Throwback: White Flowers, Red Berries

Summary

Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages

Episode: Throwback: White Flowers, Red Berries
Host: Amanda Weldon
Narrator: Daniel Hines
Date: March 12, 2026

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Episode Overview

This throwback episode of Stories Podcast revisits “White Flowers, Red Berries,” a charming adaptation of an old Irish folktale. The story explores themes of respecting nature, the magical traditions of Ireland, and the consequences—and redemptions—of disregarding the unseen world of fairies. Through lyrical narration and original songs, the episode delivers a gentle, magical lesson suitable for children and families, filled with whimsy and folklore.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

The Magic of the Fairy Rath

• The story is set “deep in the heart of ancient Ireland,” focusing on a fairy gathering spot, called a rath:
  • “...such spots were called raths, and they looked like smooth circles of green green grass with raised outer rims...” (Narrator, 04:54)
• Centered in the rath grows a special “beautiful hawthorn tree...in the spring, it was light with white flowers...in the winter, it was heavy with berries, red as a blushing cheek.” (05:10)
• Fairies gather nightly to dance and sing around the tree, their existence tied to the spot’s magic.

Disruption by the Johnsons

• A farmer, Mr. Johnson, and his wife build their home and barn on the rath, ignoring locals' fairy warnings.
  • “Fairies. Stories for the little ones and nothing more.” (Mr. Johnson, 07:01)
• They level the land, destroy the rath, and cut down the precious hawthorn, keeping only a branch for decoration.

The Fairies’ Response and Magical Retribution

• The fairies are heartbroken but decide to test the Johnsons’ character.
• Disguised as an old woman, a fairy seeks hospitality:
  • Mrs. Johnson refuses her milk, “I’ll not have any tramps about me farm.” (07:54)
  • The same night, Mrs. Johnson hears a mournful fairy song outside her window. (08:50)
• The Johnsons’ cow stops giving milk; efforts to resolve it prove fruitless.

Second Warning Ignored

• Mr. Johnson, too, refuses a request from the cloaked old woman, this time for eggs. (12:10)
• Soon after, the chickens stop laying eggs; both Johnsons are unsettled and suspect fairy involvement.
  • “‘You shouldn’t ‘a done that,’ she said. ‘It’s the fairies.’” (Mrs. Johnson, 12:22)

Attempts at Reparation

• The couple consults local wisdom and receives this advice:
  • “Move the house and barn and return the rath, as it were. Then, and only then, will the curse be lifted.” (14:04)
• They relocate, rebuild the rath, restore the green grass, and wait for the curse to lift—but still, no milk or eggs.

The Key to Restoration

• The fairies’ song at night signals the final missing piece: the hawthorn.
• Mr. and Mrs. Johnson plant the hawthorn branch at the heart of the rath.
• By morning, the farm’s prosperity returns—the cow gives milk, and the chickens lay eggs again.
• The fairy rath and hawthorn flourish, and peace is restored, bringing joy back to both fairies and humans.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the mystical nature of raths:
  “In those days, such spots were called raths, and they looked like smooth circles of green green grass with raised outer rims…”
  (Narrator, 04:54)
• On ignoring tradition:
  “Fairies. Stories for the little ones and nothing more.”
  (Mr. Johnson, 07:01)
• The fairies’ song, recurring motif:
  “White flowers, red berries, green green grass, alive we fairies...”
  (Fairy song, 05:56 and 16:14)
• Turning point for Mrs. Johnson:
  “‘It’s the fairies,” Mrs. Johnson said that night. ‘We built on their wrath and refused them our milk.’”
  (Mrs. Johnson, 11:21)
• Resolution and lesson:
  “By the year’s end, tall and strong it was, with a slight crook like a man working a fishing curric...and the fairies gathered and danced and sang their song. Happy again at last.”
  (Narrator, 15:56)

