What are some popular American folk stories?

One well - known Native American folk story is 'The Raven Steals the Sun'. In this story, the Raven is a trickster figure. He was curious about the chief's box which held the sun, moon and stars. Through his slyness, he managed to steal them and release them into the sky, which changed the world forever.

There are fanfictions that focus on the backstories of the secondary characters in 'the folk of the air'. For example, a story about Vivienne's early days in the Faerie court and how she coped with being different from the other fae. These stories add more layers to the world created in the original work.

Well, 'Cinderella' can be a great folk tale bedtime story. It tells the story of a kind - hearted girl who is mistreated by her step - family but eventually gets to go to the ball and finds her prince. Then there's 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. Jack trades his cow for some magic beans and climbs the beanstalk to a giant's lair. 'The Ugly Duckling' is also a lovely one, which shows how a little duckling that looks different grows up to be a beautiful swan.

Popular folk stories include 'Rumpelstiltskin'. A little man helps a girl spin straw into gold but demands her first - born child in return. There's also 'Hansel and Gretel'. Two children are left in the forest by their parents and they come across a witch's house made of gingerbread. And 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' where a piper lures away the rats and then the children of the town when he is not paid.

One of the well - known children fable folk stories is 'The Tortoise and the Hare'. It teaches kids the value of perseverance over speed. Another is 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf', which warns against lying. And 'Cinderella' is also a very popular one. It shows how kindness can be rewarded in the end.

These folk stories have influenced American culture deeply. They are passed down orally and in written form, creating a sense of continuity across generations. The values embedded in these stories, such as courage in the case of 'John Henry' or cleverness in 'Brer Rabbit' stories, shape the American psyche. They are also used in education to teach children about history, values, and different cultures within America.

Some well - known children's folk tales stories include 'Snow White'. In this story, a beautiful princess is persecuted by her jealous stepmother but is saved by seven dwarfs and a prince. 'Jack and the Beanstalk' is also a great one. Jack climbs a magical beanstalk, faces a giant, and manages to bring back treasures. 'Hansel and Gretel' is a tale about two children who outwit a wicked witch in the forest.

One popular American sports story is that of Jesse Owens in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He defied Hitler's Aryan supremacy ideology by winning four gold medals, which was a huge statement against racism in sports at that time.

Well, there's the story of Josefina Montoya. It's centered around her life in the New Mexican territory in the 1820s. Her story includes elements of her family, their traditions, and how she copes with changes in her community. Then there's Kit Kittredge whose story is set during the Great Depression. It shows her family's struggles and her own determination to help out, like writing for the local paper.

One popular American ghost story is the Bell Witch. It's about a spirit that haunted the Bell family in Tennessee in the early 19th century. The witch was said to torment the family, making strange noises and physically attacking them. Another is the story of the Winchester Mystery House. Sarah Winchester, the widow of the rifle magnate, kept building onto her house in a very strange way. It's believed that she was haunted by the ghosts of those killed by Winchester rifles and was trying to confuse them with the maze - like layout of her home.