Children's Tales

INNOCENT ONES may possess much curiosity, and rational thinking seems unbearable to some of them. If so, it often has to do with not being ready for it. Rational thinking comes in stages, it has been shown, and may be fed or nurtured somewhat undercover beforehand through nice images and tales alike. It can be a nice way of working with the mind on its own inherent terms, and thus serve the young ones well.
And contrary to that, it may not serve a child or youngster to force rational thinking (intellectual thinking) bluntly. This is the outlook of Waldorf education and a parent who cares. It is good to nurture the mind inside much on its own premises. Much and good growth (development) can be had from it.
Well hiden inside folk tales are instigations to enterprises and venturing into the world a bit too. A little boldness may be helped up through the finest tales of folk art. Good folk tales help in laying a groundwork for coming intellectual attainments as well, due to the very good ideas that are embedded in them, dressed in various images and actions, figures to half-identify with for a spell.
Maybe we can all learn something from fairy tales, for there may be an open-ended string of ideas of attainments to catch, if we accept these premises.
Tormod Kinnes

A White Duck in a Beaver's Pond

A comment to a fairy tale

THE GREAT king of the woods (bear) sat down on a hillside one day and scratched his head for a little while. Then he waved his forepaws and grunted to the crowd that assembled in front of him,
"Those who love the limelight and perform for the crowd, should not overstretch so that they start "swimming" instead of having their feet on the ground somehow. Young Woman was compromising somhow. Excelling due to the status and fine situation given her from her husband, she became vulnerable to being clawed at. You should go for sane skills instead.
"Be yourself" as a wide counsel does not run over a need to develop handling skills as an example to good youngsters and children. There is a great need up north for intimate caresses, hugs, TA strokes and tact. Flatterers may change a fair woman into some "hag", if the strokes of flatterers hurt one's innate feelings that may be "asleep". Thank you all for listening so well, and go in peace."
Then he lay down and snored for some months.
[THE TALE]

How to help ducks and geese to a better life

Literature
Aarne, Antti. The Types of the Folktale: A Classification and Bibliography. Translated and Enlarged by Stith Thompson. 2nd rev. ed. Helsinki: Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia / FF Communications, 1961.
Ashliman, D. L.: A Guide to Folktales in the English Language. New York: Greenwood, 1987.
Hodne, Ørnulf: The Types of the Norwegian Folktale. Bergen: Universitetsforlaget, 1984.

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