1940-1949

“Donkey Skin.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 1-15.

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 23:42:13 +0000

“Donkey Skin.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 1-15. Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 06/01/2023 - 17:42

Tale Summary

Once upon a time there was a beloved king who had everything his heart could desire, including an ordinary looking donkey which produced bushels of gold pieces from its ears every night. After many years of prosperity, the king suffered the loss of his wife, who begged him before her death that he must marry again, but that he must find a woman more beautiful and better than herself. For some time his counselors sent out requests for portraits of the most beautiful girls in the land, but none were better than the late Queen. One day the king's eyes fell on his adopted daughter and saw that she was more lovely than his late wife and announced his intention to marry her. Not wanting this, the girl went to consult her fairy godmother, who instructed her to ask the king to give her a dress that exactly matched the sky, and she would be quite safe because it was an impossible task. The next morning her father the king begged for her consent, and she replied that she would give him an answer if he presented her with a dress like the fairy had described. She was shocked when he was able to provide this, and so visited her fairy godmother again and was advised to ask for a dress of moonbeams. The next day, she told her father the king what she desired, and the day after, such a dress was laid across her bed, so the fairy godmother instructed her to ask for a dress of sunshine. The king had no difficulties in forcing his tailors to produce this, and the ashamed fairy thought of one other way to save her. At her instruction, the girl requested the skin of the prized donkey, but when it was laid at her feet she grieved her fate. The fairy told her to wrap herself in its skin and run from the palace, assuring her that her dresses and jewels would come to her if she struck the earth wherever she was. The princess traveled for some time unable to find charity, until a farmer’s wife invited her to work, and although the other servants teased her for her donkey skin and dirty appearance, the mistress grew fond of her for working so hard. One day, the girl went to a stream to bewail her fate, and for the first time caught sight of herself so dirty. She dove into the water and bathed but soon had to return to her farm work, so she donned her disguise and took heart in knowing that the next day was a holiday. The next morning the girl stamped the ground and instantly the dress like the sky appeared and she resolved to never miss a chance to wear her beautiful garments even if there was no one to admire her beauty. One holiday the princess had locked herself in her room to wear her dress of sunshine, and the king’s son arrived at the gate to seek some rest from hunting. He explored all the rooms, and when he came upon the locked door he peeped through the keyhole to see an astonishingly beautiful girl. He was told that the room he peered into was the home of the wretched and ugly Donkey Girl, and during his entire ride home he had visions of her beauty. He awoke the next morning in a high fever which no one could cure, and the queen perceived it must be from some sorrow and so implored her son to confide in her. He told her the only thing which would cure him would be a cake made by Donkey Skin, who was explained to the queen by a courtier as a dirty henwife. When she received the request, the girl put on fine clothes and set to making the cake, but lost a ring in the dough. When it was ready, she again put on her disguise to give the dessert to the page, who then gave it to the prince. It provided him relief from his illness and the ring he found gave him joy, but he still worried about how he could see its owner. His fever returned and the doctors informed the queen that he was dying of love, and so immediately she and her husband went to his bedside to promise him whoever he wanted as a wife. He presented the ring to them, proof that the one he loved was no peasant girl. Heralds and trumpeters went through the town to summon every maiden to the palace to see which finger the ring fit. All the nobility failed, then the shopgirls failed, and all the scullions and shepherdesses could not fit it on their fingers either. When there was no woman left, the prince asked for Donkey Skin, whom the courtiers denied from entering the palace because she was too dirty a creature. The trumpeters went to beckon her, and as she had also fallen in love with the prince, she clothed herself in the dress of moonlight with the donkey skin wrapped all around her. The prince was disappointed to see her apparent filth, but was astonished that the ring fit her perfectly. She shed her donkey skin and revealed herself as a beautiful lady. The fairy entered the hall and told the princess’s story and quickly wedding preparations began, with everyone invited. Many showed up in fantastical ways, mounted on elephants and tigers and eagles, and the wonderful wedding was followed by a coronation as the old king and queen were tired of reigning. There was rejoicing for three months, and the new king and queen became much beloved by their subjects.

