‘Fables’ Posts
101 Fables Book
An e book of 101 fables from some of the most amazing places on Earth. Wonderful stories with witty morals and amazing facts to share the wisdom of the world and take you on an adventure across the seven continents.
Available for download on Amazon.com for US$ 2.99 (Price in India US$ 4.99)
Note: The e-book can be read on any PC, MAC, Kindle, Ipad, Blackberry, Android phone. Know more >>
Important: Many of the places and creatures in these fables are under great risk because of the changing environment. While we cannot predict their future, we hope their memories and wisdom will live on through these fables.
To read a selection of fables, click here >>
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Giant’s Causeway, Ireland
Picture by The Library of Congress
The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking Basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland.
The legend:
Finn McCool an Irish Giant lived on an Antrim headland and one day when going about his daily business a Scottish Giant named Fingal began to shout insults and hurl abuse from across the channel. In anger Finn lifted a clod of earth and threw it at the giant as a challenge, the earth landed in the sea.
Fingal retaliated with a rock thrown back at Finn and shouted that Finn was lucky that he wasn’t a strong swimmer or he would have made sure he could never fight again. Finn was enraged and began lifting huge clumps of earth from the shore, throwing them so as to make a pathway so he could face the Scottish giant and prove to him who the stronger fighter was.
However by the time he finished making the crossing he had not slept for a week and decided to rest for a while to refresh himself. Fingal however was impatient and decided to cross over himself and start the fight. Finn’s wife noticed him approaching and devised a cunning plan to fool him. She covered Finn up with a baby’s blanket and disguised his resting spot as a cot. When Fingal had crossed over and came to face his adversary, she told the giant that Finn was away but showed him his son sleeping in the cradle. The Scottish giant became apprehensive, for if the son was so huge, what size would the father be?
In his haste to escape Fingal sped back along the causeway Finn had built, tearing it up as he went. He is said to have fled to a cave on Staffa which is to this day named ‘Fingal’s Cave’.
Story researched and contributed by: Chitra Roy
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Devil’s Sea
The Devil’s sea is a region of the pacific, around Miyake Island, about 100 km south of Tokyo.
Fable: There once lived an old man in a house on a tiny island by the sea. He lived all by himself, and led a quiet but happy life. But one day, he discovered that he was no longer strong enough to row his boat and catch fish for his food. He tried to find some fish closer to the shore, but there were none. He was about to give up, when he saw a strange red mist hovering over his boat. Slowly and suspiciously, he walked towards it, and to his surprise, the mist began to take the form of a human figure. Even greater was his surprise when it began to speak to him.
“I lived on this island many years ago, but was cursed by an evil witch, who banished me from the land, the sea and the skies. Since then, I have been wandering around, neither here nor there, stuck in the in-between. I used to be a fisherman, and have been longing for a chance to return to the sea. All I ask of you is your boat. In return I will supply you with all the fish you want, and you will never have to go hungry.”
The old man agreed, and handed the oars of his small boat over to the misty figure, but no sooner had he done this, the figure began to grow and grow, till it was more than twice the size of the old man. Even the boat had magically grown. The old man stepped back in fear, as the misty figure slowly began to solidify. To his horror, he recognized the figure as the Sea Devil, who had been defeated by the God of the Winds many years ago. He tried to take back the oars and stop the devil from speeding off in the boat, but the old man was no match for him. He cursed himself for what he had done, but it was too late.
True to his word, the Sea Devil brought a large number of fish to the island every morning, yet even long after the old man was gone, he kept the boat, and continued to terrorize the waters, so that till today, that region is known as Devil’s Sea.
Moral: There’s no such thing as free lunch.
Contributed by: Chitra Roy
Fact: Similar to the case of the Bermuda triangle, many ships and planes have mysteriously disappeared in this area. The cause for these disappearances could be magnetic variations, though many believe them to be yet unexplained, supernatural phenomena. Legends link the area to fire-breathing dragons and the devil.
