Rip Van Winkle

Once upon a time, high in the mountains, lived a fellow named Rip

Van Winkle. Rip Van Winkle was not an ambitious guy, and in fact

Some, including his wife, called him lazy. He had just one failing

His uncanny ability to find employment and business anywhere

But on his own farm. His wife kept at him day and night about

His chronic idleness. Rip's only friend at home was his dog, Wolf

One fine autumn day, Rip put his musket on his shoulder

Whistled Wolf to his side, and hunted squirrel for a bit

Then he threw himself on a green knoll and snoozed in peace

"Rip Van Winkle!" said a voice, and he woke with a start. He looked

Round and saw nothing. Wolf bristled up his back and gave a low

Growl. Then Rip saw a strange, short, square-built man lumbering

Toward him. Rip followed the short fellow up into the mountains

The short man poured a glass of liquid from his keg for Rip

Who obliged by taking a small taste. He then fell into a deep

Sleep. On waking, he found himself on the green knoll where he

Had first seen the old man. "Surely," thought Rip, "I have not

Slept here all night." He recalled the occurrences before he

Fell asleep: the strange man with a keg of potent liquid, the

Mountain ravine, and the deep sleep. For now, though, he was

Worried about what his wife would have to say about his absence

He found an old gun lying by him, the barrel coated with rust

Wolf had disappeared. Rip whistled and shouted, but with no

Success. As he rose to walk, he found himself stiff in the joints

He again called and whistled for his dog. He was answered

Only by the cawing of a flock of idle crows. He shook his head

Shouldered the rusty musket, and turned his steps homeward

As he approached the village, he met a number of people, but he

Didn't recognize any of them. This somewhat surprised him

They all stared at him in surprise. Rip stared back and pulled

At his beard. His beard had grown over a foot long! He hardly

Recognized his village. It was larger and more crowded. Strange

Names, strange faces, everything was strange. What was going on?

He found the way to his house. He found the house gone to ruin

A half-starved dog that looked like Wolf was sulking about, but it

Only snarled at him. Eventually, a group of villagers gathered around

This odd-looking man. Rip thought for a moment and then inquired of

Them, "Does nobody here know Rip Van Winkle?" "Oh yes, that's Rip Van

Winkle up there, leaning against the tree." Rip looked up and saw an

Exact image of himself as he looked the day he went up the mountain

The poor fellow was now completely mystified. "Who are you? What's

Your name?" asked the gathered crowd. "I'm not sure," said the old

Fellow. At this critical moment, a familiar-looking woman with a baby

In her arms came to peek at Rip. "What is your name, my good woman?"

He asked. "Judith Gardiner." "And what was your father's name?" "Rip

Van Winkle was his name, but it's been twenty years since he went

Away from home with his gun and never has been heard of since

" "Where's your mother?" "Oh, she too died." Finally Rip said

"I am your father. Does nobody know poor Rip Van Winkle?"

All stood amazed, until an old woman exclaimed, "Sure enough

It is Rip Van Winkle! It is him! Welcome home again, old neighbor

" Rip's story was soon told. His daughter took him home to

Live with her. For many years, Rip Van Winkle could be found

Recounting the story of his strange travels into the mountains