The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts

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Brown Abbie Farwell. The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts

SAINT BRIDGET AND THE KING'S WOLF

SAINT GERASIMUS AND THE LION

I

II

SAINT KENETH OF THE GULLS

SAINT LAUNOMAR'S COW

SAINT WERBURGH & HER GOOSE

I

II

THE BALLAD OF SAINT ATHRACTA'S STAGS

SAINT KENTIGERN & THE ROBIN

SAINT BLAISE AND HIS BEASTS

SAINT CUTHBERT'S PEACE

THE BALLAD OF SAINT FELIX

SAINT FRONTO'S CAMELS

THE BLIND SINGER, SAINT HERVÉ

I

II

III

IV

SAINT COMGALL AND THE MICE

THE WONDERS OF SAINT BERACH

SAINT PRISCA, THE CHILD MARTYR

THE FISH WHO HELPED SAINT GUDWALL

THE BALLAD OF SAINT GILES AND THE DEER

THE WOLF-MOTHER OF SAINT AILBE

SAINT RIGOBERT'S DINNER

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

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This is how it happened. The King of Ireland had a tame wolf which some hunters had caught for him when it was a wee baby. And this wolf ran around as it pleased in the King's park near the palace, and had a very good time. But one morning he got over the high wall which surrounded the park, and strayed a long distance from home, which was a foolish thing to do. For in those days wild wolves were hated and feared by the people, whose cattle they often stole; and if a man could kill a wicked wolf he thought himself a very smart fellow indeed. Moreover, the King himself had offered a prize to any man who should bring him a dead wolf. For he wanted his kingdom to be a peaceful, happy one, where the children could play in the woods all day without fear of big eyes or big teeth.

Of course you can guess what happened to the King's wolf? A big, silly country fellow was going along with his bow and arrows, when he saw a great brown beast leap over a hedge and dash into the meadow beyond. It was only the King's wolf running away from home and feeling very frisky because it was the first time that he had done such a thing. But the country fellow did not know all that.

.....

Then Bridget held out her hand and called to him; and the great white beast followed her quietly through the gate and up the stair and down the long hall, until they stood before the red-velvet throne, where the King sat looking stern and sulky.

They must have been a strange-looking pair, the little maiden in her green gown with her golden hair falling like a shower down to her knees; and the huge white wolf standing up almost as tall as she, his yellow eyes glaring fiercely about, and his red tongue panting. Bridget laid her hand gently on the beast's head which was close to her shoulder, and bowed to the King. The King only sat and stared, he was so surprised at the sight; but Bridget took that as a permission to speak.

.....