Once Upon My Time

I am saddened by the lack of knowledge, lack of reading, in general, and that folktales that lasted generations prior to the very printing press have withered to nothing in this most amazing point in history. If oral tradition could keep and travel the ancient Celtic tales of the Mabinogion to so many points in the old world, and every ancient culture has tales of similar theme that truly link us all to the traveling bards, how then today do so few people know the story of Diamonds and Toads?

You will find and should find much literary theory and thesis on the matter: Why fairy tales matter- (the bibliography is too extensive to provide now but a task I would heartily enjoy and will post at a later day) They matter so very much!

I would be one of the few scholars who will not bash Disney. For yes, though most people's current knowledge, and therefore misconceptions (largely due to happy endings) of fairy tales come from these, it is the Disney movies (and subsequent watered-down books) that keep the heart of these stories beating. I would be sadder still. People do not know Diamonds and Toads, imagine if they did not know Cinderella?

I would be one of the few people, no thanks to obvious psychological studies from the 19th century to late 20th century pop psychology, who will not bash Cinderella. The feminist fodder is prevalent in too many myths, fables and fairy tales to count, she just became the poster child due to her popularity. The theories of Cinderella representing rescue fantasies and passive behavior serve those with intent to market, these things have nothing to do with the character and the story.

At the heart, Cinderella is a good and kind person who works hard and makes the best of a bad situation. She is then rewarded with a better life, that is the basis of any hero tale. Being compassionate, empathetic, forgiving and never losing your imagination despite being daily subjugation and adversity- this is a fine definition of strength.

Read, learn and be strong.

I was raised by fairy tales, and live one now. Happy ending.