Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page

Subject: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 04:09 PM

In case you've missed the other thread, there's a new page in The Mudcat Songbook. It's called The Mudcat Storytellers' Page, where we'll be gathering the original stories of all you 'Catters.

I'm proud to announce that I've posted the very first submission, entitled 'Goin' Up Cherry Flats To Fetch Water' by WYSIWYG. Can't think of a better one to start this new venture off with!

If you have an original story to share with the Mudcat world, you can post it on this thread, or send it to me via email - [e-mail] -

So, put down that (fill in name of instrument here) and get to writin'!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 04:14 PM

So only original ones? Not updated versions of folktales or anything?

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 04:20 PM

Come to think of it, where is Camisu? She has wonderful stories to tell. Haven't heard from her in a while...

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 04:20 PM

Dear Amergin,

As long as it's not copyrighted (by anyone but yourself), I don't see a problem with submitting your own 'original' re-telling of a folktale.

How's that?

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: wdyat12
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 04:21 PM

How about original work recently posted?

wdyat12

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 04:29 PM

Dear wdyat12,

If you mean something you've already posted in a thread here in the Forum; sure, you can put it on the Storytellers' Page as well.

If you can give me the link (a blue clicky thing), I'll even retrieve it from the thread and post it. Y'all do the searchin' and I'll put it up.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 04:53 PM

Wow, that was quick!

wdyat12, a lot of good stuff goes from thread to Book. If you spot someone else's work while you're cruising around the threads, you can tip Aine off and it will probably end up in there too. Songs, stories-- either.

~S~

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 05:11 PM

Aw, it really is hung up there. And guess what. You did it while I was AT THE SPRING. In the snow.

~S~

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: wdyat12
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 05:31 PM

aine,

Does kendall contribute to the Mudcat Storyteller's Page? I would certainly enjoy any new stuff from him. I can't beleive I really talked with the great kendall m. from Maine in a few threads. At the time I didn't realize who exactly I was talking with, until kat so kattily made me aware.

wdyat12

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 06:31 PM

Dear wdyat12,

Any Mudcatter can contribute to the Storytellers' Page! And I certainly hope that Kendall (my favorite Yankee) will honor us with a contribution (or two, or three). He's a singular fella, ain't he!

Feel free to encourage him to send in something that all the 'Catters can enjoy, OK?

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 07:03 PM

Hey darlin'...a just wrote a new one the other day for the TFTD thread. You can get it here. I will also go hunt up White Blanket Time.

Thanks very much for what you do with this, Aine. It is really appreciated and wonderfully giving of you.

Wdyat12...I know I owe you a PM..**BG**...but until I get it answered...just know that Kendall is one of the beloved resident curmudgeons around here, no pedastal...he is a doll and way open to being contacted and dman nice about it, too...if you know how to take that ascerbic Mainiac humour! **BG** So...go bug him for a story! I figured you were one of his recruits when you saiud where you lived!

luvya'll...kat

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 07:35 PM

Here is the other...I've pasted it here becaue I needed to fix some html anyway:

WHITE BLANKET TIME

The grass and leaves crunched under the feet of the little children. Above them, the lodgepole pines and aspen whistled with the chill of the gathering evening's wind. "Whooo" said the wind. Off to their side, they could hear little creatures rustling among the bushes; scurrying to settle safely for the night.

The old woman gathered her shawl tighter round her shoulders. Her face was lines with years of living; her eyes rimed, yet somehow bright and with a depth of wisdom. She spoke to the children in a storng, yet soft voice. They stepped lightly in order to hear her better, not wanting to miss a word of the legend she told.

In the days of the Mother's Beginning, we peoples didn't know how to do anything for ourselves. The fox, the lion, the bear, the turlte, the otter, the whale, all these, she swept her arms wide to encompass the earth everywhere, all these brothers and sisters were smarter than us. They lived together and never were cross or mean. When they found the First People, they took them in as cubs and kits. They taught them their ways. This is what we know from our grandmothers and grandfathers. Because of them, our people know how to live and care for one another. She closed her eyes then, still walking. The children stared at her with wonder, stumbling from not watching where they walked.

Her story continued, This time of the Circle, when everything is getting ready to go to sleep, we people have to stay awake and survive. When we grew too big for the dens and parenting of the Wise Four-leggeds, Wingeds, and Water-Dwellers, they finally cast us out. We were arrogant, mocking them for their gentle ways and for resting when the earth had pulled up the white blanket of winter.

That first winter was hard. Many First People did not survive. When the flowers began to blossom, when the trees burst forth with leaves, the People were humbled and grateful for their survival. But, they were not allowed to ever forget their arrogance. That is why we walk among the wood, today, watching for signs of the creatures; as they gather the pinon nuts, as they fatten from eating berries and fish, as they scurry to line their nests and dens, so must we. So, watch little ones, tell me what you see. Are you ready for the white blanket time?

