Salt
on a Bird’s Tail
A Swedish Fairy Tale
Once
there was a boy named Olle who always wanted what he didn’t
have.
“If only I had a shiny knife, I could carve toys to play with,” Olle would say. “If only I had a wagon, I could carry my toys everywhere. If only I had a pony . . .”
One day he saw a magpie in a tree. He had heard that if a person could put salt on a magpie’s tail, the bird had to grant the person’s wishes.
All afternoon he chased after the bird until he was too tired to run anymore. Then the bird flew down and spoke to him.
“Are you looking for me?” she asked.
“You can talk!” cried Olle.
“Oh yes,” said the bird. “You see, I’m really a princess with magic powers. And I’ll let you put salt on my tail and make your wishes. But first you must do something for me.”
“Anything!” said Olle.
“Bring me a shiny little knife so I can trim my claws. A princess must look neat.”
Olle got busy picking berries in the forest and took them to town to sell. Soon he earned enough money to buy a knife. He put some salt in his pocket and hurried back to the forest.
But when the bird saw the knife, she laughed. “This is just a plain pocketknife. I wanted one with a silver handle, fit for a princess.”
“Then I will get you that kind,” said the boy.
“No, never mind. Now I want a wagon to carry my things. A princess has lots of things, you know.”
So Olle took the knife and carved toys for the children in town. He was a good carver, too. He made cows, horses, and birds. The children loved the toys and begged their mothers to buy them. Soon Olle had enough money to buy a wagon for the bird.
But when the magpie saw the wagon, she flapped her wings angrily. “A princess can’t use a wagon like that. I wanted one with gold trim and velvet cushions.”
“Then
I will get it for you,” said Olle.
“No, never mind. Now I want a pony. A princess likes to ride in style.”
“If I get you the pony, then may I have my wishes?”
“Yes, of course,” said the bird.
So Olle took the wagon and ran errands for the people in town. He carried loads of wood one day and vegetables the next. He gave rides to everyone. Soon he had earned enough money to buy a handsome black pony. He was sure the bird would like it.
But when the magpie saw the black pony, she shook her head. “I really prefer brown ponies,” she said.
The boy plopped down on the ground with a huff. “You are so hard to please,” he said. “You wanted a knife, and I got you a knife. You wanted a wagon, and I got you a wagon. You wanted a pony, and here is a pony. If you are not happy, then I’ll never get to put salt on your tail and make my wishes!”
“You’re right,” chirped the bird. “I am hard to please. But you have worked hard, and you have earned your wishes.” She stuck out her tail. Olle sprinkled salt on it. “Now, tell me what you want,” she said.
Eagerly,
Olle said, “I want a . . . no, I have that. Then I
want a . . . no, I have that, too.”
“Hurry!” said the bird. “Your time is running out!”
Olle suddenly realized something important. “I don’t need you!” he said. “Now I know how to get the things I want without making wishes.”
The bird laughed. “Imagine that!” she said. And away she flew.
