A folktale is a general term for any of numerous varieties of traditional
             narrative. The telling of stories appears to be a cultural and universal tradition,
             common to primitive and complex societies alike. Folktales are demonstrably
             similar from culture to culture, and comparative studies of themes and narrative
             techniques have been successful in showing these relationships. Fairy tales are
             entirely fictional and often begin with such formulas as "Once upon a time .
             Which is not the case in most folktales which useally express something common
             to that culture. Folktales are stories that give people a means for sharing their
             culture, history and values. And
             so was the case in "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. Hughes discussed
             problems common to people of color from his culture . One of the most powerful
             tools used by hughes is imagery . Hughes uses strong imagery to get a clear
             picture across to the reader. As does he uses Irony and metaphors such ass " Life
             for me aint been no crystal stair Its had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn
             up. HUghes work can be described as a folktale. He writes exactly to fit the
             definition of the word folktale. And the same formula is used my many writers
             ...