| Genres: | FR Contes |
| Authors: | George Sand |
| Language: | french |
| Type: | Standard |
Contes d'une grand-mère (Tales of a Grandmother) is a collection of thirteen fantasy tales for children by French writer George Sand. It was published in Paris by Michel Lévy frères in two volumes, in 1873 and 1876, respectively. It was the last book published by Sand during her lifetime.
The stories are set in various times and places, and feature a variety of characters, including fairies, talking animals, and giants. They are all infused with Sand's love of nature and her belief in the power of imagination.
Here is a summary of each story:
Le Château de Pictordu (The Castle of Pictordu): A young boy named Raoul is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in a mysterious castle. He soon discovers that the castle is full of secrets, and that his aunt and uncle are not who they seem to be.
La Reine Coax (Queen Coax): A beautiful but cruel queen is transformed into a toad by a wise old woman. She must learn to be kind and compassionate before she can be turned back into a human.
Le Nuage rose (The Pink Cloud): A young girl named Aurore dreams of flying away on a pink cloud. One day, her dream comes true, and she has many adventures in the sky.
Les Ailes de courage (The Wings of Courage): A young boy named Émile is afraid of heights. One day, he is given a pair of magical wings that allow him to fly. He must use his courage to overcome his fear and save the day.
Le Géant Yéous (The Giant Yéous): A giant named Yéous lives in the mountains. He is lonely and misunderstood, but he is also kind and gentle. One day, he meets a young girl named Rose, and they become friends.
Le Chêne parlant (The Talking Oak Tree): An old oak tree tells the story of its life to a young boy. The tree has seen many changes over the years, and it has learned a lot about the world.
Le Chien et la fleur sacrée (The Dog and the Sacred Flower): A dog named Argos is sent on a quest to find a sacred flower. He must face many dangers along the way, but he is determined to succeed.
L'Orgue du Titan (The Titan's Organ): A giant named Titan builds a giant organ that can play the music of the spheres. The music is so beautiful that it makes everyone who hears it happy.
Ce que disent les fleurs (What the Flowers Say): A young girl learns that flowers have a language of their own. She can understand what they are saying, and she uses this knowledge to help others.
Le Marteau rouge (The Red Hammer): A young boy named Jacques finds a magic hammer that can grant wishes. He uses the hammer to help others, but he soon learns that wishes can have unintended consequences.
La Fée poussière (The Dust Fairy): A tiny fairy named Poussière lives in a dustbin. She is kind and helpful, and she uses her magic to make people's lives better.
Le Gnome des huîtres (The Oyster Gnome): A gnome named Grognon lives in an oyster shell. He is grumpy and reclusive, but he is also wise and knowledgeable. One day, he meets a young girl named Marie, and he helps her to find her way.
La Fée aux gros yeux (The Fairy with Big Eyes): A fairy with big eyes lives in a forest. She can see the beauty of the world in everything, even the smallest things. One day, she meets a young boy named Pierre, and she helps him to see the world through her eyes.
Contes d'une grand-mère is a charming and delightful collection of stories that will appeal to readers of all ages. Sand's writing is beautiful and evocative, and her stories are full of imagination and heart. They are sure to transport readers to a world of wonder and enchantment.
