folk: (adj)
tale: (noun)
having unknown origins,
and reflecting the
traditional forms of a
society.
a short narrative
A folktale is a traditional story passed down
orally long before being written down.
Generally, the author of a folktale is
anonymous. Folktales include animal stories,
trickster stories, fairy tales, myths, legends,
and tall tales.
Tall Tale
Legend
A traditional
A wildly
story, based on
imaginative story,
history or an
about the fantastic
actual hero. A
adventures or
legend is usually
exaggerated and
amazing feats of
gains elements of
folk heroes in
fantasy over the
realistic local
years. Stories
settings.
about Daniel
Boone and Davy
Crockett are
American
legends.
Myth
Fable
A traditional story
often involving
goddesses, gods,
and heroes, that
attempts to
explain a natural
phenomenon, a
historic event, or
the origin of a
belief or custom.
A short, simple
tale that
teaches a moral.
The characters
in a fable are
often animals
who speak and
act like people.
The moral, or
lesson is usually
stated outright.