I highly recommend checking SurLaLune's page on "The Six Swans" out:
http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/sixswans/index.html.
In particular, read the short-but-informative history it has on the story. As you'll see, the earliest record of this story is actually
German, not Scottish or Welsh. Also, you might want to check out the international versions and variants list.
Hans Christian Andersen's heroine was named
Eliza, btw. The Grimm variant "The Twelve Brothers" gives the youngest boy's name as
Benjamin.
EDIT: Forgot I don't need to sign my posts anymore.
Miranda
"Multiple exclamation marks are a sure sign of diseased mind" -- Terry PratchettThis message was edited 2/5/2005, 2:15 AM