Season 2. Episode 10. Fairy Tale Time! A reading of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" with special guest Katherine Talian

This podcast episode is another fairy tale special. Today we're going to tell the story of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. I've enlisted the help of my daughter, because this story was one that we love together. And especially remember, the beautiful artwork and just the sweep of the story. It's a very grand story with a lot of distance covered by the main character. So what is the story of East of the Sun and West of the Moon, East of the Sun and West of the Moon is Norwegian. And it's a fairy tale. It was included by Andrew Lang in the Blue Fairy book in 1890. The moral of East of the Sun or West of the Moon, is that you can leave your home and be homesick. But you make tough choices that are nonetheless right for your life. I think we were so enchanted by this tale. Because this young woman goes all over the world. It's just a very cool tale about a journey that she has to take. So I'm happy to share this with you. And I'm really glad that Katherine agreed to do it with me, even though she's doing it from Australia where she lives. And I'm doing it from the United States. But it sure sounds like we're in the same room. And that's the fun of the internet. So enjoy. Hello, and welcome to the story of human. I'm here today with a very special guest. My daughter Katherine Talian, and I can't believe it but she's 12,000 miles away. It sounds like you're next door Katherine. Yes. I'm glad to be back. Am I your first returning guest on the podcast? Yes, you are actually. Yes. Isn't that cool? Feeling pretty honored. Anyway, I've asked you to come here today to continue my my fairy tale ventures because the fairy tale we want to read today's one you and I really loved East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Do you remember the the book we had with the beautiful art? Yeah, I remember reading it with you as a kid and how pretty the art was. I remember loving how they drew the the wind, like the actual wind characters. And how grotesque the villains of the story are no spoilers. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I remember that too. Very grotesque, like a lot of fairy tales. There's some, you know, grim and gross details if they're just very rough. But I'm just sort of fascinated with how the tale is told. And in the end, everything works out, which I love. It's interesting, because it's almost like, we were talking before about how it's very much about instructions and like, following instructions, but it's almost structured like a poem, you can kind of tell that it came from an oral tradition, because it's got that, you know, the three the rule of threes, do this thing to this thing. I mean, you guys will see as we're telling the story, right? It's also just, I think it really works to fire your imagination because there is this beautiful the thing I can't stop thinking about is how this beautiful bear comes. And she rides off on the bear. I don't want to give away too much. But it's there's that's just another it takes you to another realm, you know? Yeah. Reminded me of The Golden Compass. Exactly. That image picture and I think he might have gotten that from this, you know, this is older than that. So. Okay, anything else that you want to say about it? Um, no, no, I don't want to talk too much about the content of the story before we actually read it. So. Alright, so without further ado, we will start the beautiful story from Norway called East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Once upon a time, there was a poor husband man who had so many children that he hadn't much of either food or clothing to give them pretty children. They all were. But the prettiest was the youngest daughter who was so lovely. There was no end to her loveliness. So one day, it was on a Thursday evening, late in the fall of the year. The weather was so wild and rough outside and it was so cool. The dark and rain fell and wind blew to the walls of the cottage shook again. There they all say had around the fire, busy with this thing and that, but just then, all at once something gave three taps on the window pane. Then the father went out to see what was the matter. And when he got out of the door, what should he see? But a great big white bear. Good evening to you said the White Bear. The same to you said the man. Will you give me your youngest daughter, if you will, I'll make you as rich as you are now poor set the bear? Well, the man would not be at all sorry to be so rich. But still, he thought he must have a bit of a talk with his daughter first. So he went in and told them how there was a great white bear waiting outside, who had given his word to make them so rich. If only he could have the youngest daughter. The last he said no, outright, nothing could get her to say anything else. So the man went out and settled it with the white bear, that he should come again the next Thursday evening, and get an answer. Meantime, he talked his daughter over and kept on telling her of all the riches they would get, and how well off she would be herself. And so at last she thought better of it, and washed and mended her rags, made herself as smart as she could, and was ready to start. I can't say her packing gave her much trouble. Next Thursday evening came the white bear to fetch her, and she got upon his back with her bundle, and off they went. So when they had gone a bit of a way, the White Bear said, Are you afraid? No, she wasn't. Well, mind and hold tight by my shaggy coat. And then there is nothing to fear, said the bear. So she wrote a long, long way to they came to a great steep hill. There on the face of it. The white bear gave a knock, and the door opened, and they came into a castle, where there were many rooms all lit up, rooms gleaming with silver and gold. And their two was a table ready laid, and it was all as grand as grand could be. Then the white bear gave her a silver bell. And when she wanted anything, she was only to bring it and she would get it at once. Well, after she had eaten