| Genres: | FR Contes |
| Authors: | Charles Perrault |
| Language: | french |
| Type: | Standard |
Riquet à la Houppe is a popular French fairy tale, most famously written by Charles Perrault and published in his Histoires ou contes du temps passé in 1697.
Plot:
The tale begins with a king and queen who desperately want a child. After many years of trying, they are finally granted a son, but with a misfortune: the boy is born with a hideous appearance. A good fairy appears and promises that despite his looks, the prince will have the power to bestow wit on the woman he loves most.
Years pass, and the prince, now known as Riquet à la Houppe (because of a tuft of hair on his head), grows to be a kind and intelligent young man. One day, he meets a beautiful princess who is, unfortunately, as vain and foolish as she is lovely. Riquet falls in love with her, but knows that his appearance will not win her heart.
The fairy godmother reappears and offers to help Riquet. She gives him a magical lock of hair, explaining that if the princess wears it, she will see him as the most handsome and charming man in the world. Riquet gives the lock of hair to the princess, who is immediately smitten with him.
The princess and Riquet are married, and as the fairy promised, the princess's beauty is matched by her newfound wit and intelligence. They live happily ever after.
Themes:
Beauty is not everything: Riquet à la Houppe is a story that teaches us that true beauty lies within. The princess may be physically beautiful, but she is also vain and foolish. Riquet, on the other hand, is kind, intelligent, and has a good heart. In the end, it is Riquet's inner beauty that wins the princess's love.
The power of love: Love can transform us in amazing ways. When the princess falls in love with Riquet, she sees him in a whole new light. She no longer sees his physical ugliness, but instead sees his inner beauty. Love has the power to make us see the best in others.
Judging others by their appearance: The princess is initially very judgmental of Riquet's appearance. She refuses to even consider him as a potential suitor because he is not handsome. However, she learns that judging others by their appearance can be a big mistake. Riquet is a kind and intelligent man, and his physical appearance does not define him.
Legacy:
Riquet à la Houppe is a popular fairy tale that has been enjoyed by children and adults for centuries. It has been adapted into many different forms, including operas, ballets, and films. The story's themes of beauty, love, and acceptance are still relevant today, and it continues to be a popular choice for bedtime stories and classroom lessons.
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