Yesterday I went to the library not having a list or a specific idea of what I wanted. I just knew I needed to be there. I felt a sharp pull to walk towards an aisle in the back and when I saw where I was I couldn't help but laugh.
I found myself standing in front of one of the largest collections of fairy tale volumes I've ever found in a small town library. Impressive. I smiled because I know one of my strong woman mother guides was giving me an order.
I'm a fairytale girl from way back. I even contemplated taking a couple of years off to do research for a book on how fairy tale symbolism applies to our lives today, but the wallets called louder and so that's path I took. However, every now and then I get a pang in my heart for more stories. The interesting thing is until that moment in the library, I hadn't even recognized what I'd been feeling lately...the need to go to a place where I understand things. I get fairy tales. I get the symbolism and I get the language. I see the surface story, but also the hidden meaning equally.
I remember explaining a Japanese fairy tale to my teacher Mrs. Gardner. I loved her and thought I was being very polite to not criticize as she interpreted the story she'd just read aloud to the class. I waited until after school and as the classroom was emptying I asked her if "maybe she really meant to say..." about the Asian princess. When I was done, she put her hand on my shoulder and smiled and said, "I'm not sure this third grade teacher was prepared for you Laura. I can see you'll keep me on my toes." I knew she meant it in a good way unlike how she meant it when I wouldn't stop chattering with my neighbor during class and she yelled something horrible at me about no one being interested in what I had to say!
Anyway, yesterday I began looking through the volumes and Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters popped out at me.
Kathleen Ragan was inspired to begin the book when she was looking for stories with strong female characters to read to her daughter and was dismayed to come up short. As much as I love Grimm fairy tales, they are sanitized and often the female characters are dependant on others for rescue. I understand why a mother might seek out stories that depicts the girls or women as witty, clever and smart and not always rescued by men.
I love the line on the back of the book, "...she has scoured the world in search of extraordinary tales about heroines who are bright, adventurous, delightful and talented." Honestly, these are four of my favorite words! If I had to make a wishlist of qualities to embody, these would be the ones! I strive to be my own heroine and while I often come up short, I will say that my sense of the story of my life has gotten me through some very difficult times.
One of my favorite fairy tales is Selkie related...Sealskin/Soulskin. I love the symbolism about how sometimes you must sacrifice things dear to you in order to be your truest self.
Do you have any favorite fairy tales?
