Why is it called Mother Goose rhymes?

_Elsa_

“There is so much written about the story of Mother Goose but what should we believe?” asks the elf.   “Here is some history that I gathered from Google.”

‘The story of Mother Goose is possibly the oldest story to be turned into a pantomime. It dates back to an ancient Greek legend about a goose that laid golden eggs. It is also one of the earliest pantomimes seen in Great Britain, nearly two hundred years ago.

The pantomime of “Mother Goose” as we know it today is not as old - it is a mere 103 years old! It was at Drury Lane Theatre London in 1902 that the writer J. Hickory Wood created a new pantomime especially for the leading comedian of the day - Dan Leno. When the pantomime was finished it told the story that we know today and created the biggest part for a Dame in any pantomime.

In previous versions Mother Goose was a mysterious character- an old crone, almost like a kindly witch. Dan Leno created a poor woman who befriends a magical goose that provides her with Golden Eggs. She is rich, but there is something she wants more than money- she wants to be young and beautiful.

The pantomime has a strong moral- Beauty & Wealth cannot bring you happiness.

The story tells of how Mother Goose is about to be thrown off her land because she cannot pay the Squire and his Bailiffs the rent. Along comes Priscilla the goose. Mother Goose loves her as a friend and doesn’t know the good fairy has sent her to help Mother Goose. Priscilla lays golden eggs, and Mother Goose is rich. Along comes the Demon King (sometimes called “Demon Discord”). He has a bet with the fairy. He claims there is no-one on earth who is happy with what they have got- no one is content. They want more. The fairy disagrees and uses Mother Goose as an example of goodness.

The Demon King tempts Mother Goose with the one thing she doesn’t have- youth and beauty. He persuades her to give him Priscilla in exchange for a visit to the “Pool of Beauty”. She gives him Priscilla, and enters the pool, emerging as (she thinks) a beautiful woman.

All her friends don’t like her now - they want the old Mother Goose back. Too late she realises that beauty is NOT everything, and that she must get Priscilla back. After a lot of trouble (usually going to “Goose Court” in Gooseland to plead for Priscilla, she gets her back, and all ends happily ever after.’ (Source)

Tiffi looks at the time and realizes that she’s spent quite a bit of time talking to this elf. She thanks him but has to leave because she has errands to do. She thanks him for sharing all that he did. Before leaving the children’s corner she looks for a Mother Goose book hoping that she can find all the nursery rhymes. She checks out the book and heads home.

Let’s continue - The truth behind Mother Goose

Start at the beginning – The story of Mother Goose