I like to read about the thought that goes into the little details in the Disney/Pixar movies, so I was happy to receive some information about the “Will O’ the Wisps”.  I hadn’t heard of them before seeing clips from the movie, Brave, but I found the background to be very interesting.

THE LORE
WILL O’ THE WISPS
 
Travelers—particularly those who venture out after sunset on unfamiliar pathways—beware of the will o’ the wisps.
 
It is said—though by whom is a bit of a mystery—that on certain days for certain travelers in certain parts of the world, little lights dance on the horizon, whispering tempting invitations… pledging the answers to lifelong questions, the realization of dreams, a key to secret treasures—a change of fate.
 
Charmed and curious, unsuspecting travelers follow the floating lights, mesmerized by their whispers, their promises. Yet no matter how long or how fervently they follow, they never quite touch the beautiful beacons whose flickering lights eventually fade and disappear… leaving the inquisitors, the dreamers and the treasure seekers lost… and alone.
* * *
 
In “Brave,” Merida spies tiny blue lights after escaping into the forest in search of a change of fate. Forming a path that dares her to follow, the lights lead Merida to a mysterious location that holds the power to change her destiny—just not in the way she imagines.
 
“The will o’ the wisps are in a lot of Scottish folktales,” says “Brave” director Mark Andrews. “They were said to lead you to treasure or doom—to change your fate—but they’re an actual phenomenon of swamp and bog gas seeping up through the earth and interacting with the natural resources to create the blue flames. People would follow these lights thinking they were little fairies, and basically drown or get sucked down into the bogs.
 
“We made the wisps like actual little spirits,” Andrews continues. “They’re almost like Marley’s ghost in a way, because Marley’s ghost isn’t an evil spirit—even though he’s frightening, he’s trying to warn Ebenezer to change his ways. That’s what the wisps are doing. There’s a duality to them, because they’re either good or evil—they lead Merida into more and more trouble, but in the end, they’ve led her exactly where she needs to go.”

Two more days until Brave officially comes to the theater on June 22!  Make sure you check back Friday for my review of Brave.

I want to share the last few activity sheets with you, as well as, a few activities that are available online.

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Happy Father’s Day from Pixie Dusted Homeschool and Disney Pixar’s Brave!

Are you Brave enough?  Well, I know a few Scotsmen who are…

I just have to share this clip with you because the first time I saw it, I laughed my head off!  Not only did I laugh, but my phone was ripped out of my hands, so both the kids could fight over who would see the clip next.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!