-The Tale of Ifan the Rich-



Written by Eilieh



Long ago, there was a rich man named Ifan.
Not only was he rich, but he was also extremely kind and generous, never one to turn a guest away. Everyone was very fond of Ifan and Ifan had many, many friends.

Then one day, an ugly and filthy hunchback came to his house.
The hunchback was missing patches of hair and had boils all over his body. He knocked on Ifan's door and shouted,

"I've heard there's a man named Ifan who lives here. And I've heard that he never refuses a guest. I could use a place to stay for a few days. Please spare me a room and some food."

While all of Ifan's family members and servants sneered at the hunchback in disgust, Ifan greeted him as if the man were an old friend.

The hunchback stayed all throughout Alban Elved, and even participated in the Harvest Festival, sitting in the seat of honor no less, and enjoyed all the delicious food and festive music.
No one restrained their disgust towards the hunchback, but Ifan never lost his smile as he conversed with the hunchback.

As Alban Elved ended and Samhain was beginning, the hunchback called for Ifan early in the morning.

"It is time for me to depart. I want to repay you for all that you've done for me."

Ifan was shocked.

"What do you mean? I got to make a new friend and share my time with wonderful company. Please, there is no need to repay me for anything. It's unfortunate that you have to leave so soon, but if you ever stop by this town again, be sure to visit and say hello!"

The hunchback began to laugh and something miraculous began to happen. The hunchback's spine began to straighten and his appearance transformed before Ifan's very own eyes. Soon, Ifan was staring at a tall, handsome man with brawny shoulders and shiny golden hair.
Ifan's eyes popped out of their sockets, as he stared amazed at the new man before him. The man addressed Ifan once more.

"I apologize for my rude behavior. It was only to test you. My name is Pin. The tales about your kind heart and generosity have traveled all the way to the land of Imps, and some of them have made a bet to see if it was really true. Thanks to your hospitality, I have won the bet; however, who knows what the other Imps will do. So, hold on to this."

Pin asked for Ifan's hand, and then placed something in it. It was three golden seeds.

"Samhain starts tomorrow. As the borders between the different worlds open up, the Imps will try to take you to another world. You can go with them wherever they take you, but you must never get off your horse nor eat any of the food they offer. If they try to grab you on your way home, throw the seeds I gave you to the ground. Only then, will you be able to return home safely."

After saying all this, Pin disappeared. Ifan's family, who had just come out, asked Ifan who that man was. Upon learning the hunchback's true identity, they were ashamed and regretted the manner they treated him.

The next day, there was a big festival for the beginning of Samhain, and many people came to Ifan's house to celebrate.
As Pin warned him, there were Imps in the midst of Ifan's guests. Ifan drank merrily and danced all night. Then, all of a sudden, he found himself riding a horse, alongside the Imps who were disguised as humans.

"Ifan. Let us take you to an amazing place."
"It's a place of eternal youth and happiness. You'll love it."

After passing through a familiar pathway, the Imps led Ifan through a dark area clouded with fog and came across a large river.
The Imps took Ifan across the river, and a golden field with a clean stream flowing through came into view. They kept walking until they were met with rainbow colored flowers all around; they arrived at a town full of beautiful young people.

"Welcome Ifan! We've heard so much about you."
"Would you please come down and join us?""

Ifan remembered what Pin had told him. He smiled and replied.

"Thank you so much for your warm welcome. However, I'm afraid I can't get off the horse because my feet hurt from all the dancing. Also, I ate and drank too much, so I shouldn't eat anymore. I'm sorry. With your approval, I would like to explore some different places."

The people were quite disappointed, but they didn't push the matter further. Instead, they gave Ifan a fancy tunic and a coat to wear as a gift. Without a choice, the Imps, who had brought Ifan, had to take him to the next town.

The next town was filled with beautiful flowers from all four seasons and large trees. There were also women dressed in gold and silver, gorgeous and singing with voices more amazing than any Ifan had ever heard.

"Welcome Ifan! We've heard so much about you ."
"Would you please come down and join us?""

Ifan was almost seduced by their hypnotizing voice, but quickly remembered what Pin had said and politely turned them down.

"Thank you so much for your warm welcome. However, I'm afraid I can't get off the horse because my feet hurt from all the dancing. Also, I ate and drank too much, so I shouldn't eat anymore. I'm sorry. With your approval, I would like to explore some different places."

The women were quite disappointed, but they didn't push the matter further. Instead, they gave Ifan a basket full of ripe fruits and flowers. Without a choice, the Imps, who had brought Ifan, had to take him to the next town.

This time they took him to a place with a gushing waterfall, lush forest, and a large plain. There were many young lively men out hunting and enjoying themselves. The sweet aroma of barbecued meat and alcohol was extremely enticing.

"Welcome Ifan! It's an honor to finally meet you."
"Would you please come down and join us?""

The food, drink, and revelry almost lured Ifan off the horse, but he reminded himself of what Pin told him and refused.

"Thank you so much for your warm welcome. However, I'm afraid I can't get off the horse because my feet hurt from all the dancing. Also, I ate and drank too much, so I shouldn't eat anymore. I'm sorry. With your approval, I would like to explore some different places."

The young men were quite disappointed, but they didn't push the matter further. Instead, they gave him a pair of leather boots and a hat.
The Imps then took Ifan to another place. They brought him back to the river they had initially crossed. They said to Ifan,

"It's getting pretty late. Why don't you just spend the night at our home and rest?"

Ifan was thankful but politely declined.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality, but I need to go back home and take care of my wife and kids, as well as my servants. I should get going."

Suddenly, the Imps' human disguise came off, revealing their true appearance.

"You make us lose a bet, take you around town, and now you just want to leave? You're just a greedy man, aren't you!"

Ifan was frightened and turned his horse around and sped away as fast as he could. Ifan and his horse raced through the vast field, but the Imps were close by and were right behind his tail.
When it seemed like they almost had the horse's tail, Ifan threw one of the seeds that Pin gave him. Then, out of nowhere, a giant barley field arose from the ground and created a divide between Ifan and the Imps. He barely escaped, riding off in the distance.

But not long after, the Imps were on his tail again. Again, when the Imps almost had the horse's tail, Ifan threw another seed on the ground. This time, a giant wheat field arose and separated the Imps from Ifan. Ifan escaped just by the hair on his back and continued pacing towards home.

After awhile, the imps ran through the wheat field and were soon behind Ifan's tail again. Ifan saw his home in a distance and he threw the last seed that Pin had given him. This time, a giant field of reeds blocked the imps from chasing Ifan.
Before the Imps could get through, Ifan jumped into the river and swam across to the other side.
There was nothing the furious Imps could do but turn around. Ifan was then able to safely ride home.

Upon his return, all the gifts Ifan had received from the people vanished with the exception of a flower basket. The sweet aroma of the flowers would last forever.
Now, whenever guests come to visit Ifan, he always makes certain they hear of his adventures, and continues to extend his warm generosity to all people.