Fairy tales teach us a lot

For hundreds of years, and perhaps even thousands of years, adults have told traditional fairy tales to their children. The stories have been handed down from one generation to another. They have become a fundamental part of our culture.

In early versions of fairy tales there is much more cruelty and violence than in the stories published for children today. The case of 'Cinderella' is a good example.

In this variant, Cinderella's step-sisters are very pretty (rather than ugly, as they are in the modern version). But they are much more cruel. Cinderella works like a slave and has no bed to sleep in. Her step-sisters throw her food into the fire. Cinderella has to pick it out of the fire-place so that she can eat.

When news comes that there is going to be a big party so that the prince can choose a future wife, naturally Cinderella is told that she can't go. Cinderella visits her real mother's grave and cries. Her tears fall on the ground and a tree grows. From the branches of the tree, beautiful clothes fall down. So when Cinderella finally goes to the party, she looks beautiful and the prince falls in love with her.

The prince comes looking for Cinderella bringing with him the golden shoe that Cinderella was wearing. Cinderella's sisters try on the shoe but it doesn't fit. To make it fit, one sister cuts off her toes; the other cuts off her heel. Their mother says: "You won't need to walk when you become queen!"

Eventually, the prince finds Cinderella and the story ends happily.

Even if there is violence and cruelty in fairy stories, they all have elements that make them forever popular. They are simple stories which usually involve some form of cruelty or injustice. Good people become victims and must work impossibly hard to try to solve their problems and find happiness. Children who identify with the hero or heroine may sometimes be encouraged to try to find solutions to their own problems. In any case, the stories have a happy ending and give children great pleasure.

2. Are fairy tales part of our culture? Read aloud the extract which says about it.

3. What happens in the old version of "Cinderella"?

4. Why do people like fairy tales?

Ответы на вопросы

1.This text is about old & new versions of different fairy tales.Fairy tales are a fundamental part of our culture.In some fairy tales there is much cruelty & violence. But in any case,the stories have a happy ending.

2. Yes, they are. 2(-ой абзац.) In early versions of fairy tales there is much more cruelty and violence than in the stories published for children today. The case of 'Cinderella' is a good example.

3. Cinderella was dressed by her aunt. She was wearing crystal shoes.To make the shoe fit, Cinderella helped her step-sisters.She was very kind & helpful.The ending was also happy.

4.The stories have a happy ending & give children great pleasure. They help children to find solutions to their own problems