Serpents and Werewolves (12 page)

The Ashkelon Witches

Jewish folktale

I loved this story the moment I found it in Howard Schwartz's book
Elijah's Violin
(Oxford University Press, 1983). I love the clever way the rabbi defeats the witches with the rain, and the way the witches are all transformed into something appropriate at the end. In this retelling, the idea of a baby being turned into a caterpillar rather than a butterfly isn't mine – my younger daughter suggested it, when I was telling her the story on a bus.

Turnskin

Breton folktale

I first caught sight of this tale when I was researching a novel about werewolves, and finally tracked it down to
The Lais of Marie de France
(Penguin Classics, 1986). I've told this story many times, and like most of the stories I work with, it has changed as I tell it, often in response to queries and questions from the audience. The particular ending I've used in this collection is one suggested by P5 pupils at Trinity Primary School in Edinburgh. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

The Swallow's Search

Egyptian myth

The story of Isis and her lost husband Osiris has been told in many ways for many thousands of years. I first read it in
Tales of Ancient Egypt
by Roger Lancelyn Green (published by The Bodley Head, 1967) when I was a child (not quite thousands of years ago!) I've come across many versions since but images from the first one I read are still burning bright in my head.

The Frog, the Flies and the Frying Pan

Scottish folktale

I love having fun with this version of the Frog Prince, where the curse is lifted not by a kiss, but by a whack on the head! There are various versions of it, but I first found it in
Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales
(Penguin Popular Classics, 1992), retold by Elizabeth Grierson. I'll admit that I've changed the end a little, because marrying a handsome prince isn't everyone's idea of a happy ending!

Fooled by Foxes

Japanese folktale

This story was inspired by a kitsune tale in
Tales of Old Japan
by Baron Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford (Macmillan, 1871). I realised when I reread the source (having told the story many times since I first read it) that I've retained the central idea of a young man claiming he won't be fooled by foxes, but I've changed a few of the details, particularly how badly the first fox is injured.

Ceridwen's Potion

Welsh legend

I love Ceridwen's power but also her cruelty. The heroines in stories aren't always nice people! My main source for this retelling is the wonderful
Encyclopedia of Goddesses and Heroines
by Patricia Monaghan (Greenwood Press, 2010). The shape-shifting chase scene is very similar to a chase in one of my favourite Scottish stories (The King of the Black Art) but Gwion's story ends very differently.

The Gold Sea

Canadian tribal tale

This is my retelling of a story from
Legends of Vancouver
by E. Pauline Johnson-Tekahionwake (Quarry Press, 1991; originally published by Saturday Sunset Presses, 1911), which is one of my most treasured collections of ancient tales. I hope I've managed to stay true to the spirit and flavour of the tribal tale, but as I've told it, I've made a few changes to tell it in my voice. It's definitely the most humane monster-killing story I've ever found.

The Swan Brothers

Norwegian folktale

The brothers turned into birds is a story that appears in lots of cultures, with lots of variations, many of which have inspired elements of this retelling. It's hard to name a country and credit a source (there are similar Danish stories and German ones and Irish ones) but my retelling here is probably inspired most by the wild ducks story in
Tales From the Norse
by George Webbe Dasent (Blackie and Son, 1906).

The Wolf Arrow

Dutch folktale

I found this old tale in the amazing (though very dark and seriously weird)
Book of Werewolves
by the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould (Dover Publications Inc., 2006; originally published by Smith, Elder & Co. in 1865). The story of a neighbour being identified as a werewolf because of a wound inflicted on a wolf is very common, but I chose to include this one because I liked the archer recognising his own arrow. As always I changed a few details as I told the story, and when I reread the source I was surprised to discover that he wasn't a soldier in the original, because he is so clearly a soldier in my head!