Once Upon a Rosie

Hi, I’m Rosie, an artist, educator, and lifelong fairytale fiend. From a very young age I’ve been hooked on stories- some of my earliest memories are of walking with my grandfather and listening to him spin the most incredible yarns- it was pure magic. Since then I’ve studied literature, theater, art and illustration in hopes of becoming a better storyteller. Every person who tells a story puts their own spin on it- do you remember learning the difference between Disney’s Cinderella and the version by the Brother’s Grimm? When my grandfather left me his collection of fairytales and fables it seemed like a good time to revisit those familiar stories as they were recorded. As he shared them with me, I will share them with you- starting with some classic collections and seeing where the journey takes us. This way lies adventure.

E30: The Twin Brothers 06/19/2025

E30: The Twin Brothers Episode 30: The Twin Brothers **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Summary After eating a magical gold-fish, a couple, as well as their dog and horse, are blessed with twin sons. Once grown, the young men wish to travel, but their father will only allow one of his precious sons to leave at a time. Before leaving, the first tells his brother to keep watch of the cypress trees by the front of their house. If he should see them wither, it is a sign that his brother is in distress, and he should immediately seek him out. As he journeys, he sees a castle and learns it is where “the fairest in the land” lives. He plays his zither, and she is immediately smitten. Her father agrees to let them marry if the traveler is able to pass three tests, which he is only able to do with her help. Just before they marry, the twin says he must leave, but will return in fourteen days. Shortly, he arrives in another town, where he learns the only spring is guarded by a giant, who only allows it to be drawn from once a year when he is given a maiden to eat. Fortunately for the traveler, he arrived on that very day. When he approaches the spring he has his dog defeat the giant and rescues the princess. The traveler and the princess marry and live in the castle for a time before he is again struck with wanderlust. On this journey he meets an old woman who promises water, but tricks him and turns him to stone. Back at home, the second twin sees the cypress trees wither and immediately sets out to find his brother. Along the way he is mistaken for his brother by many people including the princess. Finally, he finds his brother and is able to rescue him. Angered that his wife mistook his twin for himself, the first twin kills his brother. He then returns to the castle. When the princess learns of what transpired she asks him to show her to the place he struck his brother. He does, and she is able to revive the twin. In the end, the second twin marries the “fairest in the land” and they, and their parents, live together in joy and happiness. Questions or Comments? Email: Or Book The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Music "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward. Free download: /episode/index/show/621a31bd-19dd-4bc7-99f4-9b71ee17d625/id/37076060

E29: The Street Musicians 06/12/2025

E28: The Simpleton 06/05/2025

E27: The Unlooked-For Prince 05/29/2025

E26: Laughing Eye and Weeping Eye, or The Limping Fox 05/22/2025

E25: The Daughter of Buk Ettemsuch 05/15/2025

E25: The Daughter of Buk Ettemsuch Episode 25: The Daughter of Buk Ettemsuch Content warning: Violence and death. **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Summary When their parents leave to travel, they tell their seven daughters not to leave the house or open the door to anyone for three years. After the six eldest daughters do not listen and are eaten by a witch, the youngest is adopted by an ogre. She is well taken care of and given the keys to six rooms in his castle. Determined to find out what is in the mysterious seventh room she devises a plan and steals the key. In the mostly bare room she finds a window overlooking the neighboring prince’s garden. Caring for the garden is an ox who tells the girl that her father, the ogre, plans to eat her. Upset by this, the girl tells her father and he teaches her how to respond- with a spell that incapacitates the ox for seven days. Untended, the prince’s garden falls to shambles. Displeased, he kills the ox and replaces it with another. The scenario repeats, but this time the ox begs for his life, and tells the prince about the girl in the ogre’s castle. The prince is intrigued, and hides in a tree where he is able to observe the next exchange between the ox and the girl. He is immediately smitten and makes a plan to ask the ogre for her hand. The ogre consents, but as the girl is leaving he tells her she must not speak to the prince unless he swears “by the head of Buk Ettemsuch”. She agrees. Frustrated by his wife’s silence, the prince takes a series of new brides, whom she tricks into killing themselves. Finally, the prince discovers the key to his wife’s silence and they live happily to the end of their days. Questions or Comments? Email: Or Book The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Music "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward. Free download: /episode/index/show/621a31bd-19dd-4bc7-99f4-9b71ee17d625/id/36576330

