Which myths and legends are common to many cultures?

Vampires- medieval Europe, ancient Egyptians

Religions are technically myths because they are believed and there is no facts as to if they are real. In America Christianity is a huge myth, because Jesus supposedly walked on water, and died and came back to life. In Mexico, La Llorona is a woman whose children drowned and she moans every night at the river for her dead children. She is also dead, so she is a ghost. This myth teaches children not to go out at night or else Llorona will take then in as her own or drown them. Its a scary tale.  There also many others. Myths have very beneficial affects on children and colonizations.