The Butterfly that Stamped

This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources.
Find sources: "The Butterfly that Stamped" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2024)

"The Butterfly that Stamped" is part of a series of books known as Just So Stories (1902) by Rudyard Kipling.^[1] These are collected short stories. The stories explain how things supposedly came to be.

Plot

"The Butterfly that Stamped" is one of the stories that is about King Solomon, his lovely wife Balkis, the Queen of Sheba (she is the one he is in love with, and she loves him, in most versions the others are there just because he is king and has to have more wives than anyone else), his other nine-hundred ninety nine wives, and two charming, but quarrelsome, butterflies. Solomon (who mainly goes by Suleiman bin Daoud in the story) is a very wise man, but is very annoyed with his surplus wives and all their quarreling. He thinks they are very loud and ungrateful. He refuses to use his magic to do anything about it because he believes it is just showing off, something he swore to refrain from doing after an embarrassing moment when he provided a feast for all life only for it to be devoured by a sea monster named "Small Porgies."

One day, when walking in his forest, Suleiman bin Daoud stumbles upon two butterflies arguing. The male butterfly tells his wife he could stamp his foot and the huge palace garden would disappear in a bid to control her because she is quarreling with him, and as he tells the king "you know how women are." Suleiman bin Daoud finds the claim amusing and calls the butterfly over. After asking the butterfly why he lied, he tells the butterfly that if he has to, he will help him.

Meanwhile, Balkis has a talk with the butterfly's wife, who says she is only pretending to agree with him, because "you know how men are." Balkis tells her she should dare her husband to stamp his foot, as he must be lying, and then she can argue with him again. Really, she is hoping the disappearance of the palace will shock the other wives into obedience.

The female butterfly dares her husband, and the butterfly prevaricates by telling her the king called him over to ask him not to, because he is afraid of the butterfly. The wife insists he stamps, and he goes to the king, who tells him he will make it happen to help control his wife, sympathizing with the butterfly's plight. The butterfly stamps and the palace disappears.

This makes the butterfly's wife scared, and she promises never to argue with him again as long as he brings it back, leaving Solomon in fits of laughter. But when the garden vanishes, Solomon's quarrelling wives are deathly afraid, believing that the king is dead and the heavens are mourning the news. Balkis claims it was the butterfly who was angry at his wife, and they realise that "if the king will do this for the sake of a tiny butterfly, what will he do to us, we who have been making him miserable with our quarreling," and they in turn become scared of Solomon's powers, and are nice and quiet from then on.

Balkis then explains to Solomon what had happened, and how it was all for his benefit, for if he will do all this for the sake of a butterfly, it cannot be wrong to help himself occasionally, and they return to the palace.

References

^ "The Butterfly that Stamped". The Kipling Society. Retrieved 12 November 2024.

