Smoky Mountain Jack Tales of Winter and Old Christmas

By Terry Nell Morris and W. Lewis Bolton

ONCED UPON A TIME AGO, in the Smoky Mountains, there lived a feller named Jack.
So begin twenty Jack Tales, based on traditional folk and fairy tales, plus an extra tale, The Legend of Stingy Jack.
Nine seasonal stories are adventures with Giants, a Witch, Trolls, and Death. Bonus Tales feature a heifer hide, a bear, moonshine, golden eggs, a ball of butter, a Kings ring, and a lost ax.
Smoky Mountain Jack Tales of Winter and Old Christmas
These are fun performance tales for reading aloud at home or in public, for oral interpretation, or re-told in your own words. Primarily for older youth and grownups, these varied tales are for readers and storytellers who already know and love Jack and those about to make a new friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514417508

Terry Nell Morris

W. Lewis Bolton Author Hello, book-flap reader. My name is Lew, and I perform, tell, and write Smoky Mountain Jack Tales. That’s me sitting on the storytelling stump at the Jack Tales outdoor theater, where I have had the fun of performing Jack’s adventures with families of all ages since 1987. I’m happy to share Jack’s traditional tales and new stories with you. Terry Nell Morris Illustrator Multi-talented Artist, Designer, Musician. Author / Illustrator of Goodnight, Dear Monster and Lucky Puppy, Lucky Boy with Random House Books. BFA from the University of Tennessee in Art and Theater with an Apprenticeship at Parson’s School of Design in New York City. Her ancestral heritage is rooted in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by W. Lewis Bolton.

Illustrations Copyright © 2015 by Terry Nell Morris. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015917152

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5144-1751-5

                Softcover       978-1-5144-1752-2

                eBook             978-1-5144-1750-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 09/01/2016

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

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Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Preface

Introduction

Short Guide to Reading and Participation

TALES OF WINTER AND OLD CHRISTMAS

1.   Jack and the Bean Tree Christmas

Little Jack climbs a magic bean tree searching for something goodier than gold.

2.   Jack and the Angel Dream

Peddler Jack is unsettled by a recurring dream.

3.   Jack and the Unbearable Cat

Jack’s family has to pay a yearly Christmas toll.

4.   Jack and the Christmas Walnut

For his momma’s sake, Jack turns life and death topsy-turvy.

5.   Jack and the Christmas Witching

Jack and friends compete with Witchugly to wake the Smoky Mountain Sleeping Beauty.

6.   Jack and the Christmas Miser

Jack takes a dead-end job of work with Death.

7.   Jack and the Northwest Wind

Lazy Jack attempts to stop the cold winter wind.

8.   Jack and the Christmas Stockings

Jack goes to Laurel Hell and back for two magical stockings from the hunchback hag.

9.   Jack and the Christmas Soup

Ole Jack makes stone soup for a hungry family.

BONUS JACK TALES

10.   Jack and the Journey

Jack has to carry his daddy over the mountain.

11.   Jack and the Ball-o-Butter

Jack barters butter trying to earn two pennies.

12.   Jack and the Bear Tale

Jack goes slap-happy hunting a black bear.

13.   Jack and the Golden Eggs

Jack uses twelve eggs to find a lost man.

14.   Jack and the Three Axes

Jack, Will, and Tom are aided by Mercureekee.

15.   Jack and the Sheep Tale

Lazy Jack must keep sheep out of quicksand.

16.   Jack and the Fair Share

Jack is forced to share the King’s reward.

17.   Jack and the Moonshine Tree

Jack has a deep thirst for Sugarlands shine.

18.   Jack and the Heifer Hide Fortune

Trickster Jack uses his Heifer Hide and wits to make his fortune.

19.   Jack and the Rabbit

Jack aims for a rabbit and a family future.

20.   Jack and the Corny Tale

Clever Jack competes to tell the longest tale.

