The Fairy Story

Stories, especially fairy tales, have since many years ago served the same purpose. Their purpose is, through a simple and entertaining story, to teach valuable lessons to those who read or hear it. Like the parables of Jesus Christ in the bible, they serve as a sort of figure of speech that communicates a hidden message.

Some might say, then, "Why, if your goal is to communicate a thing, do you hide it within a story and deliver it in such a roundabout way?" Well, these stories do not only hide messages. In fact, sometimes they do not hide anything at all. These stories are a way for us to present the beauty of human imagination and creativity. They are, as Tolkien would say, escapist.

But going back to the question of why one should hide a message. The teachings that we wish to convey in these stories are best suited, specifically, for these stories alone. People do not have time in their busy lives to hear a boring message, even if it would benefit them. Fairy tales provide a convenient channel that does not pretend to waste one's time to convey what one should want to proclaim, because when one is enjoying the time spent constructively, it is not wasted.

My opinion is, that fairy stories and fantasy are parts of society, whose loss would be devastating for humanity. Through these stories everyone is enriched in various ways. Apart from the moral lessons which can sometimes exist in them, fairy tales transport us to realms of magic and myth, where fanciful creatures dwell in enchanted landscapes. Without a doubt, this encourages thought beyond the ordinary, which cultivates creativity.

In general, stories can be a tool for people to learn, even without a message. They are a conduit for emotions that teach readers about those feelings, they preserve the culture and folklore in its simplest form, again especially fairy tales, and offer much-needed hope.

For these reasons especially I have found that it is my duty to craft these magical realms, sharing with my brothers and sisters the wisdom and beauty that from them might be gleaned.

SAPIENTIA ET VENUSTAS

Santiago Muguiro