External links

Works related to The Butterfly That Stamped at Wikisource

v t e Rudyard Kipling
Novels	The Light That Failed (1891) The Naulahka: A Story of West and East (co-author, Wolcott Balestier, 1892) Captains Courageous (1896) Kim (1901)
Collections	Plain Tales from the Hills (1888) Soldiers Three (1888) The Story of the Gadsbys (1888) In Black and White (1888) The Phantom 'Rickshaw and Other Tales (1888) Under the Deodars (1888) Wee Willie Winkie and Other Child Stories (1888) From Sea to Sea and Other Sketches, Letters of Travel (1889) Barrack-Room Ballads (1892, poetry) Many Inventions (1893) The Jungle Book (1894) "Mowgli's Brothers" "Kaa's Hunting" "Tiger! Tiger!" "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" The Second Jungle Book (1895) "Letting in the Jungle" "Red Dog" All the Mowgli Stories (c. 1895) The Seven Seas (1896, poetry) The Day's Work (1898) Stalky & Co. (1899) Just So Stories (1902) The Five Nations (1903, poetry) Puck of Pook's Hill (1906) Rewards and Fairies (1910) The Fringes of the Fleet (1915, non-fiction) Debits and Credits (1926) Limits and Renewals (1932) Rudyard Kipling's Verse: Definitive Edition (1940) A Choice of Kipling's Verse (by T. S. Eliot, 1941)
Poems	"The Absent-Minded Beggar" "The Ballad of the 'Clampherdown'" "The Ballad of East and West" "The Beginnings" "The Bell Buoy" "The Betrothed" "Big Steamers" "Boots" "Cold Iron" "Dane-geld" "Danny Deever" "A Death-Bed" "The Female of the Species" "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" "Gentleman ranker" "The Gods of the Copybook Headings" "Gunga Din" "Hymn Before Action" "If—" "In the Neolithic Age" "The King's Pilgrimage" "The Last of the Light Brigade" "The Lowestoft Boat" "Mandalay" "The Mary Gloster" "McAndrew's Hymn" "My Boy Jack" "Recessional" "A Song in Storm" "The Sons of Martha" "Submarines" "The Sweepers" "Tommy" "Ubique" "The White Man's Burden"
Short stories	".007" "The Arrest of Lieutenant Golightly" "Baa Baa, Black Sheep" "Bread upon the Waters" "The Broken-Link Handicap" "The Butterfly that Stamped" "Consequences" "The Conversion of Aurelian McGoggin" "Cupid's Arrows" "The Devil and the Deep Sea" "The Drums of the Fore and Aft" "Fairy-Kist" "False Dawn" "A Germ-Destroyer" "His Chance in Life" "His Wedded Wife" "In the House of Suddhoo" "Kidnapped" "Learoyd, Mulvaney and Ortheris" "Lispeth" "The Man Who Would Be King" "A Matter of Fact" "Miss Youghal's Sais" "The Mother Hive" "The Other Man" "The Rescue of Pluffles" "The Ship that Found Herself" "The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo" "The Taking of Lungtungpen" "Three and – an Extra" "The Three Musketeers" "Thrown Away" "Toomai of the Elephants" "Watches of the Night" "Wireless" "Yoked with an Unbeliever"
Related	Bibliography Bateman's (house) Indian Railway Library Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer Iron Ring Law of the jungle Aerial Board of Control My Boy Jack (1997 play) Rudyard Kipling: A Remembrance Tale (2006 documentary) My Boy Jack (2007 film)
Family	Caroline Starr Balestier Kipling (wife) Elsie Bambridge (daughter) John Kipling (son) John Lockwood Kipling (father) MacDonald sisters (mother's family) Stanley Baldwin (cousin) Georgiana Burne-Jones (aunt) Edward Burne-Jones (uncle) Philip Burne-Jones (cousin) Edward Poynter (uncle) Alfred Baldwin (uncle)

This article about a short story (or stories) published in the 1900s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Read other articles:

Feliks Feliksovich Yusupov

Feliks Yusupov dan Irina Aleksandrovna, 1913 Pangeran Feliks Feliksovich Yusupov (bahasa Rusia: Фéликс Фéликсович Юсýпов; 23 Maret 1887 – 27 Juli 1967), Pangeran Yusupov dan Graf Sumarokov-Elston (bahasa Rusia: Юсýпов и Граф Сумакóров-Эльстон) ialah seorang bangsawan Kekaisaran Rusia yang dikenal akan keikutsertaannya dalam pembunuhan Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin. Kehidupan Yusupov adalah putra dari Feliks Feliksovich Sumarokov-E...

Capi di Stato della Francia

Questa voce o sezione sull'argomento politica non cita le fonti necessarie o quelle presenti sono insufficienti. Puoi migliorare questa voce aggiungendo citazioni da fonti attendibili secondo le linee guida sull'uso delle fonti. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Per capi di Stato della Francia, a seconda del periodo storico, si possono intendere re, imperatori, consoli, presidenti: durante la sua storia, infatti, la Francia è passata spesso dalla forma di governo monarc...

Piotr Feliks

Piotr Feliks's Portrait Piotr Feliks (11 June 1883 in Bierówka near Jasło – 3 or 12 August 1941) was a Polish political, social and education activist. He was imprisoned and murdered during the Second World War at Auschwitz concentration camp. References Polish Biographical Dictionary Authority control databases International VIAF National Germany Poland This biographical article about a Polish politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.vte This biographical article ...

Pahi (ship)

Type of traditional Tahitian watercraft For other uses, see Pahi. 1827 depiction of Tahitian pahi double-hulled war canoes Pahi were the traditional double-hulled sailing watercraft of Tahiti.[1] They were large, two masted, and rigged with crab claw sails.[2] References ^ Taonui, Rāwiri (22 September 2012). 'Canoe navigation - Waka – canoes', Te Ara. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2015. ^ Parsonson, G. S.; Golson, Jack, Ed. (1962)....

