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James Washburn 4613

Joined March 2012
34 followers

    James Washburn's Stories (4)

    • Succession
      Celestia wants a quiet evening in. Shining Armour wants a word with her. These two things are, unfortunately, incompatible. Because Shining Armour's words are all about his little sister, and her place in the monarchy.

      5,039 words · 1,141 views · 179 likes · 3 dislikes
    • Telling Tales
      A storyteller comes to Ponyville and, quite against his better judgement, tells stories.
      21,723 words · 951 views · 75 likes · 1 dislikes
    • The Battleship Ponytemkin
      A crew of OCs hijack a battleship, warranting decisive action from Canterlot
      35,305 words · 180 views · 16 likes · 0 dislikes
    • The Mare With No Story And Other Promising Tales
      Folk Tales, only ponified.
      15,972 words · 154 views · 9 likes · 0 dislikes

    Tall Tales didn't intend to be in Ponyville for long. It was supposed to be a brief stop on the way to the storytellers' gathering in Connemara, and nothing more. How was he to know he'd be offered the opportunity to show southerners real storytelling? More to the point, how was he supposed to refuse? And just what does this pink pony want with him, anyway?

    Now he's shanghaied himself into performing, and must use all his skill to stay on stage, on target, and within the bounds of sanity. So gather round, pull up a bollard, and listen to some proper Equestrian folk tales.

    Or watch one stallion go slowly mad in public. Either way, you're in for a treat.

    First Published
    8th Oct 2012
    Last Modified
    9th Oct 2012

    Comments ( 57 )

    #1 · Chapter 12 · 32w, 3d ago · · ·
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    Thanks go to The Descendant and Cloud Wander for their help in checking this story over. I'm forever in their debts.

    All the stories told herein are at least based on traditional stories, some more rigidly than others.

    #2 · Chapter 12 · 32w, 2d ago · · ·
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    I think you may have accidentally turned on underscoring in the second half of this chapter.

    EDIT:  Wait now I am doing it how strange...

    I also really enjoyed the story (and stories held within) though after finding out that this is using the Pinkie is a gypsy sort of background I would have loved to delve more into that though it is not necessary for the story.

    #3 · Chapter 11 · 32w, 2d ago · · ·
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    Tell it in two parts? lol

    #4 · Chapter 12 · 32w, 2d ago · · ·
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    >>1406363

    Ahah, I knew there was something I'd missed...

    Also, I didn't actually intend it to be 'Pinkie is a Gypsy' background, just that she'd seen them telling. But hey, point of contention.

    #5 · Chapter 12 · 32w, 1d ago · · ·
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    It was an honor and a pleasure to be involved with this project, Jim! Best of luck!:twilightsmile:

    #6 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    This is just wonderful. I found every chapter a delight, and the entire storytelling vehicle was so well executed. What a treat to find here in ponyfiction land. :raritystarry:

    #7 · Chapter 5 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    The story of Sir Kay, very nice.

    #8 · Chapter 1 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    These are definitely worth reading, you should check them out

    #9 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    That was great, I love me some good stories.

    #10 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    >>1451702

    Sir Kay? I always heard it as Gawain. Every telling's different I suppose...

    >>1450896

    Well, thank you awfully!

    #11 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    I will forever think of you as a professional story teller now. Because you've earned it. :ajsmug:

    Thanks for sharing this with us. It's one of the better stories I've read!

    #12 · Chapter 1 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    I can't wait to see where this goes. I've always been a fan of mythology, I can't wait to see your Equestiran version :raritystarry:

    #13 · Chapter 2 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    "Don’t worry, everyone,” she said, bouncing along, “we can all play a game!”, reminds me of a certain pink pony :pinkiehappy:

    That ending, of the story not the sashay into the next one, was wonderful. :raritystarry: I understood the love is blind but not the guided by madness even though it makes perfect sense

    Ciao :raritywink:

    #14 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    >>1452308

    As I remember hearing the story (KKUP, listener sponsored public radio, YAY), it was the story of Sir Kay, Arthur's stepbrother.  Could be wrong though, It was more than a few years ago and I didn't bother looking it up.

    Edited to say; I did a little research, turns out I was wrong. Turns out is is Gawain's story.  Learn something new (or old) everyday.  Apparently Sir Kay was kind of a dick.

    #15 · Chapter 8 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    Professor Sunshine Lolipop the Sardonic. :pinkiehappy: With a name like Sunshine Lolipop I'd be pretty sardonic myself.

