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Daniel opens his collection of stories with an introduction entitled ‘Welsh Whispers’. In doing so he lays down a challenge for us all to be storytellers, to be part of the whispering tradition, individual links in that chain of magic words which stretches far back into our culture, and into our understanding of ourselves . . .
It’s a great collection of this talented storyteller’s favourite tales. Many will have already been heard in schools, theatres and across Wales, in crypts and cathedrals, on salt-swept beaches and manor house lawns, and yet here they are, newly told, newly captured in print, to be read and enjoyed, over and over again.
If you’re interested in cunning, then read of Robin Ddu and his irreligious trickery of not only his greedy brothers, but a Minister, his pretty daughter, a landlord and a shepherd as well.
If it’s gold you want, then following the six fools may be your answer. In their improbable gingerbread-man type of tale the aptly named Frosty, Ssh!, See Far, Gusty, Long Shanks and Small Tall manage to outwit a King, seize his gold and build a grand castle. And how do we know all this? Well Daniel Morden has been there – and played the fiddle!
Whatever the tale, whoever the character, the Bwca, or King Herla, or wherever the place, Maen Dylan or the Magic Well, with its three bobbing heads, the reader will find something to remember with a smile. Whether it be a phrase, a rhyme or an illustration by the ever-creative Jac Jones, there will be an image to recall the next time he or she plays the whispering game, forging the weird links in the story-making chain. We have Daniel’s own retellings to thank for that:
He lives happy
So may we.
Put on the kettle,
We’ll have a cup of tea!
Chris S. Stephens
It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.
Gellir defnyddio’r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatâd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.
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