Scottish Borders Folk Tales

by James P. Spence

  The prince was soon sitting at the table, eating bread an cheese an drinking water. Not long after this the auld man said tae him, ‘There is a bed for ye through the wall, but whatever ye dae keep still, dinnae move an dinnae utter a sound nae matter what wee critters get in beside ye tae keep warm.’

  The laddie was ower tired tae gie this much thought an just went the way hae was directed tae his bed. Hae had nae sooner got himself aw tucked in cosy when a throng o frogs an snails got in beside him. As the critters slithered aroond in his bed hae couldnae help but tense up an was just aboot tae cry oot when hae minded the auld man’s warning. So aw night long hae lay where hae was, hardly getting a blink o sleep because o the constant squirming o the frogs an snails. When the cock crowed the critters aw scattered oot o his bed an were away. Hae then shut his eyes an tried tae sleep a wee bit mair, but a few minutes later there was a loud knock on his door frae the auld man, telling him that the breakfast was on the table.

  ‘Did ye sleep weel?’ asked the auld man as they shared the scraps o bread an cheese frae the night afore.

  ‘I can say that I’ve slept better, but I could’ve slept worse.’

  ‘So it was meant tae be,’ nodded the auld man. ‘Now there is another horse ready at the door tae take ye tae ma aulder brother, who will help ye on the next stage o yer journey.’

  When the young prince had mounted the horse the auld man handed him a ball o yarn. ‘Now, what I want ye tae dae is tae throw this ball o yarn atween the horse’s lugs an ye’ll make the wind jealous o yer speed.’ So with the horse heided north an a clear road in front o him, the laddie threw the ball o yarn atween the horse’s lugs an it took off like a hare in a hurry. Yince it got intae its stride it almost matched the wind itself for speed. They went on for some time till hae could see the dreich an windswept North Countree on the near horizon. Soon afterwards they came tae a tumble-doon hoose with a neglected garden. Sitting ootside the front door was an even aulder an uglier auld man than the first.

  ‘So ye got here at last. I suppose ma younger brother sent ye here?’

  When the young prince said that this was the case the auld man pointed oot the stable for the horse an told him tae come an share his supper after the horse was seen tae.

  The prince saw tae the horse afore going in an having his supper. Hae ate his share o oatmeal scones an brambles with relish. An yince they had finished their supper the auld man told him, ‘There’s a bed upstairs for ye, but whatever ye dae, nae matter what critters come tae share yer bed dinnae move or make a sound, or yer father will have yin less son aboot him.’

  Feeling even mair tired than the night afore, the laddie got intae his bed an was just aboot tae pull the covers ower his heid when hae felt a throng o toads an slow-worms wriggle in beside him. An for the whole night long they lowped an wriggled aw roond aboot an aw ower him. Mindin what the auld man had said, hae kept both his body an his tongue still. Just when it felt as if they were crawling aboot inside o him, the cock crowed twice, an aw the critters were away. The laddie shut his eyes in the hope o just a wee bit o sleep, but moments later there was a loud knocking on the door frae the auld man, tae tell him that breakfast was sitting on the table.

  As they ate the scraps frae the night afore the auld man asked, ‘Did ye sleep weel?’

  ‘I could have slept better, but I could have slept worse.’

  ‘Aye,’ nodded the auld man, ‘that is how it was meant tae be. Now then ye’ll have tae be on yer way, I have a fresh horse waiting for ye at the door. It will take ye tae oor auldest brother who will help ye on the next part o yer quest for the Waters o Life.’

  Yince the laddie had mounted the horse the auld man handed him a ball o yarn. Yince mair the laddie pointed the horse in the direction o north an threw the ball o yarn atween the horse’s lugs. An so the horse took off as fast as a fright an was soon giving the wind a run for its money. When they had finally left the dreich North Countree in their wake an the ominous an chancie hills o the Scottish Borderlands lay in front o them, a ruin o a muckle hoose arose up aheid. It sat in a wide stretch o waste ground. At the door, as if waiting for him, sat the auldest, maist ugly man hae’d ever clapped eyes on.

