We are all sleeping princesses some time. But it is better to be fully awake, don't you think?"..."Americans do not want to be awake?" "Oh," Becca sa… - Jane Yolen

Madness also makes folks uneasy; they fear contagion.

We had more church after supper, with a long sermon from Reverend Beelson. He talked about wars and earthquakes and floods as signs that the End was coming. Which made me wonder if he had somehow managed to not notice that wars, earthquakes, and floods have been going on since the beginning of history.
But I didn’t say anything.
It wasn’t worth the effort.

Will you write the story?"
"If there is one."
"Happy ending or no?" He was serious.
She attempted a smile. "Fairy tales always have a happy ending."
He leaned back in his chair. "That depends."
"On what?"
"On whether you are Rumplestiltskin or the Queen.