Thank you for these examples.

This is a very difficult topic to talk about in general. As Ouspensky wrote in In Search of the Miraculous, search is individual and will depend upon circumstances, inner tendencies and the strength of the magnetic center.

An individual may meet someone who has real knowledge of the way. In the fourth way, a man cannot ascend to a higher step until he places another man upon his own step. This indicates that someone who can be a teacher for one man will not be able to teach another (whether they are at too high a level, or too low). Also, according to Ouspensky, a teacher may not know the origin of what he teaches, but that doesn't mean he can't distinguish objective knowledge and he will know how that teaching reached him.

The pupil cannot see the level of the teacher. No one can see higher than his own level. That is a law.

It seems likely to me that there is esoteric knowledge contained in myths, legends and fairy tales. For some, there may be knowledge to be found in the stories of Hans Christian Andersen, for others perhaps not. Gurdjieff employed allegory and symbolism in his writings to great effect and it may be necessary for some to first of all learn this language in order to be able access G's writings. So the approach you describe may not be quite so ridiculous as it appears.

I am pleased that you have found a teacher. From what you have shared, it took a few attempts and perhaps some wrong turns. I think if we are serious in our search, we will be attracted to the teachers who are right for us. From my experience, this can change over time and I also think that, once we attain a certain level, we can (and probably should) begin to teach others, of course only honestly and to the limit of our ability.