Once upon a time...

Where would we be without the fairy tale? For centuries, children have rested upon the knee of a parent or grandparent in front of a cozy fireplace or have been put to bed with story upon story either being told or read. With eyes wide open, each child listens intently as the story begins Once upon a time... . Commonly known stories have a much debatable origin with many being based on tales written by earlier medieval (5th to 15th century) writers. Such stories, the fairy tales, are mostly recognized as being written by The Brothers Grimm, (Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm (1786 - 1859). However, they go much, much farther back...

Portrait (detail)
by Philippe Lallemand, 1672

Ever heard of Charles Perrault? What about Le Petit Chaperon (Little Red Riding Hood), Cendrillon (Cinderella), Le Chat Botté (Puss in Boots), La Belle au bois doemant (The Sleeping Beauty), and Barbe bleue (Bluebeard). The French names are listed first since Perrault was a French author and member of the Académie française. Yep! He laid the foundations for a new literary genre, the fairy tale. The reference to 'new' literary genre focuses on new at the time of his writings...17th century! Since today is Perrault's birthday (January 12, 1628) that would make his birthday celebration #388.

Also included in his vast collection of writings is Histoires ou Contes du Temps Passé (Tales and Stories of the Past with Morals), subtitled Les Contes de ma Mére l'Oye (Tales of Mother Goose). 

Charles Perrault died in Paris in 1703 at the age of 75. On 12 January 2016 Google honoured him with a doodle.

Even some of the greatest movies of all time are based upon the fairy tale! Who doesn't like a good Cinderella story!