What Are
The Fairy Tales?

24 Famous Fairy Tales

What are the fairy tales? The following stories are among the best-known fairy tales.

Where do Fairy Tales come from?

Fairy tales originate from the ancient oral storytelling traditions of diverse cultures worldwide. They began as folklore, legends, and myths and then evolved into mesmerizing stories performed in theater, penned in literature, adapted in film and television, and narrated through the ages.

Here is a selection of our favorite fairy tales. Just click on any link below to read our page about that fairy tale!

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What Are The Fairy Tales?

1. The Story of Peter Pan instantly draws us into the world of eternal childhood, enchanting adventures, and magical happenings. Created by Scottish novelist J.M. Barrie, this timeless classic has warmed hearts and fueled imaginations since its inception.

One could argue we've never really grown up because somewhere, deep down, we all still believe in the magic of Peter Pan. Read our page about the story of Peter Pan.

2. Peter Pan Characters in the Story by J. M. Barrie.

Peter has many personality traits that are not very nice. He is boastful, cocky and careless, and is always telling everyone how great he is. He has a wild "devil may care" attitude.

That said, one of his strongest good qualities is that he is a very brave young man when facing danger. He says "To die will be an awfully big adventure".  Read our page about the characters in Peter Pan.

Peter Pan

3. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll.

First published in 1865, the story follows the adventures of a young girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world called Wonderland. The story is filled with peculiar characters and strange events, making it a beloved classic in children's literature.  Read our page about Alice in Wonderland.

4. Alice In Wonderland Characters.

This page is about the characters in Alice In Wonderland, and includes some of the important events from the Alice's Adventures In Wonderland Fairy Tale by Lewis Carroll. Included on the page are a few Alice In Wonderland illustrations. Read our Alice in Wonderland characters.

Alice in Wonderland

What Are The Fairy Tales?

5. Cinderella.

 A Cinderella story with many versions, sometimes called "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale, from the oral tales, about unjust oppression and a fantastic reward to the downtrodden girl. Read our page on Cinderella.

6. Aesop Fables

Aesop Fables was written by a Greek fabulist and storyteller who is believed to have lived around the 6th century BCE.

Although not much is known about his life, he is famous for his collection of fables, which are short stories that typically feature animals as the main characters and convey a moral lesson.

These fables, known as Aesop's Fables, have been retold and adapted throughout history and remain popular today for their timeless wisdom and engaging storytelling. Read our page on Aesop's fables.

7.  Little Mermaid

Little mermaid is a fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen. The title of this Fairytale in Danish is "Den lille havfrue". This translates into "the little Seawoman", literally.

It is the story of a mermaid that wants to become human like the Prince that she loves. She wants this so much that she is willing to give up everything so that she may be with her prince. Read our page about the little mermaid.

8. Little Red Riding Hood is a very popular fairy tale about a young girl meeting a wolf while delivering a cake to her Grandmother. The origins of the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale trace back to oral versions from various European countries. They very likely came before the 17th century.

Several versions exist, some quite a bit different from the Grimms-inspired version. French peasants told the story in the 14th century. It was also told in Italy, where La finta nonna (The False Grandmother) and other versions exist. Read our page about Little Red Riding Hood.

Little Red Riding Hood

What Are The Fairy Tales?

9. The Princess and the Pea was published in 1835 by C. A. Reitzel. The tale probably originated from folklore stories told in Sweden. It was not well received by critics as it seemed to lack any morals for a child's tale.

In spite of this, Andersen's story became the most well-known and widely circulated version, it is believed that he drew inspiration from existing Scandinavian folktales. Read our page about the princess and the pea.

10. The Rapunzel fairytale is a classic story that has captivated audiences for centuries.

It is an enchanting tale of a beautiful girl with extraordinarily long hair who is imprisoned in a tower by an evil witch.

While the story has been adapted and retold numerous times, its origins and the history behind its authors are just as fascinating as the tale itself. We delve into the roots of Rapunzel, its various versions, the authors behind the famous re-tellings, and the enduring impact of the story on our collective imagination.

Read our Rapunzel fairytale page.

Rapunzel in her tower

11. The Red Shoes (Danish: De røde sko), written by Hans Christian Andersen, is a fairytale about a poor young girl named Karen who becomes obsessed with a pair of red shoes she has acquired. The red shoes are magical and, once worn, force the wearer to dance uncontrollably.

Read our page about the Red Shoes fairy tale.

The Red Shoes

What Are The Fairy Tales?

12. The Story of Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen has mesmerized readers since its first appearance in 1835.

The tale has firmly established itself as a cornerstone in the literary world of fairy tales. Its enduring appeal rests not only on its vivid characters and intricate plot but also on its timeless messages.

Read our page on the story of Thumbelina.

13. The Ugly Duckling Story is a cherished fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. First published in 1843, the tale is often considered semi-autobiographical, mirroring Andersen's own experiences of feeling different and alienated in his early life. The story has since permeated global culture, translated into numerous languages, and adapted into various media, including film, television, theater, and even ballet.

Read our page about the Ugly Duckling story.

14. Rumpelstiltskin is a German fairy tale written down by the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, in their famous book "Grimms' Fairy Tales" (1812).

