THE PELLINGS
by Unknown · from Welsh Fairy-Tales and Other Stories
Adapted Version
Long ago, John was a kind farmer. He loved watching fairies by the river. They were small. They glowed. It was a happy sight.
One night, Farmer John saw a fairy. Her name was Lily. She was very pretty. Lily did not fly away. She stayed with Farmer John. The other fairies went home. Lily was not scared. She liked Farmer John.
Lily came to live with Farmer John. She helped him every day. She was very kind. But Lily did not tell her name. It was a secret. Farmer John did not know her name. He called her Lily.
One day, Farmer John heard other fairies. They talked in the meadow. John heard a fairy say Penelope was gone. He learned Lily's real name. It was Penelope.
Farmer John loved Lily. He asked her to marry him. Lily agreed to marry, but had one rule. "Never touch me with iron. Iron makes fairies very sad. If you do, I must leave." John promised.
Farmer John and Lily married. They had a boy and a girl. They were a happy family. Lily helped on the farm. The farm grew strong.
One day, a horse ran away. John needed to catch it. He grabbed an iron bridle. He threw the bridle. He aimed for the horse. But the bridle hit Lily. It was an accident. Lily cried out. She disappeared. Poof!
John was very sad. He missed Lily so much. One night, he heard her voice. It was a soft song. "Care for our children," she sang. "Love our boy and girl. Give her her mother's dress." John promised he would.
Original Story
THE PELLINGS.
In a meadow belonging to Ystrad, bounded by the river which falls from Cwellyn Lake, they say the fairies used to assemble, and dance in fair moonlight nights. One evening a young man, who was the heir and occupier of this farm, hid himself in a thicket close to the spot where they used to gambol. Presently they appeared, and when in their merry mood, out he bounced from his covert, and seized one of their females; the rest of the company dispersed themselves, and disappeared in an instant. Disregarding her struggles and screams, he hauled her to his home, where he treated her so very kindly that she became contented to live with him as his maid-servant, but he could not prevail upon her to tell him her name. Some time after, happening again to see the fairies upon the same spot, he heard one of them saying, “The last time we met here our sister Penelope was snatched away from us by one of the mortals.” Rejoiced at knowing the name of his incognita, he returned home; and as she was very beautiful and extremely active, he proposed to marry her, which she would not for a long time consent to; at last, however, she complied, but on this condition, “That if ever he should strike her with iron, she would leave him, and never return to him again.” They lived happy for many years together, and he had by her a son and a daughter; and by her industry and prudent management as a housewife he became one of the richest men in the country. He farmed, besides his own freehold, all the lands on the north side of Nant y Bettws to the top of Snowdon, and all Cwm brwynog in Llanberis, an extent of about five thousand acres or upwards.
Unfortunately, one day Penelope followed her husband into the field to catch a horse, and he, being in a rage at the animal as he ran away from him, threw at him the bridle that was in his hand, which unluckily fell on poor Penelope. She disappeared in an instant, and he never saw her afterwards, but heard her voice in the window of his room one night after, requesting him to take care of the children, in these words:—
“Rhag bod anwyd ar fy mâb,
Yn rhodd rhowch arno gôb ei dâd:
Rhag bod anwyd ar liw’r cann,
Rhoddwch arni bais ei mam.”
That is,
“Oh! lest my son should suffer cold,
Him in his father’s coat infold:
Lest cold should seize my darling fair,
For her, her mother’s robe prepare.”
These children and their descendants they say were called Pellings , a word corrupted from their mother’s name Penelope.
In England we frequently meet with the surname Pilling and Billing; it might have happened, that a man had met with an English woman of that name, and had married her, and, as is usual in brides, she might have been, though married, called by her maiden name, and the appellation might have been continued to her posterity.—Authors Note.
The name Billing and Belling is the family name of one of the oldest Cornish (Keltic) families—a fact that suggests other possibilities.—P. H. E.
Story DNA
Moral
Breaking a sacred promise, even accidentally, can lead to irreparable loss.
Plot Summary
A young Welsh farmer captures a fairy, Penelope, and eventually marries her under the strict condition that he never strikes her with iron. They live happily for many years, have two children, and become prosperous. However, one day, in a fit of anger at a horse, the farmer accidentally throws an iron bridle at Penelope, causing her to vanish instantly and permanently. She never returns, but her voice is heard once, asking him to care for their children, who are subsequently known as 'Pellings'.
Themes
Emotional Arc
joy to sorrow
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story includes an author's note speculating on the origin of the surname 'Pilling' or 'Billing', suggesting a connection to real-world family names and potentially ancient Celtic roots, grounding the fantastical tale in a sense of historical or etymological possibility.
Plot Beats (10)
- A young farmer in Ystrad hides to watch fairies dance by the river.
