Reading Notes: Welsh Fairy Tales, Part B

Continuing on with this unit, I am really enjoying the short stories about fairies. In More Short Tales of Fairies, I like how the story of Robert Roberts is different than the past fairy stories and I find it comical that the fairies tried to squash him with rocks. I am wondering since the topic of fairies giving money is so prevalent that I should add it to my storybook, or should at least write a story about it. Apparently fairies love their money.
I'm not sure how I feel about the story of the Pellings. The man kidnaps a fairy and she agrees to marry him. That sounds pretty shifty to me. 

The story of Long-Lived Ancestors reminds me of the African stories I read a few weeks ago. The animals can talk and cross bread and they're very old.
The Short Tales of Wonder are a little odd. The story of the pig trough is interesting in that a fairy stabs the woman because she moved the pig trough in his way. It shows the spiteness of fairies.
The story of Billy Duffy and the Devil is such an interesting one. I feel like Billy should have learned his lesson the first time and should have lived his life better. Instead he was selfish. I think this idea is interesting though, that someone has an allotted time left on this earth, and if they screw it up, they don't get another chance. That could be good to write about.
The Story of John O'Groats is almost like the story of the prodigal son. It would seem though that the son does not have much conviction for his actions. However, it is still a nice story.
The Fishermen of Shetland is actually a really fun story. I love the addition of mermaids, which I haven't seen yet in any stories. I wonder what the merman looks like though, as he is able to go on land and it mentions him "standing." I also love the idea of fairies and mermaids working together. It is so interesting how the fairies are so concerned with helping the humans. That is not what I have pictures fairies to be like. I feel like there's a story in this, though I am not certain what yet. All in all, this unit gave me a lot to think about for my stories.

Bibliography: Welsh Fairy-Tales and Other Stories collected by Peter Emerson. Source link: Part B

Image information: "Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing" by William Blake, c.1786. Web source: Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Welsh Fairy Tales, Part A

For this week's reading, I chose Peter Emerson's Welsh Fairy Tales. It has a lot of good information about fairies. The first story, The Fairies of Caragonan, is a really fascinating story because the fairies are good and the Queen acts as though the humans are her subjects also. I'm really interested in the queen's daughter and what she is like. I only get a glimpse of her from this story and I'd like to know more about her. Perhaps I could write about her myself.
Three Short Tales of Fairies is interesting because it shows different sides of the fairies. The first set shows male fairies who care about the old blacksmith. This seems to be the first mention I have found of male fairies. The second set shows fairies who get their revenge after a man mistreats their gift. That could be interesting for a story. The third shows children turning into fairies. This is interesting, because I didn't know humans could turn into fairies. I wonder how that process works. 

Next are Three More Tales of Fairies. The first story is interesting because the fairies seem very generous and fun, and they live underground. However, it is odd that the old man is not able to mention that he got the gold from the fairies. I wonder why the fairies do not like people telling others that the fairies gave them money. Perhaps they do not want it to become known. The last story is very intriguing, because I'm writing about changelings. The reason the fairies switched one of theirs for the woman's child is because once again they were angry that the woman told her husband where she got the money from.
I really don't like the Story of Gelert, probably because I hate when animals die. It is such a sad story and I wish the prince didn't kill Gelert.
The Origin of the Welsh is an interesting story, because once again fairies came from other beings, this time birds. I am wondering if fairies existed before this or if this is meant to be the creation of fairies. It is interesting either way.
The story of the Crows is intriguing, but I'm not sure what to make of it. It is cool how crows seem to foretell the future. I could use that in a story.
Fairy of the Dell is a really great story. I like how the fairies are against evil magic and how they want to help people. I am also glad the witch became good and was redeemed. One thing that I thought was interesting was that the queen said that fairies die of old age, but they themselves do not age outwardly. That is a really unique idea and I may use that for my story. All in all, this unit has been very good so far, 

Bibliography: Welsh Fairy-Tales and Other Stories collected by Peter Emerson. Source link: Part A

