School: Druim Mór

On this page

1. The Trade He Knows Best

   

   Share Share Post

   Once upon a time there lived an old man and his wife who had only one son named Jack. The old man worked with the landlord of the place. Jack was accustomed to visit the landlord's house and stole from it anything he could lay his hands on. The landlord told the old man on different occasion's that he had better do something with his scamp of a son. He said he would have to send Jack to jail a thing he did not like to do but if he was left at home he would have the landlord robbed. Yet the old man made no attempt to send Jack away and he continued in his evil ways. At last the landlord gave the old man a final warning. The old man was grief stricken when he heard that Jack would have to leave. He pleaded with the landlord saying that he was the only comfort his wife and himself had and to give him another chance. The landlord refused to leave him at home any longer and told the old man to apprentice Jack to some trade. "But what trade do you think he is best suited for" said the old man. "The trade he knows best" said the landlord. "And do you think is it a good trade" said the simple old man. "It is if he knows it well" said the landlord. The old man went home that evening and told Jack he would have to find a master for him. Jack did not refuse to leave. so next morning Jack and his father set off to find a master. They walked all day without success and as night began to fall they met two men riding on horses. "Good evening old man, where are you going with the young fellow" said the two men. "To find a master for

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Folktales index

   AT1525: The Master Thief

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Seosamh Ó Catháin

   Gender

   Male

   Occupation

   Múinteoir

   Address

   Dromore West, Co. Sligo

   Informant

   John Fox

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Farranmacfarrell, Co. Sligo