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# World Folklore

Folk tales, ghost stories, myths and legends from around the globe.

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [Rumpelstiltskin](https://www.worldfolklore.net/rumpelstiltskin/) - 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
- [Tikki Tikki Tembo](https://www.worldfolklore.net/tikki-tikki-tembo/) - 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
- [Jack and the Beanstalk](https://www.worldfolklore.net/jack-and-the-beanstalk/) - There was once upon a time a poor widow who had an only son named Jack, and a cow named Milky. And all they had to live on was the milk the cow gave every morning which they carried to the market and sold. But one morning Milky gave no milk and they didn't know what to do.
- [The Golden Arm](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-golden-arm/) - There was once a man who traveled the land all over in search of a wife. He saw young and old, rich and poor, pretty and plain, and could not meet with one to his mind. At last he found a woman, young, fair, and rich, who possessed a right arm of solid gold.
- [The Devil and the Werewolves](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-devil-and-the-werewolves/) - 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
- [The Robber Bridegroom](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-robber-bridegroom/) - There was once on a time a miller, who had a beautiful daughter, and as she was grown up, he wished that she was provided for, and well married. He thought, “If any good suitor comes and asks for her, I will give her to him.” Not long afterwards, a suitor came, who appeared to be very rich, and as the miller had no fault to find with him, he promised his daughter to him.
- [The Fox and the Stork](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-fox-and-the-stork/) - The Fox, though in general more inclined to roguery than wit, had once a strong inclination to play a joke on his neighbor the Stork. He accordingly invited her to dinner in great form. When dinner appeared, the meal consisted entirely of different soups that were served up in broad shallow dishes. Because of her
- [The Sun and the Wind](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-sun-and-the-wind/) - The Sun and the Wind once had an argument about which of them could persuade a certain traveler to part with his cloak. Wind began the attack and assaulted him with great violence. But the man, wrapping his cloak still closer about him, doubled his efforts to keep it, and went on his way. Next,
- [The Lion and the Gnat](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-lion-and-the-gnat/) - "Go away, contemptible insect!" said a proud Lion one day to a Gnat that was frisking about in the air near his den. The Gnat, enraged at this unprovoked insult, vowed revenge, and immediately darted into the Lion’s ear. After having sufficiently teased him in that quarter, she quitted her station and retired under his
- [The Lad and the Devil](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-lad-and-the-devil/) - A Norse lad plays a joke on a blacksmith...and the Devil.
- [Why the Sea is Salt](https://www.worldfolklore.net/why-the-sea-is-salt/) - A poor man visits the devil and trades a slab of bacon for a magic hand-mill that can grind anything.
- [How Odin Lost His Eye](https://www.worldfolklore.net/how-odin-lost-his-eye/) - Father Odin longed to become the wisest being in the world, so he resolved to win a draught from Mimer's well.
- [Androclus and the Lion](https://www.worldfolklore.net/androclus-and-the-lion/) - 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 he thought he should die. So one day he crept into a cave and lay down, and soon he was fast asleep.
- [King Alfred and the Beggar](https://www.worldfolklore.net/king-alfred-and-the-beggar/) - t one time the Danes drove King Alfred from his kingdom, and he had to lie hidden for a long time on a little island in a river. One day, all who were on the island, except the king and queen and one servant, went out to fish. It was a very lonely place, and no one could get to it except by a boat. About noon a ragged beggar came to the king's door and asked for food.
- [King Alfred and the Cakes](https://www.worldfolklore.net/king-alfred-and-the-cakes/) - Many years ago, there lived in England a wise and good king whose name was Alfred. No other man ever did so much for his country as he; and people now, all over the world, speak of him as Alfred the Great.
- [Tolling of the Bell](https://www.worldfolklore.net/tolling-of-the-bell/) - In the wee hours of Friday morning, October 7, 1859, when all the good residents of Charlottetown should still be sleeping in their beds, a deep bell tone was heard from the bell tower in St. James Church.
- [Robert the Bruce and the Spider](https://www.worldfolklore.net/robert-the-bruce-and-the-spider/) - A battle-weary Robert the Bruce takes heart by watching a patient and persistent spider.
- [The Blind Men and the Elephant](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-blind-men-and-the-elephant/) - Six blind men meet an elephant for the first time and try to discover what the animal is like by touching it.
- [The Legend of William Tell and the Apple](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-legend-of-william-tell-and-the-apple/) - Legendary Swiss hero William Tell is forced by a tyrant to shoot an apple off the top of his son's head.
- [King Maximilian and the Geese](https://www.worldfolklore.net/king-maximilian-and-the-geese/) - When King Maximilian drops his book, he asks a boy tending a flock of geese to find it. But who will keep the geese in order until he returns?
- [Robin Hood Meets Allan-A-Dale](https://www.worldfolklore.net/robin-hood-meets-allan-a-dale/) - When Robin Hood learns that Allan-A-Dale's bride has been promised to an old man, he steps in to stop the wedding.
