These storytellers, particularly Dorothea Wild (who would later marry Wilhelm), were fluent in French literature as well as German folklore. This linguistic crossover explains why many Grimms' tales, such as Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood , share striking similarities with the French tales of Charles Perrault. The Grimms were initially surprised to find that the "pure German spirit" they sought had been cross-pollinated with French influences, but they adapted, refining the tales to sound more authentically German by removing overt references to French customs.
When you hear the names Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, you probably think of Cinderella , Hansel & Gretel , or Sleeping Beauty . You imagine Disney castles and "happily ever after." The Brothers Grimm