Devon, England, countryside. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
This would be a great story to retell, because it is full of animated objects and because I don't like the ending. The girl is so dreamy and sincere, and I think she should get to play with the stars like she wanted to!
I like that she talks to different objects that are typically inanimate and that they talk back. She talks to a mill-dam, a brooklet, and the Good Folk. I'm not sure who the Good Folk are, but I imagine them being fairies. I thought it was sweet that the girl swims around in the mill-dam and brooklet because they claim the stars shine in them at night.
I like that the Good Folk talk to the girl in riddles, although she doesn't end up needing to solve any of them. If I rewrite this story, I will make her a clever character and have her solve the riddles.
I was so disappointed at the ending! There didn't seem to be a reason to not let her play with the stars (besides reality, but there are talking brooklets and horses in this story anyway!). I suppose maybe it was all just a dream, but if it was a dream then I think it makes even more sense to have a happy ending!
I like that the horse and fish were so willing to help her. Maybe if the stairs had been animated and willing to help, she would have reached her goal!
Bibliography: More English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs. Link to the reading online.
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteI think you should retell this story! You could make it so much better by changing the ending. Plus it sounds like you are already inspired and ready to go! Best of luck in your story tellings!