A fairy tale is a type of mythic story often involving magical aspects and an elemental lesson to be learned by children.
The term can also be used in a derogatory manner in reference to something that the speaker might find offensive or ridiculous. Some Cardassians, such as Dukat, thought the Celestial Temple was a Bajoran "fairy tale" before the Bajoran wormhole was discovered in 2369. They also thought the same about ancient contact, at least until 2371. (DS9: "Explorers")
Chief O'Brien frequently read his daughter Molly fairy tale stories such as Rumpelstiltskin at bedtime. (DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses")
O'Brien later told Nog the Great Material Continuum sounded like a Ferengi fairy tale, but Nog told him it was real. (DS9: "Treachery, Faith and the Great River")
"Smiley" O'Brien thought our universe and its Humans not being slaves to the Alliance sounded like a fairy tale, although one he would like to believe in. (DS9: "Crossover")
The Adventures of Flotter, a series of children's holonovels, utilized a fairy tale aesthetic and style. Naomi Wildman enjoyed the holoprograms during her time aboard the USS Voyager. Several adults aboard Voyager had similarly enjoyed these fairy tale-style adventures during their own childhoods. (VOY: "Once Upon a Time")
- The title of the episode that introduces The Adventures of Flotter: Once Upon a Time, references a famous, common opening line of Western fairy tales.
Fairy tale literature
Earth fairy tales include:
Fairy tale beings
- Elf
- Fairy
- Changeling
- Tooth fairy
- Gremlin
- Wood nymph