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published back in the 1800s. I don't know the title of the fairy tale. However, I thought it captured the essence of fairy tales from the past in general.This innocent young child sleeps peacefully as vague shadowy danger lurks close-by. Her room is decorated with all things good and nice, yet any child after having this tale read to them will go to bed frightened by the unknown, frightened by shadows, afraid to sleep too soundly even if their room is ideal, safe, and cozy.
I recall reading all the fairy tale classics in a red Collier's Encyclopedia
children's edition collection my father bought when I was just starting first grade. At first I would lay in bed and just look at the fascinating illustrations and create my own stories. After I learned to read, of course, the illustrations took on a whole new meaning and it was always, without exception, frightening.
How many children (as I did) looked into the bedroom at night and tried to jump on the bed from about three feet away so the monster under the bed could not grab our feet and pull us into the dark unknown under the bed. I could jump from five feet away.
My parents only laughed when I said a monster was under my bed and thought it was cute the way I'd jump from a distance into bed. But they did not believe it was necessary to rid me of the fear itself by looking under my bed.
Without those frightening (yet encouraged to read by parents) fairy tales, I may never have experienced fear. Was that the idea -- teach little children fear.
