These stories have been chosen because they are examples of different types of myths and legends or have features that make stories interesting for others to read. There is a brief explanation that tells you why each story is here. We hope they will give you some ideas when you have a go yourself.

Story title	Information
Athena and Coranithus (Made Up) This story is in mythic tradition - with the need to fight a marauding monster. However, it is a little 'out of the box' with a clever princess who scorns swords for unusual tactics! Well written with lots of interesting detail.	Name: Katherine Submitted: 05 Dec 2010
Common Sense (Made Up) A short story that goes straight to the point (rather like an Aesop fable). This idea, of total self - sacrifice for the good of humanity, is simply and directly written.	Name: Justine Submitted: 17 Jan 2009
Fred Frost's Plan of Destruction (Made Up) This is joint winner of the under 12 category of the Christmas and Winter competition text stories. Well done.	Name: Kavi Submitted: 14 Dec 2009
How Did the Butterfly Get its Beautiful Wings (Real) An example (with a difference) of a myth that tries to explain "Why things are the way they are" It also has a moral (like many do) and rewards good behaviour.	Name: Rashika Submitted: 08 Mar 2007
How Giraffes Got Long Necks (Made Up) A well thought out example of a story explaining "How...." like Rudyard Kipling's 'Just So' stories. The storyline is simple and clear. It is well told, with good use of words and also repetition at key places.	Name: Imaan Submitted: 02 Dec 2009
Jack Frost (Made Up) This is the winner of the Christmas and Winter story competition, text stories, ages 12 - 16. Well done.	Name: Victoria Submitted: 05 Dec 2009
Lacie the Scanty Mouse (Made Up) This story is a good example of using another story as inspiration - in this case Aesop's fable, The Lion and the Mouse. This author has cleverly twisted the concept so that this simple story has the mouse doubting her own abilities and then realising her strengths. Very good effort at using a broad range of vocabulary.	Name: Khan Submitted: 07 Mar 2010
Night (Made Up) This myth shows that stories don't have to be long to make their point! This is a fun example of a myth to explain why the world is how it is.	Name: Flo Submitted: 27 Jan 2008
Phineas and the Fox (Made Up) A delightful quest story - a young boy trying to fulfil his own and his father's dreams. Good use of language and well chosen words for the description of the fox.	Name: Tanner Submitted: 25 Aug 2011
Sloan Tanner (Made Up) This is a well constructed story. The menace lurks in the background, cleverly hinted at, but never made specific. It shows very well that you do not need lurid descriptions of violence to make a story scary.	Name: rory Submitted: 24 Jan 2010
The Enchanted Ring (Made Up) This is a well planned and written story, following an age old tradition, in which something magically special is given to a person on condition .... and eventually pride, boastfulness or curiosity etc overcomes the lucky person, who thereby destroys their gift. One cannot help feeling sorry for the heroine, who suffers a double punishment!	Name: Lilah Submitted: 10 Nov 2008
The Fire Fairies (Made Up) A charming little story in the best tradition of children having their secret life which grown-ups can't believe in. Good use of language and speech. It appears well planned: the story does not meander off the point - all the action is relevant.	Name: Elizabeth Submitted: 31 Oct 2008
The Girl Who Married A Bear (Made Up) This is very well written as a legend and follows the tradition of teaching correct behaviour - a function of many myths and legends. In this one, a vain young girl learns humility and respect for others.	Name: Vally Submitted: 23 Aug 2011
The Goblin King (Made Up) This is a quest story .. as in many of them, the reason for the quest is to amuse some person who just likes to wield his / her power over others. Billy's quest is special because the task is to find someone that he might wish to lose!	Name: Max Submitted: 22 Jan 2008
The Grassy Mound of Notwood Forest (Made Up) A myth to explain a local feature. Clearly written, the story features two well know mythical creatures battling for the life of a resourceful but helpless heroine. Careful choice of words builds clear pictures in the reader's mind.	Name: Rachel Submitted: 28 Mar 2009
The Legend of the Wolfess (Made Up) This story mixes the ordinary (e.g. James' argument with his parents and Elizabeth clearing the dishes) with the scary (creaky house and howling of a wolf) and this keeps the readers on their toes – wondering what is going to happen. There is also a lovely twist near the end.	Name: Emily Submitted: 06 Feb 2008
The Monkey on Christmas Eve (Made Up) This is joint winner of the under 12 category of the Christmas and Winter competition text stories. Well done.	Name: Abigail Submitted: 11 Dec 2009
The Myth of the Spider (Made Up) This is a good example of a myth with a moral. The story uses repetition to keep you wondering what is going to happen - what the Buddha is trying to get Spider to understand.	Name: SpiderMan Submitted: 10 Mar 2008
The Welsh Flag (Made Up) This is well written and tells a very mythical story of how The Welsh Flag came to be. The author has explained all the aspects of the flag very cleverly, and even given us a little twist with regards to Welsh weather! Well done.	Name: Mieke Submitted: 18 Feb 2009
Trapped! (Made Up) A modern mythic story, which uses lots of interesting descriptive words and phrases, and with a good beginning and a good ending. The beginning grabs your attention by indirectly telling you immediately that something is going to go wrong with this fairly ordinary activity. The ending keeps the menace going despite the comfort of the outcome. Well done.	Name: GianC Submitted: 18 Nov 2011
Why The Owl Never Sings (Made Up) A well thought through, well written myth to explain a natural phenomenon, with an endearing touch of humour that lifts it out of the normal run of story telling.	Name: Timothy Submitted: 07 Jul 2010
Wizards (Made Up) This is a fun myth, explaining the end of dinosaurs and the start of the present human race, with a well thought out process of "equal and opposite"! Enjoyable style to read.	Name: Daryl Submitted: 16 Jan 2009