Myths, Legends, Folk Tales, and Fables Why 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 Created Oral Tradition Music Arts 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.

And many, many more!!!! Examples American American Indian Paul Bunyan Brother Coyote and Brother Cricket Pecos Bill Jack Henry How the North Wind Lost his Hair Greek and Roman Why the Woodpecker Pecks Odysseus Jason and the Argonauts Why Arrows Have Feathers Prometheus Hercules African Medusa Brear Rabbit Theseus and the Minotaur Athena European And many, many more!!!! St. Nicolas Loch Ness Monster King Arthur Abominable Snowman Blackbeard’s Ghost