New Illustrated Fairy Tales
by Angus W. Mrs. Hall
Leo and the Big Giants
Once there was a little boy named Leo. He had a good friend, Lily. Leo liked Lily very much. They played games together every day. Lily was kind. Leo cared for Lily. He always wanted her to be happy. They laughed a lot. Leo thought she was a good friend.
One day, Lily played near her home. Three big, grumpy giants came. Giant Grumpy was very loud. Giant Stubborn stood very still. Giant Sleepy yawned a big yawn. They took Lily away. Lily looked very sad. Leo saw them take his friend. He felt very sad.
Leo wanted Lily back. He decided to find her. He walked to a strange land. It was a big new place. Big trees stood tall. Strange rocks lay around. Leo felt brave. He walked a long way. He looked for Lily.
Leo saw the three giants. They were very big. Giant Grumpy stood there. He looked very cross. He said, "You cannot pass!" Giant stood still. He said, "I will not let you!" Giant sat down. He closed his eyes. He said, "Who cares?" Lily was with them. She looked very small.
Leo felt a little scared. Then, a big bird flew near. It was a Griffin. It had one eye. The Griffin was wise. It looked at Leo. It said, "Be brave, little one." It said, "Keep trying always." The Griffin gave Leo a stone. Leo felt strong now. He held the stone tight.
Leo looked at the giants. He remembered the Griffin's words. He held his shiny stone. He did not fight them. Leo just kept walking. He walked past Giant Grumpy. Giant Grumpy grumbled. He walked past Giant Stubborn. Giant Stubborn stomped his foot. He walked past Giant Sleepy. Giant Sleepy yawned a lot. The giants did not know what to do. They just stood there. Leo was clever. He walked to Lily.
Lily was very happy. Leo took her hand. They walked home together. The giants stayed behind. Leo was brave. He kept trying. He saved his friend. It is good to be brave. It is good to try hard.
Original Story
New Illustrated Fairy Tales.
*Uniform in size and style with this volume.*
In large crown 8vo, art linen, gilt lop, or cloth gill, bevelled boards.
**THE ONE-EYED GRIFFIN, and other Fairy Tales.** A Series of Original Stories by Herbert E. Inman, with numerous Illustrations by E. A. Mason.
This book contains several stories in addition to “The One-Eyed Griffin,” which is the chief item among them. This narrative is that of a little boy who enters into the realms of fabulous monsters, where he encounters the giants Can’t, Won’t, and Don’t Care, into whose terrible clutches has fallen the lady of his heart. With the aid of the One-Eyed Griffin he succeeds in overcoming them, and the story continues, in allegorical fashion, to detail the difficulties which befall the diminutive hero. The illustrations are singularly happy in their delineation of the subject, and will win the affections of the youthful circle for whose benefit the volume has been produced.
Grimms’ Goblins.
These famous stories, collected by the brothers Grimm in the fertile and imaginative field of their native land, have an ever-growing number of readers, to whom this edition with its clear type and lavish illustration will at once commend itself.
Grimms’ Fairy Tales.
Full of incident and wonderful adventure, these popular tales are here presented in a garb that assures a hearty welcome from all who delight in finding really high-class children’s literature, issued in a thoroughly attractive and up-to-date style.
Andersen’s Tales for the Young.
Amongst all the various editions of Andersen’s popular tales, none will be found to surpass this edition for fidelity in translation, fineness of text, and excellence of get-up. The boy or girl who receives it as a gift is not to be satisfied with books if not charmed with such a present.
Andersen’s Fairy Tales.
To the insatiable appetite for stories, which is a never-failing attribute of the young, no better food can be found than this book affords. The tales are world-wide favourites, known to nursery-land of all nations, and discussed in that realm with all the seriousness and circumstance that attaches to personages actually existent.
Holme Lee’s Fairy Tales.
Is a narrative of the wonderful life and adventures of Tuflongbo. When he grows up, he goes on a great journey, falls into the hands of giants, amongst whom his many escapes are recorded, until he finally puts off his shoes and vanishes into shadowland.
Prince Ubbely Bubble’s Fairy Tales.
The favourite themes of childhood are here, in a series of fascinating stories, of which the first is “The Perseverance of Prince Ubbely Bubble,” and amongst numerous other tales are told those of “The Six Goblin Eggs,” “Tom and the Ogre,” “The Adventures of John, the son of Jack the Giant Killer,” etc.
The Old, Old Fairy Tales.
The well-known favourites “Puss in Boots,” “The White Cat,” “Tom Thumb,” and others are comprised in this collection, which embraces, as its name implies, all the oft-told tales.
London: FREDERICK WARNE & CO., and New York.
Moral of the Story
Perseverance and courage can help one overcome even the most formidable challenges.
Characters
The Little Boy ★ protagonist
Small in stature, with a youthful and perhaps slightly naive build, typical of a young boy embarking on an adventure. His exact height and build are not specified, but he is described as 'diminutive hero'.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a young boy, perhaps a tweed jacket, knickerbockers, and sturdy boots, reflecting a late Victorian or Edwardian English setting. Colors would be muted, like browns, greys, or blues.
Wants: To rescue the 'lady of his heart' from the giants and overcome the difficulties that befall him.
