French fairy tales

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79327

Title

French fairy tales

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A collection of classic French fairy tales translated by M. Cary, featuring whimsical stories like 'John Bit-of-a-Man,' the clever 'Long Time' couple, and the adventurous Prince Louis who outwits demons to win a princess's hand.

Summary up to 500 words

This volume presents a vibrant assortment of Breton and Lorrain folktales that celebrate wit, magic, and the triumph of the humble over adversity. The collection opens with 'John Bit-of-a-Man,' a tiny boy repeatedly sold by his impoverished parents until he is swallowed by an ox and later a wolf. Through cleverness and persistence, he escapes these dangers to return home safely. Another tale features a hardworking couple named 'Long Time' who lose their savings to a beggar but gain immense wealth by tricking robbers with a heavy door they carry while fleeing for their lives. In 'Skilful John,' a boy navigates a series of misadventures involving witches and thieves, ultimately triumphing over an old woman through his own resourcefulness. The narrative continues with the Breton story of Jeanne ar Balc'h, a tailor's lazy wife who uses gossip to save her husband from impossible tasks set by their angry spouse. A separate adventure follows a little girl guided by a witch; using three magical eggs, she crosses rivers and mountains while resisting vanity traps set by young men, eventually reuniting with her parents and becoming a queen. The longest tale features Prince Louis, the godson of the King of France. After being robbed by a demon posing as a schoolmate, he seeks help from a mysterious old man. Guided by three magical eggs, Louis travels to the sun's palace to learn why it is red, then sets sail to rescue Princess Tronkolaine. Along his journey, Louis feeds armies of ants, hawks, and lions with provisions provided by his mentor. These animal allies assist him in completing impossible tasks for the princess: sorting mixed grain, cutting down great oaks with a wooden axe, and leveling a mountain. Upon returning to court, Louis exposes the demon as an imposter, saves the princess from marrying an old king, and restores order to the kingdom. The collection concludes with the story of three brothers who inherit a cat, a cock, and a ladder, each using their unique companion to achieve success in a new land.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79327.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg79327.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-08-18 23:16 UTC

Categories

• Folklore
• Fairy Tales