Toads and Diamonds

“Toads and Diamonds.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 196-199.

Tale Summary A woman lived with her two daughters, the eldest of whom was like her in every way, making them both ugly and disagreeable, while the younger was most like her father and was very pleasant and beautiful. The woman favored her eldest daughter and forced the younger to...

The Three Bears

“The Three Bears.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 200-205.

Tale Summary There was once a family of bears; a great big bear, a medium-sized bear, and a wee little bear. One morning they left together to take a talk while their porridge cooled down enough to eat, and while they were away from their house an unpleasant old woman...

The Princess and the Pea

“The Princess and the Pea.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 140-142.

Tale Summary Once upon a time there was a young prince who wished he had a princess, but not just any princess; she would have to be a real princess. He traveled everywhere, but could not find one, and returned home dejected. There was a terrible storm one night, and...

Blue Beard

“Blue Beard.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 143-152.

Tale Summary There once was a rich man who lived outside Baghdad, who had many riches but also had a blue beard which frightened all the women away. His neighbor had two fine sons and daughters, and he desired one of the girls, named Anne and Fatima, he did not...

Bran

"The Birth of Bran." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 93-108.

Tale Summary This story begins with a description of Fergus Fionnliath, a man known for hating dogs more than anyone else in Ireland. However, Fionn, whom Fergus is loyal to, has always been a lover of dogs. His two most favorite dogs are Bran and Sceolan, and the rest of...

Fionn and a Horse

"The Boyhood of Fionn." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 37-90.

Tale Summary Fionn is the son of Muirne and Uail, the captain of the Fianna of Ireland, While he is young, the sons of Morna kill his father, so his mother hides him with some trusted druids in a forest who take care of him. He meets his mother only...

Wild creatures roamed Ireland

"The Story of Tuan MacCairill." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 3-31.

Tale Summary Finnian, the Abbot of Moville, discovers one day that someone in his province still believes in gods, rather than the Christian God. He sets off to change this person’s mind because he finds this appalling. Tuan, the man who believes in gods, does not wish to speak to...