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Chain Tale
In a cumulative tale, sometimes also called a chain tale, action or dialogue repeats and builds up in some way as the tale progresses. With only the sparest of plots, these tales often depend upon repetition and rhythm for their effect, and can require a skilled storyteller to negotiate their tongue-twisting repetitions in performance. The climax is sometimes abrupt and sobering as in " The Gingerbread Man." The device often takes the form of a cumulative song or nursery rhyme. Many cumulative tales feature a series of animals or forces of nature each more powerful than the last. History Cumulative tales have a long pedigree. In an early Jewish Midrash, considered to date from the sixth century AD, Abraham is brought before King Nimrod, who commands him to worship fire. Abraham replies that it would be more reasonable to worship water, which can quench fire and is therefore more powerful. When this premise is granted, he points out that the clouds, as sustainers of water, are m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
This Is The House That Jack Built
"This Is the House That Jack Built" is a popular English nursery rhyme and cumulative tale. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 20854. It is Aarne–Thompson–Uther Index type 2035. Lyrics This is perhaps the most common set of modern lyrics: :This is the house that Jack built. :This is the malt that lay in the house that Jack built. :This is the rat that ate the malt :That lay in the house that Jack built. :This is the cat :That killed the rat that ate the malt :That lay in the house that Jack built. :This is the dog that worried the cat :That killed the rat that ate the malt :That lay in the house that Jack built. :This is the cow with the crumpled horn :That tossed the dog that worried the cat :That killed the rat that ate the malt :That lay in the house that Jack built. :This is the maiden all forlorn :That milked the cow with the crumpled horn :That tossed the dog that worried the cat :That killed the rat that ate the malt :That lay in the house that Jack bui ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
