Three Great, Short Legends For Children

In this article we will share three short legends for children. They give us a wonderful opportunity to talk to our children about the values ​​that deserve to be a central part of their lives. 

Legends are often great sources of knowledge that we, as mentioned, can use to teach values ​​to our children. Short legends for children can be useful tools to help them dream. When they read them, they can imagine themselves in their own stories. We can use these legends to help them become better people: more responsible, independent and understanding.

Throughout history, the tradition of oral legends has been passed down from parents to children. Amazingly, the stories do not change very much in the process.

Of course, they have been adopted in modern times. Others have softened them a bit, and a prime example of this is Disney’s film adaptations. Some have also been completely changed.

But all have retained the most important cultural elements and their instructive purpose –  which is to teach children values, ideals and interests. 

The best of short legends for children

One should not confuse legends with myths and fables. In general, legends are tales from the supposed reality of the ancestors rooted in history. But at the same time, they are often mixed with a good dose of imagination, supernaturalism and a fantastic imagination.

Fables usually have animals as protagonists. Their purpose is often to give a kind of “morality”. Aesop’s fables are a masterpiece of this.

On the contrary, the legends may contain elements of fables and myths, with a pinch of supernatural. They tend to tell about real social events. But over time, these truths become distorted, as generation after generation divides them over the years.

The best way to explain them is to give you some examples. Therefore, we will give you three well-known, short legends for children. 

The flying Dutchman

Within the world of legends, the flying Dutchman stands out. It dates from the 17th century and tells the story of Captain Hendrik van der Decken. His ship was going to India when it was hit by a storm. They managed to get through it, thanks to the willpower of the sailors, who according to legend dared to challenge God’s authority.

Because of this, God condemned him to wander aimlessly with his ship through the oceans of the world. Since then, people have seen it as a bad sign when a ghost ship with tortured souls appears.

In addition to its potential religious interpretations, this legend is used to teach children to respect authority. The idea here is that it is good for them to be themselves with their own personality and beliefs. But at the same time, they should respect their parents, their teachers, tutors, colleagues, and so on.

Legends for children: Krampus

Something you often find in legends is a certain morbid and macabre feeling. Some of them can be downright scary. This is really the case with the legend of Krampus, a popular European creature that is half goat and half demon, with giant horns and a hairy body.

Krampus is a creature that supposedly arises every Christmas to punish children who have not behaved well. The origins of Krampus come from before the advent of Christianity . We must remember that in the old days it was obligatory to teach children by using threatening creatures such as Krampus or Busemannen. 

But the legend of Krampus can be mediated by using characters such as Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, or the three wise men. What all these characters have in common is that they reward children for their good behavior.

Legends for children: Robin Hood

Our latest legend shows justice and equality. The English character of Robin Hood from the Middle Ages is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting for children. Over the years, it has been adapted dozens of times for the canvas, as well as for books and comics.

Based on characters from reality and their adventures, such as Ghino di Tacco, Robin Hood was a thief prince. He was a nobleman who fell into mischief, but who decided to do his own justice by robbing the rich and giving to the poor. One of his favorite victims was King John, who occupied the English throne in the absence of his brother, the beloved Richard the Lionheart.

The legend of Robin Hood became popular in the 15th century. But the historical events on which it was based were from the 13th century. Yet it is a good example of social justice, and the fight against tyranny that was sometimes carried out by powerful leaders. It can teach us the importance of setting aside our self-absorbed interests to help those who need it most. 

All short legends for children, like these, can be beautiful examples that one can use to raise children, when they are adapted to modern times. It can also be a good source of debate and of course joy.