"Gimpel the Fool" is a short story written by Polish American writer Isaac Bashevis Singer. It was the work that made Singer a notable author in the English literary canon. Having previously written predominantly in Yiddish, this story was translated into English by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Saul Bellow. After the success of the story, Singer's work was published in both Yiddish and English at the same time.
In the story, a simple bread-maker named Gimpel lives in a small Polish village called Frampol. He is known for his gullibility and quick trust in others. Because of his trusting nature, Gimpel is known throughout his town as a fool. The townspeople delight in trying to deceive him, and his own wife lies to him about her fidelity for their entire marriage.
"Gimpel the Fool" is included in a story collection that shares the same title. Singer was awarded two U.S. National Book Awards: one in fiction for his collection of short stories, A Crown of Feathers, and one in Children's Literature for A Day of Pleasure, a memoir of his childhood.