  Just as before hae was invited in after hae’d seen tae the horse. They had soup stowed with herbs for their supper. Hae was told where his bed was, but this time there was nae warning. When the prince sclimmed intae his bed there was nae slimy slairgit critters o any sort wriggling in alongside him. What with the lack o sleep frae the twae previous nights, an the exertions o aw that horse riding, hae slept as sound as sound could be, until a cock crowed thrice.

  ‘Did ye sleep weel?’ the auld man asked.

  ‘I have never slept so weel,’ the prince said brightly.

  ‘So it was meant tae be,’ nodded the auld man. ‘Now listen very carefully tae what I have tae say, because if ye make a mistake yer father will have aboot him yin less son, whilst ye will live oot the rest o yer days in the dreich withered lands o the North Countree as a frog, a snail, a toad or a slow-worm.

  ‘Take intae yer hand this ball o yarn an throw it atween the lugs o yer horse an then ride that fast that the wind cannie catch sight o ye, till ye come tae the furthest away o the Scottish Borderland hills. There ye will come across the enchanted castle that sits in the midst o a derk sheet o water.

  ‘Tie yer horse tae a tree, an then when it is time, caw oot that ye want tae be lifted across the water. Three swans will come an cart ye across the water, but watch that ye dinnae slip an faw, because yer father will have yin less son.

  ‘On reaching the shore ye will have three gates tae go through, each guarded by terrible beasts. They are always sound asleep in the middle o the day atween yin an twae o’clock, so ye must use that time weel.

  ‘Heid straight for the castle. Inside ye’ll pass by many grand rooms that could turn the heid o a lesser man. Nae matter what ye see in there dinnae tarry, for it is only that short hour that will keep ye safe. Make yer way tae the kitchen an oot intae the garden where ye will come across the well. Fill yer flask with the Waters o Life, an then come back here tae me the same way ye travelled there. But mind this, yer success will affect mair than you an yer father.’

  After giving thanks tae the auld man for his kindness an his knowledge, the prince lowped on tae his horse, threw the ball o yarn atween its lugs an was away that quick that the wind had tae turn intae a gale tae keep up with them.

  Aw morning hae rode till they reached the furthest back o the Scottish Borderland hills. The enchanted castle surrounded by the derk sheet o water came intae view. Hae tied the horse tight tae a tree beside the water’s edge. Hae didnae have tae wait long before it was time tae caw oot, ‘I want tae be carried ower the water.’ Three swans came up tae his side an carried him safely ower tae the castle. By the time hae stepped on tae the shore it was precisely yin o’clock.

  At the first gate loomed twae muckle giants, but the spiked clubs they had in their hands were used tae prop themselves up as they were sound asleep. They only swayed a little in their deep slumber as the young prince passed atween them.

  At the second gate there were twae ferocious lions with teeth as long as daggers, but they never budged frae their slumber as the young prince passed atween them.

  At the third gate there were twae scunnersome dragons, an although the air they breathed was that hot it would dry yer claes on yer back in an instant, they never budged frae their coils o slumber as the young prince passed atween them.

  Hae took the steps twae at a time that led tae the castle. Inside hae scurried by many grand rooms withoot a second glance, but drew up at the grandest chamber. The door was wide open an there in the golden four-poster bed was the maist bonnie lassie hae’d ever clapped eyes on.

  On coming up closer his breath changed frae the fuel tae power his limbs tae a deep expression o his feeling for her. Not that hae realised that hae’d fallen in love with her, for hae had nae experience o such matters. Hae went closer sti
ll an kissed her lightly on the cheek as an appreciation o her beauty.

  Although she didnae waken frae her sleep, the laddie suddenly minded why hae was there. Turning tae go, hae saw a frilly handkerchief on the floor an swiftly picked it up an dropped his ain in its place. His ain white handkerchief had three gold crowns embroidered in yin corner. Then hae ran oot the room, past aw the other rooms, intae the kitchen an oot intae the back garden. Hae soon found the well, which had roses roond it. Hae quickly removed the cap frae the flask, filled it with water frae the well, an bunged the top tightly back on. Having done this, the young prince took tae his heels, making for the back door o the castle. Hae sprinted through the kitchen an past aw the grand rooms (though hae did have another wee keek intae the sleeping lassie’s room) before doon the steps hae lowped three at a time. Then hae scurried through the gates with their sleeping guards, an the three swans were waiting for him by the shore tae carry him back across the water. Nae sooner had they laid the young prince doon on the other side o the derk water than the three giants, the three lions an the three dragons burst oot o their slumber. The giants roared like volcanoes, the lions roared like the crashing tides o the seven seas, an the dragons seethed that much fire it resembled an ominous rumble o thunder. Aw o which was like the maist hideous choir imaginable, an mair than enough tae waken the deepest sleeper. The lassie, however, didnae even stir.

