FOLKLORE & FOLKTALES

C. Values of Folk Tales

-Folklore is oral history passed down through
generations, including traditional customs, tales, sayings, Folklore and Folk Tales as a Mirror of Culture:
dance, and art forms. It includes folk stories, fairy tales,
and urban legends, and includes fictional stories, cultural - Folk tales help the community to maximize their
myths, jokes, songs, and quotes. strengths. They develop their weaknesses into strengths
and threats into opportunities. As folk tales are figurative
A. Importance of Folklore in nature, their comparison with various facets of life is
expressed metaphorically. They identify culture which is
-Folklore and folk tales aid children in developing learned and shared by all members of the community.
reading skills, studying cultures, fostering positive
character traits, and fostering a love for stories, while -Folk tales, despite their age, hold unambiguous, truthful
also celebrating diversity and promoting effective meanings about life and human nature. They are distinct
decision-making. from other oral art forms and provide cultural heritage,
influencing thoughts, desires, and attitudes.
Learning about diverse cultural traditions not only
broadens children's worldview but also enhances their Story telling:
appreciation for their family's heritage.
- It has an important role in human society serving as an
These can be used in a variety of ways to help ideal medium through which children can be taught
children: valuable lessons about life which also captivate young
children's attention. It is for this reason that stories have
·Develop stronger reading skills been told for generation and continued to be used
throughout the world to today and teach moral values.
·Study their cultures
FOLK TALES OF VARIOUS ORIGINS
·Model Character traits
WHERE DO FOLK TALES CAME FROM?
·Appreciate other traditions
- Storytelling developed into an art in India, passed down
·Learn about decision making through Persians, Arabs, and eventually to
Constantinople, Venice, England, and France.
·Explore new ways of seeing the world and
EXAMPLE OF INDIAN FOLK TALES THAT
·Discover love stories. DEVELOPED INTO AN ART.

B. Primary Characteristics THE HINDU GOD KRISHNA AND GOPIS IN THE

FOREST.
FOLKLORE
THE JOY OF ANHAVA WAY.
- Folklore, learned through oral stories, performances, or
crafts, preserves cultural customs and beliefs of a group. INDIAN FOLKTALES
Folktales, typically about everyday life, include setting,
characters, and problems. - India's diverse ethnic and religious heritage,
particularly among its Hindu-majority population, makes
FOLKTALES it challenging to generalize its folklores. Hinduism's folk
religion encompasses local practices, myths, and rituals,
- Folktales often feature young heroes and heroines, transcending supernatural beliefs.
reflecting cultural values and traditions. They often
feature fanciful main characters like gods, mythological
heroes, and talking animals, with special abilities or
powers.
SEE HOW INDIAN FOLKTALES WO THEIR WAY DRAGONS - Gian winged reptiles that breath fire or
INTO THE LITERATURE OF OTHER NATION: poison. There are many dragon legends in England.
Somerset and the north east being very rich.
THE BRIHAT KATHA AND KATHA SARIT
SAGAR KING ARTHUR - Legendary kings of Briton, the once
and future king and true born king of England.
-Gunadya compiled stories in local dialects, titled Brihat
Katha in the 21st century B C. The book didn't survive, ROBBIN HOOD - A legendary English outlaw and hero
but attempts were made in the 11th century. Kashmiri who supposedly lived in Sherwood Forest along with his
pundit Somdeva produced a large compilation in 1070 A merry men. He was known for his skill with bow and
D., translated into English in 1880-1884. stilling from the rich in order to give back the poor.

THE PANCHATANTRA THE PHILIPPINES FOLK TALES

- The Panchatantra, a collection of fables and tales -Philippine mythical creatures, representing over 140
written in the 3rd century A.D., teaches worldly wisdom ethnic groups' beliefs, include beasts, monsters, and
through animals representing humans. The original enchanted beings. Around 500 recorded creatures exist
Sanskrit was lost, but its Arabic translation survived in in folk tales, but thousands may exist due to unrecorded
750 A.D. mythical creatures from over 100 ethnic groups.