- [Crow Brings the Daylight](https://www.worldfolklore.net/crow-brings-the-daylight/) - Retold by S.E. Schlosser Long, long ago, when the world was still new, the Inuit lived in darkness in their home in the fastness of the north. They had never heard of daylight, and when it was first explained to them by Crow, who traveled back and forth between the northlands and the south, they
- [Attack of the Mammoth](https://www.worldfolklore.net/attack-of-the-mammoth/) - A man and his family were constantly on the move, hunting for beaver. They traveled from lake to lake, stream to stream, never staying any place long enough for it to become a home.
- [Bloody Knife](https://www.worldfolklore.net/bloody-knife/) - retold by S.E. Schlosser Many and many a year ago, two Micmac warriors from rival villages got into a terrible argument. Harsh words were exchanged, and then knives were pulled. The warriors battled back and forth on the banks of a small creek. They fought with the ferocity of grizzlies, tearing at each other with
- [Dungarvon Whooper](https://www.worldfolklore.net/dungarvon-whooper/) - retold by S.E. Schlosser It was a cold winter and the snow was deep in the woods surrounding the logging camp near the Dungarvon River. But there was plenty of game to be found if you were a good hunter, so the men didn't go hungry. The camp cook was a jolly fellow, and quite
- [Ghost Train](https://www.worldfolklore.net/ghost-train/) - retold by S.E. Schlosser I was a railway fireman back in those days, working on the CPR line in Alberta. I did a hard day's work and earned me a fair wage. I was young then, and my pretty little bride was just setting up housekeeping in the little cottage that was all we could
- [How Selfishness was Rewarded](https://www.worldfolklore.net/how-selfishness-was-rewarded/) - retold by S.E. Schlosser A young warrior came to the coast with his wife and mother one summer and settled in the place where Sitka now stands. It was a summer of hardship for the family because the fish stayed away from the coast and the game had moved far away over the mountains. The
- [Lost](https://www.worldfolklore.net/lost/) - retold by S.E. Schlosser They say that there once was a prospector wandering through the Yukon with his two dogs, searching for gold. One evening as it neared dusk, he found himself mired down in the muskeg - boggy country with water just underneath the surface of the semi-frozen ground and just above the permafrost.
- [Ogopogo the Lake Monster](https://www.worldfolklore.net/ogopogo-the-lake-monster/) - Retold By S.E. Schlosser His mind was full of dark thoughts and the demons spoke to him. His wild eyes and words frightened his people, and he became an outcast, shunned by all. One day in a fury of rage and pain, he attacked old Kan-He-Kan, a local wise man. The demon-possessed man killed the
- [Presumed Drowned](https://www.worldfolklore.net/presumed-drowned/) - In 1914, the Newfoundland sailed up to the Ice with a crew of 250 men. On March 30th, seventy-seven men went out on the Ice to kill seals. A mighty storm came up while the men were out, that lasted two days, and the men could not make it back to the ship. When the
- [La Corriveau](https://www.worldfolklore.net/la-corriveau/) - Marie-Josephte Corriveau was a beautiful but ruthless woman. She married a good-looking man but soon grew bored with him. So late one evening, she stunned her husband with a blow to the head, then took a whip to his horse, which trampled him to death. The death was ruled an accident and La Corriveau was free
- [I'm Coming Down Now](https://www.worldfolklore.net/im-coming-down-now/) - There was an abandoned house sitting in the middle of a fancy neighborhood in Calgary that nobody would go near. And I mean nobody! Now , my pal Albert was the agent in charge of selling that haunted house and he tried everything in his power to close a deal. But folks were too plumb scared to
- [Screaming Tunnel](https://www.worldfolklore.net/screaming-tunnel/) - There is a tunnel under the old railroad tracks just to the west of the Queen Elizabeth Way in Niagara Falls. It is known locally as the Screaming Tunnel. A path wanders through the tunnel and then up to an empty field on the hill. But the field was not always empty. At one time,
- [That Pesky Fellow](https://www.worldfolklore.net/that-pesky-fellow/) - A fisherman from Newfoundland was having difficulty finding someone to assist him. Help was scarce, and he couldn't find a soul to hire. Then one day he saw a handsome fellow in fancy city clothes walking along the docks. This was obviously not a man looking for work, but the fisherman still called out, half
- [The Devil's Hole](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-devils-hole/) - When the new priest came to the poor parish, there was no house or church for him. A farmer took him in, while the men built him a small shack in which to live. The priest, a true saint with no false pride, was happy in his new parish. But the people wanted more for
- [The First Tears](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-first-tears/) - Once long ago, Man went hunting along the water's edge for seals. To Man's delight, many seals were crowded together along the seashore. He would certainly bring home a great feast for Woman and Son. He crept cautiously towards the seals. The seals grew restless. Man slowed down. Suddenly, the seals began to slip into
- [The Flying Canoe](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-flying-canoe/) - Long ago, there were a number of lonely lumberjacks working in the center of a very large forest. They cut down mammoth trees and watched them crash into the thick snow in exactly the place where they said the trees would land. They would cut up the trees and haul them hither and thither. They
- [The Maid of the Mist](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-maid-of-the-mist/) - She lost her husband and her hope at a young age, and the beautiful girl could not find her way through the sorrow upon sorrow that was her lot in life.
