primary homework help zeus

Ancient Greece

History >> Ancient Greece

• The Roman equivalent of Zeus is Jupiter.
• The Olympics were held each year by the Greeks in honor of Zeus.
• Zeus originally married the Titan Metis, but grew worried that she would have a son that was stronger than him. So he swallowed her and married Hera.
• Zeus sided with the Trojans in the Trojan War, however, his wife Hera sided with the Greeks.
• He had a powerful shield called the Aegis.
• Zeus was also the keeper of oaths. He punished those who lied or made dishonest business deals.
• Take a ten question quiz about this page.
• Listen to a recorded reading of this page:

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Greek Mythology Primary Resource

Learn about the gods, goddesses, monsters and heroes of ancient greece.

This primary resource introduces children to Ancient Greek mythology . How did Zeus become King of the Gods? Who was Medusa? Which ancient Greek hero defeated the Minotaur?

In our National Geographic Kids’ Greek mythology primary resource sheets, pupils will learn about Zeus and other gods of Ancient Greece . They will also discover famous tales from Greek mythology – including the stories of Medusa, the Minotaur and the Hydra.

The teaching resource can be used in study group tasks for learning about Ancient Greek mythology and Ancient Greek culture. It can be used as a printed handout for each pupil to review and highlight key information, or for display on the interactive whiteboard for class discussion.

Activity : Ask children to complete a reading comprehension exercise based on our Zeus King of the Gods resource sheet (download below). To get pupils engaged with characters from Greek Mythology, they could write their own stories using monsters and heroes from our Tales of Terror from Ancient Greece  sheet (download below). As an art activity, ask children to create a poster of their favourite monster and hero for a classroom display about Ancient Greece.

N.B.  The following information for mapping the resource documents to the school curriculum is specifically tailored to the  English National Curriculum and Scottish Curriculum for Excellence . We are currently working to bring specifically tailored curriculum resource links for our other territories; including  South Africa ,  Australia  and  New Zealand . If you have any queries about our upcoming curriculum resource links, please email:  [email protected]

This History primary resource assists with teaching the following History objectives from the National Curriculum :

• Know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world: the nature of ancient civilisations; the expansion and dissolution of empires; characteristic features of past non-European societies; achievements and follies of mankind.

 National Curriculum Key Stage 2 History objective:

• Pupils should be taught about: Ancient Greece – a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world.

This History primary resource assists with teaching the following Social Studies Second level objective from the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence :

• I can discuss why people and events from a particular time in the past were important, placing them within a historical sequence.

• I can compare and contrast a society in the past with my own and contribute to a discussion of the similarities and differences.

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Zeus was the king of the 12 Olympian gods and the supreme god in Greek religion . Zeus is often referred to as the Father, as the god of thunder, and the 'cloud-gatherer'. Zeus controlled the weather and offered signs and omens. Zeus generally dispensed justice, guaranteeing order amongst both the gods and humanity from his seat high on Mt. Olympus.

Zeus & Cronus

Zeus' father was Cronus and his mother Rhea . Cronus had usurped control of the heavens from his father Ouranos and he was constantly wary of not having the same thing happen to him from his own children. To pre-empt any takeover he, therefore, swallowed all of his children: Hestia , Demeter , Hera , Hades , and Poseidon . However, Rhea saved her youngest child Zeus by wrapping a stone in swaddling clothes and giving this to Cronus to swallow. Zeus was spirited away to Mt. Dikte on the island of Crete where he was raised by the primeval goddess Gaia (Earth), or in some versions by the Nymphs. Amongst these was the Nymph Amaltheia (in some versions of the myth she was a goat) who suckled the young god.

Zeus Fights the Titans & Giants

On reaching adulthood Zeus made Cronus cough back up the children he had swallowed and Zeus then married his sister Hera. However, the lawless Titans, encouraged by Gaia, immediately tried to wrestle control of the world from the Olympian gods in a ten-year battle known as the Titanomachy. The Titans were the brothers and sisters of Cronus and it was only through the help of the Cyclopes - who made Zeus his lightning bolts - and the hundred-handed giants or Hecatoncheires (Briareos, Cottus and Gyges) that Zeus was finally able to imprison the Titans in Tartarus , the deepest part of the Underworld. Making himself ruler of the skies, Zeus then gave dominion over the seas to Poseidon and of the Underworld to Hades.

