Stories from the Ballads, Told to the Children

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22175

Title

Stories from the Ballads, Told to the Children

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Mary Macgregor's collection brings to life the ancient ballads of Scotland, featuring tales of fairies, knights, and tragic love. With vivid imagery and a timeless tone, this book appeals to readers who enjoy folklore, romance, and the mystical world of Elfland.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'Stories from the Ballads, Told to the Children,' Mary Macgregor weaves a rich tapestry of Scottish folklore, capturing the spirit of old minstrelsy where songs of war, love, and magic once echoed across the land. The collection begins with 'The Young Tamlane,' a tale of a boy carried to Fairyland at age nine by the Queen of the Fairies. There, he becomes an elfin knight who enchants maidens, particularly Janet, until he must return to earth on Hallowe'en to escape an evil spirit. Janet follows him, facing magical transformations to reunite with her true love. The narrative continues with 'Hynde Etin' and 'Hynde Horn,' tales involving magical horns and enchanted heroes, followed by 'Thomas the Rhymer.' This story introduces a minstrel gifted by the Queen of Elfland with prophecy and truth. Thomas travels between worlds, singing of love and fate after being taken to Elfland for seven years, where he learns the secrets of the fairy realm before returning with the power of song and foresight. 'Lizzie Lindsay' and 'The Gay Goshawk' explore themes of loyalty and transformation, while 'The Laird o' Logie' presents a dramatic story of a young nobleman falsely accused of treason. Saved by his Danish maid, Margaret Twynlace, who infiltrates the palace to help him escape, he is eventually pardoned and reunited with her. Throughout the book, Macgregor illustrates how minstrels once wandered from court to cottage, singing tales that made listeners forget both tale and tune. The stories are rooted in a world where fairies haunted mountains and glens, and where the minstrels sang of everything that made life glad or sad. Macgregor's retelling preserves the original ballads' blend of danger, enchantment, and enduring love, offering children a window into a legendary past where magic was a tangible part of daily life.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

data/epubs/pg22175.epub

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Categories

• Children's stories
• Ballads