Myths Fables Legends
A myth gives a reason for A fable teaches a lesson or A legend usually based on
events moral real person or event
Myths sometimes contain A fable usually contains It is exaggerated which
gods and goddesses animal character means: to make something
Myths always provide Fables are sort sound bigger, better, or
lessons about good or bad Fables usually have 2 or worse than it really is.
behavior. 3characters. Legends usually have hero.
Objective: Read and identify characteristics of myths, legends and fables.
Directions: Read the texts and identify the genre of the story and say if they are whether fables,
myths or legends, after that write some of the characteristics from those genres taking into
account the points form the chart below:
Myth: Fables: Legends:
1. What events happen? 1. What is the 1. Who is the character
2. What god/goddesses lesson/moral? in the story?
is the text about? 2. Who are the 2. What attributes are
3. Write a lesson if there characters? exaggerated?
is one.
Example:
As a milkmaid walked to market, she dreamt of selling the milk she was carrying, and buying
eggs. She planned, when the eggs hatched, to sell the chickens. With that money she would buy
beautiful clothes and be admired by all. Just then she tossed her head proudly, and all the milk
and all her dreams spilt on the ground.
Genre: fable
Characters: milkmaid
Moral: sometimes your dreams, goals or objectives don’t go as you planed and may fail.
Once a lion trapped a mouse under its large paw. The mouse pleaded for its life, so the lion let it
go. Later the lion became tangled in a hunter’s net and roared in distress. The mouse rushed to
help. “You’re too small to help,” said the lion. But the mouse nibbled at the net until the lion
was free.
Genre:
Ra was the sun god, often regarded as the most important of all Egyptian gods. Ra emerged
from the chaos at the beginning of time and created the world. As well as being a god, Ra also
ruled as Pharoah. Many Egyptian rulers claimed they were descended from Ra, to give credence
to their seat on the throne.
According to the myth, Ra eventually began to grow weary of his duties. This made his people
question whether he should be their ruler. When Ra learned this, he sent his daughter, the 'Eye
of Ra,' to kill those who doubted him. She went on a rampage and Ra took pity on the humans.
He tricked her into getting so drunk she couldn't continue killing. After this, Ra left the earth for
the sky.
Many centuries ago, a mighty king, whose name was Arthur, ruled the land. To help him govern
Britain and keep peace throughout the land, King Arthur appointed brave, noble men. These
men became part of the legendary ‘Knights of the Round Table.’ The knights were strong and
courageous, battling evil men and monsters, helping countrymen and travelling to enchanted
lands.
One autumn day as some ants were busily storing grain for the winter, a hungry grasshopper
begged for food. One ant asked what the grasshopper had been doing during the summer while
they had been gathering food. “Ah!” he sighed. “I sang all summer long.” At this the ant said
that he could dance all winter too – and carried on working.
Hercules continued his journey. He met the giant. The giant was very huge and strong. He was
sleeping on the shore. Hercules woke him up. The giant was angry. He struck Hercules with a
club. Hercules charged at the giant. He lifted the giant and threw him down. But the giant got up
immediately. He had become ten times stronger. Hercules threw him down again and again. But
each time the giant rose up much stronger. Then Hercules lifted the giant high up in the air. But
he did not throw him down. The giant slowly lost all his strength.
6.
Poseidon was the god of the sea, son of Kronos and Rhea. He became ruler of the sea when the
universe was divided after the fall of the Titans. Poseidon was bad-tempered and when he
became angry, he would cause earthquakes. He managed to upset even Hades, the ruler of the
underworld. Poseidon was most often depicted with his trident, and sometimes riding a horse
(he is sometimes claimed to be the creator of horses).
