This is #1 of 26 blog posts, as part of the April 2014 A-to-Z Blog Challenge. Instead of the English alphabet, however, I’m going to be doing the Scots Gaelic alphabet, which is a bit different. You’ll see how if you keep following these!
A: Ailm, or Elm.
World folktales include different magical species of intelligent creatures—birds, animals, even fish.
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| A Phoenix |
Magical birds include eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, swans, cranes, thrushes, and wrens. Myths or legends include the Russian firebird, Sinbad’s roc, and the phoenix. In Scotland, one such bird was the Ailpein bird.
Ailpein means “white” in Gaelic, but in Granny’s version, is a shape-shifter that can change color. Here are the bones:
Good king’s kingdom and castle are invaded by Evil King’s army, which is soundly defeated, but after they've slunk away, the good king’s daughter is missing. GK mourns her as dead. BK's kidnapped her; decides a year later to wed her to his son.
A harper sees her, tells GK through a new song.
GK calls army. Young Knight spies, disguised as a friar .
Ailpein Bird rescues Stolen Princess, takes her to 3 castles in 3 lands, last one his. YK, given 3 feathers by SP's maid, searches, proves worthiness, brings her home.
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| My Ailpein Bird |
Telling this, I use a stuffed bird from a Tartan Day “white haggis” sale. It’s not white, as you can see but considering that color is to some extent in the eye of the beholder, I simply say that that's how it appeared to the princess.
You can read a version, "The Ailpein Bird, the Stolen Princess, & the Brave Knight" in Heather & Broom, collected by Sorche nic Leodhas. If you know any other Ailpein bird stories, please tell me!
