The Fairy Tale Feminista

Answering life’s questions one fairy tale at a time.

5/13/25 5/13/25

The First Story

While we have no concrete evidence, it’s safe to assume that the first story told was a warning from one homo sapien to another.

“Hey, in a time before now, I went in that direction with a hunting party and something with teeth and claws ate half of them. Be careful.”

4/15/25 4/15/25

Does it Matter Where you Start?

Have you ever noticed that fairy tales don’t start with:

“Once upon a time a forlorn prince looked out his window and wondered if he’d ever find his true love…”

“There was once a princess whose father decreed one day that her potential husband would be determined by a stranger’s ability to outwit a troublesome giant…”

4/12/22 4/12/22

To Warn or Not to Warn

To Warn or Not to Warn...that is the question.

One of the reasons we read fairy tales is to be transported in a predictable way. Yes, it’s all fantastical, but there are big neon sign type clues that tell you it’s coming. If you save a golden fish in a lake, you better believe it’s going to get you wishes. If a fairy godmother comes with a dress for the ball, you’re going to catch a prince’s eye. And if some rando takes your broken-down old cow and gives you beans, your garden is not getting basic wildflowers.