All parents around the world have something in common. When night falls and children climb into their beds, moms and dads—no matter where on Earth they live—tell them fairy tales. Some make them up on the spot, while others read from books.
All magical stories begin with a fairy tale opening. An opening is a beginning, a source. It's what determines what kind of story will follow. Our opening goes like this:
A girl named Tanya is very curious. She lives in a big city with her mom and dad. Every day Tanya tries to learn as much that's 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 mom and dad can't always keep up with answering!
Before bed, mom always tells Tanya something interesting. But the girl is in no hurry to fall asleep—she takes the opportunity to ask her mom about everything under the sun.
Today I'll tell you a story, sweetie, but not an ordinary one—a fairy tale. Once upon a time in a certain kingdom, in a certain land... No, that's not right! There lived a merchant who had three sons... That's not it either! How should I begin?
What kind of story are you going to tell me, Mom?" asked Tanya.
A fairy tale. About a magical kingdom and fairy tale characters!" answered Mom.
But what is a "fairy tale"?" the girl persisted.
Well, what do you think?
I think a fairy tale is a story about magical creatures and miracles!
You're almost right. If we speak in grown-up language, it's one of the genres of folklore or literature. An epic, mainly 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 folklore 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 a thing...
I'll explain everything now. Remember when we read the fairy tale about the golden fish?
Yes, I really liked it. It's the one where an old man catches a fish, and it grants wishes.
Yes, that's right. That 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 have no author. They're 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, Mom... If a fairy tale has no author, how do you tell it to me? Does that make you the author?
You could say that. Folk tales pass from person to person, from mouth to mouth. They change a little, but the plot stays the same. So 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?
That's simple: in a fairy tale, the plot is always unreal—it's made up, fictional, often magical. But if a story is about real events, then it's something else, like a legend, a tale, or a narrative.
Wow! Now I know everything about fairy tales!
Good, now will you go to sleep?
Oh! No! I forgot to ask—where did the strange word "fairy tale" come from?
It's an ancient Russian word. It comes from the word "to tell" or "to show."
But that's not the same meaning at all!
Several centuries ago, fairy tales were the name for stories: news, various reports, and even census records! And the 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 started being called fairy tales. And then anything made up, unreal, and magical became a fairy tale.
Now I understand!
Well, it's time to sleep. Good night, Tanya! May you dream of the most interesting fairy tale.
Good night, Mom!
Tanya slept very soundly, and she dreamed of a whole jumble of different fairy tales. A Gray Wolf came to her—teeth clicking—and said: "A fairy tale is a lie, but there's a hint of truth in it," and Tanya laughed in response.
A clumsy Bear came to the girl. He said he was a storyteller and that a fairy tale is like honey: "A fairy tale is a treat, sweet to hear." Tanya didn't understand much, but she loved sweet honey and agreed with the bear. She was still too little to argue with a big clumsy bear.
And then everything spun and whirled and mixed up for Tanya: 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 Tanya's mom appeared in her dream and said: "A fairy tale is soon told, but a deed is long in doing."
Tanya woke up—and the sun was already shining outside her window. She jumped out of bed and thought: "What a fairy tale I dreamed today! I'll go tell Mom and Dad all about it. Now I'll be a storyteller too!"
Tanya's fairy tale is just beginning, and ours is coming to an end. Magical stories end with a conclusion. Our conclusion will be this: "Reality can't keep up with a fairy tale. We've told you various tales, but reality is not a fairy tale—you can't take a word out of it."
Our conclusion will be this: real stories always have boundaries, but fairy tales don't. They're 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.
