way into a storyâ¦
The Seeds of Winter
Greek myth
This is probably the best known myth about the seasons, and Iâve known Persephoneâs story since I was a child, so I have no idea where I first read it. However, the best version I ever heard, which inspired my own adaptation, was told by a very talented first year pupil at Denny High School near Falkirk. So thanks for the flowers, Sam Edgar!
The Snow Bear and the Trolls
Norwegian folktale
I first found this story in
Scandinavian Stories
by Margaret Sperry (published by JM Dent, 1971) and loved it immediately. I still changed it as I told it, though. My snow bear doesnât talk, for example, and my trolls might be a bit smellierâ¦
The Prince of Wolves
Tsimshian folktale, Canada
I found this story a few years ago while researching a novel about shape-changing wolves in a Scottish forest. Itâs from a collection called
Wolf Tales: Native American Childrenâs Stories
, edited by Mary Powell (Ancient City Press, 1992) and Iâve always liked it because it helps to balance all those big bad wolf stories out there!
The Ibis Brings Spring
Yamana myth, Tierra del Fuego
This is a combined adaptation of two short myths from
Folk Literature of the Yamana Indians
, edited by Johannes Wilbert (University of California Press, 1977). I was delighted to find these winter stories told by the people who live nearer than anyone else to the Antarctic and the South Pole.
The Hag of Winter
Scottish myth
I have heard and read dozens of different versions of this ancient Celtic story about the Cailleach (which is Gaelic for old woman) so the version I tell is a patchwork of many others. I must admit that Iâve changed this story more than usual â I was always a bit annoyed by Brid just waiting for Angus to save her, so I came up with a way for her to signal Angus, and also let her fight the storm hags. If you want to read a very traditional version, try
Wonder Tales from Scottish Myth and Legend
, by Donald Alexander McKenzie (Black and Sons, 1917).
The Spidersâ Christmas
Ukrainian folktale
I first met these cheerful little spiders in the
Lion Storyteller Christmas Book
by Bob Hartmann (Lion Publishing, 2000) and was delighted to discover, after a little research, the Ukrainian (and German) tradition of spider decorations on Christmas trees.
Ice and Fire
Maori legend
This is the only story I tell about someoneâs first experience of winter weather, and I love sharing it with children because when Ngatoro is climbing the mountain, someone always whispers, âItâs snow!â long before I say what the white stuff is. I first found the story in
Myths and Legends of Maoriland
by AW Reed (Allen and Unwin, 1946) and adapted it after Iâd done some research into legends about the Maorisâ arrival in Aotearoa.
The Hungry Polar Bear
Canadian folktale
This was one of the first traditional tales I ever told out loud, having found a version of it by Alison Hedger in
Childrenâs Christmas Songbook
(Chester Music, 2003) and then added details of my own. So this was my first winter story and my first bear story!
Missing Winter
Canaanite myth, Eastern Mediterranean
After telling so many stories about people (and gods) who want winter to go away and spring or summer to return, I was fascinated by this myth showing the opposite, because in hot countries winter is the fertile time and summer is the barren time. Baalâs story was discovered on ancient tablets in the ruined city of Ugarit in Syria, and translated in
Canaanite Myths and Legends
by JCL Gibson (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1978).
The Foxâs Footprints
Cree Folktale, Canada
This is a Cree Windigo tale, which I found in Howard Normanâs
Where the Chill Came From
(North Point Press, 1982). I admit that my version is simplified and somewhat altered, though I hope it retains the mystery and beauty of the tribal tale.
Ukko and the Bear
Lapp legend,
The Seeds of Winter
Greek myth
This is probably the best known myth about the seasons, and Iâve known Persephoneâs story since I was a child, so I have no idea where I first read it. However, the best version I ever heard, which inspired my own adaptation, was told by a very talented first year pupil at Denny High School near Falkirk. So thanks for the flowers, Sam Edgar!
The Snow Bear and the Trolls
Norwegian folktale
I first found this story in
Scandinavian Stories
by Margaret Sperry (published by JM Dent, 1971) and loved it immediately. I still changed it as I told it, though. My snow bear doesnât talk, for example, and my trolls might be a bit smellierâ¦
The Prince of Wolves
Tsimshian folktale, Canada
I found this story a few years ago while researching a novel about shape-changing wolves in a Scottish forest. Itâs from a collection called
Wolf Tales: Native American Childrenâs Stories
, edited by Mary Powell (Ancient City Press, 1992) and Iâve always liked it because it helps to balance all those big bad wolf stories out there!
The Ibis Brings Spring
Yamana myth, Tierra del Fuego
This is a combined adaptation of two short myths from
Folk Literature of the Yamana Indians
, edited by Johannes Wilbert (University of California Press, 1977). I was delighted to find these winter stories told by the people who live nearer than anyone else to the Antarctic and the South Pole.
The Hag of Winter
Scottish myth
I have heard and read dozens of different versions of this ancient Celtic story about the Cailleach (which is Gaelic for old woman) so the version I tell is a patchwork of many others. I must admit that Iâve changed this story more than usual â I was always a bit annoyed by Brid just waiting for Angus to save her, so I came up with a way for her to signal Angus, and also let her fight the storm hags. If you want to read a very traditional version, try
Wonder Tales from Scottish Myth and Legend
, by Donald Alexander McKenzie (Black and Sons, 1917).
The Spidersâ Christmas
Ukrainian folktale
I first met these cheerful little spiders in the
Lion Storyteller Christmas Book
by Bob Hartmann (Lion Publishing, 2000) and was delighted to discover, after a little research, the Ukrainian (and German) tradition of spider decorations on Christmas trees.
Ice and Fire
Maori legend
This is the only story I tell about someoneâs first experience of winter weather, and I love sharing it with children because when Ngatoro is climbing the mountain, someone always whispers, âItâs snow!â long before I say what the white stuff is. I first found the story in
Myths and Legends of Maoriland
by AW Reed (Allen and Unwin, 1946) and adapted it after Iâd done some research into legends about the Maorisâ arrival in Aotearoa.
The Hungry Polar Bear
Canadian folktale
This was one of the first traditional tales I ever told out loud, having found a version of it by Alison Hedger in
Childrenâs Christmas Songbook
(Chester Music, 2003) and then added details of my own. So this was my first winter story and my first bear story!
Missing Winter
Canaanite myth, Eastern Mediterranean
After telling so many stories about people (and gods) who want winter to go away and spring or summer to return, I was fascinated by this myth showing the opposite, because in hot countries winter is the fertile time and summer is the barren time. Baalâs story was discovered on ancient tablets in the ruined city of Ugarit in Syria, and translated in
Canaanite Myths and Legends
by JCL Gibson (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1978).
The Foxâs Footprints
Cree Folktale, Canada
This is a Cree Windigo tale, which I found in Howard Normanâs
Where the Chill Came From
(North Point Press, 1982). I admit that my version is simplified and somewhat altered, though I hope it retains the mystery and beauty of the tribal tale.
Ukko and the Bear
Lapp legend,
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