Traditional Literature

Discover the magic of myths, legends, and fairy tales! Learn genre differences.

Traditional Literature Watch the video on traditional literature. You will be completing several activities based on the information in the video. Myth vs. Legend What is a Myth?The word myth comes from the Greek word 'mythos' which means 'to tell a story'. Myths are very old stories which were passed on by the spoken word (before books were invented). Every culture has its own myths that are centuries old. Myths differ from folktales and legends as they are stories with a message. Groups of people (cultures) told myths to explain how life began and how the world of nature behaved. An example of a myth is the story from Greece of Cyclops, the one-eyed giant. What is a Legend?Legends are not true but are based on facts, such as a real person, a place or an event but with some made up or fantastical parts. The hero myths are most like legends, but legendary heroes usually have historical roots and elements of truth, while mythical heroes don't. In legends the focus is also on the adventure plot rather than the message. An example of a legend is King Arthur of the Round Table. Which is Which? Decide whether the information is describing a myth or a legend. In the blank beside each description, write an "M" if it is describing a Myth or an "L" if it is describing a Legend. no evidence to support M usually occurs in ancient times M stories of gods of ancient cultures M actual heroes L no true facts M occurs in the past; certain culture L may be evidence to support L exaggerated facts L The Legend of Robin Hood Watch the video and determine whether the story is a Legend or a Myth. Robin Hood What makes the story of Robin Hood a Legend rather than a Myth? Be thorough in your explanation and use examples from the video to explain your thinking. Give at least three reasons to support your answer. Daedalus and Icarus Watch the video and determine if this is a Myth or a Legend. What makes the story of Daedalus and Icarus a Myth rather than a Legend? Be thorough in your explanation and use examples from the video to explain your thinking. Give at least three reasons to support your answer. Introduction to Fairy Tales Watch the video and take note of the elements of a fairy tale. What does a fairy tale always include? fairies magic a wondrous element a lesson What is not a characteristic of fairy tales? happy endings space travel people, objects, and events in 3s problem to solve What is a characteristic of fairy tales? good vs. evil old vs. young big vs. little boy vs. girl Teaching a lesson is a characteristic of fairy tales? yes no Which is not a characteristic of fairy tales? fantasy and make believe once upon a time magic true facts Fairy Tale Elements Elements of a Tall Tale Watch the video and take notes of the elements of a tall tale. Tall Tale- Anne Oakley ©2008 abcteach.com ANNIE OAKLEY Tall Tale Annie Oakley was a tough little gal who started hunting game when she was nine years old in the backwoods of the Ohio frontier. It wasn’t long before she had a reputation for being handy with a rifle. The locals dubbed her “little sure shot.” When Annie was sixteen, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show came to town. Frank Butler, the show’s star, announced a shooting contest in which contestants could test their skill against him. Frank didn’t expect anybody to beat him. Annie entered the contest, but Frank Butler gave her no mind, seeing as she was just a girl. The townsfolk, however, knew little Annie was the surest shot around, so they came from far and wide to watch. Annie didn’t let the townsfolk down. She beat Frank Butler… but she also fell hopelessly in love with the big fellow. She wanted so badly to be near him that she asked Buffalo Bill to give her a job. As it turned out, Frank held no hard feelings about Annie beating him. In fact, he admired her skill with a gun. He didn’t have any romantic feelings about her, though! He wanted a woman who wore satin and smelled of cologne, not one who was a tomboy and wore buckskin. Poor Annie was very sad when she figured out that Frank didn’t love her, but she didn’t know what to do. Around that time, Buffalo Bill realized his Wild West show was going broke and only Annie could save it. He made her the star! Crowds came to watch her sensational act. They cheered as Annie shot dozens of glass balls tossed in the air before a single one hit the ground. They applauded when she shot a hole in the center of a playing card at 90 feet. Chief Sitting Bull, who was also part of the show, knew that Annie pined for Frank Butler. He realized that Annie’s sharpshooting would never win her Frank’s love, so he pulled Annie aside and said, “You can’t get a man with a gun.” Looking into the eyes of the wise Sioux warrior, Annie suddenly understood how to fix it so Frank would love her. As a huge crowd watched, Annie Oakley went against Frank Butler in another contest. Annie missed one shot after another until Sitting Bull declared Frank the winner of the match. Annie smiled at Frank. She knew right away that she had won his heart. She also knew that she had, after all, got a man with her gun! *This Annie Oakley tale is a re-telling of “Annie Got Her Gun”. How did Annie Oakley learn to be a sharp shooter? She used to shoot the buffalo that wandered into her back yard. Annie lived in Ohio where everyone was a sharpshooter. Annie started out hunting game for food. She wasn't very good at sewing so she learned to shoot. Why did Frank Butler stage a shooting contest? Butler wanted to give townsfolk a chance to beat him. He always liked to show off when he went to a new town. Butler was star of the show, so he thought he would win. Frank Butler was the only clown in the Wild West Show. Why was it hopeless for Annie to fall in love with Frank? Annie was too young for Frank, who was a grown man. Frank would't fall in love with a tomboy. Annie was too geeky for Frank. Frank had hard feelings about Annie beating him in the contest. What makes Annie Oakley a tall tale? Use details from the text to support your answer. Fable Elements Watch the video and take note of the elements of Fables. Stone Soup - A Fable Stone SoupStone Soup, a Portuguese fableA kindly, old stranger was walking through the land when he came upon a village. As he entered, the villagers moved towards their homes locking doors and windows.The stranger smiled and asked, why are you all so frightened. I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal."There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on.""Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his cloak, filled it with water, and began to build a fire under it.Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a silken bag and dropped it into the water.By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their fear."Ahh," the stranger said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot."Wonderful!!" cried the stranger. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . And so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share.The villager elder offered the stranger a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell it and traveled on the next day.As he left, the stranger came upon a group of village children standing near the road. He gave the silken bag containing the stone to the youngest child, whispering to a group, "It was not the stone, but the villagers that had performed the magic." What is the moral (lesson) of this story? Traditional Literature Easy Promotional Posters, Graphics & Videos Click on the link and create a poster that represents your favorite traditional literature. Be creative in your design and make sure all the elements are represented. Poster That Genre