Charles Perrault was an author who helped bring about the popularity of the fairy tale by writing down folk tales. He wrote several books and was an advisor for Louis XI, but it’s his contribution to fairy tales that make him a significant literary figure. With his book, The Tales of Mother Goose, author Charles Perrault immortalized some of the most beloved fairy tales of all time, including such stories as Sleeping Beauty and Puss in Boots.
Perrault actually wrote down the fairy tales that would capture the imagination of the world when he was near 70. He died five years later, but left a big legacy. Other folklorists, such as The Brothers Grimm, would retell the same stories around Europe, however, it’s Perrault the French folklorist we have to thank for the ones included in this volume. The Tales of Mother Goose was published in 1697, and was originally known as Tales and Stories of the Past with Morals (Histoires ou Contes du Temps passé). Although we know may know “Mother Goose” as a figure associated with nursery rhymes, the Mother Goose of today came after Perrault’s work.
Once upon a time there lived a King and Queen who had two handsome boys; so well-fed and hearty were they, that they grew like the day. Whenever the Queen had a child, she sent for the fairies, that she might learn from them what would be its future lot. After a while she had…
Once upon a time there was a widow who had two daughters. The elder was so much like her, both in looks and character, that whoever saw the daughter saw the mother. They were both so disagreeable and so proud that there was no living with them. The younger, who was the very picture of…
Once upon a time there was a man who had fine houses, both in town and country, a deal of silver and gold plate, carved furniture, and coaches gilded all over. But unhappily this man had a blue beard, which made him so ugly and so terrible that all the women and girls ran away…
Once upon a time there was a Queen who had a son so ugly and so misshapen that it was long disputed whether he had human form. A fairy who was at his birth said, however, that he would be very amiable for all that, since he would have uncommon good sense. She even added…
Once upon a time there was a miller who left no more riches to the three sons he had than his mill, his donkey, and his cat. The division was soon made. Neither the lawyer nor the attorney was sent for. They would soon have eaten up all the poor property. The eldest had the…
Once upon a time there was a maker of bundles of sticks and his wife, who had seven children, all boys. The eldest was but ten years old, and the youngest only seven. They were very poor, and their seven children were a great source of trouble to them because not one of them was…
Once upon a time there was a king and a queen, who were very sorry that they had no children,–so sorry that it cannot be told. At last, however, the Queen had a daughter. There was a very fine christening; and the Princess had for her godmothers all the fairies they could find in the…
Once upon a time there was a gentleman who married, for his second wife, the proudest and most haughty woman that ever was seen. She had two daughters of her own, who were, indeed, exactly like her in all things. The gentleman had also a young daughter, of rare goodness and sweetness of temper, which…
Once upon a time there lived in a certain village a little country girl, the prettiest creature was ever seen. Her mother was excessively fond of her; and her grandmother doted on her still more. This good woman had made for her a little red riding-hood; which became the girl so extremely well that everybody…