The Hunchback's Tale
A classic folk tale of mistaken identity and a cheerful performer
Page 1
In a bustling city, full of merchants calling out their wares and the chatter of many people, lived a cheerful Hunchback. He was a beloved entertainer, known for his jokes and lively songs, which always brought smiles to the faces of those who listened. Every day, he would wander through the market, sharing his stories and laughter with everyone he met, a familiar and welcome sight. One evening, a kind Tailor, who particularly enjoyed the Hunchback's delightful company and witty tales, invited him to his home for a special supper. The Hunchback, always happy to share a meal and a good story, gratefully accepted the invitation, looking forward to a pleasant evening of warm fellowship and good food.
Page 2
That evening, the Hunchback sat happily with the Tailor and his Wife in their small, warm dining room. They enjoyed a delicious meal together, filled with laughter and cheerful conversation. The Hunchback, always eager for a good jest, told his funniest stories, making the Tailor and his wife chuckle. As the meal neared its end, the Hunchback was enjoying a mouthful of fish when, quite suddenly, a small bone became lodged in his throat. He coughed, then gasped, and then, to the horror of the Tailor and his Wife, he fell utterly still and stopped breathing, appearing to be lifeless.
Page 3
Panicked and fearing they would be blamed for the Hunchback's sudden passing, the Tailor and his Wife decided they must move him. Under the cloak of night, with only the pale glow of a crescent moon and their own racing hearts for company, they carefully carried the Hunchback's still form out of their house. They stumbled through a narrow, dimly lit alleyway behind their home, their feet barely making a sound on the uneven stones. Each step was heavy with dread, as they searched for a quiet place to leave him, hoping to avoid any notice or suspicion from the sleeping city around them.
Page 4
The Tailor and his Wife eventually placed the Hunchback's body against the front door of a doctor’s house, hoping he would be found there. Later that night, the Doctor himself returned home, feeling rather dizzy and disoriented from a late gathering. In the dark, stumbling up his own steep front steps, he tripped over the Hunchback's body. The Hunchback rolled down the stairs with a heavy thud, coming to rest at the bottom. The Doctor, shocked and confused in his muddled state, immediately believed he had accidentally killed the man he had just stumbled upon.
Page 5
Overwhelmed with fear and guilt, the Doctor resolved to hide his terrible mistake. He carefully lifted the Hunchback's body and carried it through the deserted streets, his heart pounding with every step. He walked until he reached a quiet residential street, lined with grand houses. There, by the ornate entrance of the Steward's house, he gently propped the Hunchback’s body against a wall, hoping it would simply be discovered there, far from his own home. Just as he stole away, the Steward himself emerged from his house to start his morning duties, and stumbled upon the Hunchback, believing he was the cause of his demise.
Page 6
The Steward, a man of great reputation and order, was terrified that he would be disgraced. He quickly decided to move the Hunchback’s body, hoping to avoid any public scandal. He waited until late evening, when the courtyard of a wealthy Merchant lay quiet, filled with stacked crates and bundles of valuable goods. Under the cover of twilight, the Steward carefully carried the Hunchback into the courtyard and propped him among some large sacks, hoping he would simply disappear. However, the anxious Merchant, tidying up before retiring for the night, stumbled upon the body, instantly believing himself responsible for the unfortunate man's fate.
Page 7
The Merchant, fearing for his reputation and wealth, could not bear the thought of being accused. In a panic, he decided to move the Hunchback once more. He waited until the dead of night, when the city's main street corner, usually bustling with vendors and shoppers, was quiet and deserted, save for the occasional late-night passerby. With great effort, he carried the Hunchback’s body and left him propped near a public fountain. Shortly after, a burly Patrolman, returning home after a long, disoriented night, stumbled in the darkness. He tripped over the Hunchback, sending him shifting, and instantly believed he had caused the sleeping man's fatal injury.
Page 8
The next morning, the Patrolman was found loudly confessing to the Hunchback's 'death'. He was quickly arrested. News spread like wildfire through the city, and soon, the Tailor, the Doctor, the Steward, and the Merchant all came forward, each believing themselves to be the true culprit. One by one, they told their confused tales to the grave Judge in his grand court chamber, each certain that their actions had caused the Hunchback's demise. The Judge, faced with five different confessions, declared them all guilty, ordering them to face severe public punishment for the suspected crime.
Page 9
In the crowded town square, a somber platform had been set up for the public judgment. The five accused stood trembling, awaiting their fate, while the Hunchback's body lay nearby. Just as the Judge was about to give his final word, a quick-witted Barber, known for his sharp mind and even sharper tools, pushed through the crowd. He had heard the strange story and realized what must have truly happened. With a confident stride, he approached the Hunchback, gave a firm but gentle pat on his back, and a small bone was dislodged. The Hunchback gasped, coughed, and to everyone's astonishment, slowly began to stir and awaken.
Page 10
The Hunchback, now fully recovered and breathing easily, sat up, blinking in confusion at the crowd around him. The relief that washed over the Tailor, the Doctor, the Steward, the Merchant, and the Patrolman was immense. Their fears vanished like smoke, replaced by overwhelming joy and gratitude. The Barber was hailed as a hero, and the Hunchback, quite unaware of the chaos he had caused, was soon back in the marketplace, entertaining everyone with his jokes and songs, his laughter once again echoing through the stalls. All misunderstandings were cleared, and the city rejoiced at the happy, unexpected return of their beloved Hunchback.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
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