Once Upon a Rosie

**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

In this concluding chapter of the Story of the Three Sons of Hali, the fair Circassians share their story. They tie up loose ends as they explain how their paths and destinies were shaped by the mysterious Dervish, who set in motion and intertwined the many events in the lives of the sons of Hali, daughters of Sirocco, and the three Jewish brothers.

Edit

I will admit, there was a line towards the end of the story that I chose to cut when editing the recording. The line, presented as part of the happy ending to the tale, is about the Jewish characters converting away from their faith. It was a personal choice not to include that, and perhaps one day, we can discuss it.

Poll/Question/Links

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Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

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

**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

The story of Neangir continues as he is reunited with his family and more of their mysterious tale is revealed.

Poll/Question/Links

https://forms.gle/9XZt9kPrSXvHSziU8

Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

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

**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

After turning eighteen, Neangir is sent from home to seek his fortune. Upon arriving in Constantinople he is invited home by a stranger, who gives him a magical potion to drink and a miniature painting of one of his missing daughters. Neangir immediately falls in love with the girl in the image. To find her, he is directed to a particular stall in the Jewish Bazaar. There he is sold a beautiful silver watch.

Overnight, the watch disappears under mysterious circumstances. Furious, Neangir returns to the bazaar and takes the brother of the merchant to the Cadi (judge) for justice.

There, a cast of characters assemble and the mysterious surrounding Nenagirs existence are slowly unravelled.

Poll/Question/Links

https://forms.gle/9XZt9kPrSXvHSziU8

Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

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

This story contains a strong theme of revenge.

**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 dog runs away from his master and is adopted by a sparrow. When the dog gets run over, the sparrow vows to make the driver pay for his actions.

Poll/Question/Links

https://forms.gle/9XZt9kPrSXvHSziU8

Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

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

**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 merchant sends his son, Bobino, to study languages with an old master. Upon his return, Bobino reveals that the languages he learned were those of animals. Enraged at the thought of his money being wasted in this way, the merchant sends Bobino away to be killed. Not wanting to complete the task, the two servants charged with Bobino's demise, allow him to escape.

Now free, Bobino makes his way through the world using his language skills to understand the animals around him and help the humans he meets.

Ultimately, he finds himself chosen to rule over a town, which he does with happiness and wisdom.

Points to Ponder

Can you think of a modern equivalent to this scenario? Perhaps with a bit less extreme response from the parents…

Poll/Question/Links

https://forms.gle/9XZt9kPrSXvHSziU8

Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

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

This story has a number of themes and motifs that should be carefully considered. Please please, take a listen before playing this for any children.

**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 mother moves to a new town with her son and daughter. Time passes, and while the son is traveling, the mother is killed. The daughter runs away and is found by a mysterious man who brings her to his home underground and marries her. After some time they have a son. Their son, Mohammed, is gifted with the ability to see anything happening "as far as two days distance".

One day, Mohammed tells his mother that his uncle will soon arrive. As predicted, in a matter of days the siblings are reunited.

The sister puts her penniless brother to work. Before long, she decides she wants to be permanently rid of him, and tells her husband to take care of it. Reluctantly, he agrees and tries to use his shapeshifting abilities against his brother-in-law. Mohammed, loyal to his uncle, warns him of the plan and does everything in his power to thwart his parents' plot, and turns the tables on them.

The uncle and Mohammed decide to try their luck out in the world. After some time, Mohammed declares it is time to part ways, and leaves his uncle with a warning. The uncle is too hungry to heed the warning and soon finds himself in another less-than-stellar situation. Again, Mohammed comes to his rescue, leaving a trail of destruction behind.

Reunited, the two set out again, and chaos continues. Ultimately, they divide their possessions and part ways after a tearful goodbye.

Poll/Question/Links

https://forms.gle/9XZt9kPrSXvHSziU8

Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

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

**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

When her father, the king, leaves on a trip, the youngest princess requests he bring her back a wreath of wildflowers. Unable to find the gift in any shop he begins his journey home.

Deep in a forest the king spots a white wolf wearing, of all things, a wreath of wildflowers. The creature agrees to trade the wreath in exchange for whatever shall first greet the king on his way home. Seeing no harm, the king agrees.

Upon arrival home, the king is first greeted by his beloved youngest daughter. Grieved by the deal he made, the queen tries to pass off a servant girl in her daughter's place. The wolf quickly realizes she is an imposter and demands the true princess, who bravely leaves with the wolf.

The wolf takes her to his castle where he removes his fur and reveals himself to be a prince.

Half a year passes, and the wolf takes the princess to celebrate her sister's wedding, leaving and returning to bring her back to his palace.

Another half year passes, and again, he brings her home for a wedding celebration. This time, in wolf form, he too stays. At night, the queen has his fur taken and burned in the palace kitchen. The moment that happens, the prince is whisked back to his castle by magic.

The Princess sets out to find him, eliciting help along the way from the wind, a star, the moon, and the sun. Finally she arrives in the wolf's kingdom. In disguise, she makes her way into the palace and tells her story to the wolf.

The next day the wolf declares that now that they have been reunited they will never part again.

Points to Ponder

How did the wolf know that the princess was the one to greet the king?

Poll/Question/Links

https://forms.gle/9XZt9kPrSXvHSziU8

Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

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

**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

The magical Queen of All the Isles requires that every princess of the Isles be presented to her when they turn fifteen. After being presented to the jealous and spiteful queen, the eldest daughter of the Queen of the Flowery Isles is hidden away for her own safety.

Thinking enough time has passed, the Queen of the Flowery Isles plans a celebration. On the way to the party, the ground opens up and kidnaps the princess to a mysterious desert where she befriends the only other living creature, a dog.

One morning, she cannot find the dog. Terribly distraught, she searches everywhere for him. Suddenly, she is whisked away by a magic cloud that returns her to the Flowery Isles.

Reunited with her sister, she learns that their mother passed away from grief, and she is to be the new Queen of the Flowery Isle. She accepts the crown on the condition that her sister rule beside her.

Still mourning the loss of her dog, the new queen offers increasingly larger rewards for his return. Fortunately, her sister is able to avert disaster.

One day, just as the queen is preparing to abdicate the throne so she herself can search for the dog, a fleet of ships from the Emerald Isles appear in the harbor. Their prince requests an audience with the queen. He tells her how he was cursed by the Queen of All the Isles, revealing that he had been the dog. Immediately their wedding is arranged, and they rule well for many years.

Poll/Question/Links

https://forms.gle/9XZt9kPrSXvHSziU8

Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

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

**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

Herr Lazarus commissions a sword that misleadingly boasts "With one blow I have slain forty". One day, as he sleeps by a spring, one of the Draken discovers him. After reading his sword, Herr Lazarus is invited to join the Draken.

Thinking him a mighty warrior, the creatures teach him their ways and add him to their chore rotation. When it is his turn he is unable to do the tasks, so he tricks them into removing him from the roster.

By and by, the Draken grow weary of him, and after a failed attempt to dispatch him, send him home with a large bag of gold.

After outsmarting the Draken one final time, he uses the gold to build a beautiful new house where he lives out the rest of his days.

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/

**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 nun, a countryman, and a blacksmith take up residence in a deserted castle. The three companions agree that each day two of them should search for provisions, while the third should stay home to cook and clean.

A strange little gray man appears, eats up all of their food, beats them up, and leaves. He returns the following day with two heads, and the one after that with three.

In defense, the blacksmith cuts off two of the creature's heads. He then follows it back to its lair.

Wanting to be completely free of the creature, he and his companions enter the lair.

Inside they find two princesses and a prince, each of whom had been trapped under a magician's spell.

Free from the spell, the all leave the lair, and they all live happily ever after.

Poll/Question/Links

https://forms.gle/9XZt9kPrSXvHSziU8

Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

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