Beneath the Cherry Sapling: Legends from Franconia - Hardcover

In 1973, Norbert Krapf visited the Lohr region of Germany, to "make a connection with my ancestors, stand where they had once lived, see what they saw, hear what they heard." Inspired by the experience, he returned to America determined to learn more about the people he descended from. Beneath
the Cherry Sapling, which brings together a rich selection of German legends in English, is the result of this search for identity.

A collection of fifty-two legends form Franconia, the region where Professor Krapf traced his ancestors on both his parents' sides, Beneath the Cherry Sapling has much to offer the general reader and scholar alike. The legends, deeply rooted to the region whence they have sprung, are a vivid
evocation of the people who for generations inhabited that region. They provide a glimpse of a way of life that, although long faded into history, is the necessary starting point for thousands of people who wish fully to understand their own lives today.

Like the legends collected by the Brothers Grimm, the ones included herein feature a strong moralistic sense and often warn against some kind of excess or violation of secular or sacred law. Over a dozen deal directly with "crime and punishment," with human or divine retribution for some kind of
wrongdoing. Others depict how excessive drinking provokes sudden illness or death of the reveler or his next of kin, or can turn a person into a murderer or murder victim.

And still others have a religious dimension and describe supernatural events occurring on feast days, miracles in which the Christ child appears, and clergy in need of piousness. There are also tales of magic, tales of treasure buried on the site of ruins, and "etiological" tales that explain the
origin of something, such as a town crest of statue.

This very handsome volume includes both the legend in the original German and Professor Krapf's translation in natural, "American" English on the facing page. Woodcuts depicting scenes from the legends appear throughout the book.

Beneath the Cherry Sapling will be of particular interest to German scholars, folklorists, and those of German descent who wish to deepen their understanding of their heritage. It can also be used in introductory German courses where the instructor wishes to provide students with readily accessible
texts.