Myths and Folk Tales of Ireland

E-text prepared by Ruth Morrison, Matthew Wheaton, David Edwards, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
JEREMIAH CURTIN
CONTENTS.
MYTHS AND FOLK TALES OF IRELAND
ON a time there lived a king and a queen in Erin, and they had an only son. They were very careful and fond of this son; whatever he asked for was granted, and what he wanted he had.
When grown to be almost a young man the son went away one day to the hills to hunt. He could find no game,—saw nothing all day. Towards evening he sat down on a hillside to rest, but soon stood up again and started to go home empty-handed. Then he heard a whistle behind him, and turning, saw a giant hurrying down the hill.
The giant came to him, took his hand, and said: Can you play cards?
I can indeed, said the king's son.
Well, if you can, said the giant, we'll have a game here on this hillside.
So the two sat down, and the giant had out a pack of cards in a twinkling. What shall we play for? asked the giant.
For two estates, answered the king's son.
They played: the young man won, and went home the better for two estates. He was very glad, and hurried to tell his father the luck he had.