Dive into the mystical world of Fairies, exploring the diverse and magical fairy beings from ancient lore to modern tales. Discover their unique traits and stories.
Blarney Woollen Mills tells the tale of the classic Irish legend - the Children of Lir. The story is rich in Irish folklore, myths and magic.
This article looks at the main traditions in Irish folk tales, which include warrior myths, romantic tragedies, ghost stories and local fairy stories.
Overview. Joseph Jacobs published his first volume of Celtic Fairy Tales in 1892, followed by More Celtic Fairy Tales in 1895. Both books draw on a wide range of Celtic sources (primarily Irish, Scottish, and Welsh), and they feature many different story genres. This reading unit starts out with the mythological legend of The Fate of the Children of Lir which takes place during the era of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the legendary kings and heroes of Ireland's distant past. There are comical stories here too, like The Dream of Owen O'Mulready or the hilarious Story of the McAndrew Family. You will see what happens when the devil in human form is employed as a ploughman by The Farmer of Liddesdale, and of course there are several stories here about the fairy folk, such as the wonderful Legend of Knockgrafton which is about the fairy music, or Elidore, which is about a boy's journey into the land of the fairy folk. Language. Jacobs tells the fairy tales in modern literary prose, so it is not difficult reading. Story Length. This units contains stories of varying length: some are single-page stories, some are two pages long, and some are three pages long. Navigation. You will find the table of contents below, and you can also use this link to see the story posts displayed on two pages total: More Celtic Fairy Tales. Click "Older Posts" at the bottom of that page to see the second page. READING A: The Fate of the Children of Lir The Fate of the Children of Lir (cont.) The Fate of the Children of Lir (end) The Vision of MacConglinney The Vision of MacConglinney (cont.) Dream of Owen O'Mulready The Story of the McAndrew Family The Story of the McAndrew Family (cont.) READING B: The Farmer of Liddesdale The Legend of Knockgrafton The Legend of Knockgrafton (cont.) Elidore How Cormac Mac Art went to Faery The Ridere of Riddles The Ridere of Riddles (cont.)
Papa Gee offers tarot readings by phone and has over 30 years experience in the magical arts - witchcraft, conjure, hoodoo, and folk magic.
Overview. This selection of stories from the Italian Popular Tales by Thomas Crane provides a great introduction to the fabulously rich tradition of Italian folktales and fairy tales. You will find here the distinctively Italian versions of famous European fairy tales, such as Zelinda and the Monster, which is like Beauty and the Beast; The Fair Angiola, which is like Rapunzel; and The Three Goslings, which is a story like The Three Little Pigs, but with little geese whose adventures are much more satisfying (I think) than the traditional pigs-and-wolf story, and not just because the story features macaroni. In addition, you will find some marvelous stories that will be new to you, such as the weird and enchanting fairy tale of "Catherine and her Fate" or the story of the child Crivoliu, who started out his life as an accursed child but who ended up as the Pope of Rome. There's also a story about a rooster who wanted to become the Pope, but, alas, things do not turn out so well for the rooster as they do for Crivoliu! Language. Crane tells the fairy tales in modern literary prose, so it is not difficult reading. Story Length. These are almost all single-page stories with just a couple of stories that are two pages long. Navigation. You will find the table of contents below, and you can also use this link to see the story posts displayed on a single page: Italian Popular Tales. READING A: Zelinda and the Monster The Fair Angiola The Fair Angiola (cont.) How the Devil Married Three Sisters Sir Fiorante, Magician Water and Salt Catherine and Her Fate Catherine and Her Fate (cont.) The Man, the Serpent, and the Fox The Ingrates READING B: The Language of Animals An Incident in Rome The Story of Crivoliu The Sexton's Nose The Cat and the Mouse A Feast Day Buchettino The Three Goslings The Cock That Wished to Become Pope
Our image today of Brownies is to see a group of girls in brown uniforms doing good deeds, but in folklore a Brownie has a much different ...
