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A collection of eight artistic fairy tales for children, inspired by Slavic mythology and folk tales, depicting the struggle between good and evil, wisdom, obedience, love and moral lessons through fantastic characters.
Tales from the Past (first published in 1916) is a masterpiece of Croatian children's literature and the most important work of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić (1874–1938), the "Croatian Andersen". The collection contains eight fairy tales in prose:
- How Potjeh sought truth – the most famous: three brothers (Ljutiša, Marun, Potjeh) listen to their grandfather's advice; only Potjeh follows his heart and seeks the truth, outsmarts the evil Besomar and saves his brothers.
- Regoč – the giant Regoč and the fairy Kosjenka; the love, stupidity and wisdom of little ones.
- Fisherman Palunko and his wife – the woman's greed leads to a conflict with the fairies and the sea; saving her son Vlatko.
- Sunce dever i Neva Nevičica – the Sun helps a little girl against the arrogant empress.
- Stribor's Forest – a girl marries a wolf, Stribor's Forest is full of wonders and dangers.
- Brother Jaglenac and Sister Rutvica – brothers and sisters against the evil fairies Zatočnica.
- Lutonjica Toporko and nine županičića – nine brothers and little Lutonjica.
- Jagor – a little boy against his evil stepmother and grandmother Poludnica.
The author combines Slavic myths (Perun, Svarožić, fairies, giants), Christian motifs and her own imagination. Fairy tales are instructive: they celebrate obedience, sincerity, courage, wisdom of the heart over reason, the victory of the small over the large. The language is rich, rhythmic, archaic, but accessible – full of poetry, repetition and vivid descriptions.
The work has been translated into many languages, nominated for the Nobel Prize (twice), required reading in schools. Today it is a classic read for children and adults – nostalgic, wise and universal. Perfect for those who love fairy tales with a deep lesson and Slavic charm.
Jedan primerak je u ponudi
