Nurse Mikko by Parker Fillmore

Name: Nurse Mikko
Author: Parker Fillmore

A wolf named Pekka faces the challenge of raising his three cubs after their mother dies. Seeking a nurse, he encounters various animals, including a grouse and a hare, but finds their lullabies unsatisfactory. Eventually, he meets Mikko, a fox, who charms Pekka with a beautiful lullaby and secures the nursing position. Mikko takes the cubs home, but instead of caring for them, he consumes the horse meat Pekka brings and, over the next few days, devours all three cubs. When Pekka returns to check on his children, Mikko deceives him, claiming the cubs have outgrown the house and must leave. As Mikko escapes, Pekka discovers only the bones of his cubs. In a fit of rage, Pekka chases Mikko, who cleverly evades capture by tricking the wolf into thinking he is gnawing on a root. Mikko's cunning allows him to escape once again, leaving Pekka heartbroken and alone. The story highlights themes of deception, trust, and the consequences of misplaced faith.

By Parker Fillmore · First published 1930 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fable, Fantasy · 944 words

First lines

The Wolf's wife gave birth to three little cubs and then died.

"You poor children! " Pekka said, "your mother is dead and there is no one to take her place. I must get you a nurse."

What this Textopian page supports

Nurse Mikko 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: Children's Literature, Fable, Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
Length: 944 words
Structure: 1 section, 40 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this short story by Parker Fillmore fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The story features animal characters and moral lessons suitable for a young audience.
Fable — The narrative conveys a moral lesson through anthropomorphized animals, typical of fables.
Fantasy — The presence of talking animals and magical elements places the story in a fantasy context.
Adventure — The plot involves a quest for a nurse and the ensuing events create an adventurous atmosphere.