Literature. Part ninety seven.

                                                    "The Fisherman and His Soul" by Oscar Wilde.

Once upon a time there was a young man. He was a Fisherman. The Fisherman fell in love in beautiful Mermaid.

But his Soul prevented him from being with his love. As a result, the Fisherman gave up his Soul.

Apart from the Fisherman, the Soul visited different places and met many creatures there.

The Soul told the Fisherman everything.

The Soul and the Fisherman reunited. Also, the Soul made the Fisherman do bad things.

At the end the Fisherman and the Mermaid died in the sea. 

Source of image:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/stylized-portrait-oscar-wilde-783862564

Literature. Part ninety five.

                                                    “The Nightingale and the Rose” by Oscar Wilde.

Once upon a time there was a young man. He was a student. The student was in love with a young girl.

He wanted to give her a red rose. But this flower wasn’t in his garden.

Nightingale decided to help the student with a red rose. For this he sang, but then the bird died.

The student took the flower and went to the girl. But she rejected the rose and the student.

Narcissus.

Narcissus (Νάρκισσος) was a hunter in Greek myths and legends. His parents were Cephissus (Κηφισός) and Liriope (Λιριόπη).

The young man was very beautiful person. Many different people were in love with him, but Narcissus rejected them all. He loved himself very much.

Echo (Ἠχώ) was a mountain nymph, an Oread (Ὀρειάς). She met Narcissus in the forest, Echo fell in love with him, but Narcissus didn't love Echo. So, all that was left of her was Echo's voice.

Narcissus admired his reflection in the river and drowned in it. In place of his body, a narcissus flower grew.

There are paintings about this story.

Famous people and their quotes. Part seventy.

                                          Immanuel Kant.

Source of image:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/immanuel-kant-engraved-portrait-ink-contours-1315972940

“Look closely. The beautiful may be small.”

“One who makes himself a worm cannot complain afterwards if people step on him.”

“Rules for happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.”

Source of information:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/11038.Immanuel_Kant

Literature. Part eighty two.

                                                 Wives and Daughter, An Every-Day Story by Elizabeth Gaskell.

Molly Gibson was the only child in the family. Her father Dr. Gibson was widowed.

Little Molly visited the local aristocratic mansion. Then she was given to governess Clare. But she didn't want to care for Molly. So, Dr. Gibson took his daughter home.

Seven years later Molly Gibson became a young woman. She was kind and closed. Mr. Coxe was her father's student, he was in love with Molly.

Also, she met with rich family. Molly befriended Rodger.

Dr. Gibson decided to marry a second time. He chose Clare for his wife. Molly tried to love her stepmother. Also, she had a new stepsister named Cynthia.

The characters of the novel experience different emotions. They visited many places, had connections, have had love, and secrets.

Literature. Part seventy six.

                                            "Riquet with the Tuft" by Charles Perrault.

Once upon a time there was a Queen whose son was ugly, he had a tuft. But her son was very clever.

Several years later in another country two twin girls were born. One of them was beautiful, but stupid, another was ugly, but clever.

In the forest stupid princess met Riquet with the tuft. He was in love with the princess for her beauty. The prince asked the princess to marry him. Stupid princess said she would marry him in a year.

The princess gotten a lot smarter this year. All people were amazed about it. 

One year later she met Riquet with the tuft again. He was preparing for the wedding.

The princess understood that the ugly prince gave her mind. They were married. She saw Riquet's inner handsome qualities, such as: intelligence, manners, and behavior.

Source of image:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/vintage-fairy-tales-vector-poster-design-170727395

Tales from childhood: Sophie and Johnny.

 Sophie had several friends in her school. But Johnny was her good friend. They walked together during holidays.

Some children in the class noticed that Sophie and Johnny are very close friends. It was true.

Once Johnny was talking to the boys about who likes whom.

"You like Sophie," Johnny's friend said.

"Yes, I like her, because she is a very kind girl. Also, she knows how to listen to people and talk politely," Johnny said.

Sophie hadn't discussed with anyone that she liked Johnny. Sophie was just in love with this guy.

Classmates continued to be close friends.

