Mickey MacNeil is a Gaelic-speaking tradition bearer from Jamesville, Victoria County, Cape Breton. His people came from Barra, Scotland, generations ago. In this book, he tells one of his favourite tales, one he learned as a boy and never forgot. This is the story of Luran, a farmer and fisherman. Luran had cattle, sheep, and horses, and a good boat too. But one thing was bothering him: the fairies kept coming every night and stealing his animals. He didn't know what to do. But one day when he was out fishing, a mermaid came to his boat... (This is the GOC edition, suitable for use in GME schools in Scotland.)
Bha deagh bhaile aig Luran. Bha beothaichan aige-crodh, caoraich, agus eich. Agus bha deagh bhàta aige cuideachd. Ach bha aon rud ga bhodraigeadh: bha na sìtheanaich a'¿tighinn a h-uile oidhche 's bha iad a'¿goid nam beothaichean aige! Cha robh fhios aige dè dhèanadh e. Ach latha dhe na lathaichean a bha e ag iasgach, thàinig maighdeann-mhara dhan bhàta...
'S e seo tè dhe na sgeulachdan as fheàrr le Migi MacNìll, seanchaidh à Baile Sheumais, Siorramachd Bhioctoria, Ceap Breatainn. Thàinig a mhuinntir à Eilean Bharraigh, o chionn còrr is dà chiad bliadhna. Seo agaibh tè dhe na sgeulachdan a chaidh innse do Mhigi nuair a bha e na bhrogach òg-agus tè nach do leig e às a chuimhne riamh. Mar a thuirt Souter Strachan à Framboise, Ceap Breatainn, "Siud na lathaichean a bha bòidheach; a bhith a'¿cluinntinn sgeulachdan mar siud!"