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS AND SINBAD. SAMPLE OF PHILIPPINE FOLK TALES WHICH
ARE STILL POPULAR UNTIL NOW
- • The Arabian nights is an Arabic work in a Persian
setting. But this book is also not devoid of Indian - WHY THE FISH HAS SCALES
influence. This famous story of Simbad in this collection - THE MONKEY AND THE TURTLE
is derived from Syntipas, the name of an Indian - THE NECKLACE AND THE COMB
philosopher who lived around 100 B C. - THE STORY OF PINA
- THE CORABAOW AND THE SHELL
THE PARROT TALES - THE MAN WITH THE COCONUTS

- The Parrot Tells 70 Stories, a popular Indian work, tells AFRICAN FOLK TALES
70 stories to prevent women from the wrong path.
Compilated in the 6th century A.D., it was translated into -Africa, the second-largest continent, is home to the
Persian, Turkish, German, and French, and published in earliest humans and their unique folktales showcase their
1978 in English. way of life, animals, plants, trickster Animlas, and
spirits.
ENGLISH FOLK TALES
SAMPLE OF AFRICAN FOLK TALES
- English folklore includes myths and legends from
England, including religious creatures, traditional - THE MAN WHO NEVER LIED
recipes, urban legends, and folk tales. It heavily - LION AND JACKAL
influences pagan tradition, with figures and creatures - THE WOMAN WITH
adopted from pre-Christian traditions. Although it varies -TWO SKINS
regionally, some myths pervade the country. - THE TORTOISE WITH
-THE PLENTY OF DAUGHTER
FOLK TALES FOUND TROUGHOUT ENGLAND - THE KING’S MAGIC DRUM
- WHY THE BATS FLIES AT NIGHT
BLACK DOG - The devil-associated dog, larger than a - THE HARE AND THE LION
normal dog with glowing eyes, is a common feature in - WHY THE SUN AND THE MOON LIVE IN THE
British and northern European folklore. SKY
- THE STORY OF THE LIGHTING AND THE
CHIME HOURS - According to English folklore those THUNDER
born in a certain hour could see a ghost. - THE APE, THE SNAKE, AND THE LION.
E. Myths and Legends 2. Historical Myths

-Mythology is a collection of traditional stories and -Are told about a historical event, and they help
legends that explain beliefs about the natural and human keep the memory of that even alive.
world, originating from a specific region and culture.
3. Psychological Myths
Sources of Myths and Legends
-Try to explain why one feels and acts the way
Greek Mythology
one does.
-A body of stories concerning the gods, heroes, and
rituals of ancient Greeks. 3. Values of Myths and Legends

Roman Mythology - Mythologies significantly influence human

actions, thoughts, and literary significance, as
-It is the combination of the beliefs, rituals, and the they address common problems and questions
observances of supernatural occurrences by the ancient faced by all individuals.
Romans from early periods.
F. Epics
Norse Mythology
- The word epic is derived from the Ancient
-They are epic myths of war, magic, love, betrayal,
triumph, and ruin. Greek adjective, 'epikos' which means a "poetic
story".
Celtic Mythology
- An epic is a long narrative poem which is
-These old tales were told around a fire on winter nights, usually related to heroic deeds of a person of an
long before people could read and write. unusual courage and unparalleled bravery.

