Stories With Witches

This collection features a variety of tales that explore the role of witches and magic in folklore. The stories range from curses and transformations to moral lessons and quests, each with distinct characters and settings.

One theme in the collection is the transformation of characters through witchcraft, such as in The Ash-Tree, where a witch’s death leads to a horrifying family secret, or in Vasilisa the Beauty, where a girl uses her mother’s magical gift to survive the challenges set by the witch Baba Yaga. Similarly, The Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh tells the story of Princess Margaret, cursed into a dragon form by a wicked stepmother, and The Green Cat, where a witch’s anger transforms a village’s weather and creates obstacles for a young hero.

In some stories, witches are depicted as providing both assistance and challenges, such as in Dinah Cat and the Witch, where a witch’s misdeeds lead to her transformation and a happy ending for the main characters. Another example is How Old Witch Neda Stole the Moon and the Sun, where a witch’s theft of celestial bodies is reversed by the actions of a brave star.

Several stories feature witches as antagonists who must be defeated by the protagonist. In Macbeth, the three witches’ prophecies drive Macbeth to commit murder, ultimately leading to his downfall. The Raven follows a man attempting to rescue a princess from an enchantment placed by a witch, and The Lost Fairy shows how a fairy, punished by her queen, must navigate transformation and loss.

Other stories explore witches in their role as protectors or helpers. In The Silver Horseshoes, a witch aids a young prince in rescuing a princess, while Modern Witches portrays witches who bring good health, cheerfulness, and other positive influences to a land in need. The Tree of Swords also includes a witch who, though initially an antagonist, becomes a key figure in the resolution of the story.

The theme of witches’ connection to family is prevalent in several tales. In The Halloween Witches, a group of witches gathers every All Hallow’s Eve, and in The Twelve Brothers, a family’s bond is tested through a witch’s curse. Similarly, The Witch’s Dream features a witch confronting her own fears as she interacts with her familiar companions.

Each story in this collection reveals the varied roles witches play, from the maleficent to the benevolent, all contributing to lessons on bravery, kindness, and transformation.