We’ve compiled a great list of fairytales–told from the original story makers like the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and Aesop’s Fables. Whether you’re five or fifty-five, you’re never too old to enjoy a wonderful story. What are your favorite fairytales?
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen (1844)
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The Snow Queen was published in 1844 and loosely inspired the 2013 hit, Frozen. The story tells the events that ensue after an evil troll creates a magic mirror that distorts everything it reflects. When the mirror breaks, it can get into people’s hearts and eyes so that their hearts freeze and everything they see is ugly.
Cinderella by Charles Perrault (1697) and the Brothers Grimm (1812)
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Cinderella, or The Glass Slipper, changes its title depending on the language. Cendrillon—by Perrault—follows the story many are familiar with, instilling that graciousness is a priceless attribute. The Grimm fairytale is, well…a bit grimmer. Although the outcome for Aschenputtel (aka Cinderella) is the same, doves peck out her stepsister’s eyes at the wedding. The Brothers Grimm version is similar to the story apapted for Into the Woods, the musical-turned-movie.
Snow White published by the Brothers Grimm (1812)
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The well-known fairytale tells the story of Snow White who, hated by her jealous stepmother (her mother in the Brothers Grimm version), lives in a house with dwarfs until her mother/stepmother tries to poison her for being the “fairest of them all”. Unfortunately for the wicked mother, Snow White is revived by her prince and lives happily ever after. As with all Grimm fairytales—there is an unfortunate part that involves the stepmother dancing to her death.
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen (1837)
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The Little Mermaid is one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most popular works and is about a mermaid’s desire to live as a human with an eternal soul and marry a prince. She trades her tongue—and therefore her speech—for legs to be able to walk on the land. While the whole thing doesn’t exactly work out for her, she does earn a soul because of her good deeds.
Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont (1756)
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The French fairytale focuses on the relationship between Belle and the Beast. Belle’s father was caught stealing a rose from the Beast’s garden, and in return is forced to come back to the castle. Belle goes as prisoner in her father’s place and the Beast asks her to marry him repeatedly. Eventually they fall in love and the beast turns into a handsome prince—showing that love is much more than outside appearance.
Rumpelstiltskin published by the Brothers Grimm (1812)
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Rumpelstiltskin appears to help a miller’s daughter spin straw into gold after the king demands it. Always wanting to make a trade, the daughter agrees to give Rumpelstiltskin her first born child. After marrying the king and producing a child, he comes to claim his prize. He tells her that if she can guess his name in three days, then she can keep the child. This tale has been translated many times and most recently adapted for the popular television show Once Upon A Time.
Rapunzel published by the Brothers Grimm (1812)
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There are many popular versions of this story, but a common one tells of a man and a women who are forced to give their child to the witch Dame Gothel, who names her Rapunzel and locks her in a tower in the woods. A prince hears her singing and eventually asks her to marry him. After accidentally revealing her relationship with the prince, Dame Gothel causes the prince to fall into a thicket of thorns—blinding himself. However, he and Rapunzel are eventually reunited and her tears heal his sight.
Hansel and Gretel published by the Brothers Grimm (1812)
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In this Grimm fairytale, Hansel and Gretel get lost in the forest and end up at a gingerbread house owned by an evil witch. The witch fattens Hansel up to eat, but Gretel is able to get to her first—pushing her into the oven and escaping with her brother.
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen (1843)
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The story about personal development is another great fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. A bird perceived to be ugly by everyone he meets, wanders around never quite finding his place in the world. After a long winter, and no longer a child, the bird emerges to find out that he was a beautiful swan all along.
The Tortoise and the Hare by Aesop’s Fables
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The ‘slow and steady wins the race’ fairytale accounts an unfair race between the slow tortoise and the speedy hair. So confident in his win, the hare takes a nap mid-race, and the tortoise ends up winning. The tale teaches readers to not be overconfident.