10 Examples of Popular Tale

He popular tale It is a relatively short fictional story, which is transmitted orally. It does not have a defined author, because it constitutes the collective heritage of the communities, but it does there were writers, such as the Brothers Grimm, who were in charge of compiling these stories within anthologies. For example: "Ali baba and the forty thieves".

Regarding the content of the tale popular, its story starts from a conflict that develops in the form of intrigue and reaches a surprising ending. The narrated adventures transcend time and space. This content does not usually have a style (ornamentus) particular or use ornaments, because there is no aesthetic intention in it. Their characters They do not have their own or individual psychological entity, rather they make up archetypes that develop the action proposed by the plot.

• See also: types of stories

types of folk tale

There are different types of folktale that can be grouped into this classification:

• wonderful tale. Also called "fairy or enchantment tales", this type of popular tale supposes the narration of fantastic facts in which marvelous elements are usually found, such as a magic item. These elements will be key when it comes to helping the hero overcome the trials and difficulties that come his way, as well as testing his courage and cunning. Among its characters, supernatural beings such as fairies, ogres, witches, goblins or giants stand out. For example:
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  «Cinderella», «Snow White».
• tale of rural customs. Unlike fairy tales, this type of folk tale lacks extraordinary elements, either fantastic or unrealistic. owns a argument which usually contains elements of the satire and humor, located within historical and social circumstances, which he seeks to criticize. It reflects the ways of life of agrarian societies, whose customs can be archaic and modern, and of each one of them follows a particular mode of production and also the social institutions that govern. The confrontation of one type and another of habit constitutes the engine of the plot of the tale of customs. For example:«The nougat house», «The basil plant».
• animal tale. This type of folktale has talking animals as protagonists. While there may be people in animal tales, these are occasional, minor characters. In the behavior of these animals, reflections of the human condition appear, in terms of behaviors or physical qualities, such as the cunning of the fox, the wickedness of the wolf, the stubbornness of the donkey. Animal tales are derived from the first two classes, insofar as they imitate or contradict them. Its narrative structure presents two elements: hunger (in which the only law is to eat or be eaten) and humor, often scatological. For example: «The three kids», «Good day of food for the wolf».

Characteristics of the folk tale

These are the most important characteristics of folk tales:

• orality. The popular tale is a story transmitted orally, from generation to generation and from town to town, so that it is very likely that you have more than one current version due to the removal or addition of certain elements to your plot.
• universality. The popular tale contains universal themes, which transcend the limits of a certain community, such as maturity, social recognition, among others.
• Brevity. The folk tale is relatively short, so it is possible to be told in one act.
• authorship. The popular tale does not have a specific author, but is part of generations of people who have transmitted it to their families, neighbors and friends.
• ending with moral. The folk tale has a didactic intention and a moralistic purpose.
• symbolic dimension. The popular tale is full of symbolism that serves to educate children within an inherited culture.
• rigid linear structure. The popular tale presents the events in an unalterable order that is usually the following, with the occasional adjustment depending on the type of tale in question:

• Exposure of the initial conflict.
• Hero's encounter with conflict.
• One way trip
• Sample of generosity, bravery or cunning of the hero.
• Appearance of the magic item.
• Battle between the hero and the aggressor.
• Submission of the hero to three tests.
• Return Trip.
• Recognition of the hero as such.
• Marriage of the hero (or heroine).

folk tale examples

1. Wonderful Folktale Example: “Cinderella”

Cinderella is a young orphan who lives with her stepmother and her two daughters, who since the death of her father treat her with contempt and force her to do housework. When the prince organizes a ball to find a wife, his stepmother prevents him from attending. While she cries inconsolably, her fairy godmother appears who transforms her into a princess and gives her a carriage that takes her. she transports to the castle, but warns her that the spell will end at midnight, so she must return before then. When the prince sees her, he falls in love with her immediately and they dance the night away until, at the stroke of twelve, Cinderella runs out remembering her fairy godmother's warning. In the escape, she loses her glass slipper. In order to find "his future princess" again, the prince will try the shoe on all the young women of the kingdom. And, despite the attempts of Cinderella's stepmother to hide her, the young woman ends up testing him and meeting her love again, whom she ends up marrying.

