A fairy tale is a tale of grace: an unexpected blessing. In fairy tales, something magical intervenes to transform an individual’s social/emotional state as when a broken home is healed (Hansel and Gretel), a marriage created (Marya Morevna), a lost relationship recovered (Rapunzel and her prince), or a vocation empowered (The Shoemaker and the Elves). By hearing of others overcoming obstacles to reach a state of joy, our own spirits are lifted vicariously. “Once upon a time” opens the door for the tale to be our own, and when “happily ever after” befalls the protagonists, it also falls upon us.
Find meaningful fairy tales for each stage of life in these volumes:
Andersen, Hans Christian and Maria Tatar, The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen. W. W. Norton & Company, 2007.
Chinen, Allen B., In the Ever After Fairy Tales and the Second Half of Life. Chiron Publications, 1989.
Pearson, Carol S., The Hero Within. HarperOne, 2013.
Drop by my booth 2511 at the Texas Library Conference this week!
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I’m on WordPress, Suomalaiset. Good luck with your new blog!
I shared this on Facebook. It was a beautiful explanation of the power of story in our lives.
Aw, thanks, Cathy!
Thank you for your short list of books.
🙂
“…a vocation empowered.” I’m swooning. Thank you for that phrase, that concept, that possibility.
Of course, I thought of you at the same moment I thought of “The Shoemaker and the Elves!”
I love this line – “Once upon a time” opens the door for the tale to be our own, and when “happily ever after” befalls the protagonists, it also falls upon us.”
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex’s Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge
Thanks, Madeline! It’s yours!
Great post and worth of a Tweet. I never knew the meaning behind a fairy tale. Now I know. I just learned something new before finishing my first cup of coffee.
Aw, Stephen! How sweet! Thanks for letting me know!