Welcome to series two of the Nature StoryTeller podcast. Come in and take a seat. It is another cool but bright spring evening, and we are all together to share another story from Nature Folklore.

This episode features local lore from the Lake District, a beautiful, scenic area northwest of England. 

First, we introduce you to an elusive, mystical creature native to the Lakes and one of the many legends from those deep dark waters who shared its magic with us on the land. It is also said to have a taste for Ginger Biscuits!

Our main story comes from the Borderlands - which bridge the divide between the very north of England and the very south of Scotland.

I first heard it on a night like this when I was in the Lake District, gathered with friends to listen to a story passed on by generations of storytellers, and now it is my turn to share it with you.

So, if you are sitting comfortably, take a deep breath, relax and close your eyes as we share the fantastic tale of the Lad who herded Hares.

We hope you have enjoyed our tales. If you have a favourite story or a slice of local folklore you think we should be sharing, please get in touch with us.

Our email address is [email protected], or if you would like to hear more stories from nature folklore, visit our website www.naturestoryteller.org

Now it is time for me to return to the woodland, but Nature StoryTeller will return in May with more fascinating folk tales and stories from nature and folklore. 

Hello, and welcome to the Nature StoryTeller podcast!

As we celebrate the Spring equinox, we also come to the end of our first series. We are grateful to all those who have listened to us since our launch at Samhain, and we hope you enjoyed the twenty-four nature-based tales we shared with you.

We are so excited to know we have a couple of hundred regular listeners and about the same number of you who tune in occasionally. We would appreciate it if you would subscribe to our podcast. It is free and helps us reach new people on podcast platforms.

The spring equinox is a time of new beginnings and harnessing nature’s energies. As we share two tales today, we hope you find their messages as relevant today as they were when they were first told.

Our first tale originates from the borderlands of Scotland and England, and we know that you will enjoy listening to it. So, sit back, relax, and begin with the story of Thomas the Thatcher. 

Living and eating in sync with nature is not new, yet it is more relevant now than ever. The buzzwords 'green' and 'eco' have become commonplace. Still, if they lead more people to align themselves with the cyclical rhythms of nature, then they are worth embracing. However, we should never condone greenwashing, as it is dishonest and unethical.

Our second tale is a universal story that originated in southern Ireland but is present in almost every culture worldwide. Its message resonates with all of us, regardless of where we live.

Are you ready to hear it? Let's close our eyes and immerse ourselves in the story of the underwater palace.

We would be so grateful if you would leave us a review on your podcast platform and like, follow, and share our stories on your social media platforms. The Nature StoryTeller is on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter/X.

We are new to this journey but have received remarkable support and friendship from fellow storytellers. We are grateful for the warm welcome and sage advice we have received. 

Thank you to Lisa Schneidau for her incredible passion for storytelling, her knowledge and love of nature and wildlife, and Owen Staton for being a storytelling legend.

Owen was the first person I contacted. He is an excellent source of knowledge of folktales and an inspiration with the passionate way he delivers his storytelling. We highly recommend that you listen to his podcast, The Time Between Times, and we hope to join Owen around the firepit deep in the forest one day.

We would like to hear from you if you enjoy our nature-based folklore and storytelling. If you have a favourite story you would like us to share, or there are things we could do better, please get in touch with us. We read every email. Our email is  [email protected]. That's [email protected].

Most importantly, we want to thank you, our listeners. Whether you are joining us today for the first time or have been with us from the beginning of this journey, we appreciate you all and would like to say a heartfelt Thank you for listening to our first series of tales.

The Nature StoryTeller will return in April with series two.

Welcome to the Nature StoryTeller. 

To celebrate the UK #NationalStorytellingweek 2024, we took the NatureStoryteller on the road for the first time to share our stories with a live audience.

With the spirit of Imbolc rising in our blood, we shared two stories. The first was an adaptation of Catriona McDonald's The Imbolc Story, featuring Brighid as she develops the skills and compassion that made her a Goddess. 

In our second story, we again follow Brighid to Kildare, where she sets up home and home and works her magic to help a white wolf and a woodcutter who is in deep trouble with the king. Our second story is one of the very few where wolves are not seen as bad; that is why I like it.

I hope you enjoy our live storytelling, as it is something I hope to do more of in the future.

You can listen to all our storytelling podcasts and find out more about us on our website, www.naturestoryteller.org

Hello and welcome to the Nature Storyteller. This evening is a special one, where families come together to celebrate the birthday of The National Poet of Scotland, Robert Burns.

