A story to share · by Sylvia Labrum
Goban the Sad Leprechaun
A little kindness. A faithful friend. And the courage that was there all along.
Step into Goban’s world
Chapter 1
A Spell in the Moonlight
The Pooka cast a spell on Goban. The little leprechaun could no longer use his magic.
Goban stopped to rest beneath a pile of turf instead of going home to the rowan tree. A noise woke him, and he found himself looking at the Pooka, who cast a spell and took away his powers. The Pooka shouted a strange rhyme and disappeared into the forest.
Chapter 2
A Secret at the Rowan
The Wise Old Leprechaun listened. Goban would have to find the way to bring his own magic back.
Goban went home and told the Wise Old Leprechaun what had happened. The elder knew the answer, but said Goban must discover how to bring his powers back himself: “You will know.” Until then, Goban would mend the shoes and stay behind when the others went riding.
Chapter 3
Tic, Tic, Tack
He mended everyone’s shoes while the others rode out. Goban felt lonely and wanted his magic back.
On full-moon nights, the other leprechauns galloped through the forest on their wee horses, following the elder’s horn. Without his powers, Goban was not allowed to join them, and some teased him for staying behind. He sat at the rowan with his tiny hammer, wishing he could go too.
Chapter 4
A Plan by the Sea
Goban hoped to hide in a boat’s barrel and sail away. Waiting by the sea, he fell asleep.
One moonlit night, Goban put his tools on the shelf and walked away to a castle wall above the sea. He planned to hide in a fishing boat’s barrel, then ask his seal friend to carry him to land. But while waiting behind a shore rock, he fell asleep.
Chapter 5
Caught in a Fishing Net
Two fishermen caught Goban in their net. They wanted his gold, but he had no magic to set himself free.
Just before sunrise, Darby spotted Goban asleep and threw a net over him while Padraig watched. They put him aboard beside two barrels and demanded a crock of gold. Goban tried to frighten them with a spell, but Darby realized he had no powers, and the boat sailed away.
Chapter 6
Remembering an Old Friend
Long ago, Goban cared for a hungry seal pup. Inish grew brave, learned to dive, and became his friend.
Trapped on the boat, Goban remembered finding a hungry, frightened seal pup on the island long ago. He had cared for the pup until he could dive for his own fish. Goban named him Inish, and Inish taught him a special seal call; now Goban knew whom to call.
Chapter 7
Inish Hears the Call
Goban called, and Inish swam alongside the boat. He chewed the net and reminded Goban of their special chant.
With the fishermen facing away, Goban made his special call until Inish heard him and came to the boat. Inish chewed through the net so Goban could free himself, then reminded him of the chant they used to say together. “Courage!” he called, staying below the boat to help.
Chapter 8
Courage Brings the Magic Back
Goban remembered the chant and found his courage. His magic returned, and he turned the fishermen into seals!
Inish’s reminder helped Goban remember the words: Fiddle, faddle, fiddle, foe, It's courage, courage we must show! For when our powers are all but spent, I must repeat the magic chant. With courage and his magic back, Goban turned Darby and Padraig into seals, bobbing in the water beside Inish.
Chapter 9
A Promise to Go Home
The fishermen promised to take Goban home. He changed them back, and they freed the fish for Inish.
Darby and Padraig promised a safe trip home and to keep Goban’s capture a secret. Goban restored them to the boat and made them release their catch for Inish, who waved goodbye. If they kept their promise, Goban promised them full nets whenever they fished.
Chapter 10
Goban Leads the Moonlit Ride
The elder gave Goban the ancient horn. Proud and happy, Goban led his friends on their moonlit ride.
The fishermen brought Goban home, where the elder explained that the Pooka had taken the chant from his memory. Courage had brought it back, and the elder gave Goban the ancient horn. Under the full moon, Goban proudly led the leprechauns on their wee horses.