The potion was to brew for a year and a day. At the end of that time, there were only three precious drops left at the bottom of the cauldron. While Gwion Bach was stirring, the potion popped up, and burned his thumb, which he stuck into his mouth. Realizing at once who Ceridwen was, and what she would do to him now that the potion was gone, Gwion Bach fled the lake with Ceridwen on his heels.
Gwion Bach changed into a hare to escape his pursuer. Ceridwen swiftly changed into a greyhound. Gwion flung himself into the river, and became a trout, Ceridwen changing into an otter and following him. Gwion leapt from the water, and became a swift, soaring through the air. Ceridwen became an eagle, remaining close to him. Gwion flew into a farmer's yard and changed into a grain of wheat, hiding himself in a pile of hen-scratch. Ceridwen changed herself into a hen and ate the pile of scratch, devouring Gwion Bach.
Upon resuming her normal form, she discovered herself to be pregnant, and plotted to kill the traitorous Gwion upon his birth. But, once the child was born, her resolve faltered and she set the infant in a basket on the tide and left him to his fate.
A fisherman who set his traps in one of the inlets of the sea found the child, exclaiming at his appearance with the words, "Radiant Brow!" or, "Taliesin!" and this became the boy's name. Taliesin became the greatist bard of Wales, and the bards after him called themselves the Sons of Ceridwen.
