Blue bandReady now · Open and print today

Molly Whuppie

An English fairy tale from Joseph Jacobs's collection

Joseph Jacobs published English Fairy Tales in 1890, collecting oral tales from across Britain. 'Molly Whuppie' is a Scottish variant of a widespread folk tale in which a clever youngest child outwits a giant or ogre. This text reflects its era; a few period terms (such as 'lassies' and 'carle') have been kept for the story's voice. The tale rewards a close reading: Molly's wit, her willingness to take calculated risks, and the moral complexity of her bargain with the king all invite discussion. It is a story about resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming power, and about the price of survival.

Band

Blue · Independent readers, confidentTypical starting range: ages 12–14

Length

long · about 1096 words in 4 sections · 2 pictures

Source

English Fairy Tales, Joseph Jacobs

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (10 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

Readers are engineered from the original public-domain text with AI under HummingRead’s published canon and Content Philosophy, checked by automated audit and sampled by a person. Pictures are made with AI to HummingRead’s brief for each story. How a reader is made.

Report a concern about this reader · What’s in a HummingRead reader