The Jatakas are probably the oldest collection of such tales in literature, and the greater part of the rest are demonstrably more than a thousand years old.

Fairy tales, and works derived from fairy tales, are still written today. Still, according to researchers at universities in Durham and Lisbon, such stories may date back thousands of years, some to the Bronze Age. The history of the fairy tale is particularly difficult to trace because only the literary forms can survive. Many of today's fairy tales have evolved from centuries-old stories that have appeared, with variations, in multiple cultures around the world. įairy tales occur both in oral and in literary form the name 'fairy tale' (' conte de fées' in French) was first ascribed to them by Madame d'Aulnoy in the late 17th century. However, unlike legends and epics, fairy tales usually do not contain more than superficial references to religion and to actual places, people, and events they take place ' once upon a time' rather than in actual times.

Legends are perceived as real within their culture fairy tales may merge into legends, where the narrative is perceived both by teller and hearers as being grounded in historical truth. Colloquially, the term 'fairy tale' or 'fairy story' can also mean any far-fetched story or tall tale it is used especially of any story that not only is not true, but could not possibly be true. In less technical contexts, the term is also used to describe something blessed with unusual happiness, as in 'fairy-tale ending' (a happy ending) or 'fairy-tale romance'. Prevalent elements include dwarfs, dragons, elves, fairies, giants, gnomes, goblins, griffins, mermaids, talking animals, trolls, unicorns, monsters, witches, wizards, and magic and enchantments. Fairy tales may be distinguished from other folk narratives such as legends (which generally involve belief in the veracity of the events described) and explicit moral tales, including beast fables. In most cultures, there is no clear line separating myth from folk or fairy tale all these together form the literature of preliterate societies. Such stories typically feature magic, enchantments, and mythical or fanciful beings. The European fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf in a painting Carl Larsson in 1881.Ī fairy tale (alternative names include fairytale, fairy story, magic tale, or wonder tale) is a short story that belongs to the folklore genre.

The storybook of legends