  The prince quickly untied his horse frae the tree, lowped on tae it an dug his heels intae its flanks. In a trice they were going that quick that the wind didnae even catch a glimpse or rumour o them.

  Having left the Borderland behind them it was nightfaw before they arrived at the muckle ruined hoose, where the auldest o the three auld brothers lived.

  ‘Now it is yer turn tae help me, for I have helped you,’ said the auld man. ‘Take this sword an come with me tae the well at the back o the hoose.’ When they got tae the well hae told the prince, ‘Now, ye must cut off ma heid.’

  ‘That doesnae sound like any sort o guid turn for aw that ye’ve done for me,’ the prince argued. But the auld man insisted that staunchly, saying that only guid could come oot o it, that at the hinderend the laddie did as hae was bid. Ower the well hae cut off the heid o the auld man.

  Nae sooner did the heid hit the water at the bottom o the well than a handsome young man showed up at the side o the prince. As the prince turned roond hae saw that the muckle hoose had refurbished itself intae aw the magnificence o how it was on the day that it was built. Not only that but the waste ground was now flourishing with neat lawns, trimmed hedges an flower beds that were fizzing with life an colour.

  ‘I have waited so many years for somebody brave enough tae break the spell that was put upon me,’ the young man smiled, ‘come away tae ma hoose an we’ll have a grand feast together. Tomorrow I hope ye’ll perform the same service for ma twae younger brothers?’

  The prince was only too delighted tae cut the heid off the second auld man an see him restored tae his youth yince mair, along with his hoose an garden. This hae did, just as hae went on tae cut off the heid o the first auld man an see him an his cottage an garden restored. Just as hae completed this final service, away up north in the enchanted castle the lassie stirred. She yawned as she stretched oot her arms an arched her back. An so it was the spell was broken, an the lassie (who was in fact a princess) wakened at last. The giants, the lions an the dragons aw vanished in that moment. The swans turned intae armoured knights o noble birth an aw at yince servants rushed aboot filling the castle with life an verve. The castle was now connected tae the other side o the derk water by a solid stane causeway. An at the same time the derk water nae longer seemed so derk.

  Next morning the young prince rode back tae the crossroads by the burn where hae left his brothers. As hae awaited their arrival hae tied up his horse, then realised that hae could do with a wee sleep, what with aw that hae’d been through an aw that feasting. So hae sat with his back tae a tree an fell fast asleep.

  By an by his brothers came along. They each had kept in mind that they had tae meet up with their brothers, but they’d been so caught up with their ain entertainment that they’d quite forgotten the plight o their father an aw aboot the Waters o Life. It was only when they saw their younger brother lying below the tree sleeping that they minded.

  ‘I wonder if hae was successful,’ whispered the eldest brother, whilst removing the flask frae the youngest’s belt. Hae unscrewed the top an kent as soon as hae tasted it, as the liquid caressed the back o his thrapple, that this was nae ordinary water, an that it had tae be the Water o Life. The twae aulder brothers agreed that their wee brother was ower young tae have the responsibility o making such a discovery that would cure their father. ‘Aye, things must go tae the eldest first,’ said the eldest, but then, realising that this might not go doon ower weel, added, ‘but as we are mair o a similar age we can share the Waters o Life, an thus both benefit frae father’s reward.’ So the eldest brother filled his flask half full o the magic waters frae the youngest’s flask, whilst the second auldest brother took the remainder. Then the middle brother took the empty flask an refilled it with water frae the burn. Hae then cleeked it tae the sleeping brother’s belt yince mair. ‘Now, brother,’ smiled the eldest, ‘I think we should away an leave him tae sleep off his exertions. After aw we shouldnae tarry any longer for father’s sake.’

