AD – GIFTED | Once upon a time… some of my earliest childhood memories are of my mother reading kids fairy tales to me. A heady diet of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm led us onto Aesop’s Fables. From there, it was a short hop to all the Greek Myths and Legends, followed by the wonderful Arabian 1001 Nights with Scheherazade’s cliffhangers. Many of these stories have stayed with me all the way through into my adult life and I believe fairy tales teach us some valuable life lessons that are still relevant today.
Do Fairy Tales Teach a Lesson?
Did you know that traditional fairy tales were originally meant as warnings with moral lessons, to teach children about the harsh realities of life? If you read the original Andersen and Grimm stories, you might be surprised to find out how dark and sometimes harrowing they are. The values and morals in fairy tales are something Philip Pullman has addressed brilliantly in his retelling of Grimm Tales: For Young and Old*. I was given this book a couple of years ago and I love it, especially the commentary at the end of each tale on background and history.
What Lessons do Fairy Tales Teach Us?
If you Google this phrase, you’ll find any number of articles and posts, many of which are hilarious. But I think the overarching reason fairy tales with morals have endured, despite some of saccharine, sanitised Disney fairy tales, is because they do have life lessons to teach us.
So I don’t agree with Richard Dawkins, who thinks they encourage unscientific beliefs in “statistically improbable” ideas for children. I mean, come on, did you ever really believe kissing a slimy frog would turn it into a prince?! So let’s take a look at some lessons that we can learn from a few classic fairy tales, shall we? (Please note, I’m referring to the original stories, where blood is not cleaned up and the narrative doesn’t always end happily ever after).
- Cinderella – a work ethic is good but it’s always helpful to have friends in high places to smooth your path
- Little Red Riding Hood – never underestimate the importance of getting your eyes tested
- Hansel and Gretel – necessity is the mother of invention but next time stick to pebbles, not bread
- Sleeping Beauty – sometimes it’s better to just bite the bullet and invite your crotchety old relative to the wedding after all
- The Little Mermaid – life is cruel and sometimes you won’t get your heart’s desire.
Fairy tales teach us timeless life lessons by using simple stories to explore complex ideas about behaviour, consequences, and human nature. Originally written as moral warnings, these tales show kindness is often rewarded, poor choices can have consequences, and life doesn’t always end happily. From classics like Cinderella to Hansel and Gretel, they highlight resilience, caution, and the importance of making wise decisions – lessons that remain relevant for both children and adults today.
Fables and Fairy Tales
I’m so thrilled that Flora has become interested in Aesop’s Fables* and the Greek Myths and Legends. We’ve read through my childhood copy of Aesop twice and are now working our way through her Legendary book* with one myth each night at bedtime.
After a spell of wanting to read by herself at night (which is wonderful, don’t get me wrong), I’m loving reading with her again before she goes to sleep. It’s such a special time, although I’m not sure how much longer it will last.
Bookworm Candle
This month I’ve been very lucky to receive a lovely candle from Bookworm Candles and Crafts*, an online store for hand poured bookish candles and accessories. Every month they have a special offer for an 8oz soy candle and this month’s candle features Hansel & Gretel, one from their Fairy Tales & Fables range.
Siblings, Candy and Kidnapping has a sweet, nutty, biscuity, popcorn scent with some (non-edible!) coloured sprinkles on top. And the three wicks mean it burns evenly so you don’t end up with too much wax on one side of the tin. The outside of the tin has a cute little purple decal (a cauldron? a knapsack?) and ribbon as well as the quote, “We’ll get home safely, you’ll see!”
Are Fairy Tales as Life Lessons for You?
Common fairy tales that most of us read as children are ones that we’ll still remember today. And why is that? Because most children love to learn and fairy tales teach a lesson to even the youngest of readers. Fairy tales with a moral are referenced in so many novels, poems, artworks and more, including modern reinventions and interpretations. And for me, that makes them truly legendary and deserving of their place in literary history, as well for new audiences in the future.
