In contemporary terms, the myth of a village (coalition) is a "model", like a scientific model but for a different purpose.

A village is a coalition of persons in a jungle (the chaos and violence of life as presented by weather, wildfires, earthquakes, germs, animals, and other coalitions) who come together for the purpose of prospering, of winning at the game of life presented by the jungle. The myth of such a village exists for the sole purpose of prospering the village. Viewed as a model, the myth is a story that gives all persons in the village a common understanding of the universe and their place within that universe. But the purpose of such a model is not Truth per se. The scientific part of the story (the "what is" part) is merely the canvas upon which the roles and rules that comprise the "way of life" of the village are painted. The roles and rules and incentives part of the story comprise a model, not of the unverse, but of required behavior. Objective Truth is not relevant. The purpose of the myth is to ensure that all persons in the village have a common understanding of what behavior is required and of the consequences of noncompliance.