Explore "The Fantastic Imagination" by George MacDonald on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
That we have in English no word corresponding to the German _Maehrchen_, drives us to use the word _Fairytale_, regardless of the fact that the tale may have nothing to do with any sort of fairy. The old use of the word _Fairy_, by Spenser at least, might, however, well be adduced, were justification or excuse necessary where _need must_.
Were I asked, what is a fairytale? I should reply, _Read Undine: that is a fairytale; then read this and that as well, and you will see what is a fairytale_. Were I further begged to describe the _fairytale_, or define what it is, I would make answer, that I should as soon think of describing the abstract human face, or stating what must go to constitute a human being. A fairytale is just a fairytale, as a face is just a face; and of all fairytales I know, I think _Undine_ the most beautiful.