Picture by daretoaffirm on Flickr
As a small child, I never had bedtime stories read to me. But I always had breakfast readings.
At 2 years old, my favourite fairy tale was "Little Red Riding Hood". My mum read it to me every morning as I ate my bread and butter and sipped my cup of milk. The best moment was always when the hunter cut the wolf's belly, and Gran and Little Red Riding Hood came out unscathed. I could let out a breath I didn't know I was holding: everything was fine and well.
At 2 years old, my favourite fairy tale was "Little Red Riding Hood". My mum read it to me every morning as I ate my bread and butter and sipped my cup of milk. The best moment was always when the hunter cut the wolf's belly, and Gran and Little Red Riding Hood came out unscathed. I could let out a breath I didn't know I was holding: everything was fine and well.
At 3 years old, my favourite breakfast reading was a small book with the story of Walt Disney's film "The Aristocats". (I've always loved kittens, you see). I ooh-ed and aah-ed at the most exciting moments. I learned the story by heart, page by page, and when my uncle came to visit us, I almost tricked him into believing I had learned to read all by myself.
Around 4 years old, my favourite fairy tale became "Snow White". Apparently I was too young to wait for the prince who would wake me with his kiss; my favourite characters were the dwarves, especially Dopey, because he was the smallest, and Grumpy, because all the others made fun of him and organized practical jokes behind his back.
What I loved in fairy tales was that they always ended the way I expected. They were safe, and made me feel safe enough to face the day. They were a part of the protection my mum gave me, together with my breakfast and my goodbye kiss as I went away to kindergarten. A small part of her love. And that's why I know I'll be reading fairy tales to my children, someday.
17 Comments:
"What I loved in fairy tales was that they always ended the way I expected. They were safe, and made me feel safe enough to face the day."
This is something that I often think about when reading fairy tales. Even though some can be very dark, they are regular, they are predictive, and in that sense they are reassuring.
For some reason, some part of me always look for reassurance when reading certain type of books. Fairy tales, romances... they're good because they're predictable, just as you said
I've just noticed that I made up a new word - "predictive". lol, I don't know where my head was :P
Guess what, I hadn't even noticed :)
What a great post! My mom used to read aloud to us (my sister and me) during breakfast too.
I read The Aristocats to my little girl too! She loved it (and the movie). She's 24 now and in school to be a veterinarian. See what a good fairy tale can do for you?
(jumped over from Bookworms Carnival)
Awww, that's such a sweet scene!
Reading through posts from the Bookworm Carnival's Fairy Tale entry is such fun. Breakfast readings of fairy tales is such a lovely activity!
What lovely memories. There is something wonderfully secure about knowing how the story is going to turn out.
how thoughtful of your mom. Love the picture that goes perfectly with your memory
What I loved in fairy tales was that they always ended the way I expected.
That is such a great point - you're right sometimes it is good for things to turn out the way you know they will - as it sure as heck never happens in real life! Just another good reason to escape to Happily Ever After Land!
I love the idea of reading to your children at breakfast! What a lovely post, and a lovely tribute to your mother.
I've never looked at it like that before...that fairy tales make me feel safe. Usually they are dark but there is usually a happy ending or you know how it's going to end. There's a comfort in knowing a tale so well. Thanks for sharing your memories.
I had tv and cartoons with my breakfast and I loved them, but probably fairytales would have been better! such a great idea...
I remember ,though, that it was my granny who used to tell me tales. She would make them up on the spot, and I would help her, or change them if I didn't think they were right. It's one of my fondest memory even if I can't remember even one of those stories!
What a wonderful idea to read first thing in the morning. I'm not a morning person so my kids usually get a dose of cartoons before I can get my act together. What a fun tradition.
I love the idea of reading during breakfast. I haven't tried it before, but I do watch cartoons with my daughter during breakfast. Looks like I've to try it one day... ;)
Oh my goodness, this is just the sweetest post! I've never thought of reading to my little guys at breakfast, but it seems like such a wonderful idea, a wonderful way to start the day.
I like the idea of reading to a child at breakfast! I should do that with my son.
I don't think the ending was always so nice in the original fairy tales, though. Stick with the Disney version if you want happy endings!
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