Stories or Tales of Past Times facts for kids

This picture shows the front page of an old edition of Perrault's tales, drawn by Gustave Doré in 1862.

Stories or Tales from Past Times (which in French is Histoires ou contes du temps passé) is a famous collection of eight fairy tales. These stories were written by a French author named Charles Perrault. The book was first published in Paris in 1697 by a publisher named Claude Barbin. Many people also know this collection by another name: Mother Goose's Tales (or Contes de ma mere L'Oye in French).

Discovering Charles Perrault's Classic Fairy Tales

Charles Perrault was a very important writer who helped shape the fairy tales we know today. His collection of stories became incredibly popular and has been loved by children and adults for centuries. These tales are not just fun to read; they also teach us about history and culture from a long time ago.

What is "Mother Goose's Tales"?

The name Mother Goose's Tales became very famous and is often used to describe Perrault's collection. This name helped the book become well-known across France and then around the world. The stories in this book were some of the first fairy tales to be written down and published for everyone to read. Before this, many of these tales were just told by people, passed down from one generation to the next.

The Eight Original Stories

The first edition of Stories or Tales from Past Times included eight amazing fairy tales. Each one tells a unique story with memorable characters and lessons. These tales are:

• "The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood": A princess falls into a deep sleep for a hundred years and can only be woken by a prince.
• "Little Red Riding Hood": A young girl meets a tricky wolf on her way to visit her grandmother.
• "Bluebeard": A mysterious nobleman with a dark secret and a forbidden room.
• "Puss in Boots": A clever cat helps his master become rich and powerful.
• "Diamonds and Toads": A kind girl is rewarded with diamonds and flowers, while her mean sister gets toads and snakes.
• "Cinderella": A kind girl overcomes her cruel stepfamily with the help of a fairy godmother.
• "Rickey with the Tuft": A prince who is not handsome but very smart, and a princess who is beautiful but not clever.
• "Hop o' My Thumb": The youngest of seven brothers uses his wits to save his family from an ogre.

Other Tales by Perrault

Later versions of Perrault's collection also included three other tales that were written in verse, meaning they rhymed like poems. These stories are:

• "Griselda": A story about a patient and loyal wife.
• "The Silly Wishes": A tale about three wishes that go wrong.
• "Donkeyskin": A princess escapes her home by wearing a magical donkey skin.

Why Are These Stories Important?

Perrault's fairy tales have had a huge impact on literature and culture worldwide. They have been translated into many different languages, meaning people all over the globe can read them. These stories continue to be published and retold in books, movies, and plays. They teach us about good versus evil, kindness, bravery, and the consequences of our actions. Many of the fairy tale characters and plots we know today come directly from Charles Perrault's famous collection.