Finding a deeper meaning in a sci-fi adventure or a magical fairy tale is often easy, or even obvious – and that’s not a bad thing. There’s much we can learn about real life from these tales of complete fiction. 

Fantasy classics like Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia teach us about friendship, loyalty, honorable sacrifice, and the power of love. Science fiction classics like Brave New World and The Difference Engine teach us the truth about human nature, for good or ill, and the dangers of a corrupt society. 

I want to highlight three of my favorite fantasy stories that also can teach us deeper wisdom beyond just their surface storyline. These books may not often be held up alongside Brave New World or the Narnia books as stories that we can truly learn from, but I think they fit that description. Here are my take-aways from three fantasy stories that are much more than they appear: