Stories rooted in different traditions, time periods, and experiences appeal to families this holiday season.
Category Archives: What Tales Tell
The Curse of King Tut: Facts & Fable
Is the curse surrounding King Tut’s tomb real? Some people think so— read about why.
How teachers are debunking some of the myths of Thanksgiving
Consider what you’ve learned about Thanksgiving over the years. How does it compare to what is said in this video?
The Real Story of Hua Mulan Is More Impressive Than Any Disney Version
The recently released Mulan movie is actually based on an ancient ballad. Many debate whether this ballad is fact or fiction…
Japan university awards first-ever ninja studies degree
Think ninjas are just made-up characters who only live in stories? Think again! Genichi Mitsuhashi is the first students to graduate from a Japanese university with a master’s degree in ninja studies.
What really happened during the Salem Witch Trials
Watch: The Salem Witch Trials emanated from falsities, but the destruction they caused were all too real.
Why Are Dragons Important in Chinese Culture?
According to Chinese myths, dragons and humans lived side by side at one time. Learn why dragons are said to be protectors.
The (Still) Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe
Poe’s death is an unsolved mystery. This article present nine theories for the demise of this famous American writer.
Quiz: What YA mythological tale should you read next?
Reading books about heroic characters from other worlds can be a nice distraction during the pandemic. Take the short quiz to find a mythological recommendation tailored to your taste.
How we showed Homer’s Odyssey is not pure fiction, with a little help from Facebook
Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey may seem like pure fiction, but social media tools reveal that they’re at least partly based in fact.
9 Legends of American Folklore
Folktales show us a lot about who we once were and still are. Check out these descriptions of nine classic characters from American folklore: Paul Bunyan, John Henry, Sally Ann Thunder, Johnny Appleseed, Mike Fink, Pecos Bill, Geronimo, and Old Stormalong. Why were they so famous? Why are they still famous today?
A Fairy Tale Influence
In this interview, fairy tale author Jack Zipes discusses why fairy tales matter, who their audience is, and how they influence the horror genre.
Fairy Tales Are Over 6,000 Years Old
Researchers have tracked fairy tales back thousands of years.
Why Black Panther’s representation matters, according to the cast
If tales of superheroes serve to inspire us and reflect what we value, they should represent all of us. Hear from the director and cast of the blockbuster movie.
Why Myths Still Matter: Hercules and His 12 Healing Labors
Explore the plot and significance of a popular Greek myth.
The Pre-Viking Legend of Ragnarӧk
One of the best-known Norse myths about the end of the universe may have originated in a real-world ancient catastrophe.
Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel, say scientists
While scientists don’t believe there is a giant monster hiding out in Loch Ness, they are considering what creatures could live there based on DNA testing.
Types of Ancient Greek Medicine
Read about how ancient Greek medicine inspired many modern practices.
Greek Myths Have Scary Ideas About Robots and A.I.
While robots and artificial intelligence may seem like recent concepts, some argue that those ideas originated in ancient Greece.
Multicultural Cinderella Stories
“Yeh-Shen” may be the oldest version we know of the Cinderella story, but it’s far from the only variation on this familiar tale. Find out about other versions that span the globe.