Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump

Babbitty Rabbitty

Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump is a story in The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

History

This tale is often the first time a young witch or wizard learns that magic cannot bring the dead back to life. It is also one of the earliest appearances of Animagus in literacy. Some historians in the wizarding world believe Beedle the Bard based the character of Babbitty Rabbitty on Lisette de Lapin who once escaped execution for witchcraft. Like how Babbitty vanishes into the tree and escapes in her rabbit Animagus form, Lisette vanishes in her prison cell which some suspect was in her Animagus form after a white rabbit was witnessed sailing on top a cauldron shortly after.

In his notes on Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump, Albus Dumbledore suggests that this tale feels more real to readers than the others in Beedle the Bard's book because the magic complies with known magical laws. It is possible that the curse Babbitty threatens the King with is the Cruciatus Curse. The only part of the story that is not possible in reality is Babbitty's ability to talk when Animagus do not have the ability to use human speech once they transform. Dumbledore also proposes that Beedle was inspired by how wandmakers being very protective of wand wood and that thieves cutting them down suffer consequences, and that is why trees are an important part of the tale.

Plot

There is a King who lives in a faraway land who decides that he is the only one who should have the power of magic. After forming a Brigade of Witch-Hunters through the head of his army, he gives them a pack of black hounds. He also starts searching for an Instructor in Magic.

The charlatan

True witches and wizards are hiding from the Brigade so they do not volunteer, but a cunning charlatan with no magic takes the chance to gain riches, and lies to the King by telling him he is a powerful wizard. The charlatan persuades the foolish King he is telling the truth by performing a few simple tricks and is appointed the Grand Sorcerer in Chief. The charlatan requests gold to purchase wands and other magical resources, large rubies to be used while casting charms and at least one silver chalice for potions. He stores everything in his house.

However, the charlatan is being watched by Babbitty Rabbitty who is the washerwoman for the palace. She watches the charlatan snap a twig in half, and he gives one of the twigs to the King and says that it is a very powerful wand. He tells the King that the wand will only work when he is worthy of it, so every day they wave their wands and shout nonsense at the sky. The charlatan performs other simple tricks to keep the King happy and to "prove" the wands are real.

One day, Babbitty watches the pair study magic from her cottage window and laughs at their foolishness. The King is upset and tells the charlatan he is fed up of practice and wants to perform real spells in front of people. Although the charlatan tries to persuade the King that he will be capable soon, the King says he will perform magic in front of the court tomorrow. The charlatan tries to tell the King he has to leave for a faraway land, but is warned to stay in the palace until he has permission to go. If he leaves, he will be hunted by the Brigade of Witch-Hunters. If the King cannot perform magic with his help tomorrow, he will get beheaded.

The charlatan is afraid and approaches the window of Babbitty's cottage to vent. When he looks in the window, he watches Babbitty polish a real wand and realises the King's sheets are washing themselves in the wooden tub. Now that he knows Babbitty is a real witch, he decides that she can help solve his problem with the King. The charlatan shouts at Babbitty that her laughing has cost him, and now she has to help him or he will tell everyone she is a witch. She smiles and agrees she will help by hiding in a bush while the King tries to perform magic and she will make sure to perform the spells for him. Babbitty then asks what she should do if the King tries a spell she cannot perform, but he tells her that her magic is more than equal.

The King and the charlatan

In the morning, the King and charlatan take to the stage while Babbitty hides. The performance starts and she helps the King make a woman's hat disappear and a horse fly. However, the Brigade then bring the dead body of Sabre, one of their hounds, and ask the King to bring him back to life. He tries and tries but the hound does not return to life. Babbitty knows magic cannot revive the dead and she cannot do what he wants.

The King is embarassed and screams at the charlatan for answers. The charlatan points at Babbitty and tells the King that she is a witch blocking his magic with evil spells. Babbitty runs away with the Brigade of Witch-Hunters in pursuit. Their hounds bay for her blood while she vanishes into a hedge. On the other side, they discover the hounds barking at a tree. The charlatan says she has turned herself into the tree and they should cut it down. The old tree is felled while everyone cheers but then they hear loud cackling.

Babbitty's voice is heard in the stump and she tells the King and the Brigade that a witch or wizard can't be killed by just getting cut in half. She invites them to test it out by cutting the charlatan in two. He panics and admits that he is a fraud so he is dragged off to the dungeons. Babbitty then tells the rest that they have unleashed a curse upon their kingdom by cutting a witch in half. The only way the King can lift the curse is if they stop harming witches and wizards, leave them in peace and build a statue of Babbitty upon the stump to remind themselves of their foolishness.

The King agrees and will build a statue out of gold for her, and leaves with his people while the stump keeps cackling. When everyone has left, a stout whiskery old rabbit with a wand in its teeth climbs out of the roots of the tree. Babbitty hops out of the grounds and goes far away.