Beauty and the Beast Story. The History of Beauty and the Beast. History of Beauty and the Beast. Grimm 088: The Singing, Springing Lark. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Once upon a time there was a man who was about to set forth on a long journey.
At his departure he asked his three daughters what he should bring for them when he returned. The oldest one wanted pearls, the second one wanted diamonds, but the third one said, "Father dear, I would like a singing, springing lark. " The father said, "Yes, if I can get it, you shall have it. " Then kissing all three, he set forth. Now when the time had come for him to return home, he had bought pearls and diamonds for the two oldest ones, but he had searched everywhere in vain for a singing, springing lark for the youngest one. His path led him through a forest, in the middle of which there was a splendid castle.
"Aha, you are just what I have been looking for," he said happily, then told his servant to climb up and catch the little creature. Beauty and the Beast by Terri Windling: Summer 2007, Journal of Mythic Arts, Endicott Studio. Illustration by Eleanor Vere Boyle And yet, Disney's film of Beauty and the Beast still disturbs me.
Perhaps because it has not been billed as a new story inspired by the old fairy tale — rather, it has been presented to us as if it were the old fairy tale, and such is the power of the Disney name that audiences around the world will perceive this as truth. Yet it's not the old tale. Too many fundamentals have been changed for the film to make that claim — and changed in glib or sloppy ways that lessen the story's classic themes. The father has been changed into a harmless buffoon, his role in Beauty's imprisonment diminished into an accident of circumstance.
I am reminded of something Jane Yolen once said, lamenting the fate of another fairy tale at the hands of the Disney Studio. In my opinion, you bet we should. Illustration by Heath Robinson. East of the Sun and West of the Moon (online story at ifyoulovetoread.com) ONCE upon a time there was a poor husbandman who had many children and little to give them in the way either of food or clothing.
They were all pretty, but the prettiest of all was the youngest daughter, who was so beautiful that there were no bounds to her beauty. So once -- it was late on a Thursday evening in autumn, and wild weather outside, terribly dark, and raining so heavily and blowing so hard that the walls of the cottage shook again -- they were all sitting together by the fireside, each of them busy with something or other, when suddenly some one rapped three times against the window- pane. The man went out to see what could be the matter, and when he got out there stood a great big white bear. "Good-evening to you," said the White Bear. "Good-evening," said the man. "Will you give me your youngest daughter? " Tales Similar To Beauty and the Beast. Cupid and Psyche (A Version Written for Children) ONCE upon a time, through that Destiny that overrules the gods, Love himself gave up his immortal heart to a mortal maiden.
And thus it came to pass: -- There was a certain king who had three beautiful daughters. The two elder married princes of great renown; but Psyche, the youngest, was so radiantly fair that no suitor seemed worthy of her. People thronged to see her pass through the city, and sang hymns in her praise, while strangers took her for the very goddess of beauty herself. This angered Venus, and she resolved to cast down her earthly rival. "Come, Love," said Venus. Cupid made ready his weapons, and flew down to earth invisibly. Venus waited long; then, seeing that Psyche's heart had somehow escaped love, she sent a spell upon the maiden. Said the voice: "The Princess Psyche shall never wed a mortal. When she awoke, it was near sunset. "Never doubt me, dearest Psyche," said he.
"Zephyr shall bring them hither," said he.