The Tale of the Farmer's Second Son: A Delightfully Evil Fairytale

By Bob Podrasky

When a widowed farmer calls his two sons to him and tells them of his plans for their inheritance, the true nature of what is in their hearts shows through. In stylized language reminiscent of traditional fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, Bob Podrasky weaves a magical tale of two brothers, a tiny village and a forest, love and jealousy, secrets and magic. While most fairy tales written today are retellings of the classic stories, The Tale of the Farmer's Second Son is a unique, original tale in novelette form. As the author explains, "So many fairy tales are stories of good versus evil. I wanted to write something a little different. This is a story of evil versus evil."

• Language: English
• Publisher: AudioGO
• Release date: Apr 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781620641842

Bob Podrasky

Bob Podrasky grew up in the fairy tale town of East Orange, NJ, and has worked in the publishing industry for over 20 years.  He is a founding member of Asbury Writers Workshop in Asbury Park, NJ. You can follow him on Twitter @bobpodrasky.

Book preview

1

There once were two brothers who lived with their father, a farmer, on a large tract of land in the countryside, the furthest farm from the tiny village square. It bordered right along the edge of the heartless forest where the boys would often walk.

The older boy was charmed by the sunshine, golden haired with eyes as blue as the sea, his soft skin the warm color of sand that colored with hues of pink when he laughed or worked hard. He had a lean body and a beautiful pleasing face. Everyone noticed him and remarked to the farmer, Oh how beautiful your son is, he shines like a warm summer day.

The second son was born in the darkness of night on a cold wintry day. He was touched by the earth itself, rough and heavy of brow, with hair the color of dirt in a rainstorm. He had deep-set dark eyes, with one ear prominently larger. He walked with a heaviness, like his feet would root where they fell. No one called him beautiful but would smile kindly and say, How beautiful your older brother is, you are so lucky to have his brotherly love upon you.

One day in a year just before they reached manhood, when still no hair appeared on their chins, their father sat them down and spoke of the future.

"My two sons, I love you both. Were your mother still among us, she would love you as well. Soon you will reach manhood, and women will want to be your wives, and it will be time for you to both put in your full share of work. But I am only one man, and I have but one farm. And as the custom was in days past, I will leave all I have to my eldest son. You, my fair haired boy, with all the beauty of the sky in your eyes, will have everything that is mine. This will be your farm, and you will live here and grow strong from the hard work of the land. It is as a gift I give everything to you, but it also ties you down to this place and the life of the farm.

You my second son, you will receive nothing of my worldly holdings. When I pass, you will stay here upon the graces of your brother while he will, but you are released from this place to go into the world and make of yourself what you will. I leave you with nothing, but you have your freedom to go where you will and earn your way as you choose.

The brothers were shocked and surprised. They had not thought of growing old or of life without their father. The golden haired brother was happy at his own fortune but feared his brother would leave him. He did not understand his father’s words and why he would ever turn his brother away, for he loved him as deeply as any brother ever did. He turned to his younger brother and saw anger and dismay curled in his rough, heavy brow.

"Brother, our father speaks of you leaving here. But I say I would not have it. I love you with all my heart and could not bear to see you removed. I will have a farm and when we grow, and our father passes, we shall