Teatro Francesco Cilea

Questa voce o sezione sugli argomenti teatri d'Italia e Calabria non cita le fonti necessarie o quelle presenti sono insufficienti. Commento: solo collegamenti esterni ed in nota solo la proloco di Reggio Calabria Puoi migliorare questa voce aggiungendo citazioni da fonti attendibili secondo le linee guida sull'uso delle fonti. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Teatro Francesco CileaUbicazioneStato Italia LocalitàReggio Calabria IndirizzoCorso Garibaldi Dati tecnic...

Kângë Kreshnikësh

Albanian legendary epic poetry The lahutë, one stringed musical instrument played with a bow to accompany traditional epic songs. The Kângë Kreshnikësh (Songs of Heroes) are the traditional songs of the heroic legendary cycle of Albanian epic poetry (Albanian: Cikli i Kreshnikëve or Eposi i Kreshnikëve). They are the product of Albanian culture and folklore orally transmitted down the generations by the Albanian rhapsodes (lahutarë) who perform them singing to the accompaniment of the ...

Réaux (ruisseau)

Pour les articles ayant des titres homophones, voir Réo et Réau. Pour les articles homonymes, voir réal. le ruisseau des Réaux Caractéristiques Longueur 12,9 km Bassin collecteur Loire Régime pluvial Cours Source étang de Vignol · Localisation Gennetines · Altitude 246 m · Coordonnées 46° 37′ 15″ N, 3° 22′ 52″ E Confluence l'Allier · Localisation en limite des communes de Bagneux, Montilly et Villeneuve-sur-Allier · Altitude 197&...

Sky Aviation (Indonesia)

Sky Aviation IATA ICAO Kode panggil SY SYA SKY Didirikan2010Penghubung Bandar Udara Hang Nadim Penghubung sekunder Bandar Udara Internasional Soekarno-Hatta Bandar Udara Internasional Sultan Syarif Kasim II Bandar Udara Internasional Raja Haji Fisabilillah Bandar Udara Depati Amir Bandar Udara Internasional Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Bandar Udara Internasional Juanda Bandar Udara H. A. S. Hanandjoeddin Armada8Tujuan21SloganTo Fly in Every SkyKantor pusatJakarta, IndonesiaSitus webwww.sky-avi...

Vici Properties

Real estate investment trust Vici Properties Inc.Company typePublicTraded asNYSE: VICIS&P 500 componentISINUS9256521090IndustryReal estate investment trustFoundedOctober 6, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-10-06) in Paradise, Nevada, U.S.HeadquartersNew York City, U.S.Key peopleEdward B. Pitoniak (CEO)RevenueUS$3.61 billion[1] (2023)Net incomeUS$2.55 billion[1] (2023)Total assetsUS$44.1 billion[2] (2023)Number of employees28[3]&...

Piyoli Phukan (1955 film)

1955 Indian filmPiyoli PhukanDirected byPhani SarmaWritten byPhani SarmaScreenplay byPhani SarmaProduced byGama Prasad Agarwalla(Rupjyoti Productions)[2]StarringPhani SarmaChandradhar GoswamiGyanada KakotiCinematographySubodh BanerjeeEdited byKamal GanguliMusic byBhupen HazarikaRelease date 2 December 1955 (1955-12-02)[1] Running time75 minutesCountryIndiaLanguageAssamese Piyoli Phukan is a black & white Assamese language film directed by Phani Sarma, relea...

Formula BMW

Former Single-Seater Racing Championship Formula BMWMotor racing formulaCategorySingle seatersCountry or regionInternationalChampionshipsEuropeAmericasPacificFormer:AsiaGermanyUnited KingdomUnited StatesInaugural season1998StatusDefunctFolded2013Current champions Robin Hansson (Talent Cup) Formula BMW was a junior racing formula for single seater cars. It was positioned at the bottom of the motorsport career ladder alongside the longer established Formula Ford category. Like Formula Ford, it ...

