• E8: The Goat-Faced Girl
    Jan 16 2025
    Episode 8: The Goat-Faced Girl

    **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

    Synopsis

    A poor man, named Masaniello, is desperate for a way to support his wife and twelve daughters. One day he comes across a cave in which dwells an extremely large lizard who offers him a deal: give her his youngest daughter or his life. She promises that no harm will come to the girl, and he will be richly rewarded. He then returns home and pours out his sorrows to his wife, who advises him to trust the lizard. So he does.

    The Lizard, true to her word, raises Renzola in a beautiful palace.

    One night, the king of the country arrives at the palace and requests lodging for the night. The lizard, now revealed to be a kind fairy, welcomes him in. Immediately, he is taken with Renzola, and the following day the fairy happily agrees to the match.

    Despite her years of kindness, Renzola leaves without a word of thanks to the fairy. Disappointed and hurt by the lack of gratitude, the fairy transforms Renzola’s head into that of a goat.

    Upon arrival at his palace, the king hides her away in a turret. Not understanding this sudden change of heart, Renzola seeks help from the fairy who gladly gives it. Once again, Renzola neglects to show her gratitude.

    Eventually, an old guard shows her the truth of her face and the error of her ways. She makes amends with the fairy, who then restores her face.

    Renzola returns to her husband and they live happily ever after.

    Poll/Question/Links

    Questions or Comments?

    Book

    The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

    Music

    "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

    Free download: https://www.joshwoodward.com/

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    16 mins
  • E7: Fortunatus and His Purse
    Jan 9 2025
    Episode 7: Fortunatus and His Purse

    **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

    Synopsis

    After his father loses their fortune, young Fortunatus decides to help. He sets out and quickly finds employment as a page. Another page, jealous of Fortunatus’ success and eager to be rid of him, tells him that he has fallen out of favor. Believing him, Fortunatus packs up and leaves, travelling from town to town, and becoming penniless.

    Soon enough, he finds himself lost in a dense wood, until a mysterious lady appears. She gifts him with a magical money purse that would perpetually contain 10 gold pieces for him and his children.

    Finally out of the woods, Fortunatus tests his gift, indeed finding 10 gold pieces inside.

    A year passes and Fortunatus remembers his parents. He decides it is time to travel back to them. He contracts a more experienced traveler to accompany him on the journey home. Before leaving, they stop at the companion’s home to visit with his wife and children. Fortunatus is immediately smitten with the man’s youngest daughter and they are married.

    Arriving home, Fortunatus learns of his parents passing and mourns for quite some time. Eventually wanderlust sets in and his wife agrees to let him go.

    During his extended travels he gains the favor of a Sultan, who shows him his most prized possession: an enchanted cap which can transport the wearer wherever they wish to go. Without thinking Fortunatus uses the cap to return home.

    With his magic purse and enchanted cap, Fortunatus and his family live out the rest of their days in comfort.


    Poll/Question/Links

    Questions or Comments?

    Book

    The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

    Music

    "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

    Free download: https://www.joshwoodward.com/

    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • E6: The Partnership of the Thief and the Liar
    Jan 2 2025
    Episode 6: The Partnership of the Thief and the Liar

    **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

    Synopsis

    A thief and a liar meet and partner up to make their fortunes. They travel to neighboring kingdoms where the Thief repeatedly gains an audience with the king, to whom he makes an outlandish claim and bets a sum of money that it is true. The king’s man who is sent to verify the tale then comes across the Liar, who confirms the Thief’s claim, winning him the bet.

    After a number of successful cons, the Thief and the Liar split the money and part ways.

    Time passes, and the Liar discovers that the money was not split evenly. When he goes to claim the money he is owed, the Thief tells him to return another day. Twice the Liar returns, and twice the Thief plays dead. The third time the Liar returns, the pair find themselves entangled in an adventure which leaves them to split yet another fortune before parting ways for good.

    Poll/Question/Links

    Questions or Comments?

    Book

    The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

    Music

    "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

    Free download: https://www.joshwoodward.com/

    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • E5: Janni and the Draken
    Dec 26 2024
    Episode 5: Janni and the Draken

    **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

    Please be aware this story contains several instances of gross violence.

