I like this story because the main character isn't exactly strong or brave, but sort of falls into heroic deeds by chance or accident. I think I supported him because he's not completely lazy or mean, but not a hero either. I especially enjoyed the second "deed" he did, because it was completely by accident! The gallows only stayed on the horse's neck because Johnny had so little control over his horse that he couldn't stop him to take them off. I'm imagining him flying toward the enemy, the situation made more dangerous by the gallows, panicking and having no idea how he'll get out of this one. But his speed and the gallows are exactly what saves him, and he never had to come up with a plan or make any brave acts (besides getting on the horse in the first place, which was only to preserve his honor).
Gallows in St. Augustine, Florida.
Imagine a horse riding toward you with this on!
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
The character is sort of silly and seems like a fool who won't amount to much. He just sits around all day because his career as a tailor isn't good enough for him, and he praises himself for swatting flies successfully. I didn't have high hopes for him at the beginning, and they weren't raised when he used his fly swatting abilities as a sign that he should go out to seek his fortune. But he ends up being wildly successful! I think it would be funny to rewrite this story and come up with more accidental hero tales for him or another similar character.
Bibliography: More English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs. Link to the reading online.
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