Ricky of the Tuft

Title: Ricky of the Tuft

Sources:
Old-Time Stories told by Master Charles Perrault, translated by A. E. Johnson (New York: Dodd Mead and Company, 1921). 

Summary: A queen bore an ugly son, but a fairy present at the birth promised that the boy would be very clever. She also gave him a gift: he could give the same intelligence to the person he loved best. A few years later, a neighboring queen gave both to two daughters. One was very beautiful, but the same fairy that gave Ricky his gift thought to balance the girl's beauty and made sure she would have no brains. The second daughter was very ugly, and the fairy gave her a great mind to compensate. The second queen was very upset that her beautiful daughter should not be smarter, so the fairy gave her a gift as well. she could make beautiful the person she loved the most. 

As the princesses grew older, the beautiful girl started to envy her sister's intelligence. She was sitting alone in the woods one day when she saw Ricky, who was still very ugly. He had seen a picture of her and was charmed by her beauty. But when he met her and saw that she was so sad, he asked what was wrong. She explains that she wishes she were smarter and so he tells her that he can make it so if she agrees to marry him. Because she has no sense, she agrees immediately and is instantly transformed. 

She returns to her castle and is now respected for her opinion, as well as being admired for her beauty. Her sister is cast aside. The beautiful princess is asked to marry many different men, but she can't find one she likes. She has forgotten her promise to Ricky. One year later, on the day they agreed to be married, she finds Ricky in the spot where they first met. He is prepared for a wedding. She tries to talk herself out of the situation by saying she had no intelligence when she agreed to their arrangement, but now that she could understand everything she didn't want to marry him. He reminds her that if she loves him he will become beautiful, as his ugliness is the only thing holding her back from marrying him. She bestows her gift on him. He becomes very handsome. The two are married. 

Cultural Origins: Published in France in 1697 by Perrault. 

Audience: This tale is appropriate for all age groups in any setting. It is a very clear tale with a message about the importance of intelligence as well as not judging people by how they look.

Adaptation Ideas: In telling this tale, I would try to make the story very humorous. I might include examples of how Ricky uses his wit or the circumstances the foolish, but beautiful, princess gets herself into. I think it would be interesting to learn more about the intelligent princess, as well.