Each month for Fairy Tale Flip we invite you to vote for ONE of THREE fairy tales that Donna Lee Fields and I will delve into. Here are the THREE options for April with videos down below! Let us know if you want us to do a deep-dive into a specific fairy tale!
The Smith and the Devil
A Russian Tale
Once upon a time, there was a smith who had a son. The smith had a great respect for the devil he had painted on the doors of his smithy, and would greet him every day. When the smith died, his son took over the smithy but had no such respect for the devil. Instead, he would greet the devil by hitting him with his hammer and spitting on him.After three years of this mistreatment, the devil decided he had had enough. He transformed himself into a young apprentice and came to work for the smith. The apprentice quickly proved himself to be more skilled than the smith himself.One day, the apprentice saw a rich old lady passing by and offered to turn her young again for 500 rubles. The lady agreed, and the apprentice burned her in the forge, then put her bones in milk, which caused her to emerge young and beautiful again.The lady’s husband then came to the smith, demanding the same treatment. The smith, not knowing what the apprentice had done, tried to do the same, but ended up burning the husband to ashes instead.The angry wife then ordered the smith to be hanged. But the apprentice devil saved the smith, on the condition that the smith would never strike him with a hammer again. The apprentice then revived the husband, and after that the smith treated the devil with respect. The apprentice then disappeared, and the master and mistress lived on happily.
Pinocchio
Written by Carlo Collodi in 1883
Geppetto, a poor woodcarver, creates a wooden puppet named Pinocchio, who is brought to life by a fairy. However, Pinocchio is mischievous and disobedient, often running away and getting into trouble.
On his adventures, Pinocchio encounters various characters who try to lead him astray, including the Fox and the Cat, who convince him to bury his gold coins in the “Field of Miracles” so they can steal them.
Pinocchio’s nose grows longer every time he tells a lie, and he faces many perils, including being turned into a donkey and being swallowed by a giant shark.
Throughout his journey, Pinocchio is guided by the Talking Cricket, who serves as his conscience, and the Blue Fairy, who promises to turn him into a real boy if he proves himself brave, truthful, and unselfish.
In the end, after many trials and tribulations, Pinocchio demonstrates these virtues and is transformed into a human boy, reunited with his father Geppetto.
The story is a classic tale of redemption, exploring themes of honesty, responsibility, and the importance of making good choices.
The Knight and the Fairy
1903 children’s novel by Howard Pyle
In King Arthur’s court, there was a handsome and gracious knight named Lanval. King Arthur admired all his knights, but Lanval was one of his favorites, and he appointed Lanval to serve as the steward to the Knights of the Round Table.
However, Lanval began to distrust Queen Guinevere, as he noticed her flirtatious behavior, which he considered unsuitable for the wife of a king. Guinevere eventually learned of Lanval’s disdain for her, and she demanded that the king expel Lanval from the court. Reluctantly, Lanval had to leave.
Lanval then traveled north to Caerleon, where he lived in solitude and became very poor. One day, in a forest, he came upon a mysterious and opulent castle. There, he met a beautiful fairy maiden named Triamour, who fell in love with the poor knight. Triamour took Lanval to her castle, gave him servants, a horse, armor, and sacks of gold, and bestowed upon him an enchantment to protect him from harm, but with one condition – that he must never reveal their love to anyone.
Lanval kept his promise and became renowned for his victories in tournaments. However, when the jealous Queen Guinevere tried to seduce him, Lanval inadvertently revealed the existence of his fairy lover, breaking his promise. As a result, Lanval lost the protection of the enchantment, and he was put on trial by King Arthur. The judges gave Lanval one year and two weeks to find and bring Triamour to the court, or else face punishment.
This Arthurian tale explores themes of love, loyalty, and the consequences of breaking a promise, as Lanval’s relationship with the fairy maiden Triamour leads to his downfall at the court of King Arthur.
Here are the THREE options this month
Look here for the POLL: Facebook Group