You may have welcomed in 2024 with the words of the Baird if you joined in with "Auld Lang Syne", one of the over 500 poems he wrote.

The first Burns Night was celebrated in 1801, five years after Burns died. It is said that some of his closest friends came up with the idea of commemorating Robert in an annual celebration.

That first event took place at Burns Cottage in Alloway.  The night was deemed such a success that it was decided the occasion would be held again, this time in honour of Rabbie's birthday, and so the tradition we enjoy to this day was born.

The centrepiece of that first event was the Burns Supper, which remains today. Haggis with neeps, turnips, tatties, potatoes, usually mashed and a flamed whiskey sauce.

The evening celebrations will begin with the host reading Burns's poem "Address to the Haggis". The Haggis will be brought to the table on a silver platter while a piper plays. This is known as Piping the Haggis. Then, there will be a rather elaborate cutting of the haggis with a large knife before the assembled guests enjoy their Burns Night Supper.  After supper, the guests will spend the evening dancing to Scottish folk and traditional music - perhaps better known as a Ceilidh. If you have yet to go to a Ceilidh, go as soon as possible.

So, in January's dark, cold depths, Burns Night brings joy to your heart as you spend the night dancing with friends.

We begin with a story from Ayrshire, on the southwest coast, of a mystical creature in the classic tale of the Selkie Bride.

Our second story of the evening is about two Celtic goddesses, Bride and Beara. 

Although they are sisters, they have distinct personalities that set them apart. This causes exciting conflicts, much like in tonight's tale, Saving the Forest. 

The Nature StoryTeller will return in two weeks with two more tales that will captivate and entertain you. 

Until then, raise a glass of your favourite drink and cheers to good health and happiness -

Slàinte Mhath!

For more stories, don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and please visit our website, www.naturestoryteller.org, like and follow us on social media. Thank you

Hello and welcome to the Nature Storyteller. Today, we have two very different stories to share with you.

The first story is called "The Magic of the Winter Sky." It is an appreciation of nature at night with the magical dark skies, magnificent stars, constellations, and auroras as we adventure through a Northern forest in the depths of winter.

In our second story, we are trying something that may not be suitable for some of you and is not ideal for younger children.

Storytelling is a way of sharing knowledge and wisdom. However, stories have always been used to express our feelings when something is unjust and wrong.

As a storyteller, it is essential to reflect on the things happening around us, especially those that upset us. It is that energy that motivates us to speak out and take action.

"Alfie's Story" is challenging. However, as an animal lover, I was moved to write it by the uncaring and unthinking ways that some people have towards our animal companions and, more broadly, towards wildlife and the natural world.

Alfie is an XL Bully dog. The government has passed a law condemning all individuals of a breed of dog to death as a dangerous breed. This includes dogs that have been loyal companions and family members and have never caused any concern. It is an archaic and reprehensible decision.

"Alfie's Story" will be told after our main story, so you can decide to listen; either way, I very much appreciate your compassion and empathy.

If you do listen, I hope you see that "Alfie's Story" comes from a sense of injustice, and whilst we may not have an XL Bully, that does not stop us from feeling the pain and suffering from such a decision. I'm sure you, like me, are dismayed by how some people lack respect and understanding of animals and the natural world.

Alfie's Story is a small step in getting the message out to a broader public that it is us humans who cause the majority of the problems, and yet we never seem to learn from the mistakes, and it is always the animals and nature that suffer.

That is wrong and something I deeply and passionately want to see change. I dedicate this story to all the XL Bully dogs that have been needlessly put to sleep due to this decision.

Welcome to the Nature StoryTeller. 

We have two exciting tales of nature and wildlife to share with you today.

So, sit back and relax, forget the day's worries, and let your imagination take you on a journey with these magical stories.

The first story, "The Owl is a Creature of the Night," is about a curious, tawny owl who wants to see if the daytime is as beautiful and enchanting as he's been told.

Our second story is a fantasy that explains why moles live underground. The tale includes all the characteristics of moles as a species and depicts their encounter with bees, which changes everything. This story is appropriate for all age groups.

So, if you're comfortable and ready, please close your eyes, and if it's safe to do so, let's begin our storytelling adventure.

Welcome to the #NatureStoryTeller Christmas Special 2023

The Winter Solstice is upon us, which means the days will soon grow longer again. It's the perfect time to light up the Yule log and warm your home, as Christmas is just around the corner. 

Today, we have two wonderful family-friendly stories to share with you.

First, we'll take you on a magical journey through the Christmas Tree Forest.

Then, we'll treat you to an original Christmas adventure with the story of the Snow Bunny. So, settle into a comfortable chair and get ready to listen to some heartwarming stories about nature and wildlife.

