The Small-tooth Dog facts for kids

The Small-tooth Dog is an old English fairy tale. It was collected by Sidney Oldall Addy in his book Household Tales and Other Traditional Remains.

This story is a type 425C tale, according to the Aarne–Thompson–Uther Index. This index helps experts classify similar folk tales from around the world. Other famous stories of this type include Beauty and the Beast and The Singing, Springing Lark. The well-known storyteller Ruth Manning-Sanders also included "The Small-tooth Dog" in her book, A Book of Magic Animals.

The Story of the Small-tooth Dog

A Merchant's Trouble

Once, a rich merchant was traveling when he was attacked by robbers. He was in great danger! Suddenly, a brave dog appeared and helped him. The dog chased the robbers away and then led the injured merchant to its home. The dog took care of the merchant until he was well again.

A Strange Request

The grateful merchant offered the dog many wonderful gifts. He even offered a magical goose that laid golden eggs! But the dog refused all these treasures. Instead, the dog said it only wanted the merchant's daughter. The merchant was very sad to hear this, but he had already promised to give the dog whatever it wanted.

The Daughter's New Home

The merchant returned home, feeling very worried. A week later, the dog arrived to claim the daughter. The dog asked her to climb onto its back, and she did. The dog then carried her away to its own home.

Visiting Home Again

After a month, the daughter missed her father very much. She started to cry, wishing she could visit him. The dog agreed to take her home, but only if she promised to stay for no more than three days.

The Naming Test

Before they left, the dog asked her what she would call him when they were at her father's house. She thought for a moment and said, "A great, foul, small-tooth dog." The dog was upset and refused to take her. She begged and promised to call him "Sweet-as-a-Honeycomb" instead.

They set out again. But when they reached a fence, the dog asked her again what she would call him. She forgot her promise and said, "A great, foul, small-tooth dog." The dog immediately turned around and carried her back to its home.

Another Try

A week later, they tried again. This time, she called him "Sweet-as-a-Honeycomb" at the first fence. But at the second fence, she slipped up and called him "A great, foul, small-tooth dog." Once more, the dog carried her back.

The Final Journey

After another week, they started their journey again. This time, she remembered her promise. She called him "Sweet-as-a-Honeycomb" at every fence they passed. When they finally reached her father's home, the dog asked her one last time what she would call him.

She started to say, "A great..." but then she stopped. She remembered how kind the dog had been to her. She changed her mind and said, "Sweeter-than-a-Honeycomb."

The Dog's True Form

As soon as she said these words, something amazing happened! The dog stood up on its back legs. It then shed its dog coat, and right before her eyes, it transformed into a handsome young man! The young man and the merchant's daughter soon fell in love and were married.