1. Wonderful Folktale Example: “Little Red Riding Hood”

A girl named Little Red Hood is sent by her mother to visit her grandmother, who is very ill, to bring her a basket of food. On the way, he meets the Big Bad Wolf, who proposes a race to the old woman's house. To do this, he warns Little Red Riding Hood that there are two possible paths: a long one and a short one. The girl, deceived by the Wolf, takes the longest way, so he arrives before and eats the grandmother in one bite. When Little Red Riding Hood finally comes up, the Big Bad Wolf is found disguised as her granny and she, surprised by her physical changes, points out her arms, legs, eyes and large teeth.

1. Example of a wonderful folk tale: “Juan Sin Miedo”

Juan lived in a small village with his father and his older brother. His father lamented because his youngest son did nothing and did not know how to do any job. So he once asked him what he wanted to do, to which the young man replied that he wanted to feel afraid and know what it meant to tremble. This is how he undertook his adventure in search of fear and, when he arrived at a mill, he found a sacristan with whom he struck up a conversation, in which he introduced himself as Juan Fearless. The sacristan told him that, beyond the valley, there was a castle enchanted by an evil wizard. The ruling monarch offered the hand of his daughter Esmeralda to the boy who managed to recover the castle and the treasure that was housed there. All those who had tried, had fled scared by the specters and ghosts that tormented the site at night. And that's where Juan headed and succeeded: the first night, he faced a ghost; the second, a ghost and the third, a mummy. None of these monsters scared him. The wizard gave up and returned the castle and its treasure; and the king married him to Esmeralda. Some time later, while Juan was sleeping, her beloved approached him with a container full of fish and, when she tripped, she spilled the liquid. cold liquid on her face, so Juan woke up scared and trembling, finally knowing what it was like to feel fear.

1. Example of a wonderful folk tale: "The Three Spinners"

A very lazy girl did not want to learn to spin, so her mother scolded her for not cooperating. One day, the queen passed by her home and, upon seeing the scene where her mother challenged her, she wanted to know what was happening, to which that she answered that the young woman wanted to spin all day, but that she did not have money for so much linen. Excitedly, the queen invited the girl to the castle to spin all the flax that was there and, if she succeeded, she could marry her son, the prince. The lazy young woman found herself completely dejected by her request, when she was greeted by three old women: one with a swollen finger, another with a drooping lip, and another with a giant foot. The three spinners promised to help her if she later invited them to her wedding. She promised and they got to work. When the day of the wedding arrived, the prince, upon receiving the three old women, asked them why they had those aspects and they replied that the swollen finger was due to twisting the thread, the drooping lip from licking it, and the enormous foot from step on it Fearing that his princess would become as ugly as those, he forbade her to spin forever.

1. Example of a folk tale of customs: "The hat of the King of Tibotú"

The king and queen of Tibotú had three children: Chapachapa, Chopochopo and Chipichipi. This king used to wear a very tall top hat that reached to the ceiling. The royal family lived very happily for many years until, one night, the king ate a whole piglet and, a few hours later, he passed away. After nine minutes and nine seconds, his family opened the will to see what the king had left each of the members. That was how they discovered that the city of Tibotú passed to his wife, Sabihonda, the two islands of the kingdom were left in charge of his two eldest sons and the top hat, to his youngest son. The latter, invaded by fury, threw the garment on the floor and kicked it. As he did so, he felt a sharp pain in his foot, as if he had struck a rock. Angrier still, he began to tear the hat to pieces, but soon found, between the lining and the crown, something hard as a stone, bigger than a hen's egg: it was nothing less than a great ruby. Such was the sensation caused by the find that everyone in the kingdom disputed its possession. For which a famous millionaire ended up paying a lot of money, which Chipichipi invested and lived the high life.

