Rosebud

Rosebud is one of many titles for the well-known fairy tale about the Sleeping Beauty. While its history may be traced all the way to the 13th century, most of us are familiar with the version by Brothers Grimm from the 19th century.




They very likely heard it for the first time from storytellers who knew Perault's The Sleeping Beaty in the Wood, but they were definitely acquainted with the Basile's Sun, Moon, and Talia as well. Both versions were unaccaptable for their moral code, so they heavily rewrote the story which 'originally' didn't end with prince's arrival.



Grimms also changed the number of fairies from 'pagan' seven to more 'Christian' twelve and added thorns to the trees and bushes surrounding the castle. There were no roses in this story It was their idea to mention numerous heroic attempts of brave young men who tried to rescue the sleeping princess, all ending with cruel death. And yes, they added the kiss as the reason for waking her up at the end. End, as they thought it would be best, because in older versions all kinds of stuff happened after her waking up.

This is how John Hassall portrayed the scenes from the story Rosebud (in Grimm's collection Briar Rose):




The king and the queen longed for a kid for very long time. Then they got a message - they will have a kid. It's interesting to note this message is relatively new addition to the tale. It's also interesting who brought it - a fish, not a frog, which is more often associated with fertility.


Finally they got a beautiful baby girl. They decided to throw a party. They invited the fairies from the country too. All but one. They only had twelve golden plates for twelve fairies anyway.



The thirteenth fairy was old and ugly.




She came uninvited. While other fairies gave the baby pretty gifts like a promise to have a happy life, she cursed the little girl. When she turns fifteen, she'll hurt her hand with a spinning wheel and die. One of the fairies which still didn't give her gift, managed to soften the prophecy. Intead of dying, the princess will only fall in a long sleep.



The king tried to prevent the fulfillment of prophecy by banning the spinning wheels in whole kingdom. But one still stayed hidden in the castle tower...




She immedatelly hurt her hand with a spinning wheel and fell asleep.




The sleeping princess was taken to the bed and soon everybody in the castle fell asleep.




The king and the queen slept on the throne. The guards were sleeping at the gate. The cooks were sleeping in the kitchen. And so on and on.
Right after that roses with thorns surrounded the castle so nobody was able to enter.



Many years have passed. Then a handsome prince came by the castle and an old man told him about the sleeping princess who is sleeping in the castle. He also warned him. Numerous brave men tried to enter the castle but nobody succeeded. Many lives were lost.




But the prince wanted to try too. Right at the same time the curse wasover and thorns moved away making a path for the prince.




He found the sleeping princess in the bed and kissed her. That woke her up.






Everybody else on the castle woke up too. Tho boy who spilled the milk in the kitchen was finally punished.




A splendid celebration with a wedding between the prince and princess Rosebud followed.

The book was published by Blackie and Sons, London and Glasgow, in Blackie's coloured picture story readers for infants collection between 1903 and 1911.