Favorite Fairy Tales: The Childhood Choice of Representative Men and Women

Оглавление

Various. Favorite Fairy Tales: The Childhood Choice of Representative Men and Women

JACK THE GIANT-KILLER

CINDERELLA OR THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER

JACK AND THE BEAN-STALK

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD

LITTLE RED-RIDING-HOOD

THE UGLY DUCKLING

HOP-O’-MY-THUMB

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

LITTLE SNOWDROP

THE STORY OF THE THREE BEARS

SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED

THE WILD SWANS

ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP

ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES

THE SECOND VOYAGE OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR

THE HISTORY OF ALI COGIA, A MERCHANT OF BAGDAD

Отрывок из книги

IN the reign of the famous King Arthur, there lived, near the Land’s End of England, in the county of Cornwall, a worthy farmer who had an only son named Jack. Jack was a boy of a bold temper; he took pleasure in hearing or reading stories of wizards, conjurors, giants, and fairies, and used to listen eagerly while his father talked of the great deeds of the brave knights of King Arthur’s Round Table. When Jack was sent to take care of the sheep and oxen in the fields, he used to to amuse himself with planning battles, sieges, and the means to conquer or surprise a foe. He was above the common sports of children, but hardly any one could equal him at wrestling; or, if he met with a match for himself in strength, his skill and address always made him the victor.

In those days there lived on St. Michael’s Mount, of Cornwall, which rises out of the sea at some distance from the main-land, a huge giant. He was eighteen feet high and three yards round, and his fierce and savage looks were the terror of all his neighbors. He dwelt in a gloomy cavern on the very top of the mountain, and used to wade over to the main-land in search of his prey. When he came near, the people left their houses; and after he had glutted his appetite upon their cattle he would throw half a dozen oxen upon his back, and tie three times as many sheep and hogs round his waist, and so march back to his own abode.

.....

“Then,” said the giant, “you shall have them; and pray keep them for my sake, for they are things of great use. The coat will keep you invisible, the cap will give you knowledge, the sword will cut through anything, and the shoes are of vast swiftness; they may be useful to you in all times of danger, so take them with all my heart.”

Jack gave many thanks to the giant, and then set off to the prince. When he had come up to the king’s son, they soon arrived at the dwelling of the beautiful lady, who was under the power of a wicked magician. She received the prince very politely and made a noble feast for him; when it was ended, she rose, and, wiping her mouth with a fine handkerchief, said, “My lord, you must submit to the custom of my palace; to-morrow morning I command you to tell me on whom I bestow this handkerchief, or lose your head.” She then left the room.

.....