The Fairy by Charles Perrault (1697)
A widow has two daughters: the elder is proud and disagreeable, resembling her mother, while the younger is kind, beautiful, and virtuous, resembling her late father. The mother favors the elder and mistreats the younger, forcing her to do all the household chores. One day, while fetching water, the younger daughter meets a poor woman, who is actually a fairy in disguise. Impressed by the girl's kindness, the fairy grants her a gift: every word she speaks will produce flowers or jewels. When the girl returns home, her mother is astonished by the treasures that come from her mouth and decides to send the elder daughter to the fountain to gain a similar gift. The elder, however, is rude to the fairy, who then curses her to produce snakes and toads instead. The elder daughter returns home, causing her mother to blame the younger sister for the misfortune. The younger girl flees to the forest, where she meets a prince who is captivated by her beauty and the jewels she produces. He marries her, recognizing her worth. Meanwhile, the elder daughter becomes increasingly despised and eventually dies alone in the woods. The story contrasts kindness and rudeness, illustrating the consequences of one's character and actions.
By Charles Perrault · First published 1697 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 1,230 words
First lines
Once upon a time there was a widow who had two daughters. The elder was so much like her, both in looks and character, that whoever saw the daughter saw the mother. They were both so disagreeable and so proud that there was no living with them. The younger, who was the very picture of her father for sweetness of temper and virtue, was withal one of the most beautiful girls ever seen. As people naturally love their own likeness, this mother doted on her elder daughter, and at the same time had a great aversion for the younger. She made her eat in the kitchen and work continually.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fairy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Charles Perrault, dated 1697 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Charles Perrault
- Date: 1697 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature
- Length: 1,230 words
- Structure: 1 section, 26 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fairy by Charles Perrault
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Fairy?
- How does this short story by Charles Perrault fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Ridiculous Wishes by Charles Perrault
- Little One Eye Little Two Eyes And Little Three Eyes by Dinah Mulock
- Little Red Riding Hood by Dinah Mulock
- Little Red Riding Hood by Charles Perrault
- The Yellow Dwarf by Dinah Mulock
- The Princess And Curdie by George Macdonald
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The title itself declares it to be a fairy tale and Charles Perrault is famous for his fairy stories. Furthermore, the story is about a fairy granting wishes, a common theme in fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The premise involving a magical fairy and her ability to alter reality fits in the Fantasy genre.
- Children's Literature — Charles Perrault's tales, including 'The Fairy', are often targeted towards children, featuring moral lessons and fantastic elements.
Tags
fairy tale · magic · fantasy · morality · adventure · children's literature · good vs evil · transformation · wish fulfillment · imagination · mythical creatures · happily ever after