This whimsical tale follows a child’s refusal to eat dinner, triggering a chain of escalating commands where each element refuses to act until the cycle loops back to the child. Ultimately, the child agrees to eat, resolving the playful standoff. The story humorously illustrates interconnectedness and the futility of stubbornness, using repetition and personification to entertain while delivering its lesson.
Source
Moorish Literature
romantic ballads, tales of the Berbers,
stories of the Kabyles, folk-lore,
and national traditions
The Colonial Press,
London, New York, 1901
► Themes of the story
Cunning and Deception: The story showcases a clever sequence where each character attempts to outwit the next, highlighting the use of wit in problem-solving.
Family Dynamics: The interaction between the child and the commanding figures mirrors familial relationships and the challenges within.
Community and Isolation: The interconnectedness of the characters emphasizes the importance of community and the consequences of isolation or non-cooperation.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Berber peoples
Translated by J. Rivière
and Chauncey C. Starkweather
“Come, little child, eat your dinner.”
“I won’t eat it.”
“Come, stick, beat the child.”
“I won’t beat him.”
“Come, fire, burn the stick.”
“I won’t burn it.”
“Come, water, quench the fire.”
“I won’t quench it.”
► Continue reading…
“Come, ox, drink the water.”
“I won’t drink it.”
“Come, knife, kill the ox.”
“I won’t kill him.”
“Come, blacksmith, break the knife.”
“I won’t break it.”
“Come, strap, bind the blacksmith.”
“I won’t bind him.”
“Come, rat, gnaw the strap.”
“I won’t gnaw it.”
“Come, cat, eat the rat.”
“Bring it here.”
“Why eat me?” said the rat; “bring the strap and I’ll gnaw it.”
“Why gnaw me?” said the strap; “bring the blacksmith and I’ll bind him.”
“Why bind me?” said the blacksmith; “bring the knife and I’ll break it.”
“Why break me?” said the knife; “bring the ox and I’ll kill him.”
“Why kill me?” said the ox; “bring the water and I’ll drink it.”
“Why drink me?” said the water; “bring the fire and I’ll quench it.”
“Why quench me?” said the fire; “bring the stick and I’ll burn it.”
“Why burn me?” said the stick; “bring the child and I’ll strike him.”
“Why strike me?” said the child; “bring me my dinner and I’ll eat it.”
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Dreamtime Whispers 