First published: 1925

Type of work: Short stories

Type of plot: Folklore

Time of work: From the Winter of the Blue Snow to the Spring That the Rain Came up from China

Locale: North America

Overview of Characters

In the realm of folklore, we encounter Paul Bunyan, a legendary figure known for his immense strength and larger-than-life exploits. His companion is Babe, the Blue Ox, a creature of great size and strength. Joining their adventures are Hels Helsen, a close confidant and formidable worker; Johnny Inkslinger, a surveyor equipped with a sharp mind; and culinary figures like Sourdough Sam and his son, Hot Biscuit Slim, who bring their own flair to the camp with their unique cooking styles. Other characters, such as King Bourbon of Kansas and Shanty Boy, add layers to the tapestry of tales spun around this mythical crew.

A Winter's Tale

The folklore begins in a winter when the sky showered blue snowflakes, unsettling the wildlife in Paul's Canadian habitat. The cacophony of fleeing moose stirred hibernating bears, pushing them northward, where some transformed into polar bears, while others retained shades of gray or remained stunted from fright. In this strange winter landscape, Paul stumbled upon a colossal blue calf, seemingly unwell. Compassionate at heart, he took it under his care, and soon envisioned a future where they would pioneer the art of logging together.

The Rise of a Logging Empire

With Babe maturing into a gigantic ox, Paul established a timber operation that demanded innovation. His intellectual prowess shone as he developed mathematical concepts to manage the camp's paperwork. Hels Helsen, a robust worker and ally, joined him, although their friendship endured a test when Paul's innovative approach to felling trees on the Mountain That Stood On Its Head sparked conflict. Using gunpowder ingenuity, Paul brought the trees crashing down, resolving their dispute with a show of strength that cemented their camaraderie.

Encounters and Innovations

The camp's journey led them to perfectly aligned forests, unknowingly planted by Johnny Inkslinger for surveying missions. Acknowledging his oversight, Paul appointed Johnny as the camp's bookkeeper, recognizing his invaluable skills. Feeding the massive workforce proved challenging, yet Sourdough Sam's culinary creativity, though explosive at times, kept spirits high. Sam’s son, Hot Biscuit Slim, later transformed mealtime into joyous occasions, maintaining the morale of the loggers.

Stories by Firelight

Evenings at the camp were filled with stories spun by Shanty Boy, the camp's master of tales. His narratives, embellished with imagination, kept the loggers entertained until one evening when his tale of Jonah and the whale tested their credulity. Only with Paul's intervention did the men accept that truth can sometimes be as fantastic as fiction, leading to a tacit agreement to abstain from spinning tall tales.

Adventures Beyond

The camp's move to Utah saw Paul undertaking the task of cutting stonewood trees, his monumental efforts creating a flood that birthed the Great Salt Lake. The loggers, overwhelmed by this new challenge, sought refuge in Kansas, a land of hedonistic pleasures, where they encountered King Bourbon and a rebellious duke with lofty ideals. When Paul's arrival turned Kansas on its head, it marked the end of this indulgent era and the beginning of a new adventure.

Healing and Discovery

When Babe fell ill, Johnny Inkslinger's unorthodox treatments, including whale's milk, proved ineffective. Ultimately, the simple charm of whispered encouragement and a taste of whiskey restored Babe’s vitality. This phase highlighted the magical realism of their journey, where solutions were as fantastical as the problems.

A Poetic Interlude

The camp's sojourn in New Iowa turned into a poetic respite, with the loggers...