    Synopsis

    After their parents die, a brother and sister set out to seek their fortunes, inhabiting what appears to be a deserted castle. While Janni, the brother, is out hunting, the sister meets one of the Draken, the type of monsters who live beneath the castle. The girl and the monster fall in love and wed in secret.

    Wanting to be rid of Janni, the Drakos advises his wife to send her brother on a mission which will surely result in his death. When Janni returns unscathed, the Drakos tries and fails twice more to be rid of him.

    Eventually, the sister is compelled to learn the secret to her brother's great strength. The Drakos uses that knowledge to weaken Janni, removing his eyes and throwing him down a well.

    With the help of some travelers, a sorceress, and a princess, Janni is able to regain his strength and slay the Drakos.

    Poll/Question/Links

    Questions or Comments?

    Book

    The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

    Music

    "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

    Free download: https://www.joshwoodward.com/

    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
  • E4: The Story of Dschemil and Dschemila
    Dec 19 2024
    Episode 4: The Story of Dschemil and Dschemila

    **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

    Summary

    Dschemil and Dschemila are engaged to be married. Dschemil sets out to gather all they will need for their future home. While he is away, Dschemila is captured by an ogre and brought to his castle in the desert. Not knowing what has become of her, Dschemilas family assumes the worst and buries a goat in her place. Upon his return, Dschemil is heartbroken to hear of his betrotheds demise and begins to mourn.

    In the desert, a weary traveler stops to rest in the shade of a castle. A voice from inside warns him of its owner, the ogre. In return for directions, the traveler agrees to do a favor: when he should pass through a certain village he should seek out a man named Dschemil and give him the message that Dschemila is alive!

    Upon learning the truth, Dschemil sets out to find her. When he arrives at the ogres castle they share a tearful reunion and prepare to escape. Unable to capture them, the ogre curses Dschemila with the head and fur of a donkey. Under the cover of night, they finally return to their village and hide Dschemila in her mothers home.

    Three months pass and the ogre gives a traveling Jew the task of bringing Dschemila two enchanted objects to break her curse. As soon as he arrives in the village he meets Dschemil, and the objects are brought to Dschemila. The curse is lifted and the two are finally wed.


    How would you categorize this story? Any other thoughts or comments?

    Let me know HERE

    Book

    The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

    Music - "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

    Free download: https://www.joshwoodward.com/

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    36 mins
  • E3: An Impossible Enchantment
    Dec 12 2024
    Episode 3: An Impossible Enchantment

    **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

    Summary

    A king, reluctant to marry, sets out to find a wife. He falls in love with the princess Mutinosa, and the two are soon married. Out for a ride one day, the sharp tongued Queen offends a fairy and as punishment is taken, only to be released in exchange for her first born daughter. Displeased by this deal, the fairy queen imprisons the young princess in an enchanted tower in the middle of the ocean. With the help of some kind fairies, vengeful mermaids, and a handsome prince the enchantment is broken. Returning to her fathers kingdom, the prince and princess live to a ripe old age, loving each other more as time went on.

    Book:- The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

    Music - "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

    Free download: https://www.joshwoodward.com/

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    28 mins
  • E2: The Goblin Pony
    Dec 5 2024

    Episode 2!

    -Thanks for all the positivity!

    -A reminder that things change in a century, so please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. I’ll worry about the language, you worry about the content.

    -Story: The Goblin Pony (from The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang)

    Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

    https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/arrival-of-a-princess

    License code: W8AQ7GW78TOP3HYU

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    6 mins
  • E1: The Grey Fairy Book Intro/ Donkey Skin
    Nov 28 2024

    The first episode! Hooray!!!

    Story (Donkey Skin) starts at 4:28

    Before that you'll hear:

    -About Andrew Lang.

    -An introduction to the Grey Fairy Book.

    -A reminder that what was acceptable in the past may not translate well to modern sensibilities and sensitivities.

    Enjoy!

    Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

    https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/arrival-of-a-princess

    License code: GMPQDKS5LTRBEEME

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins