Episode 9: The Enchanted Flute of Sadler’s Mill

This episode's Test Valley Tale is a magical tale with environmental themes and is perfect listening for folktale lovers young and old.

One morning when Tom the miller goes to collect wood for his fire, he finds himself in a strange new world where trees can talk and a water nixie gives him a gift of an enchanted flute. Having begun so well, will Tom continue to make the right decisions to live in harmony with nature. And will he remember the Water Nixie’s warning - never to use the flute for anything that goes against nature?

This story is set at Sadler’s Mill in Romsey and is based on an Estonian folk tale called ‘Mikku and the trees’. My inclusion of a water nixie in this story is a nod to the Brothers Grimm.

After the story, I take a walk from Sadler’s Mill to the centre of Romsey and share some of the facts and folklore I learnt while researching the story along the way.

This episode is accompanied with music by renowned folk musician Paul Sartin.

'Test Valley Tales' is an Arts Council Funded project and one of Test Valley Arts Foundation's Borough of Culture Legacy Projects. All the stories are set in the beautiful landscape of Test Valley which is in Hampshire in England.

There is also an illustrated book of the all the stories which accompanies this podcast. This is available from my website. Please see link below.

Hope you enjoy it!

Story written by Amanda Kane-Smith, based on an Estonian folk tale.

Podcast produced by Miles Kane-Smith.

Music by Paul Sartin recorded at WildGoose Records in Wherwell.

 Test Valley Tales can be found on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter as @testvalleytales.

For more information, please go to:

www.merry-go-roundstorytelling.co.uk/testvalleytales