If you can see the magic in a fairy tale, you can face the future.
~ Danielle Steel
(Silver Linings: Meditations on Finding Joy & Beauty in Unexpected Places)
In an utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that Fairy tales should be respected.
~ Charles Dickens
(Household Words, October 1, 1853)
Hi,
Love the illustration, and the quotes, I like Danielle Steel quote the best.
Thanks, Mags! Kind of reminds me of something I saw somewhere recently, to the effect that if you don’t believe in magic you will never find it. š
I especially love the drawing — wonderful!
Me, too, Laurie! There are a lot of wonderful illustrations over at Grandma’s Graphics. š
http://www.grandmasgraphics.com/index.php
Barbara, Thanks for the link. One of my early childhood fascinations was Arthur Rackham …. These guys have had a profound influence on me. Many thanks, Merrill
You’re welcome, Merrill. Sometimes I buy used books that are damaged in some way and cut out the illustrations to decorate my nest with. I love Rackham’s illustrations, too.
You are not the only one who feels this way… So many of my friends have found wonder in the world through fairy stories.
It is wonderful to know that there are so many of us who find inspiration and enchantment in fairy tales!
Life would be very “beige” without fairy tales, or imagination! The worst thing about my children growing up is that I don’t get to read children’s stories any more. Both quotes are wonderful Barbara, and so well chosen, as it the illustration. š
I’m right there with you, Joanne. I think reading stories to my children is one of the things I miss most about having little ones in the house. My grandparents used to read novels to each other – I wish we had the time to do something like that. š
Well, we are definitely in a utilitarian age-we need it more than ever! I love to watch my granddaughters’ eyes as they talk about fairies. That is the one magical thing they have in their lives.
It is a utilitarian age, isn’t it? My sister and I took a fairy garden workshop last weekend and enjoyed creating our own fairy garden, which now sits on my porch, next to the regular garden, which is occupied by a gnome. I think we’ve had some magical visitors already! I bet your granddaughters would love to create one with you…
One of my favorite quotations from Albert Einstein is this one which is so in sync with the lovely ones you’ve chosen:
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be geniuses, read them more fairy tales. When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.”
Einstein was very outspoken about the importance of imagination in any discovery… You first have to believe that something more exists…before you can go looking for it.
That makes perfect sense, Merrill Ann!
Oh my yes, I love that Einstein quote, too! Thanks for adding it to the collection, AmyLynn! š
Hi Barbara. There seems to be lots of interest in fairy tales at present… a movie and a TV series. Jane
Jane, I wonder if you are referring to *Snow White & The Huntsman*? My husband and I went to see it and we both liked it a lot. š
Again, wonderful sharing, Barbara! I don’t know where I would be without the fairy tales that have blessed my reality. I love both quotes, but especially the Dickens one!
Thank you, Diane! I love the way you express the idea of fairy tales blessing your reality – what a wonderful way to look at them!
Hmm… That Danielle Steele quote seems very like some ABBA lyrics. Which came first I wonder?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX79VxZ5j4g&feature=fvwrel
I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream
I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream
I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream
I’ll cross the stream, I have a dream
Interesting – now I’m wondering which came first, too! Thanks so much, Paul, for the link and for including the lyrics. I’ve never read Danielle Steel or followed Abba that closely. But I love the message linking confidence in the future to the perception of wonder and magic in fairy tales…
Thanks for this, Barbara. I was brought up on Fairy Tales and I know exactly what you mean with this post.
There’s a book you might enjoy, by Jean Cassou, called The Concise Encyclopedia of Symbolism. It’s full of artwork and short biographies of each artist. It’s one of my favourite books and I think you’d be inspired by it.
Thanks for the recommendation, Val – it does sound like a great reference book to have on hand. I found a used copy at Amazon and ordered it. š
Every time I leave the house or come home I stop for a moment to contemplate my fairy garden and feel joyful and content…