All parents in the world have something in common. When night falls and children go to bed, mothers and fathers—no matter which corner of the earth they live in—tell them fairy tales. Some make them up themselves, whilst others read from books.
All magical stories begin with a fairy tale opening. An opening is a beginning, a source. It is precisely on this that the fairy tale depends. Our opening is like this:
A girl named Tonya is very curious. She lives in a big city with her mum and dad. Every day Tonya tries to learn as much that is new and interesting as possible. How does a vacuum cleaner work? Why does a cat meow and a dog bark? Where do clouds sail to? So many questions fit in her little curly head that mum and dad don't always manage to answer!
Before bed, mum always tells Tonya something interesting. But the girl is in no hurry to fall asleep; she still looks for an opportunity to ask mum about everything under the sun.
Today I'll tell you a story, daughter, but not an ordinary one—a fairy tale. Once upon a time in a certain kingdom, in a certain state... No, that's not right! There lived a merchant, and he had three sons... That's not right either! Where should I start?
What kind of story are you going to tell me, mum?—Tonya asked again.
A fairy tale. About a magical kingdom and fairy tale characters!—mum answered.
But what is a "fairy tale"?—the girl persisted.
Well, what do you think?
It seems to me that a fairy tale is a story about magical creatures and miracles!
You're almost right. If we speak in adult language, it is one of the genres of folklore or literature. An epic, predominantly prose work with a magical, heroic or everyday plot." You're right! A fairy tale is a work about fictional characters and events involving magical, fantastical forces. It can be folkloric or literary, and its plot can be magical or everyday...
I didn't understand anything; that's a very complicated definition.—What? I didn't understand anything...
I'll explain everything now. Do you remember when we read the fairy tale about the golden fish?
Yes, I really like it. It's the one where an old man catches a fish, and it grants wishes.
Yes, that's all correct. This fairy tale is authored, which means it's literary. It was created by Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin—a famous Russian writer.
I remember that. But do all fairy tales have an author?
There are fairy tales that everyone knows, but they don't have an author. They are called folk tales or folklore. For example, "The Hare's Little House"—do you remember it?
Yes, it's the fairy tale about how the fox tricked the hare! Wait, mum... If a fairy tale doesn't have an author, how do you tell it to me? Does that mean you're its author?
You could say so. Folk tales pass from person to person, from mouth to mouth. They change a little, but the plot remains the same. It turns out that everyone who tells a folk tale is a bit of its author!
How is a fairy tale different from any other story?
It's simple here: in a fairy tale, the plot is always unreal, it's made up, fictional, often magical. And if a story is about real events, then it's, for example, a legend, a tale or a story.
Wow! Now I know everything about fairy tales!
Well, good, now will you go to sleep?
Oh! No! I forgot to ask, where did such a strange word "fairy tale" come from?
It's an ancient Russian word. It came from the word "to tell", which means "to narrate", "to point out".
But that's not the same meaning at all!
Several centuries ago, fairy tales were the name given to stories: news, various reports and even census data! And amazing magical stories at that time were called fables.
But how did fairy tales become fairy tales?
I read that in the 17th-18th centuries, various noble people made up incredible biographies for themselves. They invented things that never happened to them to look more impressive in society. It became fashionable, and such life stories also began to be called fairy tales. And then everything made up, unreal and magical became a fairy tale.
Now I understand!
Well, it's time to sleep. Good night, Tonya! May you dream the most interesting fairy tale.
Good night, mum!
Tonya slept very soundly, and she dreamed of a whole jumble of different fairy tales. A Grey Wolf came to her—teeth clicking—and said: "A fairy tale is a lie, but there's a hint of truth in it," and Tonya laughed in reply.
A clumsy Bear came to the girl. He said that he was a storyteller and that a fairy tale is like honey: "A fairy tale is a treat, pleasant to hear." Tonya didn't understand much, but she loved sweet honey and agreed with the bear. She was still too small to argue with a big clumsy bear.
And then everything spun and whirled and mixed up for Tonya: an old man caught a fox on a fishing line by the blue sea, and a golden fish stole the hare's little house.
Then Tonya's mum appeared in her dream and said: "A fairy tale is soon told, but a deed is not soon done."
Tonya woke up—and the sun was already shining outside the window. She jumped out of bed and thought: "What a fairy tale I dreamed today! I'll go and tell mum and dad everything. Now I'll be a storyteller too!"
Tonya's fairy tale is only beginning, and ours is coming to an end. Magical stories end with a conclusion. Our conclusion will be like this: "Reality can't keep up with a fairy tale. We've told you various fairy tales, but reality is not a fairy tale—you can't leave a word out of it."
Our conclusion will be like this: real stories always have boundaries, but fairy tales don't. They are defined only by our imagination. Anyone can write their own fairy tale and become a magical author. You only need a little courage and imagination, and everything will work out. Write fairy tales, friends; life is more interesting, friendlier and more fun with them.
