The Juniper Tree || Faerie Daels

[@AdamYJ]

Usually, "red as blood" suggests either rosy red cheeks or red lips. In "Snow White", Snow White's mother wishes for a child "as white as snow, red as blood and black as ebony". That's usually interpreted as skin, lips and hair respectively. Anyway, congratulations on tackling one of the Grimms' most controversial tales. Not only is it very dark and violent, it's also filled with what's referred to as "fairy tale logic". It's the kind of semi-dreamlike logic that only works in fairy tales. It's best to just take it in stride.

[@juliamavroidi8601]

As for why she kept her apples in a chest: a) apples don't spoil as fast if they're kept in the dark and b) before the invention of refined sugar fruit was a treat like candy is today and for poorer people it would continue to be for much longer, so when the tale was written down, the readers would have been familiar with that concept (the family in the story is supposed to be rich, but it also is supposed to take place a long time ago). And back in the day when people wanted to keep their special treats safe from domestic servants with a sweet tooth or their own children, they would lock it up. Back when the story was written lockable sugar bowls were all the rage. The (step)mother has power over the apples like parents today have power over the cookie jar. She decides who gets a treat and who doesn't. And since the boy probably hadn't had an apple in a long time, with her treating him so poorly, he's naturally exited to finally get one (but maybe also a bit suspicious?), which makes the scene even more creepy.

[@thebpphantom]

"I love talking" - I really could listen to you narrate or do audio books for... well forever really.

[@willbrine1404]

I don't know what the moral of this story is... Don't trust second wives with your children? An African swallow can fly at full speed while carrying a deadly millstone. Burn all juniper trees. Don't decapitate children.

[@sandradermarkbufi5601]

African swallow :D :D :D

[@seedless9746]

I think it's the last one :D

[@patrickbuckley7259]

I am pretty certain it's the last one, everyone else get's what they wanted (even the original mother even if she had to die to get it.)

[@Sparkle5fanboy]

This is my favorite Grimm tale and now It made even better by becoming a Faire Dael

[@MatthiasPendragon]

After a rough couple of days, nothing improves my mood like a new story from Dael. Granted the story was creepy as all get out, but it was wonderfully told.

[@shelbydification]

How come nobody has adapted this super weird faerie tale into a movie yet? That's the most important question. I totally was eating oatmeal while I watched this, but I have to ask: talking about cooking little boys into a salty tear stew didn't put you off your eggs? not even a little?

[@Melinea13]

Faerie Daels are my favourite. I wish you did them all the time.

[@sheetedkid]

You know, apples themselves are often both white as snow (inside) and red as blood (outside). Maybe the first wife actually wanted another apple instead of a child? Also, don't get too embarrassed about getting egg yolk on your forearm--I was once eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and managed to get peanut butter on my glasses. On one of the lenses. On the side that was closer to my face.

[@RelativelyNormal]

That cow egg-cup is the greatest thing!

[@wild3kids]

Fried rice, sesame chicken, and tea. I love Eating with Dael videos

[@vincentfox9267]

The Juniper Tree is my favorite horror story. I love horror and fantasy.

[@melonberri]

What a weird story lol. Love it

[@CRabbit42]

Love the stories you tell and the way you tell them! I had already eaten dinner by the time I caught this video, but I enjoyed a nice cup of coffee while watching.

[@pedrocarnita6732]

Juniper berries being purplish-black are a symbol of death and the underworld. The boy's mother after death takes the form of a tree. A soul travels to heaven as a bird or his soul is carried by a bird: the bird is the boy's soul.

[@angelalewis3645]

A couple other people give historical context in their comments, but this one is the most meaningful of all to me! Thank you.

[@Alefiend]

Glad you've got your voice back. Another delightful tale from delightful Dael.

[@Decco6226]

Omg you're so funny! I loved how you put your funny words into my favourite fairy tale

[@jennamelancon6872]

YAY!!! That has always been my very favorite fairy tale. I am so glad you did your version of it. I even made up a tune for the song when I was about 4 years old that I still remember.

[@EzraColdsGarage]

I can imagine the father bragging about his son. " You should meet him, he makes a GREAT stew."

[@alexanderlundberg5644]

Very well told story, as always. I watched this during breakfast, I had some slices of bread and two eggs, with tea and hot chocolate.

