Here are some of the most popular folktales, fairy tales and wonder stories from around the world.
There was once a poor Miller who had a beautiful daughter, and one day, having to go to speak with the King, he said, in order to make himself appear of consequence, that he had a daughter who could spin straw into gold. The King was very fond of gold, and thought to himself, “That… Read More »Rumpelstiltskin
Once there lived a family in ancient China that had two sons. The elder son, who was to inherit the family fortune, was given a very-long and very-impressive name, as befitted an elder son. He was called Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sarembo Hari Kari Pi Chi Pip Peri Pembo. The second son, who would have to make his… Read More »Tikki Tikki Tembo
Now there once was a man named Jean Dubroise who never did a lick of work, but his house and his barn and his crops were still the best in the whole land. This puzzled people, since Jean had no family and no hired men to help him. No one could figure out how he… Read More »The Devil and the Werewolves
Father Odin longed to become the wisest being in the world, so he resolved to win a draught from Mimer’s well.
In Rome there was once a poor slave whose name was Androclus. His master was a cruel man, and so unkind to him that at last Androclus ran away. He hid himself in a wild wood for many days; but there was no food to be found, and he grew so weak and sick that… Read More »Androclus and the Lion
Legendary Swiss hero William Tell is forced by a tyrant to shoot an apple off the top of his son’s head.
When Robin Hood learns that Allan-A-Dale’s bride has been promised to an old man, he steps in to stop the wedding.
One fine day a Tailor was sitting on his bench by the window in very high spirits, sewing away most diligently, and presently up the street came a country woman, crying, “Good jams for sale! Good jams for sale!” This cry sounded nice in the Tailor’s ears, and, poking his diminutive head out of the… Read More »The Valiant Little Taylor
Once upon a time the monkey and the rabbit made a contract. The monkey was to kill all the butterflies and the rabbit was to kill all the snakes. One day the rabbit was taking a nap when the monkey passed that way. The monkey thought that he would play a trick on the rabbit,… Read More »Why Monkey Still Has a Tail
“Mary, Mary…” the half-heard whisper woke her in the darkness before dawn. Darkness. How appropriate. These days, it seemed as if her whole life was in darkness.