Overview. The readings for this unit come from a book by W. Jenkyn Thomas published in 1908: The Welsh Fairy Book. Thomas was a schoolmaster in South Wales and wanted to share with his students the storytelling traditions that were native to the country of Wales, one of the most important centers of Celtic storytelling in the British Isles. You will find stories here about King Arthur and about Merlin, along with other historical and legendary rulers of Wales such as King March and Prince Llewelyn. There are stories of haunted lakes and buried treasure, supernatural monsters and magical spells, as well as many tales about the "fair family," the Tyleth Teg as the fairy folk are called in Welsh. And if you are wondering about how to pronounce all those Welsh names, Thomas provides a helpful pronunciation guide. Yes, those are the same Roman letters used in writing English, but they are used rather differently in Welsh writing! Language. Thomas tells the fairy tales in modern literary prose, so it is not difficult reading. Story Length. The stories in this unit are all single-page stories. Choosing Between Units. This book of Welsh stories contains literary fairy tales, while the Welsh unit by Emerson contains stories that are closer to the oral storytelling tradition, more like folktales. Navigation. You will find the table of contents below, and you can also use this link to see the story posts displayed on two pages total: The Welsh Fairy Book (Thomas). Click "Older Posts" at the bottom of that page to see the second page. READING A: Arthur in the Cave Why the Red Dragon is the Emblem of Wales Einion and the Lady of the Greenwood March's Ears The Stray Cow Bala Lake Tudur ap Einion Dick the Fiddler's Money Einion and the Fair Family St Collen and the King of Fairy Helig's Hollow READING B: Owen Goes A-Wooing The Fairy Reward Why Deunant has the Front Door in the Back The Bride from the Red Lake John Gethin and the Candle Melangell's Lambs The Men of Ardudwy Hu Gadarn The Devil's Bridge The Martyred Hound
[…] In the evening the girl laid the table and began waiting for Baba-Yaga. It grew dark. The black horseman swept by and it was night. The skulls’ eyes began to shine. The trees creaked, the dead leaves crunched, the earth trembled, and there was Baba-Yaga…
Witchy reads and books about witches are just the thing to dive into with Halloween around the corner. Witches are generally depicted as being mysterious and powerful, and have often been feared or shamed throughout history, and it all makes for fascinating stories. Here’s some of the best witchy reads and books about witches! (P.S. ...
Brownies and house elves in the folklore of Northern Europe weren't always cuddly; poltergeist activity was often attributed to an angry brownie!
Embrace the beautiful, the unique, and the fantastical with Enchanted Folklore Coloring. If you loved traipsing through the woods or making up imaginative stories as a child, then you'll love everything folklore, where you can celebrate all manner of creatures, great and small. Whether you're a lover of gnomes and pixies, sprites and changelings, or fairies and unicorns, there's something for you in Enchanted Folklore Coloring. Inspired by myth, legend, and fairytale, enchanted folklore relishes the wonderful diversity of all other-worldly beings, both lovely and frightening. Designed to help you get coloring but also to help you to explore your own personal creative side, you will find: More than 120 fantastical designs Beautiful line-drawn art An intricate meditative pattern to color on the back of each page Just as there is no right or wrong way to use this book, there is no right or wrong way to color. You can color these curious and charming illustrations however you wish and in whatever way feels right to you. Cool blues, vibrant greens, rich browns, lush purples, it's all up to you! This is about getting in touch with what makes you unique, so if one coloring template doesn't appeal to you, simply move on to one that fits your mood. One of the great things about coloring is that it's accessible to anyone. Being able to add your own colors helps make the experience more personal, and, just like the enchanted creatures themselves, there's no pressure to make these drawings perfect. Surround yourself with whimsy and get coloring! Chartwell Coloring Books is the ultimate coloring book series, encompassing designs of every kind. From intriguing abstract patterns to beautiful pictures from the natural, technological, and fantasy worlds, each of these coloring books will soothe the mind and inspire the inner creative in anyone. With so many variations of complex, beautiful designs in each book, you'll have plenty of pages to bring to life. Whether young or old, creative or not, this series has something for you.
