A legend is a traditional old story that is usually part fact and part fiction, passed down through generations, and it often teaches a moral or highlights important human values like courage, kindness, or faith. Such stories usually feel as if they could have really happened, even though they may contain miracles or supernatural elements.

In your textbook context, this question usually refers to the poem “A Legend of the Northland.” This poem is called a legend because:

  • It tells an old folk-tale about Saint Peter and a greedy woman, set in a distant place and time.
  • The poet herself suggests that the story may not be literally true, which fits how legends are “semi‑true” stories with mythical touches.
  • It includes a supernatural event: Saint Peter turns the woman into a woodpecker, which is beyond ordinary human experience.
  • The story clearly teaches a moral lesson about sharing, caring, and not being selfish, which is a key purpose of legends.

So, the poem is called a legend because it has all the main features of a legend: an old traditional tale, a mix of reality and fantasy, a supernatural transformation, and a clear moral message.

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Learn what a legend is and understand why the poem “A Legend of the Northland” is called a legend, with a simple explanation of its story, features, and moral message.