The Real Thief

by William Steig

Gawain the goose is really devoted to King Basil the bear and so he takes his job as Chief Guard of the Royal Treasury seriously. When rubies, then gold ducats, and finally the world-famous Kalikak diamond vanish from the treasure house, there is no way to account for the disappearances. Only Gawain and the King have keys!
Woe and misery must be borne--by Gawain, by King Basil and the entire community, as well as by the real thief--before the goose's good name is restored. Brought to trial, Gawain escapes from his faithless friends into lonely self-exile. Now the thief, burdened by guilt, sees that the right thing must be done and determines, heroically, to do it. (Setting all this straight is no small job for one mouse, even such a mouse as Derek.)
William Steig's many admirers will find in The Real Thief a book worthy of standing beside Dominic and Amos and Boris .

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books, Fantasy, Animals, Middle Grade, Chapter Books

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

William Steig was born in New York City in 1907. In a family where every member was involved in the arts, it was not surprising that Steig became an artist.

He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, embarking on a new and very different career.

Steig's books reflect his conviction that children want the security of a devoted family and friends. When Sylvester, Farmer Palmer, Abel, Pearl, Gorky, Solomon, and Irene eventually get home, their families are all waiting, and beginning with Amos & Boris, friendship is celebrated in story after story.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/willia...

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossposted at The Fish Place.

This is a story about Gawain the goose who is accused of stealing from the kingdom’s treasury. You would think the bear king would eat him as punishment, but he doesn’t. It is a rather simple tale, but truly charming. Lovely illustrations, and I like the decorating.

[nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

"One by one, Gawain's friends took him aside to ask his forgiveness, and he freely forgave them. He was able to love them again, but he loved them now in a wiser way, knowing their weakness." pg 57

[Anna Mussmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steig’s illustrations of Gawain, a noble-hearted and upright duck who guards the king’s treasury until the dreadful day when he is falsely accused of theft, are so much fun. So is the character.

My take on Steig’s books is that they are a little uneven--some, like Dr. DeSoto are fantastic, but others are weaker. This one is pretty good. It’s a short novel and probably most likely to be handed to late elementary-age readers, but the vocab and humor age-up well.

The first section is the most engaging. After that, the author shifts gears to explain what had been happening behind the scenes and unfortunately we lose the feeling of immediacy. I’m also not sure what I think of the idea that it was so very wrong for the king and townsfolk to believe in Gawain’s guilt when it seemed the only logical position. They turn out to be incorrect, but the idea that they ought to be “punished” seems a bit of a stretch. On the other hand, children tend to believe strongly in loyalty, and the conclusion might resonate with them. The requirements (and limits) of loyalty to one’s friends and neighbors would be an interesting question to discuss with young readers.

3.5 stars.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a kids book with cute animal characters, and yet, the story is genuinely wrenching. It's amazing how simply and subtly Steig gets across things like pride, guilt, resentment, loneliness. Of course it was funny too. Even learned a few words. Recommended for anyone.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read an LFL find that is part of a children's textbook package, so I may have missed out on some illustrations.

I did enjoy the ones included. And I very much appreciate the thoughtfulness of the lessons of the fable. It would be ideal if a child could read this with others and have a conversation about punishment, and forgiveness, and compensation... but Steig masterfully presents the questions in such a way that companion readers are not necessary. That is to say, a child would be perfectly capable of thinking things over him or herself.

And, as usual, Steig also challenges children to learn glorious new vocabulary words... I loved his works when I was a child for that reason.

Highly recommended, esp. to families w/ children 6 to 10, and to reading circles.

