Around the World

Let's travel around the world together? Will we first visit the seal hunters in Greenland or the African tribes? And how about getting to know the story of the Vietnamese Cinderella? Immerse yourself with the children in the secrets of traditional stories from all over the world: from the Far East through vast Africa to the eternally frozen plains of the far north.

Download all stories

Ecuadorian legend

Kuartam the Toad

min

4.91

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...

Around the World

Polish tale

Why Bread Turned Into Stone

min

4.89

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.

Around the World

Korean Tale

Brother Tiger

min

4.82

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.

Around the World

German Tale

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

min

4.79

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.

Around the World

Ukrainian Tale

The Gossiper

min

4.78

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.

Around the World

Central European tale

Salt over Gold

min

4.78

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.

Around the World

Vietnamese Tale

The Rice Cake

min

4.77

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.

Around the World

Vietnamese Tale

The Golden Axe

min

4.76

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...

Around the World

Greek Fable

Perseus and Andromeda

min

4.72

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.

Around the World

Vietnamese Tale

The Carambola Tree and the Magic Raven

min

4.71

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.

Around the World

Indian Tale

The Poor Farmer and the Rich Miser

min

4.71

In this Indian story, we learn the fate of a poor farmer living in poverty and having almost nothing. He has to give everything to his neighbour, a money-lender. When he is given a rare magic horn that will fulfill his every wish, the greedy rich man finds out. Of course the neighbour wants to take advantage of the horn's power immediately. The farmer comes up with an idea, thanks to which he gets rid of the rich man's greed once and for all.

Around the World

Korean Tale

The Mirror

min

4.69

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.

Around the World

Russian Tale

Old Father Frost

min

4.68

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.

Christmas stories for kids

French tale

Donkey Skin

min

4.67

A kind princess was told she must marry a cruel prince. To free herself from this horror, she gives the prince a series of difficult tasks to achieve, expecting that he would fail and she could safely avoid the wedding. But this ploy doesn’t work, so she’s left with only one option — to flee the palace disguised as a peasant. As a result, her life takes a curious turn.

Around the World

Russian Tale

The Frog Princess

min

4.67

In this traditional Russian tale you will read about prince Ivan and his unusual bride, who helps him complete several seemingly impossible tasks. But then Ivan loses his magical princess. Will he manage to find her again?

Around the World

Ukrainian Tale

The Little Straw Bull

min

4.65

Once there was an old man and an old woman who were so poor they couldn’t even afford a single ox. So they had to figure out a way to earn some money. It started with making a little bull out of straw and resin. From there, they used lots of cunning and exercised good teamwork… And their reward was great. Let this charming Ukrainian folktale delight and inspire you.

Around the World

Central European tale

The Brave Tailor

min

4.65

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.

Around the World

Chinese Tale

The Magic Cooking Pot

min

4.65

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.

Around the World

Questions about

Around the World

What regions and cultures are featured in Readmio’s "Around the World" stories?

Readmio’s "Around the World" stories feature a diverse range of regions and cultures from across the globe. For example, you can explore the traditional tales of the Native Amerikans in the story The Hunter and The Snake, discover the rich cultural heritage of African tribes, or enjoy the enchanting Vietnamese Cinderella story The Sisters Tam and Cam. These stories span continents, including the Far East, Africa, Europe and the Americas, offering a broad spectrum of cultural experiences and traditions.

Are there any traditional stories included in the "Around the World" section?

Yes, the "Around the World" section includes several traditional stories from various cultures. Examples include the Korean folk tale The Delicious Stone Tteok or the ancient Mayan Legend The Rabbit’s Ears.These stories are designed to immerse children in the richness of global cultural heritage and offer a window into the traditions and beliefs of different societies.

How can children benefit from reading stories from different cultures?

Reading stories from different cultures offers numerous benefits for children. By engaging with stories from various cultures, children can learn about different customs, values, and traditions, which enhances their cultural awareness and promotes inclusivity. Additionally, these stories can spark curiosity and a lifelong interest in exploring and respecting different cultures.

What age groups are the "Around the World" stories suitable for?

We believe these stories are suitable for a wide range of age groups. The stories are crafted to be engaging and accessible from the youngest children up to the age of 10. The narratives are designed to be age-appropriate, with content that is both educational and entertaining. For older children, the stories provide a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and can be used as a starting point for further exploration of global traditions and histories.