In this particular tale, his victim of choice is a young piper - who is only able to play one simple tune. The Puca convinces this young man to join him on a journey through the night, gifting him the ability to play endless melodies - so that he is able to appear as entertainment for a party of call each (another form of fairy). Throughout this story we are introduced to many magical characters, each of whom performs actions and tricks which
aid only in their own enjoyment and the deception of another. When the piper is finally returned home at the foreclosure of the night, his retellings of the previous night appear to be nothing more than a drunken illusion to those listening. That is of course until he is able to once again fill the air with the magical melodies from his pipes. Leaving him famous as the best player of the pipes in all of Ireland till the end of his days.
Stallion
Hare Wolf
THE PUCA IS A SHAPE-SHIFTING FAIRY IRELAND; INTENT ON DOING NOTHING MISCHIEF FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THESE COVER OF THE INKY BLACK NOVEMBER
WHO RESIDES IN RURAL COUNTYS OF NOTHING MORE THAN CAUSE TROUBLE AND THESE AREAS. ALL WHILE UNDER THE NOVEMBER NIGHT SKY.
THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED IN THIS TALE SEEMED INHUMANLY POSSIBLE FOR THE DURATION OF ONLY ONE NIGHT.
In the old and although than one money from the piper and he half house, he rógaire dubh). There were and then a ten-penny mind your your neck Van Vocht' mind whether know." The self wonder. "but tell me of the Banshee, for bringing your trouble."
Father William gander from and rough Púca struck passed in middle of about it. The you, you Púca best piper the ground,
times, there was a half fool living in Dunmore, in the county although he was excessively fond of music, he was unable to learn tune, and that was the "Black Rogue." He used to get a good from the gentlemen, for they used to get sport out of him. One was coming home from a house where there had been a half drunk. When he came to a little bridge that was up by his he squeezed the pipes on, and began playing the "Black Rogue" dubh). The Púca came behind him, and flung him up on his own were long horns on the Púca, and the piper got a good grip of he said—— "Destruction on you, you nasty beast, let me home. ten-penny piece in my pocket for my mother, and she wants snuff." your mother," said the Púca, "but keep your hold. If you fall, you will neck and your pipes." Then the Púca said to him, "Play up for me Vocht' (an t-seann-bhean bhocht)." "I don't know it," said the piper. whether you do or you don't," said the Púca. "Play up, and I'll make The piper put wind in his bag, and he played such music as made wonder. "Upon my word, you're a fine music-master," says the piper me where you're for bringing me." "There's a great feast in the Banshee, on the top of Croagh Patric to-night," says the Púca, "and bringing you there to play music, and, take my word, you'll get the trouble." "By my word, you'll save me a journey, then," says the piper, William put a journey to Croagh Patric on me, because I stole from him last Martinmas." The Púca rushed him across hills and rough places, till he brought him to the top of Croagh Patric. Then struck three blows with his foot, and a great door opened, and in together, into a fine room. The piper saw a golden table in of the room, and hundreds of old women (cailleacha) sitting The old women rose up, and said, "A hundred thousand welcomes Púca of November (na Samhna). Who is this you have with you?" piper in Ireland," says the Púca. One of the old women struck a blow ground, and a door opened in the side of the wall, and what should
“YOU HAVE TWO THINGS NOW THAT YOU NEVER HAD BEFORE - YOU HAVE SENSE AND MUSIC (CIALL AGUS CEOL).”
By Willa Meikle
