Post a myth, fairy-tale, story from your country

[Hercus Monte]

self explanatory.

[Hercus Monte]

a long long time ago, all people lived in darkness.
They didn't know the light of day because they had no sun. a god-smith of enormous skill -Talevelis, decided to help them. He took his mighty hammer and started forging the sun out of shining iron. It took him 6 years to finish it, but once he did, he lit the sun on fire and threw it into the sky so that the people could have sunlight.
However, dark spirits were jealous of the people and decided to steal the sun.
One day, when Talevelis was sleeping, those dark spirits stole the sun, fettered the sun with iron chains and hid it deep in the underworld in a stone tower.
When he woke up and saw nothing but darkness around him, Talevelis, searched for the stolen sun, but to no avail.
Finally, he saw permeating a ray of light through the thick stone walls of the tower.
In vain did the godly blacksmith walk around the stone tower, its walls were solid, and the locks were made of copper.
He did not waste his time, Televelis went home, took his hammer and destroyed the stone tower.
Since that day the sun is free and shines for the People.




http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QVtPk6brgO4/TN38KYfC-tI/AAAAAAAACgo/8zgYe67hsjU/s1600/Forge_by_maxarkes.jpg

[Hercus Monte]

A woman was harvesting a flower bed and had taken her child with her. She was so busy with her work that the child slept the day through, and she left the little one behind.
The woman went home at the end of the day to milk the cows and make dinner.
She served her husband, who asked her "Where’s my son?" With terror she whispered, "I have forgotten him!" She ran as fast as she could to the place in which she left her son, hearing a fairie speak: "Čiūčia liūlia, forgotten child."
The mother, from the distance, asked the fairie for her child back. The fairie said, "Come, come, dear woman, take your child, we have done nothing to him. We know that you work very hard, at many jobs, and that you didn't want to leave your child behind."
The fairies then went on to shower the babe with much treasure, enough gifts to raise several children upon.
The mother went home with her precious baby and with her gifts; she was greeted with great joy.
Another woman, hearing of her good fortune, was taken over by jealousy.
She took to thinking, "I shall do the same as her, and also be showered in gifts."
The next evening, at dusk, she took her child, left him in the fields and went home. She ate dinner, thoughtlessly, before pausing to think of her child—and the treasure.
When she approached the field, she heard the fairies, "Čiūčia liūlia, you left your child in greed."
And the child screamed with such great pain, for he was pinched and tortured mercilessly.
They continued their torture until the mother came. The fairies tossed the child at her feet. The babe was dead.



http://rubinaitis.lnb.lt/rub/m/m_images/wfiles/irjepz541.jpg

[Prisoner Of Ice]

Third world shitheels are just like us in every way and will soon integrate into society and enrich it in uncountable ways.

[Neanderthal]

I will tomorrow. Suscribed.

[Shah-Jehan]

Later maybe:)

[Shah-Jehan]

I was tempted to post, the first chapter of the 'Shahnameh', the epic of kings...

1- The Shahs of Old
Kaiumers first sat upon the throne of Persia, and was master of the world. He took up his abode in the mountains, and clad himself and his people in tiger-skins, and from him sprang all kindly nurture and the arts of clothing, till then unknown. Men and beasts from all parts of the earth came to do him homage and receive laws at his hands, and his glory was like to the sun. Then Ahriman the Evil, when he saw how the Shah's honour was increased, waxed envious, and sought to usurp the diadem of the world. So he bade his son, a mighty Deev, gather together an army to go out against Kaiumers and his beloved son Saiamuk and destroy them utterly.

Now the Serosch, the angel who defendeth men from the snares of the Deevs, and who each night flieth seven times around the earth that he may watch over the children of Ormuzd, when he learned this, appeared like unto a Peri and warned Kaiumers. So when Saiamuk set forth at the head of his warriors to meet the army of Ahriman, he knew that he was contending against a Deev, and he put forth all his strength. But the Deev was mightier than he, and overcame him, and crushed him under his hands.

When Kaiumers heard the news of mourning, he was bowed to the ground. For a year did he weep without ceasing, and his army wept with him; yea, even the savage beasts and the birds of the air joined in the wailing. And sorrow reigned in the land, and all the world was darkened until the Serosch bade the Shah lift his head and think on vengeance. And Kaiumers obeyed, and commanded Husheng, the son of Saiamuk, "Take the lead of the army, and march against the Deevs." And the King, by reason of his great age, went in the rear. Now there were in the host Peris; also tigers, lions, wolves, and other fierce creatures, and when the black Deev heard their roaring he trembled for very fear. Neither could he hold himself against them, and Husheng routed him utterly. Then when Kaiumers saw that his well-beloved son was revenged he laid him down to die, and the world was void of him, and Husheng reigned in his stead.

Now Husheng was a wise man and just, and the heavens revolved over his throne forty years. Justice did he spread over the land, and the world was better for his reign. For he first gave to men fire, and showed them how to draw it from out the stone; and he taught them how they might lead the rivers, that they should water the land and make it fertile; and he bade them till and reap. And he divided the beasts and paired them and gave them names. And when he passed to a brighter life he left the world empty of a throne of power. But Tahumers, his son, was not unworthy of his sire. He too opened the eyes of men, and they learned to spin and to weave; and he reigned over the land long and mightily. But of him also were the Deevs right envious, and sought to destroy him. Yet Tahumers overcame them and cast them to earth. Then some craved mercy at his hands, and sware how they would show him an art if he would spare them, and Tahumers listened to their voice. And they taught him the art of writing, and thus from the evil Deevs came a boon upon mankind.

Howbeit when Tahumers had sat upon the golden throne for the space of thirty years he passed away, but his works endured; and Jamshid, his glorious son, whose heart was filled with the counsels of his father, came after him. Now Jamshid reigned over the land seven hundred years girt with might, and Deevs, birds, and Peris obeyed him. And the world was happier for his sake, and he too was glad, and death was unknown among men, neither did they wot of pain or sorrow. And he first parcelled out men into classes; priests, warriors, artificers, and husbandmen did he name them. And the year also he divided into periods. And by aid of the Deevs he raised mighty works, and Persepolis was builded by him, that to this day is called Tukht-e-Jemsheed, which being interpreted meaneth the throne of Jamshid. Then, when these things were accomplished, men flocked from all corners of the earth around his throne to do him homage and pour gifts before his face. And Jamshid prepared a feast, and bade them keep it, and called it Neurouz, which is the New Day, and the people of Persia keep it to this hour. And Jamshid's power increased, and the world was at peace, and men beheld in him nought but what was good.

Then it came about that the heart of Jamshid was uplifted in pride, and he forgot whence came his weal and the source of his blessings. He beheld only himself upon the earth, and he named himself God, and sent forth his image to be worshipped. But when he had spoken thus, the Mubids, which are astrologers and wise men, hung their heads in sorrow, and no man knew how he should answer the Shah. And God withdrew his hand from Jamshid, and the kings and the nobles rose up against him, and removed their warriors from his court, and Ahriman had power over the land.

Now there dwelt in the deserts of Arabia a king named Mirtas, generous and just, and he had a son, Zohak, whom he loved. And it came about that Ahriman visited the palace disguised as a noble, and tempted Zohak that he should depart from the paths of virtue. And he spake unto him and said-

"If thou wilt listen to me, and enter into a covenant, I will raise thy head above the sun."

Now the young man was guileless and simple of heart, and he sware unto the Deev that he would obey him in all things. Then Ahriman bade him slay his father, "for this old man," he said, "cumbereth the ground, and while he liveth thou wilt remain unknown." When Zohak heard this he was filled with grief, and would have broken his oath, but Ahriman suffered him not, but made him set a trap for Mirtas. And Zohak and the evil Ahriman held their peace and Mirtas fell into the snare and was killed. Then Zohak placed the crown of Thasis upon his head, and Ahriman taught him the arts of magic, and he ruled over his people in good and evil, for he was not yet wholly given up to guile.

Then Ahriman imagined a device in his black heart. He took upon himself the form of a youth, and craved that he might serve the King as cook. And Zohak, who knew him not, received him well and granted his request, and the keys of the kitchen were given unto him. Now hitherto men had been nourished with herbs, but Ahriman prepared flesh for Zohak. New dishes did he put before him, and the royal favour was accorded to his savory meats. And the flesh gave the King courage and strength like to that of a lion, and he commanded that his cook should be brought before him and ask a boon at his hands. And the cook said-

"If the King take pleasure in his servant, grant that he may kiss his shoulders."

Now Zohak, who feared no evil, granted the request, and Ahriman kissed him on his shoulders. And when he had done so, the ground opened beneath his feet and covered the cook, so that all men present were amazed thereat. But from his kiss sprang hissing serpents, venomous and black; and the King was afraid, and desired that they should be cut off from the root. But as often as the snakes were cut down did they grow again, and in vain the wise men and physicians cast about for a remedy. Then Ahriman came once again disguised as a learned man, and was led before Zohak, and he spake, saying-

"This ill cannot be healed, neither can the serpents be uprooted. Prepare food for them, therefore, that they may be fed, and give unto them for nourishment the brains of men, for perchance this may destroy them."

But in his secret heart Ahriman desired that the world might thus be made desolate; and daily were the serpents fed, and the fear of the King was great in the land. The world withered in his thrall, the customs of good men were forgotten, and the desires of the wicked were accomplished.

Now it was spread abroad in Iran that in the land of Thasis there reigned a man who was mighty and terrible to his foes. Then the kings and nobles who had withdrawn from Jamshid because he had rebelled against God, turned to Zohak and besought him that he would be their ruler, and they proclaimed him Shah. And the armies of Arabia and Persia marched against Jamshid, and he fled before their face. For the space of twice fifty years no man knew whither he was gone, for he hid from the wrath of the Serpent-King. But in the fulness of time he could no longer escape the fury of Zohak, whose servants found him as he wandered on the sea-shore of Cathay, and they sawed him in twain, and sent tidings thereof to their lord. And thus perished the throne and power of Jamshid like unto the grass that withereth, because that he was grown proud, and would have lifted himself above his Maker.

So the beloved of Ahriman, Zohak the Serpent, sat upon the throne of Iran, the kingdom of Light. And he continued to pile evil upon evil till the measure thereof was full to overflowing, and all the land cried out against him. But Zohak and his councillors, the Deevs, shut ear unto this cry, and the Shah reigned thus for the space of a thousand years, and vice stalked in daylight, but virtue was hidden. And despair filled all hearts, for it was as though mankind must perish to still the appetite of those snakes sprung from Evil, for daily were two men slaughtered to satisfy their desire. Neither had Zohak mercy upon any man. And darkness was spread over the land because of his wickedness.

But Ormuzd saw it and was moved with compassion for his people, and he declared they should no longer suffer for the sin of Jamshid. And he caused a grandson to be born to Jamshid, and his parents called him Feridoun.

Now it befell that when he was born, Zohak dreamed he beheld a youth slender like to a cypress, and he came towards him bearing a cow-headed mace, and with it he struck Zohak to the ground. Then the tyrant awoke and trembled, and called for his Mubids, that they should interpret to him this dream. And they were troubled, for they foresaw danger, and he menaced them if they foretold him evil. And they were silent for fear three days, but on the fourth one who had courage spake and said-

"There will arise one named Feridoun, who shall inherit thy throne and reverse thy fortunes, and strike thee down with a cow-headed mace."

When Zohak heard these words he swooned, and the Mubids fled before his wrath. But when he had recovered he bade the world be scoured for Feridoun. And henceforth Zohak was consumed for bitterness of spirit, and he knew neither rest nor joy.

Now it came about that the mother of Feridoun feared lest the Shah should destroy the child if he learned that he was sprung from Jamshid's race. So she hid him in the thick forest where dwelt the wondrous cow Purmaieh, whose hairs were like unto the plumes of a peacock for beauty. And she prayed the guardian of Purmaieh to have a care of her son, and for three years he was reared in the wood, and Purmaieh was his nurse. But when the time was accomplished the mother knew that news of Purmaieh had reached the ears of Zohak, and she feared he would find her son. Therefore she took him far into Ind, to a pious hermit who dwelt on the Mount Alberz. And she prayed the hermit to guard her boy, who was destined for mighty deeds. And the hermit granted her request. And it befell that while she sojourned with him Zohak had found the beauteous Purmaieh and learned of Feridoun, and when he heard that the boy was fled he was like unto a mad elephant in his fury. He slew the wondrous cow and all the living things round about, and made the forest a desert. Then he continued his search, but neither tidings nor sight could he get of Feridoun, and his heart was filled with anguish.

In this year Zohak caused his army to be strengthened, and he demanded of his people that they should certify that he had ever been to them a just and noble king. And they obeyed for very fear. But while they sware there arose without the doorway of the Shah the cry of one who demanded justice. And Zohak commanded that he should be brought in, and the man stood before the assembly of the nobles.

Then Zohak opened his mouth and said, "I charge thee give a name unto him who hath done thee wrong."

And the man, when he saw it was the Shah who questioned him, smote his head with his hands. But he answered and said-

"I am Kaweh, a blacksmith and a blameless man, and I sue for justice, and it is against thee, O King, that I cry out. Seventeen fair sons have I called mine, yet only one remaineth to me, for that his brethren were slain to still the hunger of thy serpents, and now they have taken from me this last child also. I pray thee spare him unto me, nor heap thy cruelties upon the land past bearing."

And the Shah feared Kaweh's wrath, beholding that it was great, and he granted him the life of his son and sought to win him with soft words. Then he prayed him that he would also sign the testimony that Zohak was a just and noble king.

But Kaweh cried, "Not so, thou wicked and ignoble man, ally of Deevs, I will not lend my hand unto this lie," and he seized the declaration and tore it into fragments and scattered them into the air. And when he had done so he strode forth from the palace, and all the nobles and people were astonished, so that none dared uplift a finger to restrain him. Then Kaweh went to the market-place and related to the people all that which he had seen, and recalled to them the evil deeds of Zohak and the wrongs they had suffered at his hands. And he provoked them to shake off the yoke of Ahriman. And taking off the leathern apron wherewith blacksmiths cover their knees when they strike with the hammer, he raised it aloft upon the point of a lance and cried-

"Be this our banner to march forth and seek out Feridoun and entreat him that he deliver us from out the hands of the Serpent-King."

