About The Literary Genres

THE FOLKTALES AND SUBGENRES


Folktale: a short story that has been passes down from generation to generation.

Legend: story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, that has a basis in fact but also includes imaginative material.

Tall tale: humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with nonchalance.

Fairy tale: story about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children.

Myth: legend or traditional narrative, often based in part on historical events that reveals human behavior and natural phenome by its symbolism.

Fable: narration demonstrating a useful truth, especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary, supernatural tale.

MY FAVORITE

Aesop: The Tortoise and the Hare

The Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. "I have never yet been beaten," said he, "when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me."The Tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge."

"That is a good joke," said the Hare; "I could dance round you all the way."

"Keep your boasting till you've won," answered the Tortoise. "Shall we race?"

So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the Tortoise, lay down to have a nap. The Tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the Tortoise just near the winning-post and could not run up in time to save the race.

Then the Tortoise said: "Slow but steady progress wins the race."

By Lenny