Stories About Music

This collection of stories about music spans various themes, from mythical creatures and gods to magical creatures and folk traditions. The tales celebrate music’s power to transform, inspire, and evoke emotions, whether through a divine instrument or the simple melodies of everyday life.

The mythological stories form a significant part of this collection. In The Wood-folk, Pan creates music from the reeds after the nymph Syrinx transforms into them to escape his pursuit. Similarly, in The Judgement of Midas, Pan challenges Apollo to a music contest, leading to King Midas’s punishment when he criticizes Apollo’s superior performance. The power of music to enchant and affect change is a central element in The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner, where a soldier’s trumpet inspires his comrades to fight but ultimately leads to his capture.

Several stories explore the relationship between music and nature. The Fisherman Piping tells the story of a fisherman whose music fails to attract fish, but once he gives up, the fish start leaping joyfully. In The Swan and the Goose, a Swan sings to save itself from the cook’s knife, revealing its true nature and avoiding its fate. The Village Fiddler features a fiddler whose music transforms a feast into a lively celebration, bringing the village together through song and dance.

Music is also a theme of love, longing, and transformation in some stories. In The Wonderful Tune, Maurice Connor, a talented piper, marries a mermaid after playing a song that compels all to dance, yet it brings about personal loss. The Robin’s Christmas Song tells of a robin who sings for the King on Yule morning, receiving a wren as a wife in gratitude. The Swan and the Goose also touches on the relationship between animals and the role of song, as the swan saves itself with its voice.

Family and community come together in stories where music plays a unifying role. In Christmas Songs, villagers unite to celebrate Christmas through music, with a carol leading to a festive sing-along. The Merry Drum highlights the joy a child’s drum brings to a street, bringing neighbors together for a spontaneous parade. Similarly, in The Barn Dance, farm animals celebrate through music and dance, forming an orchestra and joining in a grand march.

Several stories explore the magical properties of music and sound. The Singing Ring tells of a princess who finds joy in a magical singing ring, which eventually helps her secure her love. The Four Musicians features musicians who are rewarded with gold for their performance, though only one discovers its true worth. Meanwhile, in The Flute, the protagonist’s grief and vengeance are tied to the music of his daughter’s flute.

Holiday-themed stories offer a whimsical take on music’s role in celebrations. The Christmas Tops follows a family’s enjoyment of spinning tops, while in The Town Musicians of Bremen, a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster form a band to drive off robbers and find a new home. In The Christmas Promise, a harper keeps his word to return home for Christmas, and his music brings him the joy of family reunion.

From moral lessons to folk traditions, this collection of music stories reflects the many ways in which music can influence life. Whether through the actions of gods, animals, or humans, the tales highlight music’s capacity to shape destinies, strengthen bonds, and bring about change.