©1999 Kathleen LaFrance all rights reserved

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 07:35 PM

(hey there mehitabel! archie is pleased as punch to be back!)

Two wonderful stories in the first day -- I couldn't ask for more -- BUT I WILL ;-) Everyone please read Lady of Pearls and enjoy!

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 07:58 PM

geez louezz, you're a fast one, mehitabel!

Here you 'Catters, White Blanket Time by kat is now on The Mudcat Storytellers' Page. Enjoy!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: kendall
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 08:12 PM

You folks have really put me on the spot! Ascerbic and loveable? Hmmm, I'll try. Check the Mudcat storytellers page.

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: kendall
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 08:35 PM

Back in 1902, my grandfather was skipper of the Gloucester fishing schooner EMILY BEAL out of Portland Maine. They had a very good trip, and, coming home with a hold full of Cod. All went well, until, about one day out of Portland, the wind pooched completly. Not a breath of wind, mid summer, and the fish, already a week old, were in danger of rotting in the hold. This cargo was worth thousands of dollars, (1902 dollars) and Gramp was very concerned. He tried everything he knew to get some wind in the sails, he whistled, he soaked the sails, he had the crew run back and forth from port to starboard, but, nothing worked. He even had them lower the life boats and tow her. They came back aboard totally exhausted, and sprawled on deck in the summer sun. Finally, Gramp took to swearing, something he was very good at. That didnt work, so, he resorted to profanity. Everything in the book and some he made up as he went. "Why you mossy faced, snuff colored.... skin of a nightmare hauled over a ...bootjack!"

That didn't work either. Finally, the cook came up from below, a very pious old man. He had had all he could take of the blasphemous language, and he said to Gramp, S "Skipper, you are the best boats Captain in the state of Maine. If it was humanly possible to move this vessel, you would do it. Well, it aint. The best thing you can do is call on the Lord for help, give up a love offering, and I guarantee you will get your wind."

I guess Gramp figured that it was worth a try, so, he pulled from his pocket a silver dollar, threw it as had as he could, and yelled "Sell me some GD wind!" That coin no sooner hit the water when a gale blew up Sou'th East, and drove the EMILY BEAL a full 30 knots straight for Portland Head Light. As she approached, the main ripped right off the yard, and took the gaff with it over the side. Then, the jib let go, and she was at the mercy of the wind. She drove ashore at Cape Elizabeth among the ledges and piled up in a great mess. There was fish, men and what was left of the EMILY all washed up on the shallow beach. It was a miracle, and, as Gramp looked around to see that all hands made it safely ashore, the cook, waving his hands around yelled "YOU GOT YOUR WIND, I TOLD YOU IF YOU CALLED ON THE LORD HE WOULD GIVE YOU SOME WIND, YES SIR!" Gramp, still looking at the wreck said "Ayah, but if I'd a known wind was that cheap, I wouldn't have ordered so much!" .

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 08:36 PM

Aine, darlin, just a point of pendantics, if there is such a thing:-)...my stories aren't really "as told by" they are just "by", as they are original. It wouldn't matter as much, except that you had mentioned others retelling/writing known tales from folklore, in which case the "as told by" would be more applicable. Sorry to be a pain....luvyaLOTS and it IS so good to *hear* you, again! Thank you, thank you,thank you!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 08:50 PM

Spooky Story

Aine, I'd like to submit the above for consideration :>}

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: kendall
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 08:54 PM

This is a traditional tale with some of myself mixed in. The original came fro the telling of Don Taverner of Augusta, one of the tellers who appeared on my TV program of Maine humorists.

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 09:00 PM

Here is an original Coyote story, within another story

Go

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 23 Feb 01 - 09:34 AM

This is just fantastic (not really the word I wanted, but it's early in the morning)!! Six stories from a group of the Best Mudcat Storytellers already -- I can't tell you all how much fun this is (and hopefully, will be). Thank you, merci, go raibh maith agat, danke, gracias and cracebo!!!

The latest additions to the Mudcat Storytellers' Page are:

The Emily Beal by Kendall

The Story of Bram Hanson by Lonesome EJ

Coyote and the Bear by Lonesome EJ

We're off to a great start, so keep 'em comin'!

