Growing up with stories, children encounter magical creatures in abundance. Have you ever wondered why there are so many magical creatures in children's stories? Why do we sustain and propagate the knowledge of creatures that don't exist? The appearance and features of these creatures may have changed since the days of myths and legends, and aligned themselves to a more modern cultural consciousness, but they nevertheless remain and prosper. So, why are magical creatures so popular across diverse cultures and across generations?
Perhaps a fundamental cause lies in our own human limitations. We know what humans can and can't do. But the non-human character introduces endless possibilities into a story—suddenly a lot more is possible. Magical creatures can do what humans can only imagine. They can fly, change size and shape, and even give magical powers to humans. Also, if they behave badly, the repercussions are very different than they would be if a human was behaving this way. Including such creatures in a story is beneficial to children because they can indulge in imaginary play, a vital part of human development.