The Silly Jelly-Fish Told in English

by Basil Hall Chamberlain

"The Silly Jelly-Fish" by Basil Hall Chamberlain is a whimsical fairy tale likely written during the early 20th century. This children's story revolves around fantastical elements featuring dragons and a jellyfish, encapsulating themes of adventure and humor. The narrative is centered on the trials of a young dragon queen and highlights the lengths to which her husband, the dragon king, will go to secure a cure for her sickness. In the story, the dragon queen falls ill and insists on eating a live monkey's liver as a remedy, prompting the dragon king to send his jellyfish servant on a quest to fetch a monkey. After successfully finding a monkey, the cunning creature spins a tale to avoid being captured, ultimately leading the jellyfish back to the dragon king empty-handed. The jellyfish faces punishment for his naiveté, which is humorously linked to the jellyfish's characteristic lack of bones. By the end, the dragon queen resolves to recover on her own, illustrating a blend of absurdity and moral lesson inherent in classic fairy tales.