Image information: "Take the Fair Face of Woman, and Gently Suspending, With Butterflies, Flowers, and Jewels Attending, Thus Your Fairy is Made of Most Beautiful Things" by Sophie Anderson. Web source: Wikimedia Commons

Storytelling Week 11: Britomart and the Knight

I laid on the bed, unable to sleep. The days events played through my mind. Being ambushed by six knights, being "rescued" by a strange knight who refused to tell me his name, and then being welcomed by the lady whose knights tried to kill me. Now, laying in one of her beds, I felt unsafe, like I could be ambushed again at any time. The strange knight was in the room down the hall, probably fast asleep. 
A cry from outside the room broke me from my thoughts. I had no time to put my armor on, but still I managed to take my sword and shield before running toward the noise. It was coming from the room the other knight was staying in. I opened the door, but couldn't believe my eyes.
Standing with a sword in hand, surrounded by the six knights, was a woman. She didn't look frightened, as Malecasta did hiding on the other side of the bed. Her eyes were narrowed and her jaw was set. But she was bleeding in the side and her face was pale.
I didn't stop to think any longer. I attacked the Knights from behind, and soon with the help of the woman, all of the knights were down.
The woman clutched her side and turned towards Malecasta, who was still cowering in the corner. "Do you still wish to have me?"
Malecasta said nothing, but instead quickly ran out of the room.
I stared at the woman. "Ah, so you are the knight?"
She nodded, and then cringed in pain. "Come," I said. "You can tell me everything after we bind your wound."
After searching the castle, we found a healer who after some convincing cleaned the woman's gash. Then we went back for our armor. I was fairly certain after Malecasta found out she was making advances towards a woman, she wouldn't be too eager to show her face to us. Still, neither one of us thought it a good idea to stay in this castle, so we took our horses and rode as the sun was just beginning to rise.
"Well," I said as our horse trotted away. "Now could you explain why a woman such as yourself is dressing as a knight and traveling alone?"
The woman glared at me. "I was not 'dressing as a knight,' sir. I am a knight. My name is Britomart, daughter of King Ryence. Since I could walk, I have been trained in combat. I know how to wield a sword, ride a horse, and throw a spear just as well as a man, perhaps better. I was the one who rescued you from those six knights if you recall."
"And I returned the favor just now," I told her.
"Yes, I suppose you did," Britomart said, almost smiling. "Thank you for that." She was silent for a moment, before she continued: "I am looking for a knight called Artegall. He has done me a great wrong and I am seeking revenge." She finished and looked away. I wasn't sure I completely believed the last part. "Sir Artegall is a good man I have heard. He is noble and true. I cannot imagine any harm he has done to you being intentional."
"Still," Britomart said, not looking up. "I must find him. I will continue to search until I have found him. Now that I have told my name and story, it is your turn." 
I sighed. "Very well, though there is not much to tell. My name is Albert of Gloucestershire. I have no reason to be in this land but to seek adventure."
Britomart nodded. "Do you have a destination in mind?" I shook my head. "Then we can travel together until you find your adventure." Before I could argue, she placed her helmet on her head and urged her horse to run. I had no choice but to follow. 

