Overview
Once, two brothers lived in a valley. Both brothers were physically deformed with humps on their backs. One brother was good and kind, helpful and friendly, and the other was the opposite. It was time to repair the old hut up in the mountains, but even though it was the lazy brother's turn, he didn't want to go. So the good brother went and did the job instead. On his way through the forest, he saw the beauty in everything he passed, from a sparkling stream to poisonous, iridescent mushrooms to a warty old toad. In the night, magical beings visited him. What happened that night changed both brothers' lives forever. This lyrical folktale reinforces the power of positive thinking.
Synopsis
Once, two brothers lived in a valley. Both brothers were physically deformed with humps on their backs. One brother was good and kind, helpful and friendly, and the other was the opposite. It was time to repair the old hut up in the mountains, but even though it was the lazy brother's turn, he didn't want to go. So the good brother went and did the job instead. On his way through the forest, he saw the beauty in everything he passed, from a sparkling stream to poisonous, iridescent mushrooms to a warty old toad. In the night, magical beings visited him. What happened that night changed both brothers' lives forever. This lyrical folktale reinforces the power of positive thinking.
Children's Literature
Two brothers, Morris and Boris, look alike and have huge humps on their backs, but their personalities are very different. Morris is kind and helpful, carefully tending to his cattle and plants. Boris is cruel in his mannerisms and slothful in his work habits. One autumn Morris reminds his brother that it is his turn to repair the shingles on their mountain hut. When Boris begins to argue, Morris just takes off by himself. He makes the long journey pleasant by admiring all aspects of nature along the way. He likes calling out about the beauty of the mountain and hearing the echo repeat his refrain. He eats bread and cheese that he carries with him and later enjoys roasted chestnuts from along the trail. When he falls asleep, the woodland creatures creep out to look at him. The tree roots are suspicious of him, but the mushroom creatures, the plant elves, and the tree spirits vouch for his goodness. The forest witch decides to give him a lasting present. Morris continues his journey and completes his task. He is lighthearted and joyous when he returns home. When Boris discovers that Morris has lost his hump, he quickly sets out on the same trail hoping for the same result. Of course, he shows no respect for either the animals or plants as he stomps up the mountain. When his night fire burns low and he goes to sleep, the night creatures appear once again. They also know Boris well and they also give him a lasting gift. Boris feels more weighed down and grumpier than before. When he returns home, he finds that his hump has grown even larger. He vows to mend his ways and repeats the trip in the spring. This Swiss-Italian story, almost 150 years old, comes from Canton Ticino in southernSwitzerland. The intricate illustrations enhance the love and respect of nature depicted in the tale. Full-color spreads alternate with black-and-white drawings. Discovering the many details hidden in the pictures is part of the joy of experiencing the book. Best for one-on-one sharing.