Do you agree that lessons in fairy tales (and by extension, from fables, myth, and legends) are also life lessons? Which fairy tales did you love best as a child and have you still got a favourite?
* This post features some affiliate links (please see my Disclaimer).
I LOVE fairy tales. The darker the better. I also spent hours as a kid reading/being read fairytales and myths and legends – I loved greek and celtic mythology – and the Phillip Pullman book sounds so good! My favourite thing in this post though is the realisation that little red riding hood is essentially a very old, very long winded advert for specsavers. Which reminds me..
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Yay, I’m so glad, I think there’s so much in them that people don’t realise – especially in the original dark versions. And haha, Specsavers REALLY need to reach out to you TODAY! xx
Aww, this post made me feel all nostalgic and reminded me of the collection of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales I used to read all the time as a child. I must have read them so many times 🙂 He he, those life lessons are so funny and true! I love “never underestimate the importance of getting your eyes tested” – ha ha, brilliant! Ooh fairy tale inspired candles are such a fun and creative idea! The Hansel & Gretel themed candle is fabulous and those sprinkles look good enough to eat, I imagine it smells just like being in a cake shop! It sounds like a delightful scent and perfect for a cosy evening with a good book (or a fairy tale or two with Flora). Thank you for sharing Lisa, such a lovely post and gorgeous photos too! <3 xx
Ah, that’s lovely! I’ve really been enjoying revisiting my favourite tales for this post, it’s surprising just how much you can learn from them. And yes, that candle looks and smells utterly delicious, just like a cake shop, you’re right! I’m glad this was a happy trip down nostalgia lane for you, Bexa, and thank you for your lovely comments xx
This is such a great and interesting post to read. I too think there are some good things to be learned from fairy tales. I love the themed candles! The candle looks beautiful. I like to have a relaxing atmosphere when I am reading, candles are a great way to do that. Thank you for sharing ?xx
Oh, thank you, Lauren, I’m so glad you enjoyed this. I know I was being slightly flippant but I do think fairy tales have a lot to teach us, provided we refer to the originals and not the sanitised versions 🙂 And always yay for candles! xx
I took a children’s literature class in my post secondary education and it was very interesting to learn about fairy tales. I really enjoyed this post.
Jennifer
Oh, I’m sure that would have been a fascinating class, I’m glad this post reminded you of it and thank you 🙂
I do love fairytales, however, i have always find the original version to be really harsh in their lessons. I guess the main lesson would be to not treat people badly if you don’t want karma to catch up on you ahah
Yes, a lot of them are, and that’s the point that I think has been forgotten in recent years (not trying to throw shade on Disney but…). Fairy tales were written to teach us what not to do! x
It’s always so strange to me to think about how dark fairytales actually originally were – I think it’s something that a lot of people don’t actually realise! The Hansel and Gretel candle sounds absolutely dreamy though, and its container is so adorable! xx
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Yes, you’re right, a lot of people think it’s all princesses and fairy godmothers but the original stories are so much darker. Much more interesting too I think. And yes, the candle is gorgeous! xx
I loved fairy tales till I watched Disney’s adaptations. I really liked it that you mentioned about the original stories that do not necessarily end up with ‘happily ever after’. I still like going through the history and background of folk/fairy tales from different places, gives a lot of interesting insights about the people and culture of that place. Thanks for sharing,
Love, Anjali
I feel like I’m having a real downer on Disney but I do think they’ve dumbed down the original purpose of fairy tales. Which is a shame, as the tales themselves work so well as fantasy and moral fable combined. Thank you for your comment! 🙂
I loved your summary of what you can learn from them ?. That candle sounds amazing, although the sprinkles do look edible. It’s lovely that Flora still enjoys reading with you, I think that’s really sweet x
Sophie
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Well, I know I was a little tongue in cheek, but I hope not to the detriment of what I was trying to say, ie, fairy tales were’t written to be sweet and sanitised. And yes, I’m very lucky Flora still enjoys bedtime stories, it’s lovely! x
I’ve seen Bookworm’s candles online before but never purchased. It looks like such a great addition to a cozy night reading. Need to read up on original fairytales :3
This candle is gorgeous, good enough to eat, haha. And yes, if you get a chance, do read up on some of the original tales, I think you’d be very surprised at how different they are 🙂
This is such an interesting post! I love fairy tales and your life lessons are so true! I really enjoyed reading it haha! I find it fascinating that the original versions were much more darker than the Disney adaptations. Loved this post x
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Thank you so much, that’s lovely to hear 🙂 And yes, I think Disney has a lot to answer for in this instance! x
The lessons you listed made me chuckle, especially the one for Little Red Riding Hood! It’s so wonderful that you and Flora read together, and I’m glad she’s enjoying Aesop’s fables. The candle looks amazing and sounds like it smells even better. Loved this post, Lisa!