In today's Nature StoryTeller podcast, we have two new stories to share with you. The first story is our interpretation of a traditional rhyme that generations of children and adults have been singing for around 500 years. This rhyme is still commonly sung whenever people spot one or more magpies.

I want to thank our regular listeners. Although Nature StoryTeller is still a new podcast, only launching this last Samhain, we are delighted and humbled to have thousands of you joining us to listen to our stories.

We will release A Christmas Special on the Winter Solstice to celebrate Yule. So please subscribe and like wherever you get your podcasts, and ensure you never miss a story. www.naturestoryteller.org

Our second story is an original tale about a handsome and dapper woodland character. We would like to introduce you to A Pheasant called Francis.

Welcome to the Nature StoryTeller Podcast!

Today, we have two stories to share with you about nature and folklore. The first story is a traditional English tale about three brothers. The elder two brothers are lazy and want to trick their youngest brother, Jack, into giving them his share of the family farm. They plan to send him to heaven in a sack. 

Our main story comes from Irish legend and myth. It is one of many tales about Finn MacCumhaill and his warrior band of men, the Fianna. Today's story is called "The Story of Oisin." 

Now, please take a moment to relax, get comfortable, and focus on your breathing. Allow the magic of storytelling to transport you to a mystical place deep within your own imagination. For more nature folklore stories, please visit our website: www.naturestoryteller.org

Folklore stories have been passed down through generations as the wisdom of our ancestors.

Today, the Nature StoryTeller shares two such stories with you.

The first one is from Somerset and is about the Tree Sprites who live within and protect their trees in the tale of the Alder Sprite.

Our main story is called "The Black Fox" and tells the tale of a vixen who outsmarts a Lord consumed by greed and obsession who has everything he could ever need but will never have what he wants.

Over time, these stories have been kept alive and shared by storytellers who added their unique touch. The Nature StoryTeller continues the tradition of sharing these stories, sharing them with you and preserving them for future generations.

Nature and folklore intertwine beautifully in a captivating episode that explores the tales of the Alder Sprite and the Black Fox. The first story transports listeners to the serene landscapes of Somerset, where Tam, a humble farm worker, discovers the magical powers of the tree sprites that inhabit the sacred alder tree by the Saints Well. Despite local lore warning against disturbing these mystical protectors of nature, Tam's frustration with an obstructing branch leads him to ignore the signs from the sprites, resulting in dire consequences. As autumn leaves fall into the well, Tam's insistence that they ruin the water's taste blinds him to the wisdom of respecting nature's guardians. His rash decision to cut the branch ultimately leads to a catastrophic fire that engulfs his cottage, teaching listeners a fundamental lesson about the importance of heeding nature's warnings and honoring the wisdom passed down through generations.

The second tale, the Black Fox, unfolds a rich narrative of desire, greed, and the supernatural. The story follows a heartless lord who, consumed by his obsession with a woman who lives in the woods, seeks to possess everything he cannot have. His misguided attempts to win her over through wealth and power highlight the futility of greed. As the tale progresses, the lord's efforts to capture a mysterious black fox that symbolizes the woman’s spirit lead to his own downfall. The fox, a creature of nature, embodies both the wild and the wisdom of the earth, contrasting sharply with the lord's destructive ambition. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of possessiveness and the consequences of ignoring the natural world, reminding us that true power lies not in ownership but in respect and harmony with nature.

Listeners are invited to reflect on the deeper meanings behind these folklore tales, which echo timeless lessons about humility, respect for the environment, and the perils of greed. The Nature Storyteller weaves these enchanting stories with a narrative style that emphasizes the connection between humanity and the natural world. By sharing these tales, the storyteller not only entertains but also reinforces the importance of preserving folklore, ensuring that the wisdom of our ancestors continues to resonate with future generations. The episode closes with an invitation to embrace the magic of storytelling as a means to understand and appreciate the natural world, leaving audiences with a sense of wonder and a renewed respect for the wisdom embedded in folklore.

Takeaways:

• Folklore stories like the Alder Sprite teach us the importance of respecting nature and its wisdom.
• Tam's reckless actions led to dire consequences, reminding us to heed warnings and instincts.
• The Black Fox embodies the spirit of nature, protecting those with good hearts and intentions.
• Greed and obsession can blind individuals, preventing them from appreciating what they already possess.
• Nature storytelling preserves ancestral wisdom, connecting generations through shared tales and lessons.
• Both stories illustrate the balance between human desires and the natural world’s integrity.