Old-Time Stories

by Charles Perrault

"Old-Time Stories" by Charles Perrault is a collection of literary fairy tales published in Paris in 1697. Written after Perrault retired from serving Louis XIV's court, these tales emerged during a period when fairy stories captivated French aristocratic salons. The collection features eight beloved stories, including "Cinderella," "Little Red Riding Hood," and "Sleeping Beauty," each enhanced with elaborate embellishments and ending with cynical morals. Perrault transformed simple plots into sophisticated narratives that reflected both his belief in noble superiority and Catholic values of sin and redemption.