Then the people set up a shout of joy and gathered themselves round Kaweh, and he led them out of the city bearing aloft his standard. And they marched thus for many days unto the palace of Feridoun.

Now these things came about in the land of Iran after twice eight years were passed over the head of Feridoun. And when that time was accomplished, he descended from the Mount Alberz and sought out his mother, questioning her of his lineage. And she told him how that he was sprung from the race of Jamshid, and also of Zohak and of his evil deeds.

Then said Feridoun, "I will uproot this monster from the earth, and his palace will I raze to the dust."

But his mother spake, and said, "Not so, my son, let not thine youthful anger betray thee; for how canst thou stand against all the world?"

Yet not long did she suffer the hard task to hinder him, for soon a mighty crowd came towards the palace led by one who bare an apron uplifted upon a lance. Then Feridoun knew that succour was come unto him. And when he had listened to Kaweh, he came into the presence of his mother with the helmet of kings upon his head, and he said unto her-

"Mother, I go to the wars, and it remaineth for thee to pray God for my safety."

Then he caused a mighty club to be made for him, and he traced the pattern thereof upon the ground, and the top thereof was the head of a cow, in memory of Purmaieh, his nurse. Then he cased the standard of Kaweh in rich brocades of Roum, and hung jewels upon it. And when all was made ready, they set forth towards the West to seek out Zohak, for, they knew not that he was gone to Ind in search of Feridoun. Now when they were come to Bagdad, which is upon the banks of the Tigris, they halted, and Feridoun bade the guardians of the flood convey them across. But these refused, saying, the King bade that none should pass save only those who bore the royal seal. When Feridoun heard these words he was wroth, and he regarded not the rushing river nor the dangers hidden within its floods. He girded his loins and plunged with his steed into the waters, and all the army followed after him. Now they struggled sore with the rushing stream, and it seemed as though the waves would bear them down. But their brave horses overcame all dangers, and they stepped in safety upon the shore. Then they turned their faces towards the city which is now called Jerusalem, for here stood the glorious house that Zohak had builded. And when they had entered the city all the people rallied round Feridoun, for they hated Zohak and looked to Feridoun to deliver them. And he slew the Deevs that held the palace, and cast down the evil talisman that was graven upon the walls. Then he mounted the throne of the idolater and placed the crown of Iran upon his head, and all the people bowed down before him and called him Shah.

Now when Zohak returned from his search after Feridoun and learned that he was seated upon his throne, he encompassed the city with his host. But the army of Feridoun marched against him, and the desires of the people went with them. And all that day bricks fell from the walls and stones from the terraces, and it rained arrows and spears like to hail falling from a dark cloud, until Feridoun had overcome the might of Zohak. Then Feridoun raised his cow-headed mace to slay the Serpent-King. But the blessed Serosch swooped down, and cried-

"Not so, strike not, for Zohak's hour is not yet come."
Then the Serosch bade the Shah bind the usurper and carry him far from the haunts of men, and there fasten him to a rock. And Feridoun did as he was bidden, and led forth Zohak to the Mount Demawend. And he bound him to the rock with mighty chains and nails driven into his hands, and left him to perish in agony. And the hot sun shone down upon the barren cliffs, and there was neither tree nor shrub to shelter him, and the chains entered into his flesh, and his tongue was consumed with thirst. Thus after a while the earth was delivered of Zohak the evil one, and Feridoun reigned in his stead.


Source: http://www.iranchamber.com/literature/shahnameh/01shahs_of_old.php

[Weedman]

European-American haunting-tale from early 19th century/late 18th century. Has had several movies based on it too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Witch

[Peikko]

I'll get back to this thread later too.

[Hercus Monte]

A long time ago, on the site of what is now Karvaitis hill (http://turizmogidas.lt/uploads/images/places/big/vecekrug2009060902_wruVXfCm.jpg), Stood the temple of the goddess Laima (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laima) and the castle on the island was ruled by King Karvaitis.
One autumn day, the King had a daughter. The little one had the blessing of the goddess Laima, for she grew elegant, intelligent and kind-hearted.
And when her parents named her Neringa she began to grow in what seemed not days, but hours.

At the age of eighteen she was already famous for her extraordinary deeds.
She saved fishermen from storms,
She helped travelers to find their way back home,
and she even saved people from quicksand.

Word spread quickly of her beauty and kind-heartedness. Young men flocked around her like bees around honey. However, she announced that she would only marry the one who could throw a giant stone over all of the Curonian Lagoon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curonian_Lagoon), right to the castle of Ventė (http://www.litaupa.lt/galery/_litaupatours/flash/1_.jpg). Only the king of Ventė Castle had the strength to do so, and so, him and Neringa were engaged.

Bangpūtis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangp%C5%ABtys), the god of storms and sea, was angry with Neringa because he was secretly planing to marry Neringa himself. Because of his anger he created a terrible storm to punish them. For thirteen days and nights, the sky and the earth intermixed. For years the storm kept on raging. The sea waves brought together plenty of sand, flooded fields and meadows and endangered the castle of Ventė.

Then, the giantess Neringa decided to protect the people from Bangpūtis' evil plans. She took plenty of sand with her, ran into the stormy waters and where ever she cast the sand, a giant sand dune would appear. She created a giant strip of land and separated the stormy sea from the Curonian lagoon. Thus, the Curonian spit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curonian_Spit)was created. The people could fish in peace and were protected from the stormy winds and waves of the sea.
The people were so grateful to her, they named the giant island Neringa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neringa_municipality).




http://ikelk.lt/storage/images/000/054/350/54350/original_img.jpg

[Kiyant]

LEGEND OF THE GREAT OGHUZ KHAN
According to legend, Oghuz was born in Central Asia as the son of Qara Khan, leader of the Turks. He starts talking as soon as he was born. He stops drinking his mother's milk after the first time and asks for kımız (an alcoholic beverage made with horse milk) and meat. After that, he grows up supernaturally fast and only in forty days he becomes a young adult. At the time of his birth, the lands of the Turks were preyed upon by a dragon named Kıyant. Oghuz arms himself and goes to kill the dragon. He sets a trap for the dragon by hanging a freshly killed deer to a tree, then kills the great dragon with his bronze lance and cuts off his head with his steel sword.
After Oghuz kills the dragon Kıyant, he becomes a national hero. He forms a special warrior band from the forty sons of forty Turk beys (clan chiefs)thus gathering the clans together. But his Chinese stepmother and half-brother, who is the heir to the throne, become intimitated by his power and convince Qara Khan that Oghuz was planning to dethrone him. Qara Khan decides to assassinate Oghuz at a hunting party. Oghuz learns about this plan and instead, kills his father to become the Khan. His stepmother and half brother flee to China.
After Oghuz becomes the khan, he goes to steppes by himself to praise and pray to Tengri (Sky-God). While praying he sees a circle of light coming from the sky, there was a supernaturally beautiful girl in the light. Oghuz falls in love with the girl and marries her. He has three sons which he names Gün (Sun), Ay (Moon) and Yıldız (Star). Later, Oghuz goes hunting and sees another supernaturally beautiful girl inside a tree. He marries her and has three sons which he names Gök (Sky), Dağ (Mountain) and Deniz (Sea).
After his sons are born, Oghuz Khan gives a great toy (feast) and invites all of his beys (lords). At the feast, he gives this order to his lords:
"I am became your Khan;
Let's all take swords and shields;
Kut (divine power) will be our sign;
Grey wolf will be our uran (warcry);
Our iron lances will be a forest;
Khulan will walk on the hunting ground;
More seas and more rivers;
Sun is our flag and sky is our tent."
Then, he sends letters to the Kings of the Four Directions, saying: "I am the Khan of the Turks. And I will be Khan of the Four Corners of the Earth. I want your obedience."
Altun Khan (Golden Khan), on the right corner of earth, submits his obedience but Urum (Roman), Khan of the left corner, does not. Oghuz declares war on Urum Khan and marches his army to the west. One night, a large male wolf with grey fur(which is an avatar of Tengri) comes to his tent in an aura of light. He says, "Oghuz, you want to march against Urum, I want to march before your army." So, the grey sky-wolf marches before the Turkish army and guides them. The two armies fought near the river İtil (Volga). Oghuz Khan wins the war. Then, Oghuz and his six sons carry out campaigns in Turkistan, India, Iran, Egypt, Syria, with the grey wolf as their guide. He becomes the Khan of the Four Corners of the Earth.
In his old age, Oghuz sees a dream. He calls his six sons and sends them to the east and the west. His elder sons find a golden bow in the east. His younger sons find three silver arrows in the west. Oghuz Khan breaks the golden bow into three pieces and gives each to his three older sons Gün, Ay and Yıldız. He says: "My older sons, take this bow and shoot your arrows to the sky like this bow." He gives three silver arrows to his three younger sons Gök, Dağ and Deniz and says: "My younger sons, take these silver arrows. A bow shoots arrows and you are to be like the arrow." Then, he passes his lands onto his sons, Bozoks (Gray Arrows - elder sons) and Üçoks (Three Arrows - younger sons) at a final banquet. (Abū’l-Ghāzī identifies the lineage symbols, tamga seals and ongon spirit guiding birds, as well as specifying the political hierarchy and seating order at banquets for these sons and their 24 sons) Then he says:
"My sons, I walked a lot;
I saw many battles;
I threw so many arrows and lances;
I rode many horses;
I made my enemies cry;
I made my friends smile;
I paid my debt to Tengri;
Now I am giving my land to you."

[Graham]

Alexander "Sawney" Bean was the semi-mythical head of a 48-member clan in 15th- or 16th-century Scotland, reportedly executed for the mass murder and cannibalisation of over 1,000 people.The Legend

The tale of Sawney Bean, arguably Scotland's most shocking and gruesome legend, was said to have taken place on the usually idyllic coast of the south-west.

The most commonly told account of Sawney Bean begins in East Lothian where Alexander "Sawney" Bean, the son of a ditch-digger and hedger, came to realise that labouring in the family business, and indeed labour in general, was not to his taste leading to his departure for the south-west coast of Scotland. After leaving his home and travelling to South Ayrshire, Bean found companionship with a woman, sometimes named Black Agnes Douglas, who shared his disinterest in an honest living. A remote coastal cave, located between Girvan and Ballantrae, is said to be where the couple took up residence. The Beans survived undiscovered for 25 years in this setting and populated the cave with a 45-strong incestuous brood.

They carved a monstrous living ambushing travellers on the road, whether individuals or small groups, robbing them of their possessions, and murdering them before dragging their bodies back to the cave where they would be dismembered and eaten. As body parts began washing up on nearby beaches and the larger disappearances were noticed by nearby villagers, the secretive Beans managed to evade detection during the investigations and scapegoats were falsely accused and lynched to appease the mob.

Despite the care the Beans took to remain undisturbed in their bloody work, their luck turned sour one evening when they set upon a young couple on their way home from a fair. The woman was quickly killed and butchered by the clan while her husband struggled and fought, proving to be highly skilled in combat. Driven by the sight of his wife’s brutal murder he bravely fought off his attackers until a crowd of returning fairgoers came across them forcing the Beans to flee.

With their existence reported, a search party consisting of over 400 men with bloodhounds and supposedly led by King James (James I of Scotland or James VI of Scotland depending on the tale) was dispatched to apprehend the clan. Eventually the bloodhounds led the party to the cave and the conviction grew that this was the place for which they were searching. Awaiting inside the cave lay a gruesome scene of gore and filth; body parts were both pickled in jars and hung from the walls, while possessions of the victims were unceremoniously left in piles.

Finally captured, Alexander Bean and his family were taken alive and bound in chains to the Tolbooth in Edinburgh to await their execution. The women and children of the clan were burned at the stake while the men were themselves dismembered and allowed to bleed to death – a barbaric echo of the cruelty experienced by their victims.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Sawney_beane.jpg

[Hercus Monte]

In another time, long ago lived an old man and his wife. Both of them had twelve sons and three daughters. The youngest being named Egle(Spruce). On a warm summer evening all three girls decided to go swimming. After splashing about with each other and bathing they climbed onto the riverbank to dress and groom their hair. But the youngest, Egle, only stared for a serpent had slithered into the sleeve of her blouse.
What was she to do? The eldest girl grabbed Egle’s blouse. She threw the blouse down and jumped on it, anything to get rid of the serpent.
But the serpent turned to the youngest, Egle, and spoke to her in a man’s voice:

-Egle, promise to become my bride and I will gladly come out.

Egle began to cry how could she marry a serpent? Through her tears she answered:

-Please give me back my blouse and return from whence you came, in peace.

But the serpent would not listen:

-Promise to become my bride and I will gladly come out.

There was nothing else she could do; she promised the serpent to become his bride.

After three days the family saw that every serpent in the land had come to their farm, bringing with them a wagon. The whole family was scared, while all the serpents began to slither around in wild abandon. One of the serpents entered the house to meet with the old man, Egle’s father, and to discuss the terms of the union. At first the old man hemmed and hawed, refusing to believe that this could be happening; but when all the serpents in the land have gathered in one man’s farm it does not matter how one feels, so he promised to give his youngest and most beautiful daughter over to the serpents. But the old man held treachery in his heart. He asked the serpents to wait a little while; as quickly as he could he ran to the local wise woman and told her everything.

The wise woman said:

-It is easy to trick a serpent, instead of your daughter give him a goose and send the wedding presents.

The old man did as the wise woman advised. He dressed a white goose in Egle’s clothing, and together father and ‘daughter’ climbed into a wagon and began their journey. A short while later they heard a Cuckoo bird in a birch tree, singing:

-Coo-coo, coo-coo, you have been tricked. Instead of a bride, he has given you a white goose. Coo-coo, coo-coo!