[Ramona Cantaragiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mark of a good children's book for me is the ability to allow the reader to exercise their own imagination by wondering what they would have done, what could have happened, what happened to the characters after the story ended etc. In Steig's book the reader is invited to use their moral imagination by adopting the perspective of the one who is in the wrong, the real thief, i.e. the mouse who found some precious stones and thought they would look pretty on his walls. From his perspective, the reader can see that basically the motivation was not malicious, that the mouse eventually returned everything that was stolen and that Gawain's reputation was restored while the mouse felt really bad and went out to look after him. By this point I guess the readers have made up their minds on whether the mouse is the villain or a redeemable character and on whether he should confess or not. If you are into consequences when judging the morality of actions then you probably think there is no point to the confession since it would not make anyone feel better. If you are into virtues and motivations then you probably feel that the mouse should confess because that is the honest and responsible thing to do. You could also fall somewhere outside this dichotomy and maybe think that morality is imposed by those in power and that not confessing is a means to challenge the position of the king and the legitimacy of the entire judicial process which evidently did not manage to punish the right theif. Or you could just read the story and enjoy the nice illustrations.

[Zahra Rashidian · Rating 3 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمه فارسی : دزد واقعی
من از کتاب برای کلاسم در مورد دوستی استفاده کردم، و واکنش خوبی بهش نشون دادن. و برای خودم قسمتی که در مورد تجربه‌ی دزدی حرف می‌زنه خیلی جذاب بود.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a complex little book. It's as much a kid's story as a book for adults to reflect on. How difficult it is to box it into one category for a rating or review. I've noticed comments being frustrating that nuances may go over children's heads. Perhaps that's the point. You absorb what you need/ can from a story but can continue to discover aspects of it throughout life. As a kid's book I give it 2.5 stars. As a fiction short story I give it 5.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is well done and was a great read aloud for my five year old. The only problem is that the real thief never exposes himself to the king. He tells the convicted thief that he is the real thief but then they decide together to not disclose who he is and what he has done. To me part of coming clean is to confess to the person you have wronged and gain forgiveness even if it means you are served by justice. It was a glaring flaw, and one I don't accept as ethical.

[Nevada Libert · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book has lots of honesty in it, i love how the thief was sorry for what he had done, and how sorry he was when sarrow was brought to there city to there city.

[D'ale lui Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

#cărțipentrucopii
#recomandare
#Arthur
#WilliamSteig
#AdevăratulHoț

"cititul se învață, nu e talent înnăscut!"

O carte clasică despre încredere, adevăr, visuri, prieteni, compromis, vinovăție, conștiința, o carte pe marginea căreia am discutat foarte multe cu Damian despre:

-slujba lui Gawain actuala și visul lui
-despre furt ( astăzi furi un ou, mâine furi un bou; nu contează ce furi-tot furt se cheamă)
-nedreptate, acuzațiile care i-au fost aduse lui Gawain și faptul că tot Basil a fost judecător
-nu au verificat bine trezoreria
-despre stima de sine a șoarecelui...dacă a procedat bine?!
-recunoașterea vinovăției și eliberarea conștiinței...cat de apăsătoare, demoralizatoare sunt aceste situații-am făcut o paralela
-despre prietenii lui Gawain, dacă a fost corect cum l-au privit după proces (am analizat din ambele puncte de vedere)
-am discutat despre înțelegerea dintre Gawain și Derek (a fost de acord cu ea, au suferit toți, dar i-am spus că în viața reală nu se întâmplă așa..
-despre a face în viața ceea ce îți place
-am discutat și de compromisuri



🪿 O să aflăm povestea gâscanului Gawain care, din cauza iubirii și a respectului față de rege, a ajuns paznic la Trezoreria Regală. Cu toate că visa la vechiul lui stil de viață, adică să schițeze planuri pentru clădiri colosal de originale, să-și îngrijească răsadurile din propria gradină și să înoate în iazul lui, nu îndrăznea să renunțe la slujba aceasta.

🐻 Regele urs Basil avea o așa de mare încredere în el, încât îi oferise și cheia de această trezorerie. Nici când au început să dispară rubine, regele nu l-a crezut vinovat, mai ales că doar ei doi dețineau câte o cheie. Totuși, văzând că au dispărut și ducați de aur, rubine, obiecte de argint, precum și inestimabilul diamant Kalikak, regele convoacă membrii ai Cabinetului Regal pentru a le cere părerea.

🐱 Prim-ministrului, anume motanul Adrian, face supoziții de necontestat:" din trezorerie au dispărut bogații. Nu există intrare sau scăpare decât folosind ușa; lacătul nu a fost spart și numai dumneavoastră și feblețea de gâscă aveți cheile. Cum e limpede că nu aveați nici un motiv sa vă predați singur propria trezorerie, Gawain este făptașul...Quod erat demonstradum ".

🪿Gawain a fost arestat, proprietatea lui cercetată pentru găsirea lucrurilor furate, a fost judecat, judecător fiind însuși regele și din păcate a fost condamant la închisoare până restituie obiectele furate. Neputând îndura să fie închis pe nedrept, zboară și se ascunde aproape de Lacul Superb.

"Sunt o gâscă cinstită. Cum puteți crede altceva e peste puterile mele de înțelegere. ..acum vă urăsc pe absolut toți, din toată inima mea,pentru că vedeți în mine ceva necurat ce nu există. Rușine sa va fie tuturor!

🐭 Adevăratul hoț se aflase în sală, dar nu găsise puterea de a recunoaște că el -soarecele Derek- este hoțul.

Găsise într-o zi un tunel de cârtița a cărui ieșire era chiar lângă ușa trezoreriei, ușă ce avea o mică deschizatură ce-i permisese să intre și să iasă cu mai multe obiecte. La început a furat un rubin, dar "orbit" de strălucirea lor...a furat din ce în ce mai multe. Îl cunoaștea pe Gawain și își dorea să-și recunoască fapta, dar fiindu-i frică de ce o să i se întâmple, că o să fie spânzurat, o să fie închis, alungat, nu a putut să recunoască. Văzând supărarea, tristețea lui Gawain, a prietenilor acestuia, precum și a regelui, este cuprins de tristețe, vinovăție, nu mai poate să doarmă, nu mai mănâncă...așa că face tot posibilul să îndrepte greșeala comisă.

Credeți că s-a dus sa-și recunoască vina?

Ei bine nu....a continuat să fure , și astfel tot regatul și-a dat seama că nu Gawain este adevăratul hot, iar dacă până acum soldații îl căutau pentru Gawain pentru a-l duce la închisoare, ei bine acum îl căutau să-i confirme nevinovăția. Tot nu s-a simțit cu inima împăcată, așa ca a restituit tot ce a sustras, iar pentru a îndrepta lucrurile a plecat în căutarea lui Gawain.

I-a spus tot adevărul lui Gawain, s-a simțit eliberat de această grea povară ce a ținut-o atâta timp, a vrut să meargă la rege și să-i spună și lui adevărul, înțelegând toată durerea provocată. Cel care l-a făcut să-si schimbe planurile a fost Gawain, care considerase că toată lumea a suferit destul în această situație și să nu mai sufere nimeni.

-"Cred că ti-ai primit pedeapsa pentru ce ai făcut, a spus Gawain. Ai suferit mai mult ca oricine.
-"Ba nu, tu ai suferit mai mult decât oricine, a zis Derek. Ai fost acuzat pe nedrept de o faptă pe care nu ai comis-o.
-Da, dar tu ai avut pe conștiința ca ai pricinuit atâta suferința în jur.
-Atunci ce sa mai vorbim despre Rege! Imagineaza-ti ce-o fi fost în sufletul lui după ce si-a dat seama ca te-a condamnat pe nedrept.

Gawain este primit cu bratele deschise de rege, au plâns, au discutat, s-au iertat reciproc. Gawain și-a urmat visul de a fi arhitect, Derek ajutorul lui, dar nu înainte ca șoarecele să zidească în secret gaura buclucașă .


https://youtu.be/mmPCsgQyauI

[Răzvan Ursuleanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunt foarte atent când aleg cărțile pe care i le citesc băiatului meu, literatura pentru copii este plină de personaje de toate soiurile, dar de multe ori personalitatea și preocupările acestora nu prea se potrivesc cu ceea ce cred că ar trebui să afle un copil. Caut așadar povești cu eroi și cu fapte bune, le citesc înainte și, dacă sunt mulțumit, le recitesc cu voce tare și cu copilul de față.

