This morning I woke up (early as usual) and thought about fairy tales.
- Those I liked - the funny ones as "The Town Musicians of Bremen" (and that not only because I come from Bremen - no, even as I child I thought that their motto "You can always find something better than death!" might come useful some day :-)
- Those I disliked - the sad ones as "Little Brother and Little Sister" (even the beginning is heartbreaking!)
- those I had mixed feelings about - as "The Frog King, or Iron Heinrich" - I remember that I utterly detested that blackmailing frog ("..but if you will love me and accept me as a companion and playmate, and let me ... sleep in your bed" - hahaha), but was very much impressed by the fidelity of the Iron Heinrich ("Heinerich, the carriage is breaking apart!" "No, my Lord, the carriage it's not/ But one of the bands surrounding my heart...") and that I thought it just, but very strict of the King to say "What you have promised, you must keep".
I internalised that, (if necessary I forgo of my golden ball, if the price is a disgusting frog in my bed - till today I am unwilling to listen to their croaking that they are beautiful Princes under a spell) - and do only promise what I can keep.
And expect others to do the same.
Which shows that I am still very naively believing in fairy-tales :-) - but, on the other hand, have a streak of pragmatic realism too.
What really interests me: which were your favourite (or disliked) fairy tales?
If you want to read them again:
- "The Town Musicians of Bremen" http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm027.html (great for old age optimism - after a little shock in the beginning)
- "Little Brother and Little Sister" http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm011.html
- The Frog King, or the Iron Heinrich" http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm001.html
I haven't heard of your fairy tales. My favourite one when growing up was Rapunzel - the one I hated was Strewelpeter, the images were very scary.
ReplyDeleteRapunzel is interesting - the tower, the long hair - though in the middle quite sad. I remember that I always had the urge to eat a "lamb's lettuce" - we call that in Northern Germany "Rapunzel-Salat" (In the shops: Feldsalat).
DeleteI met a Scherenschnitte artist at an art show, and wandered among her pieces, entranced. Eventually I purchased her rendition of the delightful tale I knew as The Brementown Musicians. That story always meant to me, family is those who support and respect you.
ReplyDeleteI'll put a picture of my musicians in a post soon. Thank you for reminding me, though my musicians hang at eye level by my desk.
Scherenschnitte are such a wonderful thing! And yes: it is the same fairy tale. And yes again: friends are often a wonderful (and self chosen) family. I'm looking forward to your post, Joanne!
DeleteWhen I saw the picture with the tiny statue I was going to tell you it reminded me of the Musicians of Bremen. Then I read the article and realized you already knew that. I really like the little statue though. It is unusual.
ReplyDeleteThe "original" statue stands in Bremen at the side of the beautiful townhall. My tiny statue is made of silver (I should polish it...) and I looked long through several silver smith shops to find it - I wanted it as a reminder, Emma.
DeleteMy mum used to tell us Aesop Fables, and I used to tell them to my son. I particularly liked: the boy who cried wolf, the dog and his reflection, sour grapes, and there were others that I liked but can't remember now.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
I love those fables, Maria - they taught me not to cry 'wolf' and to be honest about sour grapes :-) - the one about the dog I will look up (never too old to learn something new).
DeleteGreetings, Britta xx
I used to like the pictures in the books but not the stories. Like Maria, I was familiar with Aesops Fables and liked them and understood their meaning. I always thought Grimms Fairy Tales were cruel and hated them.
ReplyDeleteI am even in two minds about the pictures, Rachel - depends on the edition.
DeleteThe fairies of the Brother Grimm were quite - grim, yes, and my son flatly refused to listen to another fairy tale after just one example.
Though the Bremer Musicians are quite good, they refuse to crack under pressure, and act - instead of becoming a victim. And they do not think too long about ingratitude but how one can make the best of life - "You can always find something better than death!" True.