Welsh Tales from the Mabinogion:
The Tale of the Stolen Magic Pigs

In the lively land of Wales, there lived two mischievous nephews of King Math, named Gwydion and Gilfaethwy. One day, they heard about the most wonderful and magical pigs that belonged to Pryderi, the king of Dyfed. These weren’t just any pigs; they were pigs from the Otherworld, able to make any feast more magical and delicious!

Gwydion and Gilfaethwy's eyes sparkled with excitement. “We simply must have those pigs!” Gwydion exclaimed. “But how?” asked Gilfaethwy. “Pryderi would never just give them to us.”

Gwydion grinned slyly, “Leave it to me. We shall use our wits and a little bit of magic!” So, the two set off for Dyfed, concocting a plan as they went.

When they arrived in Dyfed, Gwydion used his magic to create twelve beautiful stallions, each with silver saddles and golden bridles. They glittered in the sunlight, looking every bit like they came from a fairy tale. Gwydion and Gilfaethwy disguised themselves as humble travelers and approached Pryderi’s court.

Pryderi was intrigued by the strangers and their dazzling horses. “Welcome to my court! What brings you here with such splendid steeds?” he asked. Gwydion bowed low and said, “We come bearing gifts, mighty king! These horses are for you, in exchange for those wonderful pigs of yours.”

Pryderi’s eyes widened. He loved his pigs but was tempted by the beautiful horses. He thought, “Well, a few pigs for such magnificent horses sounds like a fair trade.” So, he agreed and handed over the magical pigs to Gwydion and Gilfaethwy.

The two mischievous nephews couldn’t believe their luck. They hurried back to their uncle Math’s kingdom, laughing and singing all the way. But little did Pryderi know that the horses were only illusions created by Gwydion’s magic. As soon as Gwydion and Gilfaethwy crossed the border, the horses vanished, leaving Pryderi scratching his head in confusion.

Back in Math’s kingdom, the arrival of the magical pigs caused a great stir. The pigs oinked in melodious tunes and glowed with a soft, magical light. They could make any feast extraordinary, and everyone in the kingdom was excited.

But Pryderi soon realized he had been tricked. He wasn’t angry, though. Instead, he was quite amused by the cleverness of Gwydion and Gilfaethwy. He decided to visit Math’s court to see these magical pigs in action.

When Pryderi arrived, he was greeted warmly by Math and the rest of the court. Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, feeling a bit sheepish, apologized for their trickery. Pryderi laughed heartily and said, “Well, a clever trick deserves a clever response!”

To make amends, Math invited Pryderi to a grand feast featuring the magical pigs. They had the most delicious roast pork, sausages, and bacon anyone had ever tasted. The pigs’ magic turned the feast into a delightful event, with everyone laughing and dancing into the night.

And so, the tale of the stolen magic pigs ended happily, with new friendships formed and a lesson learned: Sometimes, a bit of mischief can lead to the most unexpected and wonderful adventures.

The End