Fairy Tale Title

Donkey Skin

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Common Tale Type

Peau d'Âne

Tale Classification

ATU 510B

Page Range of Tale

pp. 1-15

Full Citation of Tale

“Donkey Skin.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 1-15.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

Research and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Publisher

Longmans, Green

Date Published

1948

Decade Published

1940-1949

Publisher City

New York

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Presents a collection of fairy tales from the folklore of France, Italy and Spain

Traditional

White

“Bobino.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 64-71.

Anonymous — Tue, 30 May 2023 02:59:12 +0000

“Bobino.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 64-71. Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/29/2023 - 20:59

Andrew Lang

Tale Summary

There was once a boy named Bobino, who was the only son of a rich merchant, and had arrived home after being sent to study with a master to learn all sorts of foreign languages. He walked one evening in the garden with his father, when the sparrows above them were twittering in such a way that the merchant became annoyed. Bobino offered to tell him what the birds were saying, and when his father inquired, he explained that he had been taught the language of animals. The man was irate for having wasted his money on such foolishness, and when the house dog barked at them, Bobino again offered to translate, and again his father angrily denied. Later, they sat for supper and a number of frogs could be heard croaking, and the irritated merchant became even more upset when his son asked if he could explain their words. Early the next morning two servants woke the young man and escorted him to a carriage, which was headed in an unknown direction to Bobino. He noticed that one of the servant's eyes were red from crying, and worn down by Bobino’s inquiries, the man told him that they were bringing him to his death on his father’s orders. He explained further that the merchant was upset that after years of education the boy had only learned the language of animals, and also told him that neither him nor the other servant had the heart to carry out his wishes. Instead, they killed a dog which had followed them to bring its heart to the merchant in lieu of Bobino’s. The young man traveled until he came to a house of some herdsmen that evening, where he was granted food and shelter for the night. While they ate supper the dog began to bark, and after listening closely Bobino warned the herdsmen that at midnight a band of robbers would attack the house and to arm themselves. He explained that he knew the language of animals, and though the men were astonished by him, they did what he instructed and hid the women and armed themselves. At midnight, the robbers attacked but were beaten back by the prepared herdsmen. They were grateful to Bobino, but he wanted to see more of the world and did not stay. He walked until he came to a peasant’s house, where a group of frogs were croaking and throwing a bottle to one another. He was given supper by the peasant, who told him that his eldest daughter was deathly ill and that the servant had lost her medicine so there was no hope. Bobino told the man that he believed the small bottle he saw with the frogs was that medicine, and it proved true when it was given to the girl and she was cured. He explained that he knew because he understood the frogs, and continued on his way. He found two men resting under a tree and joined them in conversation, learning that later that day a new ruler was to be chosen in a neighboring town. Some sparrows began twittering, and Bobino told the men that the birds told him that one of them three would be chosen as ruler. While the young man napped, the two strangers rushed to town where there was a crowd gathered in the marketplace, as the new ruler would be decided by whom an eagle chose. When it was released, it circled above everyone before flying to Bobino, who had followed his companion’s footsteps. He was proclaimed the new ruler of the town, and there lived happily and ruled wisely.

Fairy Tale Title

Bobino

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Common Tale Type

The Three Languages

Tale Classification

ATU 671

Page Range of Tale

pp. 64-71

Full Citation of Tale

“Bobino.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 64-71.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

Research and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Rose Fairy Book

Book Author/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Publisher

Longmans, Green

Date Published

1948

Decade Published

1940-1949

Publisher City

New York

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Presents a collection of fairy tales from the folklore of France, Italy and Spain

Traditional

White

“The White Doe.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 166-189.