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Timestamps of Key Segments

• 04:51 — Story begins: Introduction to ancient Ireland and fairy rath
• 05:56 — First fairy song: Joyous gathering
• 07:01 — Johnsons build on the rath, ignore warnings
• 08:34 — Mrs. Johnson refuses hospitality to the fairy
• 08:50 — Fairies sing a mournful song outside Mrs. Johnson’s window
• 11:21 — Johnsons suspect and discuss the fairy curse
• 12:10 — Old woman (fairy) asks for eggs, is turned away
• 13:00 — Second fairy song: Sorrow and loss
• 14:04 — Local wisdom: Move the house, restore the rath
• 14:50 — Climax: final fairy song; realization about the missing hawthorn
• 15:14 — Planting the hawthorn; the spell is broken
• 16:14 — Closing fairy song, restoration of harmony
• 16:48 — Story credits and conclusion

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Tone and Style

Throughout, the narration and dialogue are gentle, inviting, and imbued with a lyrical, folktale quality. Refrains of the fairy song offer a touch of magic and repetition, perfect for children and families. The lesson—respect for nature, tradition, and kindness to others—is subtle yet powerful, wrapped in a warm storytelling embrace.

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Closing Thoughts

“White Flowers, Red Berries” is a beautifully told, musically enhanced folk tale that underscores the importance of respecting tradition, giving hospitality, and living in harmony with the natural world. The magical realism and musical motifs provide a memorable bedtime experience, affirming the enduring charm of classic storytelling.

Transcript

[Mr. Johnson]

Hello.

[Amanda Weldon]

Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon. Today's story is a throwback episode. Tune in to hear one of our classic stories from the archive that you might have missed the first time around. We have Stories Podcast merch, [e-mail] shop. We're also on cameo for all of your personalized video message needs. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram Stories Podcast. If you send us a drawing of your favorite scene or character, we'll share it on our feed. Now, here's a word from our sponsors I am always on a journey to make my home work better for me and my family, and Wayfair makes it easy to find exactly what fits my style and needs the decor in my home has always been what one might call eclectic, which is a nice way of saying none of my stuff really goes together. For the most part, my furniture has always been a combination of hand me downs from family, friends, thrift store finds and side of the road scores. But I've been wanting to streamline my aesthetic and Wayfair has really made it possible for me to hone in on what I like. And it turns out what I like is whimsical fairy princess decor. At least in my daughter's bedroom anyway. When I searched for children's bedroom furniture on Wayfair, I immediately found what I was looking for and got my daughter an adorable bed shaped like a house with a canopy on top. There were actually a few variations available and I was able to find one that fit our space and budget perfectly. It came in the mail super fast and was really easy to put together and feels really solid and safe now that it's all in one piece, just like all the five star reviews said it would. I love the way it looks, but more importantly, Birdie loves the way it looks and bedtime has been just a little bit easier since her new bed arrived. Find furniture, decor and essentials that fit your unique style and budget. Head to Wayfair.com right now to search all things home. That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair Every style, every Home these days I'm all about quality over quantity, especially in my closet. If it's not well made and versatile, it's just not worth it to me. That's why I love Quince. The fabrics feel elevated, the cuts are thoughtful, and the pricing actually makes sense. Quince uses 100% European linen, their cotton poplin is crisp and holds its shape. The gauze is soft without being flimsy. Their lightweight cotton cashmere sweaters are perfect for the changing seasons. Versatile, well made pieces that make getting dressed simple. Everything Quince makes is built to hold up season after season. The stitching, the fit, the fabrics. These are pieces you'll reach for over and over. Speaking of over and over, you've heard me talk about it before, but I can't say enough good things about my featherless quilted long puffer coat that I got from Quince a few months ago. Spring is right around the corner, but it doesn't feel like it right now in the Northeast. I am still wearing my cozy quince coat every day with no end in sight and it is really holding up. My favorite thing of all is that Quince works directly with safe, ethical factories and cuts out the middlemen. You're not paying for brand markup or fancy retail stores, just quality clothing right now. Go to quince.com stories for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a full year to wear it and love it. And you will now available in Canada too. Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to quince.com stories for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com stories as schedules fill up with activities, travel and spring events, it can be challenging to make learning consistent. IXL makes it simple to stay on track with focused, flexible practice that fits your routine. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into homeschooling. It offers interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. IXL personalizes learning for each child, keeps them engaged and gives parents clear insight into progress. IXL's interactive practice and clear explanations make it easy to reinforce learning as you prepare for end of year assessments or milestones. Everything is organized by grade and subject so you can quickly find what each child needs without juggling multiple resources. Over 15 million students use IXL. More than 75 research studies show it delivers real results and it's been proven to improve achievement in all 50 states, giving homeschool families added confidence. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and stories. Podcast listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today and www.ixl.com dragon to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Thanks. Enjoy the episode