The serpents returned to the farm, and angrily threw the goose out of the wagon and demanded the bride. The parents, on the advice of the wise woman, dressed a white sheep up. Again the Cuckoo bird sang:

-Coo-coo, coo-coo, you have been tricked. Instead of a bride, he has given you a white sheep. Coo-coo, coo-coo!

The serpents return to the farm in great anger and again demanded the bride. This time the family gave the serpents a white cow. The coo-coo bird tells the serpents of the father’s deception and again the serpents return -but this time in a towering rage. The serpents threatened famine for the disrespect shown by the parents. Inside the house, Egle cried. She was dressed as was appropriate for a bride and was given over to the serpents.
While taking Egle to her future husband the serpents heard the Cuckoo bird sing out:

-Drive, hurry, the groom awaits his bride!

Eventually Egle and all her chaperones came to the sea. There she met a handsome young man who was waiting for her by the beach. He told her that he was the serpent that had crawled into her sleeve of her blouse. Soon, they all moved to a nearby island, and from there they descended underground, under the sea. There could be found a lavishly decorated palace of amber. It was here that the wedding was held, and for three weeks they drank, danced and feasted.

The serpent’s palace was filled with guests, and Egle finally calmed down, became happier and completely forgot her homeland.

Nine years went by and Egle gave birth to three sons -Azuolas(Oak), Uosis(Ash) and Berzas(Birch)– and a daughter -Drebule(Willow) – who was the youngest.
One day while playing the eldest son asked Egle:

-Dearest Mother, where do your parents live? Let’s go and visit them.

It was then that Egle remembered her homeland. She remembered her parents, brothers, and sisters. And she began to wonder if life was good to them; are they healthy? It had been a long time and maybe they were all dead. Egle desperately wanted to see her homeland. It had been many years since she saw that land of her birth; she yearned to see it again. Her husband, the serpent, did not even want to listen to her entreaties.

-Fine, he said, go and visit but first spin this tuft of silk, and he showed her the spindle.

Egle was at the spindle. She spun during the day, she spun all night. Spin, spin but it would not be spun. She saw that she had been tricked. Spin, spin but it will never be spun. Egle went to an old woman who lived nearby, a known soceress. Egle lamented:

-Grandmother, dear heart, teach me how to get that tuft of silk spun.

The old woman told her what to do and what was needed for the task:

-Throw it into a fire when next it is kindled, elseways you shall not be able to spin the silk.

Having returned home, Egle threw the silk into a bread oven, recently fired up. The silk went up in flames and in the centre of the oven where the silk once was there was a toad. The toad was creating silk, from its body. Having woven the silk, Egle returned to her husband pleading to allow at least a few days for a visit with her parents. Now, her husband drew out from beneath his bench a pair of metal boots:

-When you wear these down, then you shall travel.

She put on the boots and walked, stomped, and even dragged along the stone floor, but the boots were thick, hard and were not at all worn down. Walk or do not walk the shoes will forever last. Going back to the sorceress, she pleaded for more help.
The old woman said:

-Take them to a blacksmith and ask that he wear them down in his furnace.

And Egle did as she was instructed. The boots were heated well and within three days, Egle had worn them down.

Having worn the boots down she approaches her husband so that he may allow her to visit her homeland.

-Fine, said the serpent, but for the journey you must bake at least a rabbit-pie for what shall you give to your brothers and their children?

In the meanwhile the serpent ordered that all the cooking utensils be hidden so that Egle not be able to bake the pies. Egle began to think how shall she bring in water without a bucket and make the dough without a bowl. Again, she returns to the old lady for advice.
Grandmother says:

-Spread out the sifted leavening, immerse the sieve into water, and within it mix the dough.

Egle did as she was instructed; she mixed, baked and had the pies ready. Now, she bid a farewell to her husband and went out with the children to her homeland. The serpent lead them part of the way, and got them across the sea and said that she be no longer than nine days in her homeland and that she is to return at the end of those nine days.

-When you return go alone, just you and the children and when you approach the beach then call for me:
-Zilvine, Zilvineli,
If alive, may the sea foam milk
If dead, may the sea foam blood….

And if you see coming towards you foaming milk then know that I am still alive, but if blood comes then I have reached my end. While you, my children, let not the secret out, do not let anyone know how to call for me.

Having said that, he bid farewell to his family and wished for them a swift return.


Returning to her homeland, Egle felt great joy. All her relatives and in-laws and neighbours gathered round. One after another asked many questions, how did she find living with the serpent to be. She just kept describing the many aspects of her life. Everyone offered their hospitality, their food and good talk. She was in such great spirits that she did not even feel the nine days pass.

At this time Egle’s parents, brothers and sisters began to wonder how to keep their youngest amongst their midst. They all decided -they must question the children, how their mother having arrived at the beach would call for her husband. So that they could go down to the seashore, call for the serpent and kill him.

Having agreed upon this, they called upon Egle’s eldest, Azuolas and praised him. They cornered him and questioned him but he said that he did not know. Having failed they threatened the child to not tell his mother of their actions. The second day they led out Uosis, then Berzas, but from them too the adults could not get the secret. Finally they took Drubele, Egle’s youngest, outside. At first she did as her brothers, claiming to not know the secret. But the sight of rod frightened her, she told all.

Then all twelve brothers took their scythes with them and went towards the sea. Standing at the shore they called:

-Zilvine, Zilvineli
If alive, may the sea foam milk
If dead, may the sea foam blood…

When he swam up, then all the brothers fell to chopping the serpent to pieces. Then, returning home, they kept the secret of their deeds from Egle.



Nine days passed. Egle, bidding farewell to all the family and friends, went off to the sea and called for her serpent.


The sea shook and floating towards Egle was foam of blood. And she heard the voice of her beloved husband.


-Your twelve brothers with their scythes cut me down, my call was given to them by our Drebule, our most beloved daughter!


With great sorrow and thundering anger Egle turned to her children and said to Drebule:

-May you turn into a willow,
May you shiver day and night,
May the rain cleanse your mouth,
May the wind comb your hair!

To her sons:

-Stand, my sons, strong as trees,
I, your mother, will remain a Spruce.

As she commanded so it came to be: and now the oak, ash and birch are the strongest of our trees, while the willow to this day will shake at the slightest whisper of a wind for she quaked before her uncles and gave away her true father.






http://europeisnotdead.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/lithuania-eglc497-the-queen-of-serpents.jpg

[Kiyant]

In the myth i wrote you can also see the origin of my TA name :)

[Hercus Monte]

a long time ago, a devil was walking on a road. He felt lonely because he had nobody to talk to.
He walk up to a swampy shack and saw Fairies dancing as celebrating.
One of them was of unearthly beauty. She had blue locks of hair that shimmered like gold.
The devil walked up to her and complimented her on her beauty. The faerie was instantly smitten with the devils charismatic words and decided to marry him.
the devil and the fairies celebrated all night long.
but once the rooster sang his song the devil sank sloppily in the swamp.
From that day forth, he only saw the beautiful faerie in his dreams.

http://cgin.lt/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/basazole_LaumesIrVelnioVestuves.jpg

[Neanderthal]

One of the most surprising legends, given its tragic and romantic flavour, is this one.

The story is told that Doña Carmen was the only daughter of an obstinate and violent man, but as tends to happen, love wins out, unlucky as it might be. Doña Carmen was courted by her beau, Don Luis, in a church near the maiden's home, where first he offered her holy water with his hand. On being discovered, she was subsequently locked up, threatened with being sent to a convent, and, worst of all, with being married in Spain to a rich, old noble, a marriage which would help to restore her father's dwindling fortune.

The lovely, obedient creature and her companion, Doña Brígida, wept and prayed together. Then, before the young girl submitted to her sacrifice, they decided that Doña Brígida should take a message to Don Luis with the unfortunate news. A thousand plans occurred to the young lover, but of all of them, there was one that seemed the best. A window in Doña Carmen's home gave onto an alley so narrow that it was possible, leaning out the window to touch the wall on the other side with a hand. If he could get into the house on the other side of the alley, he would be able to talk with his beloved and, between the two of them, find a solution to their problem.

He asked who the owner of the house was and bought it for a fortune. One can only imagine Doña Carmen's surprise when stepping out onto her balcony, she found the man of her dreams so close.
When a few moments had passed since that indescribable lovers' conversation began, and the lovers were deep in thought, violent words were heard from the back of the room. It was Doña Carmen's father shouting at Brígida, who risked her life trying to prevent her master from entering her lady's chambers. The father pushed Doña Carmen's protector aside with ease, and with dagger in hand, with a single blow he plunged it into his daughter's breast.
Don Luis was shocked into silence. Doña Carmen's hand, still in his, slowly went cold. Resigned to the inevitable, Don Luis left a tender kiss on that smooth, pale hand, now lifeless. This is why this spot, undoubtedly one of the most typical of our city, is called the Callejón del Beso (the Alley of the Kiss).


http://img.destinoytarot.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/leyenda_del_callejon_del_beso.jpg

[Atlantic Islander]

During the 16th Century, during the Age of Exploration, caravels frequently passed along Flores, on their voyages between Europe and the Americas. These ships were regularly buffeted by Atlantic storms and shipwrecked along the coast. It is said that a survivor of one of these storms, hungry, wet and cold, appeared along a windy and rugged part of the north-east coast, where he was give food, dry clothes and cared for by the local residents. The man, Demétrio, began to enjoy his life in the small village, married and remained there, where he became a popular with its residents. Although a good Christian man, he had many ideas that were considered heretical: for example, he exclaimed that prayers for the dead had no meaning and he negated the existence of Purgatory or Hell. Finally, although he believed in a soul, he believed that it resided in the blood, and that upon a human's death it separated from the body and transformed into a bird, until the body was cremated or degenerated into the soil. He also believed that the bird was the incarnation of Morana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marzanna), the god of death, and that it sang while the body died, facilitating the soul's entrance into heaven.

While his neighbours did not accept his ideas, he continued to live, educating his sons, and living in harmony with the residents of the village. After a few years, Demétrio, now an old man, after many years in bed with illness, died. At that moment a wagtail flew onto a faia tree close-by, but did not begin to sing as was expected. Demétrio was buried on top of a mountain, and his wife, influenced by her husband's faith, was a little preoccupied with the fact that the bird did not sing. After some time afterword there started to appear a skull (Portuguese: caveira) with an inner light, and the local residents believed that it was Demétrio's soul trying to obtain prayers in order to be delivered from Purgatory. Someone then decided to begin services and pray the rosary for God's intercession on behalf of the good, but heretical, Demétrio. After a short time, the bird began to sing and the skull stopped appearing. At the top of the rugged rock the family constructed a niche, with a panel representing the skull, but the name of the village began to referred to as Caveira.

The legend of how the village received its name.

[DarkSecret]

Nasreddin Hodja was the kadi of the time. One day a neighbour came to confer with him.
`Hodja Effendi, it appears that your cow has entered into our vegetable garden and has caused considerable damage to the vegetables. What does your big black book of law say about that?'
`An animal doesn't have reason.' Nasreddin Hodja dismissed, `The owner cannot be held responsible for his animal's instinctive behaviour. No penalty is required.'
`I spoke wrong, Hodja Effendi,' the neighbour rectified, `I meant to say that our cow has entered into your vegetable garden.'
`Let's see what the law states about that!' And the Hodja reached for his big black book.

[DarkSecret]

~ How To Ride a Donkey ~

One day Nasreddin Hodja and his young son were on their way to the market. The Hodja was riding his donkey and his son was walking beside him. As they travelled such, they heard a couple of villagers who happened to be passing by, speak disapprovingly about them.
`Look at our Hodja Effendi,' one said to the other, `he is comfortably riding on his donkey and letting his little boy walk along. Shame on the Hodja for making the boy suffer like that!' When Nasreddin Hodja heard this, he wanted to rectify what was perceived as his selfishness. He put his son on the donkey and he started to walk beside. Shortly after, they met another couple of villagers.
`Look at the Hodja and his son!' they said, `These are the times we are living in. A young boy is riding on the donkey and his poor old father is sweating to keep the pace. Today's children have no respect for their parents.' Nasreddin Hodja found some reason in this comment and thought of another remedy. They both got off of the donkey and started to walk beside it. A little while later, a group of villagers, also going to the market, approached the procession of the Hodja, the son and the donkey, all walking one after the other.
`This Hodja Effendi and his son have no minds, whatsoever.' they whispered amongst themselves, `They are both beating on their feet and the donkey is strolling along. Don't these people know what a donkey is for?' Hodja heard this and thought they had a point. The solution was clear. Both he and his son sat on the donkey. As they continued their trip this way, thinking that they have finally complied with all the opinions of their fellow villagers, they met another of their acquaintances. He was not very happy to see both the Hodja and the boy on a scrawny donkey.
`Hodja Effendi,' he yelled, `don't you know no mercy? How is this poor little animal supposed to carry two people? The donkey is also Allah's creation, have some pity.' Nasreddin Hodja agreed with this last remark as well. What were they to do? He shouldered the front body of the donkey and his son took on the back part, and they carried the donkey to the market place.

[DarkSecret]

~ Scientific Meeting ~

A foreign scholar and his entourage were passing through Aksehir. The scholar asked to speak with the town's most knowledgeable person. Of course the townsfolk immediately called Nasreddin Hodja. The foreign savant didn't speak Turkish and our Hodja didn't speak any foreign languages, so the two wise men had to communicate with signs, while the others looked on with fascination.
The foreigner, using a stick, drew a large circle on the sand. Nasreddin Hodja took the stick and divided the circle into two. This time the foreigner drew a line perpendicular to the one Hodja drew and the circle was now split into four. He motioned to indicate first the three quarters of the circle, then the remaining quarter. To this, the Hodja made a swirling motion with the stick on the four quarters. Then the foreigner made a bowl shape with two hands side by side, palms up, and wiggled his fingers. Nasreddin Hodja responded by cupping his hands palms down and wiggling his fingers.
When the meeting was over, the members of the foreign scientist's entourage asked him what they have talked about.
`Nasreddin Hodja is really a learned man.' he said. `I told him that the earth was round and he told me that there was equator in the middle of it. I told him that the three quarters of the earth was water and one quarter of it was land. He said that there were undercurrents and winds. I told him that the waters warm up, vaporize and move towards the sky, to that he said that they cool off and come down as rain.'
The people of Aksehir were also curious about how the encounter went. They gathered around the Hodja.
`This stranger has good taste,' the Hodja started to explain. `He said that he wished there was a large tray of baklava. I said that he could only have half of it. He said that the syrup should be made with three parts sugar and one part honey. I agreed, and said that they all had to mix well. Next he suggested that we should cook it on blazing fire. And I added that we should pour crushed nuts on top of it.'

