 While this episode did not appeal to my taste for the macabre, it certainly reached my fondness for Celtic folklore. Sam Dann created an excellent piece that remains true to the classics and offered it up in a more contemporary scenario (tho set in the late 1800's).

For those not aware of it, there is a book of very old bard-like tales called, The Mabinogion.

This book is filled with some of the most bizarre and alluring Celtic and Welsh tales of folklore that I've ever read. Being that it originates from the Gaelic period, some of the tales often leave you scratching your head, but most of them contain the same themes found in folklore from around the world. If interested, I recommend checking out the story of Pwyll, (pronounced Poo-ill).

I enjoyed this tale because of the fact that salt is the primary element in the tale. Salt is white, symbolizing purity; salt has healing properties; salt is a flavor enhancer; salt is a cleaning agent; etc, etc. "Salt of the Earth" represents the working class, which obviously our character's family was. And of course, our own physiology depends upon sodium chloride for us to live and breath..

It was powerful in that the father figure tried to convince the Old Man in the Rock that he was not out for personal gain, though we all know he had his mind set to be rich. But when the honest twist of fate came upon him, he seemed to roll with it, understanding there was good fortune to be found despite not attaining any material wealth.

What a very beautiful and uplifting ending to the tale. And the fact that the daughter was so concerned that the salt-shaker was "very valuable" made it even more poignant.

This is a tale that can be taken both lightly and jovially and then forgotten, or which could be read into deeply to find honesty in humanity. The passion of the wife/mother over her concern that the old man be able to use the salt speaks very loudly about her personal character.

The performances were right on, especially in that actors had to be effective and believable in the character dialect. The production was very good, as is typical of Himan Brown. But the real kudos, in my opinion go to Sam Dann for writing such a humble yet stirring episode that I shall be happy to listen to again.

I gave it a 4.4 and thank you for a fine selection!

best wishes,