The Man with the Horse, Poet and Storyteller, Tony Bonning
Summary
Storyteller Tony Bonning recounts his 600-mile charity trek across Scotland with his horse, Chief, to collect traditional water horse tales. He shares the physical hardships of the journey, including a severe injury and a profound spiritual awakening, while discussing the dark folklore of kelpies and their origins. Bonning also reflects on the enduring human-animal bond and the power of these cautionary stories to protect children from danger.
Topics discussed
Sponsorship and introduction
Meeting Tony Bonning and his horse Chief
Inspiration from Jane Dodgson and choosing Chief
The 600-mile journey and collecting kelpie tales
Navigating bogs and bonding with the horse
The appeal of water horse folklore
Telling a terrifying kelpie story from Skye
The physical brutality of the trek
Resilience and the influence of Tony's mother
A serious accident and injury on the mountain
Adapting to the horse's pace and needs
Sponsorship and ad break
Gathering stories from locals and their origins
Viking influences and using tales to protect children
Surviving a storm and a spiritual moment
A life-changing realization on the mountain
Social dynamics and the joy of the journey
The impact of the story on listeners
Book promotion and festival details
Final tale: The water horse and the porridge
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