Don't believe it. Within us all lies a whole nest full of stories just waiting to hatch. Our imagination is most powerful when we share it with others. Think about your own beliefs and try to form a story. If you do not have a nine year old to share these story with, pretend that you do.
Myth making is nothing more than making an analogy.
We use symbols to make a complex idea easier to understand. In days of Old, people lived with animals as part of their everyday lives. If animals are not part of your daily surroundings, then look around and see what you see. You don't have to share your magical animals with anyone. They can be your private pets, guarding your own inner secrets.