Born Eusebeia Spicer in West Winfield, New York on September 21, 1880, Eells was an American author who traveled and collected many tales. Married to Burr Gould Eells, she was a faithful collector of stories and published several books of fairy tales. Many of her tales are from South America, Spain, and the Azores, all “far off” distant lands that held a magic for many in the states, collected as she traveled. The author’s collections include Fairy Tales from Brazil, South America’s Story, and Tales of Enchantment from Spain.
In the introduction of Tales of Giants from Brazil, the author notes that some of the book’s tales have been adapted from a collection by Dr. Sylvio Romero, Contos Populares do Brazil. Tales of Giants from Brazil is Elsie Spicer Eells’ second collection of stories. Published in 1918, the volume features stories of giants, for as Eells puts it, “Brazil is the land of giant fruits and giant flowers. Of course it is the land of giant stories too.” The introduction to Tales of Giants from Brazil explains that the Portuguese settlers traveled to Brazil, bringing with them not only goods, but tales. Over time, the Brazillian culture built upon and expanded the folk tales of the “old world” giving them new life.
For Tales of Enchantment from Spain, Eells collected Spanish fairy tales and retold them, trying to preserve the stories for North Americans and South Americans. This collection of Spanish fairy tales was published in 1920, and features whimsical stories of magic.
The Fairytalez Audio App features several of Elsie Spicer Eells’ tales in audiobook and brings these enchanting stories a new life.
Once upon a time in a city in Spain, a brother and sister lived with their father in a happy little home. They were especially proud of their inner courtyard which was full of rare plants. The mother was dead, and little Mariquita was mistress of the house. She was a splendid little housekeeper, and…
Once upon a time there was a laborer who said to his master: “It is time to plant the fields.” “Very well,” said his master. “The part which grows above the ground shall be mine and you shall have in payment for your labor the part which grows below the ground.” “Agreed,” said the laborer….
There was once an Irish monk called St. Brendan. One day he received a visit from a hermit who told him of a most marvelous island. “Come and visit this earthly Paradise,” said the hermit. “There the sun always shines. The birds wear golden crowns upon their heads and speak like humans.” The perfume of…
In the early days when the Azores had just been discovered there were many Flemish settlers who came to the islands. Among them there was a young cavalier of the order of St. George of Borgonha. His name was Jesus Maria and the reason why he had come was because a wise monk had told…
In the village of Altos Ares in the island of Terceira there lived once upon a time a fair maid who had been baptized Perola, which means Pearl. As she grew older she was indeed like a rare pearl among the other maidens of the village, so great was the charm of her unusual beauty….
Long ago there was an image of the good St. Anthony washed ashore by the rough waves of the Bay of Angra. A little chapel was built to receive it on the steep slopes of Monte Brasil overlooking the bay and here it still remains. Once upon a time a little boy named Pedro lived…
Once upon a time there was a handsome Flemish youth who came to the island of Fayal. His name was Fernâo de Hutra. He fell in love with a beautiful nun in the convent of the Gloria in the city of Horta. One day the Devil appeared to him. “Since you fell in love with…
If there is no response when you ring the bell or knock at a door in the Azores, you have to stay “outside the door like the mother of St. Peter,” they say. This is the story which tells why the mother of St. Peter had to stay outside: The very stingiest woman in the…
When the Holy Virgin was fleeing into Egypt to escape the persecutions of Herod, the Codorniz bird flew about making a great racket, calling out, “Come this way.” “Keep quiet!” cried the Virgin. “Our enemies will hear you! They will come in pursuit!” In spite of her words the Codorniz kept up its noise. “My…
There was once a king who had a little daughter. He went to the Wise Man of the Forest to learn how best to bring her up, and this is what he was told: “For twelve years you must keep your daughter in a tower in the forest. It should have no door, only a…