Page 33 - Ziptales Program Manual - US
P. 33
Myths & Legends (Extending
Literacy 3-6)
The Mermaid: A lovely one about a fisherman who saves a mermaid, and then needs help
himself. (952 words) (Zip Stage 5) (Flesch 2.7) (Lexile 330)
Why Do Dogs Sniff Tails?: A folk tale from Papua New Guinea. During a meeting with the
Dog Chief all the dogs must remove their tails. The hut catches on fire, and in the commotion
most dogs end up with the wrong tail or no tail at all! To this day they are still trying to find
their lost tails. (643 words) (Zip Stage 5) (Flesch 2.3) (Lexile 570)
The Pearl Dragon: A lovely myth about a boy with a quest and a magic dragon which rewards
his kindness. (971 words) (Zip Stage 6) (Flesch 3.4) (Lexile 460)
Rip Van Winkle: The classic Washington Irving yarn about a man who goes to sleep for twenty
years. (1167 words) (Zip Stage 6) (Flesch 3.2) (Lexile 410)
The Minotaur and the Maze: Theseus sets out to save the people from the monster
of the maze. (744 words) (Zip Stage 6) (Flesch 3.5) (Lexile 450)
The Rainbow Serpent: A simplified retelling of the Aboriginal classic. (829 words)
(Zip Stage 6) (Flesch 3.7) (Lexile 480)
The Pied Piper: A retelling of the famous tale about the piper, the rats, and the children.
(983 words) (Zip Stage 6) (Flesch 3.8) (Lexile 440)
Medusa: Perseus is set an impossible challenge: bring back the head of the snake-haired
monster whose very gaze is death. (1168 words) (Zip Stage 6) (Flesch 3.7) (Lexile 430)
The Magic Statue: Pygmalion scoffs at love, but is overheard by the goddess Aphrodite.
She decides to teach him a lesson and he falls in love with the statue he carves of a
woman. Eventually Aphrodite takes pity on him and turns the statue into a real woman.
(864 words) (Zip Stage 6) (Flesch 4.2) (Lexile 410)
Hercules: A simplified retelling of the twelve impossible labors of the Greek hero.
(1885 words) (Zip Stage 7) (Flesch 4.3) (Lexile 620)
Eliza and the Troll: A troll knocks on their door one night looking for help – his wife is
having a baby. Eliza agrees to trust the troll and goes to help them. Their trust and bravery is
handsomely rewarded with a sack of gold. (965 words) (Zip Stage 7) (Flesch 4.2) (Lexile 630)
The Faithful Prince: A traditional Indian folk tale about a prince who because of a vow
agrees to marry a monkey. But is the monkey all she seems to be? A charming story of
love and loyalty rewarded. (1175 words) (Zip Stage 8) (Flesch 4.7) (Lexile 790)
At the end of every story are two interactive 31
comprehension tests, for immediate feedback.
Worksheets are available for every story.
