Fire is everywhere in the folklore of the world. There are legends of fiery bulls reaching back centuries, ancient spirits of the forge who taught humankind the secrets of iron, and half-forgotten traditions in which healing flames still burn in the hands of saints and magicians. Bonfires lit at solstices, equinoxes and other significant dates once stood at the heart of religious belief throughout Europe. Hell itself was said to be made of fire, as were the eyes of mystics and the hearts of the blessed. Fire protects and destroys at once: a symbol of life unleashed and of wrath that wounds.

Fire is an intimate companion to the human adventure. More than almost any other discovery, the gift of Prometheus transformed human life. Once we mastered it, we gathered around it to cook our food, dance, drive away the terrors of the night and, of course, tell stories such as these.