How is the structure of "Once Upon a Time" similar to a fairy tale? What elements do they share? Cite from the text to support your analysis.

Fairy tales begin with, "Once upon a Time", we can find a similarity in the fact that this is the title of Gordimer's story. Another similarity can be found in the use of the words "happily ever after", although, Gordimer's story deviates from the normal structure of a fairy tale when she writes, ". . .and were living happily ever after." Other similarities include a witch, although the grandmother in the story is simply called "a wise old witch", rather than actually being one. Unfortunately, the one thing Gordimer's story lacks that generally takes precedence (although not always) is the traditional happy ending.