Tree of Health

A Danish Folktale
Retold by June barnes-Rowley
Suitable for 4-7 year olds

Long, long ago there were three brothers who had an apple orchard left to them by their father. Before he died their father told them that one of the trees in the orchard bore the fruit of health. The apples of that tree could cure any illness. But he did not tell them which tree it was.

After his death the brothers divided the apple orchard amongst themselves but this was not done in a fair way. The two elder brothers cheated the youngest brother. They gave him only one tree, the one in the centre of the orchard.

It was at that time that king’s daughter, the beautiful princess, became ill. The king promised half his kingdom to the one who could restore his daughter’s health.

The eldest brother decided to take apples from his part of the orchard. Surely one of then would be the fruit of health. He picked an apple from each tree. He placed then in a basket and covered them with a cloth to protect them from the sun and the birds and set off for the palace.

Along the way he met an old woman who asked him what was in his basket. He did not want to share his apples with her.
“Frogs and toads as if it was any of your business,” he said rudely.
“Frogs and toads, eh,” cackled the old woman “You’re a cheeky one aren’t you? Frogs and toads indeed.”

The eldest brother hurries past her and on to the palace. At the gate the guard asked him what he had in his basket.
“Apples of health” replied the boy, “To cure the princess.”

The guard lifted up the cover and looked into the basket. But there were no apples in the basket. It was full of frogs and toads.
“Off with you,” yelled the guard, “Bringing frogs and toads to the princess indeed!”

The eldest brother ran home as fast as he could. The second eldest brother did not believe his story.
“How could apples turn into frogs and toads? I will take my apples to the princess.”

The second brother decided to take apples from his part of the orchard. Surely one of then would be the fruit of health. He picked an apple from each tree. He placed then in a basket and covered them with a cloth to protect them from the sun and the birds and set off for the palace.

Along the way he met an old woman who asked him what was in his basket. Like his brother he did not want to share his apples with her.
“It’s none of your business but if you must know I have snakes and worms in my basket,” he said rudely.
“Snakes and worms, eh,” cackled the old woman “You’re a cheeky one aren’t you? Snakes and worms indeed.”

The second brother hurries past her and on to the palace. At the gate the guard asked him what he had in his basket.
“Apples of health” replied the boy, “To cure the princess.”

The guard lifted up the cover and looked into the basket. But there were no apples in the basket. It was full of snakes and worms.
“Off with you,” yelled the guard, “Bringing snakes and worms to the princess indeed!”

The second brother ran home as fast as he could. When he arrives and told his brothers what had happened, the younger brother thought about the princess. Perhaps, he thought, my tree has the apples of health. I should take them to the princess and try to help her.

The youngest brother picked several apples from his one tree in the orchard. He placed then in a basket and covered them with a cloth to protect them from the sun and the birds and set off for the palace.

Along the way he met an old woman who asked him what was in his basket. He felt sorry for the old woman, she looked so thin and he was sure she must be hungry.
“I have apples of health in my basket,” he replied.

“Apples of health , eh,” cackled the old woman.
“Would you like one?” he asked.

He took one of the juicy red apples from the basket and handed it to the old woman, who took it and ate it.
“Apples of health, eh.” She cackled again, “You’re a good laddie, aren’t you.”

The boy continued on his journey until he arrived at the palace. At the gate the guard asked him what he had in his basket.
“Apples of health” replied the boy, “To cure the princess.”

The guard lifted up the cover and looked into the basket. It was full of … juicy red apples.
“Please do help yourself to an apple, sir,” said the boy.

The guard took one of the apples and bit into it. He immediately felt very strong and healthy. He began marching up and down whilst eating his apple.
“Come,” he said, “I will take you to meet the king.”

He took the youngest brother to the king and told him about the boy’s apples. The king took the boy to see the princess.

The poor princess was so ill she could not lift her head form the pillow. She took an apple from the boy and began to eat. She felt a little better and sat up in her bed and reached for another apple. After the princess had eaten the second apple she jumped out of bed and stood up. After the third apple she began to skip and laugh.

The king was very happy and kept his promise. He gave half his kingdom to the youngest brother. Not only that but the youngest brother and the princess were married.

And what do you think their favourite food was?

From Swag of Yarns autumn 2004
Source: Favourite Fairy Tales Told in Denmark
Retold by Virginia Haviland

How Finn Found Bran

By Robert Ingpen and Barbara Hayes from ‘Folk Tales and Fables of Europe’

Ireland was never conquered by the Roman legions and its Celtic traditions survived intact. The Irish have always been good story-tellers. Finn was a great hero and there are many stories about his battles and daring deeds.


Long, long ago, in the days when Corm MacArt was King of Ireland, there was a band of soldiers known as the Feni of Erin. They were tall and bold and so fearless that no enemy could stand against them; even their friends were afraid of them.

The captain of these fearless men was Finn, the son of Cumhal, whose castle stood of the Hill of Allen. This hill is quite close to Kildare, that lies to the south-west of Dublin. Finn was the bravest of the brave. He was an awesome sight when he was in the middle of a fight, waving his magic sword, with his long hair streaming down his back.

If people were afraid of Finn, they were terrified of his faithful dog. Bran was huge and tireless and had long, snapping teeth. He had one claw that was much sharper than the rest and it was poisonous. A scratch from the claw never healed but festered until the unfortunate victim dies.

Mostly Finn kept a golden shoe tied over this lethal claw but when he found himself in danger he would call Bran and take off the shoe. Bran would fly at his master’s enemies and very few had the courage to stand and face him. Some people wondered where such a dog came from but the old ones knew that Finn had stolen him from Faeryland. This is how it happened.


Times had been peaceful, which was unusual, and one day Finn decided to go walking, alone and unattended. He had not gone far when he met a man whose face was unfamiliar. This was strange, because Finn knew all the men who lived on his land.

“Who are you to be walking here?” asked Finn.

“I am a clever man in search of work,” replied the stranger.

“In what way are you clever?” asked Finn.

