Reading Notes:Jewish Fairy Tales, Reading A

 The Water-Babe

This fairytale is about how Moses survived the decree that was implemented by the Pharoah in the time of ancient Egypt. I like this story that I heard as a child but in a more traditional sense. Moses was pulled from the Nile river by the princess and she gave him his name. It is very obvious that she loves this baby. She felt like it was meant to happen because not only was she a widow but she didn't have any children of her own. Mosses while a little mischievous was beloved by the royal family. Moses was very loved by everyone except for the ministers they knew he was a Hebrew and believed that he should be dead. He didn't like that he was able to be raised and grow up in the same place as the Egyptian but it was obvious how much the princess loved him. When he turned three he had a party that was thrown in his honor. While it seems like he didn't need an extravagant party he seemed smart enough to understand the social setting. He is playing on the pharos lap and says that he is wearing a silly hat and not a crown asks if he can wear it and puts it on his head. Something that sounds very realistic with what a child would say and do. The Pharaoh ministers however somehow convince him that this was a sign that deserves a trial that could potentially kill him. There is then a magic staff that mind controls him to do what the mother wants. I think this would be interesting to do a little more realistically where the Pharoh trust his advisors but also loves the boy so he doesn't want to kill him but understands that he has to punish hi instead and also can take away the mind control aspect and actually have him pick the gold but then have him throw the gold in the fire which no one expected and it could also help with the slightly outdated thing of Jewish people being gold obsessed.

Moses being saved from the river

Bibliography

 Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Landa (1919). The Water-Babe