This is the story of Little Patufet, a boy so tiny that his parents gave him that special name. Worried about his small size, they carefully watched every step he took.
One day, Patufet’s mother was preparing lunch when she realised that she had run out of saffron. Patufet, who was always eager to help, offered to go and buy some. At first, his mother refused because she feared that people would not see him and might accidentally step on him. But Patufet persisted and promised to sing as he walked so that everyone would know he was there.
With a small coin in his hand, Patufet set off for the shop. He sang all the way through the streets to warn people of his presence. When he arrived, the shopkeeper took a little while to notice him, but at last he spotted the tiny boy and sold him the saffron.
When Patufet returned home, his mother was surprised and delighted to see that he had completed the errand. Proud of himself, Patufet asked if he could take lunch to his father. His mother hesitated again because the basket was heavy and snow still covered the paths, but the little boy managed to persuade her.
Patufet picked up the basket and began his journey, singing so that everyone could hear him. As he left the village, the neighbours watched in amazement because the basket seemed to be moving by itself. Halfway there, Patufet stopped to rest beside a vegetable garden and sheltered from the rain beneath a cabbage. Suddenly, an ox ate the cabbage and swallowed Patufet along with it.
His worried parents searched everywhere until they found the abandoned basket. When they called his name, they heard Patufet’s voice coming from inside the ox’s belly. They understood what had happened and fed the animal until it grew so full that it finally expelled the tiny boy. Patufet emerged safe and happy, as though nothing had happened.
And so ends the story of Little Patufet, a tale that teaches us that greatness is not measured by size, but by courage and cleverness.
