The Golden Arm by Joseph Jacobs

“The Golden Arm” is a fairy tale written by Joseph Jacobs. It was first published in 1890 in his anthology English Fairy Tales. Often republished on the internet, but less commonly in books, “The Golden Arm” was included in the anthology Ghosts, Ghosts, Ghosts (1977) and later appeared in Truly Scary Stories for Fearless Kids (1998).

About Joseph Jacobs

Joseph Jacobs (29 August 1854 – 30 January 1916) was an Australian folklorist, historian, and literary critic who helped popularise many English fairy tales including Jack the Giant Killer and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In addition to publishing English fariy tale anthologies, he also published collections of Indian and European fairy tales, along with a book of Celtic myths, and versions of many of Aesop’s fables.

During his lifetime, Jacobs was considered one of the leading authorities on folklore, fairy tales, and fables.

 

The Golden Arm

by Joseph Jacobs

(Online Text )

There was once a man who traveled the land all over in search of a wife. He saw young and old, rich and poor, pretty and plain, and could not meet with one to his mind. At last he found a woman, young, fair, and rich, who possessed a right arm of solid gold. He married her at once, and thought no man so fortunate as he was. They lived happily together, but, though he wished people to think otherwise, he was fonder of the golden arm than of all his wife’s gifts besides.

At last she died. The husband put on the blackest black, and pulled the longest face at the funeral; but for all that he got up in the middle of the night, dug up the body, and cut off the golden arm. He hurried home to hide his treasure, and thought no one would know.

The following night he put the golden arm under his pillow, and was just falling asleep, when the ghost of his dead wife glided into the room. Stalking up to the bedside it drew the curtain, and looked at him reproachfully. Pretending not to be afraid, he spoke to the ghost, and said: “What hast thou done with thy cheeks so red?”

“All withered and wasted away,” replied the ghost, in a hollow tone.

“What hast thou done with thy red rosy lips?”

“All withered and wasted away.”

“What hast thou done with thy golden hair?”

“All withered and wasted away.”

“What hast thou done with thy Golden Arm?”

“THOU HAST IT!”

Joseph Jacobs (1854 – 1916)