We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”
About French Author Madame d’Aulnoy:
While known as Madame d’Aulnoy or Countess d’Aulnoy, her full name was Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, Baroness d’Aulnoy. She could have served as a spy in Holland, Spain, and England. She wrote many travel memoirs that could have been fact…but are suspected to be created adventures instead. She published 12 books, but her collections of fairy tales were the most popular. The featured story below known usually at “The Good Little Mouse” has been retold by many people who sometimes rename it “The Queen and the Mouse.”
50-word-or-less summary
Enemy King imprisoned Queen and baby girl. Lived off three peas/day. Queen gave one pea to mouse. Roast/meal from mouse! Queen gave peas each day. Meals. Old woman wished to eat mouse. Queen refused despite woman’s offer to help. Fairy in disguise as mouse and old woman. Rescued!
Finding the Story:
Digital Story – “The Queen and the Mouse” – here
Book – The Queen and the Mouse – here
Blog Post – “The Little Good Mouse” – here
Project Gutenberg – “The Little Good Mouse” found in The Red Fairy Book – here
Book – “The Little Good Mouse” found in The Red Fairy Book – here
Digital Story – “Fairy Tales by the Countess d’Aulnoy/The good little Mouse” – here
Finding the “Fantastic”:
The imprisoned Queen always looked for ways to protect her baby daughter. She continuously thought of the girl’s future and took life one day at a time. When the Fairy declared to the Enemy King that this baby girl would be a worthy bride for his son, this was an act of mercy from the Fairy to give this Queen comfort. Had the Fairy said the opposite, the King would have killed both the Queen and the baby.
The Fairy returns…but not in the typical way. The Fairy disguises as the mouse as well as the old woman later on. The Fairy is used to being taken advantage of due to her magic and the blessings she could bestow on others. When the Fairy tests the kindness of the Queen, the Fairy finds that the Queen will give even one of the precious peas to the mouse. The Queen even protects the mouse when the Old Woman (also the Fairy) wants to eat the mouse in exchange for helping the Queen.
Despite the Queen spending almost the whole story imprisoned, she continues to be tenderhearted rather than becoming hopeless or hardened. That’s…fantastic!
Recommended Article:
Want to learn more about Madame d’Aulnoy? Then read this article entitled “Madame d’Aulnoy, the mysterious fairy‑tale queen” written by Jack Zipes.
Thoughts?
Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.
As for our past A to Z Challenges…
Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival
Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.