Italian Popular Tales | Annotated Tale

COMPLETE! Entered into SurLaLune Database in October 2018 with all known ATU Classifications.



Story of the Barber, The

The following are intended to soothe restless children, and are so short that they may be given entire.

LXXV. THE STORY OF THE BARBER.

ONCE upon a time there was a barber.... Be good and I will tell it to you again. [1]

*  *  *  *  *

               The next is from the same source.

               Once upon a time there was a king, a pope, and a dwarf.... This king, this pope, and this dwarf....

               (Then the story-teller begins again).

Notes

2] Pitrè, No. 141. In the notes to this story are given some more of this class.

                "Once upon a time there was a page who drew three carts: one of wine, one of bread, and one of relishes.... And once upon a time there was a page."

                Some poetical versions are given in the same place from various parts of Italy.

"Once upon a time,     
An old man and an old woman     
Were on top of a mountain...     
Be quiet, for I am going to tell you it."

                --Naples.

"Once upon a time there was a man     
Behind the church     
With a basket on his back...     
But be still if I am to tell you it!"

                --Milan, Nov. fior. p. 570.

                Some more rhymes of this class may be found in Papanti, _Nov. pop. livor_, p. 17: "Once upon a time there was a man, whose name was Boccabella, who skinned his wife to make a skirt; and skinned his children to make some towels."

"Once upon a time there was a man,     
A woman, and a little bottle...     
Listen to this!"

"Once upon a time there was a king     
Who ate more than you;     
He ate bread and cheese,     
Pull, pull this nose."

                Here the speaker pulls the child's nose.

"Once upon a time there was a rich poor man     
Who had seven daughters to marry:     
On one hand there came a felon,     
And on the other seven blisters."

Bibliographic Information

Tale Title: Story of the Barber, The
Tale Author/Editor: Crane, Thomas
Book Title: Italian Popular Tales
Book Author/Editor: Crane, Thomas Frederick
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin and Company
Publication City: Boston
Year of Publication: 1885
Country of Origin: Italy
Classification: ATU 2271: Mock Stories for Children

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