Articles

Narrative magic represents the imaginative and symbolic dimensions of storytelling that transform ordinary experiences into meaningful journeys of learning, emotional growth, and self-discovery. Within Indian English literature, narrative magic is deeply rooted in folklore, mythology, oral traditions, and cultural symbolism, making it an effective literary approach for engaging children with diverse learning needs. For children with special needs, magical and symbolic narratives create safe imaginative spaces where differences are accepted, emotions are explored, and challenges are approached with hope rather than fear. Unlike conventional instructional methods, narrative-based learning encourages active participation through imagination, dialogue, visual imagery, and symbolic interpretation, thereby supporting cognitive, emotional, linguistic, and social development (Cremin et al., 2013) . Inclusive literary narratives portray children with special needs as capable individuals with unique strengths, aspirations, and identities instead of defining them through disability or limitation. Such representations promote self-esteem, resilience, empathy, and a sense of belonging while encouraging non-disabled readers to appreciate diversity and social inclusion. Furthermore, narrative magic enhances educational experiences by integrating creativity with literacy, communication, and emotional learning. Teachers, parents, and therapists can employ magical narratives to facilitate inclusive classroom practices, therapeutic interventions, and collaborative learning experiences. This chapter explores the conceptual foundations of narrative magic, storytelling traditions in Indian English literature, literary representations of children with special needs, the psychological and educational impact of magical narratives, and their pedagogical significance. It argues that narrative magic serves as a transformative literary and educational resource that fosters inclusive learning, emotional well-being, creativity, and holistic development among children with special needs.