I. MYTH--Classes of myths: primitive-tribal and artificial-literary--Myth age not a past epoch--How traditional myths are collected--How original myths are composed--Difference between myth and allegory, and myth and legend--Working definition--List of mythological deities: Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Hindu, Russian, Finnish, Norse, Filipino--Examples 1 II. LEGEND--Myth and legend compared--Saga--Saint legends--Geoffrey of Monmouth--Legendary romance--Modern literary legends--How to select and record a legend of growth--How to write a legend of art--Working definition--Examples 22 III. FAIRY TALE--Attitude toward fairy stories--Fundamental characteristics of fairies--Northern fairies and their attributes--Some literary fairy tales--How to proceed to write a fairy tale--Summary definition--Partial lists of fairies of different countries: Northern, Irish and Scotch, Filipino, Russian, Arabian, and Miscellaneous--Examples 43 IV. NURSERY SAGA--Origin--The brothers Grimm--English nursery sagas--Distinguishing elements: kind of hero, rhymes, repetition of situation, supernatural element--A few specific suggestions--Working definition--Examples 65 CHAPTER II. SYMBOLIC-DIDACTIC GROUP 83-127 I. FABLE--Æsop--Other early fabulists--"Hitopadesa" and "Panchatantra"--"Reynard the Fox" and bestiaries--Some more writers of fables--Working definition--Classes of fables: rational, non-rational, mixed--How to write an original fable--Maxims upon which fables may be built--Examples 83 II. PARABLE--Distinguishing characteristics--Tolstoy--Suggestions on writing a parable--Working definition--A list of proverbs that might be expanded into parables--Examples 101 III. ALLEGORY--Characteristics--Plato's "Vision of Er"--Modern allegories--Some famous English allegories--Allegory fable, and parable differentiated--Working definition--How to write an allegory--Present-day interest in primitive types--Examples 112 CHAPTER III. INGENIOUS-ASTONISHING GROUP 128-254 I. TALE OF MERE WONDER--Definition--Collections of wonder stories, ancient and modern--Suggestions for writing--Characteristic elements--Mediæval tales of chivalry--Heroic romances--Examples 128 II. IMAGINARY VOYAGE WITH A SATIRIC OR INSTRUCTIVE PURPOSE--Distinguishing elements--Source of the type--Famous imaginary voyages--Suggestions on how to write a satiric imaginary voyage--Examples 150