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1. The Laughing Knights' Island Folktale (continued)

   

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   and blood, thirsty all your life, for I'm the witche's queen. ''
   So by the catching of the wild horse you have broken her spell and now I'll place your crown on your head for you earned it well and now Jack there is one more great work I want you to do, and if you can do that all my ugliness will disappear.''
   '' Troth and if it can be done I'll do it, for it put a bad taste in my mouth looking at you, and if I can make you natural looking I'll be very glad to do it.
   '' What is the job ? '' I want you to go over to the Laughing Knight's Island, and ask him what is the reason he did not laugh this seven years. ''
   '' By this and by that but that is a simple thing. '' says Jack.
   '' Oh its not as simple as you think, the Laughing Knight is a great man, and very cross and cruel if you vex him. ''
   '' Begorra '' says Jack, I'm not going to vex him if I can help it, but how am I to get there? ''
   '' I'll give you the best horse in
   my stable. ''
   '' Oh no, you will not, but you'll give me the worst one , some old nag that's no use. ''
   Very well Jack your way and not mine for you are great. ''
   So next day Jack picked out an old nag that could carry him and no more. Jack started on his old nag, and travelled till he came to the sea-

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Informant

   B. O Grady

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan