In 1889, Scottish scholars Andrew and Nora Lang published their fairy tale collection, “The Blue Fairy Book,” in which they compiled and translated fairy tales from different authors and countries. In this compilation, the Langs included “The Yellow Dwarf,” attributed to Madame d’Aulnoy.
Pride Before a Fall
In this story, after many attempts to marry off her spoiled and prideful daughter, Bellissima, a widowed queen seeks the help of a witch, called the Fairy of the Desert. The witch’s domain is guarded by awful lions who devour anyone who approaches. The only way to appease the lions is to bring them “a cake made of millet flour, sugar-candy, and crocodile’s eggs.”The queen brings such a cake, but, unfortunately, falls asleep and wakes up to find the cake gone. With the lions approaching, the queen laments her situation. Suddenly, she hears someone behind her and, looking up, sees the Yellow Dwarf (so called because of his yellow skin) sitting in an orange tree.
