Folktales

Orally transmitted prose stories are known on all continents and among all races. Their structures, akin to subject and plot, are referred to as motifs and include fictional explanations of local social organization and natural phenomena. Humanized animals and supernatural beings abound in such stories often along with didactic and moral teachings. Other folktales appear to be pure entertainment, at least in their perceived form. Folktales provide a common heritage to bind peoples together. On the other hand they perpetuate infantile and supertitious ideas.