This document defines and provides examples of different types of folktales from around the world, including fairy tales, fables, tall tales, myths, legends, pourquoi tales, trickster tales, and Native American folktales. Fairy tales usually involve magic and teach lessons about good versus evil characters. Fables are short stories that teach a moral lesson and often include talking animals. Tall tales exaggerate real people or events. Myths explain natural phenomena or origins. Legends are based on real people and feature heroic characters. Pourquoi tales explain why something is the way it is. Trickster tales involve solving problems in a tricky way. Native American folktales vary by region and tribe but often involve

1. Folktales Around the World

2. What is a folktale?
• A story or legend that has been passed down
from generation to generation
• Usually told orally, not written down

3. Types of Folktales
Fairy Tale
Fable
Tall Tale
Myths
Legends
Pourquoi
Trickster
Native American

4. Fairy Tales
• Special Beginnings/Endings
Once Upon a Time…
…happily ever after.
• Magic and Enchantments
magic wands, spells, talking animals
• Good Characters and Bad Characters
Cinderella and Evil Step-mother
• Rich and Poor
King and Servant

5. Fables
• A Short Story
• A lesson or “moral” is learned
• Talking Animals
• Problem and Solution
“Tortoise and the Hare”
“Lion and the Mouse”

6. Tall Tales
• Story may be based on a historical person or event
• Characters or events are exaggerated
“Paul Bunyan”
“Pecos Bill”

7. Myths
• Story explains how things came to be
• Ancient Stories
• Gods and Goddesses
• Heroes
“King Midas and
the Golden Touch”

8. Legends
• A story believed to be based on real people or
historical events
• Characters have heroic qualities
“Johnny Appleseed”
“John Henry”

9. Pourquoi
• Pourquoi means “why” in French
• A pourquoi story explains “why” something is the
way that it is
• How and Why Stories
• Long, long ago…
“How the Leopard Got Its Spots”

10. Trickster Tales
• A story with a problem solved in a “tricky” way
• Usually has a lesson or “moral”
• Common Trickster Characters:
wolf, fox, coyote, rabbit, crow, spider

11. Native American
• Folktales and myths vary from different regions and
tribes
• Usually told in the oral tradition
• Myths, Legends, Trickster, Creation
and Animal Stories are common

12. References
Clip art for teachers, crafters, scrapbookers. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20,
2018, from https://edu-clips.com/
Gunther, E. (2017, May 19). Native American Literature. Retrieved
April 20, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/art/Native-
American-literature
Schlosser, S. E. (n.d.). Teacher Resources. Retrieved April 20, 2018, from
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/teacher-resources/

13. References
Tarman, L. (n.d.). Make it Cute with Borders Freebie. Retrieved April 20,
2018, from http://teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lisa-Tarman