Folktales

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Folktales

Folktale:

-Characters learn a lesson (helps people folks make sense of

their world)

-Take on characteristics of the time/place the story is told

-Characters can be people and/or animals

-Usually has number 3 or 7

-Timeless/universal themes

-“Three Little Pigs”

Myth:

-Very old/ancient story retold orally through generations

-Characters are supernatural beings ancestors, or heroes

-Explains where something has come from or where something

began (origin)

-Greek and Roman Mythology (Zeus and Jupiter)

Fairy Tale:

-Characters are usually people and/or animals

-Good/evil

- Magic or magical elements

- Repeats phrases

-Has number 3 or 7

-Usually starts with “Once upon a time:

-Cinderella

Legend:

-Characters are supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes

-Explains where something has come from or where something

began (origin)

-“Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

Tall Tale:

-Exaggerated tale

-Has unbelievable elements but they’re told as if they’re

real and factual

-Sometimes used to exaggerate real historical events

-Has morals (lessons)

-Paul Bunyun and Babe the Blue Ox