"The Stolen Charm.” Japanese fairy tales, Teresa Peirce Williston, Chicago: Rand, McNally & Co, 1904, pp. 42-48.

Tale Summary

There was once a little boy who used to play each day by the water with a white Foam Fairy. She told him that she had enjoyed his company, but now, after many weeks, she must return to another land and would miss him. He gave her a silver charm in the shape of a ship that she told him would always keep him well and happy. One day, the boy became very ill, and his mother looked everywhere for his charm to heal him but she could not find it. The boy had two pets, a fox cub and a puppy, who were very sad about their master. The fox cub said that he was sure that the Ogre had stolen the charm and they must get it back. Even though the puppy was very afraid, she agreed to come along with him. On their journey they met a rat and explained to him what they were setting out to do. The rat said he knew just how to get it back, and told them that he would sneak into the Ogre’s house, but they must remain outside and make noise as a distraction. They did this, and the rat returned and informed them that the charm was in the Ogre’s pocket and they should wait until he was less frightened to retrieve it. The rat told the fox cub to turn into a little boy, and the puppy to turn into a little girl, and that they should go in and dance for the Ogre to distract him while the rat grabbed the charm. Once they turned into little children, the rat climbed up the girl’s sleeve. The two went to the Ogre and asked if they could dance for him, and he was pleased for them to do so because he was in a very bad mood. He did not notice the rat slip out and gnaw at his clothes, and when the creature took the charm and ran away from the house down the hill, the two children changed back into animals and took off after him. They thanked the rat for his help and took the silver ship back to their master, who became well again.