THE ADVENTURES OF MR. TAM-KIK
The punishmentSource
Before we finish, let's go and see what became of our Tam-Kik, with his fly. Tired of wandering, the comrade asked for a job as a valet on a good farm in the neighborhood. The farmer from Kerlostik, before hiring him, looked a little askance at the boy's poor legs and sad outfit; but this one, stung and emboldened by his fly, having said that he alone would do more work than three idlers from Bannalec, the master agreed to take him on trial, with three crowns per year, rye bread soup every day, millet porridge and pancakes once a week. It was a good condition, certainly; so Tam was careful not to refuse. So here he is, plowman. On the third day, the master having been at the fair the day before, in scorching weather, had brought back his empty purse and a good sunburn to boot. Tam-Kik suggested that the old half of the household that he would go to the field alone with the oxen and the plow. The old woman accepted, for lack of anything better, hoping to immediately find a good reason to throw out this lean guy, who ate as much as two people. But at midday, when she went to the field to take her black bread soup to the valet, of which she had taken care, the worthy creature, to fill the bowl only half, when she saw the big field all plowed, she remained stunned. Tam-Kik swallowed his soup without saying anything, and, before evening, he plowed a second field, with the help of his fly which spurred the oxen and gave them an indefatigable heart.
Of course, Tammik's legs were no longer so thin on the farm, and the housewife allowed her eldest daughter of the house to take his dinner to the field; we treated him nicely, come on, and the girl didn't come back without looking over the hedge. Finally, it continued so well, so well for Tam-Kik, that the girl looked down in front of him, and let him take her little finger and put a ring on it.
Time for the soup
So this is the end of my story: there was a beautiful wedding, to which I was not invited, because my father was not yet born. Tam-Kik became Tam-Pinvidik (the rich one). Maharit his wife was the best housewife in the parish, they had many little boys and girls, and then on our way, friends!…
I had forgotten to tell you that two days before his wedding, Mr. Tam-Kik, dressed all new, had left for Lothéa, to look for the man Job, and bring him back to Kerlostik. But as he passed along the edge of a small wood, he saw a gathering of people around a man lying on the grass; he came closer to look and recognized Jalm Thurio whom thieves had killed, apparently to steal his gold. You see that a purse that is too heavy harms the one who carries it since he cannot easily escape from thieves, especially when the weight of the purse is combined with the weight of a bad conscience. That's it for him. Tam-Kik quickly walked away, making the sign of the cross, and continued on his way. Alas! In Lothéa, no more Job: gone to paradise! The good son cried all the way back, and I can swear that he did not enter any cabaret, which is not forbidden, I think, to people who have a full pocket and who know how to drink without getting drunk.
At the end of the endings, I will tell you that the fly flew away on the day of the engagement. What was left for him to do? hadn't it completed Tam's happiness, by providing him with a good condition and a good wife, which is devilishly rare? That's it for Tam-Kik. There are also some who say that the fly was an angel from paradise given to Tam-Kik by the old beggar, who was a great saint who came to earth to test those he met; others even add that all men of good heart have a similar fly in their chest. I'll let you think what you want, and I'll leave.
Source: Les Aventures de Monsieur Tam-Kik from the French book Contes et légendes de Basse-Bretagne published in 1891.
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
Next Tale: Trémeur or the Headless Man
Hello, my name is Vincent Celier.
I am writing translations of folk tales that I found in public domain French books, so that people who do not understand French may enjoy them too.
The story ends on a joyful note for Mr. Tam-Kik, as he marries the daughter of his boss.
But, for Jalm Thurio, this is not the same story.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO WHATEVER IS READING THIS POST
As I said yesterday, my eldest daughter Roseline came to my house in Harrison Hot Springs late in the evening. You can see her with her son Cyrus.
And here, in the kitchen, you can see Faith, Roseline's daughter, with her cousin Nathaneil.
Today, we will have our Christmas dinner, after the opening of presents.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
-- Vincent Celier