Tell Me Why About Facts

  Q:  Why do animals play an important part in myths? A:     Since the beginning of human histoey, people have lived in close contact with animals, usually as hunters and farmers. As a result, all kinds of animals play important roles in mythology. A myth can give special meaning or extraordinary qualities to common animals such as frogs and bears. However, other creatures found in myths such as many headed monsters, dragons and unicorns.           Animals may serve as stand-ins for humans or human characteristics and in some legends, animals perform heroic deeds. Sometimes they act as mediators between heaven and earth, and may also be the source of wisdom and power.          Many muths explore relationships between humans and animals. People may talk with animals, fight with them, or even marry them in myths. Sometimes, animals perform services for humans such as guiding them through the underworld or helping them t...

  Q: Why do myths survive? A:    Even though myths are thousands of years old, people still like to read them to this day. Myths are an important part of a religion, and so, many socities consider them sacred, and make sure that every generation learn about them. Myths teaches us a lot about life. They tell us about triumph of good agaunst evil, and many rulers claimed to be the descendants of the gods and goddesses of myths. Many myths describe the creation of the umiverse, while others seek to explain how the first humans appeared on this earth.         Myths also teach us to be heroic while teaching us the rules of civilized society. Myths emphasize the importance of loving in harmony with nature and highlight certaun places as being sacred. They explain what happens to us after death, while promising rewards for good behavior on earth. They take us back to oir roots, to a shared heritage and culture.

  Q: Why is it difficult to say where myths come from? A:   It is difficult to know where the first myths came from. Myths are older than the invention of writing in ancient times, they were told and retold from generation to generation.  In many cases, no one knows who told the story first, and the myths itself may change as each person repeats it to another.          Some myths took the form of sacred religious texts, and were retold faithfully. Others changed with each teller, and people often forgot what the original version was! It is only much later, while the invention of the printing press, the myths are written down. So, a myth doesn't have an 'author' like story has. It belongs to a people, and a culture as a whole.