The Happy Prince

Why the Sea is Salt

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new] This story contains scenes of violence, as some classic stories do. Listener discretion is advised In this episode of Great Stories Well Told, we present "Why the Sea is Salt", a traditional tale told in many places and in a number of different versions.    It is a story of a poor man, a magical gift, and what can happen when more is taken than is needed. And it offers a simple answer to a question we have all heard: why is the sea salty? This is  Norse folktale "Why the Sea is Salt" (originally titled Kvernen som maler på havsens bunn).  It was first translated into English in 1859 by Sir George Webbe Dasent in his book Popular Tales from the Norse.  It has also been published in other story collections.  This version is taken from Sara Cone Bryant's book How to Tell Stories to Children, published in 1918.   Please let me know what you think:  greatstorieswelltold@gmail.com "Why the Sea is Salt" is the final story in Season 1.  I hope that you will join me for Season 2 , scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 10th.   "Why The Sea Is Salt" is a story in the public domain. A podcast by SBKA LLC

The Happy Prince

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new]      A statue covered in gold. A small bird with nowhere to go.  In Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince, a quiet story unfolds — one of compassion, sacrifice, and the unexpected beauty of giving.   The Happy Prince and Other Tales is an 1888 collection of short stories by Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish author, poet and playwright. He was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, and died on November 30, 1900, in Paris, France. Oscar Wilde may be better known for The Portrait of Dorian Gray and his comedy of manners plays: Lady Windermer's Fan 1892,  and The Importance of Being Earnest 1895.  The Happy Prince and Other Tales, while less well known is an excellent short story collection.    Please let me know what you think:  greatstorieswelltold@gmail.com  "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde is a story in the public domain.   A Look Ahead to the final story is this first season:   Wednesday, May 27th - "Why the Sea is Salt"  A podcast by SBKA LLC

The Magic Shop by H.G. Wells

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Great Stories Well Told, we present The Magic Shop by H. G. Wells. A father and his young son visit a curious little shop on a London street, filled with tricks, toys, and strange wonders. But as they explore, the line between illusion and reality begins to blur. A small shop on a city street. A window filled with curious things. In H. G. Wells’ The Magic Shop, a simple visit becomes something far stranger — where tricks feel real, and reality begins to slip just out of reach. H.G. Wells' short story "The Magic Shop" was first published in June 1903 in The Strand Magazine. It was later included in his collection Twelve Stories and a Dream, also published in 1903.  It is a fine father and son story about a visit to a genuine magic shop that was quite genuine.  Please let me know what you think:  greatstorieswelltold@gmail.com "The Magic Shop" is a story in the public domain. A Look Ahead: Wednesday, May 20th - "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde Wednesday, May 27th - "Why the Sea is Salt"  A podcast by SBKA LLC

The Lady or The Tiger by Frank R. Stockton

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new] In Frank R. Stockton’s "The Lady, or the Tiger?", a young man stands before a decision that will determine his fate —  Two doors. One choice. No second chances. but the greatest mystery lies not behind the doors, but in the heart of the one who knows what waits beyond them. "The Lady, or the Tiger?" is a short story by American author Frank R. Stockton, first published in November 1882 in The Century Magazine.     It can also be found in his short story collection titled The Lady, or the Tiger? and Other Stories, published by Scribner's in 1884. Frank R. Stockton was born on April 5, 1834, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died on April 20, 1902.    This story is in the public domain.    Content Note: This story contains scenes of violence, as some classic stories do. Listener discretion is advised A Look Ahead: Wednesday, May 13th - "The Magic Shop" by H.G. Wells Wednesday, May 20th - "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde Wednesday, May 27th - "Why the Sea is Salt"  A podcast by SBKA LLC

The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new] "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) is the star of this episode.   I hope that you enjoy it. As a deadly plague spreads across the land, Prince Prospero retreats with his court into a castellated abbey , determined to outlast the danger in comfort and celebration. But some things cannot be shut out. The Masque of the Red Death" was first published in the May 1842 edition of Graham's Lady's and Gentleman's Magazine. The story, originally titled "The Mask of the Red Death: A Fantasy," was released in Philadelphia while Poe was acting as the editor of the magazine.  It is is a fine example of gothic horror which originated in the mid-to-late 18th century (starting around 1764) and flourished through the 19th-century Victorian era, characterized by themes of terror, decay, the supernatural, and the past haunting the present.   Frankenstein is another excellent example of gothic horror by English author, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797 - 1851).  As many of you know: Mary Shelley’s mother was Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797), a pioneering English writer, philosopher, and advocate for women’s rights, famous for A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.  The Masque is in the public domain. We are now past the middle of the first season on Great Stories Well Told and into planning the second season.  I welcome listeners' suggestions for season two.  You can contact me at: greatstorieswelltold@gmail.com Content Note: This story contains scenes of violence, as some classic stories do. Listener discretion is advised. A Look Ahead: Wednesday, May 6th - "The Lady or The Tiger" by Frank R. Stockton Wednesday, May 13th - "The Magic Shop" by H.G. Wells Wednesday, May 20th - "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde A podcast by SBKA LLC