[DarkSecret]

Nasreddin Hodja joke from Cem Yılmaz(Turkish comedian) in a even funnier manner of telling(English) :D

Mayalamak : Brew



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV8pGj_0n8o

[Colonel Frank Grimes]

I haven't come across one that was any good except for the Grimm Fairy Tales collection and I'm pretty sure those stories were improved by them. Folk stories are crappy because they're developed by uneducated peasants. They often read like short stories I wrote in 6th grade.

[Atlantic Islander]

One of the legends, based on the Atlantis myth, goes like this…

Many, many years ago, there was a Kingdom so great and flourishing that its King, White-Grey (Branco-Pardo in Portuguese) didn’t even know how many vassals, castles, cities, villages it had. It was Atlantis. Despite this wealth, the King and the Queen, White-Rose (Branca-Rosa), who had been very happy in the past, were now truly sad for not having children. White-Grey became more and more vindictive and treated his vassels really bad.

One night, when the King wandered through the palace gardens with the Queen, he had a vision that said:

- King of Atlantis, I bring you joy! Soon, you will father a very beautiful and virtuous daughter. But, for the evil that you’ve become to end, no man, not even yourself, can ever approach the princess. She will live within the walls of seven wonderful cities that I will raise in the most beautiful part of your Kingdom and she will only be served by maidens. Pay attention! If you dare to cross the walls of the seven cities before she becomes 20, you will be killed and a cataclysm will destroy your Kingdom.

The King, overjoyed, promised to do everything the voice had said and, nine months later a beautiful little princess was born. Without even looking at her, the King sent her to the seven cities, fulfilling the vision’s demand.

Years began to creep, slow and painful, for the parents who were separated from their beloved daughter. Princess Green-Blue (Verde-Azul), laughing and singing through the city gardens, surrounded by a retinue of virgins, grew beautiful and good at heart.

White-Grey was consumed with longing and became more and more angry and so anxious to see his daughter that it exploded from his chest. He prepared an army of his bravest warriors and marched into the seven cities.

The march was long and, as they approached their destination, the sky became dark and strange sounds came from the earth. But the King, crazy, kept marching until, in the tragic darkness of the day, there stood the walls of the seven cities.

White-Grey, dark and disturbed, lifted his sword and struck heavily on one door. In the precise moment the main gate was open, some kind of thunder rumbled, an intense fire rose from the split earth and the walls came down on the King, his vassals and all the virgins living in the seven cities. A huge volcanic cataclysm destroyed Atlantis. Finally, there was silence, the sun shone again and you could see nine small islands in the sea. The seven cities where the Princess lived became a crater covered by two quiet pools: one is green because at it’s bottom lie the green little shoes of the Princess; the other one is blue and reflects the color of the hat she was wearing when she was killed by her father’s bad judgement, the King of Altantis.

The other legend has a much more romantic tone, and, personally, it’s my favorite…

Many, many years ago, in the Kingdom of the Seven Cities, there lived a little Princess named Antilia.

The girl was the only daughter of an old widower King who was known for his bad temper. Master of Alchemy and Lord of Wisdom, the King lived exclusively for his daughter, and didn’t like the Princess to talk to anyone. The girl was always with his father or with the old nanny who had raised her since birth, when the Queen, her mother, died.

The years went by, Antilia grew and one day she was no longer the girl with long blond braids hanging over her shoulders, adorned with wild flowers. She had become a beautiful young woman, a princess able to charm any boy in the Kingdom.

However, though everybody heard about the beauty of the young Princess, few if any ever knew her, because the King did not like her to leave the castle or the surrounding gardens.

But Antilia was not intimidated by her father and, with the help of her old nanny, she used to evade every afternoon, while the King was taking his after lunch nap. She would go out the back, without anyone seeing it, and would ride in the mountains and nearby valleys.

One day, in one of these tours, while walking through the woods, the Princess heard a song. The music was so beautiful and enchanted her so that she let herself be guided by the sound and discovered a young shepherd playing flute, sitting on top of a hill. He was the author of this wonder!

The Princess, charmed, kept hidden to hear the young man playing the flute. And, hidden, kept hearing him for weeks, until one day the shepherd found her behind some bushes.

When he looked at her, it was love at first sight, and she loved him back instantly too. They kept meeting. They would spend the whole afternoon talking and laughing, the shepherd would play for the Princess and she would listen delighted, and they both felt very happy together.

One day the shepherd decided to ask the princess’s hand in marriage.

Early in the dawn, the young man knocked on the door of the Castle, and asked to speak to the King. Soon after a servant came back and took him to the king. Very nervous but determined, the shepherd bowed to the kind and looking into his eyes, said:

- Your Majesty, I deeply love Antilia, your daughter, and I would ask her hand in marriage.

- The hand of my daughter, NEVER … Did you hear … NEVER! – shouted the king – Servant, take this shepherd out immediately!

The young man tried hard to argue, but he would not let him talk, and kicked him out of the Castle.

Then the King sent for Antilia and forbade her to see the shepherd. And so Antilia did, obeying her father’s royal orders.

That same afternoon she came to her love and told him they would never meet again.

The two youngsters embraced and cried all afternoon.

Their tears were so abundant that two beautiful and large lakes were formed, one green after the Princess’ eye color, one blue after the shepherd’s.

And so these two lakes still remain in the Valley of the Seven Cities, on the island of Saint Michael (São Miguel, in portuguese), Azores, always reminding the by-passers about the tragedy of two lovers.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7774/hf2q.jpg

[Atlantic Islander]

The Story of the Origin of the Azores
Portuguese folktale

Once upon a time in the lost kingdom of Atlantis there ruled a king whose name was Graywhite. He had married the beautiful Queen Rosewhite. They lived in a magnificent palace, but it was a sad place because there were no little children in it.

"There are plenty of babies in the homes of the poor peasants who can scarcely find food for them," mourned King Graywhite. "Why is it that I, the ruler of this vast rich kingdom, can have no child to inherit my wealth and my domains?"

"Women in tiny hovels have their arms full of rosy dimpled darlings," sighed Queen Rosewhite. "Why is it that I, the queen of this magnificent palace, can have no baby of my own?"

Queen Rosewhite passed her days and nights in weeping, while King Graywhite grew ugly and cruel to his subjects. Once he had been the kindest ruler in the world.

Things went on like this for several years. Queen Rosewhite's lovely face grew pale and wan, and her beautiful eyes became so sad that it hurt the hearts of her faithful subjects. The king's face lost its expression of jolly kindness and became sour and cruel. They offered prayers and solemn vows before all the holy shrines in the whole kingdom of Atlantis, but no child was born into the royal palace. King Graywhite grew so harsh and ugly to his subjects that the entire kingdom offered prayers and vows, too. As things were, life was not worth living in the kingdom of Atlantis.

In front of the royal palace there was a beautiful terrace where King Graywhite and Queen Rosewhite had loved to walk in the days before they had grown cross and sad. One night when they were sitting upon the terrace enjoying the fresh soft evening air and the bright starlight there suddenly appeared a dazzling light which almost blinded them. Queen Rosewhite covered her face with her hands and the king bowed his proud head upon his breast.

"Do not fear to look at me," said a gentle voice.

King Graywhite and Queen Rosewhite glanced up. They saw a tiny fairy standing before them with a circle of bright light dancing about her.

"King and Queen of Atlantis," said the gentle voice. "You shall have a child, a little daughter, prettier than the sunlight. I have heard your prayers and vows, but I have also heard the prayers and vows of your poor subjects, too."

The glad news had brought a happy light into Queen Rosewhite's beautiful eyes, but now it faded out and a look of fear crept in. It had hurt the queen's loving heart to have her husband so cruel to his subjects. She often had told him that punishment would surely come upon him because of his harsh deeds.

"When the little princess is born," went on the fairy's voice, "I shall take her away from you for twenty years. No harm will come to her. I shall hide her away from you and all the world within seven beautiful cities which I shall construct in the loveliest part of your whole kingdom. Around these seven cities I shall place strong walls. At the end of twenty years, if your heart, King Graywhite, is free from sin and you have made proper restitution for all your wrongdoing, you shall receive the princess into your arms."

"Twenty years is a long time," said King Graywhite sadly. Tears were running down Queen Rosewhite's cheeks and she could not speak.

"You must wait until the twenty years are over," continued the fairy. "If you attempt to enter the strong walls before that time you shall fall dead and your kingdom shall be consumed by fire. Swear to me now in the presence of your faithful queen that you will not try to enter these strong walls which I shall construct about the seven cities."

"I swear it," said the king in a voice which trembled as he solemnly lifted his right hand.

The vision disappeared as suddenly as it had come, and King Graywhite and Queen Rosewhite sat alone in the bright starlight on the terrace before the royal palace.

"Have I been dreaming?" asked the king.

"It was not a dream," replied the queen.

Time passed and a beautiful baby daughter was born to the king and queen of Atlantis. They gave her the name of Princess Bluegreen. There was great rejoicing throughout the entire kingdom. Her birth was celebrated by lavish feasts and gay songs and dances.

When the little Princess Bluegreen was only three days old she disappeared from the royal palace. She had been carried away by the fairy to the seven cities which had been constructed to receive her.

Years passed. Every day the king and queen received reports from the fairy. They heard that the little Princess Bluegreen was well, and that each hour she grew lovelier. Sometimes there was almost joy in the palace when King Graywhite chuckled over the quaint sayings of the little princess which were repeated to him, and the queen heard with a tender smile of the tiny blue slippers and the green parasol which the fairy had given her. That day Queen Rosewhite bought new slippers for many little maids in the city.

As time went on, however, the royal palace of Atlantis grew almost as sad as it had been before the Princess Bluegreen had been born. Only to receive reports of their daughter was not enough to make the king and queen happy. They longed to see her with their own eyes and to clasp her in their arms.

As the weeks and months and years rolled by without seeing the little princess, King Graywhite resumed his cruel treatment of his subjects. He was growing old and his nature grew sour with the years. Queen Rosewhite tried to reason with him.

"We must bear this thing with patience," she told him. "We brought it upon ourselves."

The king kept raging against the fairy and did not notice Queen Rosewhite's politeness in saying "we" instead of "you." It was the king who was responsible for all the cruelty. Good Queen Rosewhite had never had a cruel thought in her whole blameless life.

At last the day of the eighteenth birthday of the Princess Bluegreen grew near.

"Are you sure that it is not eighteen years which the fairy said, instead of twenty years?" asked King Graywhite querulously.

Queen Rosewhite assured him that it was twenty years as he well knew. The king's anger broke out fiercely.

"I will no longer be kept from my daughter!" he cried.

"Would you break the vow which you solemnly made to the fairy in my presence?" asked Queen Rosewhite trembling. She had never dreamed that he would dare to break it. Now, however, she was thoroughly frightened at the thought which came to her.

"I'll break that foolish vow!" shouted the king savagely.

Tears rolled down the cheeks of good Queen Rosewhite.

"No good will come of this," she mourned. "Be prudent, dear king. It is only two years more which we have to wait."

"The last two years will be the hardest ones of all!" raged King Graywhite. "I cannot endure it!"

That very day he started to prepare the army for the expedition to the Seven Cities, amid the queen's lamentations and in spite of her fears and warnings.

"Be wise and patient, dear king. Give up this wild expedition," were her last words to him; when, at length, all the preparations completed, he set out with his great army upon the dangerous quest of the seven cities surrounded by their strong walls in the loveliest part of the whole kingdom of Atlantis.

King Graywhite marched on and on. It was a long and perilous journey and the army suffered many hardships on the way. It seemed as if they would never arrive, but at last they drew near to what everybody knew to be the most beautiful part of the whole kingdom, where the fairy had taken the Princess Bluegreen to conceal her.

Storms raged; lightning flashed; ominous roarings and rumblings sounded from the depths of the earth.

"Let us hasten back to the royal palace before it is too late," besought the generals of King Graywhite's army.

"On! On!" cried the king. "Do you think I would abandon this expedition now?"

The words were hardly out of his mouth when a huge rock fell from its place near where he stood and rushed away down the mountainside. The earth trembled violently beneath their feet. Fearful rumblings and roarings sounded all about them.

"On! ON!" shouted the maddened king.

Before them rose the great walls which the fairy had built around the seven cities. Within these walls was the Princess Bluegreen radiant with the beauty of her eighteen winters and summers passed in peace and happiness under the watchful care of the kind fairy. The thought of her thrilled the heart of King Graywhite.

"On! On!" he shouted to the generals about him.

"On! On!" they, in turn, passed the word along to the trembling soldiers which composed the royal army.

With the fearful sounds and shakings about them, the poor men heartily wished they were safe at home. They rallied, however, for a final charge and swept up to the walls which surrounded the seven cities.

King Graywhite struck his royal sword against the great wall. At that moment the walls fell. The earth beneath their feet rose. Great flames swept up towards the sky and rushed over the land, sweeping everything before them. Then the sea raged over the earth in violence until it had covered the whole kingdom of Atlantis.

The fairy's curse had been fulfilled. The king was dead. His kingdom was consumed by fire.

When at last the waters grew calm again all that remained of the great rich kingdom of Atlantis was the group of nine rocky islands which to-day is called the Azores. In the largest of these islands, St. Michael, there is still an enchanted spot called Seven Cities. Great wall-like mountains tower toward the sky. In the crater valley amid the wall-like mountains there is a lake of green and one of blue. The blue lake is where the beautiful Princess Bluegreen left her little blue slippers, they say, and the green lake is where she left her lovely green parasol.

