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Overview
A man marks an immature waoi plant with a grass knot. The king replaces it with a knotted earthworm and later claims ownership. When challenged, he calls followers from grass, caves, valleys and treetops. They overpower the man during the dispute and attempt to carry him to their master’s cave.
The captive persuades them to use weak grass bindings and brittle aiumaumara poles. Repeated breakages delay them until dawn, when they retreat to the cave and leave him free to escape. He returns with companions, spears and torches; fire and smoke kill the occupants. The ending connects their defeat with human access to waoi. “Fairies” is Ker’s English category here; the tale supplies no European wings or standard miniature anatomy.
Origins & earliest records
Annie Ker, Papuan Fairy Tales (London: Macmillan, 1910), The King of the Fairies, pp. 73–76. Individual narrator unnamed.
Records & interpretation
Complete selected tale read in digitized transcription; bodily and narrative claims limited to that witness.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Papuan Fairy Tales: The King of the Fairies, pp. 73–76
Full selected narrative inspected.
Family & connections
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References
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- Primary collected textKer 1910: The King of the Fairies, pp. 73–76Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.