Știam că William Steig a scris “Shrek!”, dar din nu se știe ce motiv ciudat nu am această carte în bibliotecă, așa că m-am apucat să cercetez “Adevăratul hoț” de același autor, pentru a vedea dacă gâsca Gawain corespunde așteptărilor mele.

Este adevărat, gâsca poartă un nume predestinat pentru fapte mărețe, Gawain fiind unul dintre nobilii cavaleri ai Mesei Rotunde, dar asta nu înseamnă că peste toate gâștele care au nume de personalități o să dea vitejia și gloria doar așa, pe baza numelui.

La rândul ei, desenul de pe copertă m-a făcut să ezit și mai mult, pentru că mi se părea greu de crezut că o gâscă poate purta cu mândrie o halebardă de două ori mai înaltă decât ea, indiferent cât de încrezătoare în forțele proprii ar fi. Și când am aflat că Gawain a fost ales chiar de către regele urs Basil pentru a păzi Trezoreria Regală am fost cât pe ce să pun cartea deoparte și să caut altceva.

Dar din fericire am citit în continuare și am descoperit astfel că gâsca despre care vă vorbesc este un erou adevărat, ale cărui calități nu ar trebui puse la îndoială de către nimeni, nici măcar de către pisica din funcția de prim-ministru care, trebuie să recunoaștem împreună, este un pic cam prea geloasă pe realizările lui Gawain.

Să nu credeți că nu sunt pe deplin conștient de faptul că nu toate activitățile pe care le are gâsca din poveste sunt de recomandat minorilor, ca de exemplu gâgâitul continuu sau ciugulitul râmelor suculente, dar lucrurile care o definesc cu adevărat, cum ar fi cinstea, loialitatea, curajul și noblețea sufletească sunt un model pentru oricine și nu doar pentru copii.

Acestea fiind spuse, vă las în compania lui Gawain și a prietenilor săi și mă grăbesc să-l aduc și pe “Shrek!” în acest extraordinar grup de viteji pe care William Steig l-a dăruit literaturii pentru cei mici.

http://www.bucurestifm.ro/2023/02/23/...

[Liam Craig McTaggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comparing this book to Dominic and Abel's Island...
The characters are perfect, and the logic that drives the story is simple and magical, like a true fairytale. However, in this story there is also a sequence of very human, bizarre behavior, the appeal of more of a slice of life story usually. These are practically THE two modes of storytelling. Steig is a master of everything, and might not even think about is. I feel like these stories all just fell out of him naturally. If he wasn't already down as one of the great artists, I am now thoroughly convinced of his mastery of the craft as a whole. Sometimes I wonder if an artist is just pretending they can write (which to me, may be more annoying than a writer pretending they can draw). Sometimes you can read several books illustrated beautifully, contually wondering whether the story is actually good or just a series of events happening. I was hnsure after reading Abel's Island, but now I am sure.

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was more of a book I liked rather than a book I loved. Gawain the goose is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit and the first part of the book is from his point of view. After he is found guilty and escapes, the book continues from the perspective of Derek the rat. Derek is the real thief and didn't believe that Gawain would be convicted because of his good reputation. When it happens anyways, Derek is left feeling very guilty that Gawain is convicted of a crime that Derek committed.

This is a rather short chapter book with some illustrations. There are a lot of opportunities to discuss this with kids. I loved this site for questions: http://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy...

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going through books on my shelf to find ones to give away. I realize that I hadn't read this story by William Steig and that I should do so before giving it away.

Gawain, Chief Guard of the Royal Treasury, is accused of theft. Despite his reputation as an honest, upstanding citizen and his self-proclaimed innocence, he is found guilty for lack of any other possible suspects. However, as the title suggests, we learn who the real thief is. The thief feels terrible about Gawain's sentence but not enough to proclaim his own guilt. Instead, he comes up with a plan to exonerate Gawain.