Diamant 13

2009 French filmDiamant 13Directed byGilles BéhatWritten byGilles Béat Hugues Pagan Olivier MarchalProduced byCharles Gilibert Marin Karmitz Nathanaël Karmitz Patrick Quinet Claude WaringoStarringGérard Depardieu Olivier Marchal Asia ArgentoCinematographyBernard MalaisyEdited byThierry FaberMusic byFrédéric VerchevalDistributed byMK2 DistributionRelease dates 21 January 2009 (2009-01-21) (France) 21 January 2009 (2009-01-21) (Belgium)[1] Run...

براد ليتل

براد ليتل (بالإنجليزية: Brad Little)‏ معلومات شخصية اسم الولادة (بالإنجليزية: Bradley Jay Little)‏ الميلاد 15 فبراير 1954 (70 سنة) إيميت مواطنة الولايات المتحدة عدد الأولاد 2 مناصب [1] (33 ) تولى المنصب7 يناير 2019 الحياة العملية المدرسة الأم جامعة إيداهو �...

Agricoltura

Disambiguazione – Coltura rimanda qui. Se stai cercando altri significati, vedi Coltura (disambigua). Disambiguazione – Rivoluzione agricola rimanda qui. Se stai cercando la rivoluzione agricola del Neolitico, vedi Rivoluzione neolitica. Questa voce o sezione sull'argomento agricoltura è ritenuta da controllare. Motivo: voce da rivedere e fontare Partecipa alla discussione e/o correggi la voce. Agricoltura egizia L'agricoltura (dal latino agricultura, ager campi...

Follmer, Clogg and Company Umbrella Factory

United States historic placeFollmer, Clogg and Company Umbrella FactoryU.S. National Register of Historic Places Follmer, Clogg and Company Umbrella Factory, April 2010Show map of PennsylvaniaShow map of the United StatesLocation254-260 W. King St., Lancaster, PennsylvaniaCoordinates40°2′46″N 76°18′39″W / 40.04611°N 76.31083°W / 40.04611; -76.31083Area1 acre (0.40 ha)Builtc. 1880-c. 1905NRHP reference No.86001775[1]Added to NRHPAugust...

2012–13 Bryant Bulldogs men's basketball team

American college basketball season This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: 2012–13 Bryant Bulldogs men's basketball team – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) 2012–13 Bryant Bulldogs men's basketballCBI, First RoundConferenceNort...

Pitt Stadium

Defunct outdoor stadium Pitt StadiumView from southwest corner in 1998LocationTerrace StreetPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaCoordinates40°26′38″N 79°57′43″W / 40.444°N 79.962°W / 40.444; -79.962OwnerUniversity of PittsburghOperatorUniversity of PittsburghCapacity56,500 (c. 1949–1999)69,400 (1925–c. 1949)SurfaceAstroTurf (1990–1999)SuperTurf (1984–1989)AstroTurf (1970–1983)Natural grass (1925–1969)ConstructionBroke groundAugust 7, 1924OpenedSeptember 1, ...

Alexis Clairaut

Alexis Claude ClairautAlexis Claude ClairautLahir(1713-05-13)13 Mei 1713[1]ParisMeninggal17 Mei 1765(1765-05-17) (umur 52)ParisKebangsaanPrancisKarier ilmiahBidangMatematika Alexis Claude Clairaut (bahasa Prancis: [klɛʁo]; 13 Mei 1713 – 17 Mei 1765) adalah seorang matematikawan, astronom dan geofisikawan Prancis. Ia adalah seorang Newtonian berpengaruh yang membantu menyatakan validitas prinsip dan kesimpulan yang dijelaskan oleh Sir Isaac Newton dalam Pri...

Ring-tailed lemur

A large lemur from Madagascar Ring-tailed lemur Conservation status Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1] CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2] Scientific classification Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Suborder: Strepsirrhini Family: Lemuridae Genus: LemurLinnaeus, 1758 Species: L. catta Binomial name Lemur cattaLinnaeus, 1758 Native range of Lemur catta[1] Synonyms Genus:[3][4] Prosimia Brisson, 1762[N ...

Don Davies

Canadian politician (born 1963) This biographical article is written like a résumé. Please help improve it by revising it to be neutral and encyclopedic. (February 2020) Don DaviesMPNew Democratic Party critic for FinanceIncumbentAssumed office April 5, 2024Leader Jagmeet Singh Member of Parliamentfor Vancouver KingswayIncumbentAssumed office October 14, 2008Preceded byDavid Emerson Personal detailsBorn (1963-01-16) January 16, 1963 (age 61)Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaPolitical pa...