Can Fairy Tales Help Children Stand up to Bullies and Bounce Back?
Janice LawrenceHow Traditional Tales Help Children Recover Their Confidence After Being Bullied
Some stories do more than entertain. Fairy tales, especially the older, darker ones, can offer children something deeper: a way to understand hurt, feel less alone, and build the inner strength to recover. These stories help children see that even in the face of cruelty, they can still be lovable, strong, and whole.
Fairy tales build emotional resilience through symbolic storytelling. The metaphors in fairy tales help kids understand big feelings like fear, shame, and loss—without being overwhelmed.
Fairy tales support emotional intelligence and reduce bullying behaviors. Stories give kids practice in naming emotions, understanding others, and imagining better responses.
Fairy tales mirror real-life struggles in safe, imaginative ways. Children who feel different or mistreated can see their experiences reflected—and reimagined—in ways that offer hope.
Stories Show Paths To Recovery
In The Happy Boy Saves the Witch, the "witch" is a girl who has been hurt so badly, she forgets who she is. She’s been bullied, shamed, and neglected for so long that she begins to believe she’s ugly and unlovable. The happy boy doesn't give up on her. He keeps trying to show her that she’s more than what others see. When nothing else works, he shows her a picture of how he sees her: beautiful, kind, and full of light. Through his eyes, she remembers who she is.
The Power Of Symbolism
Traditional fairy tales use symbolic characters and story events to help children face emotional wounds in a safe and indirect way. These stories allow children to process pain, see models of healing, and internalize hope. They work best when shared aloud, with time to talk, imagine, and reflect.
Here's Why...
Children need mirrors. Without stories that reflect their struggles, children may think they’re the only ones who feel sad, scared, or unwanted. Fairy tales help them name their feelings—and feel less alone.
Caregivers need guidance, too. When kids shut down or act out, adults often feel helpless. Stories like this one can help parents and teachers understand that resistance may be pain in disguise.
Healing takes patience. The girl doesn’t heal right away. She rips up the portrait and rejects the boy’s love. But he doesn’t take it personally. He keeps showing up. That’s what love looks like.
Shame distorts self-image. When children are bullied or mistreated, they may start to believe they are the problem. Stories with symbolic identity loss and recovery—like this one—give kids a map for reclaiming their worth.
Resilience should be modeled, not forced. The boy never lectures the girl. He simply stays kind, creative, and present. His actions show children how to care for others who are hurting—and how to keep their hearts open.
Storytelling is a shared act of healing. Reading together isn’t just about literacy. It’s about connection. Sitting side-by-side in a story creates space for big feelings and brave conversations.
Try It Out...
1. Read The Happy Boy Saves the Witch aloud with your child or watch the Read-along video. (Scroll down the page to find Watch the Video Button.) Pause to highlight emotional moments:
Ask: “How do you think the girl felt when people treated her like a witch?”
Ask: “How do you think the boy felt when she threw the picture away?”
Ask: “How do you think the girl felt when she looked in the mirror and saw her real self?”
2. Talk about big emotions like shame, sadness, and love:
Ask: “Have you ever felt like people didn’t understand you?”
Ask: “What does it feel like when someone believes in you?”
3. Relate the story to your child’s life:
Ask: “Has anyone ever made you feel small or bad?”
Ask: “What would you say to a friend who thought they weren’t lovable?”
4. Ask reflective questions:
Ask: “Why do you think the boy never gave up on her?”
Ask: “What would you have done if you were the happy boy?”
5. Share your own stories and feelings. Talk about a time when you helped someone feel better about themselves—or when someone did that for you. So your child sees that we all need reminding of who we are sometimes.
TIPS
Don’t rush the conversation. Let your child linger in the story.
Resist the urge to explain everything. Let your child interpret, even if it's symbolic.
Be ready for strong feelings. This story touches on shame, love, and identity.
Stop 'n' Think
The Happy Boy didn’t see a broken girl—he saw someone worth saving. That’s what made her whole again. When was the last time you saw with your heart?
Want to help your child bounce back from hurt and see their true worth?
Read The Happy Boy Saves the Witch — a beautifully illustrated tale of emotional healing and quiet courage — with a child who’s feeling small. It may help them remember just how big they are.
Learn More
Happily Ever Resilient: Using Fairy Tales to Nurture Children through Adversity by Stephanie Goloway