Fairy tale ending? Quite the opposite for a start (4,4,1,4)
I believe the answer is:
once upon a time
If this is the answer I cannot explain how the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for once upon a time that I've seen before include "Fairytale opening" , "Long ago" , "A fairy tale opening?" , "Formerly" , "Tale opener?" .)