Fairy Tales, Myths, Fables, Folktales and Legends

Roque Guerra, Jr. Elementary

Library

Fairy Tales• A fairy tale is a story featuring folkloric

characters such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, giants, and others. These stories often involve princes and princesses, and modern versions usually have a happy ending. Usually fairy tales start with “Once upon a time..”

• How many fairy tales have you read? Can you name 3?

• Click here for examples: Fairy Tales for children or Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson

Myth• What is a Myth?

Myths deal with ancient stories, such as the adventures of the Greek gods. Mythology is a collection of traditional stories that express the beliefs or values of a group of people. The stories often focus on human qualities such as good and evil.

• They are often considered to be sacred and may explain how things came to be. The myths gave human emotions and qualities to the super- natural beings who were the heroes of their stories. These gods and goddesses helped or harmed mankind as they pleased.

• Mythweb

Tall TaleA tall tale is a story that has these features:• A larger-than-life, or superhuman, main character with a specific job.• A problem that is solved in a funny way.• Exaggerated details that describe things as greater than they really

are.• Characters who use everyday language.

Settlers who made their homes in the American wilderness first told tall tales. In those days, before TV and movies, people depended on storytelling for entertainment. After a long day's work, people gathered to tell each other funny tales.

Each group of workers- loggers, cowboys, railroad and steel workers-had its own tall-tale hero. Having a superhuman hero with the same job somehow made their lives easier. Perhaps it gave them strength or courage to do their difficult and dangerous work.

• Animated Tall Tales• Read about these tall tales: Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, Pecos Bill

Legends

• Legends are set in the present or recent past. Legends are supposedly true and are used to scare, teach, inform, or entertain. Legends are stories that are handed down through generations- usually by word of mouth. Examples: Legend of King Arthur and the Knight’s of the Round Table, Robin Hood,

• Legend Website

Fables• Just what is a fable, you ask?  Well, a fable is a kind of story

that:• has animal characters that are smart, foolish, sly, or clever • has a  character that plays tricks on other characters • has a character that makes a bad decision • has a moral or a lesson learned • is short, sweet and to the point

• Click here to read some of Aesop’s fables.• Click here to watch some animated versions of Aesop’s

fables.• Fable Webquest

Folk Tales• Folktales are stories told by people.• One Folktale you may remember is Jack and the Beanstalk.• Folktales are stories that are told from generation to generation, like

the story of the tooth fairy.• Many folktales are make believe.• Some folktales are part make believe and part real.• That means that the characters themselves were probably real

people.• Some folktales teach a lesson like the story of the Tortoise and the

Hare.• Also, in some folktales, animals can talk.• Some folktales can be scary.• Some folktales are also tall tales. • That means they are exaggerated and sometimes funny.

Locations

• Where can I find books on Fairy Tales, Myths, Legends, Tall Tales, and Folk Tales?–398.2 Section

Works Cited

• Clip Art by Karen Kids, Inc. 2002• http://library.stjosephsea.org/folklore.htm