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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.

Why Bread turned into Stone

Polish tale

Why Bread turned into Stone

7
 min
3
+

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
Sir Twardowski

Polish tale

Sir Twardowski

7
 min
5
+

This Polish tale takes us to Krakow. There we find a nobleman whose curiosity for learning new and exciting things ends up bringing him face to face with the devil himself. The clever nobleman manages to turn the devil’s powers to good use, helping those around him. Although the devil tries to put an end to his good deeds, the nobleman’s prayers eventually free him from the devil’s clutches.

Around the World
The Gossiper

Ukrainian Tale

The Gossiper

11
 min
5
+

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
The Billy Goat and the Ram

Ukrainian Tale

The Billy Goat and the Ram

8
 min
3
+

In this traditional Ukrainian fairy tale you will hear about the adventures of two animal friends. One is bold, the other is strong, and together they are able to face all kinds of tricky situations using their cunning, even outsmarting three hungry wolves.

Around the World
The Fern Flower

Polish tale

The Fern Flower

16
 min
5
+

In this Polish tale you will read about curious young Johnny, who sets out to find a magical fern flower that will make his dreams come true. Did you know that it’s said that ferns flower for just one night a year? That doesn’t stop Johnny though. But what will he do with his magical reward, which he is forbidden from sharing with anyone else?

Around the World
Jim and the Dragon

Czech tale

Jim and the Dragon

8
 min
3
+

In this story, you will discover how life changes in one small town when a terrible dragon takes up residence in a nearby cave. What will the dragon do and who will be brave enough to challenge it?

Around the World
The Legend of the Dombra

Kazakh Legend

The Legend of the Dombra

5
 min
5
+

Have you ever heard of the dombra, a musical instrument from the Far East? In this Kazakh legend, you will learn about the magical sounds of the dombra and its association with the famous Genghis Khan.

Around the World
Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

Czech tale

Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

8
 min
5
+

This well-known Czech legend connected with the fortress at Vyšehrad in Prague tells the story of the pitiless ruler Kengrave and bold Sir Humphrey, who dared revolt against his cruelty. What part does his trusty horse Slicker play in their tale? Read the story to find out.

Around the World
Crocodile Skin

African Tale

Crocodile Skin

3
 min
3
+

The African folk tale reveals why crocodiles have such a rough and scaly skin. It wasn’t always like this though. The story teaches that much pride can be harmful.

Around the World
The Pied Piper of Hamelin

German Tale

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

14
 min
5
+

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
The Crystal Heart

Vietnamese Tale

The Crystal Heart

10
 min
5
+

Mi Nuong falls in love with a song that she hears one day from outside her window. She thinks it must have been a young gentleman singing it just for her. But this fantasy and her superficiality end up causing a lot of suffering – both to others and to herself.

Around the World
The Little Straw Bull

Ukrainian Tale

The Little Straw Bull

12
 min
3
+

Once there was an old man and an old woman, and they were so poor they couldn’t afford a single ox. Instead, they made one out of straw and resin. They didn’t know what kind of rewards the straw bull and their own cunning would bring them. Find out what those rewards were in this Ukrainian folk tale.

Around the World
Old Father Frost

Russian Tale

Old Father Frost

11
 min
3
+

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.

Around the World
The Carambola Tree and the Magic Raven

Vietnamese Tale

The Carambola Tree and the Magic Raven

8
 min
3
+

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. This story was written by Hana Do.

Around the World
The Poor Farmer and the Rich Miser

Indian Tale

The Poor Farmer and the Rich Miser

9
 min
5
+

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
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