Taran Wanderer facts for kids
The first edition
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| Author | Lloyd Alexander |
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| Cover artist | Evaline Ness |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Chronicles of Prydain |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Published | August 24, 1967 (Holt, Rinehart and Winston) |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
| Pages | 222 (first edition) |
| ISBN | 0-8050-1113-7 (first edition, hard) |
| OCLC | 244128642 |
| LC Class | PZ7.A3774 Tar |
| Preceded by | The Castle of Llyr |
| Followed by | The High King |
Taran Wanderer (1967) is a high fantasy novel. It was written by American author Lloyd Alexander. This book is the fourth of five stories in The Chronicles of Prydain series. The series follows a young hero named Taran. He is an Assistant Pig-Keeper who is growing up. Taran helps fight against the evil forces of Arawn Death-Lord.
In this story, Taran goes on a long journey. He travels with his loyal friend, Gurgi. Taran wants to find out if he comes from a noble family or a common one. He travels far to the eastern parts of Prydain. This is far from Arawn's lands and the High King's home. Along his journey, Taran meets many different people. He learns new skills and crafts. He also faces some tough challenges. The author said that Taran learns to become a man. He learns to use his own strengths to shape his life.
Contents
About the Story's Beginnings
The Prydain series was inspired by Welsh mythology. The author, Lloyd Alexander, visited Wales. He saw its castles, beautiful scenery, and heard its language. This happened when he was in the army during World War II. He was training in military intelligence.
Many names in Prydain come from history or myths. Some ideas in Taran Wanderer are also from Welsh stories. For example, "Morda's life secret" and the three old women. These women are like the Norns or Moirae from other myths.
Originally, the series was going to end with a fourth book. It was called The High King of Prydain. But the editor felt something was missing. They thought there needed to be a story between the third and fourth books. So, Taran Wanderer was written quickly. It was written just one month after The Castle of Llyr came out.
Taran's Big Journey
Searching for His Family
Taran and Gurgi have returned to Caer Dallben. Taran has left Princess Eilonwy at Dinas Rhydnant. She is there to learn how to be a princess. Taran realizes he loves Eilonwy. He has proven himself to be a brave man. But he feels restless. He wants to know who his parents are. He hopes that if he is from a noble family, he can marry Eilonwy.
Dallben the enchanter does not tell Taran about his family. But he lets Taran and Gurgi travel alone. They go to the Marshes of Morva first. They want to ask the witches Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch for answers. Taran has nothing valuable to offer them. So, Orddu tells him about another way. She says the Mirror of Llunet will show him who he is. This mirror is in the far eastern Llawgadarn Mountains.
Meeting New Friends and Challenges
Taran and Gurgi head to Cantrev Cadiffor. They plan to get supplies from King Smoit. Lord Goryon's guards steal Taran's horse, Melynlas. They also take Gurgi's pony. Taran and Gurgi stay with a kind farm couple, Aeddan and Alarca. They have lost their son and farm animals. Taran is invited to stay, but he politely leaves. He now has new respect for farmers.
Taran and Gurgi get their animals back at Goryon's fort. Melynlas will not let anyone else ride him. Goryon is happy to be rid of the horse. At Lord Gast's nearby home, they meet their old friend Fflewddur Fflam. He is now traveling as a bard. Together, they go to Caer Cadarn. King Smoit welcomes them there.
Goryon and Gast have been fighting for years. Their fight is over their cattle. Especially over a special cow named Cornillo. Their argument starts again the next day. Cornillo and all their cattle run away. Taran helps them get the herd back. He then convinces King Smoit to settle the fight wisely. The two lords must replant Aeddan's fields. Their feud had ruined the fields. Cornillo is given to Aeddan as more payment. The lords will get her future calves. King Smoit is a widower with no children. He later offers to adopt Taran. He wants Taran to be his son and future King of Cadiffor. Taran says no for now. But he says he will accept if he finds out he is noble.