-- Áine

(P.S. dearmehitabel - I wanted to keep the 'feel' of the page as close to a 'telling tales beside the fire/at the kitchen table' state as I could, and that's why I used the 'as told by' style of a byline. I do see your point though, so I've changed the byline style to 'from the telling of'. I hope that will do business for you. Don't forget that your copyright notice is at the bottom of each story page, and the index page does say 'original stories and folktales'. I really want the reader(s) to feel like another 'Catter is telling them the story, instead of reading something out of a book. Hugs & snogs, archie)

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: MMario
Date: 23 Feb 01 - 09:43 AM

How Cleigh O'Possum got a Pouch

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 08:11 PM

I've added yet more wonderful Mudcatters' stories to the Mudcat Storytellers' Page this evening:

Hazards to Navigation and The Great Fire of 1947 by Kendall

AND

How Cleith O'Possum Got A Pouch by MMario

Check 'em out, 'Catters -- a triad of fantastic storytelling!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 10:40 PM

Well, Aine....here you go...if it doesn't fit in with the format you had in mind...that is quite alright...

A Few Moments In the Life Of a Dog

He calls me from my slumber..... "Hungry baby girls!! Are you hungry baby girls!!!......I jump up from my safe little nook under the coffee table....run into the kitchen....where he stands there shaking a big bowl of food.

He sets the bowl down....I stick my head inside.....sniff a quick whiff....look back up at him...I think...."you expect me to eat that? Pigs eat better tasting slop than that."....but knowing it will do no good to complain....I commence eating...crunch.....crunch....crunch...Oh good he has his face stuck back in that computer....I run into the utility room....I smell it...a fresh one...mmmm....I get into the catbox....good there it is....LUNCH....I take it out into the livingroom.....Uh oh....he's looking back....he's getting up....he's rushing towards....fuck I dropped my turd....he kicks at me....softly but enough to push me abit......you asshole.....if you would feed us better I wouldn't have eaten that turd....Oh boy....he's yelling now...."Poops outside, poops outside"....the other three dogs go running to the back door...I run out with them into the cold pouring rain...I sit there looking up at him....he glowers down..."off the porch, off the porch"....i slowly hop down the steps....looking back at him....eyes watering....silently pleading.....he watches me go around the back corner of the house....I hear the door shut...I run back up the steps....standing there.....yapping...."let me in you prick!!".....the door opens.....he stands there yelling again...."get off the porch!!"....I stumble down the steps...looking back at him....in sorrow and in anger...."you go poops outside, asshole"...I think at him....he yells again....I run around the corner....ah the door shuts again....I dash back up the steps....i begin to sing...."let me in!! let me in!!".....he opens the door...."oh, alright you can come in now"....and four soaked bodies rush through......I shake myself....crawl back under the coffee table....and sleep.......

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 01:07 AM

LOL...nathan!

dearest awchee...that sounds fine..sorry for being so sticklery...:-)

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 04:48 AM

I think A Few Moments in the Life of a Dog fits in just fine, dear Amergin. Thanks!

-- Áine

(and mehitabel -- dats zawrite!)

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 09:58 PM

I am proud to announce that McGrath of Harlow (the Master Songwriter) has submitted a story to The Storytellers' Page -- A Story About Time -- Enjoy, 'Catters, enjoy!

-- Aine (who feels now that the 'beginning' of this wonderful collection of Mudcat stories has really begun -- Naw, Aine, tell us how you really feel ;-) )

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 05:57 PM

I just put a timely story by Penny S onto the Storytellers' Page -- if you're in need of a good (and green) chuckle, then please read Meanwhile, Elsewhere in Éire. Enjoy! And thanks, Penny!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 06:51 PM

There were some really cool story threads in the past, like the Ghost stories thread from back in October, and the Christmas stories thread the year before. (I've told the Silver cobwebs story, Áine) Perhaps some of those should get listed. I'd like to see my rendition of "I've got the keys" added in the storybook.
Tabhair an scealta sin ag teacht!
Risteard

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 05:15 PM

A Risteard,

Please send me the link(s) to your stories that you'd like to put on the Storytellers' Page. And be sure to give title(s) to each one. I'm looking forward to seeing your tale(s) *BG*!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 05:34 PM

I just put two great new stories on the Storytellers' Page:

Holy Cow! by Spud Murphy

AND

Abnormal Feline Behaviour in the Artic by Inukshuk

Enjoy, all you 'Catters!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 10:01 PM

I've got your keys

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 10:05 PM

Wow, it actually worked! I've been wanting to be able to do that for since the first time I read the term "blue clicky thing"
Oh well, I was here for a good while before I could even make a line break!

Rich

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 02 Mar 01 - 10:02 AM

Congrats on the blue clicky thing, Rich! And your super-scary I've Got Your Keys is now in the Book. Maith thú!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 01:14 AM

The Life of a Story

I've always liked this one.

Rich

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 08:31 PM

I've just put two short and excellent stories on the Storytellers' Page. Please check them out, they're great!

To Weigh A Planet by Grannyjan

and

The Life Of A Story by Rich(bodhránaí gan ciall).

Both of you 'Catters, please send more! And that goes for the rest of you 'Cats, too!

