Around the World

4.8

In this German folktale, you meet a mysterious piper who comes to rid the town of Hamelin from the rats that are plaguing it. But what happens when the mayor doesn’t pay him for this service as he had agreed to do? Well, it isn’t pretty. Though, in a very unexpected way, all comes good in the end.

Ecuadorian legend

Kuartam the Toad

4.8

A story based on an Ecuadorian folktale about a toad with an extraordinary power. Anyone who mocked him for his ugly appearance was harshly punished, since Kuartam could turn into a jaguar before your very eyes and gobble you up. None of the local tribespeople had ever seen him, but they sometimes heard an ear-splitting roar coming from the jungle. One night, a young hunter decides to find out whether there is any truth to the legend...

Korean Tale

Brother Tiger

4.79

This Korean story is about a woodcutter who escapes danger with his wits. And not only does he save his life from the tiger, he also gets enough food for many years to come. He does all of this by reminding the tiger of the importance of having respect and love for family.

Vietnamese Tale

The Rice Cake

4.79

The Emperor of Vietnam has to choose an heir from among his sons. But how can he choose when all of the men are smart and capable? In order to decide, he invents a special task for each of them to perform. The next emperor would be the one who best achieves it. Luckily for the old emperor, the outcome made his choice crystal clear.

Vietnamese Tale

The Golden Axe

4.79

This Vietnamese fairy tale tells of a poor lumberjack who loses his axe in the river. He wants nothing more than to get it back. A mysterious old man offers to return his axe - but it's actually a test. And the old man isn't even an ordinary old man...

Polish tale

Why Bread Turned Into Stone

4.77

This Polish fairy tale recounts the story of a poor person and a miser who learned the error of his ways. It shows how greed can be repaid with kindness, and that by sharing what we have, we stand to gain even more.

Central European tale

The Brave Tailor

4.71

This well-known story about a small but brave tailor will lead you to a kingdom that is troubled by giants and other magical creatures. The little tailor isn’t afraid of any of them and ends up being royally rewarded for his ingenuity and bravery.

Korean Tale

The Dog, the Cat, and the Magic Stone

4.68

A folk tale from Korea explains why dogs and cats have enmity for each other. The dog and the cat were once inseparable friends, they helped their master in adversity and had many adventures. However, they parted on a small detail, and their friendship was never the same again.

Korean Tale

The Mirror

4.68

An amusing story from Korea about a simple villager, Mr Kim, who one day sets off to the big city of Seoul, where he sees a mirror for the first time in his life. He brings it home, where it becomes a source of surprise and amusing misunderstandings for Mr Kim and his family. It’s easy to see the relevance of the story even today, with so many peculiar modern inventions emerging.

Chinese Tale

The Magic Cooking Pot

4.68

This traditional tale takes us to China, to a family where a penny-pinching, cantankerous wife is constantly complaining about a lack of money. Everything changes when her husband brings home a magic cooking pot. How will they get along with their new wealth? Find out in this Chinese tale with a rather surprising ending.

Chinese Tale

The Fox and the Tiger

When a little fox encounters a huge, hungry tiger in the forest, it seems like his fate is sealed. But he uses his wits to prove to the tiger that even though he is no match for his strength, his sharp mind will get him out of this mess.

Greek Fable

Pygmalion

An old Greek story about the greatest sculptor of all time – Pygmalion. Find out whether he was truly able to replicate life in his art, but also something much more important: how sculpture taught him to love himself.

Greek Fable

Perseus and Andromeda

Discover the classic Greek fable about how Perseus rescues Andromeda from the clutches of a terrible monster. Learn about courage, cowardice, and love, but also about the problems that can be caused by too much pride and an inability to apologize.

Russian Tale

Old Father Frost

Christmas stories for kids

Are you ready for a very wintry story? In this traditional Russian folk tale, you will read about Old Father Frost, whose icy staff directs the harsh winter weather, and about a modest, well-behaved girl called Tasha, who eventually finds good fortune despite the unjust treatment she gets from her stepmother.

Vietnamese Tale

The Carambola Tree and the Magic Raven

In this traditional Vietnamese tale you will find out about a magic raven and about why it’s not worth being greedy. You’ll also learn about a tasty exotic fruit.

Ukrainian Tale

The Gossiper

4.66

This Ukrainian folk tale will not only reveal how much trouble a gossipy person can cause, but it will also show you how gossip can be effectively undone.

Turkish Tale

How to Buy a Smell

4.65

Wise man Nasreddin Hodja is here from faraway Turkey with another story. This time he has to judge a dispute between a beggar and an innkeeper who accuses the poor man of stealing. But it’s not quite that straightforward. How will Nasreddin Hodja manage to solve the case to everyone’s satisfaction?

Short stories

Central European tale

Salt over Gold

4.65

This folk tale reminds us of the value of salt and other ordinary things that we often fail to realise are precious to us. Discover just how valuable they can be in this story about the wise, frugal princess Maria and the king who valued gold and precious gemstones more than his own daughter’s love.