Anonymous — Tue, 30 May 2023 01:25:37 +0000

“The White Doe.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 166-189. Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/29/2023 - 19:25

Andrew Lang

Tale Summary

There was once a king and queen who wished dearly for a child, and one day while the woman was sitting alone by the side of a waterfall a crab began to speak and told her that her wish would be granted. The queen consented to be led to the land of the fairies, and the crab became an old woman to guide her. Though it was the same path the queen usually traveled by, everything was changed to be more lush and magnificent. Six fairies approached from their palace to announce that soon she would have a little daughter, and gave her six flowers made of precious stones. Soon after a baby girl was born, named Désirée, and the queen wished to thank the fairies and invited them to her palace by uttering each of their names to the crystal flowers. The fairies arrived in magnificent carriages and brought gifts for the child, but the crab-fairy, who had been forgotten, cast a shadow on the celebration. She was irate and intended to kill the child, but after the other fairies flattered her, she instead cast a curse that if the girl was to see one ray of daylight before her fifteenth birthday she would come to an unlucky fate. After she left, the fairies conjured up a beautiful palace with no windows, which the princess was brought up in. Each of the fairies loved her, but most of all the Fairy Tulip, who grew wary as the girl’s fifteenth birthday approached. She warned the queen of her apprehension, and told her to send out portraits of the princess to all the neighboring courts to prepare her for marriage. All the princes fell in love with her, but one above all others became obsessed with her image and impatiently demanded her. He was engaged to be married to another woman, but convinced his father to abandon that union as he grew sicker with love. An embassy was sent to Désirée carrying the prince’s portrait, and led by the envoy named Becasigue, but the fairy Tulip told them that the marriage could not take place for three more months when the girl turned fifteen. The king gave his consent for this marriage, but again warned that she could not be seen until her birthday, and so took the prince’s portrait. When the queen later passed it to Désirée, the portrait spoke, giving her flattering compliments, and she fell in love. The prince was impatient and disappointed that the princess had not come back with the embassy, and so fell ill again. The king grew worried and sent another message to Désirée’s father to plead for the marriage to happen at once, and the girl came up with a plan. She proposed that at night she ride in a carriage with no windows, and arrive before dawn to remain in an underground chamber at the prince’s castle. Several days later, the princess stepped into the carriage with her faithful maid of honor, named Eglantine, her lady-in-waiting, who had also fallen in love with the prince and was named Cérisette, and Cérisette’s mother. The woman that the prince had been previously betrothed to was named Nera, and her godmother was the Fairy of the Fountain, who wished for the princess to be ill-fated and so put bad thoughts into the minds of Cérisette and her mother. While they were in the thick forest, the two cut a hole into the side of the carriage and as they entered the open country Désirée was hit with sunlight. She sprang out as a white doe, and Cérisette put on the clothes of the princess so that when she arrived at the prince’s castle she would appear as his bride. The prince was eager to see her and asked about her beauty but his chamberlains told him that she did not look like her portrait. He saw her for himself and agreed that she was ugly, and after his father declared that there had been some treachery done, the prince fainted from sorrow and that night he snuck out with Becasigue to start anew. Meanwhile, the white doe was very unhappy, and so the fairy Tulip guided Eglantine to her, and the maid of honor recognized her after looking into her eyes. After spending time together in the woods, the fairy Tulip shortened the spell that was put on the princess, making it so that at night she could resume her natural form. They were then instructed by her to go down a path to find a little hut for shelter, and found an old woman who gave them lodging. The prince and Becasigue also found the hut after wandering through the woods and were given lodging in the next room over from the princess and Eglantine. The next day, the prince walked alone and came across the white doe and tried to shoot it with his arrows, but she escaped and made it back to the hut. The next morning the prince returned to the same spot and was disappointed not to see the doe and found somewhere to nap, when the doe found him and recognized him, and kissed his forehead. He awoke to see the doe, but she fled, and he pursued her no longer wanting to injure her. When she could run no more, the prince took care of her, but when it began to grow dark and he went down to the stream she ran away to her room in the hut and lamented to Eglantine. They saw each other the next day as well, and he shot an arrow through her leg in order to capture her, but felt so horrible for wounding her that he carried her as far as he could to the hut, and left her tied beneath a tree as he went ahead for help. Eglantine found her and went to free her, when the prince appeared and accused her of stealing, and Eglantine proved that it was her doe by asking the princess to put her arms around her neck. She carried the doe back to the hut, and she and the prince were surprised to find that the other was also staying there. That night Becasigue told the prince that he was sure Eglantine was the maid of honor, and so the two cut a small hole in the wall, and observed the princess back in her natural form. The prince knocked on their door and was let in, and the two lovers recognized each other and spent the whole night together. In the morning they found that her spell had been broken, and learned that the old woman who owned the hut was really the fairy Tulip. There was a grand wedding feast, and Cérisette and her mother were shipped to a small island to work hard for their living.

