Today, I scanned through the files on my laptop and found my cartoon folder. I felt the urge to watch the cartoons in the classic folder. I watched Mulan, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas and Snow White. I also watched some episodes of Tom and Jerry (hehehe, I just had to… funny cartoon). I just practically relived my childhood. There is reality in Fairytale. My epiphany came while I watched Sleeping Beauty.

So, a lot of us are conversant with the phrase “Life is not a fairytale.” and we believe it. I am guessing this is so because of representations like fairies, godmothers etc. but somehow people believe in the existence of witches (which is quiet ironic). My point is, fairytales are realistic. It is just life with characters as representations of life variables. Good and evil exist and that’s what fairytales preach. It also zooms in on the consequences of each action. The theory of belief, smartwork and hardwork are emphasized in fairytales. Whatever you believe in works for you. No one ever got a wish without working for it, so typically, they created the opportunity. Cinderella was a hardworker and opportunity presented itself. Yes, we may not get everything we wish for but even fairytale characters don’t get everything they wish for. The good-natured characters (Heroes and Heroines) are not that selfish and never wish for too much but they made use of the opportunities that presented itself.

Watch fairytales from a deeper perspective and you might learn something. Don’t look at things literally. Belle fell in love with a beast after sacrificing herself in place of her father, taking care of the beast in place of her freedom, the will to fight for him after the village attacked him… she gave up something for him. The beast also gave up something for her. How many of us are willing to give selflessly and love selflessly? If you want a fairytale, be a fairytale-worthy character. You have to be good-natured even when people do not deserve it (like Cinderella and her step-mum/step-sisters). You have to ensure you are not blinded by greed (like Cinderella with the prince). You have to learn to be patient and not rush things (like Belle and the Beast). You need to know when to apologize and admit your wrong (like Mulan and Shang). You need to know when to reject a position to chase your dreams no matter how enticing (Aladdin and Jasmine’s father). You need to know when to be nice to strangers as they may be the ones to save your life (Aurora and the Prince). Life gives you favors, blessings you don’t deserve (like wishes), opportunities, people (villains and heroes), the magic lies in what YOU make of it. People in this world, have happy endings. You can decide to be one of the people comfortable with unhappy endings or create your own happy ending.

Create your own fairytale and remember, even fairytales are not perfect. They tell you the summary of the story. Think to yourself, if my story is summarized would it be a happy ending or a happily never after story? The answer lies in your actions. You can correct your steps today. It’s not too late to change the course of your story.

You can’t be a villain and expect a happy ending.

Love,
Einsteinette.