Customer Reviews

The Golden Slipper: An Ancient Egyptian Fairy Tale (Once Upon a World)

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The "Once Upon a World" series bring together two stories from around the world into one volume; two stories that that are similar in particulars but which originate from different parts of the globe. The first story (always the more oblique one) is given more pages and illustrations, whereas the second story is told in just a couple of pages with simple silhouettes to illustrate it.

In this case "Cinderella" is the chosen theme, and Egyptian legend of "The Golden Slipper" may well be the oldest version of the familiar tale that we have (along with the Chinese version).

Rhodopis is a young Greek dancer who is kidnapped by pirates and taken to Egypt as a slave, and bought by a kindly master called Charaxus. Unfortunately, he is away on business most of the time and Rhodopis is left to the mercy of three other slave girls who are jealous of her favouritism with their master; especially when she is given a pair of golden slippers.

When the Pharoah Amasis the Second (a real historical figure) announces an open court in his palace in the attempt to find a suitable wife, Rhodopis is left behind to dance by herself. The interesting twist in the story beyond the change in setting occurs when one of Rhodopis's golden slippers is snatched by a falcon and dropped on the lap of the Pharoah on his throne. Although Rhodopis never actually makes it to the court, it is the Pharoah that begins the search for the woman who fits the golden slipper.

This is followed by the more familiar Charles Perrault version of the story; as well as an introductory segment and study questions at the back of the book. The illustrations are provided by Alan Marks: evocative watercolours that capture Greek and Egyptian culture, as well as the lovely, lithe Rhodophis who is favourably compared with the heavily made-up slaves girls in their kohl and wigs.

The "Once Upon a World" books are an ingenious way of introducing children to the wide variety of myths and fairytales around the world, and how all of them are intrinsically connected in theme and plot. Be sure to check out the rest in the series.