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.