Looking for a folk tale

[Roger]

When I was a child in the fifties, I knew a story about a little boy who was sent on a series of errands. Each errand involved bringing something home and each time he followed his Mother's directions for the previous errand, which were never appropriate for the current one. Does anyone know where I could find this tale? It seems to apply to a lot of situations.

 

[ll2]

Think it may be Epaminondas?

Possibly Sara Cone Bryant, Epaminondas and his Auntie. The text is online here. There are newer editions, too, including a new Politically Correct picture book called Epossumondas by Janet Stevens.

 

[Roger]

That's it. Thanks a million. It is a good story, isn't it? I see why it has disappeared, however.