Selkie Folke: The Legend of the Selkie Bride - See U in History

Selkies are fantastic mythological creatures from Northern Scottish, Irish, and Icelandic folklore. They are the seal women and are supposed to be a different kind of mermaid. Selkies are sinful human beings who were punished and obliged to live like seals until the end of time, according to some Christian legends from that region. But other sources seem to suggest that they are innocent, pure, and sweet creatures. In the water, a selkie cannot be discerned from an ordinary seal. But, once on dry land, the creature can shed its seal skin and adopt the form of a beautiful young human. One of the most well-known legends about these creatures is called the Selkie Bride. It recounts that, on a night when the moon was full, a fisherman saw three beautiful young women The fisherman had previously heard of the selkies, but had never seen one in person, so he moved closer to take a closer look. However, he was spotted by the female seals, who are always on the lookout for potential predators. The fisherman came across a seal skin, which certainly would belong to a selkie that was supposed to still be around. He found a beautiful and frightened young woman, cowering among the rocks, and told her that no harm would come to her. The young girl implored the fisherman to give her back her skin, as without it, the selkie could not return to the sea. But the fisherman was in love, telling her that from that day forward, he would take care of her in his house, and the selkie would become his wife. He took the young girl to his home, and from that day on, they became a couple. He hid her seal skin to prevent the selkies from fleeing. Years passed, and the fisherman and the selkie had several children. However, although the selkie was loved and treated well, she was not entirely happy, as that was not the place where she truly belonged. The youngest son one day saw his mother crying as she contemplated the sea, and asked her the reason for those tears. She replied that she loved all her children, and had tender feelings for her husband, but that she missed her real home. Then the boy realized that his mother was a selkie, a magical creature he had heard so much about from adults. When his father and brothers were not home one day, the boy searched the house for his mother's seal skin. He stumbled upon the skin inside the chimney and gave it back to his mother. She cried when she found her skin again. She kissed her son and thanked him for the skin, saying that she would never forget him and would always love him. The fisherman could still see his wife rushing towards the sea, holding the seal skin. The young woman leaped into the water and was never seen again. During all the ensuing years, however, the fisherman and his children found plenty to eat, as a flock of seals helped them by herding huge shoals of fish into their nets. It is told that the selkie never stopped watching over their human children until the end of their days.