This document defines and provides synonyms for several terms related to Native American literature: 1. Myths are traditional stories, usually involving gods or heroes, that explain natural phenomena but may not have a factual basis. Synonyms include fable, legend, and lore. 2. Fables are short stories that teach moral lessons, often using animals as characters. They can also refer to supernatural stories about gods and heroes. 3. Legends are unverifiable stories handed down over time that are popularly accepted as historical, similar to myths and fables. 4. Folktales are oral traditions and beliefs passed down among common people, some considered based on superstition. Synonyms

1. Definitions Native American Literature

2. Myth

3. Myth A traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, esp. one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature. Synonyms: fable, fabrication, fairy story, fantasy, fiction, folk ballad, folktale, illusion, legend, lore, superstition

4. Fable

5. Fable 1. A short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters; the fable of the tortoise and the hare; Aesop's fables. 2. A story about supernatural or extraordinary persons or incidents; legend: the fables of gods and heroes. Synonyms: allegory, fabrication, fairy story, fairy tale, fantasy, fib, fiction, figment, fish story, invention, legend, myth, tale, whopper, yarn

6. Legend

7. Legend A nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical. Synonyms: fable, fiction, folk story, folktale, folklore, myth, mythos, narrative, saga

8. Folktale

9. Folktale 1. A tale or legend originating and traditional among a people or folk, esp. one forming part of the oral tradition of the common people. 2. Any belief or story passed on traditionally, esp. one considered to be false or based on superstition. Synonyms: folk history, folk story, legend, myth