Other editions of book The Laughter of Peterkin: A Retelling of Old Tales of the Celtic Wonderworld

Herein are 4 illustrated tales retold by Fiona MacLeod and illustrated by Sunderland Rollinson. Three of them are a retelling of Old Tales of the Celtic Wonderworld collectively known as "The Three Sorrows of Story-Telling " or Tri Thruaighe ma Scéalaigheachta. While this book may only contain four stories, they are told in their entirety and are in no way abbreviated, as so many now are, which has resulted in a not insubstantial 278 page volume.The stories in this volume are:The Laughter of PeterkinThe Four White SwansThe Fate of the Sons of TurennDarthool and the Sons of UsnaMuch the most ancient of the "Three Sorrows" is the tale of the Sons of Turenn. The period of this tale belongs to mythological times. "The Children of Lir" may be taken as a connecting link between the mythological and prehistoric and Christian periods. The tale of "Deirdre," or "Darthool," is by far the best known in Gaelic Scotland, and is still one of the most favourite ancient tales throughout all Gaeldom.In the story of "The Sons of Turenn" author’s license has been taken with the character of Lugh, or Lu-Lamfada---Lugh of the Long Hand. In this version he is represented uniformly as sternly cruel; but it must be borne in mind that his inveterate hostility to the Sons of Turenn was not due to insatiable revenge alone, but to his belief (as prophesied by his father) that any clemency in the fulfilment of the great eric demanded would result in terrible disaster to Erin itself. Throughout this ancient tale, indeed, Lu-Lamfada is an imitation of Destiny, or Nemesis. It may at the same time be added that in the story of "Darthool" Fergus is shown more obviously culpable than the old chronicles indicate, where he appears rather as a too innocent and trustful tool of King Concobar.So, we invite you to curl up with this unique sliver of ancient Celtic culture and lore, not seen in print for many-a-year, and immerse yourself in the tales and fables which stretch back to the dawn of time itself.----------------------------TAGS: fairy tales, folklore, myths, legends, children’s stories, children’s stories, bygone era, fairydom, fairy land, classic stories, children’s bedtime stories, Laughter of Peterkin, Four, White Swans, Fate, Sons of Turenn, Darthool, Sons of Usna, Celtic, King Concobar MacNessa, Tales, Celtic Wonderworld, Three Sorrows of Story-Telling, Tri Thruaighe ma Scéalaigheachta, Deirdre, Gaeldom, King, Prince, Queen, Princess, Fountain, Exceeding Beauty, Touch, Fionula, Children of Lir, Fair, Young, Daughter, Beautiful, Snow-white, Swan, Turenn, Intercede, Sons, Great Raven, Glossy, Black, Burnished Sun Rays, moonbeam, counterpane, hands, awe-struck, seven stars, round eyes, shimmering green, gold, cradle, Donal McDonal, Mairgred Cameron, moonlit, De Danann, Banba, Fionula, Eilidh, Dedannans, Blackwater, Meath, Tuatha-De-Danann, Nemedia, Eire, Erin, Dagda, Ardree, High King, Aileel of Ara, Killaloe, Aev, Bove Derg, Aeifa, Shee Finnaha, Lugh, Lu-Lamfada, Long-hand, Nuadh, Silver Hand, Kian the Noble, eric, Ultonian, An Grioglachan, water-horse, Ailne, Ardan, Fergus, Three Duns, Angus of Moidart, Appin lands, Angus Mudartach, Lismore, Dunchraig, Glenmassan, Glen Orchy, Coona, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland, Irish, Manx, Scottish

At the rising of the moon, Peterkin awoke, and laughed. He was in his little white bed near the open window, so that when a moonbeam wavered from amid the branches of the great poplar, falling suddenly upon his tangled curls and yellowing them with a ripple of pale gold, it was as though a living thing stole in out of the June night.He had not awaked at first. The moonbeam seemed caught in a tangle: then it glanced along a crescent tress on the pillow: sprang back like a startled bird: flickered hither and thither above the little sleeping face: and at last played idly on the closed eyelids with their long dark eyelashes. It was then that Peterkin awoke.When he opened his eyes he sat up, and so the moonbeam fell into the two white cups10 of his tiny hands. He held it, but like a yellow eel it wriggled away, and danced mockingly upon the counterpane.With a sleepy smile he turned and looked out of the window. How dark it was out there! That white moth which wavered to and fro made the twilight like a shadowy wall. Then upon this wall Peterkin saw a great fantastic shape. It grew and grew, and spread out huge arms and innumerable little hands: and in its shadow-face it had seven shining eyes. Peterkin stared, awe-struck. Then there was a dance of moonshine, a cascade of trickling, rippling yellow, and he saw that the shape in the night was the familiar poplar, and that its arms were the big boughs and branches where the spotted mavis and the black merle sang each morning, and that the innumerable little hands were the ever-tremulous, ever-dancing, round little leaves, and that the seven glittering eyes were only seven stars that had caught among the topmost twigs.

Among the Celtic people of Ireland and the rth-west of Scotland, story-telling has always been a favourite amusement. In the olden time, they had professional story-tellers, variously designated according to rank-ollaves, shanachies, files, bards, etc.-whose duty it was to kw by heart a number of old tales, poems, and historical pieces, and to recite them at festive gatherings, for the entertainment of the chiefs and their guests.============KEYWORDS/TAGS: celtic myths and legends - celtic legends - celtic tales - celtic tales fairy tales and stories of enchantment - celtic tales and legends - celtic fairy tales - celtic myths and tales - magical celtic tales - celtic tales of magic and enchantment - celtic wonder tales

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.