Johnny Gloke
Johnny
Gloke was a tailor by trade, but like a man of spirit he grew tired of
his tailoring, and wished to follow some other path that would lead to
honour and fame. But he did not know what to do at first to gain fame
and fortune, so for a time he was fonder of basking idly in the sun
than in plying the needle and scissors. One warm day as he was enjoying
his ease, he was annoyed by the flies alighting on his bare ankles. He
brought his hand down on them with force and killed a goodly number of
them. On counting the victims of his valour, he was overjoyed at his
success; his heart rose to the doing of great deeds, and he gave vent
to his feelings in the saying:—
"Well done! Johnny Gloke, Kilt fifty flies at one stroke." His
resolution was now taken to cut out his path to fortune and honour. So
he took down from its resting-place a rusty old sword that had belonged
to some of his forebears, and set out in search of adventures. After
travelling a long way, he came to a country that was much troubled by
two giants, whom no one was bold enough to meet, and strong enough to
overcome. He was soon told of the giants, and learned that the King of
the country had offered a great reward and the hand of his daughter in
marriage to the man who should rid his land of this scourge. John's
heart rose to the deed, and he offered himself for the service. The
great haunt of the giants was a wood, and John set out with his old
sword to perform his task. When he reached the wood, he laid himself
down to think what course he would follow, for he knew how weak he was
compared to those he had undertaken to kill. He had not waited long,
when he saw them coming with a waggon to fetch wood for fuel. My! they
were big ones, with huge heads and long tusks for teeth. Johnny hid
himself in the hollow of a tree, thinking only of his own safety.
Feeling himself safe, he peeped out of his hiding-place, and watched
the two at work. Thus watching he formed his plan of action. He picked
up a pebble, threw it with force at one of them, and struck him a sharp
blow on the head. The giant in his pain turned at once on his
companion, and blamed him in strong words for hitting him. The other
denied in anger that he had thrown the pebble. John now saw himself on
the high way to gain his reward and the hand of the King's daughter. He
kept still, and carefully watched for an opportunity of striking
another blow. He soon found it, and right against the giant's head went
another pebble. The injured giant fell on his companion in fury, and
the two belaboured each other till they were utterly tired out. They
sat down on a log to breathe, rest, and recover themselves.
While
sitting, one of them said, "Well, all the King's army was not able to
take us, but I fear an old woman with a rope's end would be too much
for us now."
"If that be so," said Johnny Gloke, as he sprang,
bold as a lion, from his hiding-place, "What do you say to Johnny Gloke
with his old roosty sword?" So saying he fell upon them, cut off their
heads, and returned in triumph. He received the King's daughter in
marriage and for a time lived in peace and happiness. He never told the
mode he followed in his dealing with the giants.
Some time after
a rebellion broke out among the subjects of his father-in-law. John, on
the strength of his former valiant deed, was chosen to quell the
rebellion. His heart sank within him, but he could not refuse, and so
lose his great name. He was mounted on the fiercest horse that ever saw
sun or wind, and set out on his desperate task. He was not accustomed
to ride on horseback, and he soon lost all control of his steed. It
galloped off at full speed, in the direction of the rebel army. In its
wild career it passed under the gallows that stood by the wayside. The
gallows was somewhat old and frail, and down it fell on the horse's
neck. Still the horse made no stop, but always forward at furious speed
towards the rebels. On seeing this strange sight approaching towards
them at such a speed they were seized with terror, and cried out to one
another, "There comes Johnny Gloke that killed the two giants with the
gallows on his horse's neck to hang us all." They broke their ranks,
fled in dismay, and never stopped till they reached their homes. Thus
was Johnny Gloke a second time victorious. So in due time he came to
the throne and lived a long, happy, and good life as king.
| All English Fairy Tales
THE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
JACK THE GIANT-KILLER
THE PIED PIPER OF FRANCHVILLE
THE STORY OF THE THREE BEARS
TOM TIT TOT
THE THREE SILLIES
THE ROSE-TREE
THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG
HOW JACK WENT TO SEEK HIS FORTUNE
MR. VINEGAR
NIX NOUGHT NOTHING
JACK HANNAFORD
BINNORIE
MOUSE AND MOUSER
CAP O' RUSHES
TEENY-TINY
THE MASTER AND HIS PUPIL
TITTY MOUSE ND TATTY MOUSE
JACK AND HIS GOLDEN SNUFF-BOX
HENNY-PENNY
CHILDE ROWLAND
MOLLY WHUPPIE
THE RED ETTIN
MASTER OF ALL MASTERS.
THE GOLDEN ARM
THE HISTORY OF TOM THUMB
MR. FOX
LAZY JACK
JOHNNY-CAKE
EARL MAR'S DAUGHTER
MR. MIACCA
WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT
THE STRANGE VISITOR
THE LAIDLY WORM OF SPINDLESTON HEUGH
THE CAT AND THE MOUSE.
THE FISH AND THE RING.
THE MAGPIE'S NEST
KATE CRACKERNUTS
THE CAULD LAD OF HILTON
THE ASS, THE TABLE, AND THE STICK
FAIRY OINTMENT
THE WELL OF THE WORLD'S END.
THE THREE HEADS OF THE WELL |