Days turned into weeks as we traveled together. In the beginning, it was awkward and neither of us knew what to say to the other. But as we grew more comfortable with each other’s presence,  we began to open up more to each other. She told me how her greatest fear was to become a woman who only weaves and cooks. I confessed my fear of becoming a merchant, like my father. We both longed for adventure and excitement.
Something in me began to change. Even while dressed as a knight, Britomart suddenly became more attractive to me the more I learned about her. I could not decide what exactly I was feeling, but I know I enjoyed being around her more and more. 
I could not tell what Britomart was thinking. She would often laugh or begin to speak informally, and then suddenly she would grow quiet and formal. I could only guess it meant that she saw me as inferior and did know wish to get too comfortable with me. 
After about two weeks, we finally encountered two knights, the first we had come across since leaving Malecasta's castle. I did not recognize either of them, and evidently they did not recognize us, for the one in front suddenly pointed his spear and rode his horse faster for a joust. 
"Leave this to me," Britomart said and she immediately drove her horse towards the knight. They clashed together and the knight fell off his horse. His friend cried out, "Sir Artegall!" 
Britomart stopped and stared at the knight. Why is she stopping? Is she not able to get the revenge she wanted. 
Instead of striking, Britomart pulled off her helmet to reveal her long golden hair and lovely face. Artegall and the other knight remained turned towards her, not moving. Then Artegall stood up and threw his shield down. "A woman!" He exclaimed, and not excitedly. "I was bested by a mere woman? Lady, how dare you impersonate a noble knight! I am ashamed."
Britomart was taken back and her mouth opened in surprise. Then quickly she narrowed her eyes and sneered. "Yes, sir. You were bested by a woman. A woman who is a knight. Never forget it." She turned her horse and almost ran into Artegall. Her horse trotted away. "Let us leave, Albert. My quest is finished."
I led my horse beside hers. Britomart reached her armored hand over and grabbed mine. My heart did a little flip as we rode off together, into the unknown future. 


Author's Note: While reading the Faerie Queene unit, I began to fall in love with Britomart's character. She is a strong, skilled woman who goes after her dreams. The only problem I had was that her dream is a man she has never met. For those of you who have not read the Faerie Queene, Britomart is a woman who looks in the mirror of Merlin and sees the man she is supposed to marry, Artegall. She then disguises herself as a knight in order to find him. She first encounters a knight (who I have named Albert) and he discovers her secret and the two form a friendship. They end up going their separate ways early on, but I thought that was too soon, and so I wanted the two to journey together until they meet Artegall. I wondered what might happen if the two began to fall in love as opposed to Britomart falling in love with a man she has never met. I wanted to write about this through the perspective of the Knight. I ran out of words as usual, so my story is not as in depth as I would have liked it. Still, I hope y'all enjoy it. 

Bibliography: This is a retelling of the story of Britomart from Stories from the Faerie Queene by Mary Macleod. From the unit Faerie Queene--Britomart

Image information: "Lady Knight" by Janaina (JanainaArt), 2014. Web source: DeviantArt

Reading Notes: Faerie Queen, Part B

Continuing with the Faerie Queen unit, I had many random thoughts while reading. For starters, it's such an interesting idea to make abstract ideals into physical beings.
Female friendships are my favorite things to read about. There's so much drama going on in this story. I love how knights keep trying to fight Britomart and she continually beats them all.
So Britomart is even better than Artegall? That is such a unique element to a story and I love it. Artegall seems a little prideful though. Instead of accepting defeat, he is brooding over it, which is a little childish. I wonder what he will do what he finds out the knight who defeated him is Britomart. Will he still want to be with her? I think this could be an interesting story to write about, especially to show how prideful he is.
This beauty pageant is much more interesting than any one nowadays. Not only do the women have to be beautiful, but they also have to be true and honest. I like this idea, but I have a hard time believing that all of the women except for Amoret are dishonest and false.
The House of Care is really odd, and I'm not sure what to make of it. If this is meant to be the personification of care, why are his servants being so rude?
I don't like how Artegall and Scudmour are both wanting revenge against Britomart, when she did nothing to them. It adds suspense to the story, which is really good. The big reveal is very suspenseful as well, as it is unclear what will happen next. I am glad at least they discovered Britomart's identity before they killed her. 

I actually really love how angry Britomart is, because it shows just how stubborn and proud she is herself. She is not a woman who takes defeat lightly.
Scudmour still calls Britomart "sir." I find that amusing.
I am glad Britomart and Artegall have time to really fall in love with each other, not just with each other's looks. I still wonder what happened to the first Knight and still think she could have fallen in love with him.
What happens to Amoret? I am in suspense to know. Is that how the story is meant to end? Perhaps I could write an ending to it and write about what happens to Amoret and how she is found. That would actually be really fun to write about. 

The Faerie Queen, while not actually having a faerie in the story, was still a really interesting story, and I found a lot of inspiration from it. 

Bibliography: Stories from the Faerie Quenne, by Mary Macleod, originally written by Edmund Spenser. Source link: Part B

Image information: "Spenser's Faerie queene. A poem in six books; with the fragment Mutabilite" by Walter Crane, 1895. Source link: Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Faerie Queen, Part A

Foe this week, I read the Faerie Queen: Britomart unit. I have always wanted to read Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene, and now I finally get a chance to. It is not at all what I expected, but I really enjoy it so far. I love the idea of Britomart disguising herself as a man and beating all of the men she encounters.
It is very comical that Britomart catches the eye of the Lady of Delight. Poor lady doesn't realize that she is flirting with a woman who she believes is a man. I love this idea and this would be such a fun story to write about. I do wonder what the Knight thought when he saw that Britomart was a woman. What if he falls in love with her? 

I love that Britomart was taught to fight from a young age. That is so unique for this age and so admirable. I can't decide if I like her obsession with Artegall so far. Just because a magic mirror showed him doesn't mean she has to love him. She is free to choose her own love. Perhaps I could write about that.
It's so interesting how the story begins with Britomart on her quest, and then transitions to giving the backstory. I like how this story is told so far.
Malbecco reminds me of the beginning of the story of Beauty and the Beast, when the beast refuses the enchantress shelter. Except this instance is on a much larger scale.
The adventure where Britomart walks through the fire is already turning out so exciting. These are the kind of adventures I want to read, not particularly ones which she is trying to find a man she's never met. I want to see Britomart as the strong, powerful woman she is. I do love how time and time again Britomart shows herself to be better than all of the men. She is constantly beating them, and I love that. It is so different from most stories. I love strong women, and they're some of my favorite to write about. 

So far, this story has so much inspiration to offer. It will be a hard decision choosing what to write about. 

Bibliography: Stories from the Faerie Quenne, by Mary Macleod, originally written by Edmund Spenser. Source link: Part A

Image information: "Britomart" painted by Walter Crane, 1900. Web source: Wikimedia Commons

Storytelling Week 10: The Dog Wife

June 3
Today is the day! By tonight I will be Mrs. Caleb Harrison. I am so nervous I am shaking as I'm writing this. I still cannot believe how lucky I am to have found Caleb. He really is the most perfect, kind, loving man. I cannot wait to be his wife and to build a family with him.


June 4
First day as husband and wife. Caleb told me something very shocking. I didn't believe him a first, and then he showed me, and I about lost it in front of him. This is going to sound crazy even to write, but I have to get it out somehow. This morning, Caleb sat my down and said he needed to tell me something. "This is too long overdue," he told me, "but I was afraid I would scare you away, and you wouldn't want to be with me. But now that we're married, you deserve to know the truth." I was so incredibly confused as he took my hands. "Hannah, this isn't easy to say, but I haven't been completely honest with you. You see, I have this ability, it's been in my family for generations. I'll just say it. I can turn into a dog."
I thought he was insane. I remember I pulled my hands away and stared at him. "What did you say? Are you feeling well, Caleb?
"I am Hannah," he said. "I know it's really weird, but I have the ability to turn into a dog. I've had it since I was a child. I know this is hard to process."
I still didn't believe him. So, he then proceeded to change into a freaking German Shepherd. I about lost it. I tried to smile and then just bolted into the bedroom, where I am now. Caleb hasn't tried to come in. I don't even know what to think. My husband, a dog. What if we have kids?! Am I going to be the mother of German Shepherd puppies?? Is his whole family canines? I feel like I'm going to throw up. 

