What's the Difference Between Myth, Folklore, and Legend?

Folklore involves fictional tales about people or animals. Superstitions and beliefs are elements in the folklore tradition.

Folktales describe how the main character dealt with everyday life events, often involving a crisis or conflict. These stories can teach people how to cope with life.

Figures such as King Arthur, Blackbeard, and Robin Hood are legends - a story that is claimed to be historical but is without substantiation.

Legend also refers to anything of lasting importance or fame. The story is told orally but continues to evolve with time. Masterpieces such as the Greek Homeric Poems (The Iliad and The Odyssey) started as legends and were later retold in epic poems.

A fairy tale often involves fairies, giants, dragons, elves, goblins, dwarves, and other forces.

Fairy tales were not written for children, and the endings were often miserable. In recent years, old fairy tales like Snow White, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast have been changed and "Disneyfied" to appeal to kids.