1.
Imagine… A world where angry gods throw bolts of lightning at earth… Imagine…

2.
Where animals speak to people…

3.
And where Spirits live all around you— in the sky, trees and earth…

4.
<ul><li>This is the world of </li></ul><ul><li>Myths and Legends </li></ul>

5.
<ul><li>What is a myth? </li></ul>A myth is a story.

6.
A myth can explain how the world was made... Or what happens when someone does something wrong… Some myths even explain why disasters happen.

7.
These are just a few examples of what myths try to explain.

8.
<ul><ul><ul><li>Myths are important. </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>People all over the world have created myths. </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Why? </li></ul></ul></ul>

9.
<ul><ul><ul><li>Myths help people make sense of the world around them. </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>They also help people decide how to act. </li></ul></ul></ul>

10.
<ul><li>Animals are important in myths all around the world. </li></ul>A Chinese myth tells of a giant dragon. The dragon’s waking, sleeping, and breathing caused the seasons of the year and changes in weather.

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A hurricane sweeps through China… A volcanic eruption destroys a town… This myth says the movements of a huge, fire-breathing dragon caused these things to happen.

12.
<ul><li>Many Native American myths are about animals. </li></ul>

13.
But these animals are more than just creatures. Animals in Native American myths are symbols .

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Animals sometimes represent ideas of what is good and bad. Other times, they show very human traits —like generosity, greed, or foolishness.

15.
<ul><li>In Native American myths, some animals are tricksters . </li></ul>Tricksters fool, or trick, others to get what they want.

16.
But a trickster is sometimes willing to use his cleverness and wit to help others, too.

17.
<ul><li>So imagine… </li></ul>A world filled with magical creatures… Where humans are not the most powerful…

18.
Where anything may happen…