Flaw: His diminutive size and initial inexperience in the 'realms of fabulous monsters'.
Transforms from a 'little boy' into a 'diminutive hero' who overcomes great obstacles through bravery and aid.
Brave, determined, loving (motivated by the 'lady of his heart'), persistent, and resourceful.
The Lady of His Heart ◆ supporting
Described as the 'lady of his heart', implying beauty and grace. Her specific features are not detailed, but she would likely be depicted as fair and delicate, consistent with a damsel in distress archetype from late 19th/early 20th-century fairy tales.
Attire: Elegant, flowing gown, perhaps in soft pastels or white, made of fine fabrics like silk or satin, suitable for a lady of romantic interest in a fairy tale setting, possibly with some embellishment or embroidery.
Wants: To be freed from the giants.
Flaw: Her captivity and inability to escape on her own.
Her arc is primarily passive; she awaits rescue.
Implied to be gentle and perhaps vulnerable, as she has fallen into the clutches of giants. Her primary role is to be rescued.
The One-Eyed Griffin ◆ supporting
A majestic creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Its most distinguishing feature is having only one eye, which would be prominent and perhaps glow or possess unusual depth. Its fur would be golden or tawny, and its feathers a rich brown or golden-brown.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To aid the Little Boy in his quest, perhaps out of a sense of justice or a pre-existing role as a guardian of the realm.
Flaw: Not specified, but perhaps its singular eye could be a vulnerability, though it is also its iconic feature.
Remains consistent as a powerful ally.
Wise, powerful, helpful, and courageous. It acts as a guide and protector.
Giant Can't ⚔ antagonist
Immense in size, towering over the Little Boy. Likely a hulking, imposing figure, perhaps with a perpetually slumped or defeated posture, reflecting his name. His skin might be greyish or dull, suggesting a lack of vitality.
Attire: Rough, ill-fitting, and perhaps tattered clothing made of coarse, dark fabrics, like a shapeless tunic and trousers, reflecting his negative disposition and lack of ambition.
Wants: To prevent others from achieving their goals by instilling doubt and a sense of impossibility.
Flaw: His own inherent belief in impossibility; he is easily overcome by determination.
Remains a static representation of an obstacle.
Defeated, pessimistic, passive, discouraging. Embodies the spirit of giving up.
Giant Won't ⚔ antagonist
Also immense in size, but perhaps with a more rigid or stubborn build than Can't. His posture might be stiff and unyielding, reflecting his refusal.
Attire: Sturdy, perhaps slightly too-tight clothing of dark, heavy fabrics, like a thick, unadorned tunic and trousers, suggesting an unwillingness to change or adapt.
Wants: To resist any change or effort, simply because he 'won't'.
Flaw: His own stubbornness, which can be circumvented by cleverness or overwhelming force.
Remains a static representation of an obstacle.
Obstinate, defiant, uncooperative, resistant. Embodies the spirit of refusal.
Giant Don't Care ⚔ antagonist
Immense in size, perhaps with a slovenly or indifferent build. He might appear disheveled and unconcerned, reflecting his apathy. His skin could be pale or sallow from neglect.
Attire: Loose, stained, and uncared-for clothing, possibly in drab colors, reflecting his complete lack of interest in appearance or effort. Perhaps a baggy tunic and trousers.
Wants: To do nothing, to remain undisturbed in his state of apathy.
Flaw: His own indifference, which makes him vulnerable to those who do care and act.
Remains a static representation of an obstacle.
Apathetic, indifferent, lazy, negligent. Embodies the spirit of not caring.
Locations
Realms of Fabulous Monsters
A fantastical, dangerous land inhabited by mythical creatures and giants, where the lady of the hero's heart is held captive.
Mood: Perilous, daunting, adventurous, with an underlying sense of hope.
The little boy enters this realm to rescue the lady of his heart, encounters giants, and overcomes them with the aid of the One-Eyed Griffin.
Shadowland
A mysterious, ethereal place where Tuflongbo ultimately vanishes, suggesting an end to his physical adventures.
Mood: Mysterious, ethereal, melancholic, final.
Tuflongbo, after his great journey and escapes from giants, puts off his shoes and vanishes into this realm.
Story DNA
Moral
Perseverance and courage can help one overcome even the most formidable challenges.
Plot Summary
A little boy's beloved lady is captured by the formidable giants Can't, Won't, and Don't Care in a realm of fabulous monsters. The boy embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her, encountering the giants. With the crucial assistance of the One-Eyed Griffin, he successfully overcomes these personified obstacles. The narrative then continues to explore the hero's subsequent allegorical difficulties and triumphs.
Themes
Emotional Arc
struggle to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This text is an advertisement for a collection of fairy tales, with 'The One-Eyed Griffin' being one of the featured original stories. The other entries are descriptions of collections of well-known fairy tales by other authors.
Plot Beats (7)
- A little boy falls in love with a lady.
- The lady is captured by the giants Can't, Won't, and Don't Care.
- The boy ventures into the realm of fabulous monsters to rescue her.
- He encounters the formidable giants.
- He receives assistance from the One-Eyed Griffin.
- With the Griffin's help, he defeats the giants.
- The story continues to follow the hero's subsequent allegorical challenges.
