To begin with, a big problem with the use of the label fairy tales is that many folktales do not have fairies in them.
Some folktales are animal tales, religious tales, or catch tales.
A definition of folktales which has been widely cited by scholars is from Berkeley anthropologist William Bascom. In some cultures, there is often a moral lesson to the tale. But people don't mind hearing the lesson because folktales provide enjoyment and a chance to dream about magical things. Antelope Internet Systems Inc. A ll Rights Reserved.