Unexpected life lessons in classic children’s stories
A good story can sweep us off our feet, take us to faraway lands, change our world views, or even teach us a lesson or two about life. Children’s stories and fairy tales, in particular, invite us to imagine a world beyond the one we live in, with wizards, queens, knights, beasts, flying carpets, and talking animals. In medieval times, fairy tales were coded with messages to preserve the values and beliefs of that society through the ages. While some of the lessons and morals we picked up from the Grimm Brothers may not have aged well, they remain subject to interpretation, as do stories from Indigenous oral tradition. Hidden within some of the most celebrated children’s stories in history are complex life lessons that continue to resonate with audiences from ages 8 to 88. From the cautionary tale of surrendering one’s voice in Disney’s The Little Mermaid to the life-saving power of storytelling in Islamic culture’s Arabian Nights, fairy tales and fables carry infinite wisdom for those from all walks of life. Read on to uncover the life lessons and unexpected messages in children’s stories.
2025-01-21T12:34:49Z
Why are Fabergé eggs so special?
It's hard to have a conversation about iconic royal heirlooms without mentioning the Fabergé eggs. Made for the rulers of Russia as gifts to their family during the late 1800s and early 1900s, they have become some of the most famous pieces of decorative art in history. Now scattered in museums and private collections around the world, these eggs, made from precious metals and adorned with innumerable jewels and gems, were once the most prized possessions of a dynasty on its way out. More than just beautiful heirlooms, they also mark the end of the nearly 300-year long era of the Romanov family’s reign over the Russian states. After the Bolsheviks ousted the Romanovs in 1917, almost all evidence of their reign was wiped away, the Fabergé eggs being an exception. Each of the more than 50 eggs, designed and created exclusively in the House of Fabergé workshop in Saint Petersburg, are exquisite feats of craftsmanship and are highly sought after by collectors across the globe. Intrigued? Read on to find out more about these feats of craftsmanship, and take a look at some of the most beautiful of the imperial Fabergé eggs.
2024-06-26T12:50:52Z
Questions all grandchildren should ask their grandparents
The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren should never be underestimated. Grandparents can play many important roles in the lives of their grandkids. Besides offering unconditional love, they provide acceptance, patience, and stability within the extended family circle. They can teach, imparting wisdom and experience to curious young minds. They can furnish trusted advice, lend a supportive ear, or simply listen to their little ones. Grandparents sometimes serve as primary caregivers, and can foster emotionally close connections with their youthful charges. And when all is said and done, grandpa and grandma are simply fun to be with! But like all of us, grandparents aren't around forever. And because they have so many stories and experiences from their own lives to share, there's no time like the present to sit down with them and learn all you can from your parents' parents. But are you wondering what to ask? Click through and find out the questions all grandchildren should ask their grandparents
2024-01-24T14:18:50Z
