“Third Night, First Fable.” The Nights of Straparola, Straparola, Giovanni Francesco, translated by W.G. (William George) Waters, London: Lawrence and Bullen, 1894, pp. 102-109.
Tale Summary
King Luciano rules the island of Capraia, and has a single daughter named Luciana, age 10. The palace is opposite to the cottage of a widow, Isotta, and her son, Peter the Fool, a fisher-lad. The princess is taken with his antics, although he is irritated for being laughed at. One day, Peter finally catches a fish, who talks to him and promises all the fish he could want if only he lets him go. Peter releases the fish and gets a boatful of others in return. The princess laughs at him, and so mad, Peter asks the fish that Luciana become with child at once. His wish is fulfilled, and the king is so disgraced he vows to have her killed. The queen and him come to an agreement to wait on her death until the child is a year old, at which time every man over 14 is summoned to the palace. The baby reacts fondly to Peter, and it is obvious that he is the father. The queen convinces the king to, instead of having a public execution, place the princess, Peter, and the baby in a casket and be put to sea. Once on the waves, Peter reveals his “Mr. Tunny,” and makes it so that the fish will answer her commands. They are delivered to shore safely, and the princess requests that Peter be transformed from a fool into a handsome, clever gallant, as well as wishes a palace into being. The king and queen start a trip to Jerusalem to solace themselves and see the beautiful palace on their way, and are drawn to it. They do not recognize Luciana and Peter, and are given a tour. There is a garden within the palace with three golden apples, one of which is magically transported into the robes of the king. Luciana has everyone searched for the special apple, and the king is astonished that he is in possession of it. She reveals herself as his daughter, and that even though she gave birth she was still chaste, and that she is as innocent of unchastity as he was of being a thief. Luciana, the child, and Peter, move back with the King and Queen, at which point Peter marries the princess and assumes the title of king.
Fairy Tale Title
Third Night, First Fable
Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)
Giovanni Francesco Straparola
Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)
None listed
Common Tale Type
Tale Classification
Page Range of Tale
pp. 102-109
Full Citation of Tale
“Third Night, First Fable.” The Nights of Straparola, Straparola, Giovanni Francesco, translated by W.G. (William George) Waters, London: Lawrence and Bullen, 1894, pp. 102-109.
Original Source of the Tale
Giovanni Francesco Straparola
Tale Notes
Cateruzza tells this tale, and begins by noting that even foolish men are sometimes the most successful. She ends with the enigma:
"Sir Redman stands behind a tree,
Now hidden, now in sight is he.
To him four runners speed along,
Bearing a warrior huge and strong.
Two darts into the trunk he wings,
And Redman from his lair uprisings,
And smites him from behind with skill;
Thus ten little men one giant kill.
Now he who shall this speech unfold,
Shall be a witty rogue and bold."
Lauretta proposes that the enigma is about a bull in a forest, angered by the color red to run into a tree, behind which a hunter who was hiding kills it with a dart from his ten little men (which she explains as ten fingers).
Research and Curation
Kaeli Waggener, 2022
Book Title
The Nights of Straparola
Book Author/Editor(s)
Giovanni Francesco Straparola
Illustrator(s)
E. R. Hughes; A.R.W.S.
Publisher
Lawrence and Bullen
Date Published
1894
Decade Published
1890-1899
Publisher City
London
Publisher Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Rights
Public Domain
Digital Copy
Book Notes
This book is a collection of stories that are structured under a ‘frame tale,’ or overarching narrative. After the departure of Milan’s ruler amongst unrest, a party is held on the Island of Murano, with his daughter and her 10 court ladies taking turns to tell stories over the course of 13 nights. Each night 5 ladies will sing before narrating a tale on an agreed-upon theme, offering a pastime and a way to stimulate the wit.
Notes on narrators
Lodovica; admired for her beautiful eyes
Vicenza; possessing beauty and good manners
Lionora; kindly and courteous despite her haughty appearance
Alteria; devoted in service
Lauretta; disdainful and seductive
Eritrea; petite and beautiful
Cateruzza (surnamed Brunetta); graceful, loving, alluring
Arianna; young but grave, virtuous, and well-spoken
Isabella; highly gifted and witty
Fiordiana; Intelligent and willing