A warrior named Fionn, son of Uail, finds himself in Faery after a great march with his army, the Fianna. While camping at Ben Edair, they encounter Cael of the Iron, a formidable champion from Thessaly, who demands tribute and challenges the Fianna to find a warrior who can best him in a contest of speed, strength, or combat. Fionn, confident in his men, promises to find a suitable opponent, specifically Caelte mac Ronán, who is not present. On his quest to find Caelte, Fionn meets a giant in a drab coat, who offers to take Caelte's place in the race against Cael. Despite the giant's unkempt appearance, Fionn agrees, and they return to the Fianna. Cael is outraged at the prospect of racing the giant, but the giant, known as the Carl of the Drab Coat, insists on the challenge. The two set off to Slieve Luachra to prepare for the race. The Carl builds a shelter and hunts a boar, while Cael refuses to help. The next morning, Cael starts the race with a head start, confident he can outrun the Carl. However, the Carl, after a late start, quickly catches up, demonstrating incredible speed and agility. As the race progresses, Cael struggles to keep pace, while the Carl stops to eat blackberries, further frustrating Cael. The Carl eventually resumes running, overtaking Cael and leaving him in despair. The Fianna anxiously await the outcome, fearing for their honor. In a dramatic turn, the Carl catches up to Cael, who is exhausted and desperate. The Carl, now fully engaged, races ahead, and the Fianna rejoice as they see him carrying Cael back to camp. The Carl, having won the race, demands tribute from Cael, who, in a state of defeat, agrees to send yearly tribute to Fionn. The Carl then reveals his true identity as a ruler of the Shí of Rath Cruachan, transforming from his drab appearance into one of splendor. Fionn celebrates the victory with a grand feast, marking the end of the tale of the Carl and Cael.
By James Stephens · First published 1926 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure · 8 chapters