21.   The Legend of Stingy Jack

Irish Jack loses to the Devil and is cursed to become Jack-o-the-Lantern, the living dead.

Resources and Notes

Home of Smoky Mountain Jack Tales

Dedication

In Loving Memory

John Rock Bolton and Della Gant Bolton

(1/10/21 - 7/19/02   -   9/24/25 - 4/20/11)

Remembering

Our fifty-nine family Christmases all together

Christmases of

save the wrapping paper

won’t-be-much-this-year Abundance

Mom’s loving country cooking

homegrown corn-off-the-cob,

snap peas, butter beans, biscuits

homemade Coconut, Red Velvet, Carrot, German Chocolate Cake

They were such down-to-earth, giving, good people

who started with nothing but love

had three children, sixty anniversaries

Our last family photographs, with Johnny and Jonie

taken on the site of the Jack Tales Theater

Parents who burdened me with no expectations

who all my life allowed me to be myself

Who made this book possible

From my heart of hearts

Thank You For All Of It

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Acknowledgements

Smoky Mountain Jack Tales of Winter and Old Christmas has been a long time coming. And I gratefully acknowledge the mainstream of traditional tales and the tributary ones that have fed into the Smoky Mountain Jack Tales. These sources include Old and New World tellers and The Jackster, as well as writers worldwide, who have preserved the tales, and even the man who told me a brief campfire story that I converted to a longer Jack Tale by the time I got home. Thanks, also, to local Ruth Hunter, who first told me about Richard Chase’s The Jack Tales, and to the Friends of the Sevier County Library sale, where I found my first copy of that Appalachian classic.

The tales in this book would not exist if it had not been for my twenty-nine years of experience performing Jack Tales Storytelling Theater in the same campground. Because of that, I do want to acknowledge all the people over the years who have assisted me in getting the show onstage. My tribe includes: Carolyn (thanks for the bean tree and the cabin photo); Ben (a natural for Jack) and Jan; game Judith; talented Jessica and Don; Tara (who grew up with Jack); Sabrina (who grew with Jack) and Clark (who manned Jack’s 25th season); Terry (always a delight) and Sam (shy, neat little guy, now guitar man); Patty and Peggy; Mandy and Dalton; Barbara and Jim (such helpful mates; a Jack Tale written in his memory); Mary, creator of Booger; and other locals and friends, like Ramona (shone onstage and helped offstage), Vesna, Erik, Everette, John, Ed, Travis, Jan, Cynthia, Karl, and Katie.

From the earliest years of storytelling theater, let me mention and pause on master Jamie, who camped with his parents and sister, Megan. Jamie was rather shy and only watched the first Jack Tale; the following show, he got brave and was the Rooster. I will always remember when his family left to return home; they drove by the camper I was sleeping in, next to the theater; the vehicle stopped. I heard Cock-a-doodle-do! The next summer and every summer for years, Jamie was Jack. He emerged from his shyness, took part in school plays and debates, and eventually went into some form of communication, as I recall. Beginning with Jamie, I felt really good about the work, felt that I was doing something right.

I remember and thank so many fine families over the years: the entire talented Hannah family that I love and miss; the ever-helpful, smiling Scanlons; Heath and children (Jimmy and bro, the campiest stepsisters to Ashpet); home-story-reading Paul and the triplets; Donna and son (another shy one who came bursting onstage as the wild boar and surprised everyone); the David Moores, Mitzi and Chad when they were kids then and little David now; Maria and families; the granny who made the first bee wings and was proud to have three generations in one Jack Tale; and the sisters who were the best Cat and Rat Witches, whose Mom painted pictures on rocks for me. Then there was my little buddy Zak and his dad, Steve, who years later surprised his girlfriend and proposed at the end of a Jack Tale; she accepted.

