The King and the Weaver – An English Folk Tale about Wit and Kindness

Summary: This English folk tale tells how a weaver used her skill and ingenuity to earn the respect of the king and save her village from his wrath. A story about the importance of wit, kindness, and hard work.

Long ago, there was a king in a faraway kingdom. He was a quick-tempered and strict man but respected hardworking people. His lands stretched for many miles, and his rule relied on the taxes paid by the peasants. But one year, disaster struck in one of the villages: a drought ruined the crops, and the villagers couldn’t gather enough grain to pay their taxes to the king.

When the king heard of this, he was furious. “How dare they defy my laws?” he shouted. The king ordered his guards to go to the village and punish the people. When the news reached the village, panic broke out. “What can we do?” the villagers asked each other.

Among them was a young weaver known for creating the most beautiful fabrics. She said, “We cannot change the past, but perhaps I can speak to the king. Give me one day, and I will try to save us.”

The weaver worked through the night. She took the finest threads she had and wove an extraordinary pattern. The fabric depicted the entire kingdom: its rivers, forests, castles, and even the king himself, surrounded by his knights. Every stitch was made with care and love.

The next day, when the guards arrived in the village, the weaver stepped forward to meet them. “I wish to speak with the king,” she said. The guards, impressed by her determination, agreed to take her to the palace.

When she stood before the king, he frowned. “Why should I listen to you? Your people have broken my law!”

The weaver bowed deeply and said, “Your Majesty, we are in your debt, but I have brought you a gift to show our respect and offer our apology.” She unrolled the fabric before the king. His eyes widened in amazement as he saw the intricate design and the beauty of the patterns. “I have never seen anything like this! How did you make it?” he asked.

The weaver replied, “I poured all my knowledge and skill into it. It is a symbol of how we, the people of your kingdom, respect you and strive to follow your laws. But sometimes nature is stronger than us, as it was with this drought.”

The king thought for a moment. He realized that his harshness was not always fair. “You have saved your village, weaver. Your work shows that your people did their best. I will forgive your village’s debt for this year, but in the future, inform me of your struggles sooner.”

The villagers welcomed the weaver as a hero. From then on, she became known throughout the kingdom. People traveled from far and wide to see her fabrics, and the king often commissioned her work for his palace.

Moral of the Story: This English folk tale teaches us that wit, skill, and kindness can overcome even the strictest laws. Hard work and ingenuity always earn respect.

Questions for Discussion:

• Why did the weaver decide to approach the king herself?
• How did her skill help save the village?
• What lessons does this story teach about kindness and ingenuity?