Well, I wrote those with my tongue firmly in my cheek! But I’m so lucky Flora still wants to read with me, it’s something that I really treasure, even if we don’t always see eye to eye on her choices! xx
I love fairy tales too! However there is one that still terrifies me today and that is Rumplestiltskin D: the thought of him popping up in a cloud of smoke and stomping his foot through the ceiling always freaked me out SO much that even now as a 27 year old, I bloody hate that character. I won’t even watch the Shrek movie that he’s in haha! x x
Ellis |
Ah, Rumplestiltskin was soooo creepy, I don’t blame you at all, haha. I don’t know if you ever caught the US series Once Upon A Time but they got Robert Carlyle to play Rumplestiltskin and he was absolutely terrifying! xx
This was just the loveliest post to read! As someone who makes harry potter references in pretty much all her posts/instagram captions, i love uncovering real-life analogies to fiction and i loved the humour with the opening list – Red Riding Hood especially! I always adore seeing literary-themed candles on Instagram and featured a couple in my Christmas gift guide, so will definitely be bumbling along to visit this company <3
Oh, thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I did have my tongue firmly wedged in my cheek but I hope the overall message of what we can learn from fairy tales was still evident 🙂 And yes, I think if you love literary candles, you’ll love this candle company too! x
I love the idea of fairytales having something to teach us-and it reminds me of a lyric from Left Outside Alone: “All my life I’ve been waiting, for you to bring a fairytale my way..” Personally, I think they teach us to have faith, above all.
Ah, that’s so lovely, what a wonderful way of looking at fairytales! X
I love the book-ish themed candles and will be paying their shop a visit very soon. I do think fairy tales, myths eye have life lessons they can teach us. The original stories are harsher in their lessons than some of the retelling (including Disney).
Oh, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, their candles are lovely 🙂 And yes, Disney has a lot to answer for, there have been some unforgivably dumbed down retellings!
Yes! It was only once I had kids and revisited old fairy tales (that are often way changed nowadays) I realised how odd and a bit frightening some of them are but kids love them, I loved them, I think there’s a lot to learn right there about how we learn through fear and pushing boundaries rather than being wrapped in cotton wool
Oh, I think you’re so right, the only way kids learn is through experience and cocooning them all the time is not helpful in the long run. I mean, obviously there’s stranger danger and sharp knives, but a little bit of trust and common sense goes a long way!
I loved fairy tales as a child too. I grew up with the Disney versions but I have heard that fairy tales were really meant to teach us lessons. Good lessons from the original fairy tales!
Yes, the originals are the best, life isn’t always sugar and spice!
I do believe that fairy tales can teach you valuable lessons. I feel like as kids, you simply enjoy them but as you grow up, you truly understand the meaning behind it. I love Sleeping beauty and Cinderella. 🙂
Yes, that’s such a positive way of looking at them, I agree, thank you!