  On opening his eyes the young prince had the queerest feeling o a presence that had recently been there. Hae got himself up, an on rooting aroond hae came across the tracks o twae horses on the path. The fact that the tracks were heiding in the direction o his father’s kingdom added tae the inclination that they belonged tae his brother’s horses. Hae was curious that they hadnae woken him, but maybe they were just that anxious tae get back tae their father tae save his life that they couldnae stop for even a second. So the laddie got himself quickly back on tae his horse, an set off at a gallop tae get back tae his father.

  The youngest laddie was delighted tae see his father hale an hearty when hae arrived back hame. ‘Aye, an it’s thanks tae yer twae aulder brothers for seeking oot the Waters o Life for me,’ beamed his father.

  ‘It doesnae matter that I was able tae fetch the Waters o Life for ye as weel, the main thing is that ye are back tae full health, Father,’ said the youngest prince.

  ‘Quite so, quite so. An it would be only fair tae taste the water frae yer flask ma son.’

  The laddie handed ower his flask tae his father, who pulled off the stopper an raised the container tae his lips. But hae screwed up his face as hae spluttered an spat the water oot, ‘Son, are ye trying tae poison me? This is nae Water o Life ye have in this flask. Were ye trying tae trick yer auld father? Guards, guards take this article oot o ma sight, an tell the executioner tae cut off his heid in the morning, for hae is nae son o mine.’

  On hearing that hae had tae cut off the heid o the youngest prince the executioner was sorely vexed. Oot o aw the princes hae fair liked the youngest, an didnae think much o the aulder yins. So hae took some raggedy claes tae the prince in his cell, an told him tae dirty his face an hands wi dirt frae the dungeon floor. Then hae took him under the cover o night tae a far away wood, tae a family o poor charcoal burners. The prince was welcomed in by the family, an as hae worked hard was soon accepted by them. They shared their food an their shelter with the disguised prince. They slept oot in the open when it was fine an mild, but took tae a mud hut with thatched branches for a roof in wet an cauld weather.

  The princess, meanwhile, had been travelling far an wide tae find the owner o the handkerchief wi the three gold crowns embroidered in yin corner. When at last she reached the king’s palace, her three knights drew their swords. They entered the palace an the princess insisted on seeing the king an his sons.

  ‘I am here tae marry the son o yours who filled his flask with the Waters o Life frae the well behind ma castle, that lies in the furthest hill o the Scottish Borderland. Which prince was it?’

&nb
sp; When the eldest brother stepped toward the princess cast the handkerchief embroidered with the three crowns on the floor.

  ‘If ye can stand on that handkerchief withoot losing yer balance then ye’re the man I’ve come for,’ said the princess.

  The laddie stepped boldly on tae the handkerchief, but for aw that hae tried hae toppled an fell flat on the floor, breaking his arm intae the bargain.

  ‘Ye are not the yin for me,’ said the princess glowering doon at the stricken prince. Tae insure that that hae could cause nae trouble the three knights drew their swords at him.

  The second prince fared even worse than the first, because when hae owerbalanced on the handkerchief hae broke his leg on the floor. Again her three knights stood ower him with their swords drawn, so that hae couldnae make any trouble either.

  The princess then turned tae the king, ‘Have ye nae got another son? Because neither o these is the man for me.’

  The king shoogled with fear an lost maist o the colour frae his face. Hae realised that hae could only ask his executioner what had happened tae his youngest son.

  The executioner was sent for, an when pressed on the matter hae confessed, ‘Hae is fine an weel an living in a far off wood with a family o charcoal burners.’

  The king was greatly relieved at this upshot – hae didnae ken who had the longest dagger aboot them, the three knights or the glower o the princess, but hae dinnae like the look o any o them. ‘Fetch him tae the palace right away,’ the king commanded.

  Some time later the messenger returned an informed the king, ‘The prince will nae come, hae prefers life in the woods tae death at the castle.’

  ‘Away back an fetch him. Tell him there will be nae death for him here,’ ordered the king, nae at aw happy at the glower o the princess an the blades o her three swordsmen.

  Yince mair the messenger came back unaccompanied. ‘The prince says that if ye want tae see him ye should away an visit him in the woods.’