THE FAIRY DOCTOR
by Sophia Morrison · from Manx Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once, there was a tailor. He liked to visit houses. One day, he went to a house. It was a special house.
The Tailor went to Mr. Chalse's house. Mr. Chalse was a special man. He knew the Little Ones. He saw them sometimes. He did not talk their language well. But he was often with them.
Mr. Chalse sat in his big chair. He looked out the window. He looked at the clock. "I go to a big supper," he said. "Do you want to come with me?" "You must not speak." "Do not speak, no matter what you see." "Do not speak, no matter who talks." This was the important rule.
The Tailor was very happy. He wanted to see the Little Ones. He promised Mr. Chalse. "I will not speak," he said. He promised to be very quiet. He felt safe with Mr. Chalse.
Mr. Chalse went outside. Soon, horses came. The Tailor heard them. He did not see them. They made a loud noise. Mr. Chalse came back inside. "We have no horse for you," he said. "Find your own horse now."
Mr. Chalse went to a room. He got something. The Tailor picked up his lapboard. It was a flat wooden board. He sat on it like a horse. This was his special horse.
They rode very fast. The horses ran so quickly. They went over tall hedges. They went over deep ditches. It was a very bumpy ride. The Tailor held on tight. He went very fast.
They came to a big river. They had to jump. All the horses jumped. The Tailor jumped too. He flew through the air. He felt very scared. His heart jumped up.
The jump was very big. The Tailor was so scared. He forgot the important rule. He opened his mouth. "Oh Lord, what a jump!" he said. He spoke the words.
He fell down. He fell into a muddy, wet place. He was all alone. It was very dark. He was cold and very wet. He could not see.
Morning came. People found him. He was covered in thick mud. He was very quiet. He was very sad. He looked like a dirty thing. He did not speak.
People asked him about the ride. "Did you like it?" they asked him. He shook his head. He said, "Never again, never again!" He learned a big lesson.
The Tailor never wanted to go. He learned to always listen to important rules.
Original Story
THE FAIRY DOCTOR
The shoemakers and tailors and chance spinners used to go round on people’s houses, making things and spinning rolls of wool for the people.
One time the tailor went to Chalse Ballawhane. Long enough they were waiting for him, and, as luck happened, he caught Chalse at home.
Now Chalse had power over the fishes of the sea and the birds of the air as well as over the beasts of the field. Himself and the Little Ones got on well together too, but somehow or other he was never able to get the power over them. People said he was never able to learn their language right. Anyhow, be that as it may, he was often enough with them.
After the tailor had had a crack with the women he turned round to Ballawhane, who was sitting in the big chair, his elbow on the table and his hand holding his forehead, the other hand in his trouser’s pocket to the elbow, and he not minding anybody nor anything.
‘I batter take yer measure, Mr. Teare, while yer in, for there’s no knowin’ how long that’ll be,’ the tailor said.
‘Aw, boy, boy,’ answered Chalse, looking out through the window—people were not bothering with blinds then—and then turning to the clock, he said: ‘There’s no time goin’ to-night: I want to go from home apiece, an’ it’s time I was gettin’ ready.’ Nobody said a word for a minute or two. He was exactly like a body with his mind far away. Again, all of a sudden, he looked at the tailor. Then he said:
‘Ahm goin’ to a big supper to-night. Thou’ll get nothin’ done here, maybe thou would like to go? It’s apiece to go, but thou’ll be right enough with me. But there’s one promise I’ll be wantin’ from thee—no matter, no matter what thou’ll see, nor what thou’ll hear, nor who’ll spake to thee, thou mustn’t spake back or it’ll be all over with thee.’
The tailor was so taken up with the chance of seeing the Little People for himself that he promised faithfully, no matter what took place, never to speak a word, and he knew he would be right enough with Chalse.
Ballawhane then took his hat from the latt, and when he was going out he said:
‘I’ll be back for thee just now; side thee things a bit while thou ’re waitin’.’
