The Children of Lir

There once was a race of people living in Ireland called the Tuatha Dé Dannann. They knew about magic and casting spells. One of them was Lir, a king. He lived happily with his wife and four children. One dreadful day his wife  became ill and died. Lir and the children were completely heartbroken.

   In summer, one day in summer Lir had a visitior, Aoife. She was very friendly and she hugged the children and smiled at Lir.

The children loved her and were delighted when Lir fell in love with her.

The children thought she was perfect to be their step -mother. But one day Aoife was talking to her husband and she said “ the children are getting older now and I don’t think they need us for much longer.” But Lir didn’t want the children to leave. She tried to persuade him for a very long time but it was no use.

 Summer came and it was very hot, so Aoife said she would take the children swimming to the lake. Lir was delighted with the offer but he had begun lately to think that she was unhappy. Soon Lir had fallen asleep in the hot sun.

Meanwhile down at the lake the children were all playing around the place. Suddenly Aoife lifted up her hands and started chanting very strange words. Soon they were all swimming around as swans.

When they turned back in to people they were about 900 years old, and they died soon after.

  By : Aifric and David