Elderberry Tales

The Maiden and the Boy Who Vanished

A nobleman's son disappears just days before his 12th birthday. Years later, a room in the nobleman's house seems to be haunted. Can anyone solve the mystery of the haunted room, and bring the nobleman's son back to his family?

Note: Even though there is a haunted room in this story, it's not a ghost story. It's a fairy tale, and I don't think it's scary.

Based on the story "The Lost Child" from Folk Lore from Foreign Lands by Catherine T. Bryce. Adapted by Elaine Lindy for Stories to Grow By. 
Image by Gaertringen from Pixabay 

Boots and his Brothers

The King has two problems: there is a giant tree blocking all the light to his castle, and his castle has no fresh well water to drink. Many have tried to solve these problems, and failed. Will Boots and his brothers fare any differently from the rest?

"Boots and His Brothers" is based on a story of the same name from A Collection of Popular Tales from the Norse and North German by George Webbe Dasent (London, 1907)
Adapted by Elaine Lindy for Stories to Grow By

Image by jplenio from Pixabay

Yuuki and the Tsunami

Yuuki is high up on the mountain when he feels the earthquake, and remembers what his grandfather has taught him. He knows he needs to warn the people in the village that a tsunami might come, but will he be able to get them to safety in time?

Story from "A Living God" from the book Gleanings in Buddha-Fields: Studies of Hand and Soul in the Fair East, by Lafcadio Hearn
Adapted by Elaine Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By

Weighing the Elephant

The Emperor of China has a problem on his hands... how do you weigh an elephant? From an unexpected source comes a surprisingly simple solution!

Traditional Chinese folktale, adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website "Stories to Grow By". 

Image by Orla

The Elf House

When Charlotte leaves her new mushroom incense burner in the back yard, it's discovered by someone unexpected... who finds an entirely new way to use the little mushroom!

If you'd like to try building a fairy house yourself, you can find some inspiration here: https://childhoodbynature.com/fashion-a-fairy-house/

And here's my all-time favorite recipe for homemade playdough, a.k.a. "forest putty": https://tinkergarten.com/activities/forest-putty

Thanks to Charlotte Thistle and her daughter Ella for sending this wonderful story to share with us!

Image by Enrique Meseguer from Pixabay 

BONUS EPISODE: Interview with William Sterr, "Grandpa Bill"

William Sterr, author of the "My Mom, Detective!" series, discusses his writing process and what to expect next from the adventures of Armando, Desmond, and their parents. 

My Mom, Detective: Desmond and the Moles, Part 3

In the thrilling conclusion to Desmond and the Moles, Armando and Mom return to the blueberry farm to uncover the mystery of Desmond's strange behavior. All will be revealed!

Check back here later this week for a special BONUS episode, an interview with William Sterr - the author of the My Mom, Detective! series and the real-life Grandpa Bill!

My Mom, Detective: Desmond and the Moles, Part 2

After Armando and Desmond make it home from the blueberry farm, Armando finds his sleep troubled by disturbing dreams. And Desmond just isn't his normal self. What could be happening with these two brothers? 

Come back next week for Part 3, where all will be revealed!

Story by William Sterr

My Mom, Detective: Desmond and the Moles, Part 1

Left alone at a blueberry farm, Armando and Desmond decide to play in the "forbidden" section of the field - and uncover a mystery!

This is part 1 of a three-part series. Check back next week for part 2!

Story by William "Grandpa Bill" Sterr
Picture from Pixabay

The Twelve Months

Marushka is often treated unfairly by her step-sister and step-mother. But things take a turn when her step-sister starts making impossible requests - like a bouquet of violets in January?! How could Marushka possibly fulfill Holena's demands?

This Czech fairytale is sourced from The Shoemaker’s Apron: A Second Book of Czechoslovak Folk Tales by Parker Fillmore, though the story can be traced back at least as far as the 14th century writer mistr Klaret/Bartoloměj z Chlumce.