In a while there was a noise of horses coming up the street—it was awful. Then they stopped on the street and in came Ballawhane saying:
‘We couldn’ get another hoss for thee, boy, do what we would, but thou ’ll have to get a hoss of some sort.’
And going down to the parlour he got hold of something, and went out, never saying a word. Coming back to the door after a bit, he said:
‘Come on, boy. I’ll hold her head till thou get on.’
Out goes the tailor, and up, with one whip, on her back, and they go like the very hommers, on and on, over hedges and ditches, till they came to a big brow by a river. It seems they knew the way, night as it was, for they all took it one after another like fun. It was a big jump, though, and when the tailor felt himself flying through the air, his heart jumped to his mouth.
‘Oh Lord, what a jump!’ he said.
The next minute he fell flop in a bog, with the lapboard between his legs, all alone in the dark. Next morning he got up all slaaed with slush, looking like a thing that had been dragged through a gutter, and as quiet as a mouse—the shy he was, every bit of steam took out of him.
Awhile after some of the women were asking him, how did he like it last night, and would he go again? But all they could get out of him was:
‘Aw, naver no more, naver no more!’
Story DNA
Moral
Disobeying a specific warning, especially when dealing with the supernatural, can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Plot Summary
A tailor visits Chalse Ballawhane, a man with a mysterious connection to fairies. Chalse invites the tailor to a fairy supper, but only if he promises not to speak, no matter what he sees. The tailor eagerly agrees and, mounting his lapboard as a 'horse', embarks on a wild, invisible ride with Chalse and the fairies. During a terrifying jump over a river, the tailor breaks his promise by exclaiming in fear. Immediately, he is abandoned and falls into a bog, waking up the next morning disheveled and traumatized, vowing never to seek out the fairy world again.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to fear to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story reflects traditional Manx folklore, where belief in fairies (often called the 'Little People' or 'Little Ones') was common. Such tales often served as cautionary stories about respecting the supernatural and adhering to their rules.
Plot Beats (12)
- Traveling tradesmen, including tailors, used to go house to house for work.
- A tailor visits Chalse Ballawhane, a man with power over animals and a connection to the 'Little Ones' (fairies), though he can't fully control them.
- Chalse, deep in thought, tells the tailor he's going to a big supper and invites him, but only if he promises not to speak, no matter what happens.
- The tailor, eager to see the Little People, faithfully promises silence.
- Chalse leaves, then returns with the sound of horses, explaining they couldn't get one for the tailor, who must find his own 'horse'.
- Chalse retrieves something from the parlor, and the tailor mounts his 'horse' (which turns out to be his lapboard).
- They ride at a furious pace over difficult terrain, with the tailor holding on.
- They come to a large jump over a river, and the tailor feels himself flying through the air.
- In a moment of fear and surprise, the tailor breaks his promise and exclaims, 'Oh Lord, what a jump!'
- Immediately, the tailor falls into a bog, alone in the dark.
- The next morning, he is found covered in slush, quiet and traumatized.
- When asked later about his experience, he repeatedly states, 'Aw, naver no more, naver no more!'
Characters
Chalse Ballawhane ★ protagonist
A man of average build, likely weathered by outdoor life, given his connection to nature. His posture suggests deep thought or weariness, often seen with an elbow on the table and hand to his forehead.
Attire: Practical, everyday Manx clothing of the period, likely sturdy wool trousers and a simple shirt, possibly a waistcoat. His hat is mentioned as being on the 'latt' (a shelf or rack), suggesting it's a common part of his attire.
Wants: To maintain his unique connection with the 'Little Ones' (Fairies) and perhaps to understand their world better, despite his inability to master their language. He also seems to enjoy sharing glimpses of his world with others, albeit with strict conditions.
Flaw: His inability to fully understand or communicate in the fairies' language, which prevents him from gaining 'power over them'. His aloofness might also make him seem unapproachable.
He remains largely unchanged, serving as a conduit to the supernatural world for the tailor. His character is consistent in his mysterious nature and connection to the fairies.