[Atlantic Islander]

Another Story of the Origin of the Islands
Portuguese folktale



Paradise is, of course, ruled by loving law. All places good to live in are governed by laws.

Long, long ago there was a little angel who broke one of the rules of Paradise. Of course she had to be punished. Punishment always follows broken laws. She was banished from her heavenly home. Never again could she join in the chorus of celestial music. Never again could she look up into the face of the great King.

Now it happened that this little angel loved the flowers of Paradise especially. For the last time she walked through the heavenly gardens.

"Oh, my exquisite ones, I cannot bear to leave you!" she sobbed to her favorite blossoms. "It breaks my heart!"

The flowers lifted their fair faces to hers in loving sympathy. They breathed out their sweetest perfume at her gentle touch. They stretched out their hands to catch her trailing garments as she passed them.

"My best beloveds! You are asking me to take you with me!" cried the little angel.

She filled her arms with the lovely blossoms of Paradise. Now the angel was a very little angel and the flowers she gathered made a very large armful indeed. She could not bear to leave any of her favorites behind. Slowly and sorrowfully she left the heavenly gardens. Slowly and sorrowfully she passed outside the celestial gate.

When she had left the gates of Paradise far behind the lovely blossoms in her grasp were all that remained of Heaven to her. They filled her arms so full that she could not hold them all. Some of them fell. Down, down to earth they floated. They came to rest on the smiling blue waters of the broad Atlantic.

"Oh, what shall I do! I have lost my exquisite ones!" sobbed the little angel.

The flowers of Paradise smiled up at her from the place where they had fallen. Never had they looked lovelier.

"My best beloveds are beautiful and happy!" she cried as she smiled through her tears. "I still have all I can carry! I'll leave them where they are!"

There are nine of the flowers of Paradise which the angel dropped. They have always remained in the blue Atlantic where she left them. After many years Portuguese mariners found them and Portugal claimed them as her own. She named them the Azores.

To this very day, however, one of the islands is called Flores, which means flowers.

[Atlantic Islander]

The Story of the Dogs' Dinner Party
Portuguese folktale

Once upon a time the dogs gave a dinner party. All the dogs were invited and all the dogs accepted the invitation. There were big dogs and little dogs and middle-sized dogs. There were black dogs and white dogs and brown dogs and gray dogs and yellow dogs and spotted dogs. There were dogs with long tails and dogs with short tails and dogs with no tails at all. There were dogs with little sharp-pointed ears and dogs with big flat drooping ears. There were dogs with long slender noses and dogs with short fat turn-up noses. All these dogs came to the party.

Now the dinner was a most elaborate affair. Everything had been arranged with the utmost care. All the good things to eat were spread out upon the rocks by the sea. A gay sparkling little brook brought water to drink. The sun was shining brightly and a soft gentle little breeze was blowing. Everything seemed absolutely perfect.

But there was a cross fussy old dog who came to the party. She was a yellow dog, they say. Nothing ever suited her. Whenever she went to a party she always found fault with something. Sometimes there was too little to eat and sometimes there was too much. Sometimes the hot things were not hot enough and sometimes the cold things were not cold enough. Sometimes the hot things were so hot they burned her mouth and the cold things so cold that they gave her indigestion. There was always something wrong.

At this party, however, there was not too much to eat and there was not too little to eat. The hot things were all just hot enough and the cold things were all just cold enough. Everything seemed to be exactly as it should be.

"How good everything tastes!" remarked the big black dog between polite mouthfuls.

"Everything is seasoned exactly right," added the black and white spotted dog between mouthfuls which were entirely too large to be polite.

That was an unfortunate remark. The cross fussy yellow dog heard it. She noticed immediately that the big juicy bone she was eating had not been seasoned with pepper.

"Will somebody please pass the pepper?" she asked.

All the black dogs and white dogs and brown dogs and yellow dogs and gray dogs and spotted dogs fell over each other trying to find the pepper to pass. There was not a single bit of pepper at that dinner party.

"I can't eat a mouthful until I have some pepper," whined the yellow dog.

"I'll go into the city and get some pepper," said one of the dogs. Nobody ever knew which dog it was.

The dog who went into the city to get the pepper never came back. Nobody ever knew what became of him.

Whenever two dogs meet they always sniff at each other. If one of them should happen to be the dog who went into the city to get the pepper, he would surely smell of pepper.

[Hercus Monte]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fern_flower

One day, a man was walking around a forest at midnight.
It was the day of Joninės(St John's Eve), when the fern truly does bloom.
when the clock struck midnight, a fern it started to bloom.
When the man was walking, he accidentally swiped it with him.
Immediately he became all knowing.
He saw everything that was happening in the world.
He was his family,
He saw all the buried riches of the world.
He suddenly got tired and decided to lie down and rest.
He crossed his legs and the fern flower fell off him and he lost all the knowledge he had.





http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Pruszkowski_Fern_flower.jpg/400px-Pruszkowski_Fern_flower.jpg

[Atlantic Islander]

This one is so pretty and sad, I had to post it here too.


The Silent Cavalier
The Story of the Peach Tree
Portuguese folktale

In the early days when the Azores had just been discovered there were many Flemish settlers who came to the islands. Among them there was a young cavalier of the order of St. George of Borgonha. His name was Jesus Maria and the reason why he had come was because a wise monk had told him that his path in life lay by way of the sea.

"Your name given to you in Holy Baptism," said the monk, "is Iesvs Maria. Transpose the letters and it says in Latin, Maris es via."

The young cavalier agreed that the sea must be his path of destiny and he at once set sail upon a long voyage which finally led him to the island of Fayal. He loved the rocky coast where the waves beat. He loved the deep ravine where the laughing brook ran, the lake in the ancient crater, the snow-capped summit of Mt. Pico which smiled down in stately majesty from the opposite island. He decided that this was to be his home.

"My path of Destiny was indeed the sea," he said. "The sea has brought me to a country which is very fair."

In the island of Fayal there were already some Portuguese settlers. One of these had a beautiful daughter Ida. The young Flemish cavalier thought that she was the fairest maid he had ever seen. He fell deeply in love with her.

Now the cavaliers of the order of St. George of Borgonha had vowed that they would never wed. Jesus Maria could not break the solemn pledge which he had given when he joined the order. Neither could he forget the bright eyes of the Portuguese maiden Ida. It seemed as if his heart would break.

"I will leave this island and return to my own country," he thought.

Then he remembered the words which the wise monk had said about the sea being his path. He had followed that road and it had led him to a fair island home. He decided that he could not return to his native land of Flanders. Over across the shining blue water he looked up at the peaceful snow-capped summit of Mt. Pico. The sight of its majestic stillness seemed to give him strength to hold his tongue and keep him from speaking words of love to the beautiful Portuguese maiden. Never a word of love broke from him. The maiden Ida never knew the shrine she occupied in the heart of the Flemish cavalier.

The days dragged slowly by. The young man could bear no more. He felt that his strength could no longer endure on the same island with Ida. If he stayed near her he would break his vow.

One morning in a little boat he crossed the blue waters to the island of Pico. At the foot of the majestic mountain he loved, he built the little hut which was to be his home. He never returned to the island of Fayal, and as the years went by he was spoken of as the good hermit of Pico. Nobody knew his secret.

When at last the Cavalier Jesus Maria died, a peach tree grew from his tomb,—the emblem of silence. The leaf of this tree has the form of the human tongue. Its fruit has a stone shaped somewhat like the human heart. From this stone there comes a seed which when planted produces a new tree. Thus it is that words which bear fruit spring from the heart. It is silence which teaches one the gift of fruitful words, they say in the Azores.

[Hercus Monte]

According to legend, Grand Duke Gediminas was hunting in the sacred forest near the Valley of Šventaragis(valley of the sacred horned ones'), near where Vilnia River flows into the Neris River.
Tired after the successful hunt of a bison, the Grand Duke settled in for the night.
He fell soundly asleep and dreamed of a huge Iron Wolf standing on top a hill and howling as strong and loud as a hundred of wolves. Upon awakening, the Duke asked the pagan priest Lisdeika to interpret the dream. And the priest told him:
“What is destined for the ruler and the State of Lithuania, is thus: the Iron Wolf represents a castle and a city which will be established by you on this site. This city will be the capital of the Lithuanian lands and the dwelling of their rulers, and the glory of their deeds shall echo throughout the world.”
Therefore, Gediminas, obeying the will of gods, built the city, and took it the name Vilnius – from the stream of the Vilnia River.







http://trl.lt/di-6DTS.jpg

[RandoBloom]

Here is a good and short fairy tale :)

Serbs won a battle

The end :)

[Kiyant]

GREY WOLVE LEGEND

Legend tells of a young boy who survived a battle; a female wolf finds the injured child and nurses him back to health. The wolf, impregnated by the boy, escapes her enemies by crossing the Western Sea to a cave near the Qocho mountains and a city of the Tocharians, giving birth to ten half-wolf, half-human boys. Of these, Ashina becomes their leader and instaures the Ashina clan, which ruled over the Göktürk and other Turkic nomadic empires.[6][7]
These first Turks migrated to the Altai region, where they were known as expert blacksmiths, akin to the Scythians.[8]

[Hercus Monte]

Here is a good and short fairy tale :)

Serbs won a battle

The end :)you make it seem like Bosnia is poor in terms of culture.

[Hercus Monte]

Once a long, long time ago, there lived a farmer and his wife. They had six acres of land but no children. It was their habit to kneel devoutly every evening and place their heads in a wooden barrel. Their tears flowed liked rivers while they prayed fervently to Dear God to give them a son. But God did not hear their prayers. One evening as hot tears rolled down their faces into the wooden vessel, they asked God to at least give them a child like a little hedgehog. And what happened! The next morning a little hedgehog lay in the wooden barrel. He started talking just like a little boy and began running back and forth in the kitchen.


Now the husband had one small piglet, one grown pig and a rooster. The hedgehog said to his father: “Go into the forest and find the strongest oak standing in the most beautiful spot! The farmer did what he was told. He went into the forest, selected the strongest oak and when he came home he said to the hedgehog: “I have made my selection.”


“Good! Then give me the small piglet and the grown pig and take me into the forest!” The father guided him to the oak and left him there. The hedgehog now lived in the forest eleven years. In the first year the grown pig had seven young sows and one boar. But the pigs multiplied every year bearing ten sows and one boar. That was quite a number after eleven years! Once, the father visited his son in the forest. The hedgehog said to his father: “Father drive these thirteen pigs home! Slaughter one and sell the others. You will get a pretty penny.” In the meantime, the pigs had become as large as oxen from their rich feed in the forest. “With the money buy wheat and feed your rooster well!” The father did as he was told.


As the hedgehog was living with his herd of pigs in the forest, a gentlemen rode by. He had become lost and rode directly into the herd of pigs. The pigs jumped and squealed around him, tore the reins from the rider’s hands and blocked the man’s escape. As wild pigs do not understand mirth or humor, the man believed he was staring into death’s open jaws. But suddenly the hedgehog appeared and said to the man: “Promise me your daughter! If you do, you will escape with your life and find your way out of the forest!”


The man mulled it over. In the end he preferred to live. He promised his daughter to the hedgehog and placed himself in the creature’s service. The hedgehog chased away the pigs and the man rode home. When he arrived he told his household what had happened. He said “Dear daughter. I would not have been able to save my life if I hadn’t promised you to the hedgehog!” The daughter began to cry. The father replied: “Do not cry. The hedgehog will not be able to prick you here with his needles! We will dig a deep furrow round our castle, fill it with water, encircle it with a fence and then the hedgehog will not be able to break through.”


Another gentleman soon came riding into the woods. He also got lost in the forest and had to promise his daughter to the hedgehog. A third gentleman came riding and he, too, fell in among the swine and had to promise the hedgehog his daughter. The man rode home and told his household everything, just as it had happened. He said: “Dear daughter, I wouldn’t have been able to save myself from dying if I hadn’t promised you to the hedgehog!” And the daughter replied: “As soon as he rides by, I shall marry him!”


Soon the father of the hedgehog came to visit him in the forest and the hedgehog said: “Father, let us drive all the pigs home now!” And he drove the entire herd of wild pigs home, as if they were tame and the six acres of land became completely filled with pigs. Then the hedgehog said: “Father, sell the pigs. You will get a pretty penny for them and then build a new house! I will ride out to my maid!”


The farmer had fed his rooster with wheat for several years now and it had become as large as a horse. The hedgehog mounted the rooster and rode out to his maid. When he arrived he found the entire courtyard under water. The rooster flew through the air, above the water and arrived below the window of the maid. The bird flapped his wings and cried: “Ki-ki-ker-ri-ki!” The father and his daughter peered through the window and said: “The hedgehog is here!”


Now the hedgehog entered the house and said: “Where is your daughter?” I have come to lead her home!” When the daughter saw the hedgehog, she began to cry and wanted to bury herself in the ground. But the father said “Hedgehog, take whatever you desire from me. Only leave me my daughter!” And so, they negotiated for some time but in the end he gave the hedgehog a coach, a pair of horses and a wagon full of money. Furthermore, the father gave the hedgehog a servant to drive the wagon and now the hedgehog rode on his rooster to the second man. The same thing happened. The man also gave the hedgehog a lot of money. The hedgehog released the second maid from the promise. The man relinquished his money and the hedgehog rode off to the third gentleman.


He rode below the window, the rooster flapped its wings and cried. Now they could see that the hedgehog had arrived. The hedgehog entered the house. But the daughter was not afraid of him. She said: “Father, if you have promised me in marriage, I will marry the hedgehog.” The girl’s mother said to her daughter: “When you are married and go to bed, he will take off his hedgehog skin and place it on a chair. Then he will become a handsome youth.” But before you go to bed, tell your maid servant she must heat water. Then go out immediately, take the skin and place it in the boiling water! Then return and lie down next to him!


