Your parents have shared a lot of lessons with you throughout your youth. As you have grown, you have found some of those lessons to be true. This may be as simple as "treat others with kindness." In your folktale, trace the path of one act of kindness and how it can have a "ripple" effect, creating repercussions that affect many others beyond the original recipient.
Cultural differences are issues throughout society and an ideal subject for a modern folktale. Design your story around two people who are separated by their cultural identities. Through your folktale, explain how the two find something in common, an element in both of their lives that each enjoys and from that single element they develop a friendship. Describe how they encounter a challenge that neither can handle alone; however, when they work together, they are successful. Show your reader how strong friendships are possible between people of different backgrounds.
Classic folktales often told of an individual searching for love and acceptance. Put a modern spin on this old folktale theme by showing a character who wants to be loved. Tell the story of his quest but, in your modern spin, your character must learn how to love himself first. Only then will he be able to meet another in your story who will love him in the way he desires. This is your chance to tell an uplifting folktale that emphasizes self-esteem and self-worth.
Folktales often featured a character who was different from others or was an outcast of some kind. Choose an unlikely hero for your folktale based on someone you have observed. Your hero may be a homeless man who lives in your town, a quiet lady whom you see regularly but have never spoken to or even just an individual who rides the bus with you. Use the person's mannerisms as inspiration for your character. Form the tale to describe how the person is much more than he seems. Your homeless man may be wise or your quiet lady may have a wonderful secret. Use the story to illustrate the fact that you can't judge a person by his outward appearance.