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"The Ouphe of the Wood" is a fairy tale written by Jean Ingelow (1820-1897) and published in the book The Wonder-Box Tales in 1882. The Wonder-Box is a collection of five fairy tales, which include: "The Ouphe of the Wood", "The Fairy who Judged Her Neighbors", "The Prince’s Dream", "The Water-Lily", and "The Lost Wand".

About the Author


Jean Ingelow was born March 17, 1820 in Boston, Lincolnshire. She came from a privileged family characterized by Evangelicalism and banking. Jean was known for hating evil and loving to do good, as seen through her numerous charities aimed at helping the poor. Ingelow died on July 20, 1897 at the age of 77.

Preface
The narrator informs the reader that every forest has one Ouphe that governs it. The Ouphe marks the trees that are supposed to be harvested with a silver axe. Moreover, the Ouphe is said to own vast wealth but never appears above ground. When he does, however, he resembles an old man that always carries green ash-keys.

Summary
This story begins in a little, black-timbered cottage on the outskirts of a wood. Kitty is rocking her baby in front of a fire while she awaits her husband's return. While waiting for his arrival, Kitty is interrupted by a knock on the door. The knock comes from a strange old man who Kitty invites to sit by the fire. Kitty pities the man and kindly offers him to join herself and her husband, a woodsman named Will, for supper. Upon Will’s entrance Kitty kindly introduces her husband to the stranger then leaves to prepare their meal. While waiting for their food the old man confesses that he’ll be sleeping in the forest overnight for he has nowhere to stay. Will then generously offers the stranger his home as shelter for the night. Once they finish supper Kitty and Will prepare a bed in their kitchen for the old man. The host and hostess then wish their guest a goodnight and go into their own room for the night. While in their room, Will explains to Kitty that he observed that the old man has green ash-keys in his cap and that he is in fact the Ouphe of the Wood. Frightened by this discovery Kitty’s husband reassures her that the Ouphe is harmless for he’s always laid his toll and that the Ouphe will repay them in the morning for their kindness. Will then falls asleep while Kitty lays awake, daydreaming of her possible award in the morning.

The following morning, Kitty and Will discover a knapsack filled with gold coins. After consulting each other the two agree to bury the money and spend it accordingly. The two began eating the finest foods and dressing in the finest clothes. Nevertheless, during one dinner Will would consume too much wine and propose to use more of the gold to purchase more wine. Kitty, however, remonstrates resulting in a beating from her intoxicated husband. As time progresses the two become miserable and quarrel more often. Will then uses the remaining gold coins to acquire more material goods in an attempt to retain happiness. Kitty and Will are forced to build a new house, to store their purchases. After awhile Kitty and Will acquire a maid who grows suspicious that Kitty is a witch who uses witchcraft to attain wealth from the ground. The maid then informs the local mayor and aldermen of her suspicions. The mayor and aldermen choose to investigate Kitty and Will’s house to confirm the accusation. Upon their arrival they are met by Will who is intoxicated. He kills the mayor and as a result the aldermen insist that Kitty and Will be executed. Kitty falls to her knees and closes her eyes in despair at the thought of her and Will’s eminent death.

Kitty then opens her eyes only to observe that she was, in fact, dreaming the whole time. The Ouphe describes how his presence can affect the dreams of mortals. The Ouphe then offers Kitty and Will a knapsack filled with coins, as an award for their generosity. Kitty however, declines the offer, as she fears that her dream may become a reality. Instead, Will requests a spinning wheel and a beehive as their reward. The Ouphe complies then leaves, leaving Kitty in shock of what just occurred.