By Miranda Koerner
Staff Writer

Traditionally, fairy tales have been passed down as an oral tradition for hundreds of years from adult to children. But now, even with the Internet, video games and onset of technology, most people would be amazed that these outside influences have not defeated the core of these childhood stories.

Fairy tales exist in every culture across the globe. Almost every country has its own version of Cinderella, and several fairy tales overlap and transform as they travel across borders. This makes fairy tales universal to all ages and races and helps children understand different cultures.

“Fairy tales are just part of our culture,” said Susanna Nawrocki from the Red Balloon at 5009 Broadway. “We have as many as 10 or 15 stories we all seem to have heard. If you get down to it, it’s the same story. I think they’re always popular.”

Fairy tales often delivered messages and moral views. They taught children to stay away from strangers, listen to their elders and that good always conquered evil. At first, fairy tales were intended for adults, until the Brothers Grimm created their own versions for children, which were less dark and violent. When fairy tales exploded into pop culture, such as the Disney movie phenomenon, different versions of the already tweaked fairy tales were created to make them less violent and sad. However, they continued to be as popular as ever.

“The fact that they’re still in print shows their value,” said Miss Anastasia, local children’s story book lady. “They’re the true classics, much like Greek mythology and Bible stories. They just touch on character, good and evil, consequences, making bad decisions. Even if you live on a space city, those things are still going to hit home.”

In literature, fractured fairy tales such as The Frog Prince Continued and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, where the fairy tales are presented in a new way or from a different characters’ point of view, have become increasingly popular with children. Many believe that this continuing focus on fairy tales taps into something basic in humans: our desire to be storytellers.

“I think people are storytelling people,” said Vicki Ash, coordinator of children’s services San Antonio Public Library. “That’s the way we understand our lives. We talk to each other, and define ourselves by the stories we create. So no matter how involved we get with science and technology, stories are the way we relate to each other and connect.”

Fairy tales also continue to be popular in many cultures because of the adults passing them down. As generations teach the younger generations to pass down their favorite tales, the tradition of fairy tales continues. Even though most adults will never admit it, many are as touched by fairy tales now as when they were a child.

“I think it’s interesting fairy tales became associated with children, but I don’t think that is their only appeal,” said Mark Allen, English professor at University of Texas at San Antonio. “I think adults read fairy tales for children, not only for the children, but I think the adults like to read them. Fairy tales enable us to do things that we can not do or have never been able to do on the own. Some of the things that are available to us in dreams or stories only, like flying, are things we can [only] do through technology, through the roar of engines.”

For children, fairy tales act as a gateway to another world. Children inherently understand concrete concepts such as good and evil, and are able to relate to the injustices done to the character. Fairy tales also help reinforce their sense of morals and right and wrong, and make them feel good when they can recognize the difference in a story.

“Even though the child may consider themselves to be younger or smaller, they can see how this main character, who may have had a fault, was able to succeed in another area,” said Diane Bertrand, children’s author and writer-in-residence at St. Mary’s University. “I think children want to believe even if they have their own villains in their lives, that something will happen to change that—that the villains will meet their doom sometime.”

Fairy tales also create a fantasy world where children can stretch their imaginations and broaden their horizons. It enhances creativity and the ability to imagine different worlds and places. For some children, it’s an escape.

“Children need an outlet for their imaginations that goes beyond what they see on TV and a video game, something that allows them to dream of other possibilities,” Bertrand said. “In a world that is sometimes very harsh for young children, it amazes me that the younger children who should just be loved and coddled and insulated from ugly adult problems are smack in the middle of them. I think it’s really important for them to make believe, to wish upon a star, to live happily ever after. I think it’s important to give kids hope, because without that hope you have nothing to live for.”