Once upon a time, on the edge of a great forest, there lived a very poor woodcutter with his wife and his two children, Hansel and Gretel. His second wife often ill-treated the children and was forever nagging the woodcutter. The family had little enough to eat, and once there was a great famine in the land the man could no longer even get them their daily bread. (Published 1812) I love the classics and plan to share some "opening lines" over the coming months. Comment if you like, or read for inspiration. Writing styles were different then, but were they really?
Such a classic, for sure! Can't help but love fairytales... :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think kids read these anymore....not sure.
DeleteI remember that from my cnhildhood, a real classic.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
My memory too..... read to me.
DeleteI love the Grimm Fairy tales and have a few versions. Originally it was not a step mother but their actual mother. I have been meaning to reread them(love Jorenda and Jorendel)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that, but of course, there would be a lot of versions.
DeleteIt's been a long time since I've read those lines. Ironically the last time I heard them was on TV clip from "Fractured Fairy Tales." Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteHi Dixie! Forgot about that series. It was more for adults than kids I think.
DeleteThat opening line reminds me of how things are starting to get that way again.
ReplyDeleteGary
Good point, Gary. Scary indeed!
DeleteIt's a pretty scary story.
ReplyDeleteYes, scared me too as a little girl.
DeleteSuch opening lines, I can feel the tension in them already - but SOMETHING has to happen ... :) Such is the value of fairy tales. I like Grimms better than Hand Christian Anderson .. they're not sugar coated. Thanks Sharon! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteReading this, I'm thinking this was pretty scary for kids. There were all those other underlying themes in fairy tales too, aimed at adults. I wish I had time to read more of Grimm's.
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