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 Jersey (Cow)-
You may remember the Golden Calf…but this is specifically a Golden Jersey Cow with a little different story line. The Jersey is a common British cow and this story comes from England. Yes, it technically says “Golden Cow” but we know that sometimes stories lose details in time, and I would bet that this was originally a Jersey Cow. Hey, I grew up in Wisconsin. I do know cows.
England – https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0510b.html#barclay
50-word-or-less summary:
King wished to marry daughter. She loved prince (of no relation). Princess requested huge Golden Jersey. King sent to prince to say, “You are not marrying her, I am.” Princess climbed inside. Three people exclaimed, “I touched the cow!” She took that as cue to come out. Prince arrived. Marriage.
Golden Jackal-
Like with the cow story above being a Jersey, this story says “Jackal” and not “Golden Jackal.” Again, details sometimes are lost as the years pass. According to Indian, Middle Eastern, and several African tales, the Golden Jackal was meant when featuring this animal. This story does not feature “gold” but rather honoring “Golden Jackal” and a friendship with a lion.
India – http://www.english-for-students.com/Jackal-Saved-Lion.html
50-word-or-less summary:
Golden Jackal comes upon lion stuck in mud. Jackal sweeps sands into mud. Lion is rescued. Friendship. Lion offered Jackal to live nearby and share of his food. Lion’s wife and kids and Jackal’s wife and kids hated their friendship. They complained. Lion and Jackal separated homes but remained friends.
And though not linked to a story, here is more about Golden Jackals:
- https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/golden-jackal
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_jackal#In_folklore,_mythology_and_literature
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.)