Keep playing, singing and writing, Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 08:40 PM

Aine, policy question-- example:

I did a couple of good pieces in the Traveling Guitar thread. But they are still in what I consider draft form-- in a thread like that, my goal is to get them OUT of me, and where others can enjoy and/or comment on them. Before I consider them "done" there usually needs to be more work on them. Do things like this stay put until we submit them, or do they morph over to the storybook?

Not just me. General question. But I have a bad CRS attack underway. Maybe I forgot something I am supposed to know.

And.... oh God here I go again, I'm sorry, I can't seem to stop myself thinking-- especially with you, dammit, you draw these things out... uh oh.... In a way, that thread was a Story Challenge. (gulp) Will there be story challenges, and if so, how will these differ in genesis from song challenges? (gulp) (Never mind) (delete) (too late)

Oh God.

~S~

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 01:40 AM

Fags (sorry I suffer from a lack of an appropriate title)

Well, sometime ago, I tossed my last fag into the ashcan....then all of a sudden my hair started falling out when ever i brushed it back with my fingers...it came out in clumps......Then my mood started changing....from being the nice sexy guy that I am, I became some one I would personally love to shoot if I looked at me wrong....then I started howling at the moon....changing and changing whenver the darkness fell to the land.....

Next thing I knew I went on the hunt...I searched every left over pack or bag, for even the slightest trickle of tobacco....I looked in the ashcan in my car and found it clean...not even a flake of ash....I looked under the car in the mud, i looked in my desk I looked even in the boot of my car...and the in my ould dirty socks....

Then, came the screams...at first they started as a whisper....and then they grew to a grumble....then to a growl....then to a yelll...and then to a roar so bloody loud, clung together in fear as they walked down the aisles of the local Walmart 3 miles away....

So my parents had me chained up, and muzzled....they would only let me loose so I could go to work....and then as soon as I got homed, they would shackle me to my desk, feeding me intravenously....for they did not dare to remove the muzzle....they learned the hard way about the sharpness of my teeth....I must admit though...looking back it seems that the time I spent muzzled was the happiest I had ever seen my family....

Eventually, I got better....and with heavy hearts they removed the chains and the muzzle....but even now, when the moon is just right behind the rain dampened clouds...I feel the change coming once more.....

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 01:59 AM

Aw, that's that's a hard luck tale if ever I heard one, Amergin. Here, Buddy, have a Pall Mall. It's low in tar.

:>}LEJ

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 12:20 PM

!!

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 14 Apr 01 - 12:49 PM

This was my first original rewrite.

Grashopper and the Ants

One fall as the chilld winds started to blow, a grasshopper, who had somehow managed to survive the change in season, came wandering across a field where some ants were harvesting from the stubble. "Oh please, can you spare me some grain? I'm so famished I fear I'm about to die." The ants looked at the very thing grasshopper, and asked what he had been doing all summer when food was plentiful. "Well, I sang and worked on my music."

--- --- --- "You can sing?" --- "Well, yes. I sing rather well. It's what I do." --- "GOOD. Sing to us while we move this stupid grain. It's such a boring job we're about to go out of our minds."

So the grasshopper sang to the ants the rest of the day while they moved the grain into their storehouses, and at the end of the day, the ants said, "You know, the music seemd to help the work go faster and easier. Come back tomorrow and we will feed you again for your singing."

And so it went until all the grain was harvested, and the ants sheltered the grasshopper when the stormy winter weather finally forced them all underground. The grasshopper kept the ants entertained through the long winter nights, and even taught some of the little ants to sing.

Note: The original Aesop stories had NO MORALS attached, and this one was a simple commentary on the difference between the natures of ants and grasshoppers. I made this up in response to the philistines who quote the original as a put down.

-- Mary Ann, storyteller

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 14 Apr 01 - 04:37 PM

Mary Ann, that is a great twist on an old tale. I like the implication that there is actually value in what we do!

Rich

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 14 Apr 01 - 06:25 PM

Yep, Rich, that's the point exactly. -- MA

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 01:20 AM

just thought to refresh this old thread....

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 01:25 PM

Alrightey now, I don't want no catterwauling 'bout the fact that it took me so dang long to post yer tales in the Storybook, OK? BUT -- I'm tryin' to catch up with everything that you all have sent me (stories, Challenge!s, and original songs), and I PROMISE THAT I WILL (eventually) GET EVERYTHING THAT I CAN FIND INTO THE 'TOME', SO HELP ME MUDCAT!! ;-)

Whew, now that I have made my abeyances to all you talented storytellers, I just thought I'd let you know that I posted three wonderful Mudcat tales (tails?) to the Storybook today. They're listed below, so go have a great read with each of them. Thanks to MAG, Amergin (you ole' fart), and Reggie for their respective yarns. And thanks for being so patient while I get my life and the Moon on the Hill back in order . . . So, without further ado or adieux, here ya go:

The Grasshopper and the Ants by MAG

Fags by Amergin (the Ancient) ;-)

And The One What Bitsed Me Washboard's Leg Off by Reggie Miles

Way to go, 'Cats! And if anyone has sent me something and it went where your socks go in the dryer, well, PLEASE TELL ME and/or RESEND IT TO ME! at [e-mail] -- Catch me while my 'puter's still warm . . . ;-)

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 01:59 PM

Heck, Áine I didn't even know there was a Storyteller's Page here on Mudcat, and there are some great ones you've got in there. I loved Kendall's tale of the Emily Beal; a nice example of humour from Maine. In the meantime I've been adding a few stories by myself and others to this thread BS: The Naming of Cats You're welcome to use any of them in your Storybook page if you want, and Charley Noble has also contributed a couple of good cat stories, especially one about a cat who really got the cream!

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 02:35 PM

Aine, I am not sure what or where it was, but Spud Murphy shared with me that he had submitted some that never appeared. I dunno if he is still among us, virtually or otherwise, but his stuff would be worth looking for. I think he did a few in threads, but if I recall right he may have e-mailed one or more as well, and I dunno if they were in threads too, or not.

I did a few more sketches of Pennsyltucky like the one about the spring, too, and I'll dig them up for you. Don't do a usersearch on me-- you'll jam up from all the lyric-reqeest refreshing I've done!

~S~

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 06:45 PM

Dear Matthew,

I went to the 'Naming Cats' thread, and I found these four wonderful stories -- three by yourself, and one by Charley Noble -- and I've added them to the Storytellers Page. If you have any more up your sleeve, please send them along, OK?

The Dancing Cat

Timmy's Story

Timmy and the Magpie

AND

Grendal and the Cream Separator by Charley Noble.

Fantastic!

And Weezie, if you can dig up Spuds' stories, send 'em on, you've got the email addy. And I'm always pleased as punch to see your own special stories too, ya know ;-) I do believe that you sent me a 'Song of Inspiration' a while back, but I couldn't access the file. If you send me anything by email, send it as 'inline text' OR as a MS Word doc, OK?

Thanks to Matthew and Charley for their wonderful additions to the Storytellers Page. Keep 'em coming, Mudcats!!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 07:29 PM

Áine, you are a treasure! You must have been working extremely hard to add all those stories tonight. Thank you so much. I expect that more stories will appear on the cat-naming thread from time to time, and they are there simply for people to enjoy. I love hearing stories read, or reading them myself. It is a somewhat neglected art, but one which can captivate an audience of any age when the setting is right. There is something so magical about telling a story to a young child, or listening to an older person recounting an old tale, that you get caught up in an atmosphere where you feel that you are touching upon the strange world of a greater reality than we most of us experience in our everyday lives.
Raise your glasses to the tellers of stories!

Matthew

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 12:18 PM

OK -- I've followed the example of all you brave Mudcat Storytellers and posted my own offering on the Storytellers Page for your perusal and (hopefully) enjoyment. I wrote Yo Ho Ho several years ago, and just dusted it off recently to show to our own Amos when he came for a visit to Moon on the Hill.

I hope you get a wee bit of a giggle out of it, Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 01:28 PM

Aine - Glad you're pleased with GRENDEL'S story, which I've been reminded is probably the correct spelling. Wear it out in good health!;-)

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 10:49 PM

Aine, that is a wonderfully, very finely crafted story. What a pair! You had me guessing til the end. 'Bout time you shared some more with us, darlin'!! Brava!!

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 11:50 AM

Thanks, kat ;-)

I've added two more excellent stories by Matthew Edwards to the Book today: The Banning of Brendan Behan and Margaret Barry and a Bicycle

You'll have a great read with these two, I promise.

Thank you, Matthew, and keep 'em coming!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 03:37 PM

Because my father died when I was three, my mother, brother, and I lived through my childhood in the upstairs of my grandparents' house. I almost said "my grandmother's house". Here's why:

Grandpa, a one-time cowboy and stagecoach driver, a meatcutter of many years, had put up the down payment all those many years ago, but grandma had essentially paid for the house by taking in roomers, raising and selling canaries and parakeets, sewing, and other projects. She was house-proud, and my steady-workman, man-of-few-words grandpa never gave a sign that the house was anyone's but hers.

Now, grandpa had an eye for the pretty women. "An eye", I say. I don't for a moment want you to think he was unfaithful or a womanizer; I strongly doubt it. But he did love to see and admire and talk to pretty, vivacious women. Grandma never, I think, accused him of any philandering. Whatever thoughts she might have had on the subject were kept private.

I was in the army in Germany in the middle 50s, and grandma would then have been about 82, and grandpa 86. Grandma was, and had been for many years, in rather poor health.

