dual personalities

This morning the DH ended up walking to work because the car had so much ice on it that it wasn’t worth waiting for it to defrost. Winter is upon us. Last week, before the weather changed, you’ll recall that I posted about Richard John Cuninghame, a zoologist and African adventurer. I came across him while doing a little research on the English illustrator, H.J. Ford. Ford is best known for his pen and ink drawings for the colored fairy book series (The Red Fairy Book, Blue Fairy Book, etc…). I have always loved his work. What could be a better way to start Friday than a look at a few of his drawings? Here, an exhausted black knight leans on his sword after battle.

In this one a young knight faces a very nasty looking dragon and what looks to be a giant. The odds do not favor the knight.

I like this picture of the lute player trying to cheer up a brooding king. It’s easy to imagine the sad king’s story.

This next drawing reminds me of my son Tim and his cat. She isn’t that big but she has the heart of a lion. Who is that bad man peering through the curtain? You just know there’s an enchantment involved.

It is happenstance and nothing more that none of the pictures I have chosen have women in them. Ford drew plenty of damsels and they weren’t all in distress. Nowadays fairy tales are not as popular as they used to be. Supposedly they do not empower women with feminist values (whatever those are) and they are too violent. I suggest that children are perfectly capable of recognizing that ogres don’t exist and prince charming won’t be perfect. Fairy tales have a great deal to offer; not only do they exercise the imagination, but they encourage creativity, resilience, and moral behavior. Read some fairy tales to your children and grandchildren and be sure to study the pictures! You won’t regret it.

Have a happy weekend and do not be troubled!

*Hans Christian Andersen. All images recovered from Google Image.