Facing a Dark Wizard
Continuing east, they cross the Ystrad river. Taran's pet crow, Kaw, finds a polished bone. It is the size of a toothpick. Kaw had hidden it high in a tree. Fflewddur's giant cat, Llyan, brings a green and yellow frog. This frog is actually their old friend Doli the dwarf. Doli was changed into a frog. He was investigating a danger to the Fair Folk. A human wizard named Morda can enchant them. He can also raid their underground homes.
Taran, Gurgi, and Fflewddur go to Morda's home. They are all captured. Morda starts to brag to them. He explains that years ago, Angharad came to him. She was searching for her kidnapped daughter, Eilonwy. Morda left her to die. He found an amulet among her things. It was a gift from the Fair Folk. This amulet became his main source of power. He also found an empty book. He gave it to Glew when Glew wanted to be a sorcerer.
Morda turns Fflewddur into a hare. He turns Gurgi into a mouse. But he cannot change Taran. Taran figures out that the bone splinter is Morda's little finger. Morda put his life force into it to become immortal. He then cut it off to keep it safe. Taran realizes Morda cannot hurt him while he has the bone. Taran and Morda struggle over the bone. Morda accidentally breaks it. This causes his own death. The spell that changed his friends ends. Taran takes Angharad's amulet. He gives it to Doli to keep safe. Before they leave, Doli tells Taran about Eilonwy's horn. Taran found it in the ruins of Caer Colur. Doli says it is magical. Taran can use it to call the Fair Folk for help one time.
A Shepherd's Secret
Taran, Gurgi, and Fflewddur camp with Dorath and his group. Dorath is a rough character. His group thinks Taran is looking for treasure. They offer to guide him to Llunet. But they want a share of the treasure. The next morning, Taran's group tries to leave quietly. Dorath stops them. He challenges Taran to a fight. Dorath cheats and takes Taran's sword. Then he leaves.
An old shepherd named Craddoc welcomes the friends. Craddoc has a run-down farm. Taran tells him about his quest. Craddoc then says that Taran is his son. Fflewddur leaves. But Taran and Gurgi stay and work with Craddoc. Taran and Craddoc grow close. But Taran also feels sad. His dream of being noble seems over. The next winter, Craddoc falls badly down a mountain gorge. Taran cannot save him. As Craddoc is dying, he reveals a secret. He only pretended to be Taran's father. He wanted a son. The gorge and bad weather also threaten Taran. He finally uses the horn to call the Fair Folk. They are only able to save Taran and Gurgi.
Learning New Skills
After burying Craddoc, Taran and Gurgi continue east. They cross Little Avren to the Free Commots. They stay for a while with Llonio and his family. Llonio is a lucky man. Next, Taran helps and learns from three great craft masters. He learns from Hevydd the smith. He also learns from Dwyvach the weaver. And he learns from Annlaw the potter. He learns enough to be an assistant to any of them. He gets a new sword, a new cloak, and a new bowl. But he still feels like something is missing.
While taking Annlaw's goods to Commot Isav, Taran helps the poor farmers. He leads them against a raid by Dorath. Taran's group defeats half of Dorath's men. No farmers are hurt.
The Mirror of Llunet
When Taran returns, Annlaw tells him how to find the Mirror of Llunet. Annlaw knows about it but has never visited it. After a short trip, Taran and Gurgi find the Mirror. It is a pool of water at the mouth of a cave. The cave is beyond the Lake of Llunet. Taran looks into the mirror. But Dorath interrupts him. He dirties the pool. Dorath and Taran fight with swords. Taran's old sword breaks on his new one. Dorath runs away. Taran does not chase him.
Taran returns to Annlaw. He tells Annlaw that the Mirror only showed his own reflection. He does not feel tricked by Orddu. He realizes he has seen what he has become. He is strong because of his hard work. He has learned so much on his journey. With new confidence, he and Gurgi head back to Caer Dallben.