Families who played this, the 29th season, include: the Dunns, whose son Tyler has been Jack many times they’ve come; the Mahieu’s mom had been in the tales twenty years ago, and now her two sons had fun this August; and the Lawalls, all who have played—Mom, Dad, Allie, and especially helpful, smiling Andrew. Mom, Gerri, shared photos for the book; Drew is Jack in several photos; thank you for sharing your talents. A special tip of the hat goes to the Hennessy sisters, who came back in 2015 to this the campground where fifteen years earlier they had enjoyed such good memories with Jack; and they were still not too old to play.

There were many other players over the years: Abby and sister, Luke, Beth, Ben S., Blue, the boy and his sister who gave me a ring, Robin and Travis (the best fat-suit Princess); Rachel, who came back with her children in 2011; Kevin (Mr. Cool Pix, who shared Smokies photos for this book) and crew; Maizie, Mitch, Kaelin, Dennis, Jennifer and Jeff, plucky Christine; Bryson (from tyke to teen) and Anna (brings fun with her); Jamie (the only one in her folklore class who knew what Jack Tales are because of camping here); friendly and helpful Nick; Ned, Katelyn, newbies Leo and Will; local Mallory; the blonde boy from Florida, who was in Jack’s Market and heard that the owner Jack had died, who cried, thinking it was me. So many others.

Thanks for memorable moments. Even I was surprised when Little Jack refused to trade his cow for a bean, because he said, Beans give me gas. (I’ve used his line ever since.) I always laugh when I view the reaction of Jack and the prima princess when I pulled them together for hugs; John and Sierra repelled like magnets as she protested, Oh, my god! And who could ever forget the girl who stole the show as the funniest jackass ever in July, 2011? I won’t.

Also, I acknowledge family members who have taken part—Uncles J. B. (cock-of-the-yard) and Jim Bolton (played in the Dollywood show); the John, Joseph, and David (Della, Draggon, Monamaria, Dawson) Napiers. Also, pretty niece Jonie; Dad, John, who was ever helpful and even grew a garden next to the theater; and Mom, Della, the first Jack’s maw in the new cabin, fall 1988.

My all-time appreciation goes to these: Ron and Carol, campground managers in 1987, who allowed me to plant the Jack Tales seed and who built the cabin for Jack, who even videotaped the shows. Thanks, also, to the three owners and at least seven subsequent managers, who all wanted Jack to keep on keeping on; manager-for-seven-years Donna even surprised me with a party at the close of the 25th anniversary. And I particularly thank Wayne Klekamp, the Adventure Bound Camping Resort owner and the most supportive of Jack of all.

Grateful appreciation goes foremost to Terry Nell Morris, as a powerhouse performer and fine artist in her own right—the one who, beyond expectation, gave so generously of time and talent to the book, which would not be as it is, except for her contributions. Thanks, moreover, to Everette, Carolou, and Clint, who helped me read many of the texts aloud; and to Faye Burke, who gave comments, cheered me along, and shared her audio recordings of locals. I thank all the people who have donated costumes and masks over the years and especially Ronnie, who gave three superior masks and the oddly-amusing chicken and ostrich costumes.

And a special note of thanks to local talent Bill Mize for the music that has been Jack’s soundtrack for many tuneful years. Billmize.com.

Not forgetting how it all began, I am specifically grateful to Charles Headrick and Janice Brooks-Headrick, Cuz and Jan, who helped to develop and get the performance tales up and running during the first four years. As fellow tellers, mentors, and friends, they have been indispensable influences. Our most classic effort, undoubtedly, is Big Jack and Little Jack, with Cuz as the slow-burning king, Jan as the feisty wife, and Tony as Big Jack. What fun we have had.

Both acknowledgement and appreciation go to the North Carolina Hicks/Harmon families, who carried the Jack Tales in their minds and hearts for generations. That heritage includes: Council Harmon (ca. 1806/1807-1896/1897), his grandson Sam Harmon (ca. 1870-1940), a Tennessee teller who lived in Cades Cove and Maryville; Counce’s granddaughter Jane Gentry (1863-1925) and her daughter, Maud Long (1893-1984); and finally, Council’s great-great grandson Ray Hicks (1922-2003), the most celebrated of the recent Hicks/Harmon Jack Tales storytellers. All gone but still with us in the passed-along spirit of Jack.

I acknowledge the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—home to Jack—a gracious host with amazing and inspiring natural wonders at every turn.

I am grateful to my Smokies inspiration, The Jackster. He was not, but I have come to think of him as everyone who has told or written or acted in a Jack Tale—a composite of all Jacks who have gone before and who will follow.

Inclusively, thanks to each of you Jacksters, young and old, for helping with the vision, the dream, and the reality of Smoky Mountain Jack Tales Storytelling Theater.

And, lest we forget—we don’t even know the person’s name—but we are all very grateful to the one who first said: Let me tell you a tale about Jack. Then did just that. Consequently, these great traditional tales have been told and heard, written and read ever since.

(Speaking of reading a tale, you may want to start now with Jack and the Journey, page 151. It’s very short; please read it aloud.)

Preface

Welcome to the imaginary mindscape of Smoky Mountain Jack Tales of Winter and Old Christmas. Ramble through stories about Everyman Jack and his adventures in the mountains and valleys of the Smokies. The air is a little cleaner here. Breathe deeply; you’ll need the lung power for reading aloud. You see, these tales are performance oriented—not the ones you read while sitting in an easy chair or sitting on the throne. They are written for reading aloud.

So said The Jackster, and so say I

These words lead in to each Jack Tale. So said The Jackster means that these tales derive from a Smokies teller known as The Jackster and from others like him. And so say I means that I am passing along these literary versions of those tales.

Who is The Jackster? To answer that, I’ll tell you a story. One time far across the ocean in the early 1700’s, there was a youth named Jack, who was of Irish or English birth (accounts vary). While at the king’s court, he came to be nicknamed The Jackster—a combination of Jack and jester perhaps. The youth was called that because he told nothing but tales about that popular rage of the times, giant-killer Jack.

Not one to stay settled for long, The Jackster took a giant step across the Big Water to America. All the while, he told tales of Jack and found more tales to tell.

At one point in his travels, he passed through the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. He lingered a little longer than usual in the Flats around the Little Pigeon River, the place that came to be named White Oak Flats. There in the Smoky Mountains, he met Lucille. Though fond of her as a May morning, he remained footloose and fonder of the open road.

In his further travels to Kentucky (with Daniel Boone, some say) and to many a nearby state, he sat around many a campfire and shared many a tale. He met fellow adventurers from different countries in this expanding nation; invariably, he exchanged stories and swapped lies with them.

Nonetheless, he always went back to the Smokies, back to a certain young woman. Family hearsay has passed down that Jack said: Lucille, you steal my heart and still my feet. Even so, before too long, he would go back on the road. But the trips became shorter, and the desire to travel became lesser. Reason to be in the Flats was strengthened when he married Lucy and had a son (or was it son and then marriage?); they named him Little Jack.

The family eventually settled in the Greenbrier community. And Little Jack’s daddy gained a local reputation as The Jackster, teller of tales, not just about the giant killer, but also other stories he had gathered from travelers from other countries. His tales were bottom-to-top, inside-to-outside, all about Jack—even if they didn’t come to him that way.

Since those hundreds of years ago, The Jackster’s stories have been handed down privately among his family and friends, mine included, each generation re-telling the tales. Though his exact words have mutated through tellers and times, the stories retain his hardy-and-hearty spirit; remain connected to the Smokies; and continue to spread the word about Jack and his wondrous adventures.

And that is the story I set out to tell you. Believing this, hopefully you will believe that Jack climbed a bean tree, got rough-and-tough with Death, and made soup from stones. As you have the power to believe, then you are the perfect person to be reading this book aloud.

