Reading Notes: Celtic Fairy Tales, Part A

 The story I found the most amusing in this section was The Sprightly Tailor. I thought it was funny that the tailor was completely unphased by the monster as it came out of the ground. If I were to retell this story, I wouldn't change much in the plot, but I would add more detail to add to the characterization.

Ideas:

Give the monster a personality - He is known as the scariest monster in the village, and he acts like a hot shot. When he pulls out more limbs from the ground, add dialogue to lean into this character. 

When the tailor remains focused on his work, have the monster be genuinely concerned and shocked at how little the tailor notices him. Have the tailor shrug him off because he is focused on the work and his reward.

As they go down the hill, add new elements that keep the tailor oblivious to the monster, like a rock in his path that he has to get around or an old friend that he stops to talk with. Let the monster feel confused at why this little man has no interest in him, or fear of him.

Have the monster slump back up the hill after the tailor returns home.

Overall, keep the story the same, but add more characterization and dialogue to lean into the humorous elements. 

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Bibliography: The Sprightly Tailor by Joseph Jacobs (1892)

Image: The Sprightly Tailor by John D. Batten