The Olympians still could not reign peacefully, though, for Gaia then enlisted the help of the terrible and savage Giants to battle with Zeus in the Gigantomachy. The Olympians were this time helped by the great hero Hercules and, after Zeus outwitted Gaia in her attempt to give the giants a magic herb, they once again won the battle for control of the world, not, however, before the Giants had created great destruction by moving mountains, islands and rivers.

Zeus's reign was only once more challenged when some of the gods, notably Hera, Athena and Poseidon, tried to takeover Zeus' role as head of the Olympian gods and bound him to his bed. The Father was, however, freed by one of the Hecatoncheires and the status quo restored.

Who were Zeus' Children?

Although first married (briefly it seems) to the Titan Metis and then married to Hera, Zeus was infamous in Greek mythology for his adulterous affairs, during which he often used his magical power to transform himself into various incarnations to bed his prey. He, therefore, had many offspring:

• Hephaistos , Ares , Hebe , Eileithyia - with Hera.
• Athena - with Metis but as Zeus swallowed his wife in fear a son would usurp his position, Athena was born from Zeus' head and she became the god's favourite child.
• Apollo & Artemis - with Leto .
• Hermes - with the Nymph Maia. Zeus, impressed by his trickery and silver tongue, gave him the role of messenger of the gods.
• Dionysos - with Semele who, being tricked by a jealous Hera, asked to see Zeus in all his godly splendour and immediately expired as a consequence. Dionysos was born from Zeus' thigh as a result of his mother's premature death .
• Hercules - with Alkmene and he was, therefore, forever the subject of a jealous Hera's scheming but on his death Zeus brought him to Mt. Olympus and made him into a god.
• Perseus - with Danae, who was won over to the charms of Zeus when he appeared to her as golden rain in order to enter her chamber where she was imprisoned by her father Acrisius.
• Persephone & Iacchus - with Demeter.
• The Fates , the Hours , Horae ( Seasons ), Eunomia (Lawfulness), Dike (Justice), Eirene (Peace) - with Themis .
• Helen , the Dioskouroi & Polydeuces - with Leda , for whom he transformed himself into a swan.
• Aglaea (Splendour), Euphrosyne (Joy) & Thalia (Good Cheer) - (the three Graces ) with Eurynome.
• Minos, Rhadamanthys & Sarpedon - with Europa after Zeus disguised himself as a magnificent white bull and whisked her off to Crete.
• Epaphos - with Io.
• Iasion - with Electra .
• Arcas - with the Nymph Callisto - both son and mother were transformed into bears by a jealous Artemis but Zeus made them into constellations - Ursa Minor and Major.
• The nine Muses - with Mnemosyne after the couple slept together for nine consecutive nights.

Zeus was also regarded as the founder of certain races, notably the Magnesians and the Macedonians. He also turned ants into the magnificent fighting Myrmidons for his son Aiakos, later to be led by Achilles in the Trojan War .

Who did Zeus Punish?

The god was also the great punisher. Those who did wrong or committed acts of impiety were severely punished, often for all time. The Titans were imprisoned in Tartarus and after acts of impiety against Zeus, Apollo and Poseidon were made to build the magnificent walls of Troy which proved so useful in the Trojan War . An explanation for the war in mythology was that Zeus sought to curb the rising population of humanity. Zeus also selected Paris as the judge in the famous beauty contest between Aphrodite , Hera and Athena, and when the young prince won Helen as his reward for choosing Aphrodite it was cited as another, more human cause for the Trojan War.

