Blair Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 2

XXXIII.
THE TALE OF THE QUEEN WHO SOUGHT
A DEINK FEOM A CEETAIN WELL.
From Mrs. MacTavish, Port Ellen, Islay.
n^HERE was before now, a queen who was sick, and
-*- she had three daughters. Said she to the one
who was eldest, "Go to the well of true water, and
bring to me a diink to heal me."
The daughter went, and she reached the well. A
LosGANN (frog or toad) came up to ask her if she
would wed him, if she should get a drink for her
mother. " I will not wed thee, hideous creature ! on
any account," said she. " Well then," said he, " thou
shalt not get the water."
She went away home, and her mother sent away
her sister that was nearest to her, to seek a drink of
the water. She reached the well ; and the toad came
up and asked her " if she would marry him if she
should get the water." "I wont marry thee, hideous
creature!" said she. "Thou shalt not get the water,
then," said he.
She went home, and her sister that was youngest i
went to seek the water. When she reached the well
the toad came up as he used, and asked her " if she
would marry him if she should get the water." " K
I liave no other way to get healing for my mother, I