AUTHOR’S NOTE
by Unknown · from Welsh Fairy-Tales and Other Stories
Adapted Version
Hello! My name is Lily. I love old stories. I want to tell you about them.
I went to a special place. It was called a town. The town is by the sea. It was cold winter. Snow fell softly. Many years passed since then. I found many old stories there. I loved to listen very much.
Kind people told me their stories. They told me about long ago. I sat and listened well. I took my pen. I wrote each word down. I wrote them right away. I heard many good tales. I wanted to keep them all safe.
Each story has special details. They are like little secrets. I will tell you more about each one. We can learn about them with me. It will be very fun to learn them.
I kept all the stories safe. I did not change any words. I did not change a thing at all. They are just like I heard them. This is very big to me. I love the old words. They sound special.
One day, I found a very old book. It was dusty and brown. Mr. Books sold it to me. He has a small shop. He is a very kind man. He did not know the book's name. It was a big puzzle to us both. What was inside?
Later, I looked and looked. I found out its real name! It was a very, very old book. It was like a wise old friend. It helped me to learn many new things. It told me about the land of this town. It told me about the people too.
These old stories are very special to me. They are like little gifts. I want to share them with you. I hope you like them very much. I think they are truly good stories.
There are many, many stories waiting for us. A whole book full! You can read them right now. They are all here, just for you. We can open the book. We will read them with me, one by one. It will be fun!
These stories are like little treasures. I hope you love them too! Let's read them with me.
Original Story
AUTHOR’S NOTE.
These tales were collected by me whilst living in Anglesea during the winter 1891-2.
With the exception of the French story, they were told me and I took them down at the time.
Particulars respecting the narratives will be found in the Notes.
In most cases I have done but little “editing”, preferring to give the stories as told.
The old book referred to in the Notes I bought from a country bookseller, who knew neither its author, title, or date, but I have since been informed the book is Williams’ Observations on the Snowdon Mountains, published in 1802, a book well known to students of Celtic literature.
P. H. E.
CLARINGBOLD, BROADSTAIRS. April 1894.
CONTENTS
ROBERT ROBERTS AND THE FAIRIES.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
This 'Author's Note' details the collection of a series of tales by P. H. E. in Anglesea during 1891-2. The author explains that most stories were orally recounted and transcribed with minimal editing to preserve their original form. The note also clarifies that an old, previously unidentified book used as a source was later recognized as Williams’ *Observations on the Snowdon Mountains* (1802), a significant work in Celtic literature. The note concludes with the author's signature and the date April 1894, followed by a table of contents for the collected stories.
Themes
Emotional Arc
neutral
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This note provides context for a collection of folk tales, likely from Wales, reflecting a period when such stories were being systematically collected and documented before they were lost. The reference to 'Williams’ *Observations on the Snowdon Mountains*, published in 1802' points to an interest in regional history and folklore.
Plot Beats (8)
- The author states that the tales were collected in Anglesea during the winter of 1891-2.
- The author clarifies that most tales were orally told and transcribed at the time, with one exception being a French story.
- The author indicates that specific details about the narratives are provided in separate 'Notes'.
- The author emphasizes minimal editing to maintain the original storytelling style.
- The author recounts buying an old, unidentified book from a country bookseller.
- The author reveals that the old book was later identified as Williams' *Observations on the Snowdon Mountains*, published in 1802.
- The author signs off with their initials, location, and the date April 1894.
- A table of contents lists the titles of the collected stories.
Characters
P. H. E.
Undescribed, but likely of European descent given the location and time period (Anglesea, Wales, 1891-1892).
Attire: Undescribed, but would be typical late Victorian era clothing for a person of literary or academic pursuits, possibly tweed suits, wool coats, and sturdy leather shoes suitable for travel and research in rural Wales.
Wants: To collect and preserve local folklore and oral traditions accurately, and to share these stories with a wider audience.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a tendency towards academic precision over narrative embellishment, which might make the tales feel less 'edited' but also less polished.
The story is an author's note, so the character's arc is not detailed, but it implies a journey from collecting to publishing, evolving from a listener to a compiler/editor.
Diligent, observant, respectful of oral tradition, meticulous in recording, and academically inclined.
The Country Bookseller
Undescribed, but likely a local Welsh man, possibly with a weathered appearance from working in a small shop. Could be of average height and build, perhaps with a slightly stooped posture from years of handling books.
Attire: Undescribed, but would be practical, modest clothing typical of a rural shopkeeper in late 19th-century Wales, such as a sturdy tweed waistcoat, a plain shirt, and dark trousers, possibly with an apron.
Wants: To sell books and make a living.
Flaw: Lack of detailed knowledge about his inventory.
A static character, serving as a plot device for P. H. E. to acquire the book.
Unknowing (regarding the book's details), presumably honest and straightforward in his dealings.
Locations
Anglesea (Winter 1891-2)
The island of Anglesea, likely experiencing the cold, damp, and possibly grey weather typical of a Welsh winter. The landscape would feature rolling hills, coastal areas, and perhaps sparse, wind-swept vegetation. The atmosphere is one of quiet observation and collection.
Mood: Reflective, quiet, conducive to storytelling and folklore collection
The author's primary location for collecting the Welsh fairy tales and folklore.
Country Bookseller's Shop
A small, perhaps cluttered, shop belonging to a country bookseller. It would be filled with old, dusty books, likely stacked on shelves and tables, exuding the scent of aged paper and leather. The lighting would be dim, perhaps from a single window or an oil lamp.
Mood: Musty, quiet, full of forgotten knowledge and hidden treasures
The author purchases the old, unidentified book, later revealed to be Williams’ *Observations on the Snowdon Mountains*.
Claringbold, Broadstairs (April 1894)
Broadstairs is a coastal town in Kent, England, known for its chalk cliffs and sandy bays. In April, the weather would be cool and possibly breezy, with signs of spring emerging. Claringbold would likely refer to a specific residence or area within Broadstairs, suggesting a more settled, reflective environment for the author to finalize the collection.
Mood: Calm, concluding, a sense of completion and reflection
The author dates and signs the 'Author's Note', signifying the completion of the collection.