Folk Tales

Folktales are stories that were originally told orally by people in cultures all over the world.  There are many different types of folktales, including fairy tales, legends, fables, pourquoi stories (tales that tell why), and trickster tales.

• They usually don't have a single, identifiable author

• The started as oral story telling, and may appear in different versions in print.

• They have characters that are "all bad" or "all good" (not complicated).

• Bad things usually happen to the bad characters by the end of the story, while the good characters usually have a happy ending.

• They have elements of fantasy or magic in them. (Magic, beans, talking animals, monsters, etc.)

• They usually contain a lesson or moral.

• They usually have a vague setting sometime in the past ("Once upon a time....")

• They can contain violence, and bad things often happen before the happy ending.

• Frequently the young, small, or weak character is successful after all others fail.

• Wishes are often granted.

• Characters often have to pass tests.

• Characters frequently have to use their brains or cleverness to solve a problem.

• The characters often make use of trickery.

• The number three is often significant (although this may not be true in all cultures).

• A poor person often becomes rich.

• Often these stories are about ordinary people rather than kings and queens. ("Folk")

• The stories are quick and easy to remember and tell.

• All questions are answered and problems are solved by the end of the story.

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