Description of the tale Mike Fink and the River Monster
Mike Fink, the best boatman on the Mississippi River, sets out to catch the river monster that has been terrorizing the waters near New Orleans. He meets Jean Lafitte, a pirate and a friend of the monster, who teaches him how to sing a song that will make the monster trust him. Mike Fink sings the song and befriends the monster, realizing that it is not evil or malicious, but lonely and misunderstood.
Mike Fink was the best boatman on the Mississippi River. He was strong, brave, and skilled with a rifle. He could shoot a walnut off a squirrel’s head from a hundred yards away. He was also proud, boastful, and always ready for a challenge.
Let’s read a fairy tale Mike Fink and the River Monster!
Mike Fink was the best boatman on the Mississippi River. He was strong, brave, and skilled with a rifle. He could shoot a walnut off a squirrel’s head from a hundred yards away. He was also proud, boastful, and always ready for a challenge.
One day, he heard a rumor that there was a river monster lurking in the waters near New Orleans. It was said to be as big as a whale, with scales like armor, teeth like daggers, and eyes like fire. It had attacked several boats and scared away many fishermen. No one dared to face it, except for Mike Fink.
“I’ll show that critter who’s the king of the river,” he said to his crew. “I’ll catch it and make it my pet. Or better yet, I’ll skin it and make a coat out of it. Who’s with me?”
His crew cheered and followed him on his boat, the Gullywhumper. They sailed down the river, looking for signs of the monster. They asked the people they met along the way, but no one had seen it recently.
“Maybe it’s hiding from me,” Mike Fink said. “It knows I’m coming for it.”
They reached New Orleans and decided to stop for a while. They went to a tavern and ordered some drinks. Mike Fink started to tell stories about his adventures and his plans to catch the river monster.
A man in a corner heard him and approached him. He was tall and thin, with a long beard and a hat with feathers. He had a guitar slung over his shoulder and a smile on his face.
“Excuse me, sir,” he said politely. “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. You’re looking for the river monster, right?”
“That’s right,” Mike Fink said. “Do you know where it is?”
“I do,” the man said. “I’ve seen it with my own eyes. It’s the most fearsome creature you’ll ever see. But I can tell you how to find it and how to catch it.”
“Really?” Mike Fink said skeptically. “And who are you?”
The man bowed and introduced himself.
“My name is Jean Lafitte,” he said. “I’m a pirate, a smuggler, and a hero of the Battle of New Orleans. And I’m also a friend of the river monster.”
“A friend?” Mike Fink said incredulously.
“Yes, a friend,” Jean Lafitte said. “You see, the river monster is not evil or malicious. It’s just lonely and misunderstood. It only attacks when it feels threatened or hungry. It’s actually very gentle and playful when you get to know it.”
“How do you know that?” Mike Fink asked.
“Because I’ve played with it,” Jean Lafitte said. “I’ve sung to it, I’ve fed it, I’ve even ridden on its back. It likes me and trusts me. And I can make it like you too.”
“How?” Mike Fink asked.
“By giving it a gift,” Jean Lafitte said. “A gift that shows your respect and friendship.”
“What kind of gift?” Mike Fink asked.
“A song,” Jean Lafitte said. “A song that praises its beauty and strength. A song that makes it happy and calm.”
“A song?” Mike Fink repeated doubtfully.
“Yes, a song,” Jean Lafitte said. “And I can teach you how to sing it.”
He took out his guitar and strummed a few chords.
“Listen carefully,” he said. “This is how it goes.”
He sang a few verses in French, then translated them into English.
“Oh river monster, oh river monster
You are the wonder of the water
You are the glory of the deep
You are the friend of Jean Lafitte
Oh river monster, oh river monster
Don’t be afraid of Mike Fink
He is not here to hurt you
He is here to be your friend
Oh river monster, oh river monster
Come out and play with us today
We have some fish for you to eat
We have some songs for you to hear
Oh river monster, oh river monster
We love you, we love you
You are our friend, you are our friend
Oh river monster, oh river monster”
Jean Lafitte repeated the song several times until Mike Fink memorized it.
“Now you try,” he said.
Mike Fink cleared his throat and sang the song in his loud voice.
“Not bad,” Jean Lafitte said. “But you need more feeling, more emotion. You need to make the river monster believe that you mean what you say.”
“I do mean it,” Mike Fink said. “I do want to be its friend.”
“Good,” Jean Lafitte said. “Then let’s go and find it.”
They left the tavern and boarded the Gullywhumper. Jean Lafitte guided them to a spot where the river was wide and deep.
“This is where I usually see it,” he said. “It likes to swim around here. But it might be shy at first. You have to be patient and gentle.”
He took out his guitar and started to play the song. Mike Fink joined him, singing with all his heart.
They sang for a long time, until they saw a ripple in the water. Then a splash. Then a huge head emerged from the surface, followed by a long neck, a massive body, and a powerful tail.
It was the river monster.
It looked at them with curiosity and caution. It opened its mouth and let out a roar that shook the boat.
Mike Fink was not afraid. He kept singing, louder and louder.
The river monster listened, then roared again. It sounded like a reply.
Jean Lafitte smiled and nodded.
“It likes you,” he said. “It’s talking to you. Keep singing.”
Mike Fink did as he said. He sang with more confidence and enthusiasm.
The river monster moved closer to the boat. It circled around it, then nudged it gently with its nose.
Mike Fink reached out his hand and touched its head. It felt smooth and warm.
The river monster closed its eyes and purred.
Mike Fink felt a surge of joy and wonder.
He had made a friend.
He had caught the river monster.
Moral tales Mike Fink and the River Monster
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Sometimes, the most fearsome creatures can be the most gentle and friendly. And sometimes, the best way to catch something is not by force or violence, but by kindness and respect.
Warning
Please note that part of the context in this article has been generated by artificial intelligence (AI). While efforts have been made to provide accurate and reliable information, it is essential to be aware that AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate or up to date.
