The Baker's Daughter A young girl's mean spirit inspires tragic consequences in this old English folk tale. HARRY BLISS read the old English folktale The Baker's Daughter to his son, Alexander, who has since resolved to be kind, for fear of being turned into an owl. Harry is a cartoonist for Archeology Magazine and a staff artist at The New Yorker. Born in Rochester, NY, Harry now lives in Burlington, VT, with Alexander and their pet turtle, Sara.