Author: lazaruscarpenterauthor

A Children’s Story by Lazarus Carpenter

Image courtesy of Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/

Deep in the forest, there stood a small wooden house that was said to hold the most wondrous of stories. The house was owned by an elderly man named Lazarus, who had lived in the forest for as long as anyone could remember. Lazarus was known throughout the forest as a wise and kind man, who would always lend an ear to anyone who needed it. He had a reputation for being a great storyteller, and many people would come from far and wide to hear his tales.
The house was small, with a thatched roof and in one room, the walls were lined with shelves filled with books, scrolls, and ancient artifacts. In the center of the room, there was a large wooden table, surrounded by chairs and cushions for guests to sit on. At the back of the room, there was a fireplace, and above it, a candle that never went out. The candle was said to be enchanted, and it would burn forever, casting a warm magical glow throughout the entire house.
One day, a young traveler named Dai stumbled upon the house while wandering through the forest. He was tired and hungry, and he hoped that the man who lived inside might be able to offer him some food and shelter. When he knocked on the door, Lazarus answered, and he welcomed Dai inside with a warm smile. He offered Dai a seat at the table and a bowl of cawl, and he soon found himself captivated by his stories.
Lazarus told him stories of dragons and giants, of brave knights and cunning thieves. He told him stories of love and loss, of adventure and discovery. As the night wore on, Dai found himself lost in the tales, forgetting all about his tiredness and hunger. As the hours passed, the fire burned low, and the room grew dark. But the candle above the fireplace continued to burn, casting a gentle light over the room. Dai felt as though he was in a dream, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of Lazarus’s stories.
When he finally left the house the next morning, Dai felt as though he had been transformed by the experience. He carried with him the memories of the stories he had heard, and he knew that he would never forget the magic of Lazarus’s house of stories.
And so, the house continued to stand, deep in the forest, where the candlelight never went out, and where the stories of Lazarus continued to inspire and enchant all those who were lucky enough to hear them.

Grateful thanks to Gill Brooks for the Images

A Children’s Story

Image courtesy of Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/

Once upon a time, in a magical forest hidden deep in the heart of Ireland, there lived a mischievous leprechaun named Lazarus. Lazarus was a tiny creature, measuring only two feet tall, with a pointed green hat, a bushy red beard, and a pair of twinkling emerald eyes. He spent most of his days playing pranks on the other forest creatures, stealing their food, and causing general mayhem. Despite his reckless behavior, Lazarus was well-liked by the other inhabitants of the forest. They knew that beneath his playful exterior, he had a kind heart and a generous spirit. And so, when Lazarus found himself in trouble one day, they were more than happy to lend a helping hand. It all started when Lazarus stumbled upon a hidden grove deep in the forest. The grove was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

The trees were taller, the flowers brighter, and the air was thick with magic. As he wandered deeper into the grove, he felt a strange energy wash over him, filling him with a sense of wonder and awe. But as he was about to leave the grove, Lazarus realized that something was wrong. He felt a sharp pain in his leg, and when he looked down, he saw that his foot had turned a sickly shade of green. He tried to walk, but his leg gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground. Lazarus knew that he was in trouble. As a leprechaun, he was immune to most forms of magic, but he had heard of a powerful curse that could affect even the strongest of his kind. The curse was said to be cast by a powerful witch who lived deep in the forest, and it could only be broken by a rare herb that grew in the heart of the grove. With no other options, Lazarus called out for help. His friends, a group of forest creatures including a wise old owl, a brave fox, and a kind-hearted deer, rushed to his side. Together, they set out to find the herb that would break the curse.

It was a perilous journey, filled with danger and adventure. They had to cross treacherous rivers, avoid giant spiders, and outwit cunning trolls. But eventually, they reached the heart of the grove, and there, they found the herb they had been searching for. With the herb in hand, Lazarus was able to break the curse, and his foot returned to its normal color. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he thanked his friends for their help and promised to be more careful in the future. From that day on, Lazarus was a changed leprechaun. He still loved to play pranks and cause mischief, but he did so with a newfound sense of respect for the magic of the forest. And whenever he found himself in trouble, he knew that he could count on his friends to come to his aid.

HUNTING THE WILD MEGALITH – REVIEW

Review – ‘TOM MEETS THE KING’ by Rachie

Earlier this year I posted a copy of ‘Crach Ffinnant – The Prophecy’ to young Prince George for his birthday. In my innocence and generosity, I felt this was actually appropriate for a young man of his age as it is a novel speaking to the magic of an ancient prophecy. Well, three months down the line, I have not received either an acknowledgment or thanks from the Royal Household. I am aware it is a matter of protocol for all gifts to at the very least, receive a note of thanks from a secretary to the Prince. It is only the fact the Coronation of his Grandfather King Charles III is next week, that made me remember.

Perhaps, it was thought that such a story should be kept from the young eyes of a future Prince of Wales, and King. I know not and merely beg the question. But as I ponder, I am reminded of his Grandfather’s investiture as Prince of Wales on 1 July 1969 and his father, Prince William who was made so on 9 September 2022, with no plans for a formal investiture but a stated intent on “deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales.” Quite rightly it has long been considered that the last true Prince of Wales was indeed, Owain Glyndwr, and has long been a bone of contention as indeed King Charles III experienced in 1969. Of course, Caernarfon Castle was built by King Edward 1 in 1283 at the end of the Edwardian Conquest of Wales which began in 1277. This was a pivotal time in the history of Wales as it greatly reduced the territory of Llwelyn ap Gruffydd (Llwelyn the Last) followed by the rest of Wales. Owain shared ancestry with the Gwynedd Royal House of Llwelyn the Great, and the Princes of Deheubarth on his mother’s side in addition to being a direct descendant of the Princes of Powys on his father’s.

For over 123 years under the rule of the English monarchy Wales, experienced terrible atrocities leading to the Rebellion of 1400 led by Owain Glyndwr, who as we know disappeared from history never captured by Henry IV or his son Henry V. Much water has gone under the bridge with yet more atrocities through the centuries far too numerous to write about here, but never to be forgotten. I believe the monarchy would like to cast back into the mists of time such a history, not wishing young Prince George, to be truly educated. Frankly, I think it is just bad manners his gift was not acknowledged.

I can’t help feeling as a Yorkshire man with a love for all things Welsh, the guardians of the young Prince are being just a little overprotective. Of course, in 1400 my head would have been on a spike on London Bridge. Furthermore, as there are moves currently for the monarchy to acknowledge their links with slavery, perhaps it should start with Wales, enslaved by the English for centuries.