28. LEGENDS & TALL TALES “Legends are fantastic stories that are based on real historic events and people.”

Legends are “unauthenticated Legends are “unauthenticated.” This means that no one knows if the stories, facts, and quotes about the person are true. Therefore, legends are important because, since they are based on real people, readers grow up believing they are true.

Legends are about extremely famous (well known by many people) or notorious (well known for bad reasons) people in a particular field.

Legends are not written down but are passed through generations.

Legends show that people want to believe in the impossible.

TALL TALES “Tall Tales are similar to legends but the facts of the story are purposefully stretched into the impossible.”

Tall tales have 4 characteristics: 1. Characters are usual people who do amazing things. They are ‘Larger than Life.’ 2. Problems are solved in funny ways. 3. Stories are exaggerated. 4. The stories are told in everyday language.

There are many examples of Tall Tales, some of these include: Paul Bunyan Paul Bunyan is a lumberjack giant across Canada and America. He is able to cut down many trees very fast. His best friend is Babe, the blue ox .

Johnny Appleseed Johnny Appleseed (1774- 1845) was an American Pioneer. He was not big or strong, but planted apple trees through western America.

Davy Crockett Davy Crocket (1786-1836) was an American mountain man and politician. He is famous for making maps, fighting Indians, and wrestling bears. He died fighting at the Alamo in Texas.

John Henry John Henry was a powerful black man who worked on the railroad across America and raced a machine to see who was fastest. He won, but died.

Pecos Bill Pecos Bill was an American cowboy who could ride tornados, drink rivers, and rope the moon.

Slue Foot Sue Slue Foot Sue was an American cowgirl who was Pecos Bill’s wife. She travels to the moon on their wedding day.

Legends can also be about things Legends can also be about things. Do you know any legends about things we use? Who are some legendary people in our world today? Make a list of legends and what are they famous or infamous for? BRAINSTORM

Writing #28: What is a legend and Tall Tale Who are some legendary people in our time? (Define) Legends are_______________________________. A tall tale is _______________________________________. (Explain) Legends are important because ______________ ________________________________________________. Tall tales are similar to legends but are different because ____ (Example) Some examples of legends and tall tales are ________________, ______________, and _____________. (Describe) There are many legendary people in our modern life, some of my favorites are ________________ because ______________________________, and ______________ because _________________________________________ .