THE FAIRIES' DANCING-PLACE
by Unknown · from Irish Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Lanty wanted a new home. He wanted it for his wife. He found a good place to build.
Lanty married his wife. He needed a house. He had a small farm. He wanted to build a home there. It was for his wife.
Lanty saw a green circle. It was a fairy dancing-place. People said, "Do not build here." Lanty ignored them. He wanted his house there.
Lanty built his house. It was a nice house. He brought his wife home. They had a party. Friends came. There was music. Everyone was happy.
Night came. A strange noise started. It was on the roof. Crash, crash! It was very loud. Many little people made noise. They shook the roof.
A voice spoke. It was a strong voice. "Work fast!" the voice said. "Move Lanty's house. Do it before midnight." The little people worked.
Lanty felt worried. He went outside. He spoke to the air. "Little people," he said. "I am sorry. This is your place. I built on your land."
Lanty said, "Please stop the noise. Let me sleep tonight. Tomorrow, I will move my house. I promise." He waited.
The little people clapped. Clap, clap! They were happy. "Bravo, Lanty!" a voice said. "Build your new house. Build it near two white-thorns. That is a good place."
The noises stopped. All was quiet. The little people went away.
The next day came. Lanty started to dig. He dug in the new place. It was near the white-thorns.
Lanty dug and dug. He found a pot. The pot was full of gold! It was shiny gold. Lanty was very happy. He was a rich man now.
Lanty learned to be kind to the land. He learned to listen to old stories. Then, good things happened to him! Lanty was very happy. He built his new house. He had a lot of gold! He always remembered to be kind to land.
Original Story
THE FAIRIES' DANCING-PLACE
By William Carleton
anty M'Clusky had married a wife, and, of course, it was necessary to have a house in which to keep her. Now, Lanty had taken a bit of a farm, about six acres; but as there was no house on it, he resolved to build one; and that it might be as comfortable as possible, he selected for the site of it one of those beautiful green circles that are supposed to be the play-ground of the fairies. Lanty was warned against this; but as he was a headstrong man, and not much given to fear, he said he would not change such a pleasant situation for his house to oblige all the fairies in Europe. He accordingly proceeded with the building, which he finished off very neatly; and, as it is usual on these occasions to give one's neighbours and friends a house-warming, so, in compliance with this good and pleasant old custom, Lanty having brought home the wife in the course of the day, got a fiddler and a lot of whisky, and gave those who had come to see him a dance in the evening. This was all very well, and the fun and hilarity were proceeding briskly, when a noise was heard after night had set in, like a crushing and straining of ribs and rafters on the top of the house. The folks assembled all listened, and, without doubt, there was nothing heard but crushing, and heaving, and pushing, and groaning, and panting, as if a thousand little men were engaged in pulling down the roof.
'Come,' said a voice which spoke in a tone of command, 'work hard: you know we must have Lanty's house down before midnight.'
This was an unwelcome piece of intelligence to Lanty, who, finding that his enemies were such as he could not cope with, walked out, and addressed them as follows:
'Gintlemen, I humbly ax yer pardon for buildin' on any place belongin' to you; but if you'll have the civilitude to let me alone this night, I'll begin to pull down and remove the house to-morrow morning.'
This was followed by a noise like the clapping of a thousand tiny little hands, and a shout of 'Bravo, Lanty! build half-way between the two White-thorns above the boreen'; and after another hearty little shout of exultation, there was a brisk rushing noise, and they were heard no more.
The story, however, does not end here; for Lanty, when digging the foundation of his new house, found the full of a kam[1] of gold: so that in leaving to the fairies their play-ground, he became a richer man than ever he otherwise would have been, had he never come in contact with them at all.
FOOTNOTES.
[1] Kam—a metal vessel in which the peasantry dip rushlights.
Story DNA
Moral
Respecting ancient traditions and the unseen world can lead to unexpected blessings.
Plot Summary
Lanty M'Clusky builds his new house on a fairy dancing-place, ignoring warnings. During his house-warming, invisible fairies begin to dismantle his roof, demanding he move. Lanty humbly apologizes and promises to relocate the house the next morning. The fairies applaud and instruct him to build between two white-thorns. When digging the foundation for his new house, Lanty discovers a pot of gold, becoming a wealthy man as a reward for respecting the unseen world.
Themes
Emotional Arc
defiance to fear to relief to prosperity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story reflects common Irish folk beliefs about respecting the 'good people' (fairies) and their territories, often associated with specific natural features like 'fairy rings' or hawthorn trees.
Plot Beats (11)
- Lanty M'Clusky marries and decides to build a house on his new farm.
- He chooses a fairy dancing-place for the site, ignoring warnings.
- Lanty completes the house and hosts a house-warming party with a fiddler and whisky.
- During the party, strange noises are heard on the roof, like many tiny men pulling it down.
- A voice commands the unseen workers to demolish Lanty's house before midnight.
- Lanty, realizing his powerlessness, steps outside and apologizes to the fairies for building on their land.
- He promises to dismantle the house the next morning if they leave him alone for the night.
- The fairies respond with applause and instruct him to build his new house between two specific white-thorns.
- The noises cease, and the fairies are heard no more.
- The next day, Lanty begins digging the foundation for his new house at the fairies' suggested location.
- He discovers a metal vessel (kam) full of gold, making him a rich man.
Characters
Lanty M'Clusky
A sturdy, perhaps slightly stocky man of average height, with the robust build of a farmer accustomed to physical labor. His hands would be calloused from work.
Attire: Simple, durable Irish peasant clothing of the 19th century: a coarse linen shirt, a wool waistcoat, sturdy homespun trousers, and heavy leather boots. His clothes would be functional, possibly patched, and earth-toned.
Wants: To provide a comfortable home for himself and his new wife, and to make a living from his farm.
Flaw: His initial stubbornness and disregard for local folklore and warnings.
Initially dismissive of local folklore, he learns to respect the unseen forces of the land and benefits greatly from his newfound understanding.
Headstrong, practical, respectful (when necessary), adaptable, and a bit stubborn. He is not easily swayed by superstition initially but is quick to adapt when faced with undeniable evidence.
The Fairy Leader
Though unseen, implied to be small, like the 'thousand little men' working. Their presence suggests a commanding, authoritative figure among the fairies.
Attire: Unseen, but likely ethereal and natural, perhaps woven from leaves, moonlight, or spider silk, in shades of green, silver, or earth tones, befitting a creature of the wild.
Wants: To reclaim and protect their traditional dancing-place from human encroachment.
Flaw: Perhaps a respect for direct communication and a willingness to honor agreements.
Initially acting as an antagonist to Lanty, they become a benevolent force after Lanty respects their wishes, rewarding him for his compliance.
Commanding, mischievous, traditionalist (protecting their space), fair (willing to negotiate), and capable of exultation.
Locations
The Fairies' Dancing-Place (Original Site)
A beautiful, perfectly green circular patch of ground, chosen by Lanty for its pleasant situation. It is implied to be a natural, untouched clearing.
Mood: Initially festive and lively due to the house-warming, then abruptly eerie and threatening as the fairies begin their work, finally relieved and slightly magical.
Lanty builds his house here, holds a house-warming, and is then forced by the fairies to agree to move it.
Lanty's New House Site
A location situated 'half-way between the two White-thorns above the boreen' (a narrow country lane). This site is where Lanty begins digging for his new foundation.
Mood: Hopeful and industrious, with an underlying sense of good fortune.
Lanty begins construction on his new house and discovers a treasure of gold.