The World's Best Fairy Tales

A collection of sixty-nine well-known fairy tales from around the world, translated and gathered by recognized contributors to the field of folklore.

Fairy Tales and other folk tales are among the oldest works of man. The most ancient stories in this book probably originated in Asia, then passed through Europe and Africa. And every people adapted the tales to their own life, shifting the details to fit local customs. Worn smooth by ages of telling, the stories acquired that distinctive conciseness of form and rapidity of movement which are among their principal charms.--Excerpt of Introduction..Pg. 5