the air.—(3) Musician proceeds farther, and his playing brings a hare. Pretending to teach him how to play, he ties a long string round hare's neck and fastens the other end to an aspen standing in an open space. Directs hare to run twenty times round tree, and goes on his way.—(4) Meanwhile wolf has struggled and released his paws and starts in angry pursuit of musician. Comes upon fox who begs to be set free, and hurries with wolf to be revenged. On the way they deliver hare, who accompanies them.—(5) But a woodcutter has been bewitched by the fiddling, and leaves his work to listen. When the animals come up he raises his axe to protect musician, and drives them terrified into the forest. Musician plays once more out of gratitude.

Alphabetical List of Incidents.

Fox wants to learn fiddle; fore-paws tied to trees (2).

Hare wants to learn fiddle; tied by neck to aspen (3).

Wolf wants to learn fiddle; is put in tree cleft (1).

Woodcutter, bewitched by fiddling, protects fiddler from freed animals (5).

Where published.—Grimm's Household Tales. London, 1884. No. 8, vol. i. pp. 35-37.

Nature of Collection, whether.—

1. Original or translation. Translation by Margaret Hunt.

2. If by word of mouth, state narrator's name.

3. Other particulars.

Special Points noted by the Editor of the above.—See Author's notes p. 351.

Remarks by the Tabulator.—Comp. Orpheus and Hermes, The Finnish Wainamoinen (cf. Kalevala, passim). The Sanscrit Gunâdhya,