A Not so Small World

Dear Fairy Godmother,

The world is such a big place. It makes me feel so small sometimes. I want to see all that is has to offer, but travel is expensive. How can I expand on my little corner of the world?

Thumbelina

Dear Thumbelina,

The world is indeed large, but that’s not a bad thing. There aren’t any ways to make it smaller, and I certainly agree that travel is often out of the question, but there are things that you can do to make your small portion of it bigger. 

1. Act like a tourist in your own hometown. See what your city has to offer those who don’t live there. You might stumble across some hidden gem you never thought to explore because it’s always been there.

2. Grab some friends, get in the car, and spend a day on the road. You’d be surprised how many new things you’ll find if you look for them. 

And that’s the most important piece of advice I can give you: look for new and exciting things. You’ll find more than you thought. It’s all about attitude!

And remember, never stop dreaming!

Your Fairy Godmother

Why the Woods?

I was walking across campus this morning (very carefully, because it’s ridiculously icy today) trying to decide what to write about when a thought struck me.

Why do so many fairy tales involve woods?

Woods near Blarney Castle, Ireland.
Woods near Blarney Castle, Ireland.

Think about it. Sleeping Beauty was raised in the woods, then her castle was isolated by a forest of thorns. Snow White ran to the forest to avoid death. Red Riding Hood traveled through the woods (and maybe over a river?) to her grandmother’s house. Hansel and Gretel were lost (or abandoned) in the dark part of the forest. Rapunzel was locked in a tower hidden deep in the woods. (Sidenote: there aren’t very many good synonyms for “woods”. I hate that I have to write it every sentence.) The twelve dancing princesses traveled to a magical wood every night for a ball. The beast’s castle in Beauty and the Beast is traditionally surrounded by a dark forest. Even the original story of Cinderella uses the woods! Her wish is granted by a magical tree at her mother’s grave rather than a fairy godmother. (In some versions the tree is in the forest, in others it’s in more of a garden. Still. It’s a tree.)

I’m not the first person to notice this trend; the whole premise of “Into the Woods” is that all the fairy tale characters run into each other in the same woods. I haven’t had time to research the significance of this theme, so I’ll share my personal theory.

In the time when most of these stories were told, the woods were a place of mystery. They were sometimes dangerous, sometimes a source of life. The woods represented the unknown. Because they were mysterious, they were regarded as magical. So it makes sense that stories of magic would include the forests. Again, this is simply speculation, not fact.

Why do you think the woods were so prominently featured in fairy tales?

Until next time, word nerds!

Stuck in a Tower

Dear Fairy Godmother,

I have seriously got, like, the worst parents ever! They are so strict! I keep trying to get them to loosen up, but no amount of arguing works. They can’t believe that I’m growing up. They might as well lock me up in a tower somewhere for all the freedom I get.

How can I make them see me as a responsible young adult?

A Total Rapunzel

102_3178

Dear “Rapunzel”

I’m truly sorry you feel so trapped. In regards to your situation, I have two pieces of advice.

First, try to see your parents’ point of view. It might be true that they are having trouble seeing you as grown-up, but that’s because you are their little girl. They instinctively want to shelter you from the troubles of the world. 

Second, the best way to prove to your parents that you are responsible is to be responsible. Ask for small concessions or changes and show that you can handle them. Don’t throw tantrums when you don’t get your way. Use logic and reason instead of arguments and emotions. They’ll respect you for that.

The most important thing I can encourage you to do is simply to talk. Tell your parents how you feel and listen to what they have to say with an open mind. Compromise isn’t easy, but it is well worth the work. I wish you the best of luck in this adventure.

And remember, never stop dreaming!

Your Fairy Godmother

Why the Best Ones Die

Gandalf. Obi-Wan Kenobi. Mufasa. Have you started crying yet?

In so many fantasy stories, and some of our favorite Disney movies too, we are faced with the death (however brief) of beloved characters. Aside from the fact that writers are cruel, inhuman monsters who like to toy with the emotions of readers and movie-goers, there are actually two reasons we are so often faced with the characters we love so much.

1. To force the hero into action. When faced with a perilous journey, many young farm boys or other unassuming heroes-to-be are reluctant to begin their quest. Often they will completely refuse to leave home. At such a time, the hero can only be spurred into action by the death of someone important. It’s harsh, but it will set the hero on a path of vengeance, or show just how evil the antagonist can be. The hero becomes determined to defeat said evil and save the world!

2. To allow the hero to save the day. Heroes almost always have mentors. The one who teaches the hero about magic, fighting, morals, and other useful things. Unfortunately, as long as that mentor is around, the hero will rely on him or her. In order for the hero to realize his (or her) true strength, the mentor can’t be in the picture.While this can be accomplished with distance, death is more permanent at least, the hero thinks so).

Granted, Mufasa’s death doesn’t seem to fit these categories. I think of it as a delayed reason to fight.

Who are some of your favorite characters who met an untimely demise?

Until next time, word nerds!

But What About Me?

Dear Fairy Godmother,

I have a stepsister and I’m tired of being overlooked, or worse, cast as the villain. Cindy is a nice girl. She has a hard time getting along with my mother, true, but they both try their best.

Despite what you may have heard, we all pitch in around the house as much as we can, but she insists on letting mice and birds help her with the chores. It’s a little unsanitary if you ask me.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy for Cindy. She’s always been quiet, a homebody. I’m glad she’s met her Prince Charming. But I want a fairy tale ending too!

Please help!

An Overlooked Step-sister

Dear Overlooked Step-sister

Believe it or not, yours is a common situation. My first piece of advice would be to locate the nearest branch of Stepsisters Anonymous, a support group for stepsisters who are forgotten, misrepresented, or threatened by their stepsiblings. You’ll find a wonderful group of women there.

As for your own happy ending, follow Cindy’s example. Go out, meet new people. The best way to meet your own Prince Charming is to be social. Be confident, be beautiful, and be yourself.

And remember, never stop dreaming!

Your Fairy Godmother