There was no insight into why it was the lungs and liver. I wonder if the liver aspect is related to the ancient haruspicy. Years ago, I read Avicenna’s “Canon of Medicine” and I remember that the lungs in antiquity were thought by some to be a bellows that cooled the heart. It would be interesting if stories like this are actually so ancient that what we have in the early modern era are faint echoes of such beliefs.
Aha. Yes, maybe symbolic of predatory swallowing of the victim’s breath and fate/destiny - which always rebounds. And classic big v little folk. And outer v inner beauty. So many layers!
I'm really enjoying these retellings of yours!
Thank you so much, Jean Marie! That means so much! 🙏
Loooooveeee....
Thank you so much, Yolanda! 😊
Gorgeous retelling. And a massive improvement over Disney. I’m eager for part two!
Thank you so much, Jacquie! I just posted the second part, and realized that it’s going to need one more to bring closure to it!
This is very good. It's almost like reading an original german folk tale.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for this comment, Joseph! 🙏 Sorry for the delay!
Incredible work, Daniel. Had no idea about the number symbolism and echoes of primordial innocence. Any insight on why lungs and liver?
There was no insight into why it was the lungs and liver. I wonder if the liver aspect is related to the ancient haruspicy. Years ago, I read Avicenna’s “Canon of Medicine” and I remember that the lungs in antiquity were thought by some to be a bellows that cooled the heart. It would be interesting if stories like this are actually so ancient that what we have in the early modern era are faint echoes of such beliefs.
Aha. Yes, maybe symbolic of predatory swallowing of the victim’s breath and fate/destiny - which always rebounds. And classic big v little folk. And outer v inner beauty. So many layers!