The mother immediately got into the carriage with the money and rode off. And the hedgehog rode on his rooster. The parents were happy that their hedgehog son had such a beautiful wife, horses, a carriage and a lot of money. It did not take long for the wedding celebration to be held. The hedgehog brought his maid home.


When they entered the bedchamber to go to sleep, he took off his skin and placed it on the chair. The daughter pretended she wanted to go to sleep. Took the skin and placed it in boiling water and boiled it. In the morning when he got up, he wanted to take the skin from the chair immediately. But it had vanished. What could the poor fellow do? He had to remain in human form. Now that he had become a man, how they celebrated the wedding feast! And I was also there and celebrated the happy event with all the others!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fmfEITlxpYc/TbiFG7NX3II/AAAAAAAABYM/uagOYPmhuWw/s1600/Lithauanian+Hedgehog.jpg

[SardiniaAtlantis]

How Sardinia Got Its Shape
Millions of years ago, when Italy was not yet checked from the sea, there was a small continent called Tirrenide. It was a happy land: there were large forests, mountains and superb, rivers, lakes, animals of every species and good people and peaceful. But one day there was a terrible earthquake and all those lands were destroyed, that terrestrial paradise was shaken. The earth started to tremble, the mountains to crumble, the rivers came out by the levees and the sea sent its waves angry to overwhelm the small continent, which began to sink in the abyss of the Tyrrhenian Sea. People were desperate and begged in the temples aid to Zeus king of the gods that in that moment was fighting with his wife. There are some who say that the terrible earthquake that had reached Zeus ears at that very moment. At this point Tirrenide was sinking into the sea, since a small part of it emerged again, Zeus placed them above his foot and managed to protect it from the waves which he drank. Thus, from the large Tirrenide there remained that that impression solitary in the midst of the great expanse of water: it is called Ichnusa in Greek i.e. imprint of a foot. Also named after the heroic son of Heracles, Sardus Pater.

[Atlantic Islander]

The Friend of the Devil
A Story of the Islands in the Bay of Angra
Portuguese folktale

Once upon a time there was a handsome Flemish youth who came to the island of Fayal. His name was Fernâo de Hutra. He fell in love with a beautiful nun in the convent of the Gloria in the city of Horta.

One day the Devil appeared to him.

"Since you fell in love with this fair nun, I see you are a friend of mine," said the Devil.

The young man had not known this, but he replied:

"Say rather that I will be your friend if you help me get possession of this nun I love."

"Very well," said the Devil, "but you will have to make a bargain with me."

"What is it?" asked Fernâo, rather anxiously.

"Grant me your solemn pledge that you'll give me all your children," responded the Devil.

"Agreed," said Fernâo.

After that he saw much of the Devil. The nun, however, was as devout as she was beautiful. She refused to break the vows she had made and flee with the Flemish youth. She firmly resisted both him and the Devil.

"You are not a true friend to me after all," said Fernâo to the Devil sadly.

"But you are my friend," said the Devil in reply.

Soon after, Fernâo de Hutra left the city of Horta and the island of Fayal and went to join his kinsmen who had settled in Angra in the island of Terceira. Here his handsome face won many friends for him among the youth of the city. To some of these he confided the story of his relations with the Devil.

Now it happened that in the year 1666 the first bull fight was held in Angra. To this very day the island of Terceira is the only one in the Azores which has bull fights.

Fernâo had taken part in this. He was one of the chief organizers of the bull fight held on St. John's Day of the following year. That day all the men and women and children of the city of Angra assembled in the public square before the fort. The bullfighters, richly clad, rode forth upon prancing steeds decked in costly velvets with streamers and ribbons of gold and silver which sparkled in the bright sunlight. The youths were resplendent in their garments of crimson or purple or blue velvet, richly embroidered. Fernâo de Hutra was radiant in his jacket of blue decked with pearls, with a plumed hat upon his handsome head. He carried a yellow banner embroidered with the arms of his family.

Gay music sounded. The bulls were brought into the ring. The bullfighters saluted and the fight began.

In the windows of the castle the daughters of the chief magistrate of the city of Angra were seated among their friends. The eldest daughter, Sophia, was the most beautiful maid of the whole city. The magistrate watched her anxiously as her fair cheek alternately paled and flushed as the struggle went on. There could be no doubt about the fact that there was love in her eyes as they rested upon the handsome young Flemish cavalier, Fernâo de Hutra. She was wearing his colors and in her hand she carefully held his bouquet of flowers. The ribbon which tied them secured also a piece of paper upon which were written these words:

"Oh, beautiful maid of my heart's desire,
For your dear sake I'd go through fire."

The magistrate withdrew from the gay scene into the silence of the great hall of the castle. He bowed his head upon his hands.

"This youth is the friend of the Devil," he groaned. "I cannot consent to my daughter's marriage to him. He has promised to give all his children to the Devil, they say. I cannot allow my own grandchildren to be given to the Devil."

That very day he began to plot how to get rid of the handsome young Fernâo.

Now in the bay before the city of Angra there are two rocky islands called to-day just as they were then, the Ilheos de Cabras, the islands of goats. The brother-in-law of the magistrate was the owner of these barren islands. There were a few goats there, a few mulberry bushes, and a tiny spring of fresh water. The magistrate called his brother-in-law to him as soon as the bull fight was over. He told him all his fears and asked if he might use the islands as a place of banishment for the young Flemish cavalier who was the friend of the Devil.

"You are quite welcome to use these islands for so worthy a purpose," replied his brother-in-law. "Indeed, I have often thought that the deep cave on the island led into Inferno. It is a most fitting spot for the habitation of the Devil's friend."

Thus it happened that the handsome young Flemish cavalier was seized and borne away to the barren rocky islands in the Bay of Angra. When he was received there a great earthquake shook the whole island of Terceira. When at last the people of the city of Angra were through contemplating all the destruction which had been wrought, some one looked in the direction of the island of goats. They saw that a great piece had been broken away from one of the islands.

Thus it was that the Devil received his friend.

[Atlantic Islander]

The Messengers
The Story of a Youth Who Met Death
Portuguese folktale

There lived once upon a time in the island of Terceira a youth whose name was Vladmiro. He had come from Flanders, a cavalier of the order of St. John. He was betrothed to a fair maid of the island.

One morning he was hunting in the forest of cedars when he suddenly saw Death standing before him. He fell upon his knees and sent up a fervent prayer to the Holy Virgin.

Then he said to Death: "O Death, why is it that you have come in search of me so soon? I am young, rich, happy. I am betrothed to a maid who loves me. Life looks very bright and fair."

Death stepped back a pace.

"Your prayer to the Holy Mother has saved you," he said. "I had indeed come in search of you. You were about to die from an accident with your hunting arms. See, I have already retreated a pace. I have decided not to take you with me this time."

Vladmiro returned a prayer of thanksgiving. Then he said:

"O Death, I am going to make a request of you. Please do not come up to me so suddenly again. It gives me a fright. Next time you come for me will you please be so kind as to send messengers in advance to give me a little warning?"

"Yes, young cavalier," responded Death. "I will gladly do what you ask. I give you my promise that next time I will send my messengers ahead of me to warn you that I am approaching."

With these words Death withdrew and went on alone through the forest of cedars.

The spring of that very year the young cavalier married the fair maid who loved him. Life was full of joy. Many children were born to the worthy couple. Riches and honors came, too. The years sped by as if they flew on wings.

At last a half century had passed. Vladmiro held his grandchildren upon his knees and told them the story of the day he met Death in the forest of cedars.

"We are glad that Death passed on and left you," said the children.

"If he hadn't we could not have had you for our grandfather," said the namesake grandson Vladmiro, snuggling closer in his arms.

"You do not have to fear Death now, grandfather, do you?" asked the little Maria. "He will keep his promise and send his messengers, don't you think so?"

"Yes, Death is a good Christian and will keep his word," replied the aged cavalier.

The next morning he set sail for the island of Fayal where there were other grandchildren to visit in the home of his married daughter, Francisca.

On the voyage a fierce storm arose. The small boat was buffetted about by the gales. Suddenly Vladmiro was startled to see Death standing beside him just as in the forest years ago when he had been young.

"Why have you come to-day?" he cried in alarm. "Why is it that you have not kept your word? You gave me your promise that you would send your messengers, next time you came, to warn me of your approach."

"I have kept my word," said Death. "I have sent my messengers."

"Where are they?" asked the old man in amazement.

Death pointed to Vladmiro's snowy hair.

"I have sent my messengers in your white locks, your failing eyesight and hearing, the wrinkles on your cheeks. Can it be that you have failed to recognize them?"

Vladmiro bowed his head in silence and without a murmur went with Death.

In truth, Death had been a good Christian and had kept his word.

[Hercus Monte]

Once upon a time there lived and old man and an old woman. Every morning they went out to clear a nearby forest of dry twigs and leaves, and the moment they left the house a white swan would come flying there. She would fold and put aside her wings, and, turning into a maid, light the stove, cook the dinner, clean and wash everything and then fly away again.

The old people had not a care in the world, for they returned home each day to find everything done for them. But they were filled with wonder as to who their kind helper was.

One day the old man remained home alone. He hid behind a tub and waited to see what would happen. After a time who should come flying into the hut but a swan! She folded her wings, laid them aside, and, turning into a maid, went to the well for water, and the old man at once took the wings and burnt them.

The maid returned with two pailfuls of water, she looked and she saw that her wings were gone! She burst out crying and wept long and bitterly, for this she was parted from her mother and father and her own dear love, too. But there was nothing she could do, so stay she did with the old people.

Now, the king himself was once out hunting near the forest not far from where they lived. He saw the maid and liked her well and he said to the old people:

"I must have the maid for my own. Give her to me and you can have as many pieces of gold as you like."

There was nothing for it and so the old people gave him the maid. The king brought her to his palace and married her and in due time a son was born to them.

One day the queen came out into the garden with her baby son and what did she see but a flock of swans come flying near. At their head flew her father, singing as he flew:

"In that garden bright my daughter I see;
Though she has no wings, yet a swan is she.
Her fingers are covered with golden rings,
To her little son a song she sings,
From a little gold book she reads him a tale,
A kerchief of silk behind her trails.
A pair of white wings to her I'll throw,
And she will leave her son and with us she'll go! "

The queen's heart grew heavy, the tears poured from her eyes and she sang out in reply:

"Do not throw me the wings, for you come too late—
I won't leave my son to an orphan's fate."

Just then the king came up to her.

"Why are your eyes red with weeping? " asked he.

"Our little son cried, and it made me cry, too," the queen replied.

On the next day her mother flew over her, and, on the days that followed, her brother and her sisters, and they all sang the same song, but the queen refused to hear any of them.

The last to come flying over her was her own dear love, and he sang as he flew:

"In that garden bright my beloved I see;
Though she has no wings, yet a swan is she.
Her fingers are covered with golden rings,
To her little son a song she sings,
From a little gold book she reads him a tale,
A kerchief of silk behind her trails.
A pair of white wings to her I'll throw,
And her son she 'II leave and with me she 'II go! "

The queen could contain herself no longer and sang out in reply:

"A pair of wings throw down to me,
And with you I'll fly beyond the sea! "

The swan who was her own dear love threw a pair of wings down to her and she left her son and flew away with him. But he met his death soon after and her heart filled with sorrow again.

As for the king her, he waited and waited for her, but as she did not come back. He married Lauma the Witch.

The stepmother took a dislike to her stepson and treated him badly, but the swan his mother would come flying to the palace at night, fold her wings, wash and fondle her son and then fly away again, singing:

"The king and his wife
Repose in their bed;
The palace guards, too,
Sleep the sleep of the dead.
But all night without fail
My son sobs and wails!

But before flying away she would lull her son to sleep and he would not wake till she came back again.

The king was filled with wonder as to why his son slept so long.

One night he saw the swan come flying into the palace. She changed into human shape, lulled her son to sleep and then turned back again into a swan and flew away.

The king thought and thought how to keep her with him but could not think of anything.

Once, there came to the palace an old man names Perkunas, and the king asked him what he was to do in order to catch the swan.

Said the old man:

"Watch and see which of the windows the swan flies out of and put some tar on the sill. Her wings will be glued to it, and if you seize her with your left hand and tear them off with your right hand, she will get back her human shape again."

The king did as the old man said. He put some tar on the window-sill, and when the swan's wings were glued to it, seized her with his left hand and tore off her wings with his right hand, and the swan turned into his own dear queen again.

The king had Lauma the Witch put to death and three days after that he held a great feast to which came folk from far and near.

I was there, too, and was served mead and ale, but it ran down my beard and not a drop got in my mouth.

A load of firewood I sold, I did; In my new bast shoes the gold coins I hid.
I lost them all but you found two or three
And if you're a fool you'II return them to me!


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00GE0m07t4s/Tn9pEJzk6eI/AAAAAAAAB2A/O2UwzXesVlg/s1600/L%2527Eclat+du+Cygne.jpg

[DarkSecret]

Shahmaran myth :

Thousands years ago there are snakes live in underground.Their names are meran and all they are wisdom and caring.They live in peace.Queen of merans is Sahmeran.She is young and beautiful lady.According to legend,Cemşab is first human being who saw them.He sells wood for living.One day he and his friend explore a cave with full of honey;but his friends are badly persons so they leave him in cave so they can take more honey.After cemşab see a hole in cave there is light.He enlarged it he encounter a garden that is magnificent.He enters the garden.There are flowers and snakes.One of them is most beautiful thats coloured is milk-white.He gain her trust ,he live for long years there.After years he insisted to go for seeing his family.So sahmeran let him go providing that he wont tell anyone where she is.He keep his word for long time.But one day sultan of land get sick.vizier says that only cure is eating meat of sahmeran and cemşab shows the way.She says to şehmab "make me boil in earthenware dish.let the sultan eat my meat and make vizier drink my boiled water".When it happens vizier died,sultan keep living.Cemşab become vizier.According to legend snakes don't know sahmeran is dead.One day snakes will occupy Tarsus(Mersin province Turkey) when they learn it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahmaran

[dude]

The tooth fairy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_fairy

[Hercus Monte]

not my country specifically, but quite close.

