Selling The Wind

There was once an old woman with a gift that many might call witchcraft. She was harmless though, as long as you stayed on her good side and always listened carefully to instructions. The way this witch made her money was by selling magical favours and sailors were her best customers.

One day, the captain of a ship came to see her at his wit’s end. He was due in Stornoway, but the sea had been calm and the wind flat for days now. This was an appointment that he couldn’t afford to miss and so he handed over a large sum of money in return for a short rope with 3 knots tied in it.

The instructions were simple. Untying the first knot would help get his ship underway. If he needed a little more speed, then all he had to do was let loose the second. However, under no circumstances should he even touch the third knot.

Incredibly grateful, the captain raced to his boat, hoisted the sail and untied the first knot. A stiff breeze appeared from nowhere and the crew were on their way! They might have been moving, but it wasn't a very impressive speed. Once clear of the harbour, the second knot was untied and the boat raced along the north coast of Scotland, whipping around Cape Wrath.

The Isle of Lewis was in sight and with it, Stornoway harbour! The captain was going to make his meeting in plenty of time, but curiosity got the better of him. That third knot was just hanging there, teasing him.

He thought they were safe enough now they were within sight of their destination, and he had to see what would happen. As soon as the knot was released, the skies darkened and a hurricane surrounded them.

The crew were left hanging on for dear life as the boat rocked back and forward. There was little any of them could do, as they were quickly blown all the way back to Orkney.