Jack and His Comrades facts for kids

Jack and his Comrades is a fun Irish fairy tale about a young man named Jack and his amazing animal friends. Together, they go on an adventure and find success. This story was first collected by a folklorist (someone who studies old stories and traditions) named Patrick Kennedy. He heard it from a person in County Wexford, Ireland, and published it in his book Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts in 1866. Later, Joseph Jacobs also included it in his collection of Celtic fairy tales.

This type of story is known as a "folktale type 130." This means it's a story where "outcast animals find a new home" and help someone. Patrick Kennedy heard this tale from a man named Garrett Forrestal, who lived in a place called Bantry in Wexford.

Jack's Journey Begins

Jack tells his mother he wants to go out and find his fortune. His mother gives him a choice: half a hen and half a cake with her blessing, or a whole hen and cake without it. Jack wisely chooses the halves with her blessing. But his mother is proud and gives him the whole hen and cake, along with her blessing!

As Jack travels, he meets a donkey named Neddy stuck in a bog (a muddy, wet area). Jack helps the donkey get free.

New Friends Join In

Soon after, a dog named Coley runs up to Jack, looking for help. A pot is tied to its tail, and a crowd is chasing it! The donkey lets out a loud bray (a donkey's sound) that scares the crowd away. Jack then unties the pot from the dog's tail.

Jack shares his meal with Coley, while Neddy the donkey happily eats thistles. Then, a very hungry cat named Tom comes along. Jack kindly gives the cat a bone with some meat on it.

Later that evening, the group rescues a cockerel (a young rooster) from a sneaky fox. This cockerel is special and is called Cuileach Dhu, which means "Black Cock."

A Robber's Den

Jack and his new animal friends decide to sleep in the woods for the night. The cockerel crows, thinking it's morning, but Jack realizes it's actually a light from a house. They sneak closer and peek inside. To their surprise, they discover it's a hideout for robbers!

The animals come up with a clever plan. The donkey puts its front hooves on the window-sill. Then, the dog climbs on the donkey, the cat on the dog, and the cockerel on the cat. They all make a lot of noise! Jack then shouts, pretending to be a group of soldiers ready to fire pistols. The animals smash the windowpanes, making a huge racket. This frightens the robbers so much that they quickly lock up the house and ride far away into the woods.

Jack and his animal comrades go inside the house. They enjoy a good meal and then go to sleep.

The Robber Captain's Return

After a while, the captain of the robbers really misses the treasure they left behind. So, he quietly sneaks back to the house in the dark. But he gets a big surprise! The cat scratches him, the dog bites him, and the cockerel pecks him. Finally, when he goes to the stable outside, the donkey gives him a powerful kick!

The captain couldn't see anything in the dark. He goes back to his gang and tells a wild story about what happened. He says that even all the plaster in Enniscorthy wouldn't heal his cuts and wounds. After hearing his scary tale, the other robbers completely lose any desire to go back for their loot.

Justice and Reward

The next day, Jack and his friends decide to return the stolen gold to its rightful owner. They travel to the manor (a large house) of the Lord of Dunlavin. At the door, Jack is stopped by the porter, a doorkeeper. Jack and the animals know from the robbers' talk that this porter helped the thieves.

The cockerel makes a sarcastic remark, openly accusing the porter of letting the thieves into his master's house. The porter's face turns bright red! The Lord of Dunlavin sees this and asks the porter, Barney, to explain. Barney nervously replies, "sure I didn't open the door to the six robbers," which accidentally shows he knew the thieves well.

Jack then announces that he has brought back the stolen gold and silver. He asks for supper and a place to stay after his long journey. The grateful Lord of Dunlavin is so happy that he promises to take care of Jack and his friends for the rest of their lives. He makes Jack his steward (a manager of his estate), brings Jack's mother to live near the castle, and eventually, Jack marries the Lord's daughter.