Other victims of Zeus' vengeance included The Titan Prometheus who was condemned to have his liver eaten by an eagle every day after he stole fire from the gods and gave it to humankind. Atlas had to support the heavens for eternity because of his role in the Titanomachy. Sisyphus , punished for his trickery, was condemned to forever roll a huge stone up a hill in the Underworld. Asclepius was killed by one of Zeus' thunderbolts because the former's medicine and his ability to raise the dead threatened the balance of power between men and gods. Pandora , the first woman was sent into the world by Zeus as punishment for receiving the gift of fire and she was to be the source of all mankind's misfortunes, carried with her in a box. Phineus, who was tricked by Hera into blinding his two sons, was himself blinded by Zeus who also sent the Harpies to continuously harass him. Ixion rashly declared his love for Hera and so Zeus banished him to Hades to be forever bound to a rotating wheel. Lycaon gave human flesh to Zeus to test his divinity and the god punished his impudence by turning him into a wolf. Salmoneus thought he was a god and pretended to be Zeus by throwing flaming torches for lightning bolts and riding his chariot to make a noise like thunder but Zeus swiftly put a stop to his antics by killing him instantly with a real bolt of lightning. The list goes on but the message is clear, wrong-doing and lack of respect would be severely punished.

Zeus the Peacemaker

Despite the terrible punishments Zeus could inflict he was also a peacemaker, famously reconciling Apollo and Hermes when they fought over the first lyre . Similarly, Zeus resolved the conflict between Apollo and Hercules over the tripod from Delphi . He also persuaded Hades to part with Persephone for part of each year and so end the terrible drought her mother Demeter had caused for the human race in protest at being held captive in the Underworld. For mere mortals, Zeus was at least fair-minded. At his feet Zeus had the jars of Fate - one full of bad things, another full of good things and he dispensed both with justice. Similarly, the time of a mortal's death was carefully weighed in Zeus' golden scales.

Sites Sacred to Zeus

As a major figure in the Greek religion , Zeus had an oracle, the oldest in fact, at Dodona in northern Greece where ascetic priests served an oracle which interpreted the sounds from the wind in the branches of the sacred oak trees and the babbling of water from the holy spring. Another great sanctuary dedicated to Zeus was at Olympia where every four years from 776 BCE the Olympic Games drew crowds from all parts of the Greek world to honour the father of the gods and where 100 oxen were sacrificed to Zeus at the end of each Games. Also at Olympia, the massive 5th century BCE temple of Zeus housed the gigantic gold and ivory statue of the god by Pheidias which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Other important sacred sites for the god were on Mt. Lycaios, in Athens , Nemea , Pergamon , Stratos, and in Libya.

There were surprisingly few festivals in honour of Zeus, one was the Diasia of Athens. Generally, though, Zeus, as head of the Greek pantheon , was omnipresent and so made no particular attachments to specific cities . Zeus was, however, worshipped in most family homes where an altar was often dedicated to him in each courtyard, for as Zeus Herkeios, he protected the family hearth and property in general. He was also Zeus Xenios, the god of hospitality, Zeus Polieus, protector of cities, Zeus Horkios guardian of oaths and Zeus Soter, the protector and general benefactor to all.

How Was Zeus Represented in Art?

In Greek art Zeus is almost always bearded and carries either a lightning bolt or sceptre. He was also strongly associated with bulls, oak trees and eagles, one of the latter sometimes appears at his side when he does not have his lightning bolt or sceptre. Zeus is a central figure in the east pediment of the Parthenon but without doubt the most majestic representation of the god is the bronze statue from Artemesium (460 BCE) where he confidently stands, feet wide apart, about to launch a thunderbolt.

Some scholars believe the figure is Poseidon but the art historian J.Boardman presents the convincing argument that the stance is much more familiar to representations of Zeus in Greek art (see the Dodona statue) and if the figure held a trident (much longer than a thunderbolt) it would obscure the face, an undesirable aesthetic consequence for Greek sculpture . Greek pottery is another rich source of the myths involving Zeus, in particular scenes representing his many metamorphoses and Zeus also appeared on many coins, notably those of Elis.

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Bibliography

• Ananiades, D. Ancient Greece: Temples & Sanctuaries. Toubis, Athens, 2010
• Boardman, J. Greek Sculpture. Thames & Hudson, 1985.
• Carabatea, M. Greek Mythology. Pergamos, Peania, 2007
• Carpenter, T.H. Art and Myth in Ancient Greece. Thames & Hudson, 1991.
• Hesiod. Hesiod. Loeb Classical Library, 2007.
• Homer. The Iliad. Penguin Classics, 1998.
• Homer. The Odyssey. Penguin Classics, 2006.
• Hope Moncrieff, A.R. Classical Mythology. Senate, London, 1994
• Hornblower, S. The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Oxford University Press, USA, 2012.
• National Geographic. National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology. National Geographic, 2008.

