The Dog and its reflection

A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow footbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself reflected in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own.

If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a stupid Dog he had been.

Introduction to Genre

Old School Fiction Genres

	Folktales:  These feature common folks, such as peasants, and commonplace events.   There maybe be some "make-believe" elements, like talking animals, but the stories, overall, sound logical - even realistic.  Folk tales seek to explain things about life, nature, or the human condition. pick a place, find a folktale
	Fairy Tales:  Also called "magic stories," these are filled with dreamlike possibility. Fairy tales feature magical and enchanted forces.  They often have a "happily ever after" ending, where good is rewarded and evil is punished. pick a place, find a fairy tale
	Fables:  Short stories, in verse or prose, with a moral ending.  These types of stories are credited Aesop (6th century BC), who told tales of animals and other inanimate objects that teach lessons about life.  pick an animal, find a fable
	Legends:  While based in history, these stories embellish the life of a real or imaged person. Often their abilities are supernatural, or God-like. The facts and adventures of the person are exaggerated, making the individual famous for their deeds. pick a place or legendary hero, find a legend
	Myths:  Some stories have to be told as related tales to be meaningful.  Myths portray themselves as representing a distant past.  They contain common themes and characters, often "gods."  Myths attempt to explain the beginning of the world, natural phenomena, the relationships between the gods and humans, and the origins of civilization. Myths, like legends, are stories told as though they were true. pick a natural event or recurring phenomena (or place), find a myth