Fairy Tale Title

The White Doe

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Common Tale Type

The White and Black Bride

Tale Classification

ATU 403

Page Range of Tale

pp. 166-189

Full Citation of Tale

“The White Doe.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 166-189.

Original Source of the Tale

From Madame d'Aulnoy's Les Contes des Fées

Tale Notes

Research and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Rose Fairy Book

Book Author/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Publisher

Longmans, Green

Date Published

1948

Decade Published

1940-1949

Publisher City

New York

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Presents a collection of fairy tales from the folklore of France, Italy and Spain

Traditional

White

“The Sprig of Rosemary.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 107-113.

Anonymous — Mon, 29 May 2023 23:23:15 +0000

“The Sprig of Rosemary.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 107-113. Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/29/2023 - 17:23

Andrew Lang

Tale Summary

Once upon a time there was a girl whose father made her work hard every day, and one morning she was sent out to collect firewood. After she had made a large bundle, she stopped to pick a sprig of rosemary for herself, but it would not budge. With one great tug, she unearthed the plant, and a handsome young man appeared and asked why she was stealing his firewood. She told him that it was because her father had ordered it, and the young man took her through the opening made by the torn up roots of the rosemary until they reached a beautiful palace, and he told her that he was a great lord and that she was the most beautiful maiden he had ever seen. The two got married, and the next day the housekeeper handed the girl all of the keys to the house, but pointed to one of them and warned her never to use it, or else the castle would crumble and the damsel herself would be forgotten. She promised not to use the key, but after a time the maiden became bored and curious, and so used it to open a chest, having to break the lock. Inside, she found a serpent’s skin, as unbeknownst to her the lord she had married was a magician who donned the snake skin at work. She turned away in disgust and the castle fell apart, and the maiden found herself in the middle of a field. She was sorry for losing her husband whom she loved, and so broke off a sprig of rosemary and resolved to search the world for him. After walking for a long time she reached a house of straw and became a servant, but she grew more and more sad and at last her mistress begged her to tell her what was the matter. She listened to the story and advised the maiden to ask the Sun, the Moon, and the Wind if they had seen him. She reached the Golden Castle of the Sun and asked for his help, but he had not seen her husband, and out of pity gave her a nut to open in a time of distress. She thanked him and walked to where the Moon lived and asked for help, but she had not seen her husband either, and gave her an almond to crack if she was in great need. She thanked her and walked to another castle, and asked for the help of the Wind. She told him her story and he gave her a walnut to eat in a time of need, but the girl stayed and wept. The Wind set out to find her husband, and came back with the news that he was hidden in the palace of the king and was to be married to an ill-tempered princess. The maiden asked the Wind to help her put off the wedding for several days in order for her to reach her husband, and so he blew through the wedding preparations and the tailors who were working on the wedding gown lost their work as it whizzed through the air. The king realized that his daughter could not be married without a beautiful gown to make up for her poor looks, and postponed the wedding until the tailors could come up with a new dress. By this time, the maiden had arrived, and when she reached the door of the castle she cracked her nut and out came the most beautiful mantle in the world. The princess was delighted with it, and gave the maiden a large sum of gold. Then, she broke her almond and procured a magnificent petticoat, which the princess gladly purchased from her. Lastly, she cracked her walnut and found the most splendid court dress, and this time she told the lady that the price being given permission to see the bridegroom was her price. The princess knew that she needed the dress, and that the other two items she bought would be useless without it, and so granted her wish. The maiden was led to her husband’s room and touched him with the sprig of rosemary. His memory of her came back and he declared that she was his true wife. They went back to the maiden’s home and lived happily for the rest of their lives.

Fairy Tale Title

The Sprig of Rosemary

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Common Tale Type

The Search for the Lost Husband/Animal as Bridegroom

Tale Classification

ATU 425/ATU 425A

Page Range of Tale

pp. 107-113

Full Citation of Tale

“The Sprig of Rosemary.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 107-113.

Original Source of the Tale

From Cuentos Populars Catalans, by D. Francisco de S. Maspons y Labros, Barcelona, 1885

Tale Notes

Research and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Rose Fairy Book

Book Author/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Publisher

Longmans, Green

Date Published

1948

Decade Published

1940-1949

Publisher City

New York

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Presents a collection of fairy tales from the folklore of France, Italy and Spain

Traditional

White

“The Bear.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 56-63.

Anonymous — Mon, 29 May 2023 03:32:50 +0000

“The Bear.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 56-63. Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 05/28/2023 - 21:32

Andrew Lang

Tale Summary

There was once a beautiful princess who lived locked up by her father, as he feared that something would happen to the daughter he loved so dearly. One day, the girl complained to her nurse, who was a witch and told her to ask her father for a wooden wheelbarrow and a bear’s skin so that she may enchant them, making the wheelbarrow move by itself and making her unrecognizable by the bear skin. She did this, and soon was transformed into a bear and wheeled into a forest. The prince of that land was hunting and his dogs soon found her, but she pleaded with him to spare her. Astonished by the talking bear, the prince took her home to his castle where she began doing housework. In a neighboring kingdom, great festivities were being held, and one day the prince announced his intention to go to a great ball that night. The bear girl asked if she could go, too, and the prince only kicked her but the queen allowed her to attend. The girl ran to her wheelbarrow and took off her bear skin, touching both with a magic wand given to her by the witch, transforming the skin into a dress made of moonbeams and the wheelbarrow into a horse-drawn carriage. The prince fell in love with her instantly when he saw her at the ball, where she was the most beautiful lady. After a night of dancing together silently, she left him and quickly returned to the palace so she could change back into her bear skin before she was discovered. The prince told the queen all about the beautiful stranger he had met, which pleased the bear girl to hear. The next evening was a second ball, and she entered the dance in a dress woven out of the rays of the sun. All night she and the prince danced, but she would not speak a word, and when she left a hard rain appeared to stop him from following her. At the third ball the next evening, the girl showed up in a dress made out of starlight and gems, and all marveled at her. A harsh wind kept him from pursuing her home that night, but the prince managed to slip a ring onto her finger before she left. When he arrived back home, he was tired and discouraged, and asked for soup. The bear girl brought it to him, and placed the ring in the dish. When he was done eating he found and recognized the ring, and asked the bear to remove her skin. She did this and appeared to him as a beautiful girl. She explained her story, and the two were married and lived happily for many years.

Fairy Tale Title

The Bear

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Common Tale Type

Peau d'Âne

Tale Classification

ATU 510B

Page Range of Tale

pp. 56-63

Full Citation of Tale

“The Bear.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 56-63.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

Research and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Rose Fairy Book

Book Author/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Publisher

Longmans, Green

Date Published

1948

Decade Published

1940-1949

Publisher City

New York

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Presents a collection of fairy tales from the folklore of France, Italy and Spain

Traditional

White

“The Golden Lion.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 114-121.

Anonymous — Mon, 29 May 2023 03:15:11 +0000

“The Golden Lion.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 114-121. Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 05/28/2023 - 21:15

Andrew Lang

Tale Summary

There was once a rich merchant with three sons, and one day the eldest requested that he be able to take leave and see the world. He sailed to a large town, where he saw a notice saying that if any man could find the king’s daughter within eight days could have her as his wife, but if he failed, he would lose his life. The young man took on this task, but after eight days he could not find her and so he was killed. After not hearing from him for a long time, the second eldest brother set out to find him, and arrived at the same town and saw the same notice, and came to the same fate. The youngest brother then set out, and when he saw the notice, deduced what had happened to his brothers, and decided to try his luck as well. On the way to the castle, an old beggar woman approached him, and promised to help him in exchange for gold. He agreed, and she told him to have a goldsmith make him a golden lion with crystal eyes and the ability to play tunes, and to bring it to her when it was ready. He did this, and the woman hid him inside the lion and brought it to the king, who greatly desired to buy it from her. She said that she could not sell it, but agreed to leave it with him for a day so that it could amuse his daughter. The king lifted some loose floorboards, went down a staircase, and through seven doors which the merchant’s son kept track of. The king entered a lovely hall where the princess played with eleven friends, all of whom looked exactly like her in appearance and dress. After amusing themselves with the lion all day, the girls went to sleep, and the princess took it with her to her room. The young man climbed out and revealed himself to her and begged for her help, as she told him that he would have to pick her out of all twelve girls. She promised to tie a white sash around her waist on the eighth day so he would recognize her. The next morning, the woman retrieved the lion and the young man returned to the castle to try his hand at finding the princess. For seven days he pretended to be busy searching for her, but on the eighth day he requested that the floorboards be taken up. After protest, the king did this, and at every door the young man requested the key, until they came to the hall where the twelve maidens were. The young man noticed one of them silently tying a white sash around her waist and picked her out of the bunch. The two were married, and after another eight days sailed back to the youth’s own country, bringing with them a shipload of treasures and the princess’s dowry, and made sure to compensate the old beggar woman who had helped them.

Fairy Tale Title

The Golden Lion

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Common Tale Type

The Golden Ram

Tale Classification

ATU 854

Page Range of Tale

pp. 114-121

Full Citation of Tale

“The Golden Lion.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 114-121.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

Research and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Rose Fairy Book

Book Author/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Publisher

Longmans, Green

Date Published

1948

Decade Published

1940-1949

Publisher City

New York

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Presents a collection of fairy tales from the folklore of France, Italy and Spain

Traditional

White

“A Lost Paradise.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 131-137.

Anonymous — Mon, 29 May 2023 02:57:35 +0000

“A Lost Paradise.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 131-137. Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 05/28/2023 - 20:57

Andrew Lang

Tale Summary

There once lived a charcoal burner and his wife, who were very poor and destitute. One evening, the king was hunting nearby when he heard sobbing coming from within their hut, and stopped to listen. He learned they were poor and starving, and heard the woman say that it was all the fault of Eve, who should have been like her and not have any desire to know anything. The king was let inside and asked them to come with him to his castle to live as if they were in Paradise if only they obeyed his one condition. As they left, he instructed the woman to lock the door behind her and put the keys in her pocket. They reached the palace after walking several miles, and each was given all sorts of luxurious things that they had never even dreamed of. After bathing in green-marble baths and dressing in fine silks, the two were invited to dinner, when the king told him of his one condition: there was a soup tureen in the middle of the table, and they must not ever lift the lid or it would mean the end of their good fortune. They agreed, but still the woman was curious about what could be inside. For some time the charcoal burner and his wife lived very happily, and on occasion the king came to see them. He would smile at the man who had become rosy and plump, but would sneak a smug look at the woman. She had become quieter, refusing food, and wondered aloud about what was being hidden from them. One day when they were sitting down to eat, she began insisting that they look. The woman persuaded her husband, telling him that the king was too good-natured to turn them away, that no one would even know, that it would only be a peek. He felt that if it would make his wife happy, it was well worth the risk, and so he raised the handle as she leaned in to look. A small mouse sprang out and ran around the room, and although they tried, they could not recapture it. The king entered and ordered the couple to come out from underneath the table where they had hid from him, and told the charcoal burner that they would be escorted back to their hut, and that his wife had the key.

Fairy Tale Title

A Lost Paradise

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Common Tale Type

The mouse in the silver jug

Tale Classification

ATU 1416

Page Range of Tale

pp. 131-137

Full Citation of Tale

“A Lost Paradise.” Rose Fairy Book, Andrew Lang, New York: Longmans, Green, 1948, pp. 131-137.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

Research and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Rose Fairy Book

Book Author/Editor(s)

Andrew Lang

Illustrator(s)

Vera Bock

Publisher

Longmans, Green

Date Published

1948

Decade Published

1940-1949

Publisher City

New York

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Presents a collection of fairy tales from the folklore of France, Italy and Spain

Traditional

White