A folktale is "a tale spread by word of mouth among common people." (Popular tale). By this definition, written (literary) stories are not classifiable as folktales. I would like you not to assume that a definition is the final word on what constitutes a folktale; as most stories classified as folklore can be seen to have one or more key characteristics. They present a strong moral value or a recurring motif in the foreground. Folktales usually involve some key factor such as deception, magic, monsters, or getting rich. They also usually have a few key features such as quick starts, simple characters, fast-moving plots, and having all questions answered by the end of the story. (Elements of folk tales). Why isn't a folk tale a fairy tale? Folktales are very different from fairy tales in several ways. The main difference between them is in their function. Fairy tales are a distraction from real life; a means of escape for the desperate. Folktales have a real use and purpose behind their creation; they are meant to teach. Here's a quote that explains the differences: Folktales are traditional beliefs, practices, lessons, legends, and tales of a culture or people passed down orally through stories. Fairy tales are imaginative and imaginative stories about people, fairies, animals or things that have magical powers. Similarity: Every story has a problem and a complication before the story is resolved. Difference: Folk tales require people to use their brains to solve their problems while fairy tales require people to have magic to help them. (Fairy tales). What is the purpose of folktales? Folktales are intended to teach a lesson to people of all ages...... middle of paper...... Japanese lullabies, Koto music, Shakuhachi music, music for meditation, Healing, Oyasumi. Network. January 13, 2010. "Trivia Tidbit of the Day: Part 142 - Crime Rate in the United States." WILLisms.com. August 18, 2005. Web.January 20, 2010. .Schlosser, S. E. "Urban Legends of American Folklore." American Folklore: Famous American folktales, tall tales, myths and legends, ghost stories, and more. American folklore. Network. January 13, 2010. .Solis, K.T. "What is a Folktale?" WiseGEEK: clear answers to the most common questions. Wisegeek. Network. January 13, 2010. .Homer and Robert Fagles. The Odyssey. New York: Penguin Classics, 1999. Print.