Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS):
2.9.A
demonstrate knowledge of distinguishing characteristics of well-known children's literature such as folktales, fables, and fairy tales;
2nd Grade Reading - Folklore Lesson
Traditional Literary Genres
Stories have been part of people's lives for thousands of years. Folklore refers to the traditional stories that people have told and passed on to one another. Some of the oldest stories are part of the folklore genre. In this genre, there are also specific types of stories, such as folktales, fables, and fairy tales.
Folktales
• Folktales refer to stories or legends that have been passed down for many generations. These stories are often told aloud instead of read.
Characteristics of Folktales
Purpose — Some folktales explain how something in the world came to be. Other folktales will teach the values of a specific culture. In general, folktales were a way for people to understand the world around them.
Characters — Folktales often focus on common people. The hero or heroine of a folktale is usually a kind young person. The characters may also have some special abilities.
Magical/Supernatural Elements — Folktales may also include things that are not possible in everyday life. These includes talking animals, magical powers, or supernatural creatures.
Themes — Folktales often have universal themes that most if not all people will be able to understand and relate to. The themes usually focus on virtues, such as compassion and generosity.
Move on to the next page to learn about fables.
Traditional Literary Genres
Fables
• Fables are brief stories that have a moral at the end.
Characteristics of Fables
Purpose — Fables are used to teach readers a lesson. The lessons usually focus on how to behave properly and what beliefs are wrong or unjust.
Characters — The characters in fables are usually animals that are given human characteristics. This means that they can talk and act like humans do. Inanimate objects or forces of nature may also be given human characteristics.
Style — Fables are usually very short in length. The setting is very basic and can be anywhere or everywhere. These stories may also use humor to poke fun at a character's silly actions.
Move on to the next page to learn about fairy tales.
Traditional Literary Genres
Fairy Tales
• Fairy tales are magical stories that are usually set in some imaginary world.
Characteristics of Fairy Tales
Predictable Patterns — Many fairy tales begin with Once upon a time and end with They lived happily ever after. Objects and events in fairy tales usually appear in groups of three.
Characters — There are clear good and evil characters in fairy tales. Three common types of characters are the hero, the villain, and the friend or guide.
Magical/Fantasy Elements — Fairy tales will often have magical creatures, such as talking animals, or fantasy animals, like unicorns and dragons. Human characters may also have magical powers or experience the effects of magic.
Opposing Forces — Fairy tales will often focus on themes about opposing forces, such as good and evil or right and wrong. The two sides can clearly be seen.
Move on to the next page to see an example of folklore.
Traditional Literary Genres
Take a moment to read the folktale below. Try to identify the different elements that make it up.
The Nightingale
One day a rich man was out hunting and heard a beautiful song. He followed the song and came upon a nightingale. The rich man wanted to hear the song all the time, so he caught the bird.
The man held the nightingale tightly in his hands. He was taking it home to put in a cage.
The bird squirmed in his hands, but could not move much.
As the nightingale flew into the air, it called out to the rich man, "Too bad you let me go! If you had kept me, you would have gotten the diamond under my wing and become even richer."
Hearing these words, the rich man was very angry and regretted his decision to let the bird go. He jumped up and down trying to catch the bird.
2nd Grade Reading - Folklore Lesson
