"Fairy Tales"

Fairy tales have the ability to teach the children of today many lessons; for instance, The Juniper Tree has the capacity to teach children lessons regarding the gruesomeness of reality which hide behind the overall lessons of goodness and morality. First off, it teaches that humans will kill for things that they desire, which is in this instance wealth. It also teaches of the sexism which exists in our society, as can be seen in the mother's desire for her daughter to inherit the wealth; for in doing the mother will insure a possible better quality of life for her daughter. It also deals with cannibalism, and the fact that such beings will see other humans merely as meat. On the other hand, it also teaches of goodness and morality which can be seen in the boy/bird's earning of his gifts. A final lesson it teaches is that goodness will prevail, and that evil must be eradicated so that order and happiness might prevail.