I think a lot of people would like to hear it in the original tongue.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JimRrI7Y-O0

[Hong Key]

Once upon a time all Whites were racist and only Whites were racist.

Race does not exist
Race is a social construct
A social construct created by the White race
The White race, the only racist race in the history of the human races
Race does not exist.

We must erase racism
All Whites are racist and only Whites are racist
Therefore to erase racism we must erase the White race.
And all the colored masses lived happily ever after.

The end

[Alboz]

The legend of Gjergj Elez Alia is one of the most popular in Albanian folklore. This is a prose rendition, taken from Mitrush Kuteli, of the original recording in the form of epic verse.

Gjergj Elez Alia had always been the greatest of heroes. For years he had been the strongest in the land of our forefathers and had always defended its honour. With cudgel and sword in hand he fought enemies who came from land and sea to ravage and enslave our country. Gjergj Elez Alia brought all enemies to their knees.
In the course of his many battles, however, he had received nine wounds and now lay nine years in his tower wasting away. Everyone had forgotten him and abandoned him to his fate, except his sister. She sat day and night at his bedside, cleansed his wounds for nine years with spring water, rinsed them with her tears and dried his blood with her hair. She bound his wounds with their mother's shawl. Their father's old clothes provided shade. His weapons hung at the foot of the bed. Whenever he looked at them, he felt his heart beating fervently and was filled with a ray of hope.
When his sister bound his wounds, he endured the pain like a man. There was but one pain Gjergj could not endure, that of seeing his beloved sister with him in the high tower, shut in as if buried alive, looking after him and caring for his wounds. This pain caused Gjergj to rage. His sister had never had any pleasure in life. Her friends had enjoyed the fruits of their youth, had fallen in love, married and had children. She lived alone in the tower with her sick brother Gjergj.
As the ninth year passed, the word spread that a swarthy Baloz had risen from of the sea, a mighty and cunning giant, worse than anything that had ever befallen the land before. This evil Baloz had demanded a heavy tribute from the country: every family was to give it one young maiden and a roast of mutton. Day after day, it continued its murderous course. Week after week it devastated whole regions. It had slain so many warriors that no one had the courage to oppose it, for its cudgel was huge, its sword razor sharp and its lance able to transfix all bodies in its path. The whole country suffered from the evil deeds of the Baloz.
Gjergj Elez Alia knew nothing of these evil deeds. He wasted away in bed like an unburied corpse. No friends came to tell him their woes or to ask his help since they all knew well that he could not even get up and walk to the door.
When the turn came for Gjergj's house to pay tribute to the Baloz, the sister began to weep, curse and lament, "Why, oh why has death forgotten us, brother? Our parents are already resting in peace under the linden tree, the brother is at death's door in his own house and the sister is now to fall prey to the Baloz. Why doesn't the tower simply collapse and bury us. Death would be sweeter than a life without honour."
At that moment, Gjergj awoke and looked around, unaware of what was happening. He could feel moisture on his face and thought that the tower was decaying and letting the rain in. With a heavy heart he looked up at his sister and saw the traces of tears on her pallid cheeks. In his rage he cursed the tower. "May you turn black, oh tower! May you rot from top to bottom and be inhabited by snakes! How can you let raindrops fall on my bed?" His sister wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "No, brother, it is not raining nor is the roof leaking. Your wounds and the solitude have weakened you so much that you don't know what you're saying. I have just been weeping, brother!" Gjergj stroked her arm with his emaciated hand, stroked her face, looked into her tender eyes and spoke, this time more lucidly, "Why are you weeping, sister? I have been wasting away for nine years now, and in all these nine years your brother Gjergj has found no peace, he has trembled like the leaves of the beechtree in the sunlight. Have you not had food and drink over these nine years? Has your brother not left you clothes? Has he offended you or bored you so that you now want to leave him and marry?"
The sister took his hand, placed it on her forehead and replied, "Oh, brother! It is your suffering that has confused you and made you talk this way. I would rather be buried alive than think of marriage. I have enough to eat and drink, and enough clothes. Nor have you ever offended me. You have been a brother and a father to me. But now, Gjergj, the time has come for me to tell you of the calamity which has befallen us. You have not risen and gone out the door once in all these nine years and your sister has never complained. But why should I now have to suffer the disgrace of being offered to the Baloz?"
When Gjergj heard this, he suddenly forgot his wounds and sprang to his feet as if he had never been ill. A hero, slim and slender as he had always been, he stood there and said to her, "Sister, take the warhorse into town at once and bring it to the smith who is my blood brother. Bring him greetings from Gjergj and tell him to fit the steed with shoes of iron and nails of bronze, for I am going to challenge the Baloz. If my blood brother will not shoe the steed, take it to the other smith who is my friend." The maiden mounted the steed and rode as swiftly as she could into town to see the blood brother. When she greeted the smith and asked him on behalf of her brother to shoe the steed, he began making excuses. In the nine years Gjergj had been shut up in the tower, the smith had forgotten they were blood brothers. He proposed slyly, "If you were to be kind to me, young maiden, and do me a favour, I'd save your brother Gjergj and shoe his steed so well that he could fly with it like the wind."
The maiden was shocked and turned away from him. "How can you say a thing like that, oh smith? May your tongue wither! I thought I had knocked on the door of a blood brother, but find instead that I have knocked on the door of some wandering minstrel. I've done enough favours to my parents whose bodies now rot under the earth and to my brother Gjergj who has been wasting away for nine years now."
Breaking off her indignant reply to the devious smith, she mounted her steed and rode to the other smith, greeting him on behalf of her brother and conveying his request. The second smith lost no time and shoed the steed as if it were his own. Then he replied, "Greet Gjergj for me. May he be victorious in his battle with the Baloz!"
The maiden set off, expressing her gratitude to the smith, and returned home that evening where Gjergj was waiting for her under the linden tree. He was already dressed and bearing his weapons. Gjergj had heroically overcome the pain in his body to defend the reputation of his house and homeland and to seek vengeance. Gjergj Elez Alia then sent his greetings to the Baloz, telling it, "I have no maiden for you, Baloz! The sheep of my land have not been fed for you. I have but one sister but cannot offer her to you, because otherwise I would have no one to tend my wounds. I therefore challenge you to combat on the battlefield."
When the next day dawned, Gjergj and the Baloz arrived at the battlefield and began exchanging insults. The Baloz was dressed in a heavy coat of armour with a steel helmet on its head and armed with a huge cudgel and a long sword. Even its steed was covered in armour and the earth itself trembled as they advanced. When the Baloz caught a glimpse of the emaciated Gjergj on his steed, it began to laugh and called out, "Have you come back from the grave, Gjergj? Why have you called me to the battlefield in vain? Do you not know that I am the Sea Baloz? I have toppled many a hero from their steeds and sent them to the underworld. I can topple you with my little finger." Gjergj replied, "You have spoken well, Baloz! I have indeed been at death's door for these nine years. But you have brought me back to life. You have demanded my sister before doing battle with me. You have demanded sheep before asking the shepherds. Now I have come to teach you the ancient customs of our people. For we never give up anything without a fight. We will never give our sisters to the Baloz without doing battle with it first. Get ready, Baloz, your final hour has come!" Thus spoke Gjergj Elez Alia!
Then they spurred their steeds and galloped onto the battlefield. The cunning Baloz seized the first opportunity and hurled its cudgel. Gjergj's steed dropped down on its front legs and ducked, and the heavy cudgel flew over Gjergj's head twenty four yards down into the valley. When it hit the ground, a cloud of dust rose twenty four yards in the air. Now it was Gjergj's turn. He hurled his cudgel so expertly that it struck the Baloz right on the head. The Baloz collapsed and fell over dead. As it hit the ground, the earth gave a shudder, and its steed took flight. Gjergj swiftly drew his sword and chopped the monster's head off. He hung the head from his saddle, dragged the rest of the body by the feet through the bushes and thickets and threw it into a well where the blood of the swarthy Baloz blackened the whole river.
Then the victorious hero returned home, gathered his friends around him and said: "Lend me your ears, my friends! I am leaving you my tower and giving you all my money, my animals and my possessions! Take good care of the sister of Gjergj Elez Alia!" The hero then embraced his sorrowful sister who was waiting for him.
And at that very moment, the two hearts ceased beating and the brother and sister passed away. No one had ever seen a simpler and sweeter death. Their friends grieved for them and buried them in a grave wide enough for both brother and sister in their embrace. Around the grave they constructed a thick wall so that no one might forget how much the brother loved his sister and how much the sister had loved him.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnm4BSrUkHk

[SkyBurn]

Once upon a time there was a nice wooden house. A little Mouse passed by - knock, knock! - and asked if there was anybody in. No one answered, Mouse entered and started living there. Soon a Frog passed by Teremok - knock, knock! - and asked Mouse if they could live together. Mouse agreed. A Hair, a Fox and a Wolf also came to the house. So they lived together: Mouse, Frog, Hair, Fox and Wolf. Once a big Bear passed by. He also asked to let him in. But Teremok was too small for Bear, so he just sat on the roof. The house creaked and collapsed.

For a less condensed version in it's original Russian as it would be read to me (my mother's only fairytale she could recite by heart):

Стоял в поле теремок. Прилетела муха-горюха и стучится:
- Терем-теремок! Кто в тереме живет?
Никто не отзывается. Влетела муха-горюха и стала в нем жить.
Прискакала блоха-попрыгуха.
- Терем-теремок! Кто в тереме живет?
- Я, муха-горюха, а ты кто?
- А я блоха попрыгуха.
- Ступай ко мне жить.
Прыгнула блоха-попрыгуха в теремок и стали они жить вдвоем.
Прилетел комар-пискун:
- Терем-теремок! Кто в тереме живет?
- Я, муха-горюха, да блоха-попрыгуха, а ты кто?
- А я комар-пискун.
Стали они жить втроем.
Прибежала мышка-норышка.
- Терем-теремок! Кто в тереме живет?
- Я, муха-горюха, блоха-попрыгуха, да комар-пискун, а ты кто?
- А я мышка-норышка.
- Ступай к нам жить.
Стали они жить четверо.
Прискакала лягушка-квакушка:
- Терем-теремок! Кто в тереме живет?
- Я, муха-горюха, блоха-попрыгуха, комар-пискун да мышка-норышка, а ты кто?
- А я лягушка-квакушка.
- Ступай к нам жить.
Стали жить пятеро.
Прискакал зайка-поплутайка:
- Терем-теремок! Кто в тереме живет?
- Я, муха-горюха, блоха-попрыгуха, комар-пискун, мышка-норышка, лягушка-квакушка, а ты кто?
- А я зайка-поплутайка.
- Ступай к нам жить.
Стало их шестеро.
Прибежала лисичка-сестричка:
- Терем-теремок! Кто в тереме живет?
- Я, муха-горюха, блоха-попрыгуха, комар-пискун, мышка-норышка, лягушка-квакушка да зайка-поплутайка, а ты кто?
- А я лисичка-сестричка.
- Ступай к нам жить.
Стало их семеро жить.
Пришел к терему серый волк - из-за кустов хватыш:
- Терем-теремок! Кто в тереме живет?
- Я, муха-горюха, блоха-попрыгуха, комар-пискун, мышка-норышка, лягушка-квакушка, зайка-поплутайка да лисичка-сестричка, а ты кто?
- А я серый волк - из-за кустов хватыш.
- Ступай к нам жить.
Стали жить-поживать.
Пришел к терему медведь, стучится:
- Терем-теремок! Кто в тереме живет?
- Я, муха-горюха, блоха-попрыгуха, комар-пискун, мышка-норышка, лягушка-квакушка, зайка-поплутайка, лисичка-сестричка да волк - из-за кустов хватыш, а ты кто?
- А я медведь, всех вас давиш. Лягу на теремок - всех раздавлю! Испугались они, да все из терема прочь!
А медведь ударил лапой по терему и разбил его.

[Rojava]

Zahhak was an evil king who conquered Iran and had serpents growing from his shoulders.[14] Zahak's rule lasted for one thousand years. During this time, two young men were sacrificed daily and their brains were offered to Zahhak's serpents in order to alleviate his pain.[14] However, the man who was in charge of sacrificing the two young men every day would instead kill only one man a day and mix his brains with that of a sheep in order to save the other man. As discontent grew against Zahhak's rule, a nobleman planned a revolt led by Kaveh (also known as Kawa), a blacksmith (cf. Ossetian Kurdalægon), who had lost six sons to Zahhak.[14] The young men who had been saved from the fate of being sacrificed (who according to the legend were ancestors of the Kurds [12][13][15]) were trained by Kaveh into an army that marched to Zahhak's castle where Kaveh killed the king with a hammer. Eventually Kaveh was instated as the new Fereydun king.[14] The root of this story goes back to ancient Iranian legends.

[Peikko]

Some couple of months ago I ran into a web-page of Finnish folk stories, but they are in Finnish and I can't find it anymore.

[Hercus Monte]

Some couple of months ago I ran into a web-page of Finnish folk stories, but they are in Finnish and I can't find it anymore.
I had the same problem when I was looking for LT tales and myths. I simply translated them.

[Hercus Monte]

one well known folk legend says that when grand duke Vytautas was captured and held in Kreva Caste, in 1382.

He escaped by dressing up as a noble woman.


http://i.imgur.com/exi5OEd.jpg

(don't pay attention to the Christmas tree in the back)

[Stimpy]

This is a story about how the Swedish regions of Skåne and Småland came to be, I remember my grandmother told me a version of this story when I was young. :)

How Småland and Skåne(Scania) Came To Be
At the time when our Lord created the earth, he made a level and fruitful stretch of land, and that was Skåne. But the devil had been busy in the meantime, and had created Småland, a barren region consisting mainly of hills and swamps. When our Lord saw it, it looked very hopeless to him, and he strewed the bits of earth that remained in his apron out over it, and created the Smålanders. They turned out to be a fine race of men, handsome and strong and able to take care of themselves in any situation. It is said to this very day, that if you take a Smålander and set him down on a rock in the sea, he will still manage to save himself. But in the meantime the devil had been down in Skåne, and had created the people who live there, and that is why they are so slow, boastful and servile.