[@PudduIsBored]

I have been quite down and stressed lately, but sitting down, listening to Dael storytelling, has actually cheered me up quite a bit (as always, I would say). Even though I've been following you for only 4-5 months, I can see you're amazing, Dael. Thank you and keep it up (:

[@Mzdeathblade]

Hooray! One of my all time favorite stories. Thank you for the wonderful telling of it. Did you ever check out 'The girl who trod on the loaf?' I suspect that you would enjoy the Marsh Queen. Hope that you feel much better very soon!

[@kylestevens4117]

Dael, I love the mythologies and Fairie Daels you tell. Such a great and entertaining storyteller! So funny! You make me laugh! Totally enjoy it! You're awesome, keep it up!

[@gregputnam7243]

Also you should do more Brothers Grimm stories because this video was arguably my favorite one. No second place, first place will always be the Ragnarock video

[@CharlesStacyII]

That was a fantastically odd story and as usual I loved it. Also I did have dinner with you. Fish Sticks with tarter sauce and Pineapple chunks.

[@highoctanefury]

Try doing book summaries. You're such a good story teller, I think it would be great. Also I was eating bacon and eggs.

[@TheValerieMeachum]

This story is SO WEIRD. And yet I love it anyway. Possibly *because* it's weird. Such a fun rendition, as always. Also, I'd never heard that bit of folklore about the eggshells before. Very cool!

[@tombombadil0449]

mmmm. I'm joining in and having a pb & j. Love the background music

[@SnakeAndBadger]

Went and made dinner with this video paused until the cooking was done. Food and stories are the best combination.

[@drewdrawsstuff]

Ate BLT's with avocado and thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of cannibalism and disregard for the laws of physics (the mental image of the bird carrying a millstone was fun). Old fairytales are so great!

[@blanco173]

Yay! More digital meal-time with Dael. This time I had a dinner of baked potatoes, carrots and cauliflower, coupled with lamb. Your video came up just as I was about to start my meal. A really great story by the way and the music also fits excellently with the narrative in my opinion. Gonna have to be more careful around the juniperie in our yard from now on, just to avoid fatal pregnancies and such.

[@chewiecheshire7973]

Dael this video was excellent, particularly those last two lines.

[@DaBezzzz]

DM: As you feel your soul leave your body, you see reality disappear in front of you. Your soul wanders back to where it came from, and a smell of cold bark and autumn leaves fills your ethereal nostrils. All around you, you hear an ever-present, deep voice call to you: _You may have died a tragic death, but you will be given a second chance. My magic can make for you a temporary body to inhabit, and you may have the power to sing so beautifully you can make anyone give you anything. You have to find a new, fresh, dead soul to take your place in the land of the dead before sunset, and I may give you back your original body._ Player: I sing to the goldsmith and make him give me a beautiful gold chain. Then, I sing to the shoemaker, to give me a beautiful pair of shoes that will fit Margery's feet. Finally, i go to the miller's house and sing to the workers there, to give me the milling stone they're working on. I return to the house, sing for the family so that one by one they come out; I drop the chain on top of my father's neck, the shoes next to my sister's feet, and the stone on my stepmother's head. DM: You hear the deep voice tell you: _Well done. You may return to the plane of the living._ And you get your body back.

[@hylar]

Wonderful story, and I had a tuna fish sandwich and chips to join in. Thanks Dael!

[@jamesworthington009]

I sat down to eat and pulled up youtube and stumbled upon this. I like this.

[@epesnikapesnik]

pumpkin soup! thanks as always for a great storytelling =)

[@gregputnam7243]

I would love Faerie Daels with Brither Grimm storues b/c with geek mythology stories you are very precise and logical but with these stories you are flabbergasted and just in aww by the weirdness of the stories haha

[@KarolinaKiryjczuk]

Loved this one! I mean: loved more than usual :) The myths [in your interpretation] are great, but the fairy tales are even better! I dare you to re-tell the story of Donkey Skin!! (apart from Charles Perrault's version, there's this one by Italo Calvino called 'Wooden Maria' - I'm wondering what would be your version...)

[@DarkVeracity]

I just discovered your channel and I am obsessed with you. I love your videos!!

[@MonarchsFactory]

Thanks heaps, that's so kind of you!

[@TeddyBearWithSexHair]

Another wonderful (and odd) story. Thanks, Dael c: As for my meal, I had home made pizza!! Also, it is surprisingly difficult to cook with a broken leg. You'd think it's all hands but nope.

[@JM-oo5ko]

That was awesome!

[@Qantravon]

I was going to eat dinner while watching this anyway, so that worked out great! I had taquitos, chips, and queso.

