"The Fisherman and his Wife," by E. M. Delafield (Edmee Elizabeth Monica de la Pasture Dashwood): In an updated version of the classic tale of greed, an increasingly annoyed and magical flounder grants wishes to a diffident man and his unsatisfied and unappreciative wife.
"Little Snow White," by Lord Dunsany (Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany): Lady Clink, jealous of the beauty of her stepdaughter Blanche, schemes to get rid of her. You know how it ends. A gramophone cleverly replaces the magic mirror, as Lady Clink continually sings her question, "Oh gramo, gramo, gramophone, which of us is the fairest one?"
"Aladdin," by Anna Gordon Keown: In an amusing version set in Scotland the genie is a helpful demon with a long tail, and his master, Mr. Aladdin, an embarrassed undertaker. The demon disguises himself as a bishop to gain the trust of the locals. As much as Mr. Aladdin may be doubtful of his new friend, the genie does help the shy man get what he wants out of life.
"Sinbad the Sailor," by Eric Linklater: In Baghdad, two men with the same name, Sinbad the Porter and Sinbad the Sailor, trade tales of their adventures. The sailor's eighth and greatest adventure takes him sailing to a strange isle where people play a game with little white balls on fields of green, and a widow named Dalila mercilessly pursues him. What if Sinbad was just an old bore telling (and re-telling and re-telling) outlandish and unbelievable stories, over and over again?
"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," by A. G. Macdonnell: In a fun crime spin on the classic fairy tale, two brothers, Cassim and Alastair, more commonly known as Ally, get some inside financial information that helps to make them rich, but sets a gang of thieves on their tail.
"Puss in Boots," by Helen Simpson: The updated version still features a loyal and enterprising cat who is determined to help his dullard of a master advance in the world. His solution? Go into politics, of course.
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