- [The Trapper's Ghost](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-trappers-ghost/) - There once was a trapper who roamed the wilds of Labrador on a sleigh pulled by eight pure white Huskies. He was a tall man, dressed in layer upon layer of animal skins, who drove his team with a terrible ferocity across the frozen tundra.
- [White Horse](https://www.worldfolklore.net/white-horse/) - A Cree chief had a very beautiful daughter who was sought after by many brave warriors. There were two suitors who led the rivalry for her hand, a Cree chief from Lake Winnipegosis and a Sioux chief from Devil's Lake.
- [Who Calls?](https://www.worldfolklore.net/who-calls/) - By the time he finished his daily tasks, the light was failing. But everything he needed to accomplish before he made the journey to visit his betrothed was complete.
- [The Spectre Bride](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-spectre-bride/) - The night Ralph Hagadorn started out for Echo Bay he felt as if he were the only man in the world, so complete was the solitude through which he was passing.
- [Black Bartelmy's Ghost](https://www.worldfolklore.net/black-bartelmys-ghost/) - Black Bartelmy was an evil, surly buccaneer who murdered his wife and children and went to sea with a band of pirates as nasty as he. He roamed the Atlantic coast, murdering and pillaging and laying waste to the countryside as he passed.
- [The Dead Woman's Photograph](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-dead-womans-photograph/) - Virgil Hoyt, a photographer's assistant up at St. Paul, had a whimsical view of the world, and he did not like to be bothered with anything disagreeable. That is the reason that he loathes and detests going to a house of mourning to photograph a corpse. The horribly bad taste of it offends him partly, and partly he is annoyed at having to shoulder, even for a few moments, a part of someone’s burden of sorrow. He doesn’t like sorrow and would willingly canoe 500 miles up the cold Canadian rivers to get rid of it. Nevertheless, as assistant photographer, it is often his duty to do this very kind of thing.
- [Ulysses and the Cyclops](https://www.worldfolklore.net/ulysses-and-the-cyclops/) - Ulysses was well-nigh the last to sail for home after the great city of Troy was taken, for he had tarried many days to do pleasure to Agamemnon, lord of all the Greeks. Twelve ships he had with him—twelve he had brought to Troy—and in each there were some fifty men, being scarce half of those that had sailed in them in the old days, so many valiant heroes slept the last sleep by Simoïs and Scamander, and in the plain and on the seashore, slain in battle or by the shafts of Apollo.
- [King Midas Judges a Music Contest](https://www.worldfolklore.net/king-midas-judges-a-music-contest/) - After finally ridding himself of the Golden Touch, King Midas had now no wish for golden riches, nor even for power. He wished to lead the simple life and to listen to the piping of Pan along with the goatherds on the mountains or the wild creatures in the woods. Thus, it befell that he was present one day at a contest between Pan and Apollo himself.
- [King Midas and the Golden Touch](https://www.worldfolklore.net/king-midas-and-the-golden-touch/) - King Midas ever longed for more gold, that could buy him a place in the world that no descendant of a long race of kings should be able to contest. And from Olympus the gods looked down and smiled and vowed that Midas should have the chance of realizing his heart’s desire.
- [Echo and Narcissus](https://www.worldfolklore.net/echo-and-narcissus/) - When all the world was young, and nymphs and fauns and dryads dwelt in the forests, there was no nymph more lovely and sweet than she whose name was Echo. Diana would smile on her for her fleetness of foot when she followed her in the chase, and those whom she met in the leafy pathways of the dim, green woods, would pass on smiling at the remembrance of her merry chatter and her tricksy humor.
- [Halcyone and Ceyx](https://www.worldfolklore.net/halcyone-and-ceyx/) - Over the kingdom of Thessaly, in the days of long ago, there reigned a king whose name was Ceyx, son of Hesperus, the Day Star, and almost as radiant in grace and beauty as was his father. His wife was the fair Halcyone, daughter of Æolus, ruler of the winds, and most perfectly did this king and queen love one another.
- [Orpheus and his Lute](https://www.worldfolklore.net/orpheus-and-his-lute/) - In the country of Thrace, surrounded by all the best gifts of the gods, Orpheus was born. His father was Apollo, the god of music and of song, his mother the muse Calliope. Apollo gave his little son a lyre, and himself taught him how to play it.
