Fairy Tales, Myths, Fables, and Legends By Miss Chaffee

Fairy Tale A fairy tale is a story featuring folkloric characters such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, giants, and others. These stories often involve princes and princesses, and modern versions usually have a happy ending. Usually fairy tales start with “Once upon a time..” How many fairy tales have you read? Can you name 3? Click here for examples: Fairy Tales for children or Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson.

Myth What is a Myth? Myths deal with ancient stories, such as the adventures of the Greek gods. Mythology is a collection of traditional stories that express the beliefs or values of a group of people. The stories often focus on human qualities such as good and evil. They are often considered to be sacred and may explain how things came to be. The myths gave human emotions and qualities to the super- natural beings who were the heroes of their stories. These gods and goddesses helped or harmed mankind as they pleased. Mythweb

Tall Tale A tall tale is a story that has these features: A larger-than-life, or superhuman, main character with a specific job. A problem that is solved in a funny way. Exaggerated details that describe things as greater than they really are. Characters who use everyday language. Settlers who made their homes in the American wilderness first told tall tales. In those days, before TV and movies, people depended on storytelling for entertainment. After a long day's work, people gathered to tell each other funny tales. Each group of workers- loggers, cowboys, railroad and steel workers-had its own tall-tale hero. Having a superhuman hero with the same job somehow made their lives easier. Perhaps it gave them strength or courage to do their difficult and dangerous work. Animated Tall Tales Read about these tall tales: Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, Pecos Bill

Legend Legends are set in the present or recent past. Legends are supposedly true and are used to scare, teach, inform, or entertain. Legends are stories that are handed down through generations- usually by word of mouth. Examples: Legend of King Arthur and the Knight’s of the Round Table, Robin Hood, Legend Website

Fable Click here to read some of Aesop’s fables. Just what is a fable, you ask?  Well, a fable is a kind of story that: has animal characters that are smart, foolish, sly, or clever has a  character that plays tricks on other characters has a character that makes a bad decision has a moral or a lesson learned is short, sweet and to the point Click here to read some of Aesop’s fables. Click here to watch some animated versions of Aesop’s fables. Fable Webquest