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

White Flowers, Red Berries Once upon a time, deep in the heart of ancient Ireland, well away of the towns and cities and the chill Salt smell of the ocean. There was a magic spot where the fairies gathered. In those days, such spots were called raths, and they looked like smooth circles of green green grass with raised outer rims, like if you pushed your thumbprint into a bit of warm wax. There were many raths in Ireland, but this one was special to many fairies, because right in the center, rising perfectly from that green green grass, grew a beautiful hawthorn tree. Tall and strong it was, with a slight crook like a man working a fishing curric. In the spring, it was light with white flowers that whirled in the wind like a maiden's hair. And in the winter, it was heavy with berries, red as a blushing cheek. Every night, by the light of the moon and stars, the fairies would gather and dance around the hawthorn tree. They'd sing as they danced.

[Singer]

White flowers, red berries green green grass alive we fairies, fairies, moonlight arrive by moonlight we dance by starlight we love in our green green grass Our hawthorn above White flowers, red berries our hawthorn above White flowers, red berries, our hawthorn above.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

For hundreds of years it was so, until one day, a farmer and his wife came looking for land. They saw the fairy Wrath, round and smooth with the green green grass, lovely with the hawthorn, and thought it would be the perfect place for their new home. The locals, what few there were in those parts, warned them that it was the home of fairies and best left undisturbed. But the farmer, one Mr. Johnson, just spat and said, puh.

[Mr. Johnson]

Fairies. Stories for the little ones and nothing more.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

And so, with hammer and nails, he raised a home and barn over the green green grass. With pick and shovel, he leveled the rim and flattened the land.

[Amanda Weldon]

And with an axe of cruel iron,

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

he hacked down the hawthorn tree, keeping

[Amanda Weldon]

only a single branch of berries to decorate his mantle.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

The fairies were heartbroken. Their favorite wrath, the hawthorn wrath, had been taken from them. But as you may know, fairies aren't helpless by any stretch. And in those days, when magic still laid heavy on the world like a good wool blanket, they were especially powerful. So it was a week or so after the farmer and his wife began their work, the fairies decided to see what kind of people they were. Maybe they weren't cruel. Maybe they were simply ignorant. Fairy Wraths were, after all, and even then, a very old kind of magic. And one day, while Mrs. Johnson was out milking their prize cow, an old woman wrapped up in a blue cloak came shuffling out of the wilderness. Good morning to ya, the old woman called. May the sun be warm upon your face, and may you find it in your heart to spare a cup o milk for me. Mrs. Johnson stopped her milking and looked right down her nose at the old woman. Certainly not, she said. I'll not have any tramps about me farm.

[Amanda Weldon]

Begone with ya.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

And she had her hired farm hands chase the old woman off the property. Now, Mrs. Johnson didn't think much of it at the time, but that night she awoke from a deep sleep to a song half heard through the shuttered window.

[Singer]

White flowers, red berries, green green grass no more we fairies, fair fairies we danced here before by starlight we mourn our wrath so beloved. It had green green grass and a hawthorn above. White flowers, red berries our hawthorn above White flowers, red berries, our hawthorn above.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

She turned to wake her husband, but by the time he woke, the song had stopped. Mrs. Johnson might have decided the whole thing was but a dream. But but the next morning, when she went to milk the cow, there was not a drop to be had. She grumbled some, but the next day there was still no milk. And the day after that as well. Thinking the cow unwell, they paid a fair bit of coin to a local veterinarian to come and check her out, but they found nothing wrong other than not giving milk. The cow was as healthy as could be.

[Amanda Weldon]

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[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

order now it's the fairies, Mrs. Johnson said that night. Like the locals said, we built on

[Amanda Weldon]

their wrath and refused them our Milk.

[Mr. Johnson]

And now we're cursed.

[Amanda Weldon]

Ha.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

Fairies, said Mr. Johnson.

