A Rose Is Never Just a Rose in Fairytales

Stories are powerful; everyone knows that.  They are rife with meaningful imagery and symbolism; they are mirrors that enable folk to see themselves as they truly are.  And, while there are no right or wrong ways to interpret those myriad symbols there are ways that are more helpful than harmful.  One such symbol is the uninvited guest who has been dubbed "wicked". Yet, she is the very one to help a world run by adolescents oblivious to their destructive ways.  A revisiting of these familiar stories through untainted eyes will clearly show that the "wicked" stepmother is quite the opposite of that most erroneous title.