Happily Never After

Evan Swensen
March 5, 2025

Once upon a time, in a world before Disney sprinkled its magic on everything, fairy tales weren’t the warm, fuzzy bedtime stories we know today. No, the original stories collected by the Brothers Grimm were more grim than Grimm—full of sinister stepmothers, gruesome punishments, and endings that were more nightmare than dream.

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, two German scholars with a passion for folklore, weren’t setting out to entertain children when they compiled their famous collection of fairy tales in the early 19th century. Their goal was to preserve traditional German stories, many of which had been passed down through generations. And let’s just say, those stories weren’t exactly kid-friendly.

Take Cinderella, for example. In the version most of us grew up with, Cinderella’s stepsisters are unpleasant but relatively harmless, spending their days sneering and rolling their eyes. But in the Grimms’ Aschenputtel, these same stepsisters get a bit more… desperate. One cuts off her toes, the other slices off part of her heel—all in a bloody attempt to fit into the glass slipper. And when their deception is revealed? Birds peck out their eyes. Charming.

And let’s talk about Snow White. In the Disney version, the evil queen gets off with a quick fall off a cliff, never to be seen again. But in the original tale? The queen is forced to dance in red-hot iron shoes until she drops dead. It’s not exactly a subtle lesson in “what goes around comes around,” but it’s effective nonetheless.

Then there’s Rapunzel, the tale of a girl locked in a tower with impossibly long hair. In the sanitized version, a handsome prince climbs up her hair, rescues her, and they live happily ever after. But the Grimms had a much darker take. Rapunzel, in her innocence, accidentally gives away the prince’s visits to the witch by asking why her dress is getting tighter. The witch, realizing Rapunzel is pregnant, banishes her to the wilderness. As for the prince? He falls from the tower, lands in thorns, and is blinded. Only years later do they find each other again, and her tears restore his sight. (Cue dramatic music.)

Why were these stories so dark? Well, back then, fairy tales weren’t just for entertainment; they were meant to teach lessons—often through fear. Want kids to stay out of the woods? Tell them about Hansel and Gretel, where two children are abandoned and nearly eaten by a cannibalistic witch. Thinking of talking to strangers? Consider Little Red Riding Hood, where a wolf gobbles up an unsuspecting girl and her grandmother.

Of course, by the time Disney got hold of these stories, they had been significantly softened. Gone were the gore, the cruel punishments, and the not-so-happy endings. Instead, fairy tales became tales of hope, kindness, and overcoming adversity. But knowing their darker origins adds an extra layer of fascination to these beloved stories.

So, the next time you watch Cinderella or Snow White, remember: the versions we know today are the afterthought—the softened, child-friendly revisions. The real stories? Well, they were never meant to be bedtime stories. Unless, of course, you want nightmares.

Fairy tales have been reinvented countless times, but their origins are darker than most people realize. If you found this fascinating, you’ll love the deep dive into the original Grimm’s Fairy Tales and how they shaped the stories we love today.

Want more bookish gems and local lore? Join Readers and Writers Book Club, where we dig into the fascinating lives of authors, swap trivia about literary legends and explore hidden stories behind the books we love. If the fairytale revelations intrigued you, wait until you hear what else is hiding in the pages of history. Come on in— I promise, there’s always room for another curious mind!