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Cartwright, M. (2013, May 25). Zeus . World History Encyclopedia . Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/

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Cartwright, Mark. " Zeus ." World History Encyclopedia . Last modified May 25, 2013. https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/.

Cartwright, Mark. " Zeus ." World History Encyclopedia . World History Encyclopedia, 25 May 2013. Web. 28 Aug 2024.

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Greek gods and mythology

What is Greek mythology?

The Ancient Greeks believed that everything in life was controlled by a god or goddess – so, if the crops didn’t grow very well one year, they thought it was because the goddess of the harvest (Demeter) wasn’t happy. The gods and goddesses looked like humans, but they lived forever.

As a way to keep the gods and goddesses happy, the Greeks built a temple for each one. Priests were in charge of the temples and letting everyone know what the gods were trying to tell them. The Greeks would also hold festivals for the gods, and sporting events like the Olympics. The Greeks told many stories about things that the gods did – this is called mythology .

Top 10 facts

• The Ancient Greeks were very religious people, and believed that many different gods controlled everything that happened in life.
• Temples were built for each god. Priests in the temples were in charge of speaking to their particular god or goddess, and making sense of what they wanted the Greek people to do.
• To please the gods even more, festivals were held in their honour.
• The Olympics began as a sporting festival held to honour the god Zeus. Zeus was king of all the gods, and he controlled the weather.
• The Greek gods were humans who looked like you and I do, but they were immortal (they could live forever) and had special powers.
• There were 12 main gods and goddesses, and they all lived on Mount Olympus – the highest mountain in Greece.
• The gods and goddesses weren’t always very nice. They could be just as mean to each other as they could be to mortals, which made it more difficult to know how to keep them happy.
• Because the gods had their own personalities, stories about them were told to explain why they acted the way they did – this is called mythology.
• In addition to gods, the Greeks believed in mythical creatures such as centaurs (half human, half horse) and Cyclopes (monsters with only one eye). These would often show up in mythology too.
• The Greeks also believed that after people died, they went to the Underworld (like the Ancient Egyptians ). The underworld was ruled by the god Hades, and to get there the god Hermes helped people cross the River Styx.

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Did you know?

• The king of all the gods was Zeus , who was in charge of the weather. The Greeks thought that lighting bolts were Zeus’ weapons, and that he threw them when he was angry.
• The Olympics began as a festival of different sports, held to honour Zeus.
• The Ancient Romans also believed in some of the same gods as the Greeks did, but the Romans called them by different names. You can see some of the differences in the chart below. Which of the Roman names are also the same as what we call some of the planets ?

• There were 12 main gods, and the Greeks believed that they all lived on top of Mount Olympus – this is also the highest mountain in Greece. These 12 gods were called the Olympians. The only Olympian who didn’t live on Mount Olympus was Hades, who was the god of the Underworld.
• Even though they were gods, none of them was perfect – they could be grumpy, sad, jealous or happy, and throw parties, get married and have children just like humans. The Greeks used all of these characteristics to make up stories to explain how the world is. These are called myths.
• Greek mythology can be a lot of fun to read. For instance, one of the myths is about King Midas, who wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. His wish was granted one day, but King Midas wasn’t too happy – he realised that he couldn’t even eat without his food turning to gold! He learned that there are more important things than riches, so asked for his new power to be taken away.

Greek gods and mythology gallery 

• The Acropolis in Greece
• Mount Olympus
• A bust of Zeus
• A statue of Artemis, goddess of hunting
• A pot with a picture of Poseidon (god of the sea) holding a trident (Source: Marie-Lan Nguyen)
• The Greek god Apollo
• Zeus and Poseidon
• Heracles confronting Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guarded the entrance of the Underworld

Most city-states had an acropolis, which was a collection of temples built on top of a high hill. Acropolis means ‘high city’, and it was a place where the citizens of the city-state could go to for safety if there was an enemy invasion.

Athens was named after Athena , who was the goddess of wisdom. The people who lived in Athens believed that Athena was their patron goddess – this meant that she would protect Athens from the other gods when they got angry.