[Hercus Monte]

the Småland and Skåne story reminds me of this.


How earth came to be


There once was nothing but water. In those waters a small boat paddled.
God was sitting in the boat, and the devil was paddling.
One day, they decided to rest, but couldn't find a place where they could do that.
God said to the devil:
– Dive into the bottom of the sea and bring forth a handful of earth from there.
and the devil did as the lord told him to.
An hour later, the devil came up, unclenched his fist but there was nothing - the water leached everything of the palm.
He did so time and time again, but to no avail.
God decided to have a look at his hand and his fingers.
Only underneath his fingernails did he find some dirt. With those crumbs and lumps, he sculpted a little island and placed it on top of the waters.
God got on the island, lied down and fell asleep.
But the devil couldn't sleep, he kept thinking of how to get rid of god. Then, the devil would be left the only one to rule.
He decided to try and drown God. He took his legs and pulled him to the shore by his feet, but the shore was getting farther and farther away.
Then the devil started dragging him to the other shore on the opposite side of the island, but even that shore started growing and expanding.
Soon the devil noticed that the small island wasn't that small any more.
When god woke up, he saw the devils wicked deeds and submerged him into hell, and released people onto the earth for them to live.

[Hercus Monte]

Viduutus was a legendary king of the pagan Prussians who ruled along with his elder brother, the high priest Bruteno in the 6th century AD.

According to the legend, Viduutus and Bruteno were kings of the Cimbri (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimbri)(Jutland). Driven out by the Goths from their homeland, the Cimbri arrived to Ulmiganea, Viduutus and Bruteno civilized the region and named it Prussia after Bruteno (Pruteno).
Viduutus ruled wisely and issued laws regulating:
family life (for example, men could have three wives; burning of gravely sick relatives was allowed; infidelity was punished by death),
public life (for example, slavery was prohibited; distinguished warriors with a horse were raised to nobility),
and punishments for criminal activity.
Bruteno was the high priest in charge of religious life.
Viduutus had twelve sons, whose names were memorialized in the districts of Prussia. For example, Lithuania was named after eldest son Litvas, Sudovia after Sudo, etc. At the age of 116, Viduutus burned himself together with Bruteno in a religious ceremony in the temple of Romuva (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romuva_(temple)). After their deaths the brothers were worshiped as god Viduutus.

Viduutus had a white flag, measuring five by three ells. On the left was the god of the underworld, Peckols – an old man with white beard and white scarf on his head. Middle-aged thunder god, Perkūnas, with fiery hair was in the middle. The god of crops, Patrimpas, was portrayed as a young beardless man wearing a wreath of grain ears. The flag also displayed mysterious symbols, somewhat similar to Cyrillic and gothic runes. Several linguists unsuccessfully attempted to decipher the writing hoping to discover the ancient Baltic writing system.



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Flag_of_Widewuto.jpg

[Binyamin Barca]

A common tale known in Israel is the tale of King Solomon and the bee.

King Solomon was the wisest of man. He was an architect like no other, having built his own royal castle and the holy temple of Jerusalem. He also was able to talk to animals, for he learned their languages.
One day, a bee has accidentally stung king Solomon's nose. The king asked the bee "why have you stung me?" and the bee replied "O' wise king, I have fell adrift from my lane and I have accidentally stung your nose".
King Solomon has replied "you insolent creature, I shall smite you right here and now". The bee, shocked, told and asked the king this: "O' wisest king of all, if you will detach me from your nose I shall die. If you will crush me, I shall die. I ask you to retrieve my sting to my body and let me go - I will become useful in the future".
King Solomon thought of that for a while, yet in the end he complied to the request. He retrieved the sting to the body of the bee and let it fly away.
Many days have passes from the king's encounter with the bee, the queen of Sheba, who was the prime wife of king Solomon, liked to quiz the king with questions and conundrums to test his wisdom.
One day , the queen of Sheba came to Solomon and presented him with 12 flowers, which 11 of them are fake flowers and only 1 is a real flower. The flowers look exactly alike and you cannot tell if one is real or fake just by looking at it, or even smelling it.
"My leech, if your wisdom is as great as it is told, you will surely be able to tell which one of these 12 flowers is the true one, or can't you?" teased him the queen of Sheba.
The king could not for the life of his tell which one is the real one.
Then he sees a small bee coming to the flowers and sitting on one of them - alas for it is the bee that he pardoned in the past. He knew that this is the day where the bee's usefulness is used.
Solomon proudly pointed at the true flower and the queen of Sheba was amazed and exclaimed: "You are truly the wisest of all".

That's a small little tale that everyone in Israel knows :)

[DarkSecret]

A common tale known in Israel is the tale of King Solomon and the bee.

King Solomon was the wisest of man. He was an architect like no other, having built his own royal castle and the holy temple of Jerusalem. He also was able to talk to animals, for he learned their languages.
One day, a bee has accidentally stung king Solomon's nose. The king asked the bee "why have you stung me?" and the bee replied "O' wise king, I have fell adrift from my lane and I have accidentally stung your nose".
King Solomon has replied "you insolent creature, I shall smite you right here and now". The bee, shocked, told and asked the king this: "O' wisest king of all, if you will detach me from your nose I shall die. If you will crush me, I shall die. I ask you to retrieve my sting to my body and let me go - I will become useful in the future".
King Solomon thought of that for a while, yet in the end he complied to the request. He retrieved the sting to the body of the bee and let it fly away.
Many days have passes from the king's encounter with the bee, the queen of Sheba, who was the prime wife of king Solomon, liked to quiz the king with questions and conundrums to test his wisdom.
One day , the queen of Sheba came to Solomon and presented him with 12 flowers, which 11 of them are fake flowers and only 1 is a real flower. The flowers look exactly alike and you cannot tell if one is real or fake just by looking at it, or even smelling it.
"My leech, if your wisdom is as great as it is told, you will surely be able to tell which one of these 12 flowers is the true one, or can't you?" teased him the queen of Sheba.
The king could not for the life of his tell which one is the real one.
Then he sees a small bee coming to the flowers and sitting on one of them - alas for it is the bee that he pardoned in the past. He knew that this is the day where the bee's usefulness is used.
Solomon proudly pointed at the true flower and the queen of Sheba was amazed and exclaimed: "You are truly the wisest of all".

That's a small little tale that everyone in Israel knows :)

He had more than one wife?

[Peyrol]

The foundation of Torino/Turin according to local gauls and early romans:

After the death of Akhen-Aton, one of his sons, the prince Pheton (''Fetonte'' in italian) left Egypt and brought with him many people and a secret relic, the ''Toth's tear'', that according to the legend was given to Akhen-Aton by the Sun as a prize for his worship.
After many yeasr of exile and wandering, they arrived in the area that nowadays is Genoa...here, the pharaon Pheton married a local celtic princess and had a son, named Liguro, who later became king of the gaulish population of the Ambrones, renamed ligures to celebrate the King.

Then, the egyptian exiles crossed the Appennines and reached a great and fertile plain: here the pharaon asked Aton an omen, and the God throw out a comet into the plain; the egyptians decided to create here a city where they could live free and celebrate their god Aton forever; Pheton later married another local celtic princess, who gave her a son: Eridano.
Later the exiles and the local celtic people mixed into a new syncretic culture, and slowly they forgot their roots; Eridano later became king, but drowned in the great river of the plain, who was named ''Eridanus'' as a tribute to the king.

The ''Toth's tear'' remained buried in a secret temple under the city, and during the centuries attracted phylosophers, alchemists and dark scientists into the city.

[Binyamin Barca]

He had more than one wife?

He had about a thousand wives and mistresses.

[Incal]

El Tunche/Tunchi



The Whistling Sound or “El Tunchi” is a scary legend from Peru about an evil spirit that haunts the rainforest.

The whistling sound is a well-known legend in the Peruvian rainforest. Stories about the evil spirit they call El Tunchi have been passed on from generation to generation in Peru. They say it is the ghost of a troubled man who wandered off, became lost and disoriented and died in the rainforest.

His evil spirit now roams through the forest, whistling at those unlucky enough to cross his path. His whistling sound is high-pitched and as it goes on, it gets louder and louder until it is almost unbearable. “Fiu fiu fiu fiu fiu fiu fiu”.

The natives who know the story say that if you hear the whistling sound, you must beware. Make the sign of the cross and say a prayer. Cover your ears if you must, but never acknowledge that you hear anything. If you do, the sound will only get louder as El Tunchi draws nearer and nearer. Whatever you do, you must never answer El Tunchi’s whistle. If you whistle back, El Tunchi will come for you and kill you in the most hideous way imaginable.

Legend has it that there was a young Catholic nun, named Sister Bernadette, who had just taken her vows in Spain. She was sent to Peru as a missionary and joined a group of older nuns who had been living and doing charity work in a small village in the rainforest.

Soon afterwards, the nuns took a trip by boat to visit a remote village in the rainforest. That night, the nuns gathered in the center of the village to say the rosary before going to bed. This was a tradition they observed every night.

During the second Hail Mary, the young Sister Bernadette interrupted the prayers.

“What is that whistling sound?” she asked.

The older nuns did not answer her and continued with their prayers.

“Can’t you hear it?” she asked again. “It’s a high-pitched whistling sound.”

“There’s no whistling sound”, replied one of the older nuns nervously.

“You must hear it”, insisted Sister Bernadette. “It’s almost like the sound of a fingernail scraping against a blackboard, but it’s somehow different… like the whistle of some strange creature.”

“You don’t hear it and neither do we”, hissed another nun.

The old nuns all eyed eachother nervously and remained silent. Sister Bernadette was surprised by their bizarre behavior.

“What? You must be able to hear it! It’s getting louder! It’s awful!” she cried, and with that, she began whistling, answering the strange sound.

The moment the young nun answered the whistling sound, it abruptly ceased. Sister Bernadette continued whistling, despite the protests of the other nuns. The older nuns blessed themselves, making the sign of the cross, and said a prayer.

The nuns all went to bed as usual. That same night, while they were all asleep, they heard a piercing scream coming from the room in which Sister Bernadette was staying. The older nuns rushed to help her, but when they opened her door, they recoiled in horror.

The room was covered from floor to ceiling in blood, and Sister Bernadette was nowhere to be found. Days later, her body was discovered deep within the rainforest, hanging from a tree. Her throat had been torn out and her arms and legs were broken and twisted at odd angles. Most distressing of all was the look of unimaginable horror that remained frozen on her face.

Officially, she was listed as having been killed by a wild animal, but the old nuns knew what had happened to her. The local villagers had told them all about El Tunchi and the terrible fate that awaited anyone who answered its strange whistling call.

Another story involves a 14-year old girl whose father was working as an English teacher in a small village in the Peruvian rainforest. One day, the girl was looking out the window when she spotted a dark shadow moving through the forest. She heard a strange whistling sound and began to answer it.

The teacher returned home to find his daughter standing at the window, whistling a strange tune.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Whistling at that dark figure over there in the trees”, she replied.

The teacher froze and the hair on the back of his neck stood up. He had heard the legends about El Tunchi and knew what was happening. In a panic, he grabbed his daughter and dragged her upstairs to her bedroom. He bolted the bedroom door tightly and closed the shutters on the windows.

The young girl was terrified as she watched her father get down on his knees and start lighting candles. She was crying and asking her father what was wrong, but all he would say was “El Tunchi! El Tunchi!” Suddenly, she heard an almighty crash against the door to her bedroom.

Without thinking twice, her father pushed her into the closet and locked her inside. Then he broke the key off in the lock. Inside the closet, the frightened girl could hear her father crying and saying prayers.

Just then, she heard the bedroom door burst open and her father began screaming in horror. The bedroom windows shattered and glass rained down on the wooden floor. The girl covered her ears as her father’s screams faded off into the distance.

The next morning, the girl was found by one of the villagers who was investigating the damage to the house. She was taken to a hospital and treated for shock. Her father had disappeared and his body was never found. The girl was adopted by her aunt and uncle and even today, she still sleeps inside a locked closet at night. She says she lives in fear that someday El Tunchi is going to return for her.

[Hercus Monte]

A little video about the oldest Baltic fairytale, Eglė, the Queen of Serpents (http://www.theapricity.com/forum/showthread.php?108188-Post-a-myth-fairy-tale-story-from-your-country&p=2247428&viewfull=1#post2247428).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5lblO6TFKo

[Illancha]

A legend of the Chechen mountains says:

“God has turned the souls of noble warriors into white swans. That is why white swans are serene and majestic. The Maker cursed the souls of warriors who succumbed to wrath and passed the limits of what was permitted toward the enemy. He placed them under the highest mountains. Yet He promised that the time of their liberation would come someday. If the souls of their victims forgive them, the Almighty will also forgive those merciless souls and turn them into white swans. In the beginning, He turned the souls of those cruel warriors into cranes. That is why cranes weep and implore their victims to forgive them as they fly north every spring. Swans follow cranes’ route voluntarily out of compassion for their sinful comrades-in-arms, and pray for them in the land of shadows.”

[Hercus Monte]

this is an alternative origin story of the Curonian Spit.

In Lithuanian folklore, Neringa is a beautiful, gentle giantess who built a mound of sand to keep the stormy waves of the Baltic sea at bay and protect the village and the people who live in it.

One day, she catches the eye of Naglis, a dragon (some legends call him a sea serpent) living nearby, who madly falls in love with her. When Naglis realizes that his love is unrequited, in his wrath and his grief, he starts eating the fishermen living in Neringa's village one by one. Neringa is greatly saddened by these occurences, and so she creates a strip of sand between the bay and the Baltic sea, which would seperate her and her subjects from the dragon forever.




http://legitbabenames.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/2657_neringa.jpg

[Petalpusher]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fyTL50hQKM

[Äijä]

Clearly I have to post some Kalevala, it is just a shame that there are no rune singing online so I can only post translated runes.
Here is a part of a much longer rune.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8UfdehDqm4