1. Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Fables, and Myths
Definitions and Examples

2. Fairy Tales Characteristics: Make-Believe Happens Long Ago Has Magic
Happily Ever After
Good and Evil Characters

3. Fairy Tales Examples: Cinderella Gingerbread Man Beauty and the Beast
Jack and the Beanstalk
Princess and the Pea
Snow White

4. Folk Tales Characteristics: Fiction
Oral, Not Written (Passed Down Through Time)
Setting Is Set a Long Time Ago
Explain Why Something Happens

5. Folk Tales Examples: Paul Bunyan John Henry Pecos Bill
The Elephant’s Nose

6. Fables Characteristics: Talking Animals Teaches a Lesson Usually Short
2-3 Characters

7. Fables Examples: The Tortoise and the Hare
Town Mouse and Country Mouse
The Three Billy Goats Gruff

8. Myths Characteristics Gives Explanations
Example: Explains Why Something in Nature Happens
Example: Tells Why People Act Certain Ways
Lessons About Good and Bad Behavior
Involve Nature, Gods/Goddesses, and/or Heroes

9. Myths Examples: The Story of Arachne and Athena King Midas’ Gold
How the Deer Got His Spots
Why the Leaves Fall