Category Archives: What Tales Tell

The truth about a strange blood-sucking monster

A trail of bodies, seemingly left behind by the vampire-like Chupacabra, enabled one man to solve the mystery.

Was Paul Bunyan a real person?

Learn about how the legend of Paul Bunyan began and how it continued to grow over the years.

Types of Ancient Greek Medicine

Read about how ancient Greek medicine inspired many modern practices.

Is Bigfoot real? You likely already know the answer.

For decades, hundreds of people claimed to have seen the creature known as “bigfoot” or “sasquatch”. When examined logically, it the existence of this creature really plausible?

The long-standing myth of sea monsters has a dark explanation

Robert France argues that mythical sea serpent sightings were probably marine animals tangled in fishing gear.

Savitri and Satyavan: The legend of the princess who outwitted Death

Watch this short video about the legendary Hindu princess Savitri and her devotion to her one true love.

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.

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.