The ​Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault 0 csillagozás

MORAL

Children, especially pretty, nicely brought-up young ladies, ought never to talk to strangers; if they are foolish enough to do so, they should not be surprised if some greedy wolf consumes them, elegant red riding hoods and all.
Now, there are real wolves, with hairy pelts and enormous teeth; but also wolves who seem perfectly charming, sweet-natured and obliging, who pursue young girls in the street and pay them the most flattering attentions.
Unfortunately, these smooth-tongued, smooth-pelted wolves are the most dangerous beasts of all.

Little Red Riding Hood

MORAL

Kindness and consideration for others may inconvenience one, in the short run; but, sooner or later, kindness reaps rewards and often when least expected.

ANOTHER MORAL

Diamonds and pearls make powerful impressions; but kind words are more powerful still, and are infinitely more valuable.

The Fairies

MORAL

The story of Donkey-Skin is not something you might read every day in the morning papers. But as long as there are children, mothers, grandmother and Mother Goose, it will always seem new.

Donkey-Skin

MORAL

Curiosity is a charming passion but may only be satisfied at the price of thousand regrets; one sees around one a thousand examples of this sad truth every day. Curiosity is the most fleeting of pleasure; the moment it is satisfied, it ceases to exist and it always proves very, very expensive.

ANOTHER MORAL

It is easy to see that the events described in this story took place many years ago. No modern husband would dare to be half so terrible, nor to demand of his wife such an impossible thing as to stifle her curiosity. Be he never so quarrelsome or jealous, he'll toe the line as soon as she tells him to. And whatever colour his beard might be, it's easy to see which of the two is the master.

Bluebeard

MORAL

A great inheritance may be a fine thing; but hard work and ingenuity will take a young man further than his father's money.

ANOTHER MORAL

If a miller's son can so quickly win the heart of a princess, that is because clothes, bearing and youth speedily inspire affection; and the means to achieve them are not always entirely commendable.

Puss in Boots

MORAL

A brave, rich, handsome husband is a prize well worth waiting for; but no modern woman would think it was worth waiting for a hundred years. The tale of the Sleeping Beauty shows how long engagements make for happy marriages, but young girls these days want so much to be married I do not have the heart to press the moral.

The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood

MORAL

Beauty is a fine thing in a woman; it will always be admired. But charm is beyond price and worth more, in the long run. When her godmother dressed Cinderella up and told her how to behave at the ball, she instructed her in charm. Lovely ladies, this gift is worth more than a fancy hairdo; to win a heart, to reach a happy ending, charm is the true gift of the fairies. Without it, one can achieve nothing; with it, everything.

ANOTHER MORAL

It is certainly a great advantage to be intelligent, brave, well-born, sensible and have other similar talents given only by heaven. But however great maybe your god-given store, they will never help you to get on in the world unless you have either a godfather or a godmother to put them to work for you.

Cinderella: or, The Little Glass Slipper

MORAL

This is not a fairy tale but the plain, unvarnished truth; every feature of the face of the one we love is beautiful, every word the beloved says is wise.

ANOTHER MORAL

A beautiful soul is one thing, a beautiful face another. But love alone can touch the heart.

Ricky with the Tuft

MORAL

It is no affection to have a large family if they are all handsome, strong and clever. But if one of them is a puny weakling, he will be despised, jeered at and mocked. However, often the runt of the litter ends up making the family fortune.

Hop O' My Thumb

MORAL

Greedy, short-sighted, careless, thoughtless, changeable people don't know how to make sensible decisions; and few of us are capable of using well the gifts God gave us, anyway.

The Foolish Wishes