Myths, Folktales, Tall Tales, Legends, and Fables

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Myths, Folktales, Tall Tales, Legends, and
Fables

• Be an Expert!

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Myths

• Stories about gods, goddesses, and spirits
• Try to explain how things in the world were
  created
• Many famous ones are Greek, Roman, Viking, Native
  American
• Example Pandoras Box

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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

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Tall Tales

• Stories that stretch the truth
• Could be about real people or imaginary
  characters
• Usually show great strength or size
• Example John Henry

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Legends

• Always about humans but can have magic or
  supernatural events
• Based on real people who are considered heroes
• Story handed down for many years truth becomes
  distorted
• Example Johnny Appleseed

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Fables

• Short story that teaches a lesson (called a
  moral)
• Characters are usually animals
• Aesop is the most well-known author
• Example The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

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Are You Ready for the Challenge?

• Folktale?
• Legend?
• Fable?
• Tall Tale?
• Myth?