The Parthenon in Athens is a large temple built to honour Athena. Each city-state had a patron god. Creating a temple for a god meant putting their statue inside it, and maybe even decorating it with the god’s symbols. People went to the temple to pray to the god/goddess and bring offerings, such as treasures or food.

Priests were put in charge of the temples, which meant that they were the ones who communicated with the god or goddess. The priest could interpret what the gods wanted, and make sure they were kept happy.

The Underworld is where the Greeks believed that people went after they died. The Ancient Egyptians also believed in an Underworld, but the ones that the Greeks believed in was a little different.

Hades was in charge of the Underworld, and the god Hermes would guide people along to the River Styx – this separated the world of the living from the world of the dead. It cost money to be ferried across the River Styx, so when people were buried their families would place a coin on their body to make sure they could pay the fare.

Once you crossed the River Styx, you’d join other souls in the afterlife – but nobody stayed around there for too long. The Greeks believed that souls of the dead would be reborn, so you’d only have to stay around the Underworld as long as it took for your soul to wait in the rebirth queue.

This story about the Underworld is part of Greek mythology. References to the different myths can be found in pictures painted on vases, and in Greek literature like The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer. Each god had certain symbols that would help you tell which was which – for instance, Poseidon (god of the sea) always carried around a trident, and Aphrodite (goddess of love) is usually shown with doves. Artemis is the goddess of hunting, and she’s pictured with a bow and arrow.

Some of the best myths involve heroes – people who did brave and noble things. One of the favourite heroes was Heracles, who was Zeus’ son. He was brave even when he was a little baby – he saved the life of his brother by killing snakes that had been released into their nursery and meant to kill them.

The 12 Olympian gods and goddesses

• Zeus – king of the gods, and god of the sky; his main weapon was thunderbolts
• Hera – wife of Zeus and queen of the gods, and also the goddess of marriage and family
• Hades – brother of Zeus and Poseidon, and god of the Underworld
• Hermes – son of Zeus and messenger of the gods; he’d help deliver people to the River Styx in the Underworld
• Demeter – goddess of agriculture and the seasons
• Poseidon – brother of Zeus and Hades, and god of the sea
• Athena – daughter of Zeus, goddess of wisdom, and patron god of Athens
• Ares – son of Zeus and god of war
• Apollo – twin brother of Artemis, son of Zeus and god of the sun and music
• Artemis – twin sister of Apollo, daughter of Zeus and goddess of hunting and animals
• Aphrodite – daughter of Zeus and goddess of love and beauty
• Dionysus – son of Zeus, god of wine and celebrations, and patron god of the theatre

Other important gods (sometimes included in the 12 Olympians)

• Hestia – goddess of the home
• Hephaistos – husband of Aphrodite, and god of fire and the blacksmith’s forge

Related Videos

Just for fun...

• Write your own myth – choose a setting, god and monster to get yourself started
• Try some Ancient Greek crafts and make an Ancient Greek amphora
• Print out some Greek gods and godesses colouring pages
• Play Guardians of History, “The Olympia Obstacles” , an interactive voice-activated audio game set in Ancient Greece from Encyclopaedia Britannica
• Make a Grecian vase  of your own
• Listen to some of the best-known tales from Ancient Greek mythology (Persephone, King Midas, the Minotaur, Medusa and Orpheus and Eurydice) on BBC Schools Radio for free; each story is a full-cast dramatisation
• Read a National Geographic Kids comic set on Mount Olympus
• Make your own Medusa mask

Children's books about Greek gods and mythology

Find out more about Greek gods and myths:

• Who were the ancient Greek gods and heroes? Find out in the BBC Bitesize primary guide
• A children's introduction to Ancient Greek gods and godesses
• Watch two stories from ancient Greece that are animated as if they were vase paintings come to life
• Read about Hercules, Greece's greatest hero , and his twelve labours , impossibly difficult feats
• Meet the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece in the National Geographic Kids guide
• Stories and symbols of the Greek gods and goddesses
• A MENSA lesson about Greek mythology
• Gods and goddesses
• A list of all the Greek gods and their stories
• Read some modern interpretations of Greek myths in our pick of the best kids' books about Ancient Greece
• Find out about the  different categories of Greek gods
• Information about each of the different Greek gods and the myths about them and the  Underworld and the River Styx
• Read terrifying tales from Greek mythology
• Find out more about Greek gods