E24: The Sunchild 05/08/2025

E23: The Bear 05/01/2025

E22: The Jackal and the Spring 04/24/2025

E21: The Story of the Fair Circassians 04/17/2025

E20: The Story of the Three Sons of Hali (Part 2) 04/10/2025

E19: The Story of the Three Sons of Hali (Part 1) 04/03/2025

E18: The Dog and the Sparrow 03/27/2025

E17: Bobino 03/20/2025

E16: Mohammed with the Magic Finger 03/13/2025

E16: Mohammed with the Magic Finger Episode 16: Mohammed with the Magic Finger This story has a number of themes and motifs that should be carefully considered. Please please, take a listen before playing this for any children. **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Summary A mother moves to a new town with her son and daughter. Time passes, and while the son is traveling, the mother is killed. The daughter runs away and is found by a mysterious man who brings her to his home underground and marries her. After some time they have a son. Their son, Mohammed, is gifted with the ability to see anything happening “as far as two days distance”. One day, Mohammed tells his mother that his uncle will soon arrive. As predicted, in a matter of days the siblings are reunited. The sister puts her penniless brother to work. Before long, she decides she wants to be permanently rid of him, and tells her husband to take care of it. Reluctantly, he agrees and tries to use his shapeshifting abilities against his brother-in-law. Mohammed, loyal to his uncle, warns him of the plan and does everything in his power to thwart his parents' plot, and turns the tables on them. The uncle and Mohammed decide to try their luck out in the world. After some time, Mohammed declares it is time to part ways, and leaves his uncle with a warning. The uncle is too hungry to heed the warning and soon finds himself in another less-than-stellar situation. Again, Mohammed comes to his rescue, leaving a trail of destruction behind. Reunited, the two set out again, and chaos continues. Ultimately, they divide their possessions and part ways after a tearful goodbye. Poll/Question/Links Book The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Music "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward. Free download: /episode/index/show/621a31bd-19dd-4bc7-99f4-9b71ee17d625/id/35668495

E15: The White Wolf 03/06/2025

E15: The White Wolf Episode 15: The White Wolf **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Summary When her father, the king, leaves on a trip, the youngest princess requests he bring her back a wreath of wildflowers. Unable to find the gift in any shop he begins his journey home. Deep in a forest the king spots a white wolf wearing, of all things, a wreath of wildflowers. The creature agrees to trade the wreath in exchange for whatever shall first greet the king on his way home. Seeing no harm, the king agrees. Upon arrival home, the king is first greeted by his beloved youngest daughter. Grieved by the deal he made, the queen tries to pass off a servant girl in her daughter’s place. The wolf quickly realizes she is an imposter and demands the true princess, who bravely leaves with the wolf. The wolf takes her to his castle where he removes his fur and reveals himself to be a prince. Half a year passes, and the wolf takes the princess to celebrate her sister’s wedding, leaving and returning to bring her back to his palace. Another half year passes, and again, he brings her home for a wedding celebration. This time, in wolf form, he too stays. At night, the queen has his fur taken and burned in the palace kitchen. The moment that happens, the prince is whisked back to his castle by magic. The Princess sets out to find him, eliciting help along the way from the wind, a star, the moon, and the sun. Finally she arrives in the wolf’s kingdom. In disguise, she makes her way into the palace and tells her story to the wolf. The next day the wolf declares that now that they have been reunited they will never part again. Points to Ponder How did the wolf know that the princess was the one to greet the king? Poll/Question/Links Book The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Music "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward. Free download: /episode/index/show/621a31bd-19dd-4bc7-99f4-9b71ee17d625/id/35555635

