The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard was first mentioned in the seventh and final novel in The Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by author JK Rowling. It is described therein as a book of children's fairy tales connected with wizardry, never popularised for this very reason.

Following publication and the by now predictable success of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, JK Rowling decided to produce seven very special editions of the previously mythical Tales of Beedle the Bard, each of them personally handwritten and illustrated by the author herself. Six copies of the book were "thank you" presents to friends of hers, while the seventh was to be auctioned with the proceeds going to her favourite charity, The Children's Voice. When the book was indeed auctioned in London in December 2007, it fetched the staggering price of almost £2 million ($4 Million) from the online retailer Amazon.com, far in excess of anyone's wildest expectations.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a collection of five unique and very different fairy stories, each one containing a special yet different subtle message.

The Wizard and the Hopping Pot tells the tale of an old man who freely and happily uses his special powers to help others in the town in which he lives. When the old man dies, he leaves his magic pot and a cryptic message for his son, in the hope that his son will carry on his good work. Disgruntled, his son initially does anything but, though eventually circumstances force him to realise the error of his ways.

The Fountain of Fair Fortune describes three anguished witches, seeking a magical fountain which will help cleanse them of their woes. They set off together in search of this mystical spring, encountering various trails and tribulations along the way. They finally reach the fountain and are cured of their various troubles, without ever realising the true source of their relief.

The Warlock's Hairy Heart is the story of a young warlock who decides never to fall in love. He manages to do this most successfully for some time before bowing to pressure from his peers and deciding to mend his ways. Unfortunately, he has been so long immune to the experience and so detached from it, the shock to his system proves to be his ultimate downfall.

Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump is about a jealous King who wants to ban all magic practised by the witches in his kingdom. He wants to learn the techniques for himself and be their sole practitioner. He therefore recruits what proves to be a charlatan to help him in his quest, only to be ultimately humbled by the wisdom and powers of his elderly washerwoman.

The Tale of the Three Brothers is of three brothers on a journey together who come to a mighty river. Building a magical bridge by which to cross the river, they incur the wrath of Death who perceives them as victims lost. Death, however, charms them by offering each of them one special wish. Two of the brothers are foolishly taken in but the third chooses wisely and modestly and therefore escapes the Reaper's clutches.