The Singing Basket

Jami van Haaften is a professional librarian and author of An Index to
Selected Canadian Provincial Government Publications for Librarians,
Teachers and Booksellers.

Earlier versions of this tale have appeared in Germany (“Old
Hildebrand”), England (“Little Dickey Milbrun”) and Russia
(“Husband and Wife”). The French-Canadian version, “The Fountain
of Paris,” was first published in English with the title Jacques the
Woodcutter.

Kit Pearson now retells the story, using illustrations by Ann Blades
that first appeared in an earlier edition of Jacques the Woodcutter. The
tale is about the relationship between Jacques and Finette, a young
couple living long ago in Old Quebec. Finette is visited by the seigneur
while her husband is away working in the woods. Flattered by his
attention and praise, she deceives her husband in order for the visits
to continue. An old peddler helps reveal the truth, and the couple
resolve their misunderstandings.