My mother wrote to me regularly, and in one of her letters she told me: "Mother (grandma) told me yesterday that she's terribly afraid that she'll die before Dad does. She's afraid he'll sell her house and spend the money on wild women!"

I represent to you, friends, that at 82 and 86 years of age, THAT'S CONFIDENCE IN YOUR HUSBAND!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 03:51 PM

I neglected to give a title to my true story. I'd call it Grandma's House"

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 08:31 PM

My dearest, darlin' DaveO -- Wunnerful, wunnerful, wunnerful story! Got any more of those up yer sleeve, sailor? ;-)

Grandma's House is now a proud member of the gang on the Mudcat Storytellers Page. Thanks, Dave!!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 02:43 PM

Old Aine....I have one here based on my favourite childhood Christmas memories...when everone...my aunts and uncles and my grandparents and my mother and me would all go out to the hills and search for the perfect Christmas tree....

The Perfect Tree

Slogging up and down, burrowing through the waist deep snow, seven of them on this sacred journey, searching for the perfect tree.

They surround the party, soldiers of the forest, guards reaching their green arms high in praise to the snow flecked clouds, pine cones hanging from each hand.

Suddenly, like a star from the east, the winter sun stretches down his limbs of frozen light to bejewel the crown of a young tree. Voices call out amongst the seven, saying this is the one!

The eldest pulls the cord, and a chainsaw sings its joy across the North Idaho countryside as the pine smashes into the snow burdened ground.

They pick their prize from the floor and carry it amongst themselves, triumphant in their success in obtaining the perfect tree.

nt

line breaks added by mudelf ;-)

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 09:37 PM

Áine,

An awful long time ago, you posted a story about spiders in a Christmas tree and the Baby Jesus turning their webs into silver, hence the invention of tinsel.Could you please add that story? (Unless it's one that you wouldn't want others to tell, of course.)

Thank you,
Rich

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 06:46 AM

A Rich, a stór,

It was our dear kat that posted that story here on the Fav. Xmas Stories-Golden Cobwebs, which I have refreshed for the 2001 season.

It is a beautiful, magical story, and I can't thank you enough for reminding myself and all the Mudcatters of it. Wow, you've got quite a memory there, since kat posted that story in 1999 - comhghairdeas! ;-)

I do have some bad news, however. My computer went tits up last night, and I'm trying to get everything off of it before it I have to put the pennies on its eyes. So, I won't be able to upload anything to the Songbook/Challenge! Songs/Storytellers pages until I get this worked out. The good news is that I can use Dear Hubby's computer for the Mudcat and email.

Please hold a good thought for my config files, OK?

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 09:40 PM

What is it with you and computers, Aine? I think they are beginning to quail in fear when they see you walk by....oh no they say, not her! She will be the death of us!

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 27 Nov 01 - 02:20 PM

I've posted some more great Christmas stories to the Mudcat Storytellers' Page. Enjoy these contributions from fellow Mudcatters:

Rambling Sam told by Matthew Edwards

The Nest told by bert

The Fourth Magi told by Rich(bodhránaí gan ciall)

The Box of Gold told by Áine

The Golden Cobwebs told by katlaughing

The Clock on the Mantle told by Lucy's Mom

The Perfect Tree told by Amergin


Thanks to all of you for your contributions to the Book!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Áine
Date: 27 Nov 01 - 10:49 PM

I just posted to the Storytellers' Page a very interesting 'performance' story entitled Child of the Spirits by CapriUni, who sent it to me back in August. My apologies for the delay in getting it into the Book, Ann. It's a great read, and I'm sure it was even better hearing it read.

Thank you for sharing it with us, Áine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: CapriUni
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 11:58 AM

Glad you liked "Child", Aine. While not exactly about singing or music, I thought the general feeling would be shared by all of us who feel the inner drive to get our voices heard.

I love the story "The Golden Cobwebs"; The version I heard (or read, probably, back when I was in school) comes from the Ukraine, and is set on the 'other side of the tracks' so to speak, about a very poor family with a different attitude to their own house spider.

I just found a very beautiful version of this story here

A few years ago, I sent a version of this story out with my Christmas/Yule cards, along with a spider web ornament I made. I formed the web itself out of white floral wire, and stiffened it with clear sparkle fabric glue -- turned out really pretty, and was really easy to make... :::Sigh::: I don't have one for my own tree, this year. I think I ought to make a new one...

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 08:50 PM

Dreams Of Marriage

Well...there was this young couple lying next to each other after a fabulous love making session, one night. They snuggled and kissed and traded I love yous and so on.

The young man, John, turned to his lady, Deirdre, and asked:

"Do you ever think about the future? The future of us?"

She turned to him and said, "Yes, I do, everyday."