- He ambushes the fairies, seizing one female while the others vanish.
- He brings the fairy home, where she serves him kindly but keeps her name secret.
- The farmer later overhears other fairies lamenting their sister Penelope's abduction, thus learning her name.
- He proposes marriage to Penelope, who eventually agrees on the strict condition that he never strikes her with iron.
- They marry, have a son and a daughter, and become very wealthy due to Penelope's diligent management.
- One day, while trying to catch a horse, the farmer angrily throws an iron bridle at the animal.
- The bridle accidentally strikes Penelope, who immediately disappears.
- The farmer never sees her again, but later hears her voice through his window, singing a plea to care for their children.
- Their children and descendants are thereafter known as 'Pellings', a corruption of Penelope's name.
Characters
The Young Man (Heir of Ystrad)
A sturdy and capable young man, likely of average height and build, accustomed to farm work. His features would be weathered from outdoor life in the Welsh countryside, with a healthy, robust complexion.
Attire: Simple, durable clothing suitable for a farmer in 18th or 19th century Wales. This would include a homespun wool or linen shirt, sturdy breeches, and practical leather boots. Perhaps a waistcoat for slightly more formal occasions.
Wants: To secure his lineage, build wealth, and find a companion. Initially, he is driven by curiosity and a desire to possess something unique (Penelope).
Flaw: His temper and impulsiveness, as shown by his throwing the bridle in a fit of rage, which leads to Penelope's departure.
He transforms from a curious, somewhat impulsive young man who 'seizes' a fairy, into a loving husband and father, and a prosperous landowner, only to suffer the tragic loss of his wife due to his own momentary lapse.
Bold, determined, kind (initially towards Penelope), ambitious, and practical. He is driven by a desire for prosperity and a family.
Penelope (The Fairy Wife)
Exquisitely beautiful, with a delicate, ethereal quality that hints at her non-human origin. She is described as 'extremely active,' suggesting a lithe and graceful build, perhaps slightly smaller than a human woman.
Attire: Initially, she would wear simple, flowing garments made of natural materials, perhaps woven from moonlight or dew, in soft, ethereal colors like pale green, silver, or white, befitting a fairy. After living with the farmer, her clothes would adapt to human fashion but retain a delicate, elegant quality, perhaps fine linen or wool dresses in muted tones, always impeccably clean and well-maintained due to her industry.
Wants: To return to her own kind (initially), then to live happily and safely with her new family, and to ensure the well-being of her children.
Flaw: Her magical vulnerability to iron, which is her undoing and the condition of her marriage.
She transforms from a captive fairy into a contented, loving wife and mother, bringing prosperity to her human family, only to be tragically lost due to a broken magical condition, returning to her ethereal existence.
Initially resistant and fearful, then adaptable, industrious, prudent, loving, and ultimately bound by her magical oath. She is a devoted wife and mother.
The Son (Pelling)
A young boy, likely inheriting some of his mother's delicate features and his father's sturdy build. He would have a healthy, active appearance.
Attire: Simple, warm clothing appropriate for a child in a prosperous Welsh farming family. A small wool tunic or jacket over a linen shirt, and sturdy trousers.
Wants: To grow up and thrive.
Flaw: Vulnerability to cold, as indicated by Penelope's concern.
Remains a child throughout the story, representing the future of the family.
Not explicitly described, but implied to be a cherished child.
The Daughter (Pelling)
A young girl, likely inheriting her mother's beauty and grace, perhaps with a delicate build.
Attire: A simple, warm dress appropriate for a child in a prosperous Welsh farming family, perhaps a small wool dress over a linen shift.
Wants: To grow up and thrive.
Flaw: Vulnerability to cold, as indicated by Penelope's concern.
Remains a child throughout the story, representing the future of the family.
Not explicitly described, but implied to be a cherished child.
Locations
Meadow by Cwellyn Lake
A lush meadow belonging to the Ystrad farm, bounded by a river flowing from Cwellyn Lake. It features a thicket dense enough for a person to hide in, and is illuminated by moonlight.
Mood: Magical, secretive, later tense and dramatic
The young man first encounters and captures Penelope, and later overhears her name from the fairies.
Ystrad Farmhouse
The home of the young man, a Welsh farmhouse that becomes Penelope's residence. It is implied to be a comfortable and well-managed home, reflecting the family's growing prosperity, with a window in the master's room.
Mood: Initially domestic and kind, later melancholic and haunted
Penelope lives here for many years, raises her children, and later her voice is heard from the window after her disappearance.
Farm Field (near Ystrad)
An open field belonging to the Ystrad farm, where horses are kept. It is a place of daily farm work.
Mood: Ordinary, functional, but becomes tragic
Penelope is accidentally struck by an iron bridle and disappears forever.