Folktales are unique literature: stories passed from generation to generation in a culture. All cultures have folktales. Often as these stories are told and retold, they change slightly. Many folktales originally told by word of mouth are now in written form, and many readers enjoy them. Myths and fairy tales are types of folktales. Folktales told in a culture tell a lot about the beliefs and values of a culture. For instance, Cinderella tells about the dream of rags to riches and about the rewards of being a hardworking, kind person.

America, because it attracted immigrants from many nations, is full of the folktales from many cultures. As people journeyed to America to build railroads, farm the land, and build communities, they added to the rich cultural heritage of our nation.

This is just one example of a folktale from a group of people who journeyed to America. Before you begin to read, discover where this folktale originated. As you read, think about what values and beliefs this folktale teaches. After you read, compare this folktale to others you have read. Is this like some that you know? How?

Before you begin to read:
Try to find the location where this folktale originated.

As you read:
Think about what values and beliefs this folktale teaches.

After you read:
Compare this folktale to others you have read. Is this like some that you know? How?

Reason and Fortune—a Czech Folktale

Once upon a time, Reason met Fortune on a bridge. Fortune said to Reason, “Let me pass.” But Reason refused and said, “I will go first; you are not better than me.” Fortune then proposed a test to see who was better. He pointed out a boy working in a field nearby. He said, “Go inside that boy, and if he is better off with you than me, I will always let you pass first when we meet.” Reason agreed to the challenge and entered the boy’s head.

When the boy noticed reason in his head, he wondered why he was spending his life plowing the fields when he would rather be a gardener. The boy went home and talked to his father. He said, “I do not like farming and want to become a gardener.” The father at first was angry, but then he agreed and told the boy to do what he felt he must.

The boy, named Vanek, left his home and traveled to the home of the king where he began to work with the royal gardener. Within a short time, Vanek did not need the gardener anymore and began to take care of the royal gardens all alone. The garden became a beautiful place, and the king and his wife and young daughter began to walk in the garden often. But, the king was troubled because a few years before, his beautiful young daughter had stopped speaking. The king and queen had tried everything and were desperate to help their beloved child. They announced that anyone who could teach the girl to speak again would be granted the girl’s hand in marriage. From all over the land, princes and dukes tried everything to get the girl to speak, but they all failed.

When Vanek heard about this challenge, he became determined to use reason to win the girl’s hand in marriage. He approached the king and was taken to meet the girl in a room in the palace. Upon entering the room, Vanek dropped to the ground and began to speak to the dog that was the princess’s constant companion and did not acknowledge the princess. He said to the dog, “I have a problem, and I need your advice.” Vanek said, “On my way to the castle with two friends, a carver and a tailor, we encountered a dilemma. As we passed through the woods one night, we decided to make camp. There we made a fire, which we took turns watching. First, as the carver watched the fire, he decided to spend his time carving. He carved a beautiful girl. When the tailor took his turn, he sewed the girl a beautiful gown. When it was my turn, I taught the girl to speak and sing. You see, now we all believe the girl belongs to us. To whom should she belong?”

The dog remained silent, but suddenly a voice cried out, “You should have the girl because you gave her the most important gift.” The princess was speaking. Vanek was happy and asked the king when he could marry the princess. But, the king’s counselor told the king that the boy could not marry the princess because he was not of noble birth. Vanek tried to argue, and the counselor advised the king to have the boy executed. The king agreed and sent Vanek to have his head cut off.

Now, Fortune returned and told Reason to leave the boy. When Fortune entered Vanek, the sword to behead the boy broke. Before a new sword could arrive, the royal coach pulled into the courtyard. Out climbed the princess who begged her father to spare Vanek’s life, make him a duke, and allow her to marry him. Finally, the king agreed, and Vanek and the princess lived happily every after.

From that day on, when Reason and Fortune meet, Reason gets out of the way so that Fortune can pass.