Santa Claus and the Elves, A Christmas Fable
A fable from the arctic circle.
“Santa Claus, Santa Claus”, shouted the kids. Kids of all shapes and sizes. Kids with running noses and kids with missing teeth. Excited kids with over excited parents. A sea of shouting children had gathered outside Santa’s house and were squealing for his attention. Poor Santa Claus quivered inside his little home. Unable to bear the noise, Santa escaped through the chimney and decided to look for a new home, far far away from the city.
His needs were simple. All he wanted was some peace and quiet. He flew around the world searching for the perfect place and finally decided to settle down in the middle of a desert. Things were great for a while. There was not a soul around except for the occasional lizard and the curious vultures. A few months later, the loneliness began to get to him. So he decided to move home again. Santa flew down to the little known island in the middle of the ocean and set up a shack by the silver beaches under the swaying coconut trees. Life was great, until the passing sailors spread news about his location. Soon his house was surrounded. Tourists with their wish-lists and tribals with their souvenirs created a carnival outside his house. Sadly, Santa had to sail away again.
He reached the freezing North pole. A land of ice and snow, where few men ventured. Santa was cold and tired and his nose was frozen but he had nowhere else to go. A group of merry elves chanced upon the brooding Santa. Soon a crackling fire was burning and amidst the sharing of secrets and stories, someone took out a fiddle and began to play. The stars were twinkling as the reindeers came out to join the circle dancing. Through the night one could hear the music of the elves and the booming laughter of Santa Claus.
The next morning, Santa was getting ready to leave, but the little elves held on to his hands and pleaded with him to stay for one more day. Years have passed, but if you venture near the north pole, you may still experience the magic of Santa Claus and the elves. For this icy landscape of the arctic circle is a place that Santa now calls home.
Moral: Wonderful friends create a wonderful life. This Christmas, take time out to connect with friends who make your life wonderful.
[showmyads]
Three Sisters, Australia
Photograph courtesy: Stolenbyme – Aparna
The Three Sisters is a rock formation in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. They are close to the town of Katoomba and are one of the Blue Mountains’ best known sites, towering above the Jamison Valley. Their names are Meehni (922 m), Wimlah (918 m), and Gunnedoo (906 m).
Fable: Long ago in the Blue Mountains, three Aboriginal sisters; Meenhi, Wimlah and Gunnedoo lived with their father, a Witch doctor named Tyawan.
In the same forest lived a gigantic creature that was feared by all – he was the Bunyip. Tyawan who knew where he lived would leave his daughters on the cliff behind a rocky wall where they would be safe while he would collect food.
One day, waving goodbye to his daughters he descended the cliff steps. On the top of the cliff, a big centipede suddenly appeared and frightened Meenhi. She picked up a stone and threw it at the centipede. The stone rolled away over the cliff and crashed into the valley below. Suddenly, the rocks behind the three sisters split open, leaving the sisters on a thin ledge.
There was a deep rumble from below and the angry Bunyip emerged from his sleep. He looked up to see who had rudely awakened him and there perched on the thin ledge he saw the sisters cowering in fear. Furiously he lurched towards them.
In the valley, Tyawan heard the cry and looked up to see that the Bunyip had almost reached his daughters. Frantically the Witch Doctor pointed his magic bone at the girls and turned them into stone. They would be safe there until the Bunyip was gone and then Tyawan would return them to their former selves.
The Bunyip was even more angry when he saw what had happened and he turned on Tyawan and began to chase him. Running away, Tyawan found himself trapped against a rock which he could neither climb nor go around. He quickly changed into a Lyrebird and disappeared into a small cave. Everyone was safe but Tyawan had dropped his magic bone. The Bunyip returned angrily to his hole. Tyawan crept out of the cave and searched for the bone, and is still seeking it while the Three Sisters stand silently waiting, hoping he will find the bone and turn them back to their former selves.
Lyrebird Fable
You can see the Three Sisters today from Echo Point and in the valley you can hear Tyawan, the Lyrebird, calling them as he searches for his lost magic bone.