Overview. You may have already encountered Joseph Jacobs in some earlier units in this class (Indian Fairy Tales, English Fairy Tales, Celtic Fairy Tales), and this unit consists of stories taken from a fascinating book he wrote called Europa's Fairy Book. Here Jacobs has chosen some of the fairy tales that he saw repeated again and again in different European traditions, and he has "mixed-and-matched" the different versions to come up with a new version that does not belong to any specific country, but instead to what you might call a combined European tradition. As a result, most of these are stories you probably know in some form already — Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Puss in Boots, Hansel and Grethel, The Valiant Little Tailor — but each time I am sure they will feature some twists and turns that will be new to you, especially if you only know the stories from Disney. Language. Jacobs tells the fairy tales in modern literary prose, so it is not difficult reading. Story Length. The stories in this unit are one or two pages in length. Navigation. You will find the table of contents below, and you can also use this link to see the story posts displayed on a single page: Europa's Fairy Book. READING A: The Cinder-Maid The Cinder-Maid (cont.) Beauty and the Beast The Language of Animals A Dozen at a Blow A Dozen at a Blow (cont.) The Earl of Cattenborough The Earl of Cattenborough (cont.) READING B: The Swan Maidens Androcles and the Lion A Visitor from Paradise Inside Again Johnnie and Grizzle Johnnie and Grizzle (cont.) Thumbkin
Ah the wonderful fantasy world of fairies and other fairy folklore tale sprites. Some people say they are a creature of their own right whil...
Dive into the mystical world of Fairies, exploring the diverse and magical fairy beings from ancient lore to modern tales. Discover their unique traits and stories.
Overview. These Japanese fairy tales retold by Andrew Lang focus on the adventures of the tanuki, a shape-shifting trickster sometimes called a "raccoon dog" in English, along with other magical creatures such as a supernatural sparrow (although she is not really a sparrow after all!), and the cat demons who dread the dog named Schippeitaro. There are love stories too, like the Japanese Cinderella-type story of "The Maiden with the Wooden Helmet," along with a very sweet love story about two devoted cats. Finally, you will read about the adventures of Urashimataro who rides on the back of a giant turtle into the depths of the sea and falls in love with the lovely princess Otohime, daughter of Ringu, the god of the sea. Language. The book is written in contemporary English, so the language used should not pose any problems. Story Length. These are all single-page stories, but on the long side, so there are only twelve of them. Navigation. You will find the table of contents below, and you can also use this link to see the story posts displayed on a single page: Japanese Fairy Tales (Lang). Free audiobooks available: Violet - Crimson - Pink READING A: The Two Frogs The Stonecutter The Maiden with the Wooden Helmet The Envious Neighbour The Sparrow with the Slit Tongue The Cat's Elopement READING B: Schippeitaro The Crab and the Monkey The Magic Kettle How the Wicked Tanuki was Punished The Slaying of the Tanuki Uraschimataro and the Turtle
Bean Nighe, the Washerwoman at the Ford, is Scotland's harbinger of death, says AMY VAN DE CASTEELE
Meinrad Lienert / Schweizer Sagen und Heldengeschichten Illustrationen: Wilh. Roegge Verlag: Eduard Salchi (Bern / Schweiz; 1914) ex libris MTP de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meinrad_Lienert www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/schweiz/allgemein/schluesseljung...
Alan Lee "Urisk"
Overview. Joseph Jacobs published his first volume of Celtic Fairy Tales in 1892, followed by More Celtic Fairy Tales in 1895. Both books draw on a wide range of Celtic sources (primarily Irish, Scottish, and Welsh, but also Cornish!), and they feature many different story genres. In this reading unit, you will find tales of fairies and of leprechauns, like The Brewery of Eggshells and The Field of Boliauns, along with ghost stories like The Horned Women or the story of Andrew Coffey. There is the tragic tale of Beth Gellert, and also humorous stories like Munachar and Manachar or the story of King O'Toole and Saint Kavin. You will also find fairy tale adventure stories like The Shee An Gannon and the Gruagach Gaire (i.e. the Gannon Fairy and the Laughing Goblin) or the story of Gold-Tree and Silver-Tree, which is a sort of Celtic Snow White tale. Language. Jacobs tells the fairy tales in modern literary prose, so it is not difficult reading. Story Length. These stories are all single-page stories. Navigation. You will find the table of contents below, and you can also use this link to see the story posts displayed on a single page: Celtic Fairy Tales. Free audiobook available! READING A: Connla and the Fairy Maiden The Field of Boliauns The Horned Women The Shepherd of Myddvai The Sprightly Tailor Munachar and Manachar Gold-Tree and Silver-Tree READING B: King O'Toole and his Goose The Shee An Gannon and the Gruagach Gaire Beth Gellert The Tale of Ivan Andrew Coffey Brewery of Eggshells