- [Pygmalion and the Statue](https://www.worldfolklore.net/pygmalion-and-the-statue/) - In days when the world was young and when the gods walked on the earth, there reigned over the island of Cyprus a sculptor-king, and king of sculptors, named Pygmalion. In the language of our own day, we should call him “wedded to his art.” In woman he only saw the bane of man.
- [Arachne and the Weaving Contest](https://www.worldfolklore.net/arachne-and-the-weaving-contest/) - Arachne was a nymph once, they say—the daughter of Idmon the dyer, of Colophon, a city of Lydia. In all Lydia there was none who could weave as wove the beautiful Arachne.
- [Mayrah, the Wind that Blows Winter Away](https://www.worldfolklore.net/mayrah-the-wind-that-blows-winter-away/) - At the beginning of winter, the iguanas hide themselves in their homes in the sand; the black eagle hawks go into their nests; the garbarlee or shingle-backs hide themselves in little logs, just big enough to hold them; the iguanas dig a long way into the sand and cover up the passage behind them, as they go along. They all stay in their winter homes until Mayrah blows the winter away.
- [Willie Wagtail and the Rainbow](https://www.worldfolklore.net/willie-wagtail-and-the-rainbow/) - Deereeree, the willie wagtail bird, was a widow and lived in a camp alone with her four little girls. One day Bibbee the woodpecker came and made a camp not far from hers. Deereeree was frightened of him, too frightened to go to sleep. All night she used to watch his camp, and if she
- [Pegasus and the Chimera](https://www.worldfolklore.net/pegasus-and-the-chimera/) - Once, in the old, old times, a fountain gushed out of a hillside, in the land of Greece. And, for aught I know, after so many thousand years, it is still gushing out of the very selfsame spot. At any rate, there was the pleasant fountain, welling freshly forth and sparkling down the hillside, in the golden sunset, when a handsome young man named Bellerophon drew near its margin.
- [Snow White and Rose Red](https://www.worldfolklore.net/snow-white-and-rose-red/) - A poor widow once lived in a little cottage. In front of the cottage was a garden, in which were growing two rose trees; one of these bore white roses, and the other red. She had two children, who resembled the rose trees. One was called Snow-White, and the other Rose-Red; and they were as religious and loving, busy and untiring, as any two children ever were.
- [The Water of Life](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-water-of-life/) - Once upon a time there was a King who was so ill that everybody despaired of his life, and his three sons were very sorry, and went out into the palace gardens to weep. There they met an old man, who asked the cause of their grief, and they told him their Father was so ill that he must die, for nothing could save him. The old Man said, "I know a means of saving him: if he drinks of the water of life it will restore him to health; but it is very difficult to find."
- [The Valiant Little Taylor](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-valiant-little-taylor/) - 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 window, he called, "Here, my good woman, just bring your jams in here!" The woman mounted the three steps up to the Tailor's house with her large basket and began to open all the pots together before him.
- [The Three Feathers](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-three-feathers/) - Once upon a time there lived a King who had three sons; the two elder were learned and bright, but the youngest said very little and was often ignored. When the King grew old and feeble, feeling that he was nearing his end, he wished to leave the crown to one of his three sons, but could not decide to which. He thereupon settled that they should travel, and that the one who could obtain the most splendid carpet should ascend the throne when he died.
- [Wirreenun the Rainmaker](https://www.worldfolklore.net/wirreenun-the-rainmaker/) - The country was stricken with a drought. The rivers were all dry except the deepest holes in them. The grass was dead, and even the trees were dying. The young men of the Noongahburrah murmured among themselves, at first secretly, at last openly, saying: “Did not our fathers always say that the Wirreenun could make, as we wanted it, the rain to fall? Yet look at our country—the grass blown away, no doonburr seed to grind, the kangaroo are dying, and the emu, the duck, and the swan have flown to far countries.
- [The Bunyip](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-bunyip/) - In the years before history-the Alcheringa-before the river Murray was made and only a depression existed, a Bunyip visited the place. He came just at nightfall, and he sat on the bank opposite the camp. He was the color of the gumtree that afforded him shelter and something to lean against.
- [The Three Dwarfs](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-three-dwarfs/) - Once upon a time there lived a man, whose wife had died; and a woman, also, who had lost her husband: and this man and this woman had each a daughter. These two maidens were friendly with each other, and used to walk together, and one day they came by the widow's house. Then the widow said to the man's daughter, "Do you hear, tell your father I wish to marry him, and you shall every morning wash in milk and drink wine, but my daughter shall wash in water and drink water."
- [The Six Swans](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-six-swans/) - A King was once hunting in a large wood and pursued his game so hotly that none of his courtiers could follow him. But when evening approached, he stopped, and looking around him perceived that he had lost himself. He sought a path out of the forest but could not find one, and presently he saw an old woman, with a nodding head, who came up to him. "My good woman," said he to her, "can you not show me the way out of the forest?" "Oh, yes, my lord King," she replied, "I can do that very well, but upon one condition, which if you do not fulfil, you will never again get out of the wood, but will die of hunger."
