Myth and Folklore Blog

Photo by  Ikiobelung  on  Unsplash  Story source:  King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table  by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1902). A long long time ago there was no king in the Kingdom of Aldarir. Every knight throughout the realms wanted to have their chance at the crown. Many men tried to take the kingdom and so the local wizard decided to do something about it. The wizard Trygve who's name means "trustworthy," used magic to lock the castle. The only person who could unlock the castle would be true ruler over Aldarir. The key was placed in plain sight, almost as a welcoming sign to try the door. The key knew who would be worthy and who would not. Knights from near and far came and gathered to line up politely and attempt to unlock the door. Some the door would throw them far away, some would just get their wrist twisted and some could not even see the key. None could turn the key in the lock. The guards of th...

 Photo by  Ant Rozetsky  on  Unsplash Story source:  American Indian Fairy Tales  by W.T. Larned, with illustrations by John Rae (1921). A long long time ago, the winds where chaos. They had no dominion over certain land and they roamed free as they pleased. Children feared the North Wind as it was cold and brought snow and ice to their lands. The North Wind was loud and fast, and children ran and hid from it. The South Wind, however, was quite the opposite. He was just a nice guy honestly. The South Wind would walk around enjoying the sun, smelling flowers, and napping on hills. Whenever the South Wind came to town the children rejoiced.  Wherever the South Wind was traveling at that time, it was summer. The North and South balanced each other well, but the North Wind had a plan. He wanted to become more powerful than his nemesis the South Wind. The North Wind knew the South Wind's routine very well. Every night the South Wind would lay down on a hill...

  Photo by  Dennis Buchner  on  Unsplash The Story of the Man Who Did Not Wish to Die :  Japanese Fairy Tales  by Yei Theodora Ozaki, with illustrations by Japanese artists (1905). Santana was nervous, she was departing on her first ever plane trip alone! Her father had recently moved to Hawaii and she was away at college and could not visit him. She had always been afraid of heights and so when she found out her dad was moving away, she knew it was going to be hard for her to see him. He knew she was iffy about coming, he probably thought she would not. It was his 50th birthday this weekend, and she knew she had to be there.  "Sorry if I seem so nervous, I grew up in California and we just drove everywhere. Never a need to fly haha. Just don't think I am freaking out.... I am totally fine." Santana giggled nervously to the man sitting next to her on the flight. He looked over at her and noticed she was talking. Taking out an AirPod he said, "Is this g...

Photo:  Timur Romanov on Unsplash  Story Source: The Little Hunting Dog   There once was a boy, Ernest, who lived on a farm with his parents. He had not many friends, and he kept to himself for the most part. The farm that he lived on was very desolate, not too many people around and he had to be homeschooled. One night his parents were sitting at the dinner table talking closely when Ernest walked in nervously.  "Ernest, go to sleep sweetheart," his Maw exclaimed, "your Paw and I are just discussing adult matters, you don't need to worry about."  "Maw, I am an adult though!" Ernest looked at his parents, upset that they would keep things from him like this. "We're selling our farm, son." Paw said, unable to look his boy in the eyes.  "But Paw.... what about the animals? Where will they go?" Ernest was beginning to worry because his animals were his only company. His parents looked away from him, ashamed at the lengths they had...

Story: The Punishment of Fallen Angels  Photo: Wikipedia   Azazel and Shemhazai decided that one day they wanted to go on a road trip, they work so hard and yet they get no praise for all of their dedicated hard work.  "Azazel," said Shemhazai, "Why can't we just go to earth and walk among the humans? Surely they will show us a good time." They both went to ask God for a week off. After all, they were angels, and the corruption of vacationing on earth's fine beaches shouldn't impact them too much. "God... do you mind if Shemhazai and I have a teensy weensie break?" Azazel asked shyly, "we have been working so hard watching over these insolent humans that never follow any of our rules and we just need a break. We've seen how much fun the beach looks! Even Noah had a nice drink of merlot and got to sleep, can we just go for a week? Pleassseeeee."  God was ashamed with his two angels, they were supposed to be happy with the condition...

  Photo from Wikimedia Commons   Patroclus walks up to Achilles nervous about what he should say. He cared for Achilles a great deal and did not want him to put himself in the line of fire. Nervously pacing back and forth in front of the tent, Patroclus was practicing what to say. "Patroclus," Achilles said with a sigh, "I can see you pacing in front of my tent. Would you like to come in and discuss with me whatever is bothering you so." Patroclus stopped in his tracks, realizing this was a bad idea but he came in the tent with a smile. "Hello Achilles, it's been a while... how are you?" Patroclus said half smiling. "Patroclus, we ate lunch together an hour ago. What is causing your distress. I don't like your energy right now." Achilles stood up and walked over to his friend touching his shoulder. Patroclus refused to look Achilles in the eye.  "Achilles, please don't go into battle. You don't have to, it will be the death o...

  Photo by   Edward Howell   on   Unsplash Once upon a time, in a faraway land lived a happy family. The mom and her three daughters were artists, they loved to paint and stitch and sew throughout the day together, traveling from place to place for inspiration. On the youngest sister Rose's birthday, they all set out to find a place to sit and enjoy the festivities they had planned out. The middle sister, Flora went out searching for the most beautiful place to paint a special present for her sister. She had been searching to find a Rose that matched her sister in beauty for quite some time and hoped that she might paint it to gift her as a birthday surprise.  After searching for quite some time she came across the most beautiful and plentiful Rose garden that she had ever seen. She immediately called for the sisters and they set up camp there in that garden. Flora painted and gazed over the beauty of the garden when she saw her sister Rose running through the f...