and drunk, and evening were on, she got sleepy after her journey, and thought she would like to go to bed. So she rang the bell, and she had scarce taken hold of it. Before she came into a chamber where there was a bed made as fair and white as anyone would wish to sleep in with silken pillows and curtains and gold fringe. All that was in the room was gold or silver. But when she had gone to bed and put out the light, a man came and laid himself alongside her. That was the white bear, who threw off his beast shape at night. But she never saw him, for he always came after she had put up light. And before the day dawned, he was up and off again. So things went on happily for a while. But at last she began to get silent and sorrowful. For there she went about all day alone. And she longed to go home and see her father and mother, and brothers and sisters. So one day, when the white bear asked what it was that she lacked, she said it was so dull and lonely there, and how she longed to go home to see her father and mother and brothers and sisters. And that was why she was so sad and sorrowful because she could not get to. Well, well said the bear. Perhaps there's a cure for all this. You must promise me one thing not to talk alone with your mother, not only when the rest are by to hear for she'll take you by the hand and try to lead you into a room alone to talk. But you must mind and not do that. ALC will bring bad luck on both of us. So one Sunday, the white bear came and said, now they could set off to see her father and mother. well off, they started. She's sitting on his back. And they went far and long. That lasts they came to a grand house. And there her brothers and sisters were running about out of doors at play. And everything was so pretty was a joy to see. This is where your father and mother live now, said the White Bear. But don't forget what I told you else you'll make us both unlucky. No, bless her she'd not forget. And when she had reached the house, the White Bear turned right about and left her. Then when she went in to see her father and mother, there was such joy. There was no end to it. None of them thought they could thank her enough for all she had done for them. Now they had everything they wished as good as good could be and they all wanted to know how she got on where she lived. Well, she said it was very good to live where she did. She had all she wished. What she said beside I don't know, but I don't think any of them had the right end of the stick, or that they got much out of her. But so in the afternoon after they had done dinner, all happened as the white bear had said, her mother wanted to talk with her alone in her bedroom, but she minded what the white bear had said, and wouldn't go upstairs. Oh, what we'll have to talk about will keep she said, and put her mother off. But somehow or other, her mother got round her at last. And she had to tell her the whole story. So she said how every night when she had gone to bed, a man came and lay down beside her, as soon as she had put out the light, and how she never saw him, because he was always up and away before the morning dawn, and how she went about woeful and sorrowing, for she thought she should so like to see him, and how all day long, she walked about there alone, and how dull and dreary and lonesome. It was my said her mother, it may well be a troll you slept with. But now I'll teach you a lesson how to set eyes on him. I'll give you a bit of candle, which you can carry home in your bosom. Just like that while he is asleep. But take care not to drop the tallow on him. Yes, she took the candle and hid it in her bosom. And as the night drew on, the white bear came and fetched her away. But when they had gone a bit of the way, the white bear asked if all hadn't happened, as he had said, Well, she couldn't say it hadn't. Now mind, said he, if you have listened to your mother's advice, you have brought bad luck on us both. And then all that has passed between us will be as nothing. No, she said she hadn't listened to her mother's advice. So when she reached home and had gone to bed, it was the old story over again. There came a man and lay down beside her. But a dead of night, when she heard he slept, she got up and struck a light, lit the candle and let the light shine on him. And so she saw that he was the loveliest Prince one ever set eyes on. And she felt so deep in love with him on the spot that she thought she couldn't live if she didn't give him a kiss then in there, and so she did. And as she kissed him, she dropped three hot drops of tallow on his shirt, and he woke up. What have you done? He cried. Now you've made us both unlucky for had you held out only this one year, I had been freed, for I have a stepmother who has bewitched me so that I am a white bear by day and a man by night. But now all ties are snapped between us. Now I must set you off from you to her. She lives in a castle, which stands East of the Sun and West of the Moon. And there too, is a princess with a nose three L's long, and she is the wife feminists have now she wept and took it ill, but there was no help for it. Go He must. Then she asked if she might need to go with him. Now, she might tell me the way then she said, and I'll search you out that surely I make it leave to do? Yes, she might do that, he said. But there was no way to that place it like East of the Sun and West of the Moon. And further she'd never find her way. So next morning when she woke up, both Prince and Castle were gone. And then she lay on a little green patch in the midst of a gloomy dark wood, and by her side lay the same bundle of rags she had brought with her from her old house. So when she had rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and wept all and wept till she was tired. She set out on her way and walked many many days till she came to a lofty crag. Under it said an old hag, and played with a gold apple which she tossed about. Here the Lassie asked if she knew the way to the prince, who lived with his stepmother in the castle that lay East of the Sun and West of the Moon. And who was to marry the princess with a nose three