- [Mother Holle](https://www.worldfolklore.net/mother-holle/) - There was once a widow who had two daughters—one of whom was pretty and industrious, while the other was ugly and idle. But she was much fonder of the ugly and idle one, because she was her own daughter; and the other, who was a step-daughter, was obliged to do all the work of the house. Every day the poor girl had to sit by a well, in the highway, and spin and spin till her fingers bled.
- [Maconaura and Anuanaïtu](https://www.worldfolklore.net/maconaura-and-anuanaitu/) - In a time long past, so long past that even the grandmothers of our grandmothers were not yet born, the Caribs of Suriname say, the world was quite other than what it is today: the trees were forever in fruit; the animals lived in perfect harmony, and the little agouti played fearlessly with the beard of the jaguar; the serpents had no venom; the rivers flowed evenly, without drought or flood; and even the waters of cascades glided gently down from the high rocks.
- [The Lost Message](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-lost-message/) - The ant has had from time immemorial many enemies, and because he is small and destructive, there have been a great many slaughters among them. Not only were most of the birds their enemies, but Anteater lived almost wholly from them, and Centipede beset them every time and at all places when he had the chance.
- [Na-Ha, Whose Spear is Like Lightning](https://www.worldfolklore.net/na-ha-whose-spear-is-like-lightning/) - Long years ago, the people of Chile were sadly at the mercy of the wild folk who lived under the sea. To be sure, there were long periods when they were left in peace to do their fishing, though from their canoes they could look down into the waters and see the under-sea people walking on the sands at the bottom, very shadowy and vague, though, in the greenish light. Still, it was clear enough, for those who watched, to see their hair-covered bodies, their long and serpent-like arms and their noseless faces.
- [The Bells](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-bells/) - There once was an evil priest who did not fear God or man. His duties for the church included counting the offerings and ringing the bells to summon people to Mass. But his heart was filled with greed, and he began to take advantage of the good people of his parish.
- [Ten Red Crows](https://www.worldfolklore.net/ten-red-crows/) - First the world was in darkness, my son. All who dwelt in the shadow of the East Mulberry Tree had never seen the light, nor could they imagine what it was. And so, ten red crows – each with three paws – began a perilous journey away from the tree seeking to bring light to this dark world.
- [What We Plant, We Will Eat](https://www.worldfolklore.net/what-we-plant-we-will-eat/) - Many moons ago, two brothers lived with their father in a small house in Korea. The younger brother worked hard and was kind to all he met. The elder, knowing he was to inherit his father's prosperous rice farm, was arrogant and proud. He scorned his younger brother and ignored his aging father.
- [The Emerald Mountain](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-emerald-mountain/) - Long ago there lived a King who had an only son, by name Prince Bahrâmgor, who was as splendid as the noonday sun, and as beautiful as the midnight moon. Now one day the Prince went a-hunting, and he hunted to the north, but found no game; he hunted to the south, yet no quarry arose; he hunted to the east, and still found nothing. Then he turned towards the setting sun, when suddenly from a thicket flashed a golden deer.
- [The Magic Cask](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-magic-cask/) - Once upon a time, there was a man who dug up a big, earthenware cask in his field. So, he took it home with him and told his wife to clean it out.
- [The Galah and the Lizard](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-galah-and-the-lizard/) - Oolah the lizard was tired of lying in the sun, doing nothing. So he said, "I will go and play." He took his boomerangs out and began to practice throwing them.
- [The Emu and the Bustard](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-emu-and-the-bustard/) - Dinewan the emu, being the largest bird, was acknowledged as king by the other birds. The Goomblegubbons, the bustards, were jealous of the Dinewans. Particularly was Goomblegubbon, the mother, jealous of the Diriewan mother. She would watch with envy the high flight of the Dinewans, and their swift running.
- [Weedah the Mocking Bird](https://www.worldfolklore.net/weedah-the-mocking-bird/) - Weedah was playing a great trick on the people who lived near him. He had built himself a number of grass nyunnoos, more than twenty. He made fires before each, to make it look as if someone lived in the nyunnoos. First he would go into one nyunnoo and cry like a baby, then to another and laugh like a child, then in turn, as he went the round of the homes he would sing like a maiden, corrobboree like a man, call out in a quavering voice like an old man, and in a shrill voice like an old woman
- [Thunder and Anansi](https://www.worldfolklore.net/thunder-and-anansi/) - There had been a long and severe famine in the land where Anansi lived. He had been quite unable to obtain food for his poor wife and family. One day, gazing desperately out to sea, he saw, rising from the midst of the water, a tiny island with a tall palm-tree upon it. He determined to reach this tree—if any means proved possible—and climb it, in the hope of finding a few nuts to reward him. How to get there was the difficulty.
- [The Squirrel and the Spider](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-squirrel-and-the-spider/) - A hard-working squirrel had, after much labor, succeeded in cultivating a very fine farm. Being a skilful climber of trees, he had not troubled to make a roadway into his farm. He used to reach it by the trees.
