The Story Finder
Voices in Fairy Tales
by Michelle Tocher
Click the image above to fetch a new random story.
Click the links below to find the full text of the stories.
A giant kept me in me in his stable until a lad named Ian came along and led me out. He rode me over the sea to the island of Big Women, where we were met by sixteen lads. They were all eager to take me to the stable, but Ian said, “I myself will put her in and will see to her.”
And so he did. While he was rubbing my sides, I spoke to him. “Those lads will offer you every kind of drink, but see that you take none. Drink whey and water only.”
He followed my advice, and felt pretty pleased with himself as the lads all fell asleep around him. Sweet music filled his ears and caused him to forget the other advice I had given him: “Beware lest you fall asleep, for you’ll lose the chance of getting home again.”
I broke through the stable door, and kicked him roughly. “You did not heed my counsel!” I cried. “And who knows if it is too late to win over the sea?”
Horse Who Flies Over the Sea in Ian, the Soldier’s Son, Orange Fairy Book