As a schoolmaster in South Wales, folklorist W. Jenkyn Thomas was dismayed to find that his students — who took such delight in the fairy stories of other nations — knew nothing at all of their own country's rich heritage of fairy tales. To fill the need for a collection of Welsh fairy tales for young readers, he compiled this definitive treasury.Abounding in phantoms, fairies, witches, magical spells, and other time-honored fairy-tale ingredients, the 83 fascinating stories include "Lady of the Lake," in which a young country boy falls in love with a beautiful girl who agrees to marry him under very strange conditions; "The Adventures of Three Farmers," and "The Fairy Wife," in which fairies outsmart mortals; and a wealth of other fanciful, imaginative tales. Among these are such favorites as "Elidyr’s Sojourn in Fairy-Land," "Pergrin and the Mermaiden," "The Cave of the Young Men of Snowdonia," "Goronwy Tudor and the Witches of Llanddona," "A Strange Otter," "Nansi Llwyd and the Dog of Darkness," "The Bride from the Red Lake," "Lowri Dafydd Earns a Purse of Gold," and many more. Overflowing with charm, whimsy, and authentic Welsh flavor, this stimulating collection is sure to delight not only children but also fairy- and folk-tale lovers of all ages. juvenile fiction; fantasy fairy tales; classics; fairytales; fantasy; legends myths and fables; short stories; folklore; children's fiction; welsh folklore; european folklore; retellings; welsh culture; children's literature; anthologies; classic literature; fairytale collection; for kids; read to kids; magical creatures; giants; welsh fairytales; monsters; hardship; conflict; voyages; remote places; edge of your seat; fast paced; mythology; engaging; rural; caves and caverns,
Irish myths and legends are known worldwide. Fairies, leprechauns, banshees the ancient Sidhe the Tuatha de Danaan and old Irish tales have been used throughout pop culture from movies to fantasy novels. Irish Folklore: 23 Irish legends and myths | Irish myths and legends | Irish Fairies | leprechauns | banshees | Sidhe | the Tuatha de Danaan | old Irish tales | Travel Ireland | travel ancient Europe | pagan Ireland | gods and goddesses of Ireland | Irish myths | Irish folktales | Visit Ireland | Ancient Ireland
Dragons are arguably the most ubiquitous and most beloved fantastical creature. Initially I shied away from dragons as a theme—they’re everywhere, where do you even start!? But they are everywhere because they are cool, and seeking out dragon images meant going down a delightful rabbit-hole through all ages, cultures, styles, and dispositions. So without further […]
Irish fairy tales and folklore are populated with a wonderful collection of magical fae beings. Leprechauns are so famous they can sell breakfast cereal, and many people have heard the legend of the banshee—but what about the rest?
The legendary Celtic hero Finn MacCool was the leader of the Fianna Éireann, a corps of 3rd-century warriors and hunters that protected Ireland from invasion. Stories of the…
You can also find this story in Louis Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews: The Descendants of Adam and Lilith. And yes, you will find a reference to Adam in this story, one that will probably surprise you! [Notes by LKG] This story is part of the Jewish Fairy Tales unit. Story source: Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919). You can also listen to an audio recording at LibriVox; this is story #23 in the playlist. The Fairy Frog Once upon a time there lived a man of learning and wealth who had an only son, named Hanina. To this son, who was grown up and married, he sent a messenger asking that he should immediately come to his father. Hanina obeyed, and found both his father and mother lying ill. "Know, my son," said the old man, "we are about to die. Grieve not, for it has been so ordained. We have been companions through life, and we are to be privileged to leave this world together. You will mourn for us the customary seven days. They will end on the eve of the festival of the Passover. On that day go forth into the market place and purchase the first thing offered to thee, no matter what it is, or what the cost that may be demanded. It will in due course bring thee good fortune. Hearken unto my words, my son, and all will be well." Hanina promised obedience to this strange injunction of his father, and events fell out in accordance with the old man's prediction. The aged couple died on the same day, were buried together and after the week of mourning, on the day preceding the Passover festival, Hanina made his way to the market place wondering what adventure was in store for him. He had scarcely entered the market place, where all manner of wares were displayed, when