11 Comments
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Matthew Anthony's avatar

Wonderful tale, just enchanting !!

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Ingrid Finch's avatar

Love this Siofra! The mixing of the rations of war and the desperation of families combined with the traditional Baba Yaga story really is original and works well. I especially like the happier ending of the father being sent for, an oak leg present and the gleaming moonlight cleansing everything, even the Baba Yaga!

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Siofra O'Donovan's avatar

Thank you Ingrid! Hope all well and lovely and warm in Cyprus. Here, as always, Siberian.

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Lea Beg's avatar

Baba Yaka, good to be reminded of her again, did 't realise she flies around in a kettle or mortal and pestle (brings me back to my chemistry days!). Her house stood on chicken legs and fences of human skulls and her house and she move like an exsatic dancer. I can see she is like our hag or cailleach but less constructive, the cailleach is much more into creation. None the less stories connected with her are good Unusual that she and her 2 sisters should have the same name! Didn't realise Disney had started to take her over. Perhaps some stormy night we'll see her fly by in her kettle or mortar and pestle!

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Siofra O'Donovan's avatar

Not exactly. Disney took over children's books and stories in Poland when I first moved there just after the collapse of the Communist regime. There may be a revival of old folk tales now, given the horrors of the world. I would very much like to see Baba yaga flying over my roof in her mortar and pestle. That would give me hope.

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Lea Beg's avatar

Baba Yaka, good to be reminded of her again, did 't realise she flies around in a kettle or mortal and pestle (brings me back to my chemistry days!). Her house stood on chicken legs and fences of human skulls and her house and she move like an exsatic dancer. I can see she is like our hag or cailleach but less constructive, the cailleach is much more into creation. None the less stories connected with her are good Unusual that she and her 2 sisters should have the same name! Didn't realise Disney had started to take her over. Perhaps some stormy night we'll see her fly by in her kettle or mortar and pestle!

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Bernadette Burns's avatar

What a wonderful tale. I must find more on Baba Yaga, but this story is so beautifully written. I love it.

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Siofra O'Donovan's avatar

Thank you Bernadette. Great to meet you at Annaghmakerrig. x

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Lusi Elliot's avatar

I so enjoyed your tale woven up in the war... beautifully told, and I thought the photos you chose were perfect.... it's always 'cinderella' isn't it! It's a story I really resonate with... really loving your posts, thank you Siofra 💚

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Siofra O'Donovan's avatar

Thank you Lusi, it is Cinderella again and again... Thank you for reading it Lusi xx

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Siofra O'Donovan's avatar

Thank you!

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