Why I Believe in Fairytales

Remember growing up listening to your parents read you fairytales and watching the movie Peter Pan? Or Aladdin? It seems like for us 90s kids especially, Disney movies were an essential part of our childhood. When I was watching TV the other day, Sleeping Beauty came on. I admit that even as a huge Disney fan, I hadn't seen this movie in at least five years. So I decided to watch it. It's a short movie, so I figured, "why not?" During the movie, one of my friends I was with (you know who you are :D) suddenly burst out "Disney princesses give girls unrealistic expectations." I wanted to respond with something that agreed and disagreed at the same time, because like most things in life, there are grey areas. 

And after our short conversation, my mind flooded with thoughts.

I'm aware that movies like Sleeping Beauty are far from reality. Obviously, there's a reason why these movies are called "fairytales". Of course they aren't real. But does that mean that we can't take something of value from them? No. And does that mean that Disney (or fairytales in general) gives children and adults like me who grew up with these stories the wrong idea about life? No - as long as I have at least some sanity. 

Fairytales aren't unrealistic, where protagonists always get their way and don't have hardships. I would argue that fairytales actually expose real-life hardships.

I'd also venture to say that a fairytale's greatest lesson is that true love conquers all.

Think about Ariel from The Little Mermaid. She had a beautiful voice. She was a princess; she had it all. But she gave up her voice. She walked in pain with every step she took. And she tried to find the man she loved even though she knew it was a difficult dream to fulfill.

Remember the Fox and the Hound? Two friends, happy as could be. They grew up together. They played together. But once they grew up, they were told to hate each other. In the end, though, they realized their friendship was more important than prejudices they were "supposed to have".

Prince Charming searched the kingdom for Snow White before he rescued her from a deep sleep. Prince Phillip and the Beast put their lives on the line to save their beloved from danger. And Elsa was able to save Anna because of her love for her sister. I could go on.

So how are fairytales different from reality? Sure, maybe they over-exaggerate in certain aspects. But they show the nitty gritty. Nobody but Belle cared about the Beast. After all, who could care for a beast - or anyone unattractive and mean? (Raise your hand if you feel convicted like me.)

Reality is that life is messy. It's never perfect. But when you have people in your life whom you love and who love you right back, it's a little bit easier to make it through each day. And it's what we are called to do as Christians. True love, which springs from Christ, conquers fears, anger, that roller-coaster called life, and culture's loud "voice" on love and beauty. 

So to those "skeptics" out there who don't buy into fairytales, maybe it's time you do.