How Ian Direach got the Blue Falcon facts for kids
"How Ian Direach got the Blue Falcon" is a Scottish fairy tale. It was collected by John Francis Campbell in his book Popular Tales of the West Highlands. Campbell heard the story from a quarryman named Angus Campbell in Knockderry, Roseneath.
Andrew Lang also included this tale in The Orange Fairy Book.
Contents
The Story of Ian and the Blue Falcon
Once upon a time, there was a king and a queen who had a son named Ian. When Ian was almost a grown man, his mother passed away. His father then married a new queen.
One day, Ian went hunting. He saw a beautiful blue falcon and shot at it, knocking off one of its feathers. When he returned home, his stepmother was very angry. She put a magical curse on him. She said he would not rest until he found her the blue falcon.
Ian was upset, so he put a curse on his stepmother too. He said she would have to stand with one foot on the great hall and the other on the castle. She would always face the wind until he returned. Then, Ian left on his quest.
Meeting Gille Mairtean the Fox
As Ian traveled, he met a clever fox named Gille Mairtean. The fox knew many secrets. Gille Mairtean told Ian that the blue falcon was kept by a powerful Giant of the Five Heads. This giant lived far away.
The fox gave Ian some important advice. He told Ian to offer his services to the giant, taking care of his animals. Gille Mairtean said it was most important to be kind to the birds. If Ian did this, the giant would eventually trust him with the blue falcon.
Ian could then try to steal the falcon. But there was a strict rule: none of the falcon's feathers could touch anything inside the giant's house.
The Quest for the Blue Falcon
Ian followed the fox's advice. He worked for the giant and was very kind to all the birds. Soon, the giant trusted him completely. He finally let Ian take care of the blue falcon.
One day, Ian decided to steal the falcon. He carefully carried it towards the door. But as he passed the doorpost, the falcon suddenly started. One of its feathers brushed against the post. The falcon shrieked loudly, and the giant quickly returned.
The giant was not too angry. He told Ian he could have the blue falcon, but only if he brought him the White Sword of Light. This magical sword belonged to the Big Women of Dhiurradh.
Seeking the White Sword of Light
Gille Mairtean helped Ian again. The clever fox turned himself into a boat! He carried Ian across the water to the island of Dhiurradh.
The fox told Ian to seek work there, polishing gold and silver. This job would allow him to get close to the sword. When the time was right, Ian could try to steal it. But just like with the falcon, there was a rule: the sword's sheath must not touch anything inside the house.
Ian succeeded in getting the sword. But as he was leaving, the very tip of the sheath touched the doorpost. The sword shrieked, and the Big Women appeared.
They told Ian he could have the sword. But first, he had to bring them the bay colt (a young horse) of the King of Erin.
Finding the Bay Colt
Gille Mairtean once again turned into a boat. He carried Ian to the castle of the King of Erin. Ian found work in the stable, taking care of the horses. He waited for his chance to steal the bay colt.
When the moment came, Ian led the colt out. But as they left, the colt swished its tail. The tail brushed against the door. The king heard the noise and came out.
The king told Ian he could have the colt. But first, Ian had to bring him the daughter of the King of the Franks.
Winning the Princess
Gille Mairtean transformed into a boat one more time. He carried Ian all the way to France. The fox-boat cleverly ran himself into a crack in a rock. Ian went to the castle and told everyone he had been shipwrecked.
The royal court came down to the shore to see the strange boat. Suddenly, beautiful music began to play from inside the boat. The princess was enchanted. She said she simply had to see the harp that played such wonderful music.
Ian and Gille Mairtean used this chance. As the princess came closer, they quickly carried her off! The princess was very angry at first. But Ian explained why he needed to take her. He told her about his long quest. After hearing his story, the princess decided she would rather marry him.
The Return Journey
Ian and the princess returned to the King of Erin. Gille Mairtean had a clever plan. He turned himself into a beautiful woman. Ian presented Gille Mairtean (disguised as the princess) to the king.
After Ian received the bay colt, Gille Mairtean bit the king, making him unconscious. The fox then escaped, and they continued their journey.
Next, they returned to the Big Women of Dhiurradh. Gille Mairtean turned himself into a bay colt. After Ian received the White Sword of Light, Gille Mairtean threw the sword at all the Big Women, defeating them.
Finally, they returned to the Giant of the Five Heads. Gille Mairtean turned himself into a sword. Once Ian had received the blue falcon, Gille Mairtean, as the sword, helped Ian defeat the giant.
Home at Last
Gille Mairtean gave Ian one last important warning. He told Ian exactly how to carry the falcon, sword, and colt back to his castle. This was to prevent his stepmother from turning him into a bundle of sticks with her magic.
Ian carefully obeyed the fox's instructions. When he arrived home, his stepmother's curse backfired! She herself was turned into a bundle of sticks. So, Ian burned the sticks.
Ian then married the princess he had brought back. He and Gille Mairtean the fox remained the best of friends forever after.
