BEGINNING OF FAIRIES.

Southland Times, Issue 19546, 9 May 1925, Page 23

BEGINNING OF FAIRIES.

NEVER—AND NO ENDING. (By Pauline Bouchier.) Every little one craves to be told a tale. “Tell me a story, Mummy,” is an oft-repeat-ed request, and through every generation cf children this desire has existed. Long ago, before could write, the news was passed round and handed down to the next generation by a “story-teller.” The “story-teller would tell tales of strange gods, and marvellous characters and wondrous deeds. So it would seem the child’s request is something more a mere demand for amusement. They love the stories of giants, princesses, talking animhls and houses made of toffee, and all those which end “happy ever after.” ABOUT THE STORIES. The crystallisation of such ideas as the youngest daughter or son, who is beautiful and under a spell, misunderstood perhaps, and ill-treated, finally to be triumphant and crowned with luxury and pbtrip; or the false Icing being ousted out to make way for the real and good king, are what the children love. The Grinim Brothers collected their stories with the idea of tracing their origin and discovering their history if possible, and the result is the delightful collection of fairy stories. It is found* impossible to tie the stories down to a specific period of authorship. Cinderella is very universal. The beautiful maid who was discovered by her shoe has been found, to exist in 345 variations, and is thought to have originated from an Egyptian maid’s romance! In the story about 'Torn Tit Tot, the gnome who got the maiden into his power and who eventually found out the gnome’s name, is derived from a superstition that if a man’s name should be discovered that gave one power over him. LITTLE MEN AND ANIMALS. Stories of dwarfs have been retcld and retold till the little men are most minute, hence Tom Thumb, a most popular character. Animals always have a place of honour, and always stand for good spirits in the children’s tales. Though it is not often possible- to trace the authorship of fairy tales, it is known that Robert Southey wrote “The Three Bears.” The production of children’s stories still goes on. We had Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” not so very long ago. Kipling has given us “Puck o’ Pooks Hill” and “Just So Stories,” and the ever to be discussed and retold, for many grown-up’s enjoyment too, “Peter Pan” makes it clear that story-telling is not yet dead.