"Me, too, sweetie. I was just thinking about us. About how you will bear me thirteen children and work three jobs, your main job at the newspaper, and two part time jobs, MacDonald's and the local Blockbuster. How you will come back home on your breaks to take care of the children, change their diapers, clean up their various messes, and fix us our meals. you will come back to the bedroom to the computer where I will be playing games and surfing on our cable connection, that you pay for, and feed me by your own hand, with each spoonful of food that you lift to my loving lips. It will be great for you to support me in a manner to which I could easily become accustomed to. I love you."

Deirdre looked at him as he went on his spiel, her eyes getting wider and darker with each word dripping from his mouth. She got up out of bed, telling him, "I need to go to the bathroom."

"Ok" he lay back down on the bed, hands behind his head, eyes gazing up at the ceiling, as he beheld visions of his misguided dreams.

She came back into the dimly lit room, her arms behind her back. She looked down at him as he sat up and reached for her soft body. "THWACK!" an iron disk-like object flew from behind his love and smacked him in the head.

"AAAARRRGGGGHHHH!" he bawled holding his hands to his throbbing skull. He looked up at Deirdre and found her there holding a small frying pan, eyes sparking in the candle light. "What the he-"

"THWACK!" the pan came smashing into his head once more.

"Listen up, John! This is my idea of our splendid future! You will be spending your days inside a closet, living only to serve me! To please me! To make sure each and every need of mine is filled! If you do as you are told, you may, just may get some food. If not then you can forget it! Now get up out of that bed! Get into that closet and shut the door behind you! I want to sleep now! Understand?"

"Yes, dear."

nt

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 11:01 PM

CapriUni, that is a beautiful story about the silvery cobwebs! Thank you. My grandma used to read The Golden Cobwebs to us out of a book she used as a school "marm." Sara Cone Bryant, author of the book, "How to tell stories to children" said she got it from someone who'd heard it in the "mother tongue" form someone from Germany. This is the first time I've ever heard a different version of it.

When I was a co-leader of Girl Scouts in Connecticut, I read it to them one year. One of them was thrilled to find it, in poem form, in a book at her parochial school. She brought me a copy of it, but I cannot find it, right now. It was well done.

Amergin, are you alright?:-)

kat

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: CapriUni
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 11:51 PM

Kat --

I think I remember glancing through that book How to Tell Stories to Children. I remember it had some good tales, but I was frustrated at how so many of the stories were "softened" for the audience... if we are, in fact, talking about the same book... Maybe I'm thinking of Bag O' Tales.

I love collecting different versions of stories... one of my hobbies.

Was it your voice I heard on the WFDU Traditions Christmas show, reading that story? If so, I enjoyed your reading...

And, Amergin, I have the same question as Kat: Are you all right?

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 12:09 AM

CapriUni, yes, it was me you heard. Thanks!

I don't remember the stories being softened in my grandma's book, which, btw, she gave me when I was 8 yrs old. I bought old 1905 copies of it for my neices and sister this year, for Christmas. Billy Beg and His Bull, The Cat and the Parrot, both of those I remember being rather deliciously horrifying. Bryant listed the stories by age group, but not in any formal way, really. My favourite and that of my children was Raggylug. Then, there were Why the Sea is Salt, Why Morning Glories Climb, The Story of Wylie, Why the Evergreens Keep their Leaves in Winter; wonderful stories all.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: CapriUni
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 12:55 PM

Must be Bag O' Tales I'm remembering, then...

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 06:02 PM

Oh i am alright...she let me out of the closet so I could get back to Oregon.....

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 07 May 02 - 01:28 PM

BooBoo-The Bird Hunter

He sits in the green spring lawn, watching the birds fly in out and of the white birdhouse, made to look exactly like the garage-white walls with wooden siding and dark roofing. A hungry look seeps into his siamese face-black fur floating on a sea of white. He looks around and sees the perfect path....a ladder leaning against the garage...sun weathered to the colour of grey. He lays his fore paws on the bottom rung and commences to carefully climb the steep wooden steps. He gingerly and carefully treads the dark roof of the garage making his way to the birdhouse, where two robins sweetly sing their love to each other chirping away in the nest of commitments...He climbs onto the birdhouse and patiently waits for his supper. He sits there as one of the birds pokes his head out of the door and gazes up into the big black face of BooBoo Kitty. The scarlet coloured bird continues to look into the cat's eyes as a huge hungry sneer spreads across the dark mouth, pointed teeth glistening in the sunlight, blood red tongue sliding across black lips, tasting the anticipation. the bird pops back inside and chirps loudly to his mate, musical notes tinged with panic echo across the lawn. The bird jumps out and flies a few feet away from the bird house screaming at the siamese, screaming that This is my home go away, you do not belong here, leave us alone! The cat stands there heedless of the terrified please for mercy. the bird swoops down at the cat and dances lightly away in the air when the claws come swiping across it's vision. Then he dives at BooBoo again and once more dancing away from the danger of his claws. BooBoo stands there looking at the bird flapping it's wings a few feet away, listening to it's screams and jumps after it. Four legs scramble in the air, clutching at nothing but emptiness as the bird jumps up looking down. Then SLAM! a black and white mass of fur it's the grass and dirt with a soft thud. BooBoo get's up shaking the stars from his vision and looks up at the birdhouse to see two heads poking out chirping their laughter at him. He gets up and gives the birds one last look and walks away...to nurse his beaten pride alone.

