The tale is made up of the following parts1:
- Culhwch's origins2 and, after he refuses her daughter, his stepmother's curse
that he'll only love Olwen, the unattainable daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden.
- Culhwch, cockiness personified, visits his uncle Arthur for help.
- The description of Arthur's men and court, including everyone from
the Historical (Gildas, Urien), to the supernatural (Gwevyl, who's special skill, usefully, was letting one lip droop to his waist, while he pulled the other over his head like a hood).5
- The trip to Ysbaddaden with Arthur's men; the meeting of the shepherd and
Olwen.
- Ysbaddaden gives the list of Wonders.
- The killing of Wrnach the giant for his sword (task 39).
- The release of Eiddoel (task 28).
- The oldest animals are asked for the location of Mabon, each recommending
an older one until the Salmon of Llyn Llyw (possibly Llyn Liuan), who helps them find and release him
(task 26).
- Arthur and his men get the pups of Rhymhi (not in the tasks)
- The sowing of the linseed by grateful ants (task 7).
- The tweaking of Dillus' beard (task 30), and Arthur's mocking of Kei.
- Arthur and his men get Drudwyn the pup of Greid (task 22).
- The story of Kyledyr being forced to eat his father's heart and
going mad; the visit to Gwynn (task 32); the annual May fight for Creiddylad, daughter of Lludd; Arthur
getting Dun Mane (task 27); the leash of Cors (task 23); the dogs of
Glythvyr Ledewig (not in tasks); the capture of Gwrgi Severi (not in tasks) and
Kyledyr (task 31)
- The hunting of Ysgithyrwyn (task 15)
- The checking out of Twrch Trwyth
- Arthur gets the cauldron of Diwrnach from Ireland (task 14).
- The hunting of Twrch Trwyth (tasks 21 and 37) from Ireland, to Wales and the
Cornwall, before being driven into the sea.
- The killing of the Black Hag (task 18) and the appearance of Caw
(task 17).
- The gaining of Olwen and the shaving of Ysbaddaden.