--- title: The Story-teller At Fault — Celtic Fairy Tales · full text with trees description: The Story-teller At Fault, «Celtic Fairy Tales» by Joseph Jacobs: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: At the time when the Tuatha De Dannan held the sovereignty of Ireland, there reigned in Leinster a king, who was remarkably fond of hearing stories. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Celtic Fairy Tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/) / The Story-teller At Fault # The Story-teller At Fault The Story-teller At Fault of «Celtic Fairy Tales» by Joseph Jacobs: the whole text, 171 sentences and 3183 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself; 1 of them are in the tales treebank and were checked by a teacher model. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/1/) — At the time when the Tuatha De Dannan held the sovereignty of Ireland, there reigned in Leinster a king, who was remarkably fond of hearing stories. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/2/) — Like the other princes and chieftains of the island, he had a favourite story-teller, who held a large estate from his Majesty, on condition of telling him a new story every night of his life, before he went to sleep. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/3/) — Many indeed were the stories he knew, so that he had already reached a good old age without failing even for a single night in his task; and such was the skill he displayed that whatever cares of state or other annoyances might prey upon the monarch's mind, his story-teller was sure to send him to sleep. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/4/) — One morning the story-teller arose early, and as his custom was, strolled out into his garden turning over in his mind incidents which he might weave into a story for the king at night. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/5/) — But this morning he found himself quite at fault; after pacing his whole demesne, he returned to his house without being able to think of anything new or strange. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/6/) — He found no difficulty in "there was once a king who had three sons" or "one day the king of all Ireland," but further than that he could not get. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/7/) — At length he went in to breakfast, and found his wife much perplexed at his delay. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/8/) — "Why don't you come to breakfast, my dear?" said she. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/9/) — "I have no mind to eat anything," replied the story-teller; "long as I have been in the service of the king of Leinster, I never sat down to breakfast without having a new story ready for the evening, but this morning my mind is quite shut up, and I don't know what to do. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/10/) — I might as well lie down and die at once. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/11/) — I'll be disgraced for ever this evening, when the king calls for his story-teller." - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/12/) — Just at this moment the lady looked out of the window. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/13/) — "Do you see that black thing at the end of the field?" said she. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/14/) — "I do," replied her husband. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/15/) — They drew nigh, and saw a miserable looking old man lying on the ground with a wooden leg placed beside him. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/16/) — "Who are you, my good man?" asked the story-teller. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/17/) — "Oh, then, 'tis little matter who I am. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/18/) — I'm a poor, old, lame, decrepit, miserable creature, sitting down here to rest awhile." - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/19/) — "An' what are you doing with that box and dice I see in your hand?" - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/20/) — "I am waiting here to see if any one will play a game with me," replied the beggar man. - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/21/) — "Play with you! - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/22/) — Why what has a poor old man like you to play for?" - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/23/) — "I have one hundred pieces of gold in this leathern purse," replied the old man. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/24/) — "You may as well play with him," said the story-teller's wife; "and perhaps you'll have something to tell the king in the evening." - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/25/) — A smooth stone was placed between them, and upon it they cast their throws. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/26/) — It was but a little while and the story-teller lost every penny of his money. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/27/) — "Much good may it do you, friend," said he. " - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/28/) — What better hap could I look for, fool that I am!" - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/29/) — "Will you play again?" asked the old man. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/30/) — "Don't be talking, man: you have all my money." - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/31/) — "Haven't you chariot and horses and hounds?" - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/32/) — "Well, what of them!" - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/33/) — "I'll stake all the money I have against thine." - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/34/) — "Nonsense, man! - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/35/) — Do you think for all the money in Ireland, I'd run the risk of seeing my lady tramp home on foot?" - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/36/) — "Maybe you'd win," said the bocough. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/37/) — "Maybe I wouldn't," said the story-teller. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/38/) — "Play with him, husband," said his wife. " - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/39/) — I don't mind walking, if you do, love." - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/40/) — "I never refused you before," said the story-teller, "and I won't do so now." - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/41/) — Down he sat again, and in one throw lost houses, hounds, and chariot. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/42/) — "Will you play again?" asked the beggar. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/43/) — "Are you making game of me, man; what else have I to stake?" - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/44/) — "I'll stake all my winnings against your wife," said the old man. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/45/) — The story-teller turned away in silence, but his wife stopped him. - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/46/) — "Accept his offer," said she. " - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/47/) — This is the third time, and who knows what luck you may have? - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/48/) — You'll surely win now." - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/49/) — They played again, and the story-teller lost. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/50/) — No sooner had he done so, than to his sorrow and surprise, his wife went and sat down near the ugly old beggar. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/51/) — "Is that the way you're leaving me?" said the story-teller. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/52/) — "Sure I was won," said she. " - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/53/) — You would not cheat the poor man, would you?" - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/54/) — "Have you any more to stake?" asked the old man. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/55/) — "You know very well I have not," replied the story-teller. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/56/) — "I'll stake the whole now, wife and all, against your own self," said the old man. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/57/) — Again they played, and again the story-teller lost. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/58/) — "Well! here I am, and what do you want with me?" - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/59/) — "I'll soon let you know," said the old man, and he took from his pocket a long cord and a wand. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/60/) — "Now," said he to the story-teller, "what kind of animal would you rather be, a deer, a fox, or a hare? - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/61/) — You have your choice now, but you may not have it later." - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/62/) — To make a long story short, the story-teller made his choice of a hare; the old man threw the cord round him, struck him with the wand, and lo! a long-eared, frisking hare was skipping and jumping on the green. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/63/) — But it wasn't for long; who but his wife called the hounds, and set them on him. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/64/) — The hare fled, the dogs followed. - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/65/) — Round the field ran a high wall, so that run as he might, he couldn't get out, and mightily diverted were beggar and lady to see him twist and double. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/66/) — In vain did he take refuge with his wife, she kicked him back again to the hounds, until at length the beggar stopped the hounds, and with a stroke of the wand, panting and breathless, the story-teller stood before them again. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/67/) — "And how did you like the sport?" said the beggar. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/68/) — "It might be sport to others," replied the story-teller looking at his wife, "for my part I could well put up with the loss of it." - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/69/) — "Would it be asking too much," he went on to the beggar, "to know who you are at all, or where you come from, or why you take a pleasure in plaguing a poor old man like me?" - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/70/) — "Oh!" replied the stranger, "I'm an odd kind of good-for-little fellow, one day poor, another day rich, but if you wish to know more about me or my habits, come with me and perhaps I may show you more than you would make out if you went alone." - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/71/) — "I'm not my own master to go or stay," said the story-teller, with a sigh. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/72/) — The stranger put one hand into his wallet and drew out of it before their eyes a well-looking middle-aged man, to whom he spoke as follows: - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/73/) — "By all you heard and saw since I put you into my wallet, take charge of this lady and of the carriage and horses, and have them ready for me whenever I want them." - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/74/) — Scarcely had he said these words when all vanished, and the story-teller found himself at the Foxes' Ford, near the castle of Red Hugh O'Donnell. - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/75/) — He could see all but none could see him. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/76/) — O'Donnell was in his hall, and heaviness of flesh and weariness of spirit were upon him. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/77/) — "Go out," said he to his doorkeeper, "and see who or what may be coming." - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/78/) — The doorkeeper went, and what he saw was a lank, grey beggarman; half his sword bared behind his haunch, his two shoes full of cold road-a-wayish water sousing about him, the tips of his two ears out through his old hat, his two shoulders out through his scant tattered cloak, and in his hand a green wand of holly. - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/79/) — "Save you, O'Donnell," said the lank grey beggarman. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/80/) — "And you likewise," said O'Donnell. " - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/81/) — Whence come you, and what is your craft?" - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/82/) — "I come from the outmost stream of earth, From the glens where the white swans glide, A night in Islay, a night in Man, A night on the cold hillside." - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/83/) — "It's the great traveller you are," said O'Donnell. - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/84/) — "Maybe you've learnt something on the road." - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/85/) — "I am a juggler," said the lank grey beggarman, "and for five pieces of silver you shall see a trick of mine." - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/86/) — "You shall have them," said O'Donnell; and the lank grey beggarman took three small straws and placed them in his hand. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/87/) — "The middle one," said he, "I'll blow away; the other two I'll leave." - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/88/) — "Thou canst not do it," said one and all. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/89/) — But the lank grey beggarman put a finger on either outside straw and, whiff, away he blew the middle one. - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/90/) — "'Tis a good trick," said O'Donnell; and he paid him his five pieces of silver. - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/91/) — "For half the money," said one of the chief's lads, "I'll do the same trick." - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/92/) — "Take him at his word, O'Donnell." - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/93/) — The lad put the three straws on his hand, and a finger on either outside straw and he blew; and what happened but that the fist was blown away with the straw. - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/94/) — "Thou art sore, and thou wilt be sorer," said O'Donnell. - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/95/) — "Six more pieces, O'Donnell, and I'll do another trick for thee," said the lank grey beggarman. - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/96/) — "Six shalt thou have." - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/97/) — "Seest thou my two ears! - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/98/) — One I'll move but not t'other." - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/99/) — "'Tis easy to see them, they're big enough, but thou canst never move one ear and not the two together." - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/100/) — The lank grey beggarman put his hand to his ear, and he gave it a pull. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/20/page/2/) - ← previous: [The Shee an Gannon and the Gruagach Gaire](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/19/) - next →: [The Sea-maiden](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/21/) - ↑ back to [Celtic Fairy Tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7885/)