Clever Manka: the Story of a Girl who Knew what

A wealthy and unscrupulous farmer refuses to pay a humble shepherd a heifer as agreed, prompting the shepherd to seek the burgomaster's help. The burgomaster proposes a riddle: identifying the swiftest, sweetest, and richest things in the world. The farmer, confident in his answers, is outsmarted by the shepherd's daughter, Manka, who provides insightful responses. The burgomaster awards the heifer to the shepherd, intrigued by Manka's cleverness. The burgomaster tests Manka further by asking her to hatch eggs by the next day. Manka cleverly suggests he plant millet instead, showcasing her wit. Impressed, the burgomaster wishes to marry her, but warns her not to interfere in his judgments. Manka agrees, but her cleverness soon leads her to help a farmer wronged by the burgomaster's careless ruling regarding a colt. Manka devises a plan involving a fishing net to illustrate the absurdity of the burgomaster's decision. When the burgomaster realizes the truth, he becomes angry upon discovering Manka's involvement and orders her to return to her father, allowing her to take one item from his house. Manka prepares a farewell dinner, during which the burgomaster, intoxicated, falls asleep. She has him carried back to her father's cottage, humorously reminding him that he is the one thing she liked best. Awakening in the shepherd's home, the burgomaster laughs at Manka's cleverness and returns home with her, acknowledging her intelligence. From then on, he consults her on difficult cases, recognizing her as a valuable partner. The story highlights themes of wit, justice, and the dynamics of power in relationships, showcasing how cleverness can triumph over greed and arrogance.

By Parker Fillmore · First published 1930 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Folklore · 2,280 words

First lines

There was once a rich farmer who was as grasping and unscrupulous as he was rich. He was always driving a hard bargain and always getting the better of his poor neighbors. One of these neighbors was a humble shepherd who in return for service was to receive from the farmer a heifer. When the time of payment came the farmer refused to give the shepherd the heifer and the shepherd was forced to lay the matter before the burgomaster.

The burgomaster, who was a young man and as yet not very experienced, listened to both sides and when he had deliberated he said:

What this Textopian page supports

Clever Manka: the Story of a Girl who Knew what to Say is listed on Textopian as a short story by Parker Fillmore, dated 1930 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Short story
• Author: Parker Fillmore
• Date: 1930 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Folklore, Comedy, Adventure
• Length: 2,280 words
• Structure: 1 section, 68 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Clever Manka: the Story of a Girl who Knew what to Say by Parker Fillmore
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering Clever Manka: the Story of a Girl who Knew what to Say?
• How does this short story by Parker Fillmore fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Fable first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• He Returns To The Fairys House by Carlo Collodi
• The Puppets Recognize Their Brother Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
• The Beginning Of The Armadillos by Rudyard Kipling
• Little Annies Ramble by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• The Story Of Ivan The Fool by Leo Tolstoy
• Jane Jane Dont Complain by Parker Fillmore

Genres

• Fable — The story conveys moral lessons through anthropomorphized characters and a simple narrative structure.
• Children's Literature — The themes of cleverness and problem-solving are suitable for a young audience, making it an engaging read for children.
• Folklore — The narrative style and cultural elements reflect traditional storytelling found in folklore.
• Comedy — The humorous situations and clever resolutions contribute to a comedic tone throughout the story.

Tags

Coming-of-Age · Fiction · Girlhood · Self-Discovery · Morality · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Realism · Psychological Insight · Character Development · Family Dynamics

More by Parker Fillmore

• The Hickory Limb (1907)
• The Laughing Prince: the Story of the Boy who Could Talk Nonsense (1925)
• Beauty and the Horns: the Story of an Enchanted Maiden (1920)
• The Pigeon's Bride: the Story of a Princess who Kissed and Told (1930)
• The Little Lame Fox: the Story of the Youngest Brother who Found the Magic Grape-Vine and Married the Golden Maiden (1920)
• The Enchanted Peafowl: the Story of the Golden Apples, the Wicked Dragon, and the Magic Horse (1930)
• The Dragon's Strength: the Story of the Youngest Prince who Killed the Sparrow (1930)
• The Little Singing Frog: the Story of a Girl Whose Parents were Ashamed of Her (1930)
• All works by Parker Fillmore