an old man approached him, carrying a silver casket of curious design. "Purchase this, my son," he said, "and it will bring thee good fortune." "What does it contain?" asked Hanina. "That I may not inform thee," was the reply. "Indeed I cannot, for I know not. Only the purchaser can open it at the feast which begins the Passover." Naturally, Hanina was impressed by these words. Matters were shaping just as his father foretold. "What is the price?" he asked. "A thousand gold pieces." That was an enormous sum, nearly the whole that he possessed, but Hanina, remembering his vow, paid the money and took the casket home. It was placed upon the table that night when the Passover festival began. On being opened it was found to contain a smaller casket. This was opened, and out sprang a frog. Hanina's wife was sorely disappointed, but she gave food to the frog which devoured everything greedily. So much did the creature eat that when the Passover had ended, in eight days it had grown to an enormous size. Hanina built a cabinet for his strange possession, but it continued to grow and soon required a special shed. Hanina was seriously puzzled, for the frog ate so ravenously that he and his wife had little food for themselves. But they made no complaint, although their hardships increased daily. They were compelled to dispose of almost everything they possessed to keep the frog supplied with food, and at last they were left in a state of abject poverty. Then only did the courage of Hanina's wife give way and she began to cry. To her astonishment, the frog, which was now bigger than a man, spoke to her. "Listen to me, wife of the faithful Hanina," it said. "Ye have treated me well. Therefore, ask of me what ye will, and I shall carry out your wishes." "Give us food," sobbed the woman. "It is there," said the frog, and at that very moment there was a knock at the door and a huge basket of food was delivered. Hanina had not yet spoken, and the frog asked him to name his desire. "A frog that speaks and performs wonders must be wise and learned," said Hanina. "I wish that thou shouldst teach me the lore of men." The frog agreed, and his method of teaching was exceedingly strange. He wrote out the Law and the seventy known languages on strips of paper. These he ordered Hanina to swallow. Hanina did so and became acquainted with everything, even the language of the beasts and the birds. All men regarded him as the most learned sage of his time. One day the frog spoke again. "The day has arrived," he said, "when I must repay you for all the kindness you have shown me. Your reward shall be great. Come with me to the woods and you shall see marvels performed." Hanina and his wife followed the giant frog to the woods very early one morning, and a comical figure it presented as it hobbled along. Arrived at the woods, the frog cried out, in its croaking voice: "Come to me all ye inhabitants of the trees, the caves and streams, and do my bidding. Bring precious stones from the depths of the earth and roots and herbs." Then began the queerest procession. Hundreds upon hundreds of birds came twittering through the trees; thousands upon thousands of insects came crawling from holes in the ground; and all the animals in the woods, from the tiniest to the monsters, came in answer to the call of the frog. Each group brought some gift and laid it at the feet of Hanina and his wife who stood in some alarm. Soon a great pile of precious stones and herbs was heaped before them. "All these belong to you," said the frog, pointing to the jewels. "Of equal worth are the herbs and the roots with which ye can cure all diseases. Because ye obeyed the wishes of the dying and did not question me, ye are now rewarded." Hanina and his wife thanked the frog and then the former said: "May we not know who thou art?" "Yes," replied the frog. "I am the fairy son of Adam, gifted with the power of assuming any form. Farewell." With these words, the frog began to grow smaller and smaller until it was the size of an ordinary frog. Then it hopped into a stream and disappeared and all the denizens of the woods returned to their haunts. Hanina and his wife made their way home with their treasures. They became famous for their wealth, their wisdom and their charity, and lived in happiness with all peoples for many, many years. (1100 words)
Blarney Woollen Mills tells the tale of the classic Irish legend - the Children of Lir. The story is rich in Irish folklore, myths and magic.
Giants are a type of tall humanoid folkloric creature that appears in many fairy tales. The most famous fairy tales that includes giants are "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Jack the Giant Killer", and "The Valiant Little Tailor". Arguably the most famous fairy tale to include giants is Jack and the Beanstalk. After growing a giant beanstalk from magic beans, a young man named "Jack" climbs the beanstalk and discovers a land above the clouds populated by giants. He visits an enormous castle and convin