- [Morning Sunrise](https://www.worldfolklore.net/morning-sunrise/) - A man in one of the villages had a very beautiful daughter. She was so lovely that people called her “Morning Sunrise.” Every young man who saw her wanted to marry her. Three, in particular, were very anxious to have her for their wife. Her father found it difficult to decide among them. He determined to find out by a trick which of the three was most worthy of her.
- [The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-town-mouse-and-the-country-mouse/) - A Fable As Told by AESOP A COUNTRY MOUSE invited a Town Mouse, an intimate friend, to pay him a visit and partake of his country fare. As they were on the bare plowlands, eating there wheat-stocks and roots pulled up from the hedgerow, the Town Mouse said to his friend, “You live here the
- [The Man and the Satyr](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-man-and-the-satyr/) - A Fable as told by Aesop A long time ago a Man met a Satyr in the forest and succeeded in making friends with him. The two soon became the best of comrades, living together in the Man's hut. But one cold winter evening, as they were walking homeward, the Satyr saw the Man blow
- [The Tortoise and the Hare](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-tortoise-and-the-hare/) - A Fable as told by Aesop A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow. "Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh. "Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it." The Hare was much
- [The Fox and the Crow](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-fox-and-the-crow/) - A Fable As told by Aesop One bright morning as the Fox was following his sharp nose through the wood in search of a bite to eat, he saw a Crow on the limb of a tree overhead. This was by no means the first Crow the Fox had ever seen. What caught his attention
- [The Boy Who Cried Wolf](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-boy-who-cried-wolf/) - A Fable as told by Aesop A Shepherd Boy tended his master's Sheep near a dark forest not far from the village. Soon he found life in the pasture very dull. All he could do to amuse himself was to talk to his dog or play on his shepherd's pipe. One day as he sat
- [Hercules and the Wagoner](https://www.worldfolklore.net/hercules-and-the-wagoner/) - A Farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a heavy rain. The horses could hardly drag the load through the deep mud, and at last came to a standstill when one of the wheels sank to the hub in a rut.
- [The Crow and the Pitcher](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-crow-and-the-pitcher/) - In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water.
- [The Bundle of Sticks](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-bundle-of-sticks/) - A certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever quarreling among themselves. No words he could say did the least good, so he cast about in his mind for some very striking example that should make them see that discord would lead them to misfortune.
- [The Miller, His Son and The Donkey](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-miller-his-son-and-the-donkey/) - A Miller, accompanied by his young Son, was driving his donkey to market in hopes of finding a purchaser for him. On the road they met a troop of girls, laughing and talking, who exclaimed, "Did you ever see such a pair of fools? To be trudging along the dusty road when they might be riding!
- [The Trouts and the Gudgeon](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-trouts-and-the-gudgeon/) - A fisherman in the month of May stood angling on the banks of the Thames with an artificial fly. He threw his bait with so much art, that a young Trout was rushing towards it, when she was prevented by her mother
- [Cow's Head](https://www.worldfolklore.net/cows-head/) - retold by S.E. Schlosser Oksana lived in a small house on the edge of town with her father, her stepmother and her stepsister. Oksana's stepmother disliked Oksana, favoring her true daughter, Olena. Soon after her father's remarriage, Oksana found that all the housework fell to her while Olena idled her days away. Oksana's father was
- [The Frog Prince](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-frog-prince/) - In the olden time, when wishing was having, there lived a King, whose daughters were all beautiful; but the youngest was so exceedingly beautiful that the Sun himself, although he saw her very, very often, was delighted every time she came out into the sunshine. Near the castle of this King was a large and
- [The Travels of Tom Thumb](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-travels-of-tom-thumb/) - There lived a tailor who had only one son, and he was extremely small, not any larger than your thumb, and so was called Tom Thumb. However, he was a courageous little fellow, and he told his father, "Father, I am determined to go into the world to seek my fortune." "Very well, my son,"
- [Hansel and Gretel](https://www.worldfolklore.net/hansel-and-gretel/) - Once upon a time there dwelt near a large wood a poor woodcutter, with his wife and two children by his former marriage, a little boy called Hansel, and a girl named Gretel. He had little enough to break or bite; and once, when there was a great famine in the land, he could not
- [Thor's Wedding](https://www.worldfolklore.net/thors-wedding/) - "Hold still, Thor. I'm trying to fix your train." Loki folded a piece of white silk and applied the pins. "I look ridiculous," said Thor gloomily. The huge red-haired thunder god stared in the mirror at his muscular frame squeezed into the tight wedding gown. He frowned. Outside, thunder growled in response. Loki pressed his
- [The Golden Goose](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-golden-goose/) - There was once a man who had three sons. The youngest was called Langsam, and was on all occasions scorned and ill-treated by the whole family. It happened that the eldest took it into his head one day to go into the forest to cut wood; and his mother gave him a delicious meat pie
- [The Elves and the Shoemaker](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-elves-and-the-shoemaker/) - A shoemaker, by no fault of his own, had become so poor that at last he had nothing left but leather for one pair of shoes. So, in the evening, he cut out the shoes which he wished to make the next morning. And as he had a good conscience, he lay down quietly in
- [The Goose Girl](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-goose-girl/) - There was once upon a time an old Queen whose husband had been dead for many years, and she had a beautiful daughter. When the princess grew up, she was betrothed to a prince who lived at a great distance.