“I never sleep,” replied the man. “A master must have a use for a man who is always awake.”

“That is true,” smiled Finn. “Follow me and I will employ you.”

Hardly had Finn taken another step, when he was confronted by a second stranger. “Who are you who walks so boldly over my land?” asked Finn.

“I am a clever man in search of work,” replied the stranger.

“In what way are you clever?” asked Finn.

“I can hear the slightest sound,” replied the man. “I can even hear the grass growing from the ground.”

“Can you indeed?” smiled Finn. “Then you had better follow me and I will employ you.” He did not immediately see the use of such a talent but thought it better for the man to be working for him than for an enemy.

Scarcely a hundred yards further along the road, Finn met a third stranger. Again he asked the man what he was doing and again received the same reply- that he was a clever man looking for work. This stranger claimed that he was so strong that once he gripped something, no one could make him let go.

“In that case, join these other men and work for me,” said Finn.

Finn met four more men whom like the others, were invited to work for him. One was an expert thief, the next was a skilled climber, the third claimed he could throw a stone that would turn into a wall upon landing and the fourth said he was such a fine marksman that he never missed a shot.

Now Finn was no fool and with such unusual things happening to him one after the other, he rightly concluded that the faeries were at work and perhaps to his advantage. So he strode onwards to see what the rest of the day would bring.

Looking around, it seemed to Finn that the landscape suddenly changed. He found himself close by a palace that was quite unknown to him. As night was falling, Finn knocked at the palace gate and asked for shelter for himself and his men. He was allowed into the palace and there he found the King and Queen in the deepest sorrow.

“Our first two sons were stolen by faeries or demons or some such creatures,” wept the King. “Now another lovely baby has been born to us and we are afraid that this child will be stolen too.”

Then Finn thought he understood why he had met the seven strangers and why their steps had led them to this palace.

“My men and I will guard your new baby,” he smiled. “Have no more fear.”

Finn sent for the man who never slept and told him to watch the baby in its chamber. He told the man who could hear the grass growing to sit in the ante-chamber and listen for anyone coming. Finally, he told the man with the strong grip to sit by the baby’s cradle.

“Whatever approaches,” said Finn, “be it demon, monster or faery, seize it and never let it go.”
The King’s household settled down for the night and at first everything was peaceful. Then, as midnight struck, the man sitting in the ante-chamber said, “I feel so drowsy.”

“So do we,” yawned the courtiers who also sat in the ante-chamber. They were inquisitive to see what would happen.

The man who could hear grass growing cocked his head and said, “I can hear sweet music far off in the distance. It is coming nearer and nearer. Do you know what it can be?”

The courtiers’ faces turned white with fear. “It is the Master Harper,” they cried. “His playing puts everyone to sleep long before he arrives. How can we guard the baby’s chamber if we are asleep?”

The man sitting in the baby’s chamber laughed and said, “Nothing ever puts me to sleep. I will keep you all awake.” Getting to his feet, the man walked continually round the palace, shaking the guards and the courtiers so that no one slept.

This left the man with the strong grip sitting at the side of the cradle. Suddenly he saw a long, skinny arm come right through the wall and reach over to where the baby lay. “Steal the child, would you?” roared the man. “Well, you will be unlucky this time!”

Leaping to his feet he seized the mysterious hand. A terrible struggle followed in which the arm was thrown all over the room. But he did not relax his grip and finally, with one mighty heave, he pulled the hand and arm from the unseen body.

The courtiers rushed forward to look at the weird trophy. In the excitement and jostling, no one noticed a second hand push through the wall and snatch up the baby. The baby cried with fright, but by then it was too late. Bu the time the courtiers realised what was happening the child was disappearing through the wall. Everyone rushed outside and searched in the darkness, but without success. The King and Queen were heartbroken.

No one was more distressed than Finn, who had failed to guard the baby as he had promised. He swore to the King that he would not rest until he had found the child again. Calling his seven men, he strode out of the palace and back to his home.

Near Finn’s home, lying on the seashore, was a boat that had taken seven years and seven days to build. Taking his seven new servants with him, Finn launched the boat and they sailed until they reached a rocky shore. Pulling the boat well up the beach, Finn and his men walked inland until they came to a lonely house. Its walls were high and covered with slippery eel skins.

Finn called the man who was an expert climber. “Climb to the top of that house. Put your eye to the chimney and tell me what you see,” he ordered.

The man had not boasted in vain. He climbed easily over the slippery eel skins and peered down the chimney. When he returned, he reported to Finn that a one-eyed giant, whose arm had been torn from his body, was sitting inside the house. In his remaining hand the giant held a baby. Two handsome boys were playing on the floor.

Finn knew he had found the stolen children. Turning to the man who had boasted of being an expert thief, Finn told him to go into the house and steal all three children.

Silently the thief lifted the latch of the door and crept into the house. Without a sound he picked up the two boys. Then gently, so that the giant did not realize what was happening, he took the baby from the enormous hand.

He turned to go but on the way to the door, he saw three puppies playing among the rushes on the floor. Being a thief, he could not resist taking the little dogs as well. Thus laden, he tiptoed out to rejoin Finn and the others.

Carrying the children, the eight men turned and ran for the shore. They had not gone far before they heard loud barking. Looking back, they saw a huge tawny hound, with eyes glowing like lamps, bounding after them. It was the puppies’ mother.

“Now it is your turn to work,” said Finn, turning to the man who had boasted he could throw a stone that would turn into a wall as soon as it hit the ground.

As the men ran hard for the shore, the stone-thrower picked up stone after stone and threw them behind him. As each stone struck the ground, a wall rose up, but this did not stop the mother dog. She bounded on after her puppies.

“Throw down a puppy for her,” shouted Finn. For a moment the dog paused to sniff happily at the little creature. But then she bounded on in pursuit.

“Throw down another,” panted Finn and this time the mother was satisfied because she stayed behind with her two puppies.

