Once Upon a Time

When I read this story, I found it to be rather interesting. However, I also found it to be odd. For one, most fairytales are clearly known to be based around medieval times. In this story, it is more modern times and the "magical" things that occur really aren't that magical. Also, as in most stories, a fairy tale ending is expected to be happy. This story, however is not. In the end, the boy is injured and I believe, dies. This is not at all the ending of a fairytale in my opinion. So, I guess my question is, what is the over arching point for this short story? Why have a disturbing ending? And who was it trying to influence?