Mythologie

These tales are firmly rooted in the folk traditions that have evolved since Europeans arrived on the continent. Many traditional |American stories and tall tales are based on real-life historical figures such as Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, while others are pure fiction such as Paul Bunyan and the Lone Ranger. Some narratives are born of exaggeration, while others were created to help make sense of aspects of the world not understood at the time, and others to shape the ideals of society.The founding of the United States is often surrounded by legends and tall tales. Many stories have developed since the founding long ago to become a part of America's folklore and cultural awareness, and non-Native American folklore especially includes any narrative which has contributed to the shaping of American culture and belief systems. These narratives may be true and may be false or may be a little true and a little false; the veracity of the stories is not necessarily a determining factor.A number of these tales are also examples of early fictional writing in America, combining folklore and social commentary in innovative ways. Kate Chopin in particular embodies this form in her tales set in Louisiana.The tall tale is also a fundamental element of American folk literature. The tall tale's origins are seen in the bragging contests that often occurred when men of the American frontier gathered. A tall tale is a story with unbelievable elements, related as if it were true and factual. Some such stories are exaggerations of actual events; others are completely fictional tales set in a familiar setting, such as the American Old West, or the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. They are usually humorous or good-natured. The line between myth and tall tale is distinguished primarily by age; many myths exaggerate the exploits of their heroes, but in tall tales the exaggeration looms large, to the extent of becoming the whole of the story.I feel that we are just touching the tip of the iceberg here, based on those few texts that I've collected so far. There is, I believe a vast weight of storytelling beneath the waters upon which we sail in this collection. I hope that you enjoy these tales as much as I have in their discovery and their mild adaptation.

Good and Evil. Two sides of the same coin? Or something less defined, something more liminal? Entertaining and always thought-provoking, author J.M. Frey offers a collection of remarkable short stories that explore the grey area of the hero/villain dichotomy in this debut short story collection. Heroes. Villains. Monsters. Fairy Tales. Myths. Legends. Who is the good guy, who the bad, and who gets to decide which is which? After all, 'hero' is just another four letter word.

Bayou Charlie is quite a character. He travels all over the state from Bossier City to Slidell to Lake Charles to Baton Rouge. No one ever knows when and where he will show up. He just does. He will listen to your stories and maybe tell you one of his.Bayou Charlie draws a crowd wherever he goes. People run to see him. Bayou Charlie will listen to any story from anyone who will tell it. The young and the old, the old man or woman that everyone thinks is crazy he will listen to what he/she has to say. You never know when a delightful story will be told, or what the source it came from. "Always listen to your elders." His grandma told him, and that is what he does. Bayou Charlie is all for having fun, if none is going on he just may go up and tell a few jokes. Bayou Charlie loves to make people laugh. Even if he has to sing a song off key. That's bayou Charlie, anything for a laugh. And the people love him. If he goes to the casino people will start winning, just because he is there. Bayou Charlie may appear at a night club and ask a girl for a dance and maybe even steal a kiss. (All in fun) Bayou Charlie would never hurt anyone.He usually wears bib overalls open toed shoes and a funny hat. Consider yourself Lucky if you ever run into him. You will not be disappointed.He may be at a bayou near you smiling and walking away.

Los niños siempre han tenido un interés especial en los temas sobrenaturales, pues en su imaginación es posible cualquier cosa, incluso interactuar con seres fantásticos como duendes, ogros, brujas e incluso fantasmas. "Cuentos de niños", podrán decir algunos. Esta obra presenta una serie de cuentos infantiles pensados para niños de corta edad, incluso para infantes que apenas comienzan a leer. Su lectura no les provocará pesadillas, pero tampoco dejarán de sentir el miedo que a todos nos gusta experimentar con este tipo de historias. En los cuentos aquí presentados, los protagonistas son precisamente niños, para que estos tengan una mayor identificación con los personajes y, ¿por qué no?, tal vez con las historias mismas, pues tal vez ellos hayan experimentado algo semejante a lo aquí presentado. Si tú no eres niño, no importa, las historias de terror son muy entretenidas y serán de tu agrado. Así que siéntate con tu hijo, alumno o hermanito y disfrutad juntos de estas historias de miedo.Libro educativo recomendado para niños menores de diez años, padres y profesores

A butterfly must venture into hell to rescue the beloved Lady of the High Castle and stop the forces of evil from destroying the earth. This allegorical quest novel is steeped in folklore including North European myths and legends.The book includes two versions: the original deeply allegorical story, and a simpler version for children.