See for yourself

• See statues of Greek gods at the British Museum in London
• Greek gods and myths are often pictured on vases and amphorae: see  scenes from the Greek epic poem  The Odyssey
• The Acropolis Museum in Greece has a great kids' section with games and videos

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Home » Myths and Legends

Myths and Legends

Myths and Legends for kids

Myths and Legends for kids. Primary homework help in English. Find out what a myth, legend, folktale and a fable is.

What is a Myth?

A myth is a really old story that people used to tell a long time ago to explain things they didn't understand. For example, they might tell a story about how the sun and moon were created, or why thunder and lightning happen.

These stories often have gods, goddesses, or other magical characters in them, and they are passed down from generation to generation. They can help people understand their culture, beliefs, and values.

Now, even though these stories aren't true in the same way that things in real life are true, they can still be important because they teach us lessons about how to be good people and how to treat others. So even though myths might not be real, they can still be really important!

Myth: How giraffes got their long necks

Long ago, giraffes had short necks, just like other animals. One day, a giraffe named Karoo was grazing in the savanna when he saw a tree full of delicious leaves. He tried to reach the leaves, but his neck was too short. He tried to jump up, but he couldn't reach them. He was about to give up when he had an idea.

Karoo started stretching his neck as high as he could. He stretched and stretched and stretched. Finally, his neck was long enough to reach the leaves. He ate and ate until he was full.

Karoo was so happy that he had a long neck. He could now reach the highest leaves, and he didn't have to compete with the other animals for food. He was the envy of all the other giraffes.

Soon, all the other giraffes wanted long necks too. They started stretching their necks as high as they could. They stretched and stretched and stretched. And just like Karoo, their necks grew longer and longer.

And that's how giraffes got their long necks.

Greek myth: The story of Hercules

Hercules was the son of Zeus. He was born with superhuman strength, but he also had a temper. As a result, he often got into trouble. One day, Hercules was driven mad by the goddess Hera, and he killed his wife and children. To pay for his crime, he was forced to perform 12 labors, which were incredibly difficult tasks. Hercules completed all 12 labors, and he was eventually made a god.

This myth teaches us that even the strongest people can make mistakes, but that we can overcome our mistakes if we are willing to work hard.

Greek myth: The story of Perseus

Perseus was a young man who was destined to kill the evil Medusa. Medusa was a Gorgon, a monster with snakes for hair and the power to turn people to stone with her gaze. Perseus was given a magical shield that would reflect Medusa's gaze, and he used it to slay her. He then cut off her head and used it to defeat other monsters.

This myth teaches us that even the most difficult challenges can be overcome with courage and determination.

What is a Legend?

A legend is a story that is based on real people or events from the past, but has been passed down for a long time and may have some imaginary or magical parts added to it. Legends often involve brave or famous people or creatures, and they help explain important customs or beliefs of a community.

A legend is about people and their actions or deeds. Stories about people mentioned in history are often told for a purpose and are based on facts, but they are not always completely true. The added bits make the story more interesting such as in the cases of Robin Hood, Queen Boadicea and King Arthur. For example, King Arthur was a man in the 5th/6th century but the parts about the round table and Merlin the Magician maybe not true. There was a Robin of Loxley (Robin Hood) and he helped the poor but he didn't have a band of robbers. Boadicea did exist but legend says that she escaped prison and carried on fighting, rather than dying there which is what really happened.

Legend: King Arthur

Arthur became a great king, and he ruled England for many years. He was wise and just, and he brought peace and prosperity to the land. Arthur had many brave knights, including Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, and Sir Percival. These knights went on many adventures, and they helped Arthur to protect England from its enemies.

One of Arthur's greatest challenges was the quest for the Holy Grail. The Holy Grail was a magical cup that was said to have the power to heal any wound. Arthur and his knights searched for the Holy Grail for many years, but they were never able to find it.

