Folktales

There are several types of folk tales:

Folktales A folktale is an old story that originally was passed down orally, or by word of mouth. Folktales were told for entertainment but many also teach lessons about proper behavior and show what values are important to the community. Feature animals who behave like humans (anthropomorphism) A folktale is an old story that originally was passed down orally, or by word of mouth. Folktales were told for entertainment but many also teach lessons about proper behavior and show what values are important to the community. Feature animals who behave like humans (anthropomorphism)

Tall Tale A tall tale is a story, sometimes about real people, that has been exaggerated. Tall tales use hyperbole, which is an extreme exaggeration found in literature. Examples: Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill A tall tale is a story, sometimes about real people, that has been exaggerated. Tall tales use hyperbole, which is an extreme exaggeration found in literature. Examples: Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill

Myth A myth is a story usually featuring some supernatural being or god (the “hero”) which has been passed down for generations. These stories usually explain a phenomenon of nature. Example: The myth of Prometheus, which explains how humans got fire. A myth is a story usually featuring some supernatural being or god (the “hero”) which has been passed down for generations. These stories usually explain a phenomenon of nature. Example: The myth of Prometheus, which explains how humans got fire.

Fables A fable is a very short story in which animals act like people to teach a lesson or a moral. Example: Aesop’s Fables (The Fox and the Grapes, The Lion and the Mouse). Lessons (morals) include things like: haste makes waste, beauty is only skin deep, to know a person you must stand in his or her shoes. A fable is a very short story in which animals act like people to teach a lesson or a moral. Example: Aesop’s Fables (The Fox and the Grapes, The Lion and the Mouse). Lessons (morals) include things like: haste makes waste, beauty is only skin deep, to know a person you must stand in his or her shoes.

Origin Tales A type of folktale that answers questions about how things began or came to be. Example: Why Dogs are Tame, Brother Wolf Tone: The author’s attitude toward his or her subject. Tone can be silly, serious, humorous, etc. Mood: the atmosphere or emotional quality of a story which affects how the reader feels. It is created through the details the author writes about and the words he or she chooses. A type of folktale that answers questions about how things began or came to be. Example: Why Dogs are Tame, Brother Wolf Tone: The author’s attitude toward his or her subject. Tone can be silly, serious, humorous, etc. Mood: the atmosphere or emotional quality of a story which affects how the reader feels. It is created through the details the author writes about and the words he or she chooses.

Fairy Tales A type of folk tale that features magical elements such as dragons, fairies, gnomes, goblins, elves or giants. Often the story will involve a far-fetched sequence of events. Examples: Dragon, Dragon (it is really a modern fairy tale), Cinderella A type of folk tale that features magical elements such as dragons, fairies, gnomes, goblins, elves or giants. Often the story will involve a far-fetched sequence of events. Examples: Dragon, Dragon (it is really a modern fairy tale), Cinderella

Trickster Tale A type of folktale that features a trickster character who disobeys normal behavior, often setting up traps and tricks for the other characters in the story. Example: Doc Rabbit, Bruh Fox and Tar Baby A type of folktale that features a trickster character who disobeys normal behavior, often setting up traps and tricks for the other characters in the story. Example: Doc Rabbit, Bruh Fox and Tar Baby