WHAT I LOVE IN A FAIRYTALE

1. Justice has got to be seen to be done.  There can be no question of rehabilitating the wicked stepmother, big bad wolf and so on - not in a standard fairytale anyway.  I did love Terry Pratchett's take on fairytale characters in Witches Abroad.
   
2. There has to be a happy ending most of the time.  (If you need one all the time don't read The Little Mermaid or The Little Match Girl).
   
3. I love the way that humans are not automatically the smartest creatures in a fairytale. 
   
4. Talking animals always make a great deal of sense in a fairytale.
   
5. Older women have starring roles in fairytales.  Okay some of them are crones who you know will face a horrible death but, in fairness, others are fairy godmothers, who make all the difference to the story.
   
6. The fairytale world has all manner of creatures in it.  Most of the time most of them get along fine.
   
7. Magical usage always comes with a price.  I'm sure the fairy godmother could just have waved her wand to conjure up Cinderella's coach and so on but the girl had to do some work for the spell to help her.  I like that.  It confirms the old saying there is no such thing as a free lunch.