- [Bloody Mary, Quite Contrary](https://www.worldfolklore.net/bloody-mary-quite-contrary/) - “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.
- [Watch by My Grave](https://www.worldfolklore.net/watch-by-my-grave/) - When the Devil comes for the soul of a rich farmer, only the promise of a poor neighbor and the wits of a passing soldier can save him.
- [The Phantom Woman](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-phantom-woman/) - He took an all-possessing, burning fancy to her from the first. She was neither young nor pretty, so far as he could see—but she was wrapped round with mystery. That was the key of it all; she was noticeable in spite of herself. Her face at the window, sunset after sunset; her eyes, gazing out mournfully through the dusty panes, hypnotized the lawyer.
- [The Apparition](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-apparition/) - The other evening in an old castle the conversation turned upon apparitions, each one of the party telling a story. As the accounts grew more horrible the young ladies drew closer together. “Have you ever had an adventure with a ghost?” said they to me. “Do you not know a story to make us shiver? Come, tell us something.” “I am quite willing to do so,” I replied. “I will tell you of an incident that happened to myself.”
- [The Specter Bridegroom](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-specter-bridegroom/) - A baron's lovely daughter is stolen away by a specter bridegroom, to the despair of her loving family.
- [The Gnome's Road](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-gnomes-road/) - On the high hill above the Rhine still stand the ruins of an old Castle. Here Kuno Von Sayne once lived. Kuno was a very proud young man for he was a member of a very noble family. He had fallen in love with the beautiful daughter of the surly old Lord of Faulkenstein. At last he succeeded in winning the love of the maiden, but of her father he had great fear.
- [The Lorelei of the Rhine](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-lorelei-of-the-rhine/) - Count Ludwig was the only son of the Prince Palatine. He lived with his father in the castle at Stahleck. The young count had heard many marvelous tales of the beautiful Lorelei and he determined to go in search of her.
- [The Lady of Stavoren](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-lady-of-stavoren/) - There was once, we are told, a fine tract of land where now roll the waves of the Zuyder Zee. On the very spot where now the fishermen anchor their boats and fish, there stood a beautiful city. It was protected from the sea by great dykes.
- [Pot of Hot Porridge](https://www.worldfolklore.net/pot-of-hot-porridge/) - In the beautiful land of Switzerland is a little town named Zurich. Not far from here is the larger city of Strasburg. The people of Zurich had long looked with envy on the larger city and wanted to become a part of it. At last they decided to send an appeal to the magistrates. This they did, but the great magistrate of Strasburg bluntly refused the honor of such a union.
- [Bird of Paradise](https://www.worldfolklore.net/bird-of-paradise/) - There once lived in the monastery at Heisterbach a kindly monk, of great learning and simple manners. He had studied for many years that he might settle some doubts that troubled him. He had observed that people grow tired of even the best of things. They desire to behold new scenes, to hear new music, and to taste new dishes.
- [The Emperor's Wooing](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-emperors-wooing/) - The little town of Caub is very old. Above it in olden days rose the Castle of Gutenfels. Here many years ago lived Philip, Count of Faulkenstein and his only sister, Guda. This brother and sister were orphans, and lived together there happily.
- [The Phantom Toe](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-phantom-toe/) - I am not a superstitious man, far from it, but despite all my efforts to the contrary I could not help thinking, directly I had taken a survey of my chamber, that I should never quit it without going through a strange adventure. There was something in its immense size, heaviness and gloom that seemed to annihilate at one blow all my resolute skepticism as regards supernatural visitations. It appeared to me totally impossible to go into that room and disbelieve in ghosts.
- [The Burglar's Ghost](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-burglars-ghost/) - I am not an imaginative man, and no one who knows me can say that I have ever indulged in sentimental ideas upon any subject. I am rather predisposed, in fact, to look at everything from a purely practical standpoint, and this quality has been further developed in me by the fact that for twenty years I have been an active member of the detective police force at Westford, a large town in one of our most important manufacturing districts.
- [Godfather Death](https://www.worldfolklore.net/godfather-death/) - A poor man had twelve children and was forced to work night and day to give them even bread. When therefore the thirteenth came into the world, he knew not what to do in his trouble, but ran out into the great highway, and resolved to ask the first person whom he met to be godfather.
