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A tall tale is a story that claims to explain the reason for some natural phenomenon, or sometimes illustrates how skilled/intelligent/powerful the subject of the tale was. In either case, the tall tale is fictional and usually obviously so. Very often, the tall tale is told in a manner that is intentionally ridiculous.
The tall tale is a fundamental element of American folk literature. The tall tale's origins are seen in the bragging contests that often occurred when the rough men of the American frontier gathered. The tales of legendary figures of the American Old West—such as Pecos Bill and the giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan—owe much to the style of tall tales.
Other tall tale characters include:
- Aylett C. (Strap) Buckner - An Indian-fighter of colonial Texas
- Calamity Jane - A tough Wild West woman
- Davy Crockett - An Indian-fighter, Congressman, and died as a hero fighting in the Alamo. Also known as the King of the Wild Frontier.
- Febold Feboldson - A Nebraska farmer who could fight a drought
- Joe Magarac - A Pittsburgh steelworker made of steel
- Paul Bunyan - giant lumberjack
- Pecos Bill - giant cowboy who "tamed the wild west"
- John Henry - A mighty steel-driving African American
- Johnny Appleseed - A friendly folk-hero of the West who wanted to make lots of apple trees so everyone can be full and happy
- Mike Fink - The toughest boatman of the Mississippi and is rival of Davy Crockett. Also known as the King of the Mississippi River Keelboatmen
- Molly Pitcher - A heroine of the American Revolutionary War
- Alfred Bulltop Stormalong - An immense sailor whose ship was so big it scraped the moon
- Tony Beaver - A West Virginia lumberjack and cousin of Paul Bunyan
Tall tales in Australia
The Australian frontier similarly inspired the types of tall tales that are found in American folklore. The Australian versions typically centre around a mythical station called The Speewah, a land where men are men and giant megafauna roam the landscape.
The heroes of the Speewah include:
- Big Bill - The strongest man on the Speewah who made his living cutting up mining shafts and selling them for post holes
- Crooked Mick - A champion shearer who had colossal strength and quick wit.
Another folk hero in Australian folklore is The Man from Snowy River - A hero (created by author Banjo Patterson) whose bravery, adaptability, and risk-taking could epitomise the new Australian spirit say wakajuwat
See also
"Tall tale"