Source of image:

https://www.istockphoto.com/es/vector/ilustraci%C3%B3n-de-vector-doodle-de-mano-en-forma-de-coraz%C3%B3n-dibujado-sobre-fondo-blanco-gm1058057988-282768760

Literature. Part seventy five.

                                      The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

This historical novel was written in XIX century, by Alexandre Dumas père. 

A man named d'Artagnan went to Paris to become a musketeer. Also, he had friends named Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. They were the musketeers.

During the book characters had many different adventures. The novel mentions both real historical characters and fictional characters.

They had travels in other places. D'Artagnan and the three musketeers met with different people. They met both common and royal people.

Duels, love, and adventures are described in the book. 

This novel was translated to many languages. There are different movies and cartoons about this story. Artists created illustrations for this book.

Literature. Part seventy one.

                                "The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep" by Hans Christian Andersen.

Once upon a time there were two porcelain figures. They were a shepherdess and a chimney sweep. These figures were in love.

But shepherdess' grandfather wanted to marry her to another. So, the couple run away.

They visited a toy theatre in a house. Also, the shepherdess and the chimney sweep climbed through a stove pipe on the roof. It was hard for them. The couple saw the night sky.

Later the chimney sweep and the shepherdess returned to the house. 

Shepherdess' grandfather has fallen because he wanted to run for them. He was repaired.

At the end the couple was saved.

This fairy tale was translated to different languages. There are many illustrations, movies, and cartoons about this story.

Source of image:

https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-illustration/shepherdess-chimney-sweep-sitting-on-roof-503442016

Eros.

 Eros (Ἔρως) was a god of love in ancient Greece. His father was Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) or Zephyrus (Ζέφυρος). His mother was Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Or Iris (Ἶρις), goddess of the rainbow. Also, Eros had several siblings: Gaia (Γαῖα), Nyx (Νῠ́ξ), Erebus (Ἔρεβος,), and etc.

His symbols were bow and arrows. Eros was known as Aphrodite's assistant.

Eros looks like a young man with two wings on the back. He helped people to find their true love.

In Greek mythology there are many different legends about this god. One of them is a love story. This myth about Eros and Psyche.

The young Psyche was very beautiful. So, everyone forgot about Aphrodite. She became evil. Aphrodite wanted to hurt her.

Psyche became unhappy. Because Aphrodite gave her difficult tasks. Psyche should have gotten the Golden Fleece, she had to bring Persephone's box from the underworld, and she had to get water from the river Styx (Στύξ). Psyche did it all with the help from others.

Later Eros and Psyche got married. There are many versions of their story. 

He had relations with other gods and goddesses, such as: Chaos (χάος,), Themis (Θέμις), Ares (Ἄρης,), Hephaestus (Ἥφαιστος), Zeus (Ζεύς), Cronus (Κρόνος), and etc.

There are different paintings and statues of Eros. 

Orpheus and Eurydice.

 Orpheus (Ὀρφεύς) was a singer. His parents were Apollo and Calliope. His symbol was a lyre. Orpheus played on this musical instrument. His music was very beautiful.

When Orpheus was a young man, he took part in the campaign for the Golden Fleece. He was with Jason and the Argonauts.

Eurydice (Εὐρυδίκη) was a forest nymph or dryad. She liked music of lyre which played by Orpheus. Later they understood that loved each other. 

Orpheus and Eurydice (Ὀρφεύς καί Εὐρυδίκη) got married. They became happy. But unfortunately it didn't last long. Eurydice was bitten by a snake in the forest. She died.

Her husband Orpheus was very sad about it. He decided to return Eurydice to this world.

Orpheus went to the underworld. Eurydice's husband sailed on the river Styx. He met Cerberus (Κέρβερος), dog with three heads. Also, Orpheus played on his lyre for Hades (ᾍδης) and his wife Persephone (Περσεφόνη).

So, he was able to take Eurydice. But Orpheus shouldn't look at her. She must go behind him. They went together.

Once Orpheus broke down and looked at his wife. Eurydice was left in the underworld forever.

Orpheus had a big griefed. He died.

