
A gentle collection of whimsical fairy tales invites listeners into a world where kindness and curiosity guide young hearts. In the opening story, a beloved king named Bénin raises his radiant daughter, Blondine, after the death of his gentle queen. Their peaceful life is shaken when the kingdom urges the king to remarry, and a new princess—sharp‑tongued and ambitious—arrives, bringing with her a contrasting spirit.
As Blondine’s innocence meets the new queen’s scheming ways, the tale gently explores how compassion can endure even when jealousy and mischief surface. The narrative balances tender moments of familial love with the subtle tensions of blended families, offering a timeless lesson on empathy and resilience. Listeners will be charmed by the lyrical prose and the delicate illustrations that accompany the story, making it a perfect bedtime adventure for children who love classic fables with a fresh, heartfelt twist.
Language
fr
Duration
~4 hours (285K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell, Renald Levesque and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica)
Release date
2004-12-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1799–1874
A Russian-born French countess who became one of the best-loved writers for children, she is still remembered for lively, moral, and often mischievous stories like Sophie's Misfortunes. Her books helped shape 19th-century French children's literature and have stayed in print for generations.
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