Myths are the earliest form of human knowledge, shaping our understanding not only historically but also in our daily lives. We share stories with children that, though not always factual, contain enduring truths guiding them through life. For example, “The Little Engine that Could,” published in 1930 during the Depression, encouraged perseverance in the face of challenges. Similarly, the myth of Santa promotes sharing and gratitude. These stories, along with family anecdotes, help form our values and ethical lives, fueling our imagination and resilience.
We may also think of the mythical story of Santa, the godlike character who knows all about us and still cares about us. It is a myth that encourages sharing as well as gratefully receiving.
These two examples of myths are multiplied hundreds of times and new ones are made every day for new generations. We also share with our children, sometimes unconsciously, things about how we dealt with problems when we were young—or stories of our parents, grandparents and the toils of the family’s foreparents and how they overcame adverse circumstances. While we may not consider them to be myths, these “teachings” help to form our small lives into adult values. They help us to live fruitful and ethical lives, and in the process they also feed our sense of imagination in the process.