{"id":4202,"date":"2013-06-27T21:11:03","date_gmt":"2013-06-27T21:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4202"},"modified":"2026-03-26T09:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:35:32","slug":"myth-legend-and-tall-tale","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/myth-legend-and-tall-tale\/","title":{"rendered":"Myths, Fables, Legends, and Fairy Tales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_hps4nnNbLFc\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_hps4nnNbLFc\" data-source-videoID=\"hps4nnNbLFc\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Myths, Fables, Legends, and Fairy Tales Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Myths, Fables, Legends, and Fairy Tales\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_hps4nnNbLFc:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_hps4nnNbLFc {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/66-myths-fables-legends-and-fairy-tales-1-2.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_hps4nnNbLFc\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_hps4nnNbLFc\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Myths, Fables, Legends, and Fairy Tales\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_hps4nnNbLFc\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_hps4nnNbLFc\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_hps4nnNbLFc\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction EMO_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"EMO\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"EMO_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"EMO\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Myth\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Myth<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Legend\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Legend<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Fable\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Fable<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Fairy_Tale\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Fairy Tale<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Review\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hi, guys! Welcome to this Mometrix video on myths, fables, legends, and fairy tales.<\/p>\n<p>A lot of you have probably grown up with your parents reading you books or watching movies with you. Well, chances are, most of what they read to you was a myth, fable, legend, or fairy tale.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at what makes something a myth, fable, legend, or fairy tale.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Myth\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Myth<\/h2>\n<p>\nA myth is a story that was made up by people who wanted to explain how or why our world works, how it came to be, how we should treat each other, why hurricanes happen, and so on.<\/p>\n<p>Myths were sort of like our ancient ancestors\u2019 version of science. Myths explained how natural events occurred and are set in really ancient times; before history even began. These myths are generally passed on from parents to kids, and when those kids grew up to be parents, they would tell their kids, and so on. The word <em>myth<\/em> actually comes from the Greek \u201cmythos\u201d meaning \u201cword of mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Myths were shared by groups of people all throughout the world and became a really big part of their community. Greek mythology is one of the most popular examples of this. Their myths generally centered around various gods and goddesses. Sometimes days were even set apart to have big celebrations because of these myths.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Legend\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Legend<\/h2>\n<p>\nLegends are stories that people made up as well. However, legends are about real-life people and what they did. Legends always have an important purpose, but the facts are always a little exaggerated to make them more interesting and exciting! Generally, some of the facts are dramatically altered and the person the legend is about never really did what the story says.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Fable\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Fable<\/h2>\n<p>\nNow, a fable is also a story that is passed down. A fable\u2019s overall purpose is to teach a lesson. However, all the <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/characters\/\">characters<\/a> in a fable are things that can\u2019t normally talk. A fable is about animals, plants, or forces of nature that can talk and act like humans.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Fairy_Tale\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Fairy Tale<\/h2>\n<p>\nFairy tales are probably one of the most popular today. Fairy tales are specifically for kids and often have a lot to do with magic (like a fairy godmother, elves, or any supernatural character). Animals can also be characters in a fairy tale. Fairy tales always have good characters and evil characters. A lot of times fairy tales begin by saying \u201conce upon a time.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><span id=\"Review\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Review<\/h2>\n<p>\nSo let\u2019s do a quick review:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Myths<\/strong> are stories that are passed down about how or why something came to be.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Legends<\/strong> are designed to teach a lesson about a real person in history, with a few facts dramatically changed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fables<\/strong> are stories that are passed down, with a good lesson to be learned, and are about animals, plants, or forces of nature that are humanlike.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fairy tales<\/strong> are stories that are specifically for kids, involve magical characters, have good and evil characters, and generally start with \u201conce upon a time.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As you do your reading practice, try to find out what type of story it is. See you next time!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a myth?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A myth is a traditional story or legend, generally about the ancient history of a population of people. A myth includes supernatural events and characters. A great example of myths are the Greek myths that tell legendary stories of ancient heroes, cities, and historic events.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is one distinguishing characteristic of a myth?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Myths can often be distinguished by their tales of how the world began.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a fable?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A fable is a fictional story that features animals, legends, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that become anthropomorphized. To anthropomorphize means to give human characteristics or behaviors to animals, a god, or objects.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a legend?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A genre of folklore that is generally a narrative written to teach life lessons about historic characters, with some factual evidence changed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the difference between myths, legends, and fables?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A <strong>myth<\/strong> is a traditional story or legend, generally about the ancient history of a population of people. A myth includes supernatural events and characters. <strong>Legends<\/strong> often teach lessons about factual historical characters. Fables are stories passed down from generation to generation in order to teach a good lesson for readers. <strong>Fables<\/strong> differ by writing characters about fictional animal characters, illustrious legends, life-like inanimate objects, or forces of nature that become anthropomorphized.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/writing\/\">Return to Writing Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Writing Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":91015,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4202","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","7":"page_category-writing-videos","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4202"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279619,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4202\/revisions\/279619"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}