Steig’s delightful illustrations of Gawain and the other characters enhance the text. I always enjoy Steig's books!

[Jami J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for our read aloud time for a 7th, 5th, and kindergartener. Since we finished it a week ago I have come back to some of the plot points more than once.

We talked about doing a bad thing when no one knows, the pain of being falsely accused, and how the kindness of one can make all of the difference in a hurt persons life.

The author does a great job of using higher vocabulary but not too much that context clues leave you confused.

My fifth grader was shocked that we find out who the real thief is so early in the story. He’s used to having big reveals at the end of a story. This was a great example of learning more about the antagonist and spending time in their point of view instead of solely seeing the world from the protagonist.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kids book that doesn’t shy away from the heartache of betrayal, shame at one’s bad choices, and having to come to grips with the pain that those bad choices can cause oneself and others. It then wraps up beautifully with reconciliation, compassion for the weaknesses of others, and forgiveness when the truth (mostly) comes out.

The concept is one that even small children can learn from, and older ones can discuss the details of, and it comes with the added bonus of exposure to Steig’s amazing vocabulary choices and descriptive abilities.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming children's book - a paperback of only 63 pages. The main characters - a goose, a bear and a mouse, are an absolute delight, and you can't help but get very fond of all of them. Plus there are lessons to be learnt about friendship, trust, misunderstandings, guilt and forgiveness..... and of course it has a wonderful ending.

The illustrations were just black and white drawings - but like the story they had a lot of character.

I read this as a bedtime book. Perfect for children of all ages, including me at 72.

[Shirley White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this book since I was first introduced to it in my son's primary school, when I occasionally dropped into the class as a volunteer during story time. I had never read it in its entirity so this was a pleasant treat for me, as well as my spouse, for whom I read it aloud. He began quite engaged in arguing Gawain case, and remained convinced of his innocence, despite the evidence presented to King Basil. A good children's book should always be engaging to adults, as they should probe the deep and often unanswerable questions of humanity.

[Shana Shroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I read this together - and he gives “The Real Thief” five stars!

Gawain is a proud, upstanding goose who proudly serves his king. But a terrible misunderstanding jeopardizes Gawain’s integrity and standing in the kingdom. Can Gawain redeem himself?

We loved this story for its rich language, fun drawings and redeeming conclusion. A quick read with kids that can lead to thoughtful discussion on loyalty, forgiveness, consequences and friendship.

[Marilyn Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything by William Steig is amazing. Just the thought of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble brings tears to my eyes. His stories are so poignant and full of a deep understanding of how people think, how they justify their actions in their minds and how chance can bring them to their knees, erasing all superficial subterfuge. I would like to have known him. How did he become so wise?

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore William Steig’s writing and illustrations. I only wish he had written more chapter books. The Real Thief shines a light on imperfection and forgiveness through the tale of a charming goose who is falsely accused of stealing treasure from one of his best friends, the king.

[Elease · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay - not my favorite read-aloud. There are some questionable ideas about justice/love/forgiveness/fairness at the end for me, and I didn't feel like parsing them out with my 6- and 8-year-old kids.

[Ellen F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book for reading aloud to children. William Steig always challenges kids (and sometimes adults!) with his vocabulary, but when I read The Real Thief to a fourth grade class, they were rapt. The moral of the story is presented so gently and beautifully.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed coming across and reading this unfamiliar, short chapter book by one of my favorite authors. Very Steig - he always pleases. DRA 50, by appropriate for a much younger audience.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud Max and Henry. Wonderful words.

[David Haggett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended also for the illustration by Steig

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daaaaaang. That was... surprisingly intense. I'm not sure I'd hand it to a kid, honestly, but it's strong as a parable for adults.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“...and he freely forgave them. He was able to love them again, but he loved them now in a wiser way, knowing their weakness.”

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gawain is a cool duck with a most excellent name. An old friend.