The Last of Osmo by Parker Fillmore

Name: The Last of Osmo
Author: Parker Fillmore

A farmer mistreats his horse, threatening to give it to a bear named Osmo. One day, Osmo confronts the farmer, demanding the horse. The farmer, realizing he cannot part with his horse, negotiates to give Osmo his cow instead. The bear agrees but insists the farmer must keep his word. On his way to deliver the cow, the farmer encounters Mikko, a fox he previously saved. Mikko offers to help the farmer keep his cow and suggests a plan to kill Osmo. The farmer agrees to give Mikko the bear's carcass in return for his assistance. Mikko instructs the farmer to gather ten distaffs to create a noise that will scare Osmo. The farmer follows the plan, fastening the distaffs around Mikko. When they confront Osmo, the farmer pretends the noise is from his son, the hunter, causing the bear to panic. Osmo lies down, hoping to avoid detection. The farmer, under Mikko's guidance, tricks Osmo into believing he is just a log. As the farmer prepares to "chop" the log, he instead delivers a fatal blow to the bear. With Osmo defeated, the farmer saves his cow, and Mikko enjoys a feast of bear meat.

By Parker Fillmore · First published 1927 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 1,335 words

First lines

There was a Farmer that used to drive his sledge into the forest to cut wood. Always as he drove he shouted abusively at his Horse.

"Go along, you old plug! " he'd say. "What do you think you're good for, anyway? If you don't move along more lively I'll give you to the Bear for his supper -- that's what I'll do with you!"

What this Textopian page supports

The Last of Osmo is listed on Textopian as a short story by Parker Fillmore, dated 1927 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: 1927 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
Length: 1,335 words
Structure: 1 section, 51 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fable — The story features anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson, characteristic of fables.
Children's Literature — The simple narrative and moral themes make it suitable for a young audience.
Fantasy — The presence of talking animals and magical elements places it within the fantasy genre.
Adventure — The plot involves a quest and conflict between the Farmer, the Bear, and the Fox.