THE STONES OF PLOUHINEC
Crushed
Source
"A Christian had to lose his life to assure me of these riches, and your bad angel put you in my way; therefore renounce Rozennik and think of dying."
While the beggar was speaking thus, the army of stones had arrived; but he presented his magic bouquet and they moved to the right and left to rush towards Bernèz!
The latter, understanding that everything was over, dropped to his knees and was about to close his eyes when the large stone running ahead suddenly stopped, and, closing the passage, placed itself in front of him, like a barrier to protect him.
Bernèz, astonished, raised his head and recognized the stone on which he had engraved the cross! It was now a baptized stone, which could not harm a Christian.
She remained motionless in front of the young man until all her sisters had taken their places; then she rushed like a seabird to take back hers too and met on her way the beggar who was delayed by the three double bags loaded with gold.
Seeing her coming, he wanted to present his magical plants; but the stone that had become Christian was no longer subject to the demon's enchantments, and it passed suddenly, crushing the sorcerer like an insect.
Bernèz had, in addition to what he had collected himself, the three double bags of the beggar, and thus became rich enough to marry Rozennik and to raise as many children as the kinglet has young in his brood.
The brood
THE END
Source: Les Pierres de Plouhinec from the French book Contes et légendes de Basse-Bretagne published in 1891.
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
Next Tale: The Recteur's Testament
Hello, my name is Vincent Celier.
I am writing translations of folk tales that I found in public domain French books, so that people who do not understand French may enjoy them too.
No, Bernèz did not die and the beggar/sorcerer did not get rich, but the opposite happened.
And, of course, Bernèz was able to marry Rozennik.
We can see, in this tale, that religion was an important part of the lives of the Breton people.
Yesterday, we went for another walk, that starts in the Lions Park in Port Coquitlam.
In some parts of this park, people over 19 years old are allowed to drink alcohol in public, which is very rare in North America.
There is a good playing area for children in this park.
After we walked along the Coquitlam River that separates Coquitlam from Port Coquitlam, we bought 8 samosas at an Indian shop very close to the park.
-- Vincent Celier