Stories
& Legends of Ireland
for
Children
The
Stolen Treasures, part 3
Sinéad
Bean Uí DeValera
"Well now, girls, listen carefully to my instructions and them.
You, Roisin, are the eldest and must take the treasure owned by the
eldest son. It is a picture of his parents. Shortly after nightfall
on the third night of the new moon, the witch comes out and walks round
to the back of her house. She leaves the door open. Now, when darkness
comes on go towards the house Hide behind the thick bushes which grow
at a little distance in front of it. When the witch turns round to the
side rush in and take the picture, she keeps it among other stolen articles
on planks opposite her bed. They are to her a source of triumph. You
will have plenty of light for she keeps the fire burning through day
and night."
Roisin
found the next day very long. She waited till nightfall and then went
towards the witch's dwelling. She hid behind the bushes. After a while
the witch came out and went round to the back of the house. Roisin rushed
into the house. By the light of the fire she was able to see all the
stolen things. She took the picture and hurried away.
She had
scarcely left the house when the witch appeared. She saw the flying
figure and immediately gave chase after it. Though she was old she was
very fleet of foot. Roisin heard her footsteps coming nearer and nearer
but she managed to reach the river just in time. The witch could not
cross the running water. In rage and disappointment she returned to
her den.
There was much rejoicing at the return of the picture. Roisin and Sean
became great friends. Maire was delighted with the result of the adventure.
"Now, Emer," she said, "will you undertake the task of
restoring the second treasure?"
"Certainly, I will," was the quick reply. "You, Emer,
have a lovely singing voice. The witch loves music. She can never resist
listening to it. Wait till nightfall. Then go close to the door of the
witch's den. Sing some of your sweetest melodies. She will ask you to
go into the house and sing more. Begin by singing some funny, rollicking
tunes, then one or two sad airs and lastly the fairy lullaby."
Emer, like her sister, found the next day very long. She welcomed the
approach of darkness and went to the witch's den. She stood near the
door and began to sing some lovely airs. Very soon the witch came out
and asked her to go into the house and sing more. The witch seated herself
in an old rocking chair and motioned to Emer to sit on the only other
seat in the house, a rather rickety stool.
"Now
please begin to sing," she said. Emer began by singing some lively
airs with funny words. The witch laughed in delight. Then Emer turned
to some rollicking dance tunes. The witch rocked to and fro to keep
time with the music. Gently and slowly Emer began a sweet old Irish
lullaby. Gradually the witch began to nod. In a little while she had
closed her eyes and was in a peaceful sleep.
Emer seized
the harp and hurried from the hut. Congratulations on the success of
her adventure greeted her on all sides. Some pleasant hours passed as
she sang and Aindreas accompanied her on the harp.
When the time came for the restoration of the last treasure Brian became
greatly alarmed. He and Ita had become great friends.
"Oh! Ita", he said, "I fear there is much danger in attempting
a third visit to the witch's house."
"Now, Brian, why should I not be as brave and daring as my sisters
have been? I am sure everything will be as well with me as it was with
them."
Though Ita spoke in that manner she was very anxious as to the way she
could obtain an entrance to the witch's den. She consulted Maire, the
old nurse. "'Now, listen, my dear," said Maire. "I have
a key which will open any lock. Be very careful not to lose it as it
is precious. Now, since your sisters have regained two treasures the
witch is particularly careful to guard all her other possessions. Wait
till after midnight when the witch is asleep, open the door with this
key. Take the chain and run."
Ita followed all Maire's directions. She reached the witch's den at
midnight and she had no difficulty in opening the door. The fire was
blazing and he quite easily found the chain, but, just as she was leaving
the hut the chain rattled. Even that slight noise wakened the witch.
She jumped from her bed and rushed after Ita, closer and closer she
came towards her. Just as both reached the bridge the witch stumbled
over a large stone and fell headlong into the water. There had been
heavy rain and storm during the day. The swollen river rushed on and
bore her body far out to sea.
Not long
after all these stirring events there were three weddings and all concerned
lived happily ever after. As the old storytellers say:
"They had children in basketfuls
Rocked them in cradlefuls
And if they lived happily ever after
That you and I may."