    #16 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    Firstly, "left with his swag" :rainbowlaugh: The imagery that was in my mind made me laugh out loud, for that I thank you. I also want to thank you for a truly delightful story. You sir, have a knack for storytelling that is uncanny; I had never heard someone use nervy before. I'm not quite sure what I think about it. Regardless, I could continue to shower you with superlatives, but I believe I will just finish with one, Stupendous :raritystarry:

    Ciao :raritywink:

    #17 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    >>1453590

    Funny you should say that, I actually am. Me and a friend of mine won a storytelling competition this year, in fact. We did it all this summer. I just figured it was time to combine my two life-eating preoccupations; pony and storytelling.

    >>1454202

    Nervy? If you say so. Thanks very much for your kind words!

    #18 · Chapter 8 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    Hmmm... the Story of the Wawel Dragon. Nice, I like it even more, because i'm Polish.

    #19 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 1d ago · · ·
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    >>1455724

    I always liked that one too. The dragon was taken down the proper way. I.e., with high explosives, rather than one guy with a fancy sword.

    #20 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 22h ago · · ·
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    I stumbled upon this last night when I was bored. I can honestly say this easily cured me of that, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I think the other comments have covered why this story, or stories in this case, is/are good. Therefore, I will simply say that this made me laugh on numerous occasions and I look forward to seeing more from you in the future.

    #21 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 22h ago · · ·
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    >>1456200

    Well thank you, I'm glad I could save you from boredom. I honestly wasn't too sure about bits of it, but I'm glad it has your stamp of approval!

    #22 · Chapter 9 · 31w, 19h ago · · ·
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    I'm now imagining Rarity doing a perfect Cockney accent :duck:

    #23 · Chapter 9 · 31w, 19h ago · · ·
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    >>1456997

    Oh my god I didn't even realise I'd done that this is the greatest thing I have ever written.

    #24 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 13h ago · · ·
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    Well now, good and proper storytelling.  Reminds me of my own story telling days.  I recognized quite a few of these, though the Wawel Dragon one was new (and really good.  I'm going to remember that one).  While the notion that Southerners can't tell a story rankled a bit (we have our own story-telling traditions here, thank you very much), I really enjoyed the way that you spun these tales.  Well told, and truly appreciated.  If you ever feel like telling a few more, I'd love to hear them.  Heck, if the mood hits, I wonder if you could tell a few of the Brer Rabbit stories with Angel-bunny.  I think that it might fit very, very well. Bless.

    #25 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 10h ago · · ·
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    this was good, i just read it all in one go

    #26 · Chapter 12 · 31w, 7h ago · · ·
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    >>1459479

    Well, I didn't mean it as a snub towards southerners as a whole, just the south of Equestria, where things are a little more... modern, for want of a better word. Headcanon strikes again!

    #27 · Chapter 2 · 30w, 6d ago · · ·
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    Oh argh, that was awesome and terrif an terrible all at once XD I'm hooked:derpytongue2:

    #28 · Chapter 4 · 30w, 6d ago · · ·
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    *Facepalms* typical twilight.

    #29 · Chapter 2 · 30w, 6d ago · · ·
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    I thought the moral would be "beware of madponies with pointy things, they'll put your eyes out."

    #30 · Chapter 9 · 30w, 6d ago · · ·
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    >>1457027 Bwahahaha, for sure!

    #31 · Chapter 12 · 30w, 5d ago · · ·
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    >>1450896 You ought to give it a plug Ponydora, look at how few views it has and it truly deserves far more!

    A beautiful piece, it reminds me of my own times as a storyteller.

    #32 · Chapter 12 · 30w, 5d ago · · ·
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    >>1468229

    You did storytelling too? You mean I'm not the only one?

    #33 · Chapter 5 · 30w, 5d ago · · ·
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    This was perfect. Just like the original.:pinkiehappy:

    #34 · Chapter 4 · 30w, 5d ago · · ·
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    >>1466573

    Typical? Thank goodness. I'd worried I'd got 'em wrong.

    #35 · Chapter 12 · 30w, 4d ago · · ·
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    >>1470732 Heck no! I was part of a local group and we even did a short tv piece way back in the 90s. I haven't done it in many years but I still love being reminded of it.

    What's your story? :raritywink:

    #36 · Chapter 12 · 30w, 4d ago · · ·
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    >>1474368

    A friend of mine got me into it. We performed as a duo at Young Storyteller of the Year 2010 and 2012 and won both times. We've been all over, performed at Whitby folk week , West Country Storytelling festival, Festival at the Edge, Beyond the Border in Wales. Met a lot of the big names. It's been an experience, to be sure.

    #37 · Chapter 12 · 30w, 4d ago · · ·
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    >>1474383 Oh wow. That's amazing, so you still do storytelling? Meeting the big names is always awesome. I freely admit OI was purely small town stuff, I enjoyed the company and never did any sort of competitions, though I always love seeing them. There's the local Telling Tales fest I often try and make it to as it's great fun.

