Jacobs Fairy Tales

Title: Jack and the Beanstalk, Tom Thumb, Molly Whuppie, Cap O’ Rushes
Author: Joseph Jacobs
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
Copyright: 1959 by Virginia Haviland
Pages:88
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale

Summary: Cap O’Rushes
A king had three daughters and he wanted to know how much they each loved him. His youngest daughter didn’t give him a satisfactory answer so he threw her out. She wandered until she came upon a swamp, she made a sort of cloak to hide her fine clothes and then went to house to be a maid. Because she couldn’t tell them her name, they called her Cap O’ Rushes. One day there was to be a dance. The servants were allowed to go but she said she was too tired. Then once everyone left she got dressed and attended only to have the Master’s son fall in love with her. There were two more dances she attended but never revealed her identity. A the last dance he gave her a ring, but she went home. The Master’s son soon became sick with love over Cap o’ Rushes and she helped make the soup to make him better. In the soup she places the ring and when he finishes he sees it. He asks the cook who made it and the cook lies. Then Cap O’ Rushes is brought forward and she reveals herself. They are married and Cap o’ Rushes father attends. She has the entire meal made without salt and he father realizes that she did love him most after all. They’re reunited and lived happily ever after.

Recommendations:
I would recommend these fairy tales to someone who likes the traditional style fairy tales, and the Disney versions. Just as a comparison. Anyone who likes the main character to be clever and sometimes mischievous.

Problems?
They do tend to be somewhat violent.

My Reaction:
I liked these fairy tales, they were clever and sometimes witty. They weren’t the traditional damsel in distress. They thought for themselves and were able to overcome their obstacles with wisdom and cleverness.