Rip Van Winkle
| Category: | American Tall Tales |
|---|---|
| Notes: | Washington Irving's classic tale retold for oral storytelling at a campfire. Blends myth, mystery, and humor. |
Let me tell you a strange and sleepy tale that comes from the Catskill Mountains-of a man named Rip Van Winkle, who once lived in a tiny village long ago, back when America was still a colony of Britain.
Rip was a gentle soul-kind to children, friendly to neighbors, always ready to help someone chop wood or fix a fence. But when it came to helping his own wife or tending his own farm... well, let's just say Rip wasn't exactly known for being productive at home. His wife nagged him constantly, and he often escaped into the hills with his dog, Wolf, just to find a little peace and quiet.
One day, Rip wandered farther than usual into the woods. The sun was setting behind the mountains when he heard a strange sound-thunder, maybe? No... it was more like bowling. Curious, Rip followed the sound up a narrow path and stumbled upon a group of odd little men, dressed in old Dutch clothing, playing ninepins beneath the trees. They were silent, solemn, and completely absorbed in their game. Without a word, they offered Rip a flagon of drink. He took a sip-then another-and before he knew it, he was fast asleep under a tree.
When Rip finally woke up, the world had changed.
His beard had grown long-down to his chest. His rifle was rusted and broken. His dog was gone. He made his way back to the village, but nothing looked the same. The houses were newer, the people were strangers, and everyone seemed to be talking about "America" and "the Revolution."
Rip soon discovered that he had been asleep for twenty years.
In that time, the American colonies had fought for and won their independence. His friends were gone, his children were grown, and his wife-well, she had passed away some years before. Rip was bewildered, but strangely relieved. With no farm to tend and no one left to nag him, he found a new life sitting in the shade outside the inn, telling stories of the old days and becoming something of a local legend himself.
So if you ever hike deep into the mountains and hear what sounds like thunder-but there's not a cloud in the sky-you might just be near the place where Rip Van Winkle slept through a revolution… and woke up in a new world.