English Fairy Tales - Penn State University

English Fairy TalesHere it is the simpler Sphinx form of the “riddle task,” onwhich see Köhler in Jahrb. rom. Phil., vii. 273, and onGonzenbach, 215.XXIV. . GOLDEN ARM.Source.—Henderson, l.c., p. 338, collected by the Rev. S.Baring-Gould, in Devonshire. Mr. Burne-Jones remembershearing it in his youth in Warwickshire.For similar “surprise packets” see Cosquin, ii. 77.Remarks.—It is doubtful how far such gruesome topics shouldbe introduced into a book for children, but as a matter offact the katharsis of pity and terror among the little ones is aseffective as among the spectators of a drama, and they takethe same kind of pleasant thrill from such stories. They knowit is all make-believe just as much as the spectators of a tragedy.Every one who has enjoyed the blessing of a romanticimagination has been trained up on such tales of wonder.Parallels.—The first fragment at the end of Grimm (ii. 467,of Mrs. Hunt’s translation), tells of an innkeeper’s wife whohad used the liver of a man hanging on the gallows, whoseghost comes to her and tells her what has become of his hair,and his eyes, and the dialogue concludes“SHE: Where is thy liver?IT: Thou hast devoured it!”XXV. TOMTHUMB.Source.—From the chap-book contained in Halliwell, p. 199,and Mr. Hartland’s English Folk and Fairy Tales. I have omittedmuch of the second part.Parallels.—Halliwell has also a version entirely in verse. “TomThumb” is “Le petit Poucet” of the French, “Daumling” of160