What is a fairy tale? With Michael Rosen

Summary

In this video, Michael Rosen introduces the campaign 'Cook Up Your Own Fairytales,' encouraging viewers to create their own stories using the classic ingredients found in fairy tales and folk tales. He explores the key elements of these tales, such as enchanted objects, magical transformations, mysterious worlds, and memorable characters like talking animals and witches. Rosen emphasizes the power of these stories to teach lessons, warn of dangers, and inspire courage. The campaign invites participants to harness these ingredients and craft their own imaginative tales, sparking creativity and storytelling.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fairy tales and folktales are like recipes with various 'ingredients' that come together to form a complete story.
• 😀 These stories have been passed down for thousands of years through oral traditions, books, pictures, and various forms of performance like theatre and films.
• 😀 Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm were among the first to write down fairy tales, which have since been shared across the world with different variations.
• 😀 Stories like Cinderella, despite having different names in various languages, share similar structures but change depending on the culture.
• 😀 Fairy tales are set in imaginary worlds where anything can happen, and often feature magical or unusual elements.
• 😀 Common settings in fairy tales include forests, kitchens, and enchanted locations like the edible house in 'Hansel and Gretel.'
• 😀 Characters in fairy tales can be anything, from talking animals like Puss in Boots to witches, giants, and even enchanted objects.
• 😀 Magical items, like enchanted pumpkins or cooking pots, play a key role in fairy tales and are often the means to transform or move the story forward.
• 😀 Characters, particularly girls and boys, can be very powerful in these stories, overcoming adversity and defeating evil forces or oppressive figures.
• 😀 Fairy tales often contain warnings about bad behavior and encourage coping with fear or overcoming challenges, often focusing on the triumph of the small over the large.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the campaign 'Cook Up Your Own Fairytales'?

The campaign encourages individuals to create their own fairytales by using specific ingredients or elements commonly found in traditional folk and fairy tales, such as characters, enchanted objects, and imaginary worlds.

How are fairytales and folktales similar to recipes?

Fairytales and folktales can be seen as having ingredients, similar to a recipe. These ingredients could include settings, characters, enchanted objects, and transformations, all of which come together to create a unique story.

Who were some of the earliest people to write down fairytales?

Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm were among the first to write down fairytales, preserving them for posterity and introducing them to a wider audience.

How have fairytales evolved across cultures?

Fairytales have evolved and adapted across cultures, with different versions of stories appearing in various languages. For example, Cinderella is known by different names and has varying details depending on the cultural context, such as the Chinese version where the protagonist marries her professor.

Why are fairytales considered timeless and influential?

Fairytales are considered timeless because they have been passed down orally and through written forms for centuries, traveling across regions and cultures. They continue to be shared through books, films, and other media.

What are some common settings in fairytales?

Common settings in fairytales include magical or mysterious places like forests, which can be both scary and intriguing, as well as more ordinary settings like kitchens, as seen in stories like Cinderella.

What types of characters are commonly found in fairytales?

Fairytales feature a wide variety of characters, including talking animals (like Puss in Boots), witches, giants, princes, princesses, wise women, and other magical or ordinary figures.

What role do enchanted objects play in fairytales?

Enchanted objects in fairytales often play a crucial role in the story, such as magical pumpkins, cooking pots, or mirrors. These objects can trigger transformations, enable characters to overcome obstacles, or serve as important tokens of change.

How do transformations appear in fairytales?

Transformations are a key element in fairytales, with items or characters changing in magical ways. For example, a pumpkin becomes a carriage, a cooking pot heats itself up, and beans grow into a giant beanstalk leading to a world of giants.

What themes are often explored in fairytales?

Fairytales often explore themes such as overcoming fear, dealing with oppression, and the triumph of the 'little person' over larger, more powerful antagonists. They also serve as cautionary tales, warning against bad behavior and teaching valuable lessons.