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Folktale and Fairy Tale Resources in the CRC: Home

This guide will connect you with the folktales, fairy tales, variants, and fractured versions of traditional tales from around the world.

The Umbrella of Folklore

Many types of stories from the oral tradition fall under the umbrella of folklore.

Myths are origin tales that often explain natural phenomena, emotions, or social occurrences. 

Legends are tales that have allegedly occurred and feature heroes and their triumphs.

Folktales and fairy tales reveal human behaviors, attitudes, or foibles; occasionally serve as warnings, and often include magic

Fables often use animals as vehicles for teaching morality.

Parables are meant to educate, often religious in nature.

Drolls are Japanese in origin; they are usually funny "introductory tales" that are told before a longer story

Tall Tales are hyperbolic tales, occasionally sprinkled with truth

Urban Legends are modern tall tales, cautionary in nature

Getting Started with Folktales and Fairy Tales