- [The Singing Bone](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-singing-bone/) - In a certain country there was once great lamentation over a wild boar that laid waste the farmer’s fields, killed the cattle, and ripped up people’s bodies with his tusks. The King promised a large reward to anyone who would free the land from this plague; but the beast was so big and strong that no one dared to go near the forest in which it lived.
- [The Fawn and the Ghost](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-fawn-and-the-ghost/) - One day, a little brother took his little sister by the hand and said, “Since our mother died, we have had no happiness; our stepmother beats us every day, and if we come near her, she kicks us away with her foot. Our meals are the hard crusts of bread that are left over; and the little dog under the table is better off, for she often throws it a nice bit. May Heaven pity us. If our mother only knew! Come, we will go forth together into the wide world.”
- [The Shroud](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-shroud/) - There was once a mother who had a little boy of seven years old, who was so handsome and lovable that no one could look at him without liking him, and she herself worshipped him above everything in the world.
- [Bearskin and the Devil](https://www.worldfolklore.net/bearskin-and-the-devil/) - There was once upon a time a young fellow who enlisted for a soldier, and became so brave and courageous that he was always in the front ranks when it rained blue beans. As long as the war lasted all went well, but when peace was concluded he received his discharge, and the captain told him he might go where he liked. His parents meanwhile had died, and as he had no longer any home to go to, he paid a visit to his brothers and asked them to give him shelter until war broke out again. His brothers, however, were hard-hearted, and said, "What could we do with you? We could make nothing of you; see to what you have brought yourself"; and so, turned a deaf ear.
- [If Only I Could Shiver](https://www.worldfolklore.net/if-only-i-could-shiver/) - A father had two sons, the elder of whom was forward and clever enough to do almost anything; and so, the younger son was ignored. If anything was to be done, the elder had at all times to do it; but sometimes the father would call him to fetch something in the dead of night, and perhaps the way led through the churchyard or by a dismal place, and then he used to answer, "No, father, I cannot go there, I am afraid," for he was a coward.
- [Armadillo's Song](https://www.worldfolklore.net/armadillos-song/) - There once lived an armadillo who loved music more than anything else in the world. After every rainfall, the armadillo would drag his shell over to the large pond filled with frogs and he would listen to the big green frogs singing back and forth, back and forth to each other in the most amazing voices.
- [How Night Came](https://www.worldfolklore.net/how-night-came/) - Years and years ago, at the very beginning of time, when the world had just been made, there was no night. It was day all the time. No one had ever heard of sunrise or sunset, starlight or moonbeams. There were no night birds, nor night beasts, nor night flowers. There were no lengthening shadows, nor soft night air, heavy with perfume.
- [Why Monkey Still Has a Tail](https://www.worldfolklore.net/why-monkey-still-has-a-tail/) - 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, so he pulled the rabbit's ears, pretending that he thought they were butterflies. The rabbit awoke very angry at the monkey, and he plotted how he might revenge himself on the monkey.
- [The Gentle People of Patagonia](https://www.worldfolklore.net/the-gentle-people-of-patagonia/) - Long, long ago, when there were giants and before there were horses in this land, there lived a gentle people who did not know sickness or pain or anger. They moved about among the animals and the birds as we move about among the flowers in the garden, and men were much kinder and the maidens more graceful and beautiful than any on the earth to-day.

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.worldfolklore.net/) - “Hey there folks! Welcome to World Folklore, which features folktales from around the globe. From Aesop's fables to fairy tales, from Thor's Wedding to the Screaming Tunnel, we've got funny short stories, scary ghost stories and popular folktales for everyone to enjoy. So, pull up a comfy chair, and stay awhile.” –S.E. Schlosser, author of
- [Contact](https://www.worldfolklore.net/contact/) - Contact Us FACEBOOK: Follow S.E. Schlosser on Facebook EMAIL Email Customer Service REPRINTS Please visit the Reprints Page for information on how to request reprints of stories retold by S.E. Schlosser in the Spooky Series.
- [About the Author](https://www.worldfolklore.net/about/) - The Spooky Series S.E. Schlosser S.E. Schlosser is the author of the Spooky Series published by Globe Pequot Press. She has been telling stories since she was a child, when games of “let’s pretend” quickly built themselves into full-length tales acted out with friends. A graduate of both Houghton College and the Institute of Children’s
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## Categories

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- [Popular Folktales](https://www.worldfolklore.net/category/popular-folktales/) - Here are some of the most popular folktales, fairy tales and wonder stories from around the world.
- [Featured Folk Tales](https://www.worldfolklore.net/category/featured-folk-tales/)
- [Myths](https://www.worldfolklore.net/category/myths-and-legends/myths/) - A myth is a traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people. The purpose of myths is to account for the origins of something, explain aspects of the natural world, or delineate the psychology, customs, or ideals of society.
- [Legends](https://www.worldfolklore.net/category/myths-and-legends/legends/) - A legend is a traditional tale handed down from earlier times and believed to have an historical basis.
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## Tags

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