Fairy-Tale Blooper

Muse, Apr 2004

A hen, rooster, cat, millstone, egg, duck, pin, and needle travel to the home of a Mr. Korbis. In his absence, they enter his home and lie in wait for him.

When Mr. Korbis came home, he went to the hearth and wanted to make a fire, but the cat threw ashes into his face. He quickly ran to the kitchen and wanted to wash himself, but the duck squirted water in his face. He wanted to dry himself with the towel, but the egg came rolling toward him, broke, and glued his eyes shut.

He wanted, to sit down in a chair and rest, but the pin stuck him. That made him angry, and he flung himself on the bed, but when he put his head, on the pillow, the sewing needle stuck him so sharply that he yelled out, flew into a rage, and wanted to run outside. But when he got to the door, the millstone jumped down and knocked him dead.

O.K., so it's funny but not THAT funny. The Grimms first collection of fairy tales included "Mr. Korbis" as well as 200 other tales, but the Grimms eventually threw out most of them, saving only "Snow White," "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," and a few other gems. Editors do some good in the world, you know: they don't spend all their time rejecting article suggestions, flipping mail into the Fan Mail Pit, and making cracks about anime art.