The Gingerbread Man

Once upon a time, in a cozy little cottage, lived a kind old Woman and a kind old Man. They loved to bake, and one sunny morning, the old Woman decided to bake something special: a Gingerbread Man. She mixed the flour, sugar, and spice, then carefully rolled out the dough. With a cookie cutter, she shaped a little man, giving him currant eyes, a cherry mouth, and buttons made of candy.

“There,” she said, admiring her creation, “he looks perfect!”

She carefully placed the Gingerbread Man on a baking tray and slid him into the hot oven. Soon, a wonderful, spicy aroma filled the cottage. The old Woman and the old Man waited patiently, their mouths watering.

After a little while, the old Woman opened the oven door to check on her bake. Suddenly, the Gingerbread Man leaped off the tray! He hopped out of the oven, landed lightly on the floor, and began to run towards the open cottage door.

“Stop! Stop!” gasped the old Woman, dropping her rolling pin in shock. “Come back!” bellowed the old Man, nearly tripping over his own feet.

But the Gingerbread Man just laughed. “I’ve run from the old woman and the old man, and I can run from you! Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!” And with those words, he dashed out of the cottage and down the lane.

The Escape from the Old Couple

The old Woman and the old Man ran after him, but they were old and slow. The Gingerbread Man was much too fast.

Outrunning the Cow

He ran past a Cow grazing in a field.

“Moo! Stop, little man!” called the Cow, wanting a tasty bite.

But the Gingerbread Man just ran faster. “I’ve run from a little old woman, and a little old man, and a Cow, and I can run from you, I can! Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!” And he left the Cow far behind.

Evading the Horse

He ran on and soon came to a Horse munching grass.

“Neigh! Stop, little fellow!” whinnied the Horse, wanting a sweet treat.

But the Gingerbread Man just sped up. “I’ve run from a little old woman, and a little old man, and a Cow, and a Horse, and I can run from you, I can! Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!” And he left the Horse far behind.

Dodging the Pig

He continued his race and soon encountered a Pig wallowing in mud.

“Oink! Stop, delicious one!” grunted the Pig, eager for a snack.

But the Gingerbread Man simply chuckled. “I’ve run from a little old woman, and a little old man, and a Cow, and a Horse, and I can run from you, I can! Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!” And he left the Pig far behind.

The Gingerbread Man ran and ran until he came to a wide, flowing river. He stopped, realizing he couldn’t swim. Just then, a clever Fox emerged from the bushes nearby.

“Hello, little Gingerbread Man,” said the Fox, his voice smooth and sly. “It looks like you’re in a bit of a pickle. I can help you cross the river.”

“You will try to eat me!” exclaimed the Gingerbread Man, suspicious.

“Oh no, not at all,” purred the Fox. “I just want to help. Hop onto my tail, and I’ll carry you across.”

The Gingerbread Man, desperate to cross, cautiously hopped onto the Fox’s tail. The Fox began to swim. As they reached the middle of the river, the water grew deeper.

“You’re too heavy on my tail,” said the Fox. “Hop onto my back.”

The Gingerbread Man quickly hopped onto the Fox’s back. A little further, the water became even deeper.

“My back is getting wet,” said the Fox. “Hop onto my nose.” The Gingerbread Man, now trembling slightly, carefully hopped onto the Fox’s nose. He felt a strange vibration as the Fox’s nostrils flared. Then, with a sudden, swift movement, the cunning Fox tossed his head back, snapped his jaws, and… gulp!

The Gingerbread Man was gone.

Moral of the Story: Beware of cunning disguised as kindness. Overconfidence can lead to a swift downfall.

• The Gingerbread Man
• The Little Red Hen
• Stone Soup
• The Mitten
• Why the Sea is Salty
• The Magic Pot
• The Snake and the Farmer (Indian Folk Tale)
• Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock (African Folk Tale)
• Momotaro the Peach Boy (Japanese Folk Tale)
• The Legend of the Blue Bonnet (Native American Folk Tale)