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At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Hogwarts Legacy. Spoilers will be present within the article. |
The Wizard and the Hopping Pot was one of the stories in the wizarding fairy tales collection The Tales of Beedle the Bard, written by Beedle the Bard.[1]
There were a few versions of this story, one being Beedle's original which described friendly wizarding and Muggle relations, and the other being a revised tale told after persecution of wizards and witches by Muggles began in Europe during the 1400s.[1]
During this time of hostility, the wizarding community started to destroy the original Muggle-friendly versions of this tale and created a new anti-Muggle story. This later version was primarily the one told to children to this day, especially by anti-Muggle parents. The original, should they ever read it, often came as a great surprise.[2]
Beatrix Bloxam, who rewrote many children's tales to be more wholesome, provided her own version of the tale at a later date.
Plot summary[]
This story was about the legacy of an old wizard who, in his generosity, used his magic to aid the Muggles of his village. Rather than admit he was a wizard, he disguised his magic by pretending to brew wondrous medicines in an old cauldron. On his death, he left all his belongings to his only son, who had none of his father's generosity or sympathy towards non-wizards, and nowhere near his skill at magic. After his father's death, the son found the pot and a single slipper inside it, together with a note from his father that read, "In the fond hope, my son, that you will never need this".[1]
Bitter for having been left nothing but a pot, and for despising Muggles, the son closed the door on every person who asked for his help. The first one seeking for his aid was an old woman whose granddaughter was plagued with warts. Closing the door on the old woman, the son heard a clacking in the kitchen and saw his pot had grown a foot and a bad case of warts.
The next one to look for his aid was an old man, whose donkey was lost and could not go without it to the market to fetch food for his starving family. The son closed the door on him too, and the pot started making sounds like a donkey.[1]
A young woman came sobbing to the door, hoping for a cure for her sick baby. Again, the son ignored her pleas and shut the door on her. A few more similar incidents took place, until the son finally gave up and called all the neighbours to offer them help. As the people's troubles faded away, the pot emptied, until at last out popped the mysterious slipper — one that perfectly fit the foot of the now-quiet pot, and together the two walk off into the sunset.[1]
Alternate plot summary[]
Subsequent versions of this story published after Muggle persecution of wizards and witches began were far more belligerent and punitive against Muggles.[1]
The Hopping Pot protected an innocent wizard from a mob of Muggles. It chased them away from his cottage, caught them, and swallowed them whole. In the end, the wizard gained the promise of the remaining villagers that they would not disturb his efforts to practise magic. In return, the wizard commanded the pot to regurgitate its victims. The pot did so, and the Muggles were burped up whole, though slightly mangled.[1]
Beatrix Bloxam's version[]
Objecting to the story's "unhealthy preoccupation with the most horrid subjects", Beatrix Bloxam's final paragraph of her version read:
- "Then the little golden pot danced with delight – hoppitty hoppitty hop! – on its tiny rosy toes! Wee Willykins had cured all the dollies of their poorly tum-tums, and the little pot was so happy that it filled up with sweeties for Wee Willykins and the dollies!
"But don’t forget to brush your teethy-pegs!" cried the pot.
And Wee Willykins kissed and huggled the hoppitty pot and promised always to help the dollies and never to be an old grumpy-wumpkins again." - — Beatrix Bloxam[src]
This re-authoring of the tale was said to have met the same response from generations of wizarding children: uncontrollable retching, and a demand that the book be pulped immediately.[2]
Behind the scenes[]
- In an interview, J. K. Rowling explained that the "Wizard and the Hopping Pot is kind of moral, really, it's to teach young witches and wizards that they should be using their magic altruistically."[3]
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard (First appearance)
- The Art of Harry Potter Mini Book of Graphic Design
- Hogwarts Legacy (Mentioned only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 The Tales of Beedle the Bard, "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Tales of Beedle the Bard, "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" - Albus Dumbledore's notes
- ↑ The Leaky Cauldron - PotterCast #265 – Interview with J.K. Rowling