Tale One: The Christmas Drum

STORY

Tale One: The Christmas Drum

Twelve Tales of a Tullyport Christmas

In the story, Francis Tully and his family leave Ballyclare, Northern Ireland and arrive in colonial Maine in 1760 to see rocky shores, white pines and great possibility. They bring some clothes, some tools and an Irish frame drum that Francis insists will bring others together — to live, work and celebrate together.

19 min
4+
Topics: ChristmasHistoryGeography

Projects, Crafts, and Recipes for this Story

Sparkle Holiday

Why Twelve Days of Christmas?

Looking for a 12 days of Christmas story? Read about the inspiration and traditions behind our original audio stories created for this season.

Twelve Tales of a Tullyport Christmas

Tale One: The Christmas Drum

Tale One: The Christmas Drum

The Tully family leaves Ireland to seek a better life in colonial Maine. They bring with them an Irish drum that is said to bring others together.
19 min
4+

Tale Eleven: The Feast of Eleven Sails

Tale Eleven: The Feast of Eleven Sails

The families of Tullyport have their yearly Christmas feast in honor of both the great joys of the year, and the hardships they experienced.
11 min
4+

Tale Twelve: Lighting the Way

Tale Twelve: Lighting the Way

Francis Tully must man the lighthouse while awaiting the arrival of his son's ship, but this means missing the holiday festivities. But then the town brings the festivities to him instead...
22 min
4+

Tale Ten: Ten Pair by Twelfth Night

Tale Ten: Ten Pair by Twelfth Night

The cobbler of Tullyport is overwhelmed with orders for shoes for the Twelfthnight Dance, and he keeps waiting for the elves to help, but will they come to his aid?
19 min
4+

Tale Nine: Blueberry Buccelleti

Tale Nine: Blueberry Buccelleti

When the best Buccelleti maker in New York ventures to Maine to find the perfect blueberries for his baking, he ends up starting the tastiest tradition in Tullyport!
23 min
4+

Tale Seven: The Children's Wig Parade

Tale Seven: The Children's Wig Parade

After being tricked by a seller of wigs, instead of getting angry, the town decides to start a new tradition — a children's wig parade!
20 min
4+

Tale Six: The King's Keys

Tale Six: The King's Keys

Burke Varde is new to Tullyport, cominf from Denmark along with the delightful tradition of "the king's keys". Can this tradition, meant for children, help him as well?
21 min
4+

Tale Five: The Star in the Apple

Tale Five: The Star in the Apple

Marie Tully has a gift for healing, but the move to Maine meant leaving behind both her mentors and the plants she used. But then she meets someone who has just what she needs.
17 min
4+

Tale Four: Four Legs to a Table

Tale Four: Four Legs to a Table

Eliza Tully is the adventurous member of the Tully family. After some world travel, she returns to Tullyport with wonderful stories and ideas to improve her home town.
20 min
4+

Tale Three: The Guiding Star

Tale Three: The Guiding Star

Jacob, the youngest son of the Tully family, isn't sure what he wants to do with his life, but when he meets Millie, a newbie to Tullyport, he gets some clarity.
19 min
4+

Tale Two: Toys on the Doorstep

Tale Two: Toys on the Doorstep

Old friends Francis Tully and Alistair Breen, work together in their new home of Maine to bring some joy to the children of their new town during Christmas.
13 min
4+

Tale Eight: The Codbells of Tullyport Bay

Tale Eight: The Codbells of Tullyport Bay

Carrick Tully is now 18 and for the first time joins the town fisherman as they address the "Codbells", or sea fairies, and declare their wishes for the new year.
17 min
4+

Get our Newsletter

Sign up to receive weekly email updates with new stories, Sparkle news, and seasonal activities!

Stay Connected

Download on the Apple App StoreDownload on the Google Play
©2024 Sparkle Stories. All rights reserved.