Drinkin' and killin'

I've been looking over my big book of Russian tales this past week, looking for material for the class. It's put me in quite a pickle. It's forced me to consider to what end am I collecting and memorizing stories.

As most folklorists will tell you, oral tales were not originally geared entirely towards children before they were published for mass consumption in the 19th century. This often means there's some really rough stuff in there--drinking, sex and violence, oh so much violence. One story I remember thinking was pretty good was Baldak Borisevich, alas on rereading it for this class, its flaws were more apparent. The hero is introduced while drunk on the tavern floor. In the course of the story he goes on to sleep with and then kills 3 Turkish princesses before slaying the entire court of the sultan and sailing jauntily home. I admit that I do not envision myself being a children's librarian per se, and don't feel bound to a purely child-oriented repertoire. Even so…

The old folk genius can also be delightfully subtle. I one story in which a fox is attempting to lure a rooster to his demise he tempts him with an offer to see his, "assortment of curios." I love that! It's great when children's literature has a few flourishes for the grown-ups, but too many authors working in kids lit load up their work with so many winks to the parents, little folks can't but be confused. I don't want to be too smart for my audience, and I'm just not sure how much of these old tales any kid would "get."

My interest in folk literature and oral storytelling is informed by my study of history and culture and my favorite parts of stories have a voice from another place or time. One that reveals perspectives wholly divorced from my own culture and values--twelve year olds dreaming of their wedding day, warriors relishing their vicious slaughter of unarmed enemies, dark forests hewn down, wives taught to submit and stay out of public life. It's nothing you'd want to pass on to kids, but for me, those are the strange points of view are what make them so fascinating.
So what should be a good way to discriminate between the mountains of folk literature? For kids or not for kids?