Reading Notes: Jewish Fairy Tales Part A

The first story, about the giant and the flood was very interesting, it was not something that I had encountered before. I thought it was interesting how this introduced phoenixes into the mythology, as well as alcohol, as explanations for why they are what they are.
The story of the Beggar King is somewhat reminiscent of the story of "The Prince and the Pauper" where a somewhat similar situation takes place. I wonder if it was inspired by this story.
I find some mythological explanations for certain events quite interesting and clever, but I have to say that the reason given in this story of cats and dogs to be a little disappointing. Dogs and cats hate each other because cats are jerks? I guess that is true, but I couldn't help feel like there should be more to this story.
The story of the water-babe was quite interesting. I had never heard of the backstory of Jethro, and although his conversion to Judaism seems implausible, I like the idea of him using the same staff that would eventually become Moses's.
The story of King David and his encounter with the lion is interesting, as I believe that he does eventually kill a lion (or wrestles it or something) but in this instance he only escaped from it on a deer. Again, unicorns are prevalent, which was something that had been in the first story as well.
Elijah the prophet holds a very special place in the hearts of the Jewish people, and hearing about his miraculous construction of a palace fits in very well with his mystique. Not only did he never die, according to legend, but perfomed amazing small miracles throughout his entire life (like making an axe that someone had dropped into a lake float).

Perhaps it was a palace like this that was constructed overnight

Source: Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919).

Comments

Comment Wall

My Project website is here ! A picture I took while in Peru of a tiny pueblo in the Andes

Storytelling "Hans the Hedgehog"

Hans riding his rooster (Source) This is the story of how Hans the Hedgehog became engaged to a princess. Hans was a very special little creature. His parents had tried for so long to have a child, but when Hans was born, they were horrified to see that their little baby had the head and torso of a hedgehog but the legs of a boy. Although they did their best to love him, from an early age Hans could tell that they were horrified and ashamed of their child. He grew very depressed and spent most of his time in the barn with the other animals, like the pigs, donkeys, and his best friend of all, the rooster. Since he was half hedgehog, Hans stopped growing very quickly and remained quite small. Although this surely disappointed his father, it was perfect, for Hans was able to ride around on top of the rooster as if it were a colorful horse. He rode the rooster everywhere, even flying up around the trees that lined his father’s fields. From th...

Storytelling "The Sun and the Wind"

There once was a very happy traveler who had just gone to visit his parents in a far-off province. He had spent about a week there, a happy time, and was cheerfully returning to his wife and children who were awaiting him at home. To further bolster his spirits, the weather looked absolutely beautiful. The sun was shining, but not too harsh, and with the slightly chilly air he felt completely comfortable with his jacket wrapped around his shoulders. While he walked, he marveled at the beautiful scenery around him and listened to the humming of the insects and the sweet singing of the birds. Before he had departed, his dear mother had given him a heavy travelling coat that she said would be sure to protect him from the rain, cold, and anything else he encountered. He thanked her at the time but now it looked like her gift would not be required. He carried on walking, whistling as he went. The harder the wind blew, the tighter the man wrapped his ...

Blake's Mythology Blog

Search This Blog