Folktales Tall Tale Legend Myth Fable

Traditional Literature- Fable The characters are usually animals that have human qualities. One animal usually outwits another animal. The events of the story contain problems that are solved in the end with a lesson or moral that is stated.

Traditional Literature- Tall Tale The characters are unreal. They usually have exaggerated features or abilities. Usually explain how something came to be. Ex. Paul Bunyan dug the great lakes The setting is a place and time in the past.

Traditional Literature- Legend The characters are historical people (real people from the past). The setting is a place and time in the past. The events explain values such as honesty. There is usually a lesson or an explanation of something in a legend.

Traditional Literature- Myth The characters are gods or heroes. The setting usually takes place in nature or the heavens and take place in a time long ago. The events explain real events and cultural beliefs.