Myths, Legends, Folk Tales, and FablesWhy we write and tell stories

Myths• Attempt to answer basic questions

about the world.– Stories that people make up to explain the

origin of living things, the workings of nature or a basic truth.

– Considered truthful by their originators.– Most common is a “Why” myth.– And “Lesson” myths – a story with a moral.

• Most involve gods, goddesses or other supernatural being.

• The gods take on some ordinary human qualities or feelings. (jealousy or anger)

Folk Tales

• Told primarily for entertainment.

• Feature humans or human-like animals.

• Typically have some grain of truth to them.

Fables

• Short tales that illustrate morals.

• Have characters that are animals.

Legends – Oral History

• Based on real events• Considered factual by the

teller• Passes along information

Influences• Literature

– Common archetypes• Created Oral Tradition

– Read for their appeal as much as for their beauty and interest.

• Music– Communicate the origin of music

• Arts– Inspired great painters and sculpters

• Links to the past– Clues to the thoughts of ancient man.

• Language– Many word origins can be traced to these stories.– Atlas is a famous Titan who held the world on his

shoulders. Therefore the word “atlas” means a book of maps.

Examples• American

– Paul Bunyan– Pecos Bill– Jack Henry

• Greek and Roman– Odysseus– Jason and the Argonauts– Prometheus– Hercules– Medusa– Theseus and the Minotaur– Athena

• European– St. Nicolas– Loch Ness Monster– King Arthur– Abominable Snowman– Blackbeard’s Ghost

• American Indian– Brother Coyote and

Brother Cricket– How the North Wind Lost

his Hair– Why the Woodpecker Pecks– Why Arrows Have Feathers

• African– Brear Rabbit

• And many, many more!!!!