1. Example of folk tale of customs: "The soul of the priest"

Shortly after his son was born, a couple decided to know his fate, so they consulted a fortune teller, who He told them that he would live happily until he was twenty-one years old, when for some reason that he could not specify, he would die. hanged. The boy lived very happily until a few days before reaching that age, he found his parents crying and they told them about the prophecy of that fortune teller. His son told them not to worry, that he would go around the world and that when he returned, they would see that he was still alive. Before leaving, his mother gave him a prayer book and told him that he should go to hear mass in every town he came to so that God would protect him. And so he did. He arrived at an inn and asked the innkeeper when the next mass was and the latter told him that, as the The next day was the Day of the Dead, the first mass would be at midnight, but no one came to her. Remembering the promise to his parents, the boy was the same and at twelve he saw how a slab was raised in the center of the church and a priest emerged. After the mysterious mass, he told the boy that he was a lost soul until he appeared at his mass, so he would help him in everything he needed until the end of his days. On the way to the next town, he confronted some thieves, who were about to kill him, when the image of the priest who gave him a horse to flee from that place made an appearance. And so he did: he went to where his family was, who already believed him dead, and when they saw him alive, they hugged him with happiness.

1. Example of folk tale of customs: "The basil bush"

A poor shoemaker had three daughters, who every day took turns watering a bush of basil that was in his garden. One day the king's son passed by and asked the eldest daughter how many leaves the bush had and she did not know what to answer. The next day, the same thing happened with the middle sister. On the third day while the youngest daughter was watering, the prince appeared and after asking the same question, the girl replied: “Do you know how many stars inhabit the sky? The prince did not know what to answer and, angry with the girl's wisdom, when he returned to the castle, he disguised himself as a clothing salesman and decided to go to the house of the three sisters to offer them lace. After choosing one that he liked, he asked the disguised prince how much that one cost and he replied that a kiss. And he gave it to her.

1. Example of popular animal tale: "The ugly duckling"

One leg had had several ducklings, all of them were very cute, except one of them that was ugly, coarse and clumsy; so his brothers made fun of him and rejected him. One day, the ugly duckling decided to flee from there and faced the harsh winter that was soon to come, alone and sad. When spring came, he met a group of swans who were very kind to him. Surprised, he asked them why they were so good and they invited him to see his reflection in the lake and thus discovering how he had turned into a beautiful swan and left behind the figure of the duckling helpless.

1. Example of a popular animal tale: "The conceited little rat"

A little mouse was sweeping the sidewalk when she suddenly saw a gold coin on the ground. With her, he decided to buy a red bow, and after putting it on her head, suitors began to appear seeking to marry her, because she was really beautiful. The donkey, the pig, the lion and the fox visited her, and she rejected them all. When suddenly a beautiful and elegant cat in a suit appeared, she declared her love to him. And she accepted it because the cat had been very polite. The little mouse, very happy and in love with her, approached him to give him a hug from her and he, without losing the opportunity to get a good bite, jumped on her to catch her. Thanks to the speed of the smug little mouse, who jumped quickly and ran away, she managed to avoid being caught by the evil cat.

1. Example of a folktale about animals: "The Wolf and the Seven Goats"

In the forest there was a small house where seven kids lived with their mother. One day, the goat went out to do the shopping in town and asked her children not to open the door for anyone. When the wolf saw the mother goat come out, he knocked on the door and, trying to pass through it, asked the kids to open it. They realized that it was the wolf, and they don't. But after several attempts in which the wolf sought to convince them, he finally succeeded and they, seeing that it was the wolf, ran away, dispersing throughout the house. Soon, the wolf was finding and devouring them one by one. On the seventh he did not find it, but, satisfied, he went to rest in a meadow until he fell asleep. When the goat returned, the little one told her what had happened and she went in search of the predator and she, with a pair of scissors, she opened her belly and rescued all her children who were still with her. life.

Follow with:

• Latin American stories
• Goldilocks Tale
• snow white tale
• oral sources
• Short stories

Interactive exercise to practice

References

• Alvero Poveda, J. (2004). The characters in the folk tale. Anilij 2, 7-20. Available in: https://revistas.uvigo.es
• Rodríguez Almodóvar, A. R. (2010). About the definition of» Folk Tale. popular literature, 9.
• Rodríguez Almodóvar, A. Popular tales or the attempt of an infinite text. Cervantes Virtual Library. Available in: https://www.cervantesvirtual.com
• Ruiz Gomez, A. (2018). “Once upon a time”… The popular tale. From traditional literary narrative to dialogic literary gatherings (TLD) in primary education.