A myth is a sacred story from the past. It may explain the origin of the universe and of life, or it may express its culture's moral values in human terms. Myths concern the powers who control the human world and the relationship between those powers and human beings. Although myths are religious in their origin and function, they may also be the earliest form of history, science, or philosophy.
A folktale is a story that, in its plot, is pure fiction and that has no particular location in either time or space. However, despite its elements of fantasy, a folktale is actually a symbolic way of presenting the different means by which human beings cope with the world in which they live. Folktales concern people -- either royalty or common folk -- or animals who speak and act like people.
A legend is a story from the past about a subject that was, or is believed to have been, historical. Legends concern people, places, and events. Usually, the subject is a saint, a king, a hero, a famous person, or a war. A legend is always associated with a particular place and a particular time in history.
Definition by Donna Rosenberg, in her book Folklore, Myth and Legends: A World Perspective
If I never feel you in my arms again
If I never feel your tender kiss again
If I never hear I love you now and then
Will I never make love to you once again
Please understand if love ends
Then I promise you, I promise you that
That I shall never breathe again Toni Braxton - Breathe Again
Such are the determined words of a woman who rather dies than being without the one she loves. Love is a magical, mysterious feeling. Love can either be defined by bliss or misery. Love will bring you closer to heaven or drag you to hell. In short, love can either bring the best or the beast in you. It is funny how love works and how it can make you do unimaginable things…all in the name of love.
Pyramus and Thisbe is another tragic love story, just like the tales of Romeo and Juliet. They are the examples of supreme love. The theme of forbidden love that leads to tragedy is found in the myth written by Ovid. The essence of romanticism is apparent in this work. Both Pyramus and Thisbe could not bear to live without each other. To bring this story in the class would be interesting. Some young couples today still face the same conflicts faced by Pyramus and Thisbe with their parents. Students can give their opinions about Pyramus and Thisbe’s actions in the story – to discuss whether the acts of running away or taking their own lives were deemed appropriate or necessary. The teacher can perhaps link this to the problem of teenagers who run away from home. The consequences of acting rashly could also be the theme of this myth. Students may be asked to write another version of the story with the question of “what if” in their minds. Another theme that can be discussed is that true love prevails in the end.The fact that the story ends with Pyramus and Thisbe being together after their death and that their parents’ forgave them suggests that love can conquer all. God will always have mercy on pure love and that we should never give up hope.
To me personally, true love is when you can be there for another person during his/her lowest moments; to be the light and source of hope for another person. Until you have the chance to be with someone during trouble times and stick around no matter what, you can never be sure that it is truly love.
"To love for the sake of being loved is human, but to love for the sake of loving is angelic."
"Jangan monyet, jangan!"- that is the phrase that I remember the most from my favourite fable - Hikayat Sang Kancil dan Monyet. I used to use the phrase all the time with my friends. I bet many other people around my age could still remember this story. RTM (the only tv channel at that time) used to air this everyday whenever they had extra five minutes between programmes. I was ecstatic every time this opportunity came. This simple yet wonderful story was among many other fables that I learnt and enjoyed in my childhood. Mama is the first person who introduced me to the exciting world of fables and fairy tales. I still remember how me and my sisters used to sit around Mama eagerly while she read from this thick book with beautiful coloured illustrations. I just miss those moments.
While fables mostly involved animal characters, fairy tales include the elements of fantasy and magic that always have happy endings. Who can forget the phrase “…and they lived happily ever after”, that some of us even grow up believing that life can be just like a fairy tale. I enjoy both fables and fairy tales when I was young though I was more excited about the latter. I believe fables and fairy tales are the two alternative texts that are most appealing to children below the age of 12, so teachers can use them in the classroom. Nowadays, it seems like less and less parents seem to have the time to read books to their children, therefore teachers can make up for this.
Fables teach us a lot of moral values either explicitly or implicitly. We are shown how patience and determination wins against pride and conceit in The Hare and the Tortoise; never to be too trusting and get lost in compliments in The Fox and the Crow; always accept who you are and never try to be something you are not in The Jay and the Peacock; and that when you do good to others, others will do good to you in Androcles.
I believe fables can also be used for older learners. Secondary school students can be asked to write their own fables after discussing the plot and the language of various fables in the classroom. They can even choose their own animal characters to make it more interesting. My wish is that fables and fairy tales will live on in Malaysian's classrooms for a long, long time.
Below are the links to some websites on fables and fairy tales:
