Animal tales are the most widely known black folktales. Because of the menial labor slaves were made to do, they observed and came to know many kinds of animals throughout their daily lives. They developed a keen interest in these lowly creatures. Because they had so little knowledge about the fauna they found here, they made up tales that to some extent explained and fit their observations of animal behavior.

—The People Could Fly,
Virginia Hamilton

According to Virginia Hamilton, which three influences caused fables to be so popular?

Enslaved people labored outside.
Enslaved people were forced to learn these stories.
Africans were unfamiliar with American animals at first.
Animal stories are funny.
Enslaved people needed to explain animal behavior.