Folktale Week 2021: River//Heron
TW: Fictional story theme of child loss/death. Day six of Folktale week is River, and a chance to paint and draw my favourite bird – the Heron. However, my story today is a mildly panic inducing, sad story that might be a bit too much for some. It’s not gruesome and the plot is entirely insinuated through the voice of the mother, but I’d much rather go overboard on the warning than to potentially upset. ‘Things we lost in the river’ is very loosely inspired by the already perfect folktale of the Heron, the Cat and the Bramble, in which the Heron flies up and down the river in search of something taken from her. Personally, Herons do not symbolise death or loss in any way for me, quite the opposite! I believe these glorious birds to be huge symbols of good luck and positive change in my life, but unfortunately writing overly positive stories bores me. I promise tomorrow will be lighter(ish)!
There’s that old woman in the blue coat again. Wonder if she gets bored of doing the same walk every day?
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I lost it.
Lost what?
Can’t tell you.
What? Well where did you lose it?
If I knew that –
You know what I mean, when did you last have, whatever it is?
Back by the river. I think the wind blew it away.
You’re going to have to help me Sam. What was it? I can’t remember you bringing anything out of the house.
Can’t tell you!
Well that’s a shame then, we’re not going back if you’re not going to help me.
But I need it! Mum!
No Sam, we’re carrying on. We’ve got to get back, c’mon.
No. I’m going back.
Sam! Get back here right now!
Sam!
Oh, for god’s…
Sam at least slow down! I’m coming! Stop, please will you? You know Frankie doesn’t like to be jostled around like this.
Oh great, hello Frankie. I know, I know, I’ve stopped now, it’s okay. Sam wait a second will you!
Where did I put that…Oh here! Here you go babe, here’s your favourite. SAM!! Oh no, sorry baby it’s okay mummy’s just shouting at Sam. Right, are we a happy baby? Let’s keep going, shall we? Where’s Sam gone? SAM?
Sam! Oh god, where’s he gone? Sam please stop if you can hear mummy, I’m not cross! I just need to see you. Sam, where are you? Shhh, Frankie it’s okay, I know baby, I know. SAM!!!!!
Excuse me, have you seen a little one in a blue coat? Like mine but smaller? Just ran off, I don’t know what to do! I looked down for a second – I - Oh my god, yes, yes that way – we were following the river bend around I assume he’s gone that way. Please that would be amazing, you’ll be quicker than me, please…Sam!! Sammy!! SAM!
No luck? Oh my god, where is he! He said he lost something, I don’t know – by the river? Yes, that way! Sammy please come to mummy!
Seen what? Floating away? What are you saying? Well what kind of blue? No. What do you mean slipped? Who said that?
No that’s not, no. No, he wouldn’t do that, he wouldn’t go down that far. No, it couldn’t have been him, it’s only been a minute. Surely, no. It’s not him. No, you have to tell me it wasn’t him. He’ll be on the path up ahead, won’t he? Can’t be. It wasn’t Sam. That wasn’t my Sam. No.
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‘The Heron, the cat, and the bramble bought the tithe of a certain parish. The heron bought the hay, mowed it, harvested it, and cocked it, and intended carrying it the following day, but in the night a storm came on, and carried the hay away, and ever since the heron frequents the banks of the rivers and lakes, looking for her hay that was carried away…’
From Welsh Folklore – A collection of the Folk Tales and Legends of North Wales, by Elias Owen.
