"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten"

-Neil Gaiman
what does this mean??? I don't get it

someone help, i need to write an essay about this right now

someone help me its due in a but i rlly dont understand it at all

Instead of being afraid of the “dragons” in our lives, we can learn to conquer them.

thank you so much Anon!

This quote by Neil Gaiman is a profound observation about the power of fairy tales. Let's break it down to understand its meaning.

"Fairy tales are more than true" implies that fairy tales hold a deeper truth beyond their fictional nature. They go beyond mere entertainment and hold valuable life lessons.

"Not because they tell us that dragons exist" suggests that fairy tales are not meant to convince us that mythical creatures like dragons exist in reality. They are not about the literal existence of such creatures.

"But because they tell us that dragons can be beaten" highlights the essence of the quote. Fairy tales teach us that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges or fears (represented by dragons), there is a way to overcome them.

The quote is metaphorical, using dragons as a symbol for obstacles or fears that people encounter in real life. By showing that these dragons can be defeated through the actions of the characters in fairy tales, the stories inspire and empower readers to believe that they too can conquer their own challenges.

In essence, Neil Gaiman is saying that fairy tales have a profound impact on us not because they make us believe in the existence of mythical creatures, but because they instill in us the belief that we can triumph over adversity. They provide hope, encouragement, and a sense of possibility in our own lives.