FABLE AND FOLKLORE 27 



credulity the teachings of religious and political leaders 

 who had much to gain by conserving the ignorance and 

 faith of their followers; add again the fruitful influence 

 of story-tellers and poets who utilized ancient legends 

 and beliefs for literary advantage, and you have the his- 

 tory and explanation of how so many primitive super- 

 stitions and errors have survived to our day. 



