unit 6

Text Myths, Legends, Epics, and Tales

Analysis From ancient Greece to medieval England, every culture has its own stories—
Workshop myths, legends, epics, and tales that have been handed down from one
generation to the next. Part of an oral tradition, these tales continue to entertain
and teach us hundreds of years after they were first told.

Part 1: Characteristics of Traditional Stories

Included in this workshop: In this unit, you will be reading all types of stories, including the ones
RL 1 Cite textual evidence to
support analysis of what the
shown here.
text says explicitly.
RL 3 Analyze how particular
elements of a story interact.
type of tale characteristics
RL 10 Comprehend literature.
myth • Often explains how something connected
A traditional story with humans or nature came to be
that was created to • Reveals the consequences of both good
and bad behavior
explain mysteries of the
universe • Features gods or other beings who have
supernatural powers as well as certain flaws

legend • Tells about a hero or heroine who has

A story passed down unusual powers
through many generations • Focuses on the hero’s or heroine’s struggle
to defeat a powerful force
that is believed to be based
on real people and events • Highlights a positive quality or way of behaving

epic • Follows a quest, or journey, of a hero who has

A long, narrative poem, incredible strength and courage
often written in formal language, • Focuses on the hero’s character traits
that tells about a series of quests • Features hero’s tasks such as battles in which
undertaken by a great hero the hero is tested

fable • Usually includes animal characters that stand

A brief story that for specific human qualities, such as kindness
or dishonesty
teaches a lesson, or
• Has a moral that is directly stated at the end
moral, about human
or indirectly communicated through what
nature happens in the fable

tall tale • Stars a hero or heroine who is larger than

A humorously life—that is, bigger, stronger, and even louder
than an ordinary person
exaggerated story
• Uses exaggeration to emphasize the abilities
about impossible events
and achievements of the hero or heroine

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 model 1: characteristics of a fable
What human qualities do the fox and the crow display in this fable?

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&/8 Fable by Aesop

A crow was sitting on a branch of a tree with a piece of cheese in her Close Read
beak when a fox observed her and set his wits to work to discover some 1. Reread the boxed
way of getting the cheese. Coming and standing under the tree, he looked details. What human
up and said, “What a noble bird I see above me! Her beauty is without qualities does each
animal stand for?
5 equal, the hue of her plumage exquisite. If only her voice is as sweet as her
looks are fair, she ought without doubt to be Queen of the Birds.” 2. The moral is directly
stated in line 11. In your
The crow was hugely flattered by this, and, just to show the fox that own words, restate the
she could sing, she gave a loud caw. Down came the cheese, of course, moral. How does the
and the fox, snatching it up, said, “You have a voice, madam, I see. interaction between
10 What you want are wits.” the fox and the crow
Flattery is the best persuasion. illustrate the moral?

model 2: characteristics of a tall tale

Bess Call is the extraordinary heroine of this tall tale. Here, a stranger
from England laughs when “big as life” Bess challenges him to a wrestling
match. Will the stranger pay the price?

B ess C a ll
from
Tall tale retold
by Robert D. San Souci

“Humph!” said Bess. “I’ll show you a ‘real match’—and no waitin’, Close Read
neither.” She rolled up her sleeves and stomped out into the yard. 1. In what way is Bess
Back and forth they tussled, making more noise than a boatload of larger than life?
calves on the Hudson. First one, and then the other seemed to get the 2. One example of
5 upper hand, only to find that the edge had slipped over to his or her humorous exaggeration
opponent. The cloud of dust they kicked up covered the sun so that is boxed. Find another
example.
people as far away as Clinton and Cayuga counties reached for their
umbrellas thinking unseasonable rain was about to fall.
Their struggles sent them rolling across the yard right up to the fence
10 that separated the farmyard from the road. There Bess took hold of the
Englishman one last time and tossed him body, boots, and britches over
the fence, where he landed in a muddy ditch.

