Story informs folklore, and folklore informs story. The complex relationship between them is compounded by many definitions and points of view generated by scholars over time. Humans construct their sense of the world through story, vernacular transmission, and folklore. Folklore is the cultural expression of people, and it makes up the key elements of the stories they tell. Written for school students and general readers, this reference work conveniently overviews story as a folklore genre. Using easily accessible language, the book defines, separates, and gracefully weaves together the two concepts of story and folklore. From the ancient world of travelling bards in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, to the contemporary world of storytelling festivals, fan fiction, and digital story conferences, this book unravels confusion between folklore and story, and demonstrates how they are linked. Included are numerous texts and examples, an overview of criticism, and a discussion of story in literature and popular culture.