There are 4 different types of stories, myths, legends, fables and fairytales.
Myths are stories that explain how things that happen now in the world started, for example. A myth is Maui and the sun, because it explains why we have longer days.
Legends are stories that are about heros, for example. A legend is Rahi and the Patupaiarehe because Rahis wife was kidnapped, and he went on a mission to save her.
Fables are ususaly short stories that teach a moral, or a lesson, for example. The two Goats is about how a tree trunk fell down and two goats wanted to get to eachothers side, but they both didn;t want to get off, so they fought until they both fell off. This means it is better to yield than to come to misfortune out of stubbourness.
Fairytales are stories that have fantastic characters, like siren, mermaid and dragon, for example. The little mermaid is a fairy tale becuase the main character is a mermaid, and there are other mermaid characters.