Legendary Tales or Once Upon a Myth

Send a text The glorious egg, with its deep links to Creation mythology, is one of the oldest symbols of life and rebirth known. Have you ever looked, really looked, at an egg? We are used to seeing the egg on our breakfast table, or ready to whisk in a bowl. Once a year we see the egg as made from chocolate and given as a gift for Easter. But the Egg is much more than that. Support the show

Send a text Three times the merman laughed, and the fisherman wanted to know why. A tale from Iceland Support the show

Send a text Propaganda is a mighty tool, as powerful in historical times as it is today. Hagiographers,  those writers who specialise in chronicling saints' lives, invented Patrick, the ancient super hero - endowing him with a magic staff which could perform miracles. Support the show

Send a text Adventure, misadventure, kidnappings and kings all combine into a betrothal. Destiny is all. Support the show

Send a text A strange little tale from the North of the world Support the show

Send a text The origins of most old tales would fail today’s standards and would be rated as inappropriate for children but many of these stories have some basis in truth. Is there any truth in the Welsh story of Gelert? Support the show

Send a text In this tale from Australia, a frog had swallowed all the water in the land causing a dreadful drought. To release the water, someone had to make the frog laugh. Support the show

Send a text A legendary love story.  A nervous bride, a magic potion, forbidden love, deceit in the night and the usual medieval misogyny Support the show

Send a text Pyramus and Thisbe is a familiar tale,  it's the story of young lovers whose union is thwarted by their opposing parents and whose lives end in double suicide based on a misunderstanding. Support the show

Send a text A nasty tale of evil sisters, enchanted glass and ogre's fat. Support the show

Send a text A little tale about being content with what you have. Support the show

Send a text On the Isle of Man, a miller takes on a strange mill hand who willingly works without wages. Support the show

Send a text A Christmas Story. Once upon a time there was a little orphan boy whose name was Wolff. Although he was treated harshly by a nasty old aunt, a nasty schoolmaster and even nastier schoolboys, little Wolff had great charity in his heart.  Support the show

Send a text And a better fighting man than Fionn never struck his hand into a king’s hand, and whatever anyone ever said of him, he was three times better.  This is how Fionn won the fight against the Scottish giant, but you don't have to fight to win a fight. Support the show

Send a text It's not difficult to spin flax,  just boring.  Especially if you're lazy.  But sometimes laziness can pay off.  A tale from Germany.  Support the show

Send a text In the days before the beanstalk, Jack wrestles Death and finds out about life. A tale from Scotland. Support the show

Send a text Bast and her feast day are overlooked in modern times but you could perhaps say that Halloween is celebrated on the Feast of Bast. Support the show

Send a text Pukwudgies are mysterious creatures hidden deep in the forests of North America Support the show

Send a text The Sleeping Hero is in a cave, or under a mountain, beneath an ancient castle, or in a barrow burial mound - somewhere far from curious eyes. Support the show

Send a text This story is not true. Support the show

Send a text Not your usual Greek God! Support the show

Send a text Not many people know that the Hero, Ulysses, was a Rat. Support the show

Send a text Don't be fooled! The Trolls are still out there ... Support the show

Send a text Echidna and her children Support the show

Send a text A terrible tale of broken trust, abandonment, callous self-seeking and, yes, murder. Support the show