American Indian Myths and Legends Ed. by Richard Erdoes & Alfonso Ortiz

American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz was an interesting text to read because I was able to learn more about Native American myths and I was also able to read new myths I’ve never heard about before. At one point the author states how legends vary according to a people's way of life (Ortiz, pg.4) which is very much true. Everyday we all change stories because we want the people we are telling them to, to feel connected to it or feel like they can learn from the story. Another point that I found interesting but quite weird is when the author begins talking about how white people have changed the Indian history and culture so much that it has been nearly all erased (Ortiz, pg.3). This took me back to my history class in High School when the English forced all Native Americans into Christianity, making them get rid of their culture, language and their homes and taught them how to be English people.

The fact that many myths and legends created by the Indian Americans, help give people some reasons to why and how certain things came to be. Like mountains, animals and many things of nature.

The Role of Fables in Human Life

                 In Edward Clayton's article Aesop, Aristotle, and Animals: The Role of Fables in Human Life he argues how humans are very much like animals but we also have the ability to do so much more. He states the many traits that make all these fables relevant to human life. Clayton states how reasoning is one of the traits that differentiate humans from animals. Also, unlike animals education helps shape children's future characteristics. Claytons argument makes a lot of sense but not many people think of fables this way when reading them. Because the animals are the protagonists of the fables Clayton feels like we shouldn't be comparing ourselves to animals. He states in this article “Why should we choose to act like animals when we can choose not to and when we can create an environment in which acting like an animal is unnecessary (197)”. But many people quickly relate to these fables because they're easier to understand. If the characters are portrayed as humans not many people would want to understand the morals of the story or accept that what had happened to that character can happen to them.

Growing up I always watched movies or heard stories where the animals were the protagonist and not many humans. Not only was watching movies with animals more entertaining but it allowed me to understand stories better. Being that I am an only child there was never that older role model. This also never gave me the opportunity to learn from older siblings mistakes, so my parents always told me stories with lessons in them. Fables were the perfect stories to hear as a kid. It allowed me to actually want to hear the rest of a story and understand it, rather than a story with humans where as a child I could've lost focus. I believe that fables are a perfect way to show kids the right morals and it has actually helped me realize things I wouldn't have at a young age.