Today I have an American folktale (or story) for you about a man with a funny name, Rip Van Winkle. The story of Rip Van Winkle is a famous short story from when America was just a new country. It was written by the American author Washington Irving and was first published in 1819, but it is a story that is still told quite frequently today.

The story of Rip Van Winkle starts in the years before and after the American Revolutionary War (the war took place from 1775–1783). The setting of this story is a small town, or village, in the state of New York, near the northern mountains. Rip Van Winkle, is a kind, pleasant man of Dutch ancestry. (His name ‘Van Winkle’ is Dutch.) Rip Van Winkle is known around his town for enjoying free time, for spending time in the wilderness, and not liking to work. Because he doesn’t like to work his home looks old and messy and his wife often complains. Regardless of his poor work ethic, Rip Van Winkle is loved by all the people who know him, especially children, because he often gives them toys and treats.

Rip Van Winkles’ life takes an interesting turn one day when he is off in the woods walking with his dog. In the forest he meets a man who is wearing old-fashion clothing and carrying a large barrel of alcohol up the mountain. The man needs help and Rip offers to help him.  They walk together to an opening in the woods where there is a large group of well-dressed bearded men playing a game called “nine-pins,” which is like bowling. Rip joins them, starts to drink, and soon sits down and falls asleep.

When Rip Van Winkle wakes up he is very surprised by what he finds. First he notices the gun he carried up the mountain with him is rusty and the wood handle is rotting. Then he notices his beard has grown a foot long! Also he can’t find his dog anywhere.  Rip decides to walk home. When he gets back to his town he doesn’t recognize anyone on the streets. When he returns home he finds his wife has died and all his neighbors have moved away or died as well. Soon he meets another man named Rip Van Winkle! It turns out that this man is his son. Apparently, when Rip fell asleep in the mountains, he stayed asleep for at least 20 years! Eventually an old resident of the town recognizes Rip Van Winkle and tells the other people who he is. Rip is then taken in to live with his now grown daughter. He continues to live a life of relaxing, walking in the woods, and no work.

What do you think of this story? Would you like to fall asleep and wake up 20 years later to see how the world has changed?