E14: The Story of the Queen of the Flowery Isles 02/27/2025

E13: Herr Lazarus and the Draken 02/20/2025

E12: The Little Gray Man 02/13/2025

E11: The Magician's Horse 02/06/2025

E10: The Story of Bensurdatu 01/30/2025

E10: The Story of Bensurdatu Episode 10: The Story of Bensurdatu **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Summary After the three daughters of a king and queen vanish, their father announces that whoever finds them will marry one and become the next king. Hearing this, two of his generals volunteer for the mission, but quickly find themselves without money or resources. Seeing how grieved the king is, one of his faithful servants, named Bensurdatu, also volunteers to find the princesses. During his travels he finds and saves the two generals, who were working off their debts at an inn. Together, the three men continue on their mission. One night a mysterious old woman advises them to abandon their quest. She tells them that the princesses are trapped at the bottom of a very deep river and guarded by giants and a seven headed serpent. Undeterred, the men continue on. When they reach the river, Bensurdatu is the only one brave enough to successfully descend to the depths via a rope system. Single handedly, he rescues the princesses, each one rewarding him with their crown. Returning to the rope system, the generals pull the princesses to safety, but leave Bensurdatu trapped and alone. The princesses are then threatened into silence before being returned home. Overjoyed at their return, the king rewards the generals, and they marry two of the princesses. Time passes and Benserdatu finds a magic purse in the cave. Using the purse he is able to return to the kingdom. Arriving under the flag of 3 crowns, he is invited to the castle. There he is reunited with the youngest princess, whom he marries with great joy and festivity. Poll/Question/Links Book The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Music "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward. Free download: /episode/index/show/621a31bd-19dd-4bc7-99f4-9b71ee17d625/id/35078770

E9: What Came of Picking Flowers 01/23/2025

E9: What Came of Picking Flowers Episode 9: What Came of Picking Flowers **Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Summary Three sisters mysteriously disappear one after the other. When their brother is grown he sets out to find them. On his journey he encounters three boys arguing over the enchanted objects left to them by their father. Offering to solve their problem, the brother distracts them, and claims the objects for himself. Immediately he puts on one of the items, boots which transport the wearer wherever they wish to go. He uses them to find his eldest sister, who he learns is happily married to the king of the birds. Unfortunately, there is a curse upon him which can only be broken by “putting to death a man who cannot die”. The king of birds gifts his brother-in-law one of his feathers and promises to help when he is called. The brother then uses his boots to find his second sister. Similar to the first, she is happily married to a man who is also under a curse that can only be broken by “putting to death a man who cannot die”. Her husband, the king of fish, gifts his brother-in-law one of his scales and promises to help when he is called. Determined to help his sisters, he sets off to find the third. The boots bring him to a dark cavern where his third sister tells him of the horrible monster who imprisoned her there. She has no hope of freedom as the monster, who cannot die, wishes to marry her. The brother is reminded of the curse on his brothers-in-law. He advises his sister to accept the monster’s proposal but only if he will reveal to her how he might be killed. Believing it to be an impossible task, the monster gives over his secret, and the wedding is set. With the help of his brothers-in-law and their many subjects, they are able to put the monster to death. With the curse broken, and the youngest sister freed, the family reunites with great joy. Poll/Question/Links Book The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Music "Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward. Free download: /episode/index/show/621a31bd-19dd-4bc7-99f4-9b71ee17d625/id/34967660

E8: The Goat-Faced Girl 01/16/2025

E7: Fortunatus and His Purse 01/09/2025

E6: The Partnership of the Thief and the Liar 01/02/2025

E5: Janni and the Draken 12/26/2024

E4: The Story of Dschemil and Dschemila 12/19/2024

E3: An Impossible Enchantment 12/12/2024

E2: The Goblin Pony 12/05/2024

E1: The Grey Fairy Book Intro/ Donkey Skin 11/28/2024

Once Upon a Rosie

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