Literature Unit 6 Myths, Legends, and Tales

Myths A myth is a traditional story that was created to explain mysteries of the universe. Myths often explain how something connected with humans or nature came to be. They also reveal consequences of both good and bad behavior Myths feature gods or other beings who have supernatural powers as well as certain flaws.

Legends A legend is a story passed down through many generations that is believed to be based on real people and events. Legends tell about a hero or heroine who has unusual powers. They focus on the hero’s or heroine’s struggle to defeat a powerful force. They also highlight a positive quality or way of behaving.

Fables A fable is a brief story that teaches a lesson, or moral, about human nature. Fables usually include animal characters that stand for specific human qualities, such as kindness or dishonesty. A fable will have a moral that is directly stated at the end or indirectly communicated through what happens in the fable.

Tall Tales A tall tale is a humorously exaggerated story about impossible events. Tall tales star a hero or heroine who is larger than life. They are bigger, stronger, and even louder than a regular person. Tall tales use exaggeration to emphasize the abilities and achievements of the hero or heroine.

Parables A parable is a simple story, told in everyday language that contains an important message. Parables are similar to fables in that they both aim to teach the reader an important lesson.