The Identity Makers: How Folk Stories Shaped Who We Become

By Ramas Ramas -

 

Before Instagram influencers and self-help gurus, there was a different kind of identity coach. Every culture had them: heroes, tricksters, and wise women whose stories whispered to children: "This is who you could become."

Young boys didn't just hear about brave knights; they internalized courage through Sir Gawain's choices. Girls didn't simply learn about wisdom; they absorbed it through Athena's strategies. These weren't just entertainment, they were identity blueprints, showing possible versions of ourselves.

The Maasai tell children about the first warrior who chose compassion over conquest. Celtic tales speak of Brigid, the triple goddess who mastered poetry, healing, and smithcraft. These stories didn't preach; they painted pictures of admirable lives.

Modern psychology calls this "narrative identity": how we understand ourselves through stories. Folk tales provided the raw material, offering dozens of archetypes to try on like clothing. Am I the clever youngest son or the patient weaver? The fierce protector or the gentle healer?

What's remarkable is how these ancient tales still shape us. The stories you heard as a child are probably still whispering in your decisions today, quietly suggesting who you might become.

Your identity isn't just yours: it's woven from countless stories that came before you.

Share this with someone discovering who they're meant to be.

My previous articles in this series, and other writings can be accessed at: http://ramas-ink-and-insight.blogspot.com

#FolkTales #Identity #Storytelling #PersonalGrowth #TheOwlTales

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