Finn McCool and the Great Fish - Irish Folktale

In the country of Ireland, in its northeastern land, River Boyne streams across green lush hills of the countryside (yellow line). Its calm waters carry the fish of salmon and trout, passing by the quiet villages. In one of those villages once lived a giant…

A very long time ago, in a small village situated up on a gentle hill lived a giant by the name of Finn McCool. He was known for his great strength and kind heart. When the rain threatened to pour down from the dark clouds, he helped men to gather the hay. When the sunrays were beaming bright and hot, he helped women to pull the vegetables from the gardens.

He was always kind and helpful. So it hurt, when he once overheard people whispering, “He’s a bit of a turnip head.” It was true he wasn’t terrible smart, but he had a big heart.

In the nearby town lived an old wise man. Many asked him for his advice, which he granted gladly. However, when asked for the source of his wisdom, he would reply, “I will reveal it only to the right one.”

Finn knew of the wise man as well. “Maybe he’ll tell me,” he mumbled to himself.

The giant was too big to enter the house. He sat next to it with his hands resting on the hatched roof. From the blue house walked out the wise man, “You’ve come at last.”

Taken by surprise, giant’s big eyes raised the eyebrows questioningly.

“I know who you are and I’ve been waiting for you,” said the old man. “I know that your heart is as big as you are, but why do you need wisdom?”

“To know how to serve the land and its people, to answer when asked and to speak when needed,” replied the giant.

The old man nodded. “Very well. What you need to do is catch a red salmon in the River Boyne. The fish holds the wisdom of the world. Cook the fish and eat it, then the wisdom will be yours.”

Finn thanked the man and left.

With five strides he stood by the river, where he dropped his line. He saw dark brownish fish. He saw silver fish. But there was no sign of red fish.

One hour went by, then another. Finn was about to snooze, when he felt the line being pulled. It was the red salmon at the end of the hook.

He pulled the fish swiftly out of the water. He looked at its red scale gleaming in the sunlight. He looked in its eyes and saw the wisdom, which didn’t feel right to take away from anybody. “I can’t sacrifice you for my own sake,” spoke Finn.

He pulled the hook from the fish’ bleeding lip and at the same time the hook pricked his thumb. He sucked on it and something unexpected had happened. The giant felt a tide going through his giant body.

“Thank you for sparing my life,” spoke the fish. “With my blood, my wisdom seeped into you. I know you will use it well.”

Gently he laid the salmon back in the river.

With five strides he was back at the old man’s house. But the wise man was not there. Instead he noticed a small fountain with a metal fish set on a pole, stretched above the water as ready to swim. It was right in front of the house. “Was this here before,” he wondered.

The people quickly noticed the giant’s wisdom. He spoke with the kings presenting the needs and wants of Ireland. He saved the Irish land from the invasions of Vikings. But above all he remained the same Finn, kind and helpful.

Source: Finn McCool and the Great Fish by Eve Bunting