Ouj the Magnificent

Large things tend to be powerful. If you think of the strongest animal what comes to mind? A horse? A bull? Buffalo? An elephant? Generally big is strong. But sometimes small can be strong too. Did you know an ant can withstand up to 5,000 times their own weight? And just because something is big doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything bigger. Even elephants are small compared to a blue whale. In fact, an elephant weighs only as much as a blue whale’s tongue! Today we’re bringing you stories all about big things and even bigger things from tellers like Bob Reiser, Liz Weir, Joseph Bruchac, and more. On today’s episode, enjoy the following: “Ouj the Magnificent” by Bob Reiser from The Story Tree (11:10) Bob Reiser is an accomplished storyteller who in addition to publishing children’s books has been featured at various storytelling festivals. His story “Ouj the Magnificent” tells of a giant who is so big, he leaves lakes in his footprints. He believes himself to be the greatest, most magnificent being there is. That is until he finds someone bigger. “Man Bear” by Joseph Bruchac from When the Chenoo Howls (9:30) Being the strongest, or the fastest, or the greatest at something can make someone feel pretty good about themselves. But humility is certainly not to be underestimated. Joseph Bruchac is a citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki, a Native American Nation local to Vermont. He’s a proficient storyteller and has published over 120 books. In this story he tells of a young man who is incredibly fast. Faster than any animal. But one day an evil comes to his village to challenge him. A man bear whose goal is to win, and then kill, the young man. “The Mountain” by Sean Buvala from Rapunzel: Unvarnished Tales from the Brothers Grimm (8:40) Sean Buvala began storytelling in an attempt to calm down a class of wild eighth graders. The attempt was apparently successful, as he has become a successful travelling storyteller. In this tale, he describes two brothers. One rich, and the other poor. The rich one is both greedy and unhappy. And while the other isn’t nearly as rich, he seems to be much happier. It is the poor one, however, that finds a magnificent treasure in a great mountain. “The Rabbit’s Tale” by Liz Weir from Boom Chicka Boom (5:34) We just heard a story about a greedy brother. Just like greed, too much pride can be a bad thing. Once upon a time, rabbits didn’t have big ears and a small, fluffy tail. It was, in fact, reversed. Their ears weren’t nearly so big, and their tails were large and fluffy. But rabbit was prideful. Too prideful, in fact. Liz Weir tells the story of how rabbit lost his great tail and gained his long ears. A storyteller from Ireland, she was the first recipient of the International Storybridge Award from the National Storytelling Network in the U.S. “The Wishing Ring” by Dolores Hydock from Made from Scratch (8:15) Pride can be a bad thing, but sometimes, a little confidence can actually be very helpful. As long as it is paired with honesty and hard work. This story is told by Dolores Hydock, a storyteller, and actress. In it, a handsome young man knows he is handsome. He knows he is clever. He isn’t the most clever though, as an older man tricks him into trading his nice boots for a worthless ring under the belief that it will give him one magical wish. Instead of using his wish for just anything, however, the young man believes he can save it for later by working hard and getting his wish the usual way.