ancient beasts and blushing maidens

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Apparently The Brothers Grimm attributed many fairy tales to ancient times, thousands of years ago, to lands where people passed their stories, dreams and fears down the generations through an oral tradition. Research has now {seemingly} backed this idea up. I love this. I love the way that stories have been told and retold, probably to the extent that they're nothing like the original tales spun by dying fires on dark winter nights. I love that our ancient ancestors were folk who strived to protect their young with tales that warn of consequences. It's a trifle odd that we've taken horrific stories of rape, abuse and pillage, passed down through word of mouth for hundreds - if not thousands - of years, and turned them into something beautiful and innocent. Girls in towers, girls in woods, sleeping princesses, evil stepmothers in abundance, thieving boys, charming young men ... tales all told with a gentleness and a happy ever after. Originally there would have been no happy ever after, unless the evil beast {from another tribe or country?} was slain. I have been fascinated by the horror behind fairy tales for a while now, since learning about, and reading, some Angela Carter whilst at university. I haven't really delved too deeply, but Google piqued my interest last week and I now have Charles Perrault's book waiting for my enjoyment at the library. I hope I don't have nightmares.