Finn and his men reached their boat and thankfully dragged it into the sea. They rowed for many hours. When they were within sight of the shores of Ireland, they thought themselves safe at last and rested on their oars. But when they looked back they saw a terrifying sight. A ball of light flashed and darted in the water. All around it, the sea foamed and frothed as it someone were beating it into a fury.

One of the servants called, “It is the giant. I can see his great face with one eye glaring.”

Finn turned to the man who was a fine marksman and said,” Now is the time to show us how good you are with a bow.”

The man pulled the bowstring back to his ear and sent an arrow flying straight and true into the terrible eye. The giant threw his remaining arm high into the air, crashed back into the sea and disappeared from sight. He was never heard of again.

Finn and his men hurried to the King’s palace and restored the children to their delighted parents.

“What can I give you as a reward?” the King asked Finn.

“I want no reward,” smiled Finn, “but I will keep the puppy, for I believe he has come from an enchanted land and will be a good friend to me in times of danger.”

So Finn set off to walk to his own home. On the way, strange to say, his seven servants went missing, but the puppy remained. So who can doubt that what the old people say is true and that the dog, which Finn called Bran, did come from Faeryland?

Apple Juice

Once there was a little chubby, bubby who loved his apple juice. One day this baby stood up in his crib and in a small voice yelled "I want my apple juice, I want my apple juice, I want my apple juice".
Along came his big brother who said, "Don't worry baby I know where Mum keeps the apple juice, I'll just go get you some."
He walked down the hall, through the kitchen and down the stairs into the basement where there was a shelf of apple juice.
But just as he was reaching for the apple juice who should appear, a ghost, and the ghost said, "I'm the ghost with one black eyeyeyeye."
And the bother yelled "aaahhh" and ran up the stairs, through the kitchen, down the hall and zoom past the baby.
(shocked) and the baby said, "where is my apple juice?"
His brother said (scared)"I'm sorry baby, I was just getting your apple juice, when I remembered I dave to clean the toilet" and away he ran.

Baby was quiter upset and yelled "I want my apple juice, I want my apple juice, I want my apple juice."
Along came his big sister and said " oh hello baby, I'd be happy to like get you your like apple juice. Be back in like a tick" She walked down the hall, through the kitchen and down the stairs into the basement where there was a shelf of apple juice.
But just as she was reaching for the apple juice who should appear, a ghost, and the ghost said, "I'm the ghost with one black eyeyeyeye."
And the sister yelled "aaahhh" and ran up the stairs, through the kitchen, down the hall and zoom past the baby.
(shocked) and the baby said, "where is my apple juice?"
The big sister came back and said (scared) "I'm like sorry baby. I was like getting your like apple juice, when I like remembered I had to like clean my room." and away she ran.

Baby was very upset and took a deep breath and yelled, "I want my apple juice, (breath) I want my apple juice, (breath) I want my apple juice!"
Along came the baby's mother and she said (snooty voice) "Hello my precious little lamb. Mummy will get you your apple juice don't you worry your pretty little head."
She pranced down the hall, through the kitchen and down the stairs into the basement where there was a shelf of apple juice.
But just as she was reaching for the apple juice who should appear, a ghost, and the ghost said, "I'm the ghost with one black eyeyeyeye."
And the sister yelled "aaahhh" and ran up the stairs, through the kitchen, down the hall and zoom past the baby.
(shocked) and the baby said, "where is my apple juice?"
His mother came back and said (scared) "oh me precious, I was just getting your apple juice when I remembered I have to get my hair done"and away she ran.

By this time, baby was very, very upset and he decided to get his apple juice for himself. He climbed out of his crib, pulled his nappy up on one side, and then on the other. Then he stomped downt he hall, "I want my apple juice", he stomped through the kitche, "I want my apple juice" and he stomped downt he stairs" I want my apple juice" and into the basement. There on the shelf was rows and rows of his lovely apple juice, but just as he was reaching for a bottle, who should appear but the ghost. And the ghost said, "I'm the ghost with one black eyeyeyeye."
But the baby said in a mean little voice, "If you don't let me have my apple juice, you'll be the ghost with two black eyes"
And the ghost yelled "AAHHHH!!" and flew up the stirs, through the kitchen and out the hall window never to return.

The baby grabbed a bottle of apple juice, gulped it down and was not thirsty agin…… for another five minutes.

Cinderella (original version)

Based on the Brothers Grimm original.

There was once a young lady who enjoyed a wonderful childhood, loved by a devoted mother, and doted upon by her wealthy, merchant father. Unfortunately her mother became ill one winter and passed away. They buried her near the gates of the estate, beneath an old hazel tree and consoled each other in their grief.

Time passed and the girl became a beautiful young woman, her father decided that she needed a mother to guide her into womanhood, and so married a widow with two daughters of her own. But the new step mother soon proved herself to be interested only in her own comfort and that of her two spoilt daughters, who though beautiful, had ugly hearts. Dissatisfied the girl’s father spent more and more time away from home. The girl was left to the tender mercy of the evil trio who forced her to become a drudge in her own home, forced to work from dawn to dusk on little food and only one change of clothes. She soon became very dirty and a sight to behold and was mockingly referred to from as Cinderella.

Whenever life became too unbearable she would go and weep over her mother’s grave. A white bird came to the tree every time, and whenever she expressed a wish, the bird would throw down to her what she had wished for.

One day the King of the land declared that there would be a three day festival, all the beautiful young girls were invited, so that the Prince could choose himself a bride. The two step-sisters were very excited.

