NATIONAL TELL A FAIRY TALE DAY
On February 26th, have a happily ever after kind of day. It is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day!
Tell A Fairy Tale Day
What were once oral histories, myths, and legends retold around the
fire or by traveling storytellers, have been written down and become
known the world over as fairy tales.
Origins of Fairy Tales
The origins of most fairy tales would fail today's standards of the
Association of Fairy Tales. They told unseemly tales and would be
rated as inappropriate for children. Most traveling storytellers told
fairy tales with dramatic detail to make children behave, teach a lesson
or pass the time much like ghost stories around a campfire today.
Many of the stories have some basis in truth. For example, some
believe Margarete von Waldeck, the daughter of the 16th century Count of
Waldeck, inspired the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The
area of Germany where the family lived was known for mining. Some of the
tunnels were so tight they had to use children - or small people such
as dwarfs - to work the mines.
Margarete's beauty is well
documented, and her stepmother sent her away. Margarete also fell in
love with a prince but mysteriously died before she could have her
happily ever after.
As the stories evolved, they took on a more magical quality with
fictional characters such as fairies, giants, mermaids and gnomes, and
sometimes gruesome story plots.
Toes cut off to fit into a
slipper, a wooden boy killing his cricket, or instead of kissing that
frog prince his head must be cut off, but those are the unrated
versions.
Brothers Grimm, Aesop, Hans Christian Andersen
The brothers Grimm collected and published some of the more well-known
tales we are familiar with today. Jakob and his brother Wilhelm set out
on a quest to preserve these tales at a time in history when a tradition
of oral storytelling was fading. In 1812, they published their first
volume of stories titled Household Tales. Their stories' darker qualities were clearly meant for an adult audience.
Rumpelstiltskin is one of the tales they collected. Several
other versions exist and the little man claimed many different names
across Europe. From Trit-a-trot in Ireland to Whuppity Stoorie in
Scotland, Rumplestiltskin makes it difficult for historians to identify
him.
While some storytellers have a long and sometimes ancient history such as Aesop (The Fox and the Goose, The Ant and the Grasshopper), others are more recent like the Grimm brothers.
First published in 1829, Hans Christian Andersen brought to us written versions of the Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid,
and many more. Where Grimm's tales could take on a darker cast and
unmistakably written with adults in mind, Andersen's stories are sweet
and warm.
How to Observe Tell A Fairy Tale Day
National Tell A Fairy Tale Day encourages you to tell a fairy tale or
two. If you think you don't have a fair tale to tell, you might be
wrong. We've told a few in our day, so we have a few tips to share with
you.
- Engage your audience. Children like to participate. Have
them quack every time you mention the Ugly Duckling or make the motions
of climbing Jack's beanstalk.
- Use repetition. Repeated stanzas,
syllables, or movements will keep the kids engaged. It not only helps
them to remember the story but sets them up for the next round of the
repeated phrase or stanza.
- Give your characters a voice. Nobody
likes a monotone storyteller. Buehler, Buehler, Buehler. No, not even
children like the monotone. Varying your voice for each character and
inflecting excitement, sadness and disappointment will create drama and
stimulate the imaginations of the little minds listening to you.
- Ask questions as you go. It's an excellent way to keep your story flowing and to gauge the children's listening skills.
- Find out if someone has a story of their own. You might be in the presence of a great storyteller!
Share your favorite fairy tale with friends and family. Try relating
them from memory as this has long been a tradition. Visit a library or
local bookstore for story time. Use #TellAFairyTaleDay to post on
social media.
You can also learn more about your favorite fairy tales in 5 World-Favorite Fairy Tales and the Stories Behind them.
https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/lists/5-world-favorite-fairy-tales
National Tell A Fairy Tale Day
Within our research, we were unable to find the creator or the origin of National Tell A Fairy Tale Day.
Fairy Tale FAQ
Q. What is the purpose of a fairy tale?
A. Fairy tales serve many purposes but one of the main reasons for
fairy tales is to teach a lesson. By the end of the story, the moral is
clear.
Q. What are some of the morals fairy tales teach?
A. Fairy tales often present moral dilemmas for the characters to face. Some of them may be about:
- truth vs lies
- who to trust
- inner vs outer beauty
- people vs things
- keeping a commitment
Also
Letter to Our Elders Day
Pistachio Day
Set a Good Example Day
Today's Thought
Focus on what you can control.
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