This legend was popular in ancient Greece. There are many paintings and statues about these characters.

Tales from childhood: Julia and her hobbies.

 Julia was an active young woman. After high school she went to college. Julia wanted to become a singer.

But she had her main hobby. Julia liked figure skating. In her room there were many different medals and cups. She participated in competitions in the city.

Anton met his future girlfriend during performance. He saw Julia in a good mood. She wore pink dress and golden skates.

"Hi! How do you do?" Anton asked Julia.

"I'm fine. How do you do?" Julia said.

"What's your name?" Anton asked her.

"My name is Julia," Julia answered him.

"And you? What's your name?" she asked Anton.

"I'm Anton," he said.

"Nice to meet you," Julia said.

"Nice to meet you," Anton said, smiling.

So, their friendship started. Two people knew each other. Julia went to a date with Anton. After she studied in a musical college.

Anton understood that he was in love with Julia. Even his friends guessed about it. They somehow wanted to discuss the situation. Anton told every thing himself.

Then he confessed his love to Julia. She answered him in return.

"I want to go a date with you," Anton said.

"Yes, I want to date you, too," Julia said.

A long friendship has grown into a deeper feeling.

Source of image:

https://www.shutterstock.com/ru/image-vector/vector-love-hearts-concept-flat-illustration-1224393658

Tales from childhood: Family's main secret.

Sophie was at the elementary school prom. They celebrated this important event in the classroom. Little children had a concert with each other. Sophie and her classmates read and played many interesting scences. Also, they told poems and short stories about school and childhood. It was very nice!

At this moment little Sophie understood that she finished an important part of her life. She became more serious, wise, clever, and kind. Sophie didn't pay attention to stupid things and words of other children. Her teacher helped Sophie with it.

"My daughter must know the truth about her parents," Sophie's mother thought.

Little Sophie didn't know her father. Never. Granny and mother knew many different things about him. But it was secret for Sophie.

Lara's father worked and lived not far from his daughter. Nobody knew there is Sophie's parent.

"You must talk to my granddaughter," the grandmother said.

"I thought about it, too," the mother said.

The summer holiday started. Sophie and Natalie visited the centre of their city. They noticed Lara's father and stepmother. Little Sophie couldn't imagine that her father loved another woman. It would be very sad for her.

Granny went to the shop. Mother staid at home. Sophie had many nice impressions in the city. She went to her mother.

"Today is an amazing day. There are many people in the centre of our city," Sophie said.

"I want to talk to you," the mother said.

Little Sophie became serious. She wanted to know their family's main secret. What's happened with her father? Maybe he lived not far from his daughter?

"Your father was a very good person. I met him when I was a college student. He was a kind young man. We started being friends. But several months later I knew that he was a poor man. Despite that fact we loved each other. So, we decided to create a family together," the mother said with sad voice.

"What's happened later?" asked Sophie with curiosity.

"We got married. He loved me very much. Also, your father worked hard on his work. It was necessary for us. Soon you were born," the mother said.

Little Sophie was very glad to know something about her father. Now, she didn't worry.

"But two years later your father had a serious illness. Temperature of his body was very high. Also, your father coughed. I worried about it," the mother said with tempered voice.

"Please, say the truth," Sophie said with serious tone.

"Your father laid in the hospital. Doctors and nurses wanted to save him, but... he died. You were just three-years-old," the mother said with tears.

"Thank you for this story. I'll know about my dad. You're very brave," Sophie said.

Sophie wanted to cry at this moment. She set in the armchair and her eyes were fll with tears. Sophie tried to hide it from mother. And she felt herself better and knew truth about her father.

Granny knew about it, too. She didn't know how to say these words.

Source of image:

https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-illustration/true-stamp-431600377

Tales from childhood: Continuation of a story.

It was a simple spring day. Sophie finished a quarter of a school grade. Very soon she and her classmates started the last quarter of the elementary school! Sophie became more serious than before. The teacher loved her job and could keep the class.

During free time little Sophie and her mother walked in the park. The views were very beautiful especially in spring season. They  found more people were there. Sophie saw her friends in this park: Natalie, some classmates, Mr. Theodor, Lara's father with his wife and their toddlers.