They called Cinderella, saying, "Comb our hair for us. Brush our shoes and fasten our buckles. We are going to the festival at the king's castle."
Cinderella obeyed, but wept, because she too would have liked to go to the dance with them. She begged her stepmother to allow her to go.
"You, Cinderella?" she said. "You, all covered with dust and dirt, and you want to go to the festival?. You have neither clothes nor shoes, and yet you want to dance!"
However, because Cinderella kept asking, the stepmother finally said, "If you can complete your chores by the time your sisters are ready you may come with us.”
Cinderella moved very quickly to finish her chores, but kept being interrupted by her step-sisters demands and so only just finished as her as they were leaving.
But the stepmother said, "It's no use. You are not coming with us, for you have no clothes, and you don't know how to dance. We would be ashamed of you." With this she turned her back on Cinderella, and hurried away with her two proud daughters.
Cinderella ran to her mother’s grave and began to weep, a white bird appeared above her and called out to her:
Dear child, dear child, shake the tree,Open the first nut that you see.
So Cinderella shook the tree and the first nut that fell she took up and opened, and what do you think she saw? -- a beautiful silk dress blue as the heavens, all embroidered with stars, and two little lovely shoes made of shining copper. And when she had dressed herself the hazel tree opened and from it came a coach all made of copper with four milk-white horses, with coachman and footmen all complete. And as she drove away the little bird called out to her:
Be home, be home ere mid-o'-nightOr else again you'll be a fright.
When Cinderella entered the ballroom she was the loveliest of all the ladies, and the prince, who had been dancing with her stepsisters, would only dance with her. But as it came towards midnight Cinderella remembered what the little bird had told her and slipped away to her carriage. And when the prince missed her he went to the guards at the palace door and told them to follow the carriage. But Cinderella when she saw this, called out:
Mist behind and light before,Guide me to my father's door.
And when the prince's soldiers tried to follow her there came such a mist that they couldn't see their hands before their faces. So they couldn't find which way Cinderella went.
When her stepmother and two sisters came home after the ball they could talk of nothing but the lovely lady: "Ah, would not you have like to have been there?" said the sisters to Cinderella as she helped them to take off their fine dresses. "The was a most lovely lady with a dress like the heavens and shoes of bright copper, and the prince would dance with none but her; and when midnight came she disappeared and the prince could not find her. He is going to give a second ball in the hope that she will come again. Perhaps she will not, and then we will have our chance."
When the time of the second royal ball came round the same thing happened as before; the sisters teased Cinderella, saying "Wouldn't you like to come with us?" and drove off again as before.
And Cinderella went again to the hazel tree over her mother's grave and wept and as before the little bird on the tree called out:
Dear child, dear child, shake the tree,Open the first nut that you see.
But this time she found a dress all golden brown like the earth embroidered with flowers, and her shoon were made of silver; and when the carriage came from the tree, lo and behold, that was made of silver too, drawn by black horses with trappings all of silver, and the lace on the coachman's and footmen's liveries was also of silver; and when Cinderella went to the ball the prince would dance with none but her; and when midnight cam round she fled as before.
But the prince, hoping to prevent her running away, had ordered the soldiers at the foot of the staircase to pour out honey on the stairs so that her shoes would stick in it. But Cinderella leaped from stair to stair and got away just in time, calling out as the soldiers tried to follow her:
Mist behind and light before,Guide me to my father's door.
And when her sisters got home they told her once more of the beautiful lady that had come in a silver coach and silver shoon and in a dress all embroidered with flowers: "Ah, wouldn't you have like to have been there?" said they.
Once again the prince gave a great ball in the hope that his unknown beauty would come to it. All happened as before; as soon as the sisters had gone Cinderella went to the hazel tree over her mother's grave and cried out and once more the little bird appeared and said:Dear child, dear child, shake the tree,Open the first nut that you see.
And when she opened the nut in it was a dress of silk green as the sea with waves upon it, and her shoes this time were made of gold; and when the coach came out of the tree it was also made of gold, with gold trappings for the horses and for the retainers. As she drove off the little bird from the tree called out:
Be home, be home ere mid-o'-night Or else again you'll be a fright.
Now this time, when Cinderella came to the ball, she was a desirous to dance only with the prince as he with her, and so, when midnight came round, she had forgotten to leave till the clock began to strike, one -- two -- three -- four -- five -- six, -- and then she began to run away down the stairs as the clock struck eight -- nine -- ten.
But the prince had told his soldier to put tar upon the lower steps of the stairs; and as the clock struck eleven her shoes stuck in the tar, and when she jumped to the foot of the stairs one of her golden shoes was left behind, and just then the clock struck TWELVE, and the golden coach with its horses and footmen, disappeared, and the beautiful dress of Cinderella changed again into her ragged clothes and she had to run home with only one golden shoe.
You can imagine how excited the sister were when they came home and told Cinderella all about it, how that the beautiful lady had come in a golden coach in a dress like the sea, with golden shoes, and how all had disappeared at midnight except the golden shoe. "Ah, wouldn't you have liked to have been there?" said they.
Now when the prince found out that he could not keep his lady-love nor trace where she had gone he spoke to his father and showed him the golden shoe, and told him that he would never marry anyone but the maiden who could wear that shoe.
The Prince went from house to house with his steward and made every girl he met try on the shoe to see if they could find his bride.
The two sisters were happy to hear this, for they had pretty feet. With her mother standing by, the older one took the shoe into her bedroom to try it on. She could not get her big toe into it, for the shoe was too small for her. Then her mother gave her a knife and said, "Cut off your toe. When you are queen you will no longer have to go on foot."
The girl cut off her toe, forced her foot into the shoe, swallowed the pain, and went out to the prince. He took her on his horse as his bride and rode away with her. However, they had to ride past the grave, and there, on the hazel tree, sat the white bird who cried out:
Rook di rick, rook di roo!There's blood in the shoe.The shoe is too tight,This bride is not right!
Then he looked at her foot and saw how the blood was running from it. He turned his horse around and took the false bride home again, saying that she was not the right one, and that the other sister should try on the shoe. She went into her bedroom, and got her toes into the shoe all right, but her heel was too large.
Then her mother gave her a knife, and said, "Cut a piece off your heel. When you are queen you will no longer have to go on foot."
The girl cut a piece off her heel, forced her foot into the shoe, swallowed the pain, and went out to the prince. He took her on his horse as his bride and rode away with her. When they passed the hazel tree, the white bird was sitting in it, and it cried out:
Rook di rick, rook di roo!There's blood in the shoe.The shoe is too tight,This bride is not right!
He looked down at her foot and saw how the blood was running out of her shoe, and how it had stained her white stocking all red. Then he turned his horse around and took the false bride home again.
"This is not the right one, either," he said. "Don't you have another daughter?"
and the sisters cried out, "No, sir."
But the father, who had just returned from his trip, said, "Yes, I have another daughter.” But the mother answered, "Oh, no, she is much too dirty. She cannot be seen."
But the prince said, "As she is of noble birth she has a right to try the shoe." So the herald went down to the kitchen and found Cinderella; and when she saw her golden shoe she took it from him and put it on her foot, which it fitted exactly; and then she took the other golden shoe from underneath the cinders where she had hidden it and put that on too.
When she came out the prince looked into her face, and he recognized the beautiful girl who had danced with him. He cried out, "She is my true bride."
The stepmother and the two sisters were horrified and turned pale with anger. The prince, however, took Cinderella onto his horse and rode away with her. As they passed by the hazel tree, the white bird cried out:
Rook di rick, rook di roo!No blood's in the shoe.The shoe's not too tight,This bride is right!!
When the wedding with the prince was to be held, the two false sisters came, wanting to gain favour with Cinderella and to share her good fortune. When their carriage passed the hazel tree, two black ravens flew down and pecked out one eye from each of them. Afterwards, as they returned from the church, they again passed the hazel tree and two ravens flew down and pecked out the other eye from each of them. And thus, for their wickedness and falsehood, they were rendered lame and blind for the rest of their lives.

