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.
Chapters (12)
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.
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.
Tell it in two parts? lol
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.
It was an honor and a pleasure to be involved with this project, Jim! Best of luck!
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.
The story of Sir Kay, very nice.
These are definitely worth reading, you should check them out
That was great, I love me some good stories.
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Sir Kay? I always heard it as Gawain. Every telling's different I suppose...
1450896
Well, thank you awfully!
I will forever think of you as a professional story teller now. Because you've earned it.
Thanks for sharing this with us. It's one of the better stories I've read!
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
"Don’t worry, everyone,” she said, bouncing along, “we can all play a game!”, reminds me of a certain pink pony
I understood the love is blind but not the guided by madness even though it makes perfect sense 
That ending, of the story not the sashay into the next one, was wonderful.
Ciao
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.
Professor Sunshine Lolipop the Sardonic.
With a name like Sunshine Lolipop I'd be pretty sardonic myself.
Firstly, "left with his swag"
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 
Ciao
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.
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Nervy? If you say so. Thanks very much for your kind words!
Hmmm... the Story of the Wawel Dragon. Nice, I like it even more, because i'm Polish.
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.
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.
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!
I'm now imagining Rarity doing a perfect Cockney accent
1456997
Oh my god I didn't even realise I'd done that this is the greatest thing I have ever written.
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.
this was good, i just read it all in one go
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!
Oh argh, that was awesome and terrif an terrible all at once XD I'm hooked
*Facepalms* typical twilight.
I thought the moral would be "beware of madponies with pointy things, they'll put your eyes out."
1457027 Bwahahaha, for sure!
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.
1468229
You did storytelling too? You mean I'm not the only one?
This was perfect. Just like the original.
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Typical? Thank goodness. I'd worried I'd got 'em wrong.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Goon Show ref in the desc for the win.
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!
1496515
I'm the one in the eye-gougingly horrible shirt. I call it Vera.
It was a pleasure to read these stories, thank you.
1455725 I tend to use high-energy particle beams for dragons...
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.
Seriously, some people are terribly mean to the poor ponies!
Great story! I really enjoyed it
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 
1583162
Me and a friend performed that story way back when, so I figured I should ponify it. Glad you enjoyed it!
These are pretty good. Keep em coming.
OH NO DON'T DO IT
This is the best thing.
I love your retellings.
Great job with all of the storytelling. I liked the youtube video of you doing it live too.
I can't help but picture Tales' voice as being the narrator from Bastion.