The Flying Dutchman and Other Folktales from the Netherlands

Copyright © 2008 by Theo Meder

In the early days of creation, when the months were still young, they loved to play cards with each other. February especially was fond of card playing, but he was so unlucky in the game that he always lost.

One day he noticed that he had now lost everything; but he wanted to give it one more try, and he hoped to win back his entire loss in one game.

So he started to play with his brothers January and March. Once more, luck was not on his side; he lost again, but since he didn't own a penny to pay his debts, he had to give up a day to each of his fellow players.

That is why January and March have thirty-one days and February was left with only twenty-eight days for himself.

This legend is known as folktale type SINUR 9E*, Warum der Februar 28 Tage hat (why February only has twenty-eight days), and was collected in the province of North Brabant. 'The translation is based on J. R. W. Sinninghe, Volkssprookjes uit Nederland en Vlaanderen (Den Haag, 1978), p. 125.