Oral Tradition

1. Oral Tradition Fairy Tales, Fables, Legends, and Myths

2. Oral Traditions • Oral traditions is a term that includes fairy tales, fables, legends and tall tales, and myths • Oral traditions were composed long ago, in many cases before books were available to the general public • Although each type has its distinctions, all oral traditions have a shared purpose of teaching the reader a lesson about life.

3. FairyTales A fairy tale is a story composed orally and then passed along by word of mouth • Intended to teach a moral lesson • Usually include magical elements

4. Fables A fable is a brief story or poem, usually with animal characters that talk, that teaches a lesson about life called a “moral.”

5. Legends and Tall Tales • Legends and tall tales are stories handed down over generations that are generally believed to be historical • They usually contain fantastic elements, such as people with extraordinary abilities or characteristics. • Legends and Tall Tales are sometimes used to explain origins or natural occurrences

6. Many legends and fables are influenced by cultural context - the background, customs, and beliefs of the people who originally told the story.

7. Myths Myths are stories usually containing super-human beings that explain natural occurrences and express beliefs about right and wrong.

8. Myths are used to explain: • Natural phenomena • Origins of animals, landmarks, and natural entities • Lessons about right and wrong