Ossian was not only strong and brave, he was also stunningly handsome and very tall. One day he was resting in a glade when who should come along but the Queen of Tir Nan Nog, The land Of The Young, the beautiful Niahma. Now, Niahma was far, far more lovely than any moral woman. Her face was brilliant and soft as the dawn and yet, she was proud and strong like a young birch tree.
Niahma asked Ossian to come with her to her kingdom. Ossian said she honored him, but, no thank you, he was content to be with his brothers the Finiana. She insisted. He still said, no. So, Niamha cast a spell over Ossian and, quick as a flash, he was sitting behind her a her great white faerie steed. Away they sped to Tir Nan Nog, where Ossian lived happily with Niahma for what he thought was 3 months. But, time in the Fey lands is unlike time in the world of Men. What was 3 months in Tir Nan Nog was really 3 hundred years in the world of Men.
Well, Ossian started to long for the adventures and good old days of the Fenian Knights and he asked Niahma if he could return to his brothers. She explained to him that 3 hundred years had past while he was visiting with her. At first, Ossian was very angry. Then, he began to plead with Niahma to please let him return to the world of Men, if only for a short while, to see how things were going. After all, it was his home!
Stubbornly, Niahma said, no. But, Ossian kept pleading and pleading and, finally, she gave in. Still, she solemnly warned him not to step on the earth. For if he did, all his years would come upon him and he would be an old, old man. Ossian promised Niahma that he would not leave the back of the faerie steed who would take him back to the World of Men. He would only look around a bit, and soon return to her.
So, Niahma tearfully bade Ossian good-bye, knowing she would likely never see him again. Swiftly, the faerie steed took Ossian back to his home. He did look around. After the glory of Tir Nan Nog, the world of Men seemed small and even a little shabby. The people seemed small, weak and ignoble. Ossian saw 3 men vainly trying to lift a boulder from a stream. He thought he could do that with one hand! So, Ossian reached down, picked up the boulder... The girth of his saddle broke and he tumbled to the ground! Instantly, he became an ancient old man, feeble and blind! So, Ossian, the great and mighty hero took a begging bowl and sat in the town square where he knew lots of people would be passing...
In time, Saint Patrick came by. "Ossian," he said, "obviously you will soon die. Why not be baptized as a Christian and go to live in heaven with Jesus?"
"Hmmm...," Ossian said. "Tell me, is there hunting and adventuring in heaven? Will I see my brothers, the Finian Knight there?"
The Saint asked if the Fenians were Christian. Ossian said no. Saint Patrick said, in that case, they wouldn't be in heaven. Ossian couldn't conceive that the noble Finians weren't good enough for heaven!
Then, Ossian asked if there were any loving, willing women in heaven. Saint Patrick said, no, he didn't think so. Ossian said he was sorry to hear that. What was done in heaven, then?
The Saint replied that it was very peaceful, hymns were sung and the Bible was studied. Ossian said he didn't think he'd like that very much. So, Ossian refused Saint Patrick's offer and died, a Pagan, as he had lived.
No comments:
Post a Comment