Folk Tales

Characteristics the youngest and smallest of siblings is successful after others in the family fail wishes are granted magic objects (rings, beans, or tablecloths) are standard props animals talk monsters often appear

Characteristics cont. use of trickery the number three is significant (however, in Native American folktales, four is the magic number) use of a variety of tools a poor person becomes rich

What else? Stories are usually about normal people. The stories begin quickly. Characters are uncomplicated (flat, not round; or one-sided, not multi-sided). Plots move swiftly along well-trod paths. All questions are answered before the story ends, but there is plenty of room for flexibility within the plot, from beginning to happy ending.