Hans Christian Andersen's classic and violent tale is looked at through the lens of the man who wrote it, and the 1948 film which changed the way we see it today. From Denmark to dance via the Devil we explore the iconic red footwear.

This week we look at the tale of the girl with the impossibly long hair, from it's ancient roots to the court of Louis XIV and the fascinating woman who recorded the version of the tale we know. Featuring Rapunzel expert Kate Forsyth author of the books Bitter Greens and The Re-birth of Rapunzel: A mythic biography.

The story of a girl who saves her brothers from a curse that turns them into swans is older than you think. Swan have been symbols of royalty, purity, and love in many cultures. Here we trace the stories of people who transform from swans to humans from Ireland to Japan, Norway to Russia. Find out about Clare's show West of The Moon at blueroom.org.au/events/west-of-the-moon/

Illustration by Edward Gorey Rumpelstiltskin is a story about spinning and names. We look at the traditions in making of yarn in fairy tales and how the history of the textile trade is woven into an older story of breaking a bargain with a devil, or a goblin, a man that has no name but who can fix any problem in the world.   Read The stories Watch The Story (coming soon)

Episode fourteen is about the Norwegian fairy tale collectors Asbjørnsen and Moe. Famous for their rigour, their poetry, and their expression of their national culture. Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe recorded tales such as The Three Billy Goats Gruff, East of The Sun West of The Moon, The Princess on The Glass Hill, as well as many others filled with trolls, hulder, and Ash-Lads. The two men were best friends and lived extraordinary lives and deserve to be as well known worldwide as The Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Andrew Lang. Additional research from Simon Hughes, whose translations can be read at norwegianfolktales.blogspot.com Music by Kai Engel, find his music at www.kai-engel.com If you want to support Singing Bones please head to singingbonespodcast.com/support

The Little Mermaid is a famously dark and melancholy fairy tale. This week we look at the stories that inspired Hans Christian Andersen stories of sirens, of Undine, and Eastern European rusalka and the scary watermen known as Vodnik. We also talk to two real mermaids about what it is like to really be a mermaid! With Mermaid Jessica Pearl and Mermaid Amelia we look at modern mermaid culture and the pros and cons of Disney romanticism. Music this episode by Kai Engel Find The Perth Mermaids here: www.facebook.com/perthmermaids www.facebook.com/mermaidamelia www.facebook.com/mermaidjessicapearl

Part one of two traces the history of The Little Mermaid, from Ancient Goddesses of love and fertility to folk stories of love and marriage, slavery and gender politics. This episode focuses on selkies, finfolk, and Sea Kings, with an interview with Finn O'Branagáin, talking about the power of these stories. Next week we look at sirens, rusalka, and talk to some real live mermaids. To read more about Finn O'Branagáin's play click HERE Music by Kai Engel, Moody Alien ,and Antonin Dvorak

Illustration by Walter Crane To tell the history of Alibaba is to tell the story of the "Arabian Nights" stories. From a 14th Century Syrian text called 1001 Nights the European world fell in love with Middle Eastern wonder stories.AliBaba has long captured imaginations worldwide, with its themes of family, goodness and treasure. But where did it arrive from? Is it Arabic, Greek, or possibly completely composed by a European in love with the city of Baghdad.Music by ¡para!helionTo read a translation of 1001 Night from the original Arabic I recommend this version by Hussain Haddawy Read The Tales Image Gallery

The Twelve Dancing Princesses or The Shoes That Were Danced To Pieces, are stories of fairy kidnapping and possession. In this episode we look at the stories of the fey, the she, elves, devils, peri, and all sorts of wicked spirits that wisk young maidens and lads away to their magic kingdoms where they do nothing but dance. From Iceland to India the stories of fairy kidnappings and those that rescue them talk to us about sin, sleep, and dance. Music by Christy-Lynn and Ed Harris

Little Red Riding Hood is a story with origins in largest witch trials in history. The hysteria and fear translated into a lesson for young ladies when in the hands of storytellers, and thus a story of sex, violence, and male dominance was born. Listen for true tales of werewolves and the myth of the little red girl.