Myth vs. Legend, Fairy Tale vs. Fable

Although myths are often misnamed as legends and vise versa, there is a distinct difference between the two. Myths are usually events that have no logical explanation. Myths are not categorized as true or untrue. They are often a base of religion. Legends on the other hand are stories which are usually told like a historical event. They are very rarely explanations. Sometimes legends have a basis in an actual historical event. Both legends and myths are partly fictatious and partly true. Fables and fairy tales are often stories told for children. A fable always contains a moral or lesson. A fairy tale is full of magic and usually contains magical numbers and a plot of good versus evil. I think of fairy tales as magical ficton stories, whereas fables are stories based on reality with a message. Examples of fairy tales are Cinderalla, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Princess and the Pea. Some fables are the Tortoise and the Hare, The Boy who Cried Wolf and Stone Soup.