[@psychot1cally]

Wonderfull telling of a super F@#$ed up story. It always amazes me that we tell these messed up stories to children and think nothing of it. And yet when they get a bit older the world will end if they watch a slightly scary movie. But Anyhooo... Keep up the good work Dael.

[@rasnac]

Nice coincidence. I was having dinner while watching this. Also: mix powder ginger with honey and eat two teaspoonfull. It will clear your throat.

[@thofus]

Aww.. hope you'll get well soon! :-)

[@elad463]

Feel better my friend Dael. Nice story..

[@DarlingAshes]

This was excellent!!

[@TheMimiSard]

I have a half-eaten bowl of thai chicken soup, which FYI, is Trident Thai Noodle Soup (available in Australia!) with store-roasted chicken in it. This was a fun story BTW, started out sounding like Snow White (maybe it was a variation on the same theme?) but turned out differently enough to be something new to me.

[@EllinorNord]

I was actually having dinner while watching this. Reindeer meat with lingonberry jam. Gosh that sounds Scandinavian. Well, I am Swedish so I guess that makes sense. Thanks for the dinner company and the... very strange story.

[@garret1930]

That sounds delicious.

[@BexTrokerKey]

Watched this during my lunch break from welding a show set. I ate a chicken salad and was jealous of the dip-pability of your eggs ;)

[@garret1930]

I feel like most of the Grimms stories occur in a universe where the DM didn't want to bother with encumbrance and just said "you're a bird? And want to hold a millstone? Sure, let's see what happens, just so you know: this applies to the bad guys too."

[@johanmilde]

I had some muesli and yoghurt with you. Love the Faerie Daels, are you planning some with the stories of Asbjørnsen and Moe?

[@gregputnam7243]

Dael! If I knew this was a Eating With Dael episode, I would not have waited. I pretty much always eat with you but I am watching this at 2 am so I kind of cant

[@bobscomic1]

I drank beer as I listened to your story. Your stories work very well with booze.

[@jmcosmos]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! You did the Juniper Tree for me!!

[@cumberbtcheswiththehats8209]

+Bill Gould That's a good point. Dael, have you ever thought about doing audiobooks?

[@galileor.cuevas9739]

Yummy! Enjoyed lunch; despite that, it was a pretty weird tale.

[@sprblk]

You should check out Angela Carter's collection of short stories: "The Bloody Chamber", they are appropriations of quite a few fairy tales.

[@michaelsommers2356]

This story ties in nicely with Pelops and the sons of Thyestes (not to mention Titus Andronicus).

[@yakumofujii886]

Great Faerie Daels!!!

[@freetalkn657]

I liked this weird story!

[@Stormandfire]

I tend to crush eggshells partly because the witches will steal them, but also because if you put them in compost, they'll breakdown quicker.

[@anicientbolt]

Enjoyed the vid with a unorthodox breakfast of aglio e olio pasta and olive bread.

[@StubbornProgrammer]

16:10 I couldn't agree more.

[@robertjohnson9187]

Compared to the story proper, the witches in eggshell boats thing actually makes a lot of sense :)

[@missybarnes7400]

i was in the school play doing this play well doing grimm tales but it was in it and in this the song was shortened to: "My mother cut my head off, My father swallowed me, my sister buried all my bones Under the juniper tree. Keewitt! Keewitt! you'll never find A prettier bird than me!" and the sisters name was Marleeken

[@kylestevens4117]

"This is such a weird story!" Lol! I agree!

[@jlh2b]

I don’t know if I’m still supposed to share my food, but I had ice cream (chocolate chip cookie dough) as I watched

[@circlepit4598]

This was so good 😂

[@geeveelution]

Finally saw one of these during actual breakfast! (mug o' milk, i'm not a breakfast person) So many dice, on a completely unrelated note! Oh, Grimm fairy tales, how disturbingly disturbing. I took the boy's description as Snow White-like, by the by. I also thought this was gonna go the way of that one tale with the girl with a ribbon around her neck, was that a common occurrence or something? (still hoping you get well quick, too)

[@IanWorris]

Another eating video, I was waiting for one of those. And I want too a baby as white as snow and as red as blood, just so that I can see what the hell does it mean. The story was still quite creepy and weird, even being a fairy tale, but still quite nice to hear.

[@jag519]

every time you do an eat with you, I just happened to have just gotten food and started eating. What is timing. haha

[@IanMoldovan]

Ok, when you mentioned the hankercheif I thought it was gonna be more like the girl with the yellow ribbon. Ye-yeah... it wasn't like that...