Louey the Bluey

By Nicole Collarafi
Stories of Australian Animals Competition
Dandenong Secondary College, Melbourne. 2004

Once upon a time, on a sheep farm, there was a three-legged blue heeler named Louey. He used to be the best rounding up dog in Worrawangawee. He could herd one hundred head of sheep all by himself.

However, two years ago, he went to chase a sheep back to the flock that had wandered into some long grass. Unfortunately the tiger snake that was living in there had other plans. When Bluey’s owner took him to the vet, they had to amputate his right hind leg to save him. After that his owner decided that he couldn’t round up sheep anymore.

So everyday from then on his owner would but Max and Misty, the border collies, in the back of his dented, filthy ute to round up the sheep. Everyday Louey the Bluey would watch them leave, and would spend the rest of the day hobbling around after his owner’s five year old daughter, Matilda. One day, just after his owner had left to muster the sheep, Louey was lying under the veranda in his little hammock dog bed when he saw Matilda wandering around. She was fine, so he decided to take a nap. A short time later he was awakened by a scream and then a loud splash.

Louey jumped up and ran towards the noise as fast as he could. He followed that noise all the way to the dam. When he reached it, he saw what was making that noise. Matilda had gone swimming in the dam but, as she was not a good swimmer, she couldn’t handle the deeper, colder water. Without another thought, Louey dived into the dam and swam over to her. She wrapped her arms around his little stumpy neck. He pulled her all the way back to shore. Just then his owner came running over the hill.

Louey was declared a hero, and allowed to help with the mustering from that day onward.

From Sway of Yarns summer 2004

The Snow Maiden

By Yuri
Takes about eight minutes to tell

Many, many long years ago, in a small Russian village, there once lived an old couple – an old man and his Babushka – his old wife. Though they lived in peace and in comfort, their lives seemed empty and without joy, somehow. You see, they had no children to cheer their passing days.
Then the winter arrived and a carpet of snow was laid on the countryside. The old couple gazed wistfully at the children playing in the snow outside and they were more lonely than ever before.
One day the old man said to his Babushka, “Cheer up, Babushka!” he said, “though God has seen fit not to bless us with children of our own, let us go outside – let us make for ourselves a daughter from the snow – let us make ourselves a Snowmaiden.”
And so, they dressed warmly and they went outside. They gathered the snow and rolled a ball. They fashioned the arms and the legs. Next came the head of snow and the little nose. Finally, the old man placed the eyes and the mouth. And then, my friends, the thing that happened next was so strange and so wonderful, the old couple could never explain it or forget it. For, as they were finishing the Snowmaiden, a stranger journeyed by and with great cheer in his voice, he called out to them. He said: “May heaven bless you, dear friends!”
And they called the spontaneous refrain: “May God bless us all, dear brother!” but when the old couple turned back to their Snowmaiden, a wonderful thing happened – her lips became pink, then red. Her eyes opened – and they moved! Her limbs took shape and her fingers twitched. And when her face took shape, she smiled at the old couple – such a warm, wonderful smile. The snowflakes shook away and she stepped forward – a real, living girl.
The old couple were enchanted and they could not speak. How they embraced and welcomed their long awaited child. And so they led her back to their cottage.
Well, the time passed as it must, and the snow maiden, she grew – not by the day, but by the hour! Her loveliness was a wonder to behold. Her skin was fair as the snow itself. Her hair was russet like the autumn leaves. Sometimes her eyes shone like the raven’s wing or seemed to have no colour at all. She set about her work in the little cottage with great cheer. When she lifted her voice in song, the whole village stopped to hear.
The old couple loved their Snowmaiden with every shred of their being. And so the deep winter came and passed. Yet, with its passing, the Snowmaiden changed. She had become noticeably quiet and sad. Though the old couple fretted for her sake, she assured them all was well. The winter snow melted and the spring flowers burst forth in full splendour.
Yet, the days that passed saw the Snowmaiden grow eveb more quiet and even more sad than ever before. More and more she hid from the sun’s light and she sought out the deep shadows.
One day a wild hailstorm burst its fury over the land and cast the greatest hailstones ever seen. Yet, this seemed to excite the Snowmaiden! She ran around and gathered them up as though they were fine gems. When they melted away, the Snowmaiden sat herself down and wept with great, great bitterness.
The summer followed the spring and her little friends prepared for their woodland games. How eager they were to play and to dance and gather wild berries. They called on the Snowmaiden to join them, but the Snowmaiden held to the shadows. The old couple cheered her on: “Go, dearest one! Enjoy yourself!”
And so she obeyed them and she followed her friends into the forest. And so the children gathers and they danced and the played and they picked their flowers. But the Snowmaiden could not join in – she sat utterly alone and sadder than ever before.
The twilight came and the girls gathered wood for a great bonfire. When the fire was at its fullest, they all took turns to jump over the flames – all except the Snowmaiden – alone, sad and terrified. Soon enough, jer turn came and the others girls pushed her playfully forward. With tears streaming down her pale, lovely cheeks, the Snowmaiden ran to the fire and leapt high above the bright flames. For a moment, there was a sad, sighing hiss and a wisp of mist rose up in the cool night air – and she was gone.
Her friends looked around but the Snowmaiden was nowhere to be seen. They cupped their hands and called out: “Aooo! Snowmaiden! Where are you?”
And all they heard was the echo of their own voices – and far off in the distance, the hooting of an owl … somewhere in the deep, deep forest.

