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 Water-
A golden flower comes before the golden water, though both are key to creating Puerto Rico, then known as Boriquen.
50-word-or-less summary:
Child finds seeds and plants on top of mountain where people live. Forest grows! Within forest is golden flower. Flowers transforms into a pumpkin-like figure. Two men fight over it. Flower falls, breaks open. Golden water gushes out. Puerto Rico is formed and other creations to make it like today.
More Golden Water-
Golden water has a part to play though not the main focus. Golden water shares the line of “Talking Bird, Singing Tree, Golden Water.” Though this is an Arabic version, there is also one much like this from Colombia sometimes called “Three Sisters” or what I like to title “The Gardener’s Wife” found in this book.
Arabic – https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Arab_folktale_34.html
50-word-or-less summary:
Sultan-disguised-overheard three sisters say who they wished to marry: baker, cook, Sultan. He married youngest. Jealousy. Wife gave birth but sisters switched for puppies, sent babies afloat. Adopted by gardener. Wife punished. Wife came upon garden, said lacked Talking Bird, Singing Tree, Golden Water. Youngest child victorious. True lineage discovered.
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.)