1 Rich oral traditions are often part of manycultures worldwide. Storytelling was a way topass on information before a written languagewas invented. Stories developed thatexplained many natural phenomena, such asthe sound of thunder in a storm , or thephases of the moon, or the passing of seasons.Find a legend that explains a naturalphenomenon, such as a type of weather, aconstellation , or a geographical feature.Learn this legend and share it with a group.2 Many cultures have legends that include a"trickster" character, such as the Coyote insome southwestern American Indian cultures,Ananse the Spider in some West Africancultures, or the Fox in some SouthernEuropean cultures. Read some "Trickster"legends and perform one for your troop orgroup or make up a contemporary legendwith a "trickster" character and share it withothers.3 Many fairy tales share common elements:• There is a quest or a journey.• Things appear in sets of three.• Characters get magical "tools" such asmagic swords or shoes or carpets.• The main character must overcome somesort of obstacle or become a better personbefore reaching her goal.Try creating a modern fairy tale that includesthese traditional elements. How could youshare your creation with others?4 Many stories from around the world end witha "moral"-a lesson about right and wrongbehavior. Storytelling is a way that culturescan share what is considered acceptable andgood behavior by members of that culture.Read a story from the past with a moral. Inyour troop or group, share your stories with"morals" and discuss the lessons that arebeing taught.How a Basket Becomes a MountainOne day, Coyote climbed a hill and satdown to look at the view. Suddenly, abeautiful girl walked by. He looked andfell in love at that instant. He knew thiswas the girl he wanted to marry. Henoticed the girl was not cartying ~erheavy basket on her back, but the basketwas walking along by itself. It seemsas if this girl's father was a powerfulmedicine man and had made this basketespecially for his daughter. The beautifulgirl was carrying firewood. Whenher basket was full, she turned to leave Ha, ha, the basketcan walk!" ; The girl ran away and thebasket just stopped where-it was andbecame a mountain which people tothis day call the Basket Mountain andCoyote had neither the basket nor thebeautiful girl.5 Some of the modern "myths" and stories thatare told at sleep-over parties and at campshow how storytelling continues to be a popularway to pass on cultural "rules" of behavior.Share some modern myths or stories.What are the morals of the stories?6 Some older fables and fairy tales have stereotypes.(Read more about stereotypes inChapter 5 of your Junior Girl Scout Handbook.)Some common stereotypes are that womenare weak and must be rescued by men or theevil characters have a physical disability likea curved back or a limp. Find a fairy tale orfable which you can modernize by taking outthe stereotypes and making it a more contemporary,realistic story.7 Professional storytelling can be a career or ahobby. Professional storytellers can performin schools, at libraries, at community eventsand her basket followed her. Coyotethought and thought. Maybe it wouldbe better and easier to have the basketthan to marry the girl. With that basket,everyone would think he was veryclever. He jumped out from his hidingplace and shouted,and fairs, at storytelling competitions. and ontelevision. Check with your school system,university or college Literature or Folklore departmentor library, your local community library,or historical association to find out if aprofessional storyteller will be performing inyour community. If you cannot attend a performance,watch a video of a storytelling performance.Look for ways the storyteller makesthe story exciting through her voice and hergestures.8 Many cultures share a tradition of storieswhose morals concern protecting the environment.Find and read some of these storiesand do one of the following activities:• Perform one of the stories for Daisy orBrownie Girl Scouts.• Create a modern fable on the same themeand perform it for Daisy or Brownie GirlScouts.
