Cracking the Code of Fairy Tales: Where Ridiculous Meets Profound

I am fascinated with fairy tales written by authors who lived two, three, or four centuries ago. Stories that, on the surface, seem ridiculous to modern readers may have deep meanings when dissected.

Marina Warner, an English novelist, short story writer, historian, and mythographer, had this to say of fairy tales: "stories that try to find the truth and give us glimpses of greater things."

The truth, you say? The truth can be as elusive in these tales as a unicorn at a disco. The infamous "Hansel and Gretel" from Grimm's Fairy Tales is a good example that most people today have heard.

Hansel and Gretel's parents abandoned them in the forest. It was of no fault of their own. Times were hard, and the family was starving. The stepmother nagged til the weak father gave in to get rid of the step-children so they might survive on what little they had left to eat.

Hansel and Gretel, left alone in the dark forest (symbolizing their abandonment), tapped into their survival instincts to find a way out and into a new life.

On their way, they found a gingerbread house (a trap) when they needed food and shelter. It was the home to a cannibalistic witch (who represented false hope), whom they defeated using their wits.

The final barrier to a happy ever after was a lake between them and their father's house. They received help from a swan (symbolizing freedom) who carried them across.

They did not give up, and for their determination, they were rewarded with jewels, returned to their home, and given a second chance with their father, who had repented and sent the stepmother away.

There were stories of cannibalism, witches, and werewolves during these times, and there is often some truth to stories. Child abandonment due to extreme poverty was common. Children were easy victims.

Fairy tales show us good and evil. Hope and despair that we all experience and struggle with in life.

But, more importantly. Fairy tales remind us that we all can have a "Happily Ever After."

Or, at least, that is our goal!

Check out our “Listen While You Paint” section. It is full of Fairy Tale audio for your entertainment.

Do you have a comment or some constructive criticism? Tell us about it in the comments below.