The World's Best Fairy Tales

the long version

***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***