Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Czechoslovak Fairy Tales author: Parker Fillmore This rendering of some of the old Czechoslovak tales is not offered as a literal translation or a scholarly translation. I have retold the stories in a way that I hope will please American children. ..

Presents fifteen traditional tales from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including stories of witches, kings, and magic, and of virtuous and clever peasants who reap the rewards of their good deeds.

European Fairy Tales Series Vol 6 The Three Golden Hairs" is a fairy tale recorded from Czech storytellers in the 19th century. This book discusses several topics to help shed the historical and mythical insight into this tale. The early history of the Slavic people as well as their conversion to Christianity is explored. The phenomenon called "Dvoeverie," or the Slavic dual faith, is explained. We look at what is known about Slavic myth and how it lingered on in the folk consciousness. Further, the relationship between the ethnic-Germans and the Czechs is mentioned. Elements of Germanic myth found within this tale are overviewed, and differences between the Czech and German variations of the story are highlighted to discuss the evolution of myth and folklore. We will look at the figure of Baba Yaga, and how she makes an appearance in this tale - even though she appears very different here than in other fairy tales. Baba Yaga's origins as an ancient mother goddess is discussed. Other Slavic mythical elements that present in this text are also discussed. Finally, the book ends with the author's retelling of "The Three Golden Hairs." This volume is illustrated throughout.

Written in the early 1890s, before Czech independence and in an age of patriotic upsurge and romanticism, these thirty-four tales quite naturally reflect a glorification of the Czech past. While the details of the legends are necessarily archaic, peopled by kings and noblemen, ghosts and magic, the themes are universal. Now at the dawn of a new era of Czech independence, they provide a fascinating new perspective to the contemporary situation.

From the INTRODUCTION. The present collection is intended to exemplify the spirit of the Czech race. It may perhaps be objected that folk-tale themes are part of a common stock belonging to all European races, and even to many primitive peoples: but though this is perfectly true, it is also no less certain that the spirit of the nation manifests itself in the manner of their telling. The selection has been made from all sorts of folk tales, artistic and primitive alike; and yet two things are common to all of them: the moral tendency and a sense of humour. By this I do not mean morality in the vulgar sense of retribution for evil, or of filial devotion, or the sentimental insistence upon "" every one living happily ever afterwards,"" and above all upon Jack marrying his Molly. I mean that higher sort of morality which was the mainspring of Protestantism....

This delightful collection makes the rich but little-known Slovak folk culture available for English-language readers. Most of the fifty tales assembled here from the collections of folklorist Pavol Dobsinsky are translated into English for the first time. The poetic qualities of the originals have been carefully preserved. The general reader will enjoy these tales immensely, and students will find an insightful introduction to the genres of the folktale and the specifics of Slovak tales. For expert readers, all of the tales have been classified according to the Aarne-Thompson index, and many include short commentaries that draw on the work of Viera Gasparikova.