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 Part 2: Cultural Values in Traditional Stories
One reason for the lasting popularity of many traditional stories is their
universal quality. You don’t have to be an expert on ancient Greece to
understand the moral of an Aesop fable, or know about daily life in 19th-
century New York to be amused by “Bess Call.”
You can usually appreciate a particular story without knowing much about
the culture or society from which it originally came. But by noticing certain
details, you can often draw conclusions about the cultural values—the ideals
and beliefs—that were honored and upheld by that society or culture. For
example, does the story stress the importance of obedience, or does it celebrate
those who bend the rules?
Consider the legend of John Henry, a railroad worker and “steel drivin’
man” whose job was to drill holes using a hammer and a steel spike. His
story was popular among men who worked long days building railroad tracks
across the United States after the Civil War. By closely examining the excerpt
and asking yourself a few questions, you can learn a great deal about those
workers and their concerns.

from questions to ask

john henry Legend retold by Mary Pope Osborne

Who are the heroes and
villains in the story?
The hero is a railroad
worker; the villain is a
machine.
“I got the best steel driver in the country. His name is John Henry,
and he can beat two dozen men working together.” What attitudes and
“That’s impossible,” the salesman said. “But if you can prove your behaviors are rewarded
hand driller is faster than my steam driller, I’ll give you this machine and admired?
John Henry is rewarded
5 for free.”
with cheers for taking
The boss called to John Henry, “This fellow doubts which of you on the machine. Other
can drill faster. How about a big contest?” workers admire his
As John Henry stared at the steam drill, he saw a picture of the future. strength and bravery.
He saw machines taking over the jobs of the country’s finest workers.
10 He saw himself and his friends out of work and begging beside the road. What can you infer about
He saw men robbed of their dignity and robbed of their families. the fears of the country’s
“I’d rather die with my hammer in my hand than let that steam drill workers during this time
run me down,” he yelled back. And his boss and friends all cheered. period?
Workers were worried
about losing their jobs
to machines.

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 Text Analysis Workshop

model 1: cultural values in a myth

The Mexican myth of Quetzalcoatl explains how unhappiness came
into the world. In this excerpt, the people—the Toltecs—are still happy.

uetzalcoatl
from

Mexican myth retold by Amy Cruse

But the king-god Quetzalcoatl knew that if his people were to be Close Read
really happy they must not spend their days in the idle enjoyment of all 1. What attitudes toward
this loveliness and plenty. They must work, and learn to take a pride work do you notice
in working as well as they possibly could. So he taught them many in this excerpt? Find
specific details to
5 useful arts—painting and weaving and carving and working in metals.
support your answer.
He taught them how to fashion the gold and silver and precious stones
2. Reread lines 4–9. What
which were found in great abundance throughout the country into kinds of skills and
beautiful vessels and ornaments, and how to make marvelous many- products did the people
tinted garments and hangings from the feathers of birds. Every one was who created this myth
10 eager to work, and because each man did his share, there was plenty of value?
leisure for all. No one was in want and no one was unhappy. It seemed
as if, for these fortunate Toltecs, the Golden Age had really come.

model 2: cultural values in a legend

In this legend, a monster bear called Nyagwahe threatens the peace
among the five Iroquois nations. Swift Runner, a weak boy and an
unlikely hero, kills the bear. Here, he returns to his village, victorious.

from

Racing the Great Bear Close Read

Iroquois legend retold by Joseph Bruchac 1. What traits does Swift
Runner’s grandmother
Then Swift Runner led his people back to the village. He carried with display in the boxed
him the teeth of the Nyagwahe, and those who saw what he carried text? Draw a conclusion
rejoiced. The trails were safe again, and the Great Peace would not be about the attitude the
Iroquois people have
broken. Swift Runner went to his grandmother’s lodge and embraced her.
toward their elders.
5 “Grandson,” she said, “you are now the man I knew you would grow
2. Reread lines 6–9. What
up to be. Remember to use your power to help the people.” traits or qualities are
So it was that Swift Runner ran with the great bear and won the race. admired in the Iroquois
Throughout his long life, he used the teeth of the Nyagwahe to heal the culture? Support your
sick, and he worked always to keep the Great Peace. answer.

