It is a difficult thing to lay a singular constant definition on something as dynamic and culturally dependent as a fairy tale. It is not enough to simply boil it down to heroes, villains, and the occasional moral of the story.
Fairy tales are literary reflections of ever-changing times and moral standpoints.
As the mindset of mankind changes and evolves, so does the general outline of what we know as fairy tales. Whatever the case, it is safe to identify the relationship between fairy tales and the lives of a ubiquitous mankind. In addition to the link between fairy tales and man s universal desires, one cannot overlook the ever present elements of the fantastic and unnatural. Were it not for the themes of magic, miracles, and extraordinary fortune, these classic tales would probably not have survived to the present day. These unnatural characteristics are a key piece of these ancient fables.