L's long. How did you come to know about him as the old hag? But maybe you are the lessee who ought to have had him? Yes, she was so so it's you? Is it? So the old hag? Well, all I know about him is that he lives in the castle that lives East of the Sun and West of the Moon and SideReel come late or never but still, you may have the loan of my horse and on him, you can ride to my next neighbor. Maybe she'll be able to tell you and when you get there, just give the horse a switch under the left ear and beg him to be off home and stay this gold apple you may take with you. So she got upon the horse and rode along on long time, till she came to another crag, under which set another old hag with a gold carding comb. Here the last he asked if she knew the weight of the castle that like East of the Sun, and West of the Moon, and she answered like the first old hag, that she knew nothing about it, except it was East of the Sun and West of the Moon. And either you'll come late or never, but you shall have the loan of my horse to my next neighbor. Maybe she'll tell you all about it. And when you get there, just switch the horse under the left ear and beg him to be off home. And this old hag gave her the golden carding comb. It might be she'd find some use for it, she said, so the last week, got up on the horse, and rode a far far away. So at last she came to another great Greg onderwijs, set another old egg spinning with a Golden Spinning Wheel. Her too, she asked if she knew the weight of the prints, and where the castle was that like East of the Sun and West of the Moon. So it was the same thing over again. Maybe it's you who ought to have had that prints of the old tag? Yes, it was. But she too, didn't know the way a bit better than the other two. East of the Sun and West of the Moon. It was she knew that was all. And theory you'll come late or never, but I'll lend you my horse. And then I think you'd best ride to the east wind and ask him, maybe he knows those parts and can blow you thither. But when you get to him, you need only give the horses swept under the left ear. He'll trot himself home. And so to she gave her the Golden Spinning Wheel, maybe you'll find a use for it. So the old hag on she rode many, many days, a weary time before she got to the east winds house. But at last she did reach it. And then she asked for the east wind, if you could tell her the way to the prince who dwelt East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Yes, the east wind had often her television, the prince in the castle, but he couldn't tell the way for he had never blown so far. But if you will, I'll go with you to my brother, the west wind. Maybe he knows for his much stronger. So if you can just get on my back. I'll carry you through there. Yes, she got on his back. And I should think they went briskly along. So when they got there, they went into the west winds house. And the east wind said to the Lassie he had brought was the one who ought to have had the prince who lived in the castle East of the Sun and West of the Moon. And so she set out to seek him and how he had come with her, and would be glad to know if the west wind knew how to get to the castle. They said the west wind. So far I've never blown. But if you will. I'll go with you to our brother the south wind, for He's much stronger than either of us. He has flapped his wings far and wide. Maybe he'll tell you, you can get on my back and I'll carry you to him. Yes, she got on his back. And so they traveled to the south wind, and weren't so very long on the way I should think. When they got there, the West Wind asked him if he could tell her the way to the castle that like East of the Sun and West of the Moon. For it was she who ought to have had the prince who lives there. You don't say so that she is it. So the south wind? Well, I have blustered about in most places in my time, but so far I have never blown but if you will, I'll take you to my brother, the Northwind. He is the oldest and strongest of the whole lot of us. And if he don't know where it is, you'll never find anyone in the world to tell you. You can get on my back and I'll carry you to. Yes, she got on his back and away he went from his house at a fine rate. And this time to she was not long on her way. So when they got to the north winds house, he was so wild and cross cold puffs came from him a long way off. Lest you both What do you want? He roared out to them ever so far off, so that it struck them with an icy shiver? Well, so the south wind you need to be so foul mouthed. For here I am your brother, the south wind. And here is the Lassie who ought to have had the prince who dwells in the castle that lies East of the Sun and West of the Moon. And now she wants to ask you if you ever were there, and can tell her the way for she would be so glad to find him again. Yes, I know well enough where it is said the Northwind once in my life I blew an aspen leaf through there. But I was so tired. I couldn't blow a puff forever so many days after. But if you really wish to go through there and aren't afraid to come with me, I'll take you on my back and see if I can blow you through there. Yes, with all her heart she must and would get together if it were possible in any way. And as for fear, however madly he went, she wouldn't be at all afraid. Very well then, said the Northwind. But you must sleep here tonight, for we must have the whole day before us if we were to get together at all. Early next morning, the Northwind woke her and puffed himself up and blew himself out and made himself so stout and big. It was gruesome to look at him, and so they went off high through the air, as if they would never stop till they got to the World's End. Down here below. There was such a storm. It threw down long tracts of wood, and many houses, and when it swept over the Great Sea ships foundered by hundreds. So they tore on and on, no one can believe how far they went. And all the while, they still went over the sea, and the north wind got more and more weary, and so out of breath, he could scarcely bring out a puff, and his wings drooped and drooped, till at last he sunk so low