Good stories, a little bit of knowledge and history, and a laugh or two are what we can promise you. My blog and my wife and I’s fairy tale podcast are the means. But what is the “why” you should listen to the stories?
The “why” behind fairy tales and folklore runs much deeper than entertainment—though that’s certainly part of it. Stories are humanity’s oldest teaching tools, carrying wisdom that’s been tested across centuries and cultures.
At their core, these tales help us navigate life’s complexities. They offer safe spaces to explore fear, loss, moral dilemmas, and transformation.
When children hear about Hansel and Gretel outsmarting the witch, they’re not just enjoying a spooky story—they’re learning that even when adults fail them, they can find their own resourcefulness and courage.
For adults, these stories offer a unique perspective on universal human experiences. The patterns repeat because the challenges do: dealing with jealousy, finding your place in the world, recognizing that things aren’t always what they seem, and understanding that growth often requires facing darkness before finding the light.
Some great examples of human experiences in fairy tales that we can relate to:
Family Dynamics:
- Cinderella – Dealing with favoritism, feeling overlooked, and navigating blended family tensions
- The Prodigal Son – Sibling rivalry, forgiveness, and feeling unappreciated for doing the “right thing”
- Goldilocks – Boundary-setting and the consequences of overstepping personal space
- The Ugly Duckling – Feeling like you don’t belong in your family or community
Identity and Self-Worth:
- The Frog Prince – Learning to see past first impressions and initial judgments
- Pinocchio – The struggle to be authentic versus telling people what they want to hear
- The Little Mermaid (original) – Sacrificing your voice/identity for love and the painful cost of transformation
- Rumpelstiltskin – Dealing with impossible expectations and the danger of making promises you can’t keep
Relationships and Trust:
- Little Red Riding Hood – Learning to trust your instincts about people who seem “off“
- Bluebeard – Recognizing red flags in relationships and the curiosity that can save or doom you
- The Scorpion and the Frog – Understanding that people often act according to their nature despite promises to change
Work and Ambition:
- Jack and the Beanstalk – Taking calculated risks, entrepreneurial spirit, and knowing when to cut your losses
- The Tortoise and the Hare – Persistence versus natural talent, and how consistency beats sporadic brilliance
- The Ant and the Grasshopper – Balancing present enjoyment with future security
Personal Growth and Resilience:
- Beauty and the Beast – Learning to love someone (or yourself) despite flaws and past mistakes
- Sleeping Beauty – Sometimes, you need to go through a dormant period before you’re ready for the next chapter
- The Phoenix – Rebuilding yourself after a devastating loss or failure
Social Dynamics:
- The Emperor’s New Clothes – The courage to speak the truth when everyone else is going along with blatant lies
- The Three Little Pigs – Different approaches to problem-solving and preparation
- Snow White – Dealing with jealousy, both experiencing it and being the target of it
Moral Dilemmas:
- Robin Hood – When is it okay to break the rules for the greater good?
- The Good Samaritan – Helping others when it’s inconvenient or potentially risky
- King Solomon’s Judgment – Making impossible choices and the wisdom to see through deception
There’s also something deeply comforting about connecting to this unbroken chain of storytelling. When someone listens to a tale that’s been told for hundreds of years, they’re joining a conversation that spans generations. These stories survived because they mattered—they helped people make sense of their world when life felt chaotic or uncertain.
Additionally, in our age of information overload, fairy tales offer something rare: simple yet memorable frameworks for understanding complex truths. They stick with you in ways that advice columns and self-help books often don’t.
You’re not just being entertained—you’re gaining access to humanity’s collective wisdom, presented in stories that are both memorable and meaningful.
That’s not enough reason for you to give fairy tales a try?
Here are some more compelling “whys” that could entice you to read my blog or listen to our podcast:
Practical Life Benefits:
- Better bedtime stories for your kids (and you’ll actually enjoy telling them because you’ll know the real versions, not the sanitized Disney ones)
- Conversation starters that make you the most interesting person at parties (“Did you know Cinderella’s stepsisters actually cut off parts of their feet?”)
- Cultural literacy that helps you understand references in everything from literature to memes
- Problem-solving inspiration—these characters have been figuring out impossible situations for centuries
- Free therapy through metaphor—sometimes, hearing about someone else’s wicked stepmother helps you process your own family drama
The Curiosity Hook:
- “You think you know these stories, but you really don’t”—most people have only heard the watered-down versions
- The origins are often wildly different and are much more fascinating than what we grew up with
- Each tale is like a mystery: why did this particular story survive when thousands of others didn’t?
Humorous Angles:
- “Medieval people were absolutely unhinged”—wait until you hear what they considered normal family dynamics
- These stories are basically ancient reality TV with more monsters and fewer commercials
- Perfect for people who like their entertainment with a side of “what were they thinking?!”
The Guilty Pleasure Angle:
- It’s educational, so you can feel productive while being entertained
- A socially acceptable way to indulge in dark, twisted tales
- Like true crime, but nobody actually died (usually)
Which fairy tale has stuck with you since childhood, and why do you think it resonated? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear which stories have shaped your perspective on life!
