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Author
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Comment
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Rosemary Lake
Registered User
(11/15/05 4:10 pm)
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help from dead mother ... or grandfather?
I know several tales where a dead mother's spirit stays near and gives her daughter magical help: as a tree, a 'little earth-cow', etc.
Are there any with a grandfather's spirit instead? "Buffalo Head"?
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bielie
Unregistered User
(11/15/05 4:20 pm)
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Ancestors
African religion is based on revering the ancestors. For this reason graveyards are sacred places and people will go there with their requests for help.
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AliceCEB
Registered User
(11/16/05 8:59 am)
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Re: Ancestors
In many epic tales, there is a father figure or mentor, usually an old man, who guides the young male hero but then dies before the hero finishes the quest. The spirit of the mentor lives on, sometimes as mental teachings, or sometimes as a ghost, and helps the hero follow through on the quest. I am, or course, blanking on old tales for the moment, but Luke Skywalker in the first Star Wars movie (and I mean the very first one filmed), and Harry Potter and Dumbledore (spoiler here if you haven't read the last book----------I know, he's only just died, but I'm sure that his presence will continue) fit this mold. In the Arthurian legend, Merlin plays this lost father figure--although because his loss is more permanent, Arthur loses all in the end.
Best,
Alice
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Rosemary Lake
Registered User
(11/16/05 9:13 am)
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mentor
Hm, in the Knobe/Luke sort of thing, the father/grandfather spirit mostly seems to give advice. In the Cinderella thing, the mother spirit gives material help: food, clothing.
I'm looking for a short tale for retelling, where the grandfather spirit gives ... perhaps something in between. Good advice -- and emotional comfort, emotional self-sufficiency....
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cammykitty
Registered User
(11/18/05 3:04 pm)
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Re: male elders
If you are looking for inspiration, take a look at Charles de Lint's/Charles Vess's book Circle of Cats. There's an Apple Man in it that gives aid - not just advice. Not a true "grandfather" but in many ways like a grandfather. This wouldn't be a short tale to retell, but it might give you some ideas.
Edited by: cammykitty at: 11/18/05 3:06 pm
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Rosemary Lake
Registered User
(11/22/05 1:13 am)
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update, returning
My story is coming along. Now it's looking more like the return of Ulysses or Mole returning to his home and throwing out the squatters, or maybe Bonnie Prince Charlie. I'm brainstorming about it at my blog,
www.livejournal.com/users.../5244.html
Now I'm looking for, not tales with wonders from a grandfather's ghost, but simple classic stories of a strong old man's return (in disguise) to a ruined home/manor. Along the way n my story he's a ghost, but if my heroine succeeds in getting him home, then he can restore himself.
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AliceCEB
Registered User
(11/22/05 7:42 am)
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Re: update, returning
Rip Van Winkle came to mind, although he doesn't come back in disguise so much as in an unrecognizable form.
Best,
Alice
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