CHILDREN’S FAIRY TALES

Be it Snow White, Cinderella or Rapunzel one is bound to be enchanted with the intricate details of the stories of the “far far away kingdom” where goblins, fairies, prince and princesses face the big bad world but ultimately live “ happily ever after”. There is not a single person in this world who has not been enthralled with the peculiar details of Thumbelina or the amusing narrative of Goldilocks and the Three Bears . Nor can one ignore the temptations of the chocolate house of the wicked witch in Hansel and Gretel and pray for the safe return of Little Red Riding Hood to her mother. Following the tradition of folklores, the usual theme of fairy tales is enchantment where the good is always in conflict with the bad. Initially the folktales had an oral tradition. But gradually it was written and soon it became popular among children and adults. The name “fairy tale” is a contribution of Madame d'Aulnoy who felt the necessity of describing these popular folklores in one term.   Fantasy or enchantment is the key element of fairy tales. Thus there is an abundance of gallant princes, wicked stepmothers, magical elements to create the perfect situation for the sad girl, fairy godmothers and talking and helpful animals. Improbable it may sound but we are never surprised when the prince aspires to climb the tall tower with the help of Rapunzel's hair, or the pumpkin is transformed into a wonderful coach for Cinderella.
  There are two names that are absolutely synonymous with fairy tales: the Grimm brothers and Hans Christian Anderson. They have spun magic with their words and have created this magnificent maze where the children are constantly entertained with the bravados of princes and magic of the fairy godmothers. The Grimm Brothers were the first to compile the folklore and at the same time maintained the features of oral tales modifying them to suit the needs of the writing medium. Much of their writings were in German which was later translated. One of their earliest collections is “Children's Tales and Household Stories” . Some of the other authors who are influenced by the Grimm Brothers are George MacDonald , Russian author Alexander Afanasyev and the English author Joseph Jacobs.
 

The earliest fairy tale is known to be from Egypt . However all the countries of the world can boast of folklores and fairy tales. The Russian Fairy tales or the Chinese fairy tales are some of the most important stories that have enriched the fairy tale tradition of the world. The Panchatantra or Vikram and the Vampire and folktales of different regions of India are the integral part of the Indian culture and tradition. There are traces of fairy tales in some of the stories that are meant for older people, like Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales have allusions related to fairy tales. Same is the case with William Shakespeare's dramas. Even though the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are designated as epics, but they still contain the fantasy element which is popular among children. The fairy tales generally follow a strong motif and are open for interpretations. However many have considered this eternal conflict of the good with the bad and the portrayal of characters symbolical. The stories are woven with such interesting elements that it leaves a long-lasting impact. There is a strong element of morality in the stories and the evil is always defeated in the end. The free-flowing nature of the narrative coupled with simplicity along with a dash of magic will not only enrich the imaginative capacity of the children, but will make them aware of the distinction between the positive and the evil force. Some of the fairy tales bear strong religious and cultural connotations. But what is most enjoyable is the flight of fantasy that takes one in an entirely different world.

Some of the evergreen creations from the magical world of fairy tales are: Strange Stories from Chinese Studio
Arabian Nights
The Golden Ass which includes Cupid and Psyche
Sleeping Beauty
Cinderella

The Frog Prince
Hansel and Gretel
Snow White and Seven Dwarfs etc
 
Now the magic of fairy tales can be enjoyed through movies also. Some of the World Disney productions are a hot favorite among children all over the world. The appeal of fairy tales is such that it diminishes borders and cultures. So next time Shrek leaves you speechless, enjoy the evergreen flavor of fairy tales and feel happy!