Tale #41 -- A Fairy Tale from Wales

The Lost Islands

The Faerie Folk usually keep to themselves, but some of them used to visit the country markets at the port of Milford Haven. They never spoke, but simply placed money beside any article they wanted. If the merchant thought the price was fair, he would pick the money up, and the goods would disappear.

Griffith the corn merchant had second sight, so he could see the Little People come and go. He wondered where they took all the supplies they bought.

One day, Griffith was walking in St. David's churchyard. He glanced out to sea, and saw some islands he had never seen before. From the stories his mother had told him, he knew these must be the Green Isles of the Ocean, lost long ago.

He walked towards the seashore. At once, the islands disappeared. He walked back to the churchyard. From there, he could see them again, as plain as day. He realized then that he was standing on holy ground.

He cut a piece of turf from the churchyard and carried it to seashore. He put the turf in his boat and stood on it. He steered towards the islands and landed on the largest one. The Faerie Folk laughed at his cleverness and showed him all the sights of their secret homeland. They sent him home with his arms full of gifts, and traded with him for many years to come. However, they made Griffith give them the sacred turf. No matter how often he stood in the churchyard staring at the sea, he never saw the Green Isles again.