Eventually, Arthur was betrayed by his own nephew, Mordred. Mordred led a rebellion against Arthur, and Arthur was killed in battle. Arthur's body was taken to the island of Avalon, where it is said to sleep until the day he returns to save England again.

The legend of King Arthur is a story about courage, honor, and the power of good over evil. It is a story that has been told for centuries, and it continues to inspire people all over the world.

Legend: Robin Hood

Long ago, there was a man named Robin Hood who lived in Sherwood Forest. Robin was a skilled archer and swordsman, and he was very good at fighting. He was also a kind and generous man, and he always helped those who were in need.

One day, Robin Hood met a man named Little John. Little John was a giant of a man, and he was very strong. Robin and Little John became friends, and they decided to start a band of outlaws.

Robin Hood and his band of outlaws lived in Sherwood Forest. They would steal from the rich and give to the poor. They were always fighting against the Sheriff of Nottingham, who was a cruel and unjust man.

Robin Hood and his band of outlaws were very popular with the people of England. They were seen as heroes, and they were always fighting for justice. Robin Hood's story has been told for centuries, and he is still a popular figure today.

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What is a folk tale?

Folk tales are also known as fairy tales and they are stories that have been made up by people (or folk). Folktales have imaginative characters, happy endings and may contain magic. These stories have always been children's favourite stories and many of them have been turned into well-known films. Folktales normally start with Once upon a time and end with lived happily ever after .

Folk tale: Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood set off into the forest. As she walked, she met a wolf. The wolf was very friendly, and he asked Little Red Riding Hood where she was going. Little Red Riding Hood told the wolf that she was going to visit her grandmother.

The wolf told Little Red Riding Hood that he was going to visit her grandmother too. The wolf ran ahead of Little Red Riding Hood and arrived at her grandmother's house first. The wolf knocked on the door, and Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother answered. The wolf pretended to be Little Red Riding Hood, and he tricked the grandmother into letting him in.

The wolf ate the grandmother, and then he put on her clothes and got into her bed. When Little Red Riding Hood arrived at her grandmother's house, she saw the wolf in bed. The wolf tried to eat Little Red Riding Hood, but a woodsman came and saved her.

The woodsman killed the wolf, and he rescued Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother. Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother lived happily ever after.

More folk tales/fairy tales

• Jack and the Beanstalk
• The Three Little Pigs
• Beauty and the Beast
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears
• The Ugly Duckling
• Sleeping Beauty
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff

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What is a fable?

Fables are short stories that have a meaning. This meaning is called a moral . It teaches how we should behave and live our lives. Fables have animals as the main characters who can talk and act like humans. There is usually one animal who is weak and it often contains a hero or villain. The story often has a happy ending with a message about how to behave or what to believe. Popular fables are usually easy to read and understand for people of all ages.

Fable: The Tortoise and the Hare

The race started, and the hare quickly took the lead. He was so far ahead of the tortoise that he decided to take a nap under a tree.

The tortoise, meanwhile, kept walking slowly but steadily. He never stopped, and he eventually passed the hare, who was still asleep.

The hare woke up and saw that the tortoise was about to cross the finish line. He started running as fast as he could, but it was too late. The tortoise had already won the race.

The moral of the story is that slow and steady wins the race. It doesn't matter if you're not the fastest or the strongest, as long as you keep going and never give up, you can still achieve your goals.

Fable: The boy who cried wolf

A young boy was tasked with watching over a flock of sheep. To entertain himself, he repeatedly cries out that a wolf is attacking the sheep, even though there is no wolf. The villagers, who hear his cries for help, come to his aid each time, only to find out that there is no wolf. After several false alarms, a real wolf attacks the flock, but when the boy cries out for help, no one comes to his aid, assuming it's just another false alarm. As a result, the wolf kills some of the sheep, and the boy learns a valuable lesson about the importance of honesty and trust.

The moral of the story is that lying or exaggerating the truth can lead to people not believing you, even when you tell the truth. It's important to always be truthful and honest, so that people can trust and believe you when it matters most.

More fables

• The wind and the sun
• The Ant and the Grasshopper
• The Lion and the Mouse
• The Goose that laid the golden eggs
• The dog and the wolf
• The Fisherman and his wife

Fable links

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