Fairy Tales of the Grimm Brothers

The Grimm brothers were born in Hanau, Germany in 1785/6. They collected these fairy tales over a period of 13 years. A farmer's wife, Frau Viehmnnin from the village Niederzwehrn near Kassel, related many of them. The first edition of the Grimm Brother's work was published in 1812-14 (Children- and Home Fairy Tales (Kinder- und Hausmrchen)). For generations these tales were passed on orally in the home and were regular enjoyments on holidays. Many have a hidden morale, some have a spiritual nature, and others are gruesome.The reader will discover many new tales; he will also find a few old friends. In all the familiar ones, the content has been altered from the original. Sometimes titles are incorrect, i.e., Cinderella, correctly translated Ash Poodle and Rapunzel (Rampion). The Grimm brothers wrote the stories as they were heard. They said, 'Each rendition of these tales, which takes away their simplicity, innocence, and modest purity, removes them from the circle in which they belong and where they may be enjoyed time and time again without boredom or monotony.' The translator has tried to maintain the purity and simplicity of the originals. Hopefully the reader will find much enjoyment in this simplicity.