English Fairy Tales - Penn State University

Joseph JacobsXXXIX. ASS, TABLE AND STICK.Source.—Henderson, l.c., first edition, pp. 327-9, by the Rev.S. Baring-Gould.bolt; the rains pour down, the earth receives them, and iscovered with abundance—all that was lost is recovered.”Mr. Baring-Gould, it is well-known, has since become adistinguished writer of fiction.Parallels.—Mr. Baring-Gould gives another version from theEast Riding, l.c., 329, in which there are three brothers whogo through the adventures. He also refers to European Variants,p. 311, which could now be largely supplemented fromCosquin, i. 53-4, ii. 66, 171.Remarks.—As an example of the sun-myth explanation offolk-tales I will quote the same authority (p. 314): “TheMaster, who gives the three precious gifts, is the All Father,the Supreme Spirit. The gold and jewel-dropping ass, is thespring cloud, hanging in the sky and shedding the brightproductive vernal showers. The table which covers itself isthe earth becoming covered with flowers and fruit at thebidding of the New Year. But there is a check; rain is withheld,the process of vegetation is stayed by some evil influence.Then comes the thunder-cloud, out of which leaps theXL. FAIRAIRY OINTMENT.Source.—Mrs. Bray, The Tamar and the Tavy, i. 174 (lettersto Southey), as quoted by Mr. Hartland in Folk-Lore, i. 207-8. I have christened the anonymous midwife and euphemisedher profession.Parallels.—Mr. Hartland has studied Human Midwives inthe Archaeol. Review, iv., and parallels to our story in Folk-Lore, i. 209, seq.; the most interesting of these is from Gervaseof Tilbury (xiii. cent.), Otia Imper., iii. 85, and three Bretontales given by M. Sebillot (Contes, ii. 42; Litt. orale, 23; Trad.et Superst., i. 109). Cf. Prof. Child, i. 339; ii. 505.167