The Laird o’ Co

Long ago, on the cliffs of Ayrshire, there stood a castle called Culzean. Under the castle were deep caves called the Coves, and so people called the lord of the castle the Laird o’ Co. The Laird was a kind man, and he was always friendly to everyone who came to his door.

One morning, the Laird was walking outside his castle. A tiny boy came up to him, no bigger than a cat. He carried a little wooden can in his hands. “Please, sir,” said the tiny boy, “may I have some milk for my mother? She is sick in bed.” “Of course,” said the Laird kindly. “Go to the kitchen, and tell the cook to fill your can.”

So the tiny boy went to the kitchen, and the cook began to pour milk from a big jug. She poured and poured, but the little can did not fill up. She fetched another jug, and then another, but the can was still not full. At last, the cook ran to the Laird. “Sir, that little can must have no bottom!” she cried. “The big milk jug is nearly empty, and the can is still not full!” “Then pour from this morning’s fresh milk,” said the Laird. “Never send a child away with nothing.” The cook poured from the fresh milk, and with just one drop, the little can was full to the top. The tiny boy smiled, said thank you, and disappeared down the path.

Many years later, the Laird o’ Co sailed far away across the sea to a distant land. There, a grumpy lord locked him up in a tall stone tower. The Laird was very sad, because he thought he would never see his home again.

One night, as he sat alone in the dark, the door of the tower swung open. And there stood the tiny boy with the little wooden can! “Laird o’ Co, rise and go!” said the tiny boy. “Climb onto my back, and I will take you home.” The Laird climbed onto the tiny boy’s back, and up they flew into the night sky. They flew over the land and over the sea, faster than the wind.

In no time at all, they landed softly outside the castle of Culzean. “You were kind to my mother,” said the tiny boy, “and now I have been kind to you.” Then, with a wave, he was gone. The Laird o’ Co lived happily in his castle for the rest of his days. And he always made sure that no one who came to his door ever went away with an empty can.