Week 13- #GRIMMread2019

 http://shonnaslayton.com/grimm-read-2019-challenge/

Briar-Rose (aka Sleeping Beauty) was the highlight of this week's stories. I read this version years ago, but there is a lot that I don't remember about it, so it was kind of like reading it for the first time. This tale is definitely recognizable in the Disney version, but there are some notable differences.

Unlucky #13: There are 13 fairies/godmothers (the translation I have calls them wise women, but fairies is shorter to write). The 13th fairy wasn't invited to the feast, not because she is the "Mistress of all Evil", but simply because the King and Queen only had 12 gold plates for the fairies. After she curses Briar-Rose, the last of the good fairies, softens the curse to sleep for a hundred years instead of death. There is nothing in the terms of this curse about "true love's kiss".

First come briars: a hedge of thorns grows around the castle even covering the flag at the highest point of the castle. We don't know if the 13th fairy caused this, or if it has something to do with Briar-Rose, herself. It's interesting that the word briar is the first part of her name. Many princes try to break through the thorns, but they are caught and die.

Next come roses: At the end of the hundred years, a prince shows up at the hedge, and the thorns all turn to roses (there is no dragon). He finds Briar-Rose asleep, and he kisses her, and she wakes up. They get married and live happily ever after. It's not clear if the kiss actually woke her, or if it was just the perfect timing because the hundred years was up that day.