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: GUEST
Date: 07 May 02 - 01:53 PM

The Christmas Fiddle

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 07 May 02 - 02:00 PM

When I was running the 'Liar's Bench' in "Messing About in Boats" I found that there are very few new stories. In fact, the only new "folktales" I was able to come up with were ones that actually happened to me. Otherwise, sooner or later I would run across a citation or the ur-story in another source. It go to be downright embarassing after a while and led me to give up on the column for a while.

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 08 May 02 - 02:42 AM

Nathan and the Magic Tuna

Some years ago, I was sailing on the Oil Spill Response Vessel, Clean Pacifc Columbia down the coast of Oregon from Astoria to Coos Bay. We were supposed to follow the stern of the New Carissa out to sea when they towed it off the beach.

Well that first morning after crossing the Columbia River Bar, I was standing on the bow smoking a fag watching the fog roll back from the shoreline, feeling the waves rock us in gentle greeting. Suddenly, a fifty pound tuna jumps from the swelling sea, over the bulwarks...and onto the steel deck. I stood there jaw hanging down to my belly as the fag slowly slipped from my fingers, rolling through the scupper and sizzling out into the saltwater below...

I got down and caught the fish and held it still as best I could hoping that it would give up soon...thinking of the fine supper we would have that night....Then I heard a voice in my ear plead, "Please don't eat me!" I jumped nearly losing grip of the tuna in my shock and I heard it again, "Please do not eat me I will give you anything you want."

I looked down and saw two eyes looking intently at me from a face of scales. I saw the mouth open and close with each syllable emanating from it's depths, "If you let me go you can have anything in the world you desire."

"What could you possibly give to me?" I asked.

"I can give you riches beyond your wildest imagination. It would make the wealth of Ancient Egypt pale by comparison. The most beautiful women in all the world would flock to you and do whatever your heart desired."

"Hmmm....Yeah but if I had so much money I would need an army of accountants just to keep track of it all, a division of lawyers to keep it in my hands, and a security system so powerful it will lock me inside, safe from the greedy hands of the world...whereas I llike being in contact with people, I like going to work and talk with them and laugh with them, I like going to the pub and having a few pints with my mates....as for the women well...I would rather they be with me because of who I am...rather than what I can buy for them. So no...that will not do."

The fish quieted for a moment and spoke once more, "I can give you power beyond your imagination. Presidents and kings would do your bidding peace can reign over the world, you would have the power of life and death over every single person in the world."

"What is the good of that?" I asked, "I do not need or want such power. All I need is the power to rule myself and the collective power of my comrades so that we can get what we deserve, nothing more."

Again the fish was silent, thought creeping into its deep dark eyes then it spoke once more, "I can give you knowledge and wisdom,. The secrets of life would be unlocked for you. God himself would ask for your advice...you would make the wisdom of Solomon seem like a child's fancy."

"Now why would I want that? I responded, "Seems to me life would be rather boring if I knew everything...and the reasons for everything...there would be no need to live...for I would already know everything...instead of learn by experience, which although may be harder....but it is alot more worthwhile."

Exasperated the fish asked, "Is there anything you want at all?"

"Yes, food." And I must admit that was the best damn tuna I ever had the pleasure of eating.

nt

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 08 May 02 - 09:51 PM

should tell you...the last two stories are true...

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amergin
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 11:06 PM

bumping this up for old aine

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 07:30 PM

Thanks to Max and Mudcat, "Grendel & the Cream Separator" has been published in NOSTALGIA MAGAZINE, January, 2004, p. 15, and I am $10 wealthier. Of course, I originally mispelled "Grendel."

They have great graphics of De Laval cream separators, operated by scantily clad milk maids.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: CapriUni
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 07:24 PM

Seeing this thread recently refreshed reminds me -- how is our Gaelic Goddess lately? I miss her pressence around here...

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 08:03 PM

She's just fine as of last I heard, a few days ago; she has had computer transfer problems and has been up to her ears discovering new music and learning the Mandolin! She keeps promising to return to her old stompin' grounds, and she did start a thread the other day over here.

A

Subject: RE: Additions To Mudcat Storytellers' Page
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 16 Jan 04 - 03:19 PM

Refresh