Myths and Folk Tales of Ireland

Fairy tales, Stories for Children. Here is the insight; ON a time there lived a king and a queen in Erin, and they had an only son. They were very careful and fond of this son; whatever he asked for was granted, and what he wanted he had. When grown to be almost a young man the son went away one day to the hills to hunt. He could find no game, saw nothing all day. Towards evening he sat down on a hillside to rest, but soon stood up again and started to go home empty-handed. Then he heard a whistle behind him, and turning, saw a giant hurrying down the hill. The giant came to him, took his hand, and said: “Can you play cards?” “I can indeed,” said the king’s son. “Well, if you can,” said the giant, “we’ll have a game here on this hillside.” So the two sat down, and the giant had out a pack of cards in a twinkling. “What shall we play for?” asked the giant. An early book of 19th century, yet tops our present literature books