that the crests of the waves dashed over his heels. Are you afraid? Said the Northwind. No, she wasn't. But they weren't very far from land, and the north wind had still so much strength left in him, that he managed to throw her up on the shore under the windows of the castle, which they East of the Sun, and West of the Moon. But then he was so weak and worn out, he had to stay there, and rest many days before he could get home again. Next morning, the Lassie sat down under the castle window, and began to play with the gold apple, and the first person she saw was the long nose, who was to have the prince. What do you want for your gold apple you Lassie said the long nose and threw up the window. It's not for sale for gold or money. So the last year, if it's not for sale for gold or money, what is it that you will sell it for? You may name your own price, said the princess. Well, if I may get to the prince who lives here, and be with him tonight. You shall have it. And the Lassie whom the Northwind said the Lezzy, whom the Northwind and Brian? Yes, she might, that could be done. So the princess got the gold apple. But when the Lassie came up to the Princess bedroom at night, he was fast asleep. She called him and shook him in between while she wept sore, but all she could do, she couldn't wake him up. Next morning, as soon as day broke, came the princess with the long nose and drove her out again. So in the daytime, she sat down under the castle windows, and began to card was her carding comb. And the same thing happened. The princess asked what she wanted for it. And she said it wasn't for sale for gold or money. But if she might get leave to go up to the prince, and be with him that night, the princess should have it. But when she went up, she found him fast asleep again. And all she called, and all she shook, and wept and prayed. She couldn't get life into him. And as soon as the first grade peep of day came, then came the princess with the long nose, and chased her out again. So in the daytime, the Lassie sat down outside the castle window, and began to spin with her Golden Spinning Wheel, and that to the princess with the long nose wanted to have, so she threw up the window and asked what she wanted it for. The last he said, as she had said twice, for, it wasn't for sale for gold or money. But if she might go up to the prince who was there and be with Him alone that night, she might have it. Yes, she might do that and welcome. But now you must know, there were some Christian folk who had been carried off further. And as they sat in their room, which was next to the prince. They heard how a woman had been there and wept and prayed and called to him two nights running, and they told that to the prince. That evening, when the princess came with her sleepy drink, the prince made as if he drank, but threw it over his shoulder, for he could guess it was a sleepy drink. So when the last he came in, she I found the prince wide awake. And then she told him the whole story how she had come together. Ah, said the prince, you've just come in the very nick of time for tomorrow is to be our wedding day. But now I won't have the long nose. And you were the only woman in the world who can set me free. I'll say I want to see what my wife is fit for, and begged her to wash the shirt, which has the three spots of tallow on it. For she doesn't know tissue who put them there. But that's a work only for Christian folk, and not for such a pack of trolls. And so I'll say that I won't have any other for My Bride than the woman who can wash them out and ask you to do it. So there was a great joy and love between them all that night. But next day when the wedding was to be the prince said, first of all, I'd like to see what my bride is fit for. Yes, so the stepmother with all her heart. Well said the prints. I've got to find shirt, which I'd like for my wedding shirt. But somehow or other, it has got three spots of tallow on it, which I must have washed out. And I have sworn never to take any other bride than the woman who's able to do that. If she can't, she's not worth having. Well, that was no great thing they said. So they agree and she with a long nose began to wash away as hard as she could. But the more she rubbed and scrubbed, the bigger the spots grew. Ah, so the old hag her mother, you can't wash Let me try. But she hadn't long taken the shirt in hand before it got far worse than ever. And with all her rubbing and ringing and scrubbing, the spots grew bigger and blacker and darker and uglier was the shirt than all the other trolls began to wash. But the longer it lasted the blacker and uglier the shirt grew to at last it was as black all over as if it had been up the chimney. So the prints your none of you were the straw. You can't wash why they're outside sits a beggar Lassie. I'll be bound she knows how to wash better than the whole lot of you. Come in last year he shouted. Well in she came. Can you wash the shirt clean last uh, you? Said he. I don't know, she said. But I think I can. And almost before she had taken it and dipped it in the water. It was as white as driven snow and whiter still. Yes, you are the Lassie for me, said the prince. At that the old hag flew into such a rage she burst on the spot, and the princess with the long nose after her and the whole pack of trolls after her. At least I've never heard a word about them since. As for the Prince and Princess, they set free all the poor Christian folk who had been carried off and shut up there. And then they took with them all the silver and gold and flitted away as far as they could from the castle that lay East of the Sun, and West of the Moon. A huge thank you to Catherine Italian for helping me get this fairy tale out there for you guys. We really enjoyed doing it. Love sharing these stories with you. Please check out my Facebook group the story human, and please feel free to DM me on Instagram. I'm Elle Thompson underscore 574. And let me know if you have a story you'd like to share about your life or a story that you like anything about a story I would love to hear. Thanks and join us again next week on the story human