KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVRSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

NAME: BENEDICTA APPIAH

MAJOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE

STUDENT REFERNCE. NO: 20944810

STUDENT INDEX. NO: 2601922

COURSE TITLE: AFS 166 - MYTHS AND SYMBOLISM IN AFRICA

QUESTION
Write the difference between legends and fables with examples.

SOLUTION

Legends and fables are all stories that have pass on from generations but these two aren’t the same

even in terms of characters.

Legends are stories that are passed down through generations and are often about real people or

events that have been embellished over the ages. Legends are mostly characterized by a

supernatural or magical element and they may be used to explain natural phenomena or real life

issues. For example, the Legend of King Arthur and the knights at the round table is a real life issue

dated back to the 5th or 6th century. However, over time the Legend of King Arthur has now been

embellished with fantastical elements like the magical sword Excalibur, the Wizard Merlin and the

mystical Camelot Castle. Robin hood is another example of a legend, a story of an outlaw who

robbed to rich to give to the poor. On the other hand,

Fables are stories that adorn animals with human attributes in order to convey a moral lesson

which is mostly emphasized at the end of story. Fables are orchestrated to convey a unique lesson

to the listeners. Fables like the Tortoise and the Hare is made to teach steady progress even if slow.

The Ant and the Grasshopper, teaches preparation ahead of time. It differentiates between those

who prepare and those who do not. Locally, stories like the hawk and the hen, why the crab has no

head are all fables tailored to teach unique morals and may differ from locality to locality.