From Swag of Yarns spring 2002

Truth and Story

By Tanya Batt

In the beginning there was Truth, and she wore not a thread of clothing upon herself. Into the towns and cities she would go, out into the countryside she’s venture knocking on the doors of villagers and the farming folk. But every door that was opened for her was instantly closed again when the people looked upon her naked body. Poor Truth, there was not a house, nor a home that would have her. Neither the rich nor the poor, neither the young nor the old.

Now it so happened that our crisp winter evening Truth found herself alone once again, sitting naked on the steps of a stately home. From inside she could hear the sound of voices, their warmth oozing, she could smell delicious food, the clatter and cheerfulness of conversation and company BUT she knew it was pointless knocking on the door. The minute the door was opened it would be closed on her naked form, and so she sat alone and miserable.

When all of a sudden she was distracted from her misery by a bright flash of colour. She looked up and saw walking along the street a woman in beautiful bright coloured clothes. Silks and satins, brocades and lace. She has rings on her fingers and bells on her toes and it certainly seemed that where ever she stepped music followed – the music of happy voices. Truth watched as the woman knocked upon door after door in the street and at every door she was warmly welcomed.

Truth watched puzzled until finally the woman in her fine, flouncy frock reached the stately home and bounded up the steps.
“Hey,” said Truth, “wait a minute.”
The woman stopped. “Who are you?” Truth asked.
“I’m story,” smiled Story, “who are you?”
“I’m Truth,” muttered Truth miserably.

“Well Truth,” laughed Story, “you don’t look like you’re having much fun to me. Why don’t you come in and join me.”
“Me! Join you?” exclaimed Truth, “I don’t think so. I’ve been watching you and every door you knock upon you are warmly welcomed, whilst every door I knock on is closed on me.”

Story looked long and hard, “Have you looked in a mirror lately Truth.”
“Why?”
“Well, I don’t mean to be rude Truth, but you’re … naked. Stark naked.”
“So,” said Truth, “I’m Truth.”

“Well Truth el’natural is all very beautiful and everything but it’s kind of hard to look on. I don’t think Truth was ever designed to be a centre fold model. Listen take a page from my book or better still a shirt off my back.” And that Story slipped from herself one of her many bright coloured layers and handed it to Truth. “People like colour, they like brightness, texture, design, intrigue, concealment … they appreciate a good frock!”

Truth took the bright coloured cloth from Story and wrapped it about herself. She slipped bracelets and bells upon her hands and feet. And together they walked hand in hand into the stately home.

And so it has been from that date forth, you will find Truth at all good parties and gatherings. She’s often hard to recognise but she’ll be there wrapped in the bright coloured layers given to her by story.

From Swag of Yarns spring 2003

Dear Zoo

Last Christmas I wanted the very best pet in the entire world. So Mum suggested that I should write to the zoo. So I wrote to the zoo and asked them to send me a pet.

The next day the zoo sent me a big red box and inside the box was …
(trumpet sound) an elephant! He was sooo cool. But … he squashed the azaleas in the front yard, so Mum sai8d I had to send him back.

The next day the zoo sent me a tall red box and inside the box was ….
(stretch giraffe puppet up high) a tall giraffe! But … when I took him inside to sleep at the end of my bed, he made a hole in the ceiling. So Mum said I had to send him back.

The next day the zoo sent me a square red box and inside the box was …
(Ooh ooh ooh sound) a cheeky monkey! He was fun. But … he took all the dirt out of the pot plants, painted the walls with mud and did a handstand on the toilet seat. So Mum said I had to send him back.

So the next day the zoo sent me a long red box and inside the box was …
(hissing sound) a snake! A slippery, slimy snake! He was excellent cause he scared my little brother. But Mum said I had to send him back.

The next day the zoo sent me a large red box and inside the box was ….
(horse snorting sound) a zebra! He followed me all of the house, it was great. But Mum said he clashed with the couch so I had to send him back.

Then the zoo had a bit of a think and sent me a truly awesome pet. They sent me a …. (roaring sound) a Lion! He was great! All the bullies stopped picking on me cause I had a lion. But he tried to eat my Dad, so Mum said I had to send him back.

This time I wrote to the zoo again and asked for a truly excellent pet that wouldn’t squash the azaleas, or eat my Dad, or make holes in the roof, but would sleep at the end of my bed, and would scare my little brother… sometimes. And the next day they sent me a small red box and inside the box was … (tail wag outside box) a puppy! And I named him Rex.

How the Turtle Got Its Shell

By Jb
Adapted from a story in One Thousand One Papua New Guinean Nights

Long, long ago in Australia, before this land was called Australia, before people came here, many animals lived on the continent. One of those animals was Turtle but not Turtle as we know him today. In those days Turtle had no shell. Turtle swam in the sea and roamed about on the land.

One day when he was on the land Turtle decided to sneak into Kookaburra’s garden. You see, Kookaburra had a big banana tree that was laden with the most delicious bananas. On this day Kookaburra was out in the bush looking for snakes to eat. So Turtle sneaked into Kookaburra’s garden and climbed the banana tree. There were so many beautiful bananas he became very excited and forgot about keeping quiet.

