I have always loved fairy tales. My father would read stories to me from Grimm, Aesop, and Hans Christian Anderson. It's always delightful to see movies made from treasured stories, but there is a different type of magic in just telling the story.
Telling a tale takes time, and often practice. But you can do it. I've come up with a few Fairy tales myself - including ones for our Queen of the Pirate Sea Waters and Oil of the Robber Clan. All great fairy tales take a first telling, when the idea starts. After a few more tellings, characters will begin to take form and start to take on the challenge of their tale. Who knows, you may come up with the next Peter Rabbit or Peter Pan.
If you aren't comfortable enough to just tell a story yet, try reading some of the classics. You may be surprised at the darkness in Grimm's Tales - surprised and probably delighted. Hans Christian Anderson tales have a sweetness, and sometimes sadness, who's lessons apply to life in any time. There's Aesop, Baum, and even modern fairy tales like Stardust, the Never Ending Story, and of course The Princess Bride. (If you've never read the book The Princess Bride, treat yourself. It is wonderful!)