Mysterious, thoughtful, connected to the natural and supernatural world, somewhat aloof, and possesses a dry wit. He is also a man of his word, fulfilling his promise to the tailor.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult Manx man, average height and build, with a weathered face, fair skin, and kind, distant blue eyes. His dark brown hair is practical and short, slightly disheveled. He wears a dark grey wool waistcoat over a simple cream linen shirt, and sturdy dark brown wool trousers. His right elbow rests on a table, and his right hand is pressed against his forehead, his expression thoughtful and somewhat weary. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Tailor ◆ supporting
An ordinary Manx tailor, likely of average height and build, perhaps a bit lean from his trade. His appearance would be unremarkable, making his extraordinary experience stand out more.
Attire: Typical working-class Manx attire of the period: sturdy, practical clothing suitable for a traveling craftsman, likely including a simple shirt, trousers, and possibly a waistcoat. He carries a lapboard, a tool of his trade.
Wants: To see the 'Little People' (Fairies) for himself and experience the supernatural world Chalse Ballawhane inhabits. He is driven by curiosity and the allure of the unknown.
Flaw: His inability to control his fear and his impulse to speak, which breaks his promise and leads to his terrifying experience. He is easily overwhelmed by the supernatural.
Transforms from a curious and eager individual into a terrified and subdued man, completely cured of any desire to interact with the supernatural. He learns a harsh lesson about the dangers of breaking promises and meddling with the unknown.
Curious, eager for adventure, initially brave, but ultimately easily terrified and subdued by the supernatural. He is a man of his word, even if it leads to his downfall.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult Manx man, average height and lean build, with a pale, mud-splattered face, wide, fearful brown eyes, and disheveled dark brown hair. He wears a simple, mud-stained cream linen shirt, dark grey wool trousers, and a dark brown waistcoat, all covered in bog slush. He is hunched over, looking utterly defeated and terrified, with a wooden lapboard clutched between his legs. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Chalse Ballawhane's Cottage
A humble, traditional Manx cottage interior. Chalse sits in a big chair with his elbow on the table, hand on his forehead, lost in thought. There are no blinds on the window, and a clock is visible. The tailor is present, and later, the sounds of horses are heard outside.
Mood: Quiet, contemplative, with an underlying sense of mystery and anticipation.
Chalse Ballawhane invites the tailor to a fairy supper, extracting a promise of silence.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit interior of a simple, rustic Manx cottage. Rough-hewn timber beams support a low ceiling, and a small, unadorned window looks out into the deepening twilight. A heavy, dark wooden chair is pulled up to a plain wooden table, where a man sits, his posture suggesting deep thought. A simple wall clock hangs on a whitewashed stone wall, and a wooden 'latt' shelf holds a few everyday items. Warm, flickering firelight casts long shadows across the room. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Journey to the Fairy Supper
A wild, fast-paced journey on horseback over hedges and ditches, in the dark of night. It culminates in a 'big brow by a river' requiring a significant jump.
Mood: Exhilarating, terrifying, magical, and disorienting.
The tailor's perilous ride with Chalse and the unseen fairy horses, ending in a terrifying jump.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dynamic, dark landscape at night, seen from a low perspective as if riding. Silhouetted hedges and ditches blur past under a moonless, star-scattered sky. The ground is uneven, suggesting fields and wild terrain. In the distance, a dark, winding river reflects faint starlight, leading to a dramatic, steep 'brow' or cliff edge that looms against the horizon. The air feels cold and fast. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Bog
A dark, muddy bog where the tailor lands after the jump, alone. In the morning, it's a slushy, messy environment.
Mood: Desolate, cold, humiliating, and utterly mundane after the magical journey.
The tailor's unceremonious and solitary landing after breaking his promise, and his miserable morning after.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, desolate Manx bog at dawn. The ground is a churned expanse of dark, peaty mud and standing water, reflecting the pale, grey light of the emerging sun. Sparse, tough bog grasses and rushes poke through the slush. A few isolated, gnarled scrub bushes dot the distant, low horizon. The air is cold and still, with a lingering mist clinging to the hollows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.