Tuesday, May 13, 2008

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English Fairy Tales

XXXIX. Ass, Table And Stick

Source.—Henderson, l.c., first edition, pp. 327−9, by the Rev. S. Baring−Gould.

Parallels.—Mr. Baring−Gould gives another version from the East Riding, l.c., 329, in which there are three brothers who go through the adventures. He also refers to European Variants, p. 311, which could now be largely supplemented from Cosquin, i. 53−4, ii. 66, 171.

Remarks.—As an example of the sun−myth explanation of folk−tales I will quote the same authority (p. 314): “The Master, who gives the three precious gifts, is the All Father, the Supreme Spirit. The gold and jewel−dropping ass, is the spring cloud, hanging in the sky and shedding the bright productive vernal showers. The table which covers itself is the earth becoming covered with flowers and fruit at the bidding of the New Year. But there is a check; rain is withheld, the process of vegetation is stayed by some evil influence. Then comes the thunder−cloud, out of which leaps the bolt; the rains pour down, the earth receives them, and is covered with abundance—all that was lost is recovered.”

Mr. Baring−Gould, it is well−known, has since become a distinguished writer of fiction.