Types of Folktales
This type of folktale is usually short. It often has animals for the main characters and always teaches a moral or lesson.
What is a fable?
WHEN do most folktales take place?
What is "a long time ago"?
In the story TOPS AND BOTTOMS, bear makes a deal with rabbit and is cheated out of the good parts of the crops THREE times. What did he learn?
What is not to be lazy and to do your own work?
Characters:
ANANSI, LITTLE BUSH DEER, Forest animals
What is Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock?
This type of folktale often has good and evil characters. There is usually magic. Some examples you might have learned in second grade include Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.
What is a fairy tale?
Many folktales include a moral. What is a moral?
What is a lesson the character learns?
In the story HOW CHIPMUNK GOT HIS STRIPES, squirrel asks bear if he can make the sun not rise. When he wins the bet, he teases bear and ends up with some nasty scratches. What did he learn?
What is not to tease someone else or make them feel bad when you win and they lose?
CHARACTERS:
Tall papa Joe, Wide Mama Bess, Strong brother Abel and Sweet Little Isabelle
What is "The Giant Carrot"?
This type of folktale often tells how something came to be. Examples we read include "How the Zebra got his stripes" and "How Raven brought light to the sky"
What is a legend?
What is because the folktales are so old that we don't know who originally created them?
In the story STONE SOUP, the villagers meet some strangers and make stone soup together. What did they learn?
Characters:
Raven, the old man, his daughter, eagle
What is How Raven Brought Light to the sky?
This type of folktale often will include gods and goddesses. Stories about Zeus, Hera, Athena and Medusa are some examples.
What are myths?
TRUE or FALSE
Folktales can be found in ALL cultures around the world.
What is true?
In the story THE LEGEND OF THE INDIAN PAINTBRUSH, Little Gopher is sad that he cannot become a warrior like the other boys but then he becomes a great artist for his tribe. What did he learn?
What is to be yourself and that everyone has something that they are good at? Or that everyone is different and that can be a good thing.
Characters:
Manyara, Nyasha, Mufaro, Nyoki, the king
What is Mufaro's beautiful daughters?