Brothers Three, The
From Changeling Venue
Throughout the tales and rhymes used by parents to threaten their children into behaving runs the theme of three brothers. Whether it be three blind mice, three little pigs, or three billy goats gruff, the three brothers went from adventure to adventure, parable to parable. The Brothers Three are cursed to never die unless all three fall victim to the same misadventure; but also, they continue to age after a fashion. Now, the three ancient and decrepit brothers have "retired" from their wandering and run a vineyard. This vineyard runs on the backs and toil of the Changelings the Brothers Three steal. The vintage they sell to other Gentry is simple: the hopes, dreams, anger, fear, sorrow and other emotions of the Changelings they steal, all bottled for consumption.
Three Little Pigs Adventure
"Then the wolf was very angry indeed, and declared he would eat up the little pig, and that he would get down the chimney after him. When the little pig saw what he was about, he hung on the pot full of water, and made up a blazing fire, and, just as the wolf was coming down, took off the cover, and in fell the wolf; so the little pig put on the cover again in an instant, boiled him up, and ate him for supper, and lived happily ever afterwards."
The real story
This is a tale of a failed escape and not one of breaking and entering. In the real tale, The Three Brothers caught a changeling trying to escape. For his transgression, the changeling was cooked alive and served at the Gentry Social Event of the Year.
Three Billy Goats Gruff Adventure
"It's I! The big Billy Goat Gruff", said the billy goat, who had an ugly hoarse voice of his own.
"Now I 'm coming to gobble you up", roared the troll.
Well, come along! I've got two spears, And I'll poke your eyeballs out at your ears; I've got besides two curling-stones, And I'll crush you to bits, body and bones.
That was what the big billy goat said. And then he flew at the troll, and poked his eyes out with his horns, and crushed him to bits, body and bones, and tossed him out into the cascade, and after that he went up to the hillside.
The real story
This is a story of cunning. The Two Brothers tricked the Troll to attack the last Brother. They knew he was going to be the victor since one of them can't die unless they all die at once.
