1. Myths, Folktales, and Fables
Be an Expert!

2. Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Oral Tradition
Stories handed down through generations using word of mouth.
The stories we have all heard as a kid!
Example:
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Jack and the Bean Stalk
Sleeping Beauty
Can you name some more?

3. Folktales Includes Fairy Tales and Folklore
Stories that have been passed down for hundreds of years
Magic, imaginary creatures, and talking animals can be included
Example: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

4. Characteristics of a Folktale
Begins with a phrase such as, “Once upon a time . . .”, or “There once was . . .”
About ordinary people (or animals) and everyday life
The number three is significant and repeated often
There are good and bad characters
Good characters gave a problem to solve

5. Characteristics of Folktales
Animals can talk
Wishes are granted
Happy ending – good wins over bad
Everyone has heard them
Transmitted through word of mouth
No known author

6. Fables
Short story that teaches a lesson (called a moral) that people should apply to their own lives
Characters are usually animals
Aesop is the most well- known author
Example: The Tortoise and the Hare

7. Myths Stories about gods, goddesses, and spirits
Try to explain how things in the world were created
Happened before the world we now live in
May be connected to a religious belief system
Example: Pandora’s Box

8. Characteristics of Myths
The gods and goddesses have human emotions
Myths contain magic
Gods and goddesses often appear in disguises
Myths teach a lesson or explain the natural world

9. Myth and Fairy Tale Edition
Compare and Contrast
Myth and Fairy Tale Edition

10. Review Compare and Contrast, what is it? Setting, what is it? Myths
When you compare the likes and differences between two or more things.
Setting, what is it?
The time and place of a story.
Myths
A traditional story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a natural explanation.
Fairy Tale
A fantasy tale of an imaginary land and beings.

11. Compare and contrast the following Fairy Tales
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Little Red Riding Hood

12. The Boy Who Cried Wolf
There was once a boy who tended a flock of sheep. He got bored watching them, so he called down to the town one day, “Wolf! Wolf!” The townspeople came running to find him all alone. They shook their heads and left. The boy did this for the next few days, laughing each time. On the last day of the week, a wolf approached and the boy yelled and yelled for help. The wolf took away some sheep. When the boy went down to town and told his story, the townspeople just shrugged and walked the other way.

13. Continue to the next page
Little Red Riding Hood
There was once a little girl named Little Red Riding Hood who was going to give her sick grandmother some food. On her way, a wolf saw her and asked where she was going. The girl told him her grandma’s house. The wolf ran to the grandma’s house, and put the grandma in the closet. When Little Red Riding Hood got to the house, she found her “grandma” in bed. “My grandma, what big eyes you have.” said Little Red Riding Hood. “The better to see you with my dear.” answered her “grandma”.
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14. Little Red Riding hood
“Grandma, what big teeth you have…” said Little Red Riding Hood. “The better to eat YOU with!” roared the wolf. As the wolf leapt out to grab Little Red Riding Hood, a woodsman burst through the door and scared the wolf away. Little Red Riding Hood found her grandma tied up in the closet, and they released her. The three of them then sat down for a nice beef stew.

15. Compare and contrast
What was similar about “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and “Little Red Riding Hood”? What was different about “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and “Little Red Riding Hood”?

16. Myths
Different cultures have different myths, that help explain the world around us. Some common cultural myths come from:
China
Celtic
Greece
North America
Africa
Egypt
Rome

17. Compare these two myths
Arthur and the Sword in the Stone A Celtic Myth
The Twelve Labors of Heracles A Greek Myth
Compare these two myths

18. Arthur and the Sword in the Stone
There was once a king who died, with no prince to take over the throne. The kingdom fell into chaos. A legend was born, that told that the rightful king of Briton would be able to pull a sword from a stone. Day by day, hundreds of people would try to pull the sword out of the stone, but they were never able. Meanwhile, in another part of the country, lived a man who was a loyal follower to the king. He heard of a jousting tournament in the city, and brought along his two sons. They never heard about the sword in the stone.
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19. Arthur and the Sword in the Stone
When they arrived in the city, the older brother realized he had forgotten his sword in a neighboring town, so the younger brother went to fetch it. When the younger brother went to the town, he couldn’t find the sword. He came back to the city disappointed, but saw a sword in a stone and pulled it out easily. When he brought it to his brother, everyone around him knelt down. It turned out the boy, whose name was Arthur, was actually the son of the deceased king and the rightful heir to the throne. He went on to become king and created the Knights of the Round Table.

20. The Twelve Labors of Heracles
Heracles was the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Zeus’ wife, Hera, didn’t like Heracles for this reason. For Heracles to become an immortal god of Mount Olympus, he had to complete 12 tasks set by Hera, which he tried to rig to make it too difficult. The tasks involved slaying great beasts, capturing elusive animals, cleaning disgusting stables, and taking things from places only gods or goddesses were allowed. He was able to complete each task and get a place at Mount Olympus.

21. Compare the Myths
What did Heracles and Arthur have in common? What was different about Heracles and Arthur?