FAIRY TALES | WRITING | ILLUMINATION
The Truth About Fairy Tales
Many fairy tales are not necessarily nice. Did the Grimm brothers have something against their parents? Did they not want them to sleep at all? TBH, it wasn’t just the Brothers Grimm.
Fairy tales are often perceived as stories for children, yet most of us know they weren’t always meant solely for young audiences.
These tales encompass themes of fear and revulsion; however, many are intended to teach the child to overcome adversity, inspire resilience, and ultimately triumph.
After all, most finish with “…and they lived happily ever after. The End.”
Fairy tales have long been a childhood staple, enchanting us with their whimsical worlds and captivating characters.
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read more fairy tales.” — Albert Einstein.
Many were read to us by one of our parents or siblings. And Disney turned most of those into Saturday morning cartoons and feature-length films.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney.
Yet, beneath the surface of these enchanting stories lie dark and gruesome elements that may shock and surprise you.
The Brothers Grimm and other renowned authors created fairy tales with rich and complex histories that go beyond the enchanted forests and happy endings we associate them with.
“Fairy tales are the timeless threads that connect generations through the magic of storytelling.” — Unknown
The Brothers Grimm: Masters of the Grim
Before we examine the darker side of fairy tales, let’s take a moment to appreciate the Brothers Grimm.
After all, they published more than 200 stories, but not all were their creations.
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm collected and popularized many of these timeless stories. We even use “grim” as an adjective to describe gruesome and gloomy incidents, don’t we?
Born in Germany in the late 18th century, the Grimm brothers’ work was instrumental in preserving the oral traditions of folklore and fairy tales.
Their collection of stories, “Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” includes classics like “Hansel and Gretel,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and “Snow White,” which have become household names.
Few, if any, of us over five are unfamiliar with these classics from bedtime stories, TV, or movies.
“Fairy tales are more than just stories; they are lessons wrapped in enchanting narratives.” — Anonymous.
Hansel and Gretel: A Trail of Nightmares
One of the most well-known fairy tales, “Hansel and Gretel,” stands out for its gruesome storyline.
In this story, two siblings are abandoned in the woods by their stepmother and stumble upon a gingerbread house owned by a wicked witch who plans to eat them.
It’s a tale of survival, where children faced hunger, abandonment, and a sinister villain who intends to devour them — a far cry from the sugar-coated versions often told to kids.
Way to teach kids to trust their stepparents! Yet, it does teach them that not all things sweet are delightful.
“Do not put your faith in cape and hood; they will not protect you the way that they should.” — Little Red Riding Hood.
Little Red Riding Hood: A Lesson in Deception
“Little Red Riding Hood” is another classic fairy tale that takes a dark turn.
The story revolves around a young girl who encounters a wolf disguised as her grandmother. The wolf deceives Little Red Riding Hood and ultimately devours her.
Some versions of the tale end with a heroic rescue; however, the original tale serves as a cautionary reminder about the dangers of trusting strangers and emphasizes the importance of caution.
“Fairy tales are mirrors for our fears and dreams, reflecting the complexities of the human experience.” — Anonymous.
Snow White: Envy and Revenge
“Snow White” may seem like a tale of beauty, innocence, and the triumph of good over evil, but it also has its macabre moments.
The wicked queen’s jealousy drives her to order the assassination of her stepdaughter, Snow White.
The story explores themes of envy, vanity, and the quest for eternal youth, reminding us that even the most cherished fairy tales are laced with poison.
“There has also been the suggestion that the story of Snow White originated from the real-life story of a countess and her alleged lover, Philip II of Spain. The countess, named Margarete von Waldeck (1553–1554) was supposedly poisoned at a young age, as politics were more important than real love at the time.” — Black Pool Grand.
Other Fairy Tales That Are Not Necessarily Nice
While the Brothers Grimm left us with some of the most chilling and thought-provoking fairy tales, other authors have also contributed their share of unsettling narratives.
“Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.” — The Little Mermaid
“The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen
Consider, if you will, a little mermaid named Ariel, who makes a dreadful deal with a sea witch and sacrifices her voice, only to endure excruciating pain to be with her beloved prince and face a heart-wrenching fate.
“Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.” Hans Christian Andersen
“The Tinderbox” by Hans Christian Andersen
“The Tinderbox” is a fairy tale of magic and intrigue written by Hans Christian Andersen.
In this story, a soldier returns from war and, through a series of magical encounters, acquires a tinderbox that summons three dogs with extraordinary abilities.
These dogs help the soldier amass great wealth and power, but the tale takes a dark turn when the soldier uses the tinderbox to overthrow the king.
The story explores themes of ambition, greed, and the consequences of unchecked power, making it another example of a fairy tale that isn’t necessarily nice for kids to hear before bedtime.
“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” — GK Chesterson.
“Saint George and the Dragon” by Margaret Hodges.
“Saint George and the Dragon” is a classic tale of bravery and valor, told repeatedly through the centuries.
It tells the story of a fearsome dragon that terrorizes a kingdom, demanding sacrifices of young maidens. When the king’s daughter is chosen as the next victim, a courageous knight, Saint George, sets out to rescue her.
He meets with failure on the first and second attempts but finally slays the dragon on the third attempt.
The story tells a tale of the dramatic battle between Saint George and the dragon and his ultimate triumph over evil. Saint George and Princess Una are married and live happily ever after. The End.
“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.” — Anonymous.
Parting Thoughts & Shots at Fairy Tales
The truth is fairy tales are more than just whimsical stories with happy endings; they reflect the complex tapestry of human emotions and experiences.
“Fairy tales in childhood are stepping stones throughout life, leading the way through trouble and trial. The value of fairy tales lies not in a brief literary escape from reality, but in the gift of hope that goodness truly is more powerful than evil and that even the darkest reality can lead to a Happily Ever After.” — L.R. Knost.
From the dark and gruesome elements found in the tales of the Brothers Grimm to the unsettling narratives crafted by other renowned authors, fairy tales provide us with a glimpse into the darker side of storytelling.
They often remind us about life’s challenges and complexities woven into these enchanting tales’ very fabric.
So, the next time you read a fairy tale to your child or for your enjoyment, remember that they are not always what they seem on the surface — they are windows into the human soul, where light and darkness coexist and help some children deal with the reality of death.
That’s all for today. Thanks for reading and come back for more soon. If you enjoyed my story, follow me, clap, highlight something that interested you, and leave a comment or feedback.
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Stephen Dalton is a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Also, a Top Writer in Bitcoin, Business, Investing, Nutrition, Travel, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, and Short Story.