[@nutc11]

I ate trail mix. Your voice is lovely.

[@DeaconTaylor]

i sat down with some gnocchi after work to watch this with you

[@gaodargon]

I missed the fariy daels, btw yummy snak

[@theridonculesknights]

Always love a good Faerie Dael. ^u^

[@varumribeiro]

Oh Dael, always remembering me to eat, Ty! Brb

[@RedStefan]

Dael when I asked you can we have a breakfast, I didn't meant to watch you eat on youtube.

[@RebeccaJ720]

That boy-bird-whatever should start a metal band.

[@gregputnam7243]

Sidenote, whatever you are eating looks delicious

[@schalkansgaming2781]

Hey i found you because i lookt a bunch of dnd stuff and know i must say i Like your folk Lore / mytolosch story's and yeah it is 4 in The morning xD sorry my Englisch is with No sleep not soooo good

[@melissaramla2984]

We call them boiled googy eggs... and I'd forgotten why I brake the bottoms... Oh! And I ate hash browns with you!

[@NorStarArt]

Weird story, even for the Grimm's.

[@tanner1ie]

That bit of the mother making her daughter think she'd knocked her brother's head off reminded me of something in Dumb and Dumber... ...spoiler (for a 1994 film, but still :) ), spoiler, spoiler... After one of the film's main characters had taken a case of money intended as a ransom from right under the noses of two hired thugs, the thugs went to the main character's apartment intent on finding them or the money, but when they found the apartment empty...except for a pet parakeet, one of the thugs decided that he'd send the main character's a "message",...by pulling the head off the bird...but when one of the main character's, Harry, found his bird dead, he thought it's head just fell off, because it got too old*! :) .

[@captdaf]

/pause /make porridge /resume Carry on! :)

[@andyf4292]

yum

[@gawayne1374]

That bird is carrying gold, stone and shoes?! .... It must be an African Swallow

[@Varis78]

Step child... red as blood... hated by step mother... Me thinks you're right about the "red as blood" meaning red hair, as this sounds like a classic example of the red-headed step child concept. Heck, it might even be where the term got started. Also, yeah, this tale is super wtf. o_O

[@michaelsommers2356]

+Varis78 Apparently the red refers to rosy cheeks, or possibly lips. Googling the phrase "red as blood and as white as snow" turns up some interesting things, including Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (NRSV)

[@Varis78]

+Michael Sommers Interesting. Thanks for doing the digging to find that! That said, while I guess definitely incorrect now, I still like my theory. It fits the story! :D

[@garret1930]

Are you a first son?

[@CableLoganSummers]

Feel better, Please! :) Keep up the good work ! :)

[@brycenaiman9661]

That was the best

[@Ewong251]

Probably wasn't a good idea to be eating stew for dinner during this video...

[@maxvickrey4357]

Your amazing

[@piouppioup]

Good timing, I'm eating breakfast.

[@piouppioup]

+piouppioup Ohh the blood on the snow, an all time favorite motif! In highschool we studied too books with that same red on white thing. The oldest was Perceval by Chrétien de Troye, a knights of the round table story. Perceval at some point is outside in the snow, a wild geese fly over head, and some blood fall from a wound it had for some reason. Perceval gets transfixed by the sight of bright red on the white snow, and think of his beloved (I think it's something about red cheeks/lips on white skin, but also I think it's a bit sexual). A army passes by on the snowy plain and Perceval just MASSACRES them. Like, proper berserker trance. The second book was a modern one about boredom and murder, and it references that blood red on white snow thing from Perceval a lot. And then of course, fairy tales love their red on white. (oh and I was eating scones and raspberry jam)

[@richardmyhan3369]

creepy story, but well told. :) also, I'm eating starburst minis.

[@ajmeyers5661]

I had tabouleh. Cheers!

[@sandradermark8463]

That sounds pretty sinister: eating while telling a story of cannibalism...

[@mathijssmith]

You don't only like talking, we also like you talking

[@stratahawk_1]

So... the moral of the story is don't accept apples from stepparents or it could lead to cannibalism? Or dropping millstones on the person who killed you will lead to a happy ending?

[@thimblepunk7359]

ok so I know a lot about this one! what i find really interesting is the sheer number of variants there are (The Rose Tree is the English version, Milk White Do' is the scottish etc.). A bunch of them are recorded here and almost every version has a different song the bird sings www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0720.html . Also check out the creepy ass folk song based on the story (it mentions a juniper tree but is closest to the rose tree version of the story). kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWi6pqGLqMSMqpY