Tall Tales

A tall tale is a story that has these features:

*A larger-than-life, or superhuman, main character with a specific job.

*A problem that is solved in a funny way.

*Exaggerated details that describe things as greater than they really are.

*Characters who use everyday language.

In America, tall tales were first told by settlers who made their homes in the American wilderness. In those days, before TV and movies, people depended on storytelling for entertainment. After a long day's work, people gathered to tell each other funny tales.

Each group of workers-cowboys, loggers, railroad and steel workers-had its own tall-tale hero. Having a superhuman hero with the same job somehow made their lives easier. Perhaps it gave them strength or courage to do their difficult and dangerous work.

 

Paul Bunyan and Flapjack Frenzy	Paul Bunyan Tale to Read
Johnny Appleseed	Pecos Bill
Pecos Bill and the Haunted House    Pecos Bill takes on the most haunted house in the West in this excerpt from Spooky Southwest.	Babe the Blue Ox Paul Bunyan finds a little blue ox the Winter of the Blue Snow.
John Henry	Pecos Bill Rides a Tornado
Make a Tall Tale	Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind