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?

A Drum–an Indian Folktale

There was once a poor woman with only one son. She was a hard working woman who spent her days grinding grain for her neighbors. She felt sad because she did not have enough money to buy nice clothes or toys for her young son. One day when she was going to the village, she asked her son if there was anything she could get him. The boy replied, “A drum. I would like a drum.” The mother went to the village knowing she could not afford to buy her son a drum.

As she returned from selling the grain, she found a piece of wood to give to her son. When she saw him, she gave him the wood and he gratefully thanked her although he was not sure what to do with the gift. The boy went outside to play and came upon an old woman trying to light her woodstove with some cow-dung patties. The smoke was in the woman’s eyes, and tears were running down her face. The boy asked the woman why she was crying. When he heard how she could not start the fire, he offered her his piece of wood. In exchange, the old woman gave the boy a piece of bread.

The boy continued in his play and walked down the road until he came upon a potter’s wife. Her child was crying, and the boy asked what the matter was. The woman said, “My child is hungry, and I have no food to offer him.” The boy gave the woman the piece of bread he had, and in return she gave him a pot.

As the boy walked on, he came to the river where on the river bank he saw a husband and wife arguing. He asked the couple why they were fighting. The husband replied, “My silly wife has broken our last pot and now we have nothing to clean our clothes in.” The boy silently passed his pot onto the couple who gave the boy a coat in return.

Continuing on his journey, the boy saw a man shivering in the cold without even a shirt to warm him. He asked the man where his shirt was. The man told the boy about how he was attacked by robbers who took all of his money and even his shirt. The boy said to the man, “Here. Don’t worry. You can have this coat.” The man was so grateful that he gave the boy his horse.

The boy started home with his new horse. On the way he came upon a huge wedding party with musicians, the bridegroom, and his family. Everyone in the group had a long face, and they were sitting under a tree. The boy asked why they were so sad. The groom’s father said, “We are waiting for the groom’s horse to arrive. If it doesn’t arrive soon, we will be too late for the wedding.” Generously, the boy again gave away his possession. When the group heard of the boy’s gift, they asked what they could give him. The boy asked for one of the musician’s drums. Happily they gave the drum to the boy who returned home to tell his mother how he had exchanged a worthless piece of wood for a drum.