I came across this in a Cornish folktale. Girl appears to be telling wild stories (about fairies). Wise woman tests to see if it is true: she has to crook her arm and repeat the story. If it is untrue she won't be able to unbend her arm. I've never come across this motif before: has anyone else?
It's called The Fairy Widower, and it's in the collection Botanical Tales by Lisa Schneidau, published by The History Press.
