|| An English folktale ||
Once upon a time there was a boy whose name was Jack, and he lived with his mother.
They were very poor, and the old woman got her living by spinning, but Jack was so lazy that he would do nothing but bask in the sun, that they called him Lazy Jack.
His mother could not get him to do anything for her, and at last told him, one Monday, that if he did not begin to work for his porridge she would turn him out to get his living as he could.
This roused Jack, and he went out and worked for neighbouring farmer for a penny.
But as he was coming home, never having had any money before, he lost it in passing over a brook.
“You stupid boy,” said his mother, “you should have put it in your pocket.” “Next time,” replied Jack.
On Wednesday, Jack went out again and hired himself to a cow-keeper, who gave him a jar of milk for his day’s work.
Jack took the jar and put it into the large pocket of his jacket, spilling it all, long before he got home.
“Dear me!” said the old woman; “you should have carried it on your head.” “Next time,” said Jack.
So on Thursday, Jack hired himself again to a farmer, who agreed to give him a cream cheese for his services.
In the evening Jack took the cheese, and went home with it on his head. By the time he got home the cheese was all spoilt, part of it being lost, and part matted with his hair.
“You stupid lout,” said his mother, “you should have carried it very carefully in your hands.” “Next time,” replied Jack.
On Friday, Lazy Jack again went out, and hired himself to a baker, who would give him nothing for his work but a large tom-cat.
Jack took the cat, and began carrying it very carefully in his hands, but in a short time, the cat scratched him so much that he had to let it go.
When he got home, his mother said to him, “You silly fellow, you should have tied it with a string, and dragged it along after you.” “Next time,” said Jack.
So on Saturday, Jack hired himself to a butcher, who rewarded him with a shoulder of mutton.
Jack took the mutton, tied it to a string, and dragged it along after him in the dirt, so that by the time he had got home the meat was completely spoilt.
His mother was this time quite out of patience with him. “You ninney-hammer,” said she to her son; “you should have carried it on your shoulder.” “Next time, mother” replied Jack.
On the next Monday, Lazy Jack worked for a cattle-keeper, who gave him a donkey for his trouble.
Jack hoisted the donkey on his shoulders with great difficulty began walking slowly home.
On his way there there happened to live a rich man with his only daughter, a beautiful girl who never laughed. Her father had offered a handsome prize to anyone who could make her laugh.
This young lady happened to be looking out of the window when Jack was passing with the donkey on his shoulders, struggling to get loose, with its legs sticking up in the air, braying loudly.
The sight was so comical and strange that she burst out into a great fit of laughter. Her father was overjoyed, and gave a handsome prize to Jack.
Jack and his mother lived happily for many years after that.
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