“I have become a thief, but do not be alarmed, I am a master-thief. For me there are neither locks nor bolts, whatsoever I desire is mine. Do not imagine that I steal like a common thief, I only take some of the superfluity of the rich. Poor people are safe, I would rather give to them than take anything from them. It is the same with anything which I can have without trouble, cunning and dexterity I never touch it.”
The autumnal days have arrived! And there is something magical about the cool air and golden light of fall. The world has a fairy tale-like enchantment as bright greens fade into warm hues and harsh summer temperatures and long lazy days sink into crisp air and fast-coming sunsets.
It is a wondrous season and the perfect time to immerse in fairy tales. (Of course, when isn’t it?)
For this first official month of fall, we have another obscure tale for you all. Kirsten chose this delightful tale of thievery and cunning heists that I think you are all going to get a kick out of.
October 2022’s Featured Fairy Tale is…
~ The Master Thief ~
Though of Norwegian origin, this tale is best known from the Brothers Grimm collection. It is a story of a man who left home and, during his time away, mastered the art of thievery. Though in much the way of Robin Hood, he does not use his skills for his own wickedness but aids in the poor. Upon being threatened with hanging, the thief is given three seemingly impossible tasks to prove his mettle. (Why proving he is a master thief is the deal to keep him from hanging I don’t know. Fairy tale logic and all that…) The thief is told his tasks and they most certainly seem nigh impossible. But he is not a common thief. He is a master thief. And, as you will see, he is most deserving of the title…
Read the full fairy tale HERE!
Join the Fun!
As always, we love it when our community joins in celebrating the month’s featured fairy tale, whether on your blog or social media! Any and all posts are welcome, but if you need ideas, here are some suggestions.
Post suggestions:
- Story Wishlists – Is there specific type of retelling you’d like to see someone do with the featured fairy tale? Specific genre? General world setting?
- Dream casts of already-written retellings or your own dream retelling from above.
- A post about your own retelling(s) of the featured tale, whether published, WIP, never going to be published, or just an idea at this point.
- What was your first experience with our featured tale? Does it have a special significance for you? Is it one of your favorite fairy tales?
- Favorite characters from our featured tale.
- LEAST favorite characters/something from our featured tale.
- A commentary of the original fairy tale.
- Any special themes of this tale that particularly stick out to you?
If you do join in, link your post in the comments section below so we can read it!
As someone who absolutely delights in finding thieves in fiction (and even more so if it’s the Robin Hood kind!), I am thrilled we’re featuring this one! The thief himself is a character and I firmly believe this story deserves more love. I think it would make for some truly fantastic retellings. It is equal parts clever and hilarious and is going to be such a fun one to explore this month.
Have you read this fairy tale before? Are you excited we’re featuring it? Who else loves fictional thieves? (Or am I just weird?)
Fairy Tale Central 