    #38 · Chapter 12 · 30w, 4d ago · · ·
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    >>1474396

    I'd like to, but I'm at university. Opportunities are sadly limited. Here's what we look like on stage, for the record.

    #39 · Chapter 12 · 30w, 4d ago · · ·
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    Goon Show ref in the desc for the win.  :pinkiehappy:

    #40 · Chapter 12 · 30w, 1d ago · · ·
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    >>1474406

    Which one is you? Also I am jelly, I love stories, and wish I knew where to find all of you amazing people that tell them!

    #41 · Chapter 12 · 30w, 1d ago · · ·
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    >>1496515

    I'm the one in the eye-gougingly horrible shirt. I call it Vera.

    #42 · Chapter 12 · 29w, 2d ago · · ·
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    It was a pleasure to read these stories, thank you.  :derpytongue2:

    #43 · Chapter 12 · 29w, 2d ago · · ·
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    >>1455725 I tend to use high-energy particle beams for dragons... :rainbowkiss:

    I enjoyed the stories very much!  It was nice to read something that wasn't an emotionally over-wrought death-fest of misery and pain where gods and demons were mercilessly beating the ponies with Prozac until they killed themselves.  :trollestia:

    Seriously, some people are terribly mean to the poor ponies!  

    #44 · Chapter 12 · 28w, 36m ago · · ·
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    Great story!  I really enjoyed it :twilightsmile:  The Dragon of Canterlot part is actually ponified version of Polish legend about Dragon from Castle Wawel. It is really nice to see my country legend pony-style :twilightsmile:

    #45 · Chapter 12 · 27w, 6d ago · · ·
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    >>1583162

    Me and a friend performed that story way back when, so I figured I should ponify it. Glad you enjoyed it! :twilightsheepish:

    #46 · Chapter 3 · 24w, 3d ago · · ·
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    These are pretty good.  Keep em coming.

    #47 · Chapter 5 · 24w, 2d ago · · ·
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    OH NO DON'T DO IT

    #48 · Chapter 8 · 24w, 2d ago · · ·
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    This is the best thing.

    I love your retellings.

    #49 · Chapter 12 · 24w, 2d ago · · ·
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    Great job with all of the storytelling.  I liked the youtube video of you doing it live too.

    #50 · Chapter 2 · 23w, 6d ago · · ·
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    I can't help but picture Tales' voice as being the narrator from Bastion.

    #51 · Chapter 12 · 23w, 5d ago · · ·
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    >>1732153

    Well, thanks awfully, I do me best! :pinkiehappy:

    >>1755761

    I did ask Logan Cunningham about voicing him, but all he said was "how did you get this number?"

    #52 · Chapter 12 · 21w, 5d ago · · ·
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    Loved this, thank you!

    Growing up in the uk has given me an unshakeable image of the storyteller as the one from Jim hensons TV seies of the same name,  the animation was lush and my mind kept doing all the little tricks from the series,  well worth a torrent if you haven't seen it before,  I'd like to think this storyteller picks up a dog somewhere on his travels.

    Same mix of classical and folk stories reset with a twist.  Makes me want to dig out my my Grimm's household tales again,the earlyer versionthat is much more gory and is like a ingredients list for the modern stuff.

    #53 · Chapter 12 · 21w, 5d ago · · ·
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    >>1839283

    TV series? I'll be honest, I'd never heard of it. I may just have to hit that up...

    #54 · Chapter 12 · 21w, 4d ago · · ·
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    >>1839395>>1839395

    I think you might like it, If you like early Russiaan, Celtic and mostly German classic folk stuff. John Hurt is best storyteller (Michael Gambon did greek myths specials later, not as good :( )

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Storyteller

    #55 · Chapter 12 · 13w, 6d ago · · ·
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    Great fic, man. I'm glad the inventory sent me here.

    #56 · Chapter 5 · 12w, 1d ago · · ·
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    "

    Finally, he shook his head. “Sorry, I really can’t choose. You... you decide.”

    The mare gasped at him. "You've done it! you've actually done it!"

    “I have?” he said. “I mean, yes, I have! Wait, what have I done?”

    “You’ve broken the curse, you pillock!” she said, scowling. "Now I'm stuck as that old bag forever!"

    So it was, the curse was broken, and all was well.

    Almost.

    Couldn't resist, sorry :pinkiehappy:

    #57 · Chapter 12 · 5w, 4d ago · · ·
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    Simple, but it had all the elements of a great story and it had me interested right up to the end.

    Good work.

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