Listen to the music. Which country does it remind you of? How do you think it is related to the title of the text?
a)
Look at the pictures and read the quote. What might the text be about? Listen, read and check.
The Gift of Storytelling
A story should be told eye to eye, mind to mind, heart to heart.
Stanley Robertson (storyteller)
Perhaps the best way to spend a cold, winter night in Ireland is to sit in front of the fire and enjoy the company of a Seanachai, a storyteller. Ireland has many stories to tell and they belong to two groups: myths and legends and folk tales. Throughout the years, people passed on stories to form a great tradition.
Myths and legends are stories about giants, saints, warriors and kings. They are tales of heroes who overcome great obstacles, fight with magical beasts and have incredible adventures. One such legend is the story of the noble champion Finn Mac Cumhal and his group of warriors, the Fianna, who protected the High Kings of Ireland.
Folk tales entertain people while teaching them moral values. These stories have the most unusual characters: fairies, elves, leprechauns and many more. The Leprechaun is one of the most popular characters in Irish folklore. Its name means ‘small body’. It is a type of fairy that makes shoes and has a hidden treasure: a crock filled with gold. If you catch it, it must tell you the secret location of its treasure immediately. But be careful! It will try to trick you into looking away for a second, and then it will disappear!
b)
Read the text again and answer the following questions.
1. What do Seanachais do?
2. What are the two types of stories people tell in Ireland?
3. What are these myths/legends about?
4. What characters do you find in Irish folk tales?
a)
Find the adjectives the author uses for:
• beasts
• champion
• values
• characters
• adventures
• obstacles
• location
b)
Explain the words in bold.
What information does the text give about: Finn Mac Cumhal, the Fianna, leprechauns?
Work in groups. Think of a popular folk tale in your country. Tell another group.
• What is it about?
• Who are the main characters?
• What happens in the story?
• What moral values does the text suggest?
Write a short version of it for an international English magazine.