The classic account by doyen prize-winning anthropologist Ruth Finnegan of the issues, crucial for us all, surrounding oral and written communication as they worked - and still work - out in the romantic islands dotted round the Pacific Ocean.A riveting short book, remarkable equally for its scholarship and its readability. Not to be missed by anyone interested in these fundamental processes of our culture,Read more in Ruth's fabulous Orality and Literacy series - she is an accepted world authority on these far-reaching issues - of interest and importance to each of us. And then about the hidden nature of human communication in the so-often-misunderstood secrets revealed in her 'Communicating' and how we so amazingly overlap with animals and even have much to learn from them (startle your friends - and yourself!)

Phoenix Kassim is now a warrior in training. Her mentor, Sophia teaches her the art of combat against supernatural forces. Failure is not an option for the young hero, because the fearsome generals of the Jinn race against time to free their master and form an army in his name. Against all odds, Phoenix strives to learn and acquire the ancient tools of the Hakima, but her lonely young heart may mean her undoing. Will she remain loyal?

The formidable army of the ancient Blue Jinni is in full force and the world is on its knees. The army of the Hakima, Phoenix Kassim, is the only hope for humanity to avoid the inevitable slaughter of most and the slavery of the rest. The army of the Hakima fights bravely at each turn, but becomes weaker after each battle, and continued heartbreak and betrayal threaten the young hero. Will the armies of the Hakima and the wolves of the Earth be enough to stop the siege? Who will have the answer?

Phoenix Kassim, a young Arab American, has never been like other girls. She sees things that aren't there. Some of these "beings" are friendly, and some malevolent. Her parents struggle to decide what to do about this special young woman with unique abilities. After their relocation to their origin, they understand the supernatural forces at work to make sure their daughter doesn't live to become who she's meant to be. Will Phoenix understand her role in time?An army is being assembled against her, and her heritage has been dismissed as folklore. She's already behind the game before she begins. Her archrival prepares to enter our "human" dimension.

There are four things you need to know about Larry the Leprechaun. 1. Larry, like all leprechauns, has a big crock of gold. 2. Larry is the youngest, funniest, and most cunning of all the leprechauns living on Farmer Murphy's farm. 3. Larry is the only leprechaun on the farm ever to get caught by a human. He was captured by none other than Farmer Murphy's daughter, Joan. Joan, who had been preparing to catch a leprechaun for a very long time, actually held on to Larry long enough for him to reveal where his crock of gold was. 4. Did I mention that Larry was the most cunning of all the leprechauns on the farm? Did Joan actually get his gold?

Our life journeys cross many landscapes, some where the terrain is green and lush and others where it is rocky or mountainous. I invite you to go on a series of magical explorations where lessons are learned, pathways are forged, and obstacles are overcome. While the characters include gnomes, dragons, and even a fairy princess, this is built on a true story that highlights the importance of being kind to yourself, aligning your inner resources, and designing your own unique life tapestry-allowing the world to see the truth of who you are. As we each take responsibility for our pathways in life and the possibilities we create, how do we solve the various life puzzles presented to us? Consider:How do you feel you fit in and belong with your family? Are you looking for your "tribe," or have you already found that connection?Are you surrounded by naysayers or cheerleaders?Do you see obstacles or opportunities?Do you honor yourself or allow yourself to be bullied or bully yourself? Do you allow the truth of who you are to shine through?

This book contains two parts. In the first part children visit ancient Rome and Athens in a time machine. They experience the life of the people, and they listen to mythological stories narrated with an additional modern twist. The second part deals with life into the not too distant future, incorporating the technologies we have of our time and projecting them into the next century. The book contains tongue-in-check humor and irony, brain teasers, and the origin of our idiomatic expressions. It is recommended for young and more mature adults who want to be entertained in a light-hearted way.