In the time of the fairy tales when forests were frightning places
Not only the lions, tigers and bears were feared back then
No, not just such common beasts as they were feared
There were ghosts, goblins, and were wolves roaming in those woods
From volcanoes spawned the imps, balrogs and fire trolls
If you lived in the cold lands, you might meet ice trolls,cold dogs led by mighty Cerunos, or be chased by the chicken legged hut of Baba Yaga the evil witch.
All graveyards were full of ghouls, zombies and vampires.
If you angered some one, they might hire a witch, wizard or sorcerer to set a spell of doom on you.
There were the incubi and succubi, evil demons tempting you into sin where the fires of Hell might burn you for eternity.
Gnomes sat spinning straw into gold, and might make you do it instead.
There were Leprechauns hiding that gold at the end of rainbows, then vanishing to leave you empty handed.
Old evil cackling hags crawled from beneat shadowed rocks to drag you away.
If you strayed near bodies of water, the oriads, neriads and mermaids abounded in the water.
The great Norse, Greek or Roman gods could grant you wondrous favors, or angrily strike you down.
In the Arabian lands there were Djinn riding the whirlwinds, or in magic lamps.
And Eblis whispered mischief in your ears.
There were strange and wondrous creatures every where one went.
It was a world of wonder our ancestors knew.
It was also a world of terror as well.
Sharon Pribble


Comments: 31
There are Grimm's Grimmest and it is published only to those who write the history books. Information is power to some and they care not for whom the bell tolls.
Stevie Wonder sings the song of "Superstitions" well. I believe the Three Musketeers are alive and well, and watch each others backs in the woods.
If you wonder over my comments, you merely need to ask. Unlike some, if surreal at times, WYSIWYG. I hold no interest in idle speculation, only the meaning behind your words.
The most common bread grain for the non royal and none witch was rye, and it grew a fine crop of ergot, which caused hallucinations.
My fairy tales had much darker meanings then most people realize.
People once believed much of that.
It amazes me what people used to believe. Although I think we'll be saying the same thing in a few hundred years about today.
But, ever since the movie, "The Ring" I stopped cold turkey.
That movie scared me senseless!
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting
Tolkein knew and was a contemporary of CS Lewis, who wrote tales that were able to be read by young and old alike. I would hazard a guess to say that his writing matched his personal philosophy and held his darker instincts in check.
If he were here today, I might write him a note, but I wouldn't worry about his intentions.
Alan Garner's books inspire me too.