The Tales of Mother Goose / As First Collected by Charles Perrault in 1696

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

17208

Title

The Tales of Mother Goose / As First Collected by Charles Perrault in 1696

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This collection presents classic fairy tales by Charles Perrault, featuring iconic stories like Cinderella, Puss in Boots, and Little Red Riding-Hood. With an introduction by M.V. O'Shea and illustrations by Gustave Doré, the volume offers a translation that balances early chap-book style with accessible language. Ideal for readers seeking timeless narratives that explore virtues, vices, and the enduring power of folklore.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1696, Charles Perrault's *The Tales of Mother Goose* collects eight classic stories that have become cornerstones of English fairy lore. The collection opens with *Cinderella*, a tale of patience and kindness where a mistreated girl, aided by a fairy godmother, attends a royal ball and wins a prince's love. In *The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood*, a princess awakens from a century-long slumber after a curse is lifted. *Little Thumb* recounts the adventures of a clever boy who escapes a cannibalistic ogre, steals the creature's magical seven-league boots, and uses them to gain wealth and fame. Similarly, *Puss in Boots* follows a cunning cat who secures a prosperous future for his impoverished master through deception and wit. The collection also features *Riquet of the Tuft*, where a hideous but brilliant man marries a beautiful woman, and a fairy restores her ugliness. *Blue Beard* serves as a stark warning against curiosity and disobedience, while *The Fairy* contrasts the rewards of kindness with the punishments of rudeness. Finally, *Little Red Riding-Hood* depicts a girl's perilous journey through the woods where she is tricked by a wolf but ultimately saved. Perrault's introduction suggests these stories were likely rewritten from memory by his young son, preserving their natural wit. The tales emphasize that greed, pride, and falsehood lead to ruin, while kindness, faithfulness, and intelligence bring success. By providing concrete examples of right and wrong, the stories aim to strengthen the virtues of modesty and gentleness in young readers, influencing literature from Shakespeare to modern storytelling.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fairy Tales
• Children's stories