Chinese Mythology Epics in Literature

-It is mythology that has been passed down in oral form -Epic literature comes from oral traditions of
or recorded in literature in the geographic area now ancient civilizations. Epic poems are included in
known as Greater China.
all three genres of poetry which include lyric,
dramatic, and narrative.
Types of Myths and Legends

1. Aetiological Myths  Narrative Poetry

 Lyric Poetry
Sometimes called as etiological, explain the reason  Dramatic Poetry
why something is the way it is today.
Six Elements of the Epic
 Natural Aetiological Myths
1. Plot centers around a Hero and Unbelievable Stature
 It explains an aspect of nature.
2. Involves deeds of superhuman strength and valor
 Etymological Aetiological Myths
3. Vast setting
 It explains the origin of the world. 4. Involves supernatural and-or other wordly forces
 Religious Aetiological Myths 5. Sustained elevation of style

 It explains the origin of a religious ritual. 6. Poet remains objective and omniscient
Fables C. Values of Fables
a comprehensive understanding of the origins of fables, Fables are timeless literary devices that deliver moral
their transmission through generations, and their messages in a simple, enjoyable way for readers of all
authenticity in imparting lessons through Aesop's works. ages. They are one of the oldest and most lasting
methods of storytelling, found in literature across
Aesop -is the greatest fabulist of all time.
countries and languages. Fables provide valuable lessons
What is fable? through fictional examples, allowing readers to laugh at
human follies and engage in satire and criticism.
- The word fable is derived from the Latin word fibula,
which means "a story" and a derivative of the word fari, D. Samples of Fables
which means "to speak". Aesop's Fables
A. Characteristics of Fables - Aesop, a renowned fable writer, wrote around 500 BC,
Fables are defined by-four essential elements: believed to be a slave in Greece. His morals revolve
around quality, justice, and virtuous behavior.
1. Symbolism
[Link]-phization  THE BEES AND THE BEE KEEPER-
3. Lesson  THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE CITY
4. Humor MOUSE
 THE GOLDEN TOUCH
Here are some other characteristics of fable:
1. A fable is intended to provide a moral story.
2. A fable often uses animals as the main characters. It is
presented with anthropomorphic characteristics such as
the ability to speak and to reason out.
3. A fable personifies the animals' characters.
4. A fable is short and has few characters.
5. A fable has characters wherein they have strengths and
weaknesses.
6. A fable is just one story.
7. A fable's setting can be anywhere.
B. Different Kinds/Origins of Fables
Where did fables originate?
- Western fables originate from ancient Greek fabulist
Aesop, who encouraged students to create and recite
their own, with some originating from India during the
first millennium BCE.
- French fabulist Jean de la Fontaine, inspired by Aesop,
wrote 17th-century fables satirizing the church, court,
and ruling class, emphasizing morality as the core
element.
BIBLE STORIES David and Goliath
- Bible Stories can be great for teaching Children, and -This story teaches an important lesson of bravery,
they also have real meaning for anyone who wants to courage and faith.
understand God and how He wants people to act.
The Fall of Jericho
- The Bible, spanning Genesis to Revelation, contains
-The fall of the walls of Jericho is a grand reminder
various stories, ranging from triumphant good to
that God fulfills what He promises.
heartbreaking death and destruction, with some being
humorous, poignant, or heart-wrenching. Hadassah
A. Characteristics of Bible Stories -Hadassah is a girl's name of Hebrew origin, meaning
"myrtle tree." Symbolically, the myrtle tree is associated
- Stories are religious of nature
with peace, love, and prosperity.
- Language is simple
John the Baptist
- Contains many phrases
-An ascetic Jewish prophet known in Christianity as the
- Contains proverbs, poetry, and songs forerunner of Jesus.

B. Values of Bible Stories

-Christianity helps children understand God, appreciate

the Bible, impart moral and spiritual values, and
encourages both children and adults to enter a life
dominated by Christianity.

Examples of Bible Stories

The Story of Creation

-We learn from the text that the earth was formless,
empty, and dark, and God's Spirit moved over the
waters preparing to perform God's creative Word. Then
began the seven most creative days of all time as God
spoke life into existence.

Adam and Eve

-We will all be resurrected, and if we live righteously

and follow Jesus, we can all be redeemed and return to
live with God again.

The Tower of Babel

-The story discusses the concept of the origin of diverse

languages.

Abraham’s Covenant

-The covenant is a promise that God made with

Abraham. According to the covenant, God would offer
protection and land to Abraham and his descendants,
but they must follow the path of God.