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 “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”
About Scotland’s names of “Whuppity” and “Whuppie”:
Two Scottish stories with different plots have similar names though one name refers to a antagonist while the other is of the protagonist: Whuppity Stoorie and Molly Whuppie. Sometimes Whuppity Stoorie is known as Whuppity Scoorie. The latter spelling of the name is what a traditional festival is called that started in the 1800s that involves bells and welcoming spring. You’ll notice that this Whuppity Stoorie (or Whuppity Scoorie) story feels a lot like Rumpelstiltskin. Do you want another way to spell it? Yes? Whippitie Stourie. But it’s pronounced like Whuppity Stoorie…so there you have it. “Whupp” is like saying “Whoop!” in English – like a hoot and a holler. Considering the personality of both Whuppity Stoorie and Molly Whuppie…it makes sense.
50-word-or-less summary
Woman and baby son abandoned by husband. She had prize sow about to die. Unable to birth piglets. Fairy appeared! Fairy promised to cure sow. Woman promised to give “anything.” Found out later fairy wanted baby. Three days to guess fairy’s name. By second day, overheard behind brush. Saved!
Finding the Story:
Wikipedia – “Whuppity Stoorie” – here
Video – “Whuppity Stoorie” – here
DD Tours – “Whuppity Stoorie” – here
Finding the “Fantastic”:
This woman can be admired for seeking to take care of her son while abandoned by her husband. She didn’t drown in despair. She was focused and determined to take care of her family of two.
She did have a sow that could no longer have piglets. She didn’t want to eat the sow and only wished for the sow to be helpful on the reproductive side of things and give long-lasting rather than short-term solutions. While it was sad that the woman promised the fairy anything, she never would have dreamed that the fairy would ask for her only baby son. She made the promise without knowing what the fairy would ask for later on.
Once she did learn of the fairy’s desire, she begged for mercy. When that did not work, she sought to find the answer to the fairy’s name. She was able to celebrate and save her son…really…saved the both of them.
Oh, and her sow was healed due to that fairy. So no worries there!
Recommended Article:
This woman carried on despite being abandoned by her husband. Read this article entitled “Runaway Husbands: Wife Abandonment Syndrome” written by Vikki Stark, M.S.W., M.F.T.
Thoughts?
Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.
As for our past A to Z Challenges…
Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival
Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.