"I think that this place is very nice. So, many people visit it," Sophie said.

"Yes, it's true. The park is a nice place for a rest," mother said.

One day Sophie saw a lovely couple. She knew them. Eldest son of her teacher Anton and his girlfriend Julia. They were coming from somewhere. Anton treated Julia with various sweets: lollipops, marmalades, chocolates, and etc. Sophie smiled at them, but Anton and his strange girlfriend didn't notice her.

Suddenly Sophie remembered about their feelings to each other. She thought about many different things. Sophie knew that they loved each other. It's very nice!

When Sophie was a child she wanted to know answers to questions.

"Where do babies come from?" Sophie asked her mother.

"When man and woman love each other. They kiss and hug. And they can have a baby," the mother answered.

Sophie's mother didn't want to lie to her daughter. Maybe others people could say several jokes about it. Also, Sophie remembered her father. She didn't know him.

When the child returned to school she saw her teacher. She talked with using mobile phone. They talked about medicine.

"Good morning, children!" the teacher said.

"Good morning, teacher!" the students said.

"We start the fourth quarter of the school year," the teacher said with smile.

Literature. Part fifty seven.

                                        "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" by Hans Christian Andersen.

A boy had a birthday gift, set of toy soldiers. One of them didn't have a leg. During the night all toys in the room became alive.

Soldier with one leg fell in love with paper dancer woman. But evil goblin didn't want for them love to each other. So, because of him the tin soldier fell out of the window.

His adventures started on the street. The boys found the soldier with one leg and set him in a paper boat. Afterwards, a storm started and the soldier met the rat.

At the end the tin soldier was swallowed by a fish. But he was found and returned to the room again.

The soldier with one leg fell in the fireplace. Paper woman flew in it, too. Sad end of the fairy tale.

This fairy tale was translated to many languages. There are many cartoons and illustrations about this story.

Source of image:

https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-vector/love-steadfast-tin-soldier-100384217

Tales from childhood: I will wait for you.

Lara had a good grandfather. Maybe he was strange person, but he had many qualities. His granddaughter was a moody child. Lara's mother didn't pay attention to her. This woman worked a lot and spent her nights at work.

Beth and Johnny talked with Mr. Theodor in hard situations. He was a kind parent. So, his children loved and respected him.

"Daddy" is an important word," thought Lara.

She wanted to say this word to the right person. Little Lara started waiting her father. She hoped that he will come by car. Or maybe he come by metro or tram. Lara looked out at the cars and the men who got out of them. Also, she looked at the men who went in the porch of her house.

Lara heard sounds a telephone. She hoped that her daddy called. But it wasn't him. When Lara saw a postman put a letter in their box, she thought about her daddy. Maybe he wrote a letter for her and her mother. But no..

"When will my father come?" Lara asked her granddad.

He had a sad face. He often saw his former relative in many public places. This man cared for his other children. Lara's grandfather felt pain in his soul.

"Maybe in the future," the grandfather said.

Little Lara didn't want to believe that her father lived in her city.

In the yard the young girltold her friends about her uncle. He was a fireman. He saved little children from the building. The man had facial scars. Also, he walked with crutches. Fireman had a medal for courage. He lost his fellow. Many people knew him. That fireman was a good husband and father.

Suddenly Lara decided that her father could be a hero, too. Maybe he saved somebody. Lara's mother didn't want to tell about her former husband. But  she knew where he lived. She saw him several times a week.

Little Lara didn't want to believe that her father loved other children. She hoped that one day he will love her.

Source of image:

https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-vector/retro-styled-red-telephone-ringing-353367263

Literature. Part fifty four.

                                                  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

This novel was written at the end of XVIII century, but the book was published on January 28, 1813.

There are many characters in this story. Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Mr. Bennet, Jane Bennet are main characters in the novel.

Relationships between sisters, love, and disdain are described in Pride and Prejudice. Also, characters have different problems and emotions. Their parents are important, too.

At the end main characters are married and happy.

There are many illustrations and movies about this story. Famous book was translated many languages.