World Folklore for Storytellers: Tales of Wonder, Wisdom, Fools, and Heroes: Tales of Wonder, Wisdom, Fools, and Heroes

Unlike mythology's grand themes of creation, gods, and birth and death, folklore and fairytales celebrate the more fanciful adventures and experiences of magical creatures and larger-than-life figures. This companion volume to the popular Mythology for Storytellers is a treasury of favorite and little-known tales from around the globe--from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, Australia, and Oceania. It is an engaging, informative, and captivating one-stop source for the world's folklore and tales. The introduction provides an informative overview of folklore, its purpose in world cultures and in contemporary society and popular culture. The book is then divided into four main sections, including tales of wonder, heroes, kindness repaid and hope and redemption, and fools and wise people. The first section includes some of our most popular fairytales; here the reader finds versions of Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, Cinderella, and Rumpelstiltskin (to name just a few) from America to New Zealand. The second section recounts stories of the larger-than-life heroes who have stood up to evil and fought for what was right, as well as some notable but controversial characters. Included here are stories of Davy Crocket, George Washington, Robin Hood, Jesse James, and many more. The third section teaches lessons about different cultural morals and values through tales of supernatural creatures, common beggars, and sinners reformed. Finally, the last section tells entertaining tales of foolish common people, politicians and kings, and even entire foolish cities, followed by stories of those who used their wisdom to outwit and outlast. Each tale type and the stories that follow are introduced with historical and cultural information as well as examples of yet other versions of the story. A bibliography follows each retelling so readers can find more information on the cultures and stories from each. A select master bibliography facilitates research and a general index rounds out this volume.