We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is Golden…And All Things That Glimmer. Each post highlights golden items from a folktale from around the world. Each time you have to wonder, is something that is golden a blessing, a curse, or both?
What has inspired all this gold?–The Golden Spike with the 150th Transcontinental Railroad and the Spike 150 Grant for this year’s Story Crossroads Festival.
Golden Duck-
You probably thought I would say “Golden Goose” but these two stories truly feature a “Golden Duck” and there are no eggs involved.
Czechoslvak – http://oaks.nvg.org/czech14.html#golduc
50-word-or-less summary:
Raduz, fourth son of king sent out into world. Comes upon witch family. Ludmilla, daughter, helps in three impossible tasks (while sharing her lunch). Witch-mother plan to boil Raduz (wicked lunch). Raduz and Ludmilla run away. Witch-father chases. Disguises. Witch-mother goes. Ludmilla turns into golden duck. Curse. Forgetfulness. Faithfulness. Marriage.
Poland – http://geowonderland.blogspot.com/2011/11/golden-duck.html
50-word-or-less summary:
Golden duck protects lake’s treasure. Complete task and gold is yours. Take bag of gold and only spend of oneself in one day. Deal. Shoes. Meal. Carriage/horse. One coin left. Beggar. Everything disappears. Beggar says man has good heart. Duck says deal lost. Man finds dream in becoming shoemaker. Happy.
Please share in the comments…or anything on your mind.
While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings including the culminating Festival on May 15, 2019 with free performances May 13-16, 2019 (see schedule here: https://storycrossroads.com/2019-schedule/.
We thank our funders such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, the Western States Arts Federation, Utah Humanities, the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts (Spike 150), the City of Murray, the South Jordan Arts Council, Utah Valley University and many other businesses and individuals. Join us in the support by attending or donating or both! (Click here to donate or get tickets.)
Ludmilla… That name. Oh, right, there’s a piece of music with that name in it.
Anyway, interesting tales. I had not heard either before.
Before exploring for this A to Z Blog Challenge, I heard a version of the spending of gold in a day on oneself but it did not involve a golden duck. I’m glad to introduce you to some new tales.
Oh, I didn’t know this Polish story, I love it! 🙂
The Multicolored Diary