What is a Tall Tale? A tall tale is a story that provides enjoyment to a wide variety of audiences. Tall tales stretch the imagination through colorful figurative language and exaggerations.

Tall tales are part of the literary category called folk tales – stories that are passed along by word of mouth and sometimes written down.

Tall tales are also known as lying tales; they are humorous exaggerations.

Tall tales may come from other countries but we are most familiar with American ones.

Tall tales are often about the frontier days in the United States. They are an exaggeration of the hardships of frontier life.

Tall tales may be about animals, weather, everyday events, and ordinary people; but the more famous tales are about heroes.

Tall tales often feature over-sized people and exaggerated deeds.