Folktales

A variant of the mythology frame is to take a children’s story or folktale that you heard a lot as a child, or one which you come across as an adult which strikes you as full of layers worth exploring.

As a child I had Italo Calvino’s collection of Italian Folktales, as well as some Mother Goose, Hans Christian Anderson, and Brothers Grimm available to me.

When I was a bit older, I read more of the Grimm originals as part of unpacking my family history. The song below plays with the story of Hansel and Gretel, and the deep terror of knowing that the ones who are supposed to take care of you, are out to get you.

My invitation to you: what creepy, darling, or dreamy folktale could you play with, making a piece that plays with its imagery?

Lyrics:

It's dark and dangerous in the forest, it's dark and dangerous in the wild, wild woods. Send out the children, so unsuspecting, or else they'll eat us out of house and home.

They tied the axe tight to sapling green limbs, I hear the axe fall, the trees are whipping in the wind. We're all alone now, see the geese rise, my only mother, my only father. 

The stones are moon-white, lit up by moonlight. Come, let us follow, sister, hold my hand. The stones are moonlight, lit up by moon-white. Come, let us follow sister, hold my hand. 

They sent us out, told us to dream big, we lay down, even knowing what would come.

It’s dark and dangerous in the forest. It’s dark and dangerous in the wild, wild woods.

~~

Thumbnail image respectfully lifted from Patrick Benson’s illustrations for North: the Amazing Story of Arctic Migration by Nick Dowson