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S Calvert's avatar

There are similar motifs in this with the Russian story The Feather of Finist the Falcon. It always thrills me to see similarities across cultures.

The story is more complex than I understand at this point.

Jealousy can certainly be a monster, but there is more to it than that.

Healing Monsters's avatar

Thanks, Shannon!

Certainly the "three daughters" motif runs far and wide, both as the youngest daughter who simply professes her love for her father (Love like Salt), and as the target of elder sisters' jealousy.

The story truly deserves fleshing out, such as in the "sudden" appearance of the ring in the final act.

Could the father be a monster? The Oud? The Prince?

S Calvert's avatar

Yes, and also the theme of the sister's setting a trap for the secretive visiting lover, and him being terribly wounded.

Ungo Jim Pangborn's avatar

You might say the monster is patriarchy, overcome by the prince submitting himself to the princess.

Healing Monsters's avatar

Thanks!

Yes, the story certainly begins with a strong patriarchal theme. So is it overcome, subverted, or offered healing? Or...

Elinor Benjamin's avatar

I so love this story. In another era I attempted to learn to play the oud. It is a beautiful instrument.

Healing Monsters's avatar

There's actually a different version done by Howard Schwartz called "Elijah's Violin," but this is based on a fresh translation that works better for me.

And yes, I love the Oud!

Barbara Ann Paster's avatar

I love “Elijah’s Violin!”

Healing Monsters's avatar

It’s a story with many differences from Oud Lis, also delightful. More to follow on the differences…

Dougie's avatar

great story! Some similarities to the Kate Crackernuts tale from Scotland (in the second half of the story)