Short folktales with morals are cultural stories passed down from generation to generation that encourage children to adopt values that benefit both them and their societies. These stories are simple enough for children to understand and often originate from an ancient oral tradition.
Because human nature has not changed significantly over the centuries, these folktales remain relevant and are still retold as of 2014. "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" is a tale told to remind children not to cry for help unless they really need it. "Pinocchio" is a tale told to help children remember to tell the truth. "The Ugly Duckling" instructs people not to judge others by outward appearances and to remember that those they make fun of today may turn out to be the people they admire in the future. These timeless tales are examples of Western European culture that continues to inform society.
Short folktales with morals are known variously as fables, fairy tales and myths. They are found all over the world, but the term "folk" comes from the German word "volk," which means "people." These tales are often those of common, unsophisticated people who share a culture and wish to pass down lessons learned from experience.Learn More
The moral to the story of "Little Red Riding Hood" is that children must obey their parents and that they must never talk to strangers. Even a very friendly stranger is capable of having bad intentions.Full Answer >
The Greek goddess of the underworld, Persephone, did not have any children. Though she never bore any children, in Greek mythology she was the goddess of spring growth, representing new life.Full Answer >
The central conflict of "Rip Van Winkle" involves competing visions of American society following the Revolution. In the story, Washington Irving reveals an America falling short of its romanticized vision. He presents this symbolically through the journey of his title character, Rip.Full Answer >
Values are considered a set of common beliefs held by a person or group that have an emotional component and help people decide what is right and wrong. On the other hand, morals are generally accepted on a large scale by entire societies, and classify behavior and action into the broad categories of "good" and "bad." Like values, morals are typically expressed verbally and set standards for acceptable behavior.Full Answer >