Also read about the amazing 3 sisters from Nepal (Click here) >>>
Article contributed by: Chitra Roy
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Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
Fable: According to local legend, the Maori chief had a beautiful daughter called Manata. She fell in love with a local Maori youth, Matakauri, but her father forbade the two from marrying .
The location of the lake used to be the resting spot of a giant named Matau. One day, Manata was kidnapped by the terrible giant. Her distraught father promised she would marry whoever could rescue her. Here was Matakauri’s chance. Knowing the warm nor-wester would put the giant to sleep, he followed the wind to Matau’s lair. But he could not cut the cords that trapped her. Magically, the love in Manata’s sobs dissolved them and together the pair escaped.
After they married, brave Matakauri decided to make the Wakatipu safe from Matau by setting fire to the giant’s bed of bracken during the next nor-wester. The fire was so intense that it burned a hole more than 400 meters deep. It also caused the snow in the surrounding mountains to melt and flow into the hole, which formed the lake.
However, the fire was not intense enough to burn the giant’s heart. To this day, some believe that the regular rise and fall of the lake’s water is due to the beating of Matau’s heart, which lies at the bottom of the ho
Moral: Even the most destructive events can give rise to beauty
Fact: ‘Wakatipu’ in Maori literally means ‘hole of the giant’. In reality, however, the lake was formed by glaciers cutting through the Southern Alps 15,000 years ago. Science explains away the rise-and-fall of the lake water, attributing it to changes in atmospheric pressure, yet the myth of the giant’s heart continues to be told and believed by many in the region.
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Moon-Lake, Himalayas
Chandra Taal (Moon Lake) – A magical lake deep in the Himalayas that can transport you to the moon if you look into it.
There is a charming legend about the famous, beautiful lakes known as Chandratal and Surajtal in the folklore of Himachal Pradesh (a state in Northern India).
The story goes that the daughter of the moon and the son of the Sun were in love. They wanted to meet, but this was very difficult as the son and moon come into the sky at different times. So, they decided to meet on Earth. But their parents came to know about their plan and placed a mountain between them. The two lovers tried to climb over the mountain but it kept getting higher and they could not meet.
However they chose not to return and their great sorrow turned them into lakes of great purity. The Sun and the Moon felt very bad and decided to correct their mistake. That day the Sun shone very brightly, melting the snow on the mountains which filled the lakes. As their water swelled, they gave birth to two mighty rivers – the Chandra and the Bhaga, which flowed around the mountain range. When night fell, the Moon lit up the path of the two rivers and thus finally they were able to meet at a place known as Tandi.
The two lovers are said to be the two lakes we know as Chandratal (Moon Lake) and Surajtal (Sun lake), on the two sides of the fearsome Baralacha Pass, in the district of Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh in India.
It is said that the mesmerizing, haunting beauty of the Chandratal is a result of the beauty of the daughter of the moon – who knows? The whole ambience of the lake does seem to be out of this world.
The beauty and taste of crystal clear water, the crown of mountain peaks towering protectively, and yet keeping their distance, the soft, abundant grass, the serenity in the atmosphere, even the air seems to speak of magic.
Read about a wonderful organization working near this enchanted land – Spiti Ecosphere>>
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Arch Rock, America
Pic by Julie Weatherbee
This strange rock formation was looked upon with awe by the Indians as a bridge to another world after death where departed souls could find their last resting place in the island caves. There are many stories, or legends, to how Arch Rock was formed. This one tells about a mortal woman and her love for a sky spirit.
Fable: Along the beaches on the shores of Lake Huron lived a band of Ojibwa. Their lodges, or homes, were round topped and made of saplings and elm bark. The homes lay peacefully beneath forest boughs. In the finest lodge, with its door blanket made of moose hide, lived the chief of the band and his beautiful daughter called She-who-walks-like-the-mist.
When She-who-walks-like-the-mist carried water from the lake in her clay vessel, or worked the bright designs of dyed moose hair and porcupine quills into soft moccasins, the young braves watched with admiring eyes. But Mist Woman paid little attention. Her work days were long without a mother to help her. She never complained. Her father was proud of this. Some day, he knew, she would marry a fine brave from another clan and have many children.
At first, when the young men began coming to their lodge bringing gifts, Mist Woman smiled and offered them wild rice she had gathered in the canoe. Then, one day, all was changed. Suddenly the young men would find Mist Woman sitting with downcast eyes instead of welcoming smiles. As her father saw her growing more and more sad, paddling her canoe alone at night, he became angry. “Why, my daughter, do you who once smiled on the strong young men who brought you gifts, now treat them with a cold heart? Are you under an evil spell?”, he asked.
Photo by Library and Archives Canada
“But even more wonderful was his robe of shining light. I tried to paddle quickly homeward, as a daughter should, but my hands were helpless and my canoe drifted into the lake. “It was then that he spoke to me. ‘Oh, lovely one,’ he said. ‘Long have I watched you in the village wishing that you might be mine for all time. In my home, high above you, I am the son of a chief, Evening Star, and therefore, a Sky Person. And so, I felt I could not speak to you of my love.’ “’Then, as I watched the young men coming to your ledge bearing gifts, my heart felt heavy and I became one without hope. It was then that my father came to my couch of bird feathers and I told him of your beauty. He understood and gave me leave to descend to earth that I might ask you to join me in my sky home.’” “And what did you answer, my daughter?” her father asked. “I said I would marry no one, but him,” she answered.
“Daughter! No! It is forbidden! You should marry no one at all then!” he shouted. Holding her by the arms, he took her out of the lodge toward the lake shore. He placed her in the bow of his canoe. With mighty strokes he drove the canoe straight to the Island of the Turtle Spirits. There, he took her to the top of the great rock, which towered above the beach. “Now,” said he, “you shall not see your love again. Here you shall stay until you decide to be a faithful daughter once more.” And he left.
Mist Woman made no answer. She did not cry out when the sun grew hot or the rain fell. Only her tears flowed down the rock to show her longing for the man. Little by little, the tears began to melt the stone until at last an arch appeared beneath her and she was left on a high bridge of rock. That night, through the arch, appeared the rays of an evening star and down these rays walked the one she loved.Gathering her into his arms, he carried her up the stars into the land of the Sky People.
But the arch rock was formed and stayed to remind people of this story.
Smoo Cave
Smoo Cave is a large combined sea cave and freshwater cave in Durness, Scotland.
Fable: Lord Reay of Scotland had encountered the Devil many times, but had always got the better of him, until one day when the Devil, in an attempt to snatch his soul, stole his shadow. For weeks, Lord Reay searched for his shadow in various caves he knew the Devil frequented. He was careful not to enter the caves after the sun had set, as in the darkness, he would be powerless against the Devil. Eventually, he approached Smoo Cave. It was just before dawn, so he thought he would be safe. Lord Reay was exploring the inner cavern, when his dog ran into the second cavern, but immediately returned, howling and hairless.
Lord Reay instantly realized that the Devil had him cornered in the cavern, and lay waiting for him so as to claim his soul. He knew he wouldn’t be able to outrun the Devil in the darkness off the cavern. He took a moment to compose himself and accept his fate, and had only just stepped into the opening of the second cavern, when the first rays of sunlight filtered in, and a rooster crowed, heralding a new dawn. The Devil and the three witches with him knew they would be weakened by the daylight and blasted through the roof in an effort to escape. The fury of the devil melted the snow that lay above the roof, causing water to pour down into the cave. To this day, the waterfall remains in Smoo Cave.
Fact: The name ‘Smoo’ comes from the Norse word ‘Sumvya’, meaning creek or cleft. The cave is quite unique, as it has three distinct sections that developed independently of each other. The 20 meter high waterfall is formed by an abrupt drop in the Allt Smoo River, through what is essentially a sink hole in the roof of the cave.
