Month: January 2022

ONCE upon a time there was a king whose wife had died in childbirth, leaving behind a dear infant daughter, the Princess Anne. When the princess was nearly grown the king married again, this time to a woman who also had a daughter, and her name was Kate. The stepmother became the new queen, and… Continue reading Princess Kate Crackernuts Story

LIKE ALL OTHER maidens and lads, Janet grew up knowing that she must never enter the woods of Cartherhaugh. The fairies that dwelt in the forest there were known by all for doing strange and evil mischief to visitors. But Janet’s father, the earl, owned the land where the forest stood, “and why shouldn’t I… Continue reading Janet and Thomalyn

There was once a boy in Ireland, and Guleesh was his name. A little way off from Guleesh’s house stood a very old round fort, an ancient fort it was, that was called a rath.  At midnight one night, Guleesh was leaning against a wall of the rath and looking up at the beautiful white moon. … Continue reading Guleesh and the Princess of France

There was once a princess of England who was a most charming princess when she wanted to be, but as with many other young people, royal or not, she was someone who was quite sure of what she wanted and when she wanted it, and didn’t mind saying so.  There was one thing she knew,… Continue reading Time Changes All Things

Simpleton was the youngest of three brothers. Each brother chopped wood for a living. One day, the oldest brother went off to the forest where he met a dwarf. “Please,” said the dwarf, looking hungrily at the oldest brother’s basket, “Won’t you share your lunch with me?” “Why should I?” snapped the oldest brother. The… Continue reading The Golden Goose

HIGH in the Andes Mountains a frog lived in a cool stream. The frog had been born with a right leg much longer than the left leg. “If only I had two perfect legs like my brothers and sisters,” bemoaned the frog whenever she saw her limping reflection in the water.  She could tell her brothers… Continue reading The Frog and the Condor 

ONCE IN SCOTLAND a young lad was so smitten with a bonny lass that he did nothing but think of her night and day. At last he summoned his courage, offered her his heart and asked for hers to return. Flattered was she but alas! her heart was already offered to another. She sweetly smiled… Continue reading Fisherlad and the Mermaids Ring

Once a king made the unfortunate mistake of joking about the large nose of an enchantress who lived in the forest. Instantly the enchantress appeared before the King. Fixing her angry eyes on him and wagging her finger before his face, she said, “There will come a time when you shall have a son. This… Continue reading The Enormous Nose

Once upon a time there was a man who had three sons called Peter, Paul, and Boots. The father was so poor he didn’t even have one penny to rub against the other. So one day he told his sons they must go out into the world, for at home there was nothing to look… Continue reading Boots and His Brothers

I AM SO tired of being a stonecutter,” Haku sighed. The Emperor, held aloft in a curtained chair, passed by in a magnificent royal procession. “I have been poor all my life. If only I were the powerful Emperor instead, I would be carried on high by servants, above all others.” Suddenly, inexplicably, Haku was the Emperor,… Continue reading Hakus Power