This story uses some distinct techniques that make the story classified as a fairy tale. These techniques include the use of a common phrase that makes the time that the events took place unclear, the use of supernatural characters, and the use of a vague happy ending. All of these techniques are very common, and are used in virtually all fairy tales.

First, this story begins with a familiar phrase "In olden times, when wishing still helped..." This phrase is used deliberately to give vagueness that suggests a past where almost anything was possible. And therefore, using this phrase allows the story to sound more realistic. The same situation occurs nowadays when...