think the problem is that the other story is a long, slow one--Yes, I agree, and that's a whole different type of experience. You can't ask a fairy tale to do what a nineteenth-century novel can do.

With fairy tales, true fairy tales, at least the "bad" characteristics are broad enough that I don't mind seeing the change be all one sided... and actually, when I think of it, in fairy tales, characters don't change much. The simpleton stays a simpleton, but his good characteristics--kindness to strangers--earn him friends and allies who help him win the hand of a beautiful princess. The curious princess is punished for her curiosity, but she doesn't lose it, and her resourcefulness results in her saving herself and getting a prince. That's a more realistic model!