Imp Tree

“The Imp Tree.” Fairy Gold : A Book of Old English Fairy Tales Chosen by Ernest Rhys, Ernest Rhys, London: J.M. Dent & Co.; New York : E.P. Dutton & co., 1907, pp. 1-3.

Tale Summary Once there was a King of Winchester named Orfeo, who’s dearly beloved wife Heurodis one day fell asleep underneath an imp tree while on a walk in an orchard. She had a dream that two knights asked her to follow them, and when she refused they brought their...

The Fox's Wedding

“The Fox's Wedding.” The Allies' Fairy Book, introduction by Edmund Gosse, London: William Heinemann., Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1916, pp. 87-88.

Tale Summary There was once a young white fox named Fukuyémon, who, when he reached a fitting age, shaved his forelock and began thinking of taking a bride. His father gave him his inheritance and retired, and the young fox labored in gratitude. He had heard of a beautiful lady-fox...

The Adventures of Little Peachling

“The Adventures of Little Peachling.” The Allies' Fairy Book, introduction by Edmund Gosse, London: William Heinemann., Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1916, pp. 84-86.

Tale Summary Many hundreds of years ago, there was a woodcutter and his wife, and one day the woman went by the river to wash clothes while her husband collected wood. She saw a peach floating down the water and took it, meaning to share it with her husband when...

What came of picking flowers

“What Came of Picking Flowers.” The Allies' Fairy Book, introduction by Edmund Gosse, London: William Heinemann., Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1916, pp. 77-83.

Tale Summary Once upon a time, the eldest of three sisters went for a walk and picked a pink flower. She disappeared completely, and so the second oldest sister searched for her but plucked a rosebush and then she, too, disappeared. The youngest sister also set out on their path...

The three little pigs

“The Three Little Pigs.” The Green Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892, pp. 100-105.

Tale Summary Once upon a time, there were three little pigs who lived together on a farm with their mother. The oldest was named browny, and he was very dirty and loved playing in the mud. The second was named Whitey, who was very greedy and always looking forward to...

Fairy Gifts

“Fairy Gifts.” The Green Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892, pp. 64-67.

Tale Summary In the kingdom of the Flower Fairy there lived many princes and princesses who had been with her since their infancy. It was customary for them to remain with her until they were grown up, at which time they would go out into the world with a gift...

Rosanella

“Rosanella.” The Green Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892, pp. 48-55.

Tale Summary After the death of the Queen of Fairies, it became necessary to elect a new sovereign, and the final decision would name either the fairy Surcantine or the fairy Paridamie to the position. To decide, each fairy would produce a wonder, and whichever greater would be Queen. Surcantine...

The half-chick

“The Half-Chick.” The Green Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892, pp. 27-31.

Tale Summary Once upon a time, there was a black Spanish hen who had chicks, and one of them hatched out of his egg with the appearance of being cut in half. He had only one wing, one eye, and one leg, and his mother named him “Medio Pollito,” which...

Jack my hedgehog

“Jack my Hedgehog.” The Green Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892, pp. 304-310.

Tale Summary There was once a successful farmer who had everything he wanted in life except for a child. He told people he wanted one so badly, he wouldn’t even care if it were a hedgehog! His wife finally gave birth to a boy, but from the waist up he...

The language of animals

“The Language of Animals” Europa’s Fairy Book, Joseph Jacobs, New York, London: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1916, pp. 66-71.

Tale Summary There was once a simple-minded boy named Jack, who was sent off to school for a year by his father in order to learn something. When he returned home, he told his father that he now understands a dog when it barks. His father sends him away again,...

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