"Onced upon a time ago, in the Smoky Mountains,

there lived a feller named Jack"

This is the way that all Jack Tales in this book begin. Once upon a time is the classic opening of a wonder story; but with these tales, onced is used to suggest a mountain-dialect pronunciation. Following the opening there are stories based on traditional folk and fairy tales, nine of which are Old Christmas and winter re-interpretations. Some are Appalachian favorites, such as Hardy Hardhead, the first Jack Tale I adapted for Christmas, 1990. Some are based on traditional sources dug up from other countries and transplanted to the Smokies. For examples, Jack and the Christmas Walnut, a favorite of mine from Scotland, and Jack and the Christmas Stockings, a food frolic from Norway.

Moreover, this book contains a dozen stories that take place in times other than winter and Christmas. Some of these eleven Bonus Jack Tales are short, some long, some in script form. The twenty-first story is about Stingy Jack, the legend behind the Jack-o-Lantern.

Concluding the book are Resources and Notes to the tales. Put all this together, and what have you got? Smoky Mountain Jack Tales of Winter and Old Christmas. Can you hear that cold Northwest Wind blowing? Wheeeooooo.

(But enough Preface for now. I suggest you next read one of the stories aloud and lively. Try a tale when Jack was youngest and most innocent, Jack and the Ball-o-Butter, page 157. Or hop aboard Jack’s first-class, high-flying adventure, Jack and the Christmas Witching, page 59.)

Jack Tales Road Trip

It was 1977 in Tennessee, when I first hit the road on my long-term journey with Jack. Initially, I told three tales, usually in character, inviting listener participation; next, I added dialog with another person. Ten years later, I first started doing storytelling theater at Clear Creek Resort, later Crazy Horse, now Adventure Bound Camping Resort, between Gatlinburg and Cosby. Campers and locals were invited to help act out these tales. In the fall of 1988, an outdoor theater was built for Jack at the campground, creating a home for the future development of his stories. As of 2015, we have been performing Smoky Mountain Jack Tales Storytelling Theater with casts, rehearsals, costumes, props, and audience participation for twenty-nine seasons. And with this book, some of the tales are finally being published.

How did this book come about? Lifeblood, sweat, and tears. During the many years of acting out Jack Tales, it was in the back of my mind to write down these interpretations. Working only piecemeal at first, I began writing in earnest in late 2011.

Instead of transcriptions of live performances, I opted to publish literary versions of my adaptations—The Jackster’s tales. Accordingly, many of these stories—recycled from word-of-mouth and word-on-paper, with generous dashes of imagination—many are performance pieces reshaped into the written word. This is the first of three projected books of Smoky Mountain Jack Tales, these being of winter and Old Christmas; next, the working title is Smoky Mountain Jack Tales of Marvel and Mystery; finally, Smoky Mountain Jack Tales of Tradition and Trickery is the projected working title.

The written-down tales within are mere intimations of the traditional tales from which they derive. Neither do they capture the dynamics of our live storytelling theater performances. (To see that, watch the tales recorded on videotape and DVD.) But the written stories do have a more consistent style and interrelatedness. They are also told at greater length with more detail than can be included when telling to a group or acting out with a large cast. Consequently, some tales are a little long, especially for the very young and those with Mass Attention Deficit Disorder. Conveniently, the tales are divided into units, which can be used as reference markers, if taking a story break.

These New Traditional Tales are set in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains in the olden days. And some stories take place even further back in the olden, golden days, in the times of Kings and Queens and magical things in the Smokies. You may scoff, but there are vestiges of that mythical time as seen in the crumbling castle stones, tumbling down the mountainsides; some with no imagination call them rockslides.

The stories are localized to the area around Sevier County and especially White Oak Flats—Gatlinburg to you. They include some actual places, as Piney Mountain and Mill Creek (now LeConte Creek); some are made-up locations, as Stoney Mountain and Ole Smoky; and some are playfully re-imagined names, such as Greenbeanbriar (Greenbrier), New Confounded Gap (Newfound Gap), and Scratch’s Bottom (Scratch Britches, in Rainbow Falls trail area, where Wiley Oakley once lived).