An Inlet for Apple Pie

“Fairy tales are thus more realistic than they may appear at first sight; while the magic in them almost heightens the realism. The magic sets us wondering how we ourselves would react in similar circumstances. It encourages speculation. It gives a child licence to wonder. And this is the merit of the tales, that by going beyond possibility they enlarge our daily horizon. For a man not given to speculation might as well walk on four legs as two. A child who does not feel wonder is but an inlet for apple pit.”

-The Classic Fairy Tales by Iona and Peter Opie, page 16