The Crimson Fairy Book V/A

The Crimson Fairy Book

By Various

Edited by Andrew Lang

Each Fairy Book demands a preface from the Editor, and these introductions are inevitably both monotonous and unavailing. A sense of literary honesty compels the Editor to keep repeating that he is the Editor, and not the author of the Fairy Tales, just as a distinguished man of science is only the Editor, not the Author of Nature. Like nature, popular tales are too vast to be the creation of a single modern mind. The Editor's business is to hunt for collections of these stories told by peasant or savage grandmothers in many climes, from New Caledonia to Zululand; from the frozen snows of the Polar regions to Greece, or Spain, or Italy, or far Lochaber. When the tales are found they are adapted to the needs of British children by various hands, the Editor doing little beyond guarding the interests of propriety, and toning down to mild reproofs the tortures inflicted on wicked stepmothers, and other naughty characters.

CONTENTS

Preface

Lovely IlonkaLucky LuckThe Hairy ManTo Your Good Health!The Story of the Seven SimonsThe Language of BeastsThe Boy Who Could Keep A SecretThe Prince And The DragonLittle WildroseTiidu The PiperPaperarellooThe Gifts Of The MagicianThe Strong PrinceThe Treasure SeekerThe Cottager And His CatThe Prince Who Would Seek ImmortalityThe Stone-CutterThe Gold-Bearded ManTritill, Litill, And The BirdsThe Three RobesThe Six Hungry BeastsHow The Beggar Boy Turned Into Count PiroThe Rogue And The HerdsmanEisenkopfThe Death Of Abu Nowas And Of His WifeMotiratikaNiels And The GiantsShepherd PaulHow The Wicked Tanuki Was PunishedThe Crab And The MonkeyThe Horse Gullfaxi And The Sword GunnfoderThe Story Of The Sham Prince, Or The Ambitious TailorThe Colony Of CatsHow To Find Out A True FriendClever MariaThe Magic Kettle