The Christmas Cuckoo or The Barley Bread Allegory
Our Story is The Christmas Cuckoo - This story is adapted from a literary fairytale written by Frances Elizabeth Browne from a book called from Granny’s Wonderful Chair, first published in 1856.
Category Literature
The Palace That Stood on Golden Pillars or The Porridge Pomposity
In which we discover that if there is ever a choice between a cat and a cow, choose the cat, arguments over porridge are rarely worth it and that the main differences between royalty and commoners is that commoners get a better night sleep and worse dresses.
Petrosinella or the Parsley Prescription
In which we discover that having long, strong hair doesn’t mean you can’t think for yourself, that you can learn a lot of incredible things from books, that parsley is both useful and tasty and that you should always remember to pack your acorns.
Go I Know Not Where, Bring Back I Know Not What or Green as Garlic
In which we find that clever beautiful women are always an asset, that a magical mother-in-law should not to be under-estimated, that a magical servant will always improve your day and cruel kings are more frequent than you might think.
Hildur, Queen of the Elves or Christmas in the Land of Ice and Fire
In which we discover how much damage elves and curses can do, how even powerful beings can suffer and that mysterious housekeepers often have a hidden agenda. In addition, we learn that if you have a useful magic stone you should always put it in your pyjama pockets whilst you sleep. Just in case.
A Collection of Winter Tales
Would you like to hear a winter tale or six? I have put together a compilation of my December tales from last year so you can fully indulge in the spirit of winter.
The Hand of Glory or The Miracle of Milk
In which we discover that a Hand of Glory is not always the solution you might think it is, pretending to be asleep is sometimes the cleverest & bravest option and that its surprising what you can achieve with a bowlful of milk
The Storyteller’s Supper – An Interview with Taffy Thomas
This is a bonus episode of an interview I did with Taffy Thomas MBE about his wonderful new treasury of food folk tales and recipes, beautifully illustrated by Dotty Kultys.
The Sprig of Rosemary and The Potato Principle
n which we discover that its amazing what you can fit under a rosemary bush, that you should never forbid people opening chests without explaining why and that fathers can be very unreasonable.
The 13 Bandits, The Apple Dumpling & The Big Ravioli Reveal
In which we discover the fascinating truth of how 1001 Nights, brave yet mischievous Sicilian maidens, the patriachy, apple dumpling and Lucrezia Borgia are all connected. This episode also contains revelations about the startling effects of pear varyenky and the surprising divination abilities of pel'meni.