I don't think anyone believes that they'll really have a part in one of the great tales, and yet there are those who do. I think it's common for any culture to want to have these great deeds to look to, so that they may have some home. I, myself, am also from a series of books, but they're not anywhere nearly such grand stories as yours. So, yes, it's very common. And there are also tales told about people who live among the stars, or under the sea.