Home of Julie.Anne.McRae and George.Brown
Childhood influence
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your golden hair.
And as soon as she had let down the marvelous golden ladder the Prince climbed up.
At first Rapunzel was terribly frightened when a man came in, for she had never seen one before. But the Prince spoke to her kindly and told her at once that his heart had been so touched by her singing he felt he should know no peace of mind till he had seen her. Very soon Rapunzel forgot her fear, and when he asked her to marry him she consented at once.
For, she thought, he is young and handsome, and I’ll certainly be happier with him than with the old witch.
Well who can argue with that logic?
A package from Ma arrived in the mail yesterday containing the 1967 Reader’s Digest “The World’s Best Fairy Tales” – a book I loved to read from the moment I knew how to read. When my best friend’s mother asked if I could read with her daughter and try to get her as interested in books as I was, this was the one to do it. (unfortunately, the transplant was rejected)
I know it had an impact on me. Just look at the style of the drawing. That is exactly how pictures appear in my head every time I pick up a pen or brush.
The book needs some repair. I’ll have to get it to the Scourge’s person to fix the binding and loose pages.
It’s full of pressed maple leaves, some still red. And one leaf I don’t recognize yet. I’ll have to look it up. And drawings of snowmen – I must have had a fascination one day – there are a dozen of them, drawn in felt marker, all through the book.
Blue Beard was nightmarish, The Goose Girl was admirable, Billy Beg was sad and who wouldn’t be scared straight by the fate of the naughty girl in The Red Shoes.
I’m very much looking forward to reading these all again. Thanks Ma!
8 Responses to “Childhood influence”
You are welcome!
for the book and for getting you reading at an early age. Although I don’t think I had a lot to do with that. You were ready!
PINK
What a great story and even better memories. Thanks, too, to Ma McRae for such foresight (Moms are like that). Hey JA, I just read a book called The Catcher Was A Spy you’d love; Google Moe Berg and see what comes up.
“Reading at an early age” is the reason I pulled the fire alarm at the School Board Open House.
Let that be a caution to hasty teachers!
I thought that book was supposed to be mine. Check the will!!
Cha!
Julie, the reason you pulled the alarm was because Mrs. Murray was holding you right there, hoping you’d pull it. She thought it was funny.
I pulled the alarm because it said “PULL”. I could read the word PULL
..she stood with her back to the alarm, with you draped over her shoulder, and she kept saying, “now don’t pull the alarm !”, while keeping you close to the handle. I don’t doubt you could read it, but you were double-talked into an early rap-sheet.