With the advent of the mass printing process came the end of an era marked by oral tradition and the art of storytelling. One folk-art in particular, fairy tales, seems to be quite affected by this transition. Although the mass printing and marketing of fairy tales as reproduced books, movies, and other media has increased availability of the public like never before in history, there also seems to be a “cheapening” of the art itself, as well as art in general, as the role of the storyteller has been removed. Once only heard if one were to run into a skilled storyteller, fairy tales with the help of printing and mass marketing are now available to everyone able to buy an inexpensive children’s book. This simple fact cannot be overlooked as the whimsical tales that define childhood imagination are now readily available to all that seek them. Previously, if a child did not have any storytellers in their family or, let’s say, their village- then they may never have heard certain tales that other like-aged children would. This is just simply not a problem anymore, and is a testament to the benefits of mass printing fairy tales- though one would still be wise to realize what has been lost in the process. The commercialization of fairy tales has removed the role of the storyteller which directly affects the ability of fairy tales to be modified by the storyteller to reflect current socio-trends and concerns as they once did. Fairy tales are now sometimes referred to as “timeless classics” which in a way is quite different to fairy tales of old which while always taught a certain lesson, would be adapted by the teller to reflect the current times making the story more relevant to the audience. Not only then has the art of storytelling been forgotten, but also children no longer have to use their imagination as intensely- elaborate drawings and movies have removed the need for children to perform these tasks independently.