June 5
We've haven't even been able to enjoy our honeymoon since yesterday's "announcement." Caleb's tried to talk to me, but I am still in shock. I woke up today hoping it was a dream, but it isn't.
I love Caleb. I really do. I wouldn't be married to him if I didn't. So why can I not get over this? So my husband can turn into a dog. Maybe that could be useful. We certainly would never need to get a dog. He would be a good protector of our home.
No, it's still too weird. Why would he not tell me this before we tied the knot? This is not something you wait until your married to tell. Maybe that's what I'm most upset about, that he didn't tell me. Apparently he wanted to wait until he had me forever before he revealed his deep dark secret. What am I going to do?


June 6
Something… interesting happened today. It may have changed everything.
After two days of this, I needed to get out of the hotel. We were supposed to be exploring New York for our honeymoon, but Caleb has ruined that plan. I needed to get out and think clearly alone, so I decided to explore I my own. Caleb told me I shouldn't go alone, but I said if he wanted things to get better, I needed to be alone.
I walked through the streets of New York for about an hour. I was still trying to process everything (and getting no where) when someone grabbed me from behind. There weren't very many people around and the person dragged me into an alley. I tried to fight him off, and I was doing alright, but he was a lot bigger than me. I really feared at that moment that I would be raped or murdered or both.
Then something came on the man and he let go of me. I back away and watched as a dog, a German Shepherd, bit the man. The dog stood in between the man and I and growled at the man. The guy took off running. The dog turned around and changed in Caleb. "I told you not to go alone," he said, smiling slightly. All I could do was hug him.
It's still weird that my husband can turn into a dog. I'm not sure where that will take our lives. But I saw then that Caleb really cares about me, and that he will always be there for me. So I think we'll be alright.

Author's Note: I read a Native American story called The Dog-Husband. It was about a woman who had a dog she loved. The dog could actually turn into a human, and well, she got pregnant. The story was a little messed up, but I liked the idea of a human being able to turn into an animal, so I decided to write about a woman who marries a man who can turn into a dog and to write about her reaction. I chose to write it in diary form to make it even more personal and informal.

Bibliography: This is a retelling of the story of "The Dog-Husband" from Tales of the North American Indians collected by Stith Thompson. From the unit Native American Marriage Tales.

Image information: "Buck the German Shepherd" taken by Nicky Hannaway, 2008. Web source: Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Native American Marriage Tales, Part B

Continuing with the bizarre Native American Marriage Tales unit, part B began with the story of The Dog-Husband. A question I have is why is being with an animal suddenly weird in this story? Perhaps it is the circumstances surrounding the "marriage" to the dog. Plot wise, I actually really like the idea of people being able to change form, so that would be a lot of fun to write. I could make this a normal thing, or it could be normal for all but a special few. I am not certain yet.
I cannot tell if the story of The Youth Who Joined the Deer is cannibalistic or not. The youth can turn into a deer, and so can his wife and child, and he kills his brothers-in-law, who are deer and eats them. I still like the idea of being able to change into an animal, but I'm not sure about killing that animal and eating it too. If I created a story like this, I would make it less morbid. 

The story of The Girl and the Turkeys is like a cross between Cinderella and the Goose Girl. I really enjoyed it until the end. I didn't want the girl to lose her turkeys and I would have liked it to end differently. I loved her sweet relationship with her turkeys, and I was sad when they left. I still enjoyed this almost rags to riches story and it would be fun to write a story like this.
I enjoyed the story of The True Bride a lot actually. I love happy endings and I love when good things happen to good people. The story has suspense and drama and is really good. It definitely reminded me of the story of the girl who has jewels coming out of her mouth, and the girl who has bugs coming out, which was a story I enjoyed as a child. Writing a story like this, with a poor girl who becomes royalty, would be fun, or even to add a twist like being able to spit gold. Even though most of these stories were really odd, I enjoyed them and found a lot of inspiration from them. 

Biography: Native American Marriage Tales collected by Stith Thompson. Source link: Part B

Image information: White Tailed Deer taken by skeeze, 2012. Web source: Pixabay