Animated book about a hunter who is killed by the relatives of his prey?

February 28, 2008 6:57 PM

Does anyone remember a book from the mid-late 80s, maybe earlier, about a hunter who kills an animal with his dogs, and the animals eventually come back to kill the hunter? It had pictures, and the last scene I remember was of the hunter's house/cabin with smoke coming out of it.
posted by mhuckaba to writing & language (6 comments total)

Was it The Magic Finger?
posted by lemuria at 8:16 PM on February 28, 2008

*rush of cold dread* ...was it a 'kids' book? Mmm, actually this one had just the one creature... Something about a 'Tailypo?' (tail.ee.poe)

A hunter with dogs. They catch something but only get its tail. They take it home, eat it... then the creature starts to stalk them every night. Asking for the return of its 'tailypo'. The dogs disappear... Then it comes for him! All you see is eyes (and claws and a shreded patchwork quilt) But... it ate him!

*shivers* I was in primary school at the time.. late 80s - early 90s??
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 4:33 AM on February 29, 2008

This sounds like the (1890's) story that corresponded to Earnest Thompson Seton's painting, Triumph of the Wolves. Can't find a link to the painting or the specific story. Sorry.
posted by andythebean at 6:32 AM on February 29, 2008

I think mu~ha has it. It absolutely sounds like the story of the Tailypo. I remember reading aloud a picture book of it to my kids back in the day. Good fun doing the "Taily-po! Taily-Po! Who's got my Tail-PO!" Had to stop, though; was scaring them too much.

Perhaps this is it: The Tailypo: A Ghost Story / Joanna Galdone . Seabury, 1977.
A mysterious creature haunts the man who took its tail. K-3
posted by mojohand at 12:18 PM on February 29, 2008

Taily-po - stuff of childhood nightmares.
posted by LobsterMitten at 1:51 PM on February 29, 2008

YES

I remember because I was always afraid of it. I was so upset by it when I was like 3 that I told my mother. Thanks!
posted by mhuckaba at 11:53 PM on February 29, 2008