[Mr. Johnson]

Don't get that superstition in your head, love. Bad luck is all. We still have the chickens. We'll get by.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

Mrs. Johnson nodded, but her eyes kept drifting to the hawthorn branch heavy with red berries decorating their mantle. The next day, Mr. Johnson was out after the dawn, collecting the eggs from his chickens in a straw padded basket. As he worked, the old woman in the blue cloak came shuffling out of the wilderness. Good morning to ya, the old woman called. May the road rise up to meet ya, and may you find it in your heart to spare a few eggs for me. Begone with ya, said Mr. Johnson.

[Mr. Johnson]

You've already scarred my poor Mrs. Hough to death with your begging. I'll have none of it here.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

With that, he had his hired farmhands chase her away. That night, when he told the story to his wife, she looked pale and shaken. You shouldn't ha done that, she said. It's the fairies.

[Mr. Johnson]

I know it is.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

We built on their land, refused them milk, and now eggs as well were thrice cursed.

[Mr. Johnson]

Poh, fairies, said Mr. Johnson. It's nothing but an old, bigger woman in a ratty cloak. You watch. Tomorrow we'll have eggs for breakfast.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

But that night, while his wife slept fitfully beside him, Mr. Johnson heard the strangest thing outside the shuttered window. It was a beautiful song, carried on the air like smoke

[Singer]

by moonlight. We mourn our wrath so beloved. It had green, green grass and a hawthorn above.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

Mr. Johnson slept no more that night, and the next morning he was up with the sun, checking his chickens. Of course, there was not a single egg to be found. It's nothing, he told himself.

[Mr. Johnson]

One bad day, or maybe a thief. It'll be fine tomorrow.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

But day and night he watched over those chickens, and come the next day, there were still no eggs to be found. Day after day it went. No milk, no eggs. And finally, Mr. Johnson was forced to admit that his wife was right. They were cursed. He went to the locals he had laughed at before and begged them for help. No one knew what to say, except for one old Graham, who said to them, move the house and barn and

[Amanda Weldon]

return the wrath, as it were.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

Then, and only then, will the curse be lifted. Seeing no alternative, Mr. And Mrs. Johnson, helped by their hired farm hands, moved their house and barn some miles away to a less beautiful but still workable piece of land. Mr. Johnson even went back with a shovel and fixed the rim of the rath and spread seed of the greenest grass. In short time, the rath was nearly perfect. But still their cow gave no milk, their chickens no eggs.

[Mr. Johnson]

Are we cursed forever?

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

He lamented to his wife that night.

[Mr. Johnson]

We've fixed all we can. What more do these fairies want?

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

But that night, drifting through the shuttered window, came the song.

[Singer]

White flowers, red berries, our hawthorn above. White flowers, red berries, our hawthorn above. Our hawthorn above.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

Hearing the song again, Mr. And Mrs. Johnson realized what had been missing that very night. By the light of the waxing moon, they took the hemlock branch heavy with berries from their mantle and carried it to the Wrath. There, exactly in the center, they planted it, sealing it with good earth and soft soil and all their hopes. The next morning, they had milk and eggs for breakfast. And as the year went on, the hawthorn grew faster than any hawthorn had ever grown before. By the year's end, tall and strong it was, with a slight crook like a man working a fishing curric. In the spring it was light with white flowers that whirled in the wind like a maiden's hair. And in the winter it was heavy with berries, red as a blushing cheek. And there, by the light of the moon and stars, the fairies gathered and danced and sang their song. Happy again at last.

[Singer]

White flowers, red berries green green grass alive we fairies, fairies by moonlight arrive by moonlight we dance by starlight we love in our green green grass Our hawthorn above White flowers, red beds berries Our hawthorn above White flowers, red berries, our hawthorn above.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

The End Today's story White Flowers, Red Berries, was an old Irish folktale adapted by Daniel Hines and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon, with a song by us both.

[Amanda Weldon]

If you would like to support Stories podcast, you can leave us a five star review on iTunes. Check out all of our merch available at storiespodcast.

[Narrator (Daniel Hines)]

Com.

[Amanda Weldon]

Shop commission a special video on Cameo. Follow us on Instagram at Stories Podcast or simply tell your friends about us. Thanks for listening.