Tales From The Enchanted Forest

Inanna and the Descent

Last time, Inanna, the Sumerian Goddess of war, love and sexuality stole the Mes, fought against Gilgamesh and lost while getting her brother-in-law killed. Now, she's on her way to pay her respects in the underworld to her sister, Ereshkigal, but unsurprisingly things do not go as planned. Join us in the second part of our Inanna series which includes the seasonal myth of Dumuzi! 
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Inanna and The Sumerian Epic

Inanna, the Sumerian Goddess of war, love and sexuality is used to getting her way, but when she's rejected by Gilgamesh, her fury knows no bounds. Screaming down the heavens, getting her brother-in-law killed, and stealing the very essence of human civilization make up just the long list of what she does. Join us for part one of the tale of Inanna, possibly among the first female protagonists in a written text! 
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The Pirate Ghost: Gombi Island

They say strange things happen in the Bayous of Louisiana. Hauntings, ghosts, mysterious disappearances and pirates. That's right, pirates! It's time to hoist the colours with Fox and Sparrow as they recount the tale of the Pirate Ghost of Gombi Island. This story comes from "Gumbo ya ya: A Collection of Louisiana folklore." 
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The Curse of the Corn: A Scottish Tale

Travel with us to the Isle of Mull today as we share the story of the two sisters and a curse! Sibling rivalry maybe goes a bit too far in this revenge drama and the cost of betrayal is heavy. Listen to us chat about the corn maiden, folk traditions around the harvest, fae and of course, little sisters. This version is retold from “Clan Traditions and Popular Tales of the Western Highlands and Islands” collected from oral sources by Rev. John Gregorson Campbell.
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The Cobbler's Son and the Serpent: Uzbekistan

Continuing with our Campfire Tales, we have a hauntingly heroic tale from Uzbekistan! A haunted wood in Bukhara that no one dares step foot into, a poor cobbler's son and a beast of unimaginable horror....or is it? Step inside this unexpected folktale by Amina Shah as we explore more of the campfire tales told around the world.
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Murder Maggot: Campfire Tales

There's a slight chill in the air which means its time for falling leaves and tales of horror! Before there were True Crime Podcasts, there was just a campfire and the desire to scare your friends. So, join Fox and Sparrow as we explore the world of campfire tales, especially in North America! Our story is from Doc Forgey's retelling of the Minnesota Maggot! Where else do we find death, graveyard maggots and a line of corpses? 
 
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The Hammer Heist: Norse Tale

Heists are all fun and games until somebody gets caught. Or was the person getting caught part of the REAL plan? And what happens if you're stealing from Thor the Thunderer himself? Join Sparrow as she explores The Lay of Thrym from the Poetic Edda.  
 
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The Sky Bridge of Birds: A Korean Tale

It's a little bit too early to be celebrating the Chinese Qixi Festival or the Korean Chilseok, but the Japanese Tanabata festival is just around the corner, so we are sharing the tale of the Sky Bridge of Birds! You may know the story better as the Tale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, but this version has a little more gambling and bankruptcy! Story adapted from William Elliot Griffis' book on Korean Folktales. 
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Long Meg and the Summer Solstice: A Cumbrian Tale

Meg just wants to manage her coven of daughters in her quiet Cumbrian village, but when the solstice falls on the day before Lord's Day, she knows they have a strict curfew. Too bad that the Devil or the wizard Michael Scot (not affiliated to Dunder Mifflin) have other plans. Come join us as we explore the folktales around this Neolithic stone circle and recount the tale of Long Meg and her Daughters. 
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Tales of Japanese Yōkai with Thersa Matsuura

Today's episode is all about Japanese Yōkai and Thersa Matsuura's new book "The Encyclopedia of Japanese Folklore." We chat about moving to a completely different country, crows, everyday folklore and the process behind compiling a book on folklore! You can find out more about Thersa's Uncanny Japan Podcast and books!
The gorgeous illustrations were done by Michelle Wang! 
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Yokai, Yocat: Japanese Folktales

This episode is sponsored by cats! Join Fox and Sparrow as we delve into the wonderful world of Japanese Yokai, particularly the Bakeneko and the Nekomata. Be sure to check out the episode for some exciting news about our special guest for the next episode! 
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Horse Hooves: Mexican Folktales

Join Fox on a solo trip down to Mexico with three fun regional folktales! From the Endless Story to Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet, these delightful stories are the perfect transition away from the doom and gloom of winter as we celebrate May!
 
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Mullah Nasruddin: The Wise Fool

This week Fox & Sparrow laugh out loud as they retell a series of very short stories starring Mullah Nasruddin. His stories come from all over, but they share something in common- readers are left feeling confused on whether Nasruddin is wise or a fool. Today we explore some of his tales from Turkey and Iran! 
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How The Rabbit Lost Its Tail: Brazilian Folktale

Hoppy Easter Travellers! In this week's solo episode, Sparrow explores a rabbit-centric Brazilian folktale from Elsie Spicer Eells's 1917 book, Fairy Tales from Brazil. This cute explanatory story recounts why rabbits no longer have a tail and why another animal now does. 
 
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Fatima & the Crow: A Persian Tale

Spring has finally arrived in the Enchanted Forest, but it's also the Persian New Year, Nowruz! In honour of this celebration, Fox and Sparrow explore the classic Persian folktale: Fatima and the Crow. This cozy story will make you feel like you have entered a Studio Ghibli film before moving to a higher-stakes ending where an old grandma learns how to take down those in power.
 
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The Cleaning Pooka of Kildare: Irish Folktale

In honour of St Patrick's Day, Fox and Sparrow look at an Irish folktale from the county of Kildare. In this quaint county, there is a grand manor with some peculiar goings on, and the servants are spooked. Little do they realize that a pooka, a trickster spirit, is the source. But is the Pooka here to help? Or does this fae creature have a more sinister plan for the manor?
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Disclaimer: Cover image includes public domain images
Creature illustration by T.H Thomas for "British Goblins" by Wirt Sikes
Background art of Kitchen Interior by Eliphalet Frazer Andrews

The Apothecary and the Mermaid: An African-American Tale

Storms, doctors of dead things, a damp mob and a miserable mermaid make this a mermaid story straight from the heart and soul of South Carolina’s literary tradition. Please enjoy the African-American tale of the "Apothecary and the Mermaid" collected by John Bennett and retold by Virginia Hamilton in "Her Stories" as "The Mer-Woman out of the Water." 
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The Crystal Casket: Italian Snow White

Fox & Sparrow are back together for a new year with a new wild tale to tell! This Italian tale is like Snow White if it was made by Studio Ghibli. From an evil stepmother to a mischievous eagle and a questionable prince, our female protagonist, Ermellina, will have her work cut out for her to avoid her fate in the Crystal Casket.
 
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The Eagle, The Whale, and The Dumb Brothers

Sparrow soars solo this week to Greenland for a wild tale about brothers and what happens when they make some pretty big decisions for their sisters. From surprise marriages to murder and even an epic boat chase, this tale will keep you guessing until the end.
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The Butterfly’s Wedding: Highland Tales

Join Fox for the first story of the year where we'll dive into a story gifted by a friend. Enjoy a short, weird tale that takes us over rivers, over fields, over ridges, over bens and glens and seas! 
Eachann MacPhaidein's "The Butterfly's Wedding" (Pòsadh An Dealan-dè) comes from Highland Legends (1905) as edited by Johnny Mains for the British Libraries "Celtic Weird." 
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