Reading Diary A: Grimm (Ashliman)

I wasn't quite sure exactly what I wanted to read for this last week of material, but I finally decided to go with Grimm (Ashliman). This is one set of stories I have wanted to read since nearly week 1, so I figured, what better time than the last week to go ahead and jump on board!

(Andrew Lang's The Blue Fairy Book [1889])

One of my favorite stories from this unit (and in life in general) is Little Red Cap. As always, every time I hear this story, I enjoyed the cute story. However, I thought the ending was really interesting. In every single children's book that this story appears in, there is no mention of the huntsman coming into the house to cut open the wolf. I'm sure this is left out because it is a tad bit on the morbid side for a children's story. It's really interesting that the huntsman is able fully save her. Another thing I thought was interesting is how her name has been changed throughout time, history, and culture. Most stories that you hear of the little girl in the story refer to her as "Little Red Riding Hood"; however, in this story, she is referred to "Little Red Cap". I really do wonder where/when the common name we hear today became the popular name.

Another story I have always enjoyed reading is Rumpelstiltskin; therefore, it's only fitting that it is one of my favorites of this unit. I am an avid watcher of the show called Once Upon a Time that airs on ABC on Sunday nights, and one of the main characters os the show is Rumpelstiltskin. Like the original story, he is a poor little man who is always looking for something that will benefit him. In this story, he is willing to help the miller's daughter spin the gold, but before he does he says to her "What will you give me if I spin the straw this time?". Each time he is willing to help her, he only wants to know "what's in it for him". Although I have heard the general story of Rumpelstiltskin, I guess I never realized exactly how it ended. I had no idea he rips himself up into pieces! Crazy!