Myths, Folklore & Legends: We Still Need Our Fairy Tales | Heidi Shamsuddin | TEDxUniversityofMalaya

At the age of seven, I received a book of fairy tales from my father. These stories had a profound impact on me, especially the scary ones like Hansel and Gretel. They fascinated and terrified me at the same time. Today, I want to discuss how fairy tales can influence us throughout our lives and help us make sense of the world around us.

The original fairy tales were not just for children but for all ages, filled with violence and cruelty. Over time, they became more diluted and child-friendly due to moral intervention. Despite technological advances, we still view the world through these tales.

The Enduring Evolution of Fairy Tales Fairy tales, rooted in myth and folklore, have transcended cultural boundaries to become timeless narratives that resonate with people across the world. They serve as carriers of plots that are endlessly reworked and adapted to reflect the narrative of our lives.

The Raw Emotions in Real Fairy Tales Real fairy tales evoke intense emotions without focusing on pure morality. They delve into raw human experiences, dialing up emotions a hundredfold and portraying love and brutality in their most extreme forms. Despite containing violence, it is presented surreally such that even children can perceive its exaggerated nature.

Fairy tales can be brutal, as seen in the punishment of stepsisters and the mother being swallowed by a haunted rock. The use of 'once upon a time' signifies that these stories aren't meant to be taken literally.

Fairy tales offer hope and strength through the concept of 'happily ever after,' but they also acknowledge that not all stories end happily. They encourage resilience, problem-solving, and never giving up. Additionally, fairy tales spark conversations about controversial themes such as innocence versus seduction, monstrosity and compassion, depression and despair.

Fairy tales help us understand the world, look within ourselves, and examine our moral values. The speaker's love for fairy tales began at a young age but she realized that the characters in these stories were very different from her. She felt the need for fairy tales that represented people like herself.

The Power of Fairy Tales Fairy tales have a significant impact on our thinking and imagination. They are not just stories but powerful tools for spreading cultural values and inspiring creativity. The speaker shares a lesser-known fairy tale about love, betrayal, and the magic of rainforest bees to emphasize the enduring influence of such tales in modern times.

Revolutionizing Fairy Tales The speaker is passionate about retelling 50 fairy tales in their truest form without moral lessons. They believe that these raw and slightly naughty stories can captivate a new generation while sparking revolutionary changes in societal perspectives. Drawing inspiration from Albert Einstein's view on intelligence, they advocate for reading fairy tales as an essential tool for nurturing imagination and learning from diverse cultures.