Willy Wagtail was passing by and heard the noise in Kookaburra’s garden. Willy Wagtail peeped into the garden and saw Turtle stealing Kookaburra’s bananas. Now, everybody knows that Willy Wagtail always tittle-tattles on others and that is exactly what he did. He told all the other birds that Turtle was in Kookaburra’s garden stealing bananas.

All the birds were very angry. How dare Turtle steal from Kookaburra! So the birds all got their spears and surrounded Kookaburra’s garden. They called out the Turtle, “Come out, Turtle. We know what you are doing. Come out this minute.”

Turtle trembled with fear. When he looked through the banana leaves he could see there was no escape. Kookaburra’s garden was surrounded by birds with spears. He climbed down the tree. He sang out to the birds.

I’m just a turtle from the sea,
You wouldn’t wanna hurt me.

“Oh yes we would,” said the birds all together.

Some of the birds grabbed Turtle and dragged him to the big gum tree that was Kookaburra’s house and tied him to the trunk. When Kookaburra came back they told him what had happened. Kookaburra was angry with Turtle. He told all the birds there would be a wonderful feast the next day.

“We will have a feast of fresh turtle,” announced Kookaburra, “Turtles are so delicious when they are freshly killed.”

Turtle felt his legs trembling. The next day all the birds including Kookaburra went out to the garden to prepare for the feast. Turtle was left with just the young kookaburras guarding him.

“Want to play a little game?” he asked them.
The young kookaburras thought that would be fun until Turtle said they’d have to untie him so he could show them how to play the game properly.

“I’ll teach you how to play turtle dress-ups,” he said.
The young kookaburras were not sure what to do but Turtle finally persuaded them to untie him. When they had set him free they watched him carefully, but he made no attempt to run away.

“Bring me all your pretty ornaments,” he said.
One by one the young kookaburras brought him their ornaments: shell necklaces, leaf hats and one brought a carved wooden bowl. Turtle put the shells around his neck and a leaf hat on his head and slipped the wooden bowl around his back. Then he began to dance and sing:
I’m just a turtle from the sea,
You wouldn’t wanna hurt me.

He looked so funny the young kookaburras laughed. As Turtle danced he moved a little further away from them. He looked so funny the kookaburras continued to laugh. They didn’t notice that Turtle was getting further away from them and closer to the sea.

Finally he ran to the sea and dived in, his leaf hat flying into the air as he did so. The kookaburras stopped laughing and called out to the other birds. All the birds ran to the shore and pelted stones at Turtle. One of the stones hit his shell necklace and it broke off. Most of the stones fell on his back which was protected by the wooden bowl and they did not hurt him.

Turtle was now safe in the ocean. The birds stopped throwing the stones because he was too far away. The Kookaburra realised how funny it was and laughed and laughed.

And that, so they say, is how Turtle got his shell. Now if you are up north where the turtles swim, listen to the sea and you might hear Turtle as he sings. He sings to the fishermen now.

I’m just a turtle form the sea,
You wouldn’t wanna hurt me.

From Swag of Yarns summer 2004

We're going on a bear hunt

We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re going to catch a BIG one
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day

Uh Oh!

GRASS!
Long wavy grass!

We can’t go over it
We can’t go under it
We’ll have to go through it
SWISH, SWISH, SWISH, SWISH

We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re going to catch a BIG one
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day

Uh Oh!

A FOREST!
A tall dark forest!

We can’t go over it
We can’t go under it
We’ll have to go through it
STUMBLE, STUMBLE, TRIP. STUMBLE, STUMBLE, TRIP.

We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re going to catch a BIG one
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day

Uh Oh!

MUD!
Thick, oozy mud.

We can’t go over it
We can’t go under it
We’ll have to go through it
SQUISH, SQUISH, SQUISH, SQUISH.

We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re going to catch a BIG one
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day

Uh Oh!

A CAVE!
A dark, scary cave!

We can’t go over it
We can’t go under it
We’ll have to go through it
TIPTOE, TIPTOE, TIPTOE, TIPTOE.

OH!
What’s that?
Over there!

1 Black shiny nose
2 big fury ears
2 big goggly eyes

It’s a bear!!

Ahh!!

Quick, back through the cave, tiptoe tiptoe
back through the mud, squish squish squish squish
back through the forest, stumble stumble trip
back through the grass, swish swish swish

Run through the gate, shut the gate
In the door, shut the door.

Few! We made it!

I’m never going on a bear hunt again. No way!

The Gingerbread Man

Once upon a time there was a little old lady and a little old man. One day the little old lady decided to make a gingerbread cake that looked like a boy. She made a jacket out of chocolate, and eyes out of two big currants. Then she put it in the oven to cook.
When she opened the oven door, out jumped a gingerbread man! Suddenly he jumped out of the window and ran away!
The little old lady and the little old man chased him, but he shouted:
“Run, run as fast as you can!
You can’t catch me,
I’m the gingerbread man.”
The little gingerbread man ran on and on.
A cow saw him and said, “You look nice, I want to eat you.”
But the gingerbread man said, “I have run away from a little old lady and a little old man and I can run away from you too.” And he shouted to the cow:
“Run, run as fast as you can!
You can’t catch me,
I’m the gingerbread man.”
The little gingerbread man saw a horse in a field.
“You look nice. I want to eat you,” said the horse.
“I have run away from a little old lady and a little old man and from a cow and I can run away from you too,” said the gingerbread man.
And he shouted to the horse:
“Run, run as fast as you can!
You can’t catch me,
I’m the gingerbread man.”
At last the gingerbread man saw a fox and shouted to him, “You can’t catch me.”
But the fox was clever.
“I don’t want to,” he said with a smile.
Soon the gingerbread man came to a river. He wanted to cross over but he couldn’t swim.
“Jump on my tail and I will take you across the river,” said the fox.
The fox started swimming across the river with the gingerbread man on his tail. “Jump on my back or you may fall off,” said the fox.
Then the fox said, “Jump on my head, or you may fall in the water.” And then he said, “Jump on my nose.”
When they got to the other side of the river the fox threw back his head. The gingerbread boy fell into his mouth and the fox gobbled him up. And that was the end of the gingerbread man!

