Originality of ancient stories

Just now faced some one denying originality of manu! earlier i have discussed similar things regarding ramayana and mahabharata with many people. the story might be termed as fiction by some one. Even gandhi will be termed fictious few deacdes later, but what cant be confused with is there was some one who wrote 'my experiments with truth'! At least respect the imagiation, knowledge of geography and exeriences with different aspects of life which was excellent, unparrellel in those writers which none of the present day writers can repeat! respect the life history and personality of both balmiki and veda vyas.