The story has been passed down through oral tradition and has appeared in various forms across different cultures, with the Rumpelstiltskin character appearing under different names. The tale has since been adapted into numerous plays, movies, and television shows, and it remains a popular story in modern times.

Read our page about Rumpelstiltskin.

15. Puss in Boots Fairy Tale: This is a story that has captivated audiences for centuries. While this tale has been told and retold in many variations across different cultures, it is Charles Perrault's version that stands as the most recognized.

So, how did this captivating tale come to be, and why has it captured the hearts and imaginations of so many for so long? Read our page about Puss in boots to explore the tale’s intriguing origins, its plot nuances, and the impact it has had on literature and culture.

16. The Frog Prince: In a kingdom cloaked by the shadows of thick trees and glistening waters, our story bounds forth with an ordinary frog. Yet, as fate would have it, this frog was not always so croaky and green. A poison kiss transformed him against his will into a bewildered prince.

The tale of The Frog Prince has a legacy that stretches back centuries, living through the voices of numerous storytellers. It's whispered that the story hails from Europe's olden times, a time when fairy tales were concocted, not only for amusement, but also for imparting wisdom. The story as we know it today was first ensnared in ink by none other than the Brothers Grimm. Read our Frog Prince page here.

Goldilocks

17. Goldilocks.  From our childhood memories, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" is a story that captured our curiosity, and sometimes reminded us of unintended results. Goldilocks is a 19th-century English fairy tale which has three versions.

The original version of the tale tells of an ugly old woman who enters the home of three bachelor bears while they are away. She eats some of their porridge, sits down on one of their chairs, breaks it, and sleeps in one of their beds. When the bears return and discover her, she wakes up, jumps out of the window, and is never seen again.

Read our page about the Goldilocks tale.

18. The Pinocchio Story.  In Tuscany, Italy, a carpenter named Master Antonio finds a log that he plans to carve into a table leg. However, after being frightened when the log cries out, he gives it to his neighbor Geppetto who wants to carve a puppet from it and make a living as a traveling puppeteer.

He carves a boy and names him "Pinocchio". Once the puppet is finished and Geppetto teaches him to walk, Pinocchio runs out the door and into the town, where he is caught by a Carabiniere, who assumes Pinocchio has been mistreated and imprisons Geppetto.  Read our page about the Pinocchio story.

What Are The Fairy Tales?

19. The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who, along with her dog Toto, is whisked away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. In her quest to return home, she follows the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to seek help from the mysterious Wizard of Oz.

Along the way, Dorothy meets a trio of unforgettable characters — the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion — each wanting something from the Wizard: a brain, a heart, and courage. Together, they face many challenges. As they go toward the city, they meet good witches, evil witches, and a lot magical creatures.  Read our page about the Wizard of Oz.

20. Hansel and Gretel. The tale of Hansel and Gretel is much more than a simple story for children; it's a story rich in history, and lessons that are as relevant today as they were hundreds of years ago.

Hansel and Gretel is a well-known German folk tale that's captured the imagination of children and adults alike for generations. The story is a cautionary tale about the dangers that can lurk in unexpected places, and it serves as a lesson on surviving and clever thinking. Read our page about Hansel and Gretel.

Hansel and Gretel

21. In the Alice In Wonderland Tea Party, also known as the Mad Hatter Tea Party, you may recall Alice as she is going down the rabbit hole into the fantasy world that confounds the senses, challenges the rules of logic, and turns social norms on their heads.

In this world, Alice finds herself taking part in a tea party that is as absurd yet delightful. Read our page about this tea party.

22. The Beauty and the Beast Story, loved by so many, has been told the world over. Explore this enchanting tale’s history to reveal its origins…Who wrote the original Beauty and the Beast Story?

The immediate source of the material was a collection of tales by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot, Dame de Villeneuve (1695-1755) entitled "La Jeune Ameriquaine et les Contes Marins" (1740). It was over one hundred pages long and involved a ‘stupid’ Beast, who suffered from more than just his change of appearance.

Read our page on the Beauty and the Beast.

23. The Story of Three Little Pigs. This is a fascinating exploration of one of the world's most beloved fairy tales—the "Three Little Pigs." A story that has captivated audiences young and old, it's a narrative that transcends mere entertainment, embedding itself deeply in our culture and collective psyche. Let's delve into the history, variations, and enduring legacy of this time-honored tale.

Read our page about the Three Little Pigs.

24. The Real Story of Sleeping Beauty is a classic fairy tale with ancient origins, existing in various forms across different times and countries.

The earliest known version of Sleeping Beauty can be traced back to the story "Perceforest," a French romance first printed in 1528, but the story itself is believed to date back to the 14th century.

The relevant story from "Perceforest" involves Zellandine, a princess, who falls in love with a knight named Troylus. However, before they can marry, Troylus must leave for a nine-year war. During his absence, Zellandine falls into an enchanted sleep. When Troylus returns, he finds Zellandine asleep and is unable to wake her.

Read our page on The Sleeping Beauty.

We hope you have enjoyed our list of the 24 major fairy tales, in answer to the question "What are the Fairy Tales?"

May 29 2025.

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