"Merrymind and his burden."

The themes of sacrifice, perseverance, and finding worth in what is broken shine through in “The Story of Merrymind.” One of thirteen children, Merrymind is discouraged that the fiddle he spent his allowance on cannot be mended with ordinary supplies. In his search for his fortune and strings made by night-spinners, he comes across a wild old man. Merrymind offers to carry his heavy burden of dust and sings for the man despite his rudeness. Pyle depicts this longsuffering as Merrymind walks ahead of the man, back bent and fiddle under one arm. His companion’s frenzied gestures and the dark tree behind him tell the viewer that this is no familiar place.

Katharine Pyle

"The Story of Merrymind" in Granny's Wonderful Chair and its Tales of Fairy Times by Frances Browne

E.P. Dutton & Co.

1916