The Fox and the Crow - Aesop

A hungry fox saw a crow sitting in a tree. The crow had a piece of cheese in its beak. The fox loved cheese, but he knew the crow wouldn’t give the cheese to him. What could he do?
The fox thought. He plotted. He planned. He got an idea!
“Oh crow,” he said, ‘how beautiful you are. Such lovely glossy black feathers.”
The crow preened proudly.
“Oh crow,” said Fox. “What magnificent wings you have. Please flap them for me.”
The crow flapped proudly.
“Oh crow,” cried the fox, what a glorious voice you have. Everyone knows you have the finest voice of all the birds. Sing to me,” he pleaded. “Please, dear Crow, sing to me!”
The crow preened and flapped proudly. He took a deep breath. He opened his beak and sang: “CAW!”
When he opened his beak, the piece of cheese fell out. The Fox caught it as it fell, and gobbled it up.
“Thanks for the meal, Crow,” he laughed, and ran off.
The crow sat on his branch and sulked.
“Caw, am I cheesed off,” he grumbled.

courtesey of Jo Jensen

What's in Fox's sack

Fox was digging around the roots of a tree. Up flew a bumblebee. “Bzzz”.
Fox grabbed the bumblebee and put it in his sack. “Bzzzz.”
Off went fox, with the bumblebee in his sack. He came to a tall house. Inside the tall house was a tall woman. “May I leave my sack here while I go visit my friend Squintum?” asked the fox.
“Of course you may,” said the tall woman.
“You won’t look in it, will you?” asked Fox.
“Of course not,” said the tall woman.
The tall woman waited for one, two, three, four, five minutes, until:
“I can’t bear it,” she cried. “I must know what is in fox’s sack.”
She opened the sack. Out flew the bumblebee. The tall woman’s chicken (duck, whatever) chased the bumblebee away.
Fox came back. He felt his empty sack. Where is my bumblebee!”
“Oh, dear Fox, my chicken chased it away.”
“Your chicken chased my bumblebee, so I take your chicken.”
Fox put the chicken in the sack, and off he went. He came to a small house. Inside the small house was a small woman.
x (etc, etc, etc . . . )
She opened the sack. Out flew the chicken. The small woman’s horse chased it away. (etc, etc…)
Fox put the horse in the sack and off he went. He came to a thin house. Inside the thin house was a thin woman.
x (etc, etc, etc . . . .)
She opened the sack. Out jumped the horse. The thin woman’s son/daughter chased it away.
(etc, etc, etc . . . .)
Fox put the boy in the sack, and off he went. He came to a round house. Inside the round house was a round woman.
(etc, etc to “You won’t look in it, will you”.
“Of course not,” said the round woman - and she didn’t. She was baking gingerbread. The smell was delicious. The boy in the sack could smell it. “May I please have some gingerbread?” he cried.
“My goodness,” said the round woman.
“What has naughty fox been up to this time?” She opened the sack and helped the boy out. Then she called to her dog, and had him jump into the sack. Then she tied it up again.
When Fox came back he felt the sack.
He felt something move inside. “Good,” he said, “my lunch is still there.”
Off he went, into the woods, to have his lunch. “Come out, boy,” he growled, opening the sack, “for I am hungry, and “—“
The dog jumped out. Fox yelped. Dog barked. Fox ran, far, far, away. Dog went home, and got the biggest piece of gingerbread. As for Fox - he’s still running.

Courtesy of Jo Jensen

The Strange Visitor

Once upon a time there was a little old lady. She was sitting at home, minding her own business, doing what little old ladies do when they’re sitting at home minding their own business, when suddenly there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” said the little old lady.
In came a pair of feet, that sat themselves down on the cold, cold, floor.
That’s strange, thought the little old lady, but before she could say anything, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” said the little old lady.
In came a pair of legs that sat themselves down on the feet that sat on the cold, cold floor.
*Ditto*
In came a body that sat itself down on the legs that sat on the feet that sat on the cold, cold, floor.
*Ditto*
In came a pair of arms that sat themselves down on the body that sat on the legs that sat on the feet that sat on the cold, cold floor.
*Ditto*
In came a head etc etc
“What do you want?” asked the little old lady.
“I want food, and I want it NOW,” said the strange visitor. And it didn’t even say please.
“How rude,” said the little old lady. And then she said “BOO!”
Away flew the head and the arms and the body and the legs and the feet, and all that was left was the cold, cold floor.
“What a Strange Visitor,” said the little old lady. “I wonder who will visit me tomorrow.”

courtesey of Jo Jensen

Dirty Dave: The Bushranger

By Roland Harvey & Nette Hilton

Dave was a bushranger,
He was tough.

Sue was his sister,
She was rough.

Maude was his mother,
She was really fierce.

And Dan was his dad,
And he liked to sew.

Next day, on the road, they
held up the coach with guns blazing.

Dave roared, “Stop!”

Sue bellowed, “Whoa!” to the horses.

Maude boomed, “Hands up!”

But Dan stayed at home.

Dave shouted, “Money!”

Sue demanded, “Jewels!”

Maude wanted, “Lollies, please!”

And Dan stitched shirts.

“Go!” shouted Dave,

“Go!” shouted Sue,

“Gee up!” said Maude,

But the travellers said,
“Please don’t go!”

“Stay?” asked Dave.

“What?” asked Sue.

“Why?” demanded Maude.

“Because,” a trooper said,
“You dress just so!”

“Who is your tailor?
That shirt’s really fine!”

“Look at his trousers!”

“I wish her dress were mine!”

“Tell us. Who does your stitching?
We’d pay well to know.”

Dave looked tough.

Sue looked confused.

Maude rolled her eyes and said,
“Their dad loves to sew.”

Now…..

Dave models clothes,
He’s still tough.

Sue’s a model too,
But not quite as rough.

Maude’s still their mum,
And she still loves lollies (boiled).

And Dan stays home,
And sews and sews and sews.