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 Part 3: Analyze the Text
The myths of ancient Greece were first told more than 3,000 years ago.
Yet people today still enjoy reading about the powers of mighty gods and
goddesses and the daring adventures of heroes. Modern readers can even
learn something from these characters’ costly mistakes.
In this unit, you will read several Greek myths. Get your first taste of
Greek mythology by reading this famous story of unrequited love. What
characteristics of a myth do you notice in “Echo”? Through this tale, what
do you learn about ancient Greek values?

E h
Echo
Echo
E h
EEcho
h
Greek myth retold by Alice Low

E cho, a beautiful mountain nymph,1 was a great talker and always had
to have the last word. She was a favorite of Artemis, goddess of the
Close Read
1. The ancient Greeks
hunt. Together they hunted in the woods, swam in mountain pools, believed that their gods
and caught fish for meals. But Echo’s delightful life was destroyed, acted like ordinary people
and even experienced
5 all because she tried to protect her friends from Hera’s2 wrath.
human emotions.
One day Hera came spying on a group of nymphs in the woods. Consider Hera’s feelings
She suspected that her husband, Zeus, was in love with one of them and actions in the boxed
and hoped to find out which one he favored. lines. In what ways is
Echo did not know which nymph was Zeus’s favorite, and so she she like a human being?
10 started a conversation with Hera in order to let all the other nymphs
escape. “Isn’t it lovely here?” she said.
“Yes, indeed,” Hera replied, “but I am very busy right now and have
no time for talk.”

1. nymph: in Greek mythology, a godlike being that appears as a beautiful young woman in a
natural setting.
2. Hera’s: belonging to Hera, the wife of Zeus, the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus and all the
gods and goddesses who live there.

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 Text Analysis Workshop

“It seems to me you are busy talking,” said Echo, “which is the
15 nicest way to be busy, don’t you agree?” She went on and on, and
every time Hera tried to get away from her, Echo asked another
question. By the time Hera got away and ran to the nymphs’ pool,
all the nymphs had fled.
“This is your doing,” said Hera to Echo. “You kept talking to let them
20 escape. And I shall punish you for that. You shall never be able to speak
first, but shall only be able to repeat what others say. You shall always Close Read
have the last word.” 2. Why does Hera punish
Soon after that, Echo fell in love with a handsome young hunter Echo?
named Narcissus.3 She followed him through the woods, hoping to
25 make him notice her. But she could not speak first and had to wait for
him to speak to her.

O ne day her chance came. Narcissus became separated from his

friends and called out, “Is anyone here?”
3. Think about Echo’s
behavior and actions,
as well as her resulting
“Here,” called Echo.
punishment. What
30 Narcissus could not see her, for she was behind a bush. He shouted, can you infer about the
“Come,” thinking she was one of his companions, and she called back, kinds of behavior that
“Come.” the Greeks hoped to
“Let us be together,” called Narcissus, for he still could not see anybody. discourage by telling
“Let us be together,” called Echo, and she ran up to him with her this myth?
35 arms open, ready to embrace him. But Narcissus said cruelly, “Do not
touch me. I would rather perish than let you have power over me.”
“Have power over me,” said Echo pleadingly, but Narcissus bounded
away, leaving Echo alone and ashamed. Afterward she lived in a cave,
and finally, because of her great grief, she shrank to nothing. The only
40 thing left of her was her voice, which echoed through the mountains,
repeating the words of anyone who called. 4. Some myths attempt
to explain how
something in the world
came to be. What
natural phenomenon is
explained by this myth?

3. Narcissus: a handsome but vain boy known for his cruel rejection of the many nymphs who fell
in love with him.

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