The Three Bears

The Three Bears by Robert Southey

I found the original Three bears in a Children's Literature collection. There is a later verse version by George Nichol in 1839. The story is very similar to the popular tale today. The key difference is that there is no Goldilocks. Instead, there is a bad, swearing old lady. The end has her jumping out the window to condition unknown. Maybe she broke all or bones or maybe she got away. The bears are also portrayed in a more positive light. They are out to let their porridge cool and keep their house very clean. It is interesting that we have an original story that is so much like what is handed down. (Though there are some variations that even predate this one.)