How and Why We Have Myths AND WHAT IS FACTUAL ABOUT THEM BY:
OLIVIA ANDELIN
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What is a Myth? A myth is a traditional story, one concerning
the history of a people or explaining a natural event, typically
involving supernatural beings or things. A story that was told in
an ancient culture to explain a practice, belief, or natural
occurrence. An idea or story that is believed by many people.
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How Myths started as one story that one or more people thought
of. It could even be a dream. Or a true story. The story was told
to someone then that person told another. Each time someone told
the story, they would add their own twist, something that makes it
unique. Like a game of telephone. Soon, you cant tell which was the
real story, the first one. Most religions have myths around them.
There are creation myths, myths of gods and goddesses, and
creatures and heroes.
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So lets' test it out. Can I get 5 volunteers from the audience?
Were going to play telephone!
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Why Myths give stability to a culture. Each myth was created
for a purpose. Was it just for entertainment? Or something more?
Myths could have been created to teach lessons or show guidelines
on how to live. They could create a more connected culture if
everyone knew the same stories. A myth could also explain the
cultures rituals or activities. We as humans do not like what we
can not explain. Myths can explain that to us. Why the sun rises or
why animals walk on four legs are all explained in myths. Myths
also give us role models, people we want to be more like.
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THE FACTS Myths could be distorted from something real. The
story could be based off of something true or a historical event.
Animals could look like mythical creatures. Places could look
beautiful enough for a cultures gods. A cultures religion could be
the base for a myth, and to them, its as real as the earth they
walk on. The symbols of a myth, like a place or picture, are, or
could be real. Like in Heracles's 12 labors, many of the places
could be found on a map.
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animals There are many animals that were confused with mythical
creatures. These could be the basis for a myth. Here are a
few.
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OKAPI People used to think that okapi were descended from
unicorns. The okapi is a very interesting animal and looks very
cool too.
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Oarfish Oarfish look a lot like the sea monsters in myths. The
oarfish can get up to 11 meters long. Oarfish are rarely seen.
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places In a myth, some places can be real. These places could
even be the inspiration for a myth.
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MT. OLYMPUS Mt. Olympus was the home of the Greek gods. The
mountain is a real place, and was so high, the Greeks believed no
mortal could climb it.
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Odysseus travels On his travels in a Celtic myth, Odysseus
travels to real and existing places. Places like Turkey, Africa,
and Greece.
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BUT REMEMBER NOT ALL MYTHS DO HAVE SOMETHING FACTUAL ABOUT IT.
A MYTH COULD BE FROM SOMETHING REAL OR COMPLETELY MADE UP.
SOMETIMES, WE CANT EVEN TELL.
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THE END Now you know how a myth was created, why a myth was
created, and what is true about that myth. So long! Now you know
how a myth was created, why a myth was created, and what is true
about that myth. So long!