The Tale of the Turnip

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s cozy and funny, with a single memorable image (the giant turnip). The story ends in fairness and warmth, which feels safe before sleep.

Story Synopsis

Two brothers serve as soldiers together, but their lives turn out very differently. One becomes wealthy; the other remains poor. When the poor brother can’t continue soldiering, he returns home and becomes a farmer, working a small patch of land with patience and hope. One season, among his ordinary turnips, one grows into something unbelievable—larger than anything he has ever seen. The farmer doesn’t treat it as a way to boast; instead, he thinks carefully about what to do with such a rare gift. He decides to bring the enormous turnip to the king as an offering. The king is delighted by the surprise and the good humor of it, and he rewards the farmer generously. News of this reward reaches the rich brother, who assumes he can outdo it with a more expensive gift. He offers the king something valuable, expecting an even bigger return. But the king chooses a clever kind of fairness. The story becomes a gentle reminder that generosity and gratitude matter more than showing off—and that not every “gift” is a good bargain when it’s given for the wrong reasons.

Story Excerpt

Long ago, two brothers served as soldiers together. One grew rich over the years, while the other remained poor. When the poor brother could no longer afford his soldier's life, he hung up his coat, took up a spade, and became a farmer. He cleared a small patch of land, dug the soil, and planted turnip seeds. The seeds sprouted, and most grew into ordinary turnips. But one seed produced something extraordinary. This turnip grew larger each day, swelling bigger and bigger until it towered over the garden like a great round hill. Its leaves spread wide as wagon wheels, and its root went deep into the earth. Never had such a turnip been seen before, and likely never would one be seen again. At last it grew so enormous that the farmer hitched two oxen to a cart just to move it. He stood beside this giant vegetable, scratching his head. Should he sell it? Who would buy such a thing, and what would they pay? Should he eat it? That seemed wasteful when ordinary turnips would fill his belly just as well. Then an idea came to him. " I'll take it to the King, " he decided. " A gift this unusual deserves a royal home. " So he loaded the massive turnip onto his cart, called his oxen, and made the long journey to the palace. When he arrived at the gates, the guards stared in amazement. They led him into the throne room, where the King sat surrounded by courtiers. " What remarkable thing is this? " the King asked, rising…

In One Glance