Myths, Legends, Folk Tales, and Fables

1. Myths, Legends, Folk Tales, and Fables Why we write and tell stories

2. Myths • Attempt to answer basic questions about the world. • Stories that people make up to explain the origin of living things, the workings of nature or a basic truth. • Considered truthful by their originators. • Most common is a “Why” myth. • And “Lesson” myths – a story with a moral. • Most involve gods, goddesses or other supernatural being. • The gods take on some ordinary human qualities or feelings. (jealousy or anger)

3. Folk Tales • Told primarily for entertainment. • Feature humans or human-like animals. • Typically have some grain of truth to them.

4. Fables • Short tales that illustrate morals. • Have characters that are animals.

5. Legends – Oral History • Based on real events • Considered factual by the teller • Passes along information

6. Influences • Literature • Common archetypes • Created Oral Tradition • Read for their appeal as much as for their beauty and interest. • Music • Communicate the origin of music • Arts • Inspired great painters and sculpters • Links to the past • Clues to the thoughts of ancient man. • Language • Many word origins can be traced to these stories. • Atlas is a famous Titan who held the world on his shoulders. Therefore the word “atlas” means a book of maps.

7. Examples • American • Paul Bunyan • Pecos Bill • Jack Henry • Greek and Roman • Odysseus • Jason and the Argonauts • Prometheus • Hercules • Medusa • Theseus and the Minotaur • Athena • European • St. Nicolas • Loch Ness Monster • King Arthur • Abominable Snowman • Blackbeard’s Ghost • American Indian • Brother Coyote and Brother Cricket • How the North Wind Lost his Hair • Why the Woodpecker Pecks • Why Arrows Have Feathers • African • Brear Rabbit • And many, many more!!!!