Even the most loved and cherished fairy tales don’t live happily ever after. Researchers at the U.K.’s University of Derby note that fairy-tale princesses in particular are poor role models for young girls today. Cinderella, for example, is "down-trodden and miserable until she is rescued by a prince, suggesting that she is incapable of rescuing herself." Furthermore, stories such as "Beauty and the Beast" may suggest that love can "magically transform" an abusive man. Young girls consequently believe "if their love is strong enough they can change their partner’s behavior," stated one researcher. Excuse me, but isn’t that one of the reasons we marry — so that we might change our partners? The task is much more difficult with someone we might be casually dating. Before we subscribe to the poor-role-model theory from the University of Derby perhaps we should re-examine the valuable lessons taught to today’s young women by yesterday’s fairy tales. "Hansel and Gretel," for example, is more than a cautionary tale about children lost in a woods and a witch with unusual culinary aspirations. Consider this valuable lesson. Have you ever thought there’s nothing in the cupboards for dinner at the end of a busy day? Don’t worry, especially if you live in a Victorian-style house with ornate, gingerbread trim. The fairy tale teaches young girls that if they are ever in a similar situation as homemakers, they will only have to think positive thoughts and heat up a cauldron. Something (or someone) will eventually show up at the front door, and we’re not talking about a pizza delivery. The story about Hansel and Gretel also gives new meaning to the expression, "I’d like to have you for dinner." "The Princess and the Pea" is a reminder that you don’t have to sleep on vegetables to find out that some mattresses can give you a royal pain. Also, if you must sleep on a vegetable to prove your worth to prospective in-laws, peas should be your vegetable of choice. Peas are much better than prickly artichokes. Incidentally, if you still believe that a tiny pea could cause the most restless night’s sleep, you have never checked into one of those inexpensive chain motels where the mattresses are lumpy, the towels are threadbare and the TV is bolted to the top of a dresser. "Cinderella" teaches us that life can be cruel. When you finally find a pair of high heels that fit perfectly, you will immediately misplace one of them. "Little Red Riding Hood" offers us many lessons about life. The most important is that you should expect to draw unwanted attention when you wear bright colors in public. Secondly, there are worse things than becoming your grandmother as you grow older. That, of course, is running into a wolf who has just devoured her. Last but not least, be kind to woodsmen because you never know when one might have to save your life. Now that we think about it, what is it that woodsmen actually do and when did we last see one? Given that question, whenever we walk through a deep, dark woods it might be wise to avoid both wolves with hungry looks in their eyes and any stranger who might just be walking by and swinging an axe.