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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.

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The Impatient Peasant

Vietnamese Tale

The Impatient Peasant

5
 min
5
+
4.29

This is the story of a farmer who was too impatient. He didn’t like how slowly the seeds he had planted in his field were growing, he thought they were lazy. So he decided to help them so that he would bring in his harvest sooner. But all he managed to do was damage the plants and in the end his impatience meant there was no harvest at all. Patience and thoroughness always pay off.

Around the World
The Crystal Heart

Vietnamese Tale

The Crystal Heart

10
 min
8
+
4.26

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 Billy Goat and the Ram

Ukrainian Tale

The Billy Goat and the Ram

8
 min
3
+
4.26

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
Why Dogs Smell Their Tails

Mexican Legend

Why Dogs Smell Their Tails

5
 min
3
+
4.2

When the people of long ago Mexico behaved badly towards their faithful companions, the dogs gathered for a great meeting to put an end to it. They agreed to ask one of the greatest Aztec gods for help, so they wrote him a letter. In our story, based on an ancient legend, you can find out what happened. And a reminder to always treat our four-legged friends respectfully and kindly.

Around the World
The Borrowed Cauldron

Turkish Tale

The Borrowed Cauldron

4
 min
8
+
4.17

Meet Nasreddin Hodja, the legendary medieval Turkish sage and trickster, about whom many stories and anecdotes still circulate today in Turkey as well as in Central and Southern Asia. You’ll find there is always a grain of wisdom hidden in these short, humorous tales.

Short stories
Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

Czech tale

Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

8
 min
8
+
4.14

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
Ivan and the Greedy Innkeepers

Ukrainian Tale

Ivan and the Greedy Innkeepers

12
 min
8
+
3.63

The star of this traditional Ukrainian fairy tale is a clever man called Ivan. The people of his village didn’t like the local innkeepers because they encouraged people to drink too much alcohol. So Ivan decided to teach them a lesson! In this story, you’ll discover how things ended up for those greedy innkeepers.

Around the World
Three Pieces of Wisdom

Finnish Tale

Three Pieces of Wisdom

17
 min
5
+
5.0

It is worth listening to the advice of older and more experienced people. Once upon a time, a young man married the king’s daughter trying to get rich. The king gave them an incredible dowry. He quickly wasted his easily obtained wealth, so they had to live in poverty. Eventually, he managed to change his fate thanks to some wise pieces of advice.

Around the World
The Sea Mother's Story

Greenland Tale

The Sea Mother's Story

10
 min
3
+
4.94

All of the fish disappear from the sea suddenly, and the people of a seaside village begin to suffer from hunger. But one young boy decides to find out the cause of this disaster and unexpectedly finds himself transported to a place under water. There he meets the mother of the sea herself, who reveals to him what has been happening…

Around the World
The Mouse Bride

Finnish Tale

The Mouse Bride

16
 min
5
+
4.93

A story in which everything turns for the better thanks to the patience and faith of the main character. When the king decides to hand over the kingdom to one of his three sons, he sends them to find skillful brides. However, the youngest son marries a little gray mouse, so he worries about how she will handle his father's tasks, which he has prepared for the brides-to-be.

Around the World
The Magic Sandals

Peruvian Tale

The Magic Sandals

9
 min
8
+
4.91

Helping others selflessly makes us true heroes. A beautiful story about a kind-hearted messenger who helps the weak even at the cost of losing his job. Although he doesn’t manage to deliver an important message, everything ends up well. As a reward, he is given a pair of magic sandals. Thanks to them, he can both do his job and help others!

Around the World
The Hatchet Porridge

Russian Tale

The Hatchet Porridge

8
 min
5
+
4.91

Have you ever eaten hatchet porridge? You’ve never heard of it? In this Russian tale you will not only find out how to cook this unusual dish, but you’ll also find out how an old, hungry soldier managed to get the better of a mean, stingy old lady.

Around the World
The Old Farmer and the Tricksters

Finnish Tale

The Old Farmer and the Tricksters

13
 min
5
+
4.87

Cheating doesn’t pay off and this is what the two tricksters in the story learn. Although they trick the old farmer, he then gives them a good lesson.

Around the World
The Cunning Heron and the Crayfish

Indian Tale

The Cunning Heron and the Crayfish

13
 min
5
+
4.85

This story is rather old but the lesson not to trust promises that seem too sweet is still valid. When the old heron can no longer hunt on its own, it comes up with a plan to get food with no effort. Many naïve pond residents pay for it with their lives. Only the careful crayfish uncovers the heron’s true intentions and saves its own life.

Around the World
The Legend of The Sun

African Tale

The Legend of The Sun

8
 min
5
+
4.82

This African legend tells the story of how the sun came into being, and then how it got up into the sky, where it has been shining ever since. And also, why day and night take turns.

Around the World
Miss Mole’s Husband

Korean Tale

Miss Mole’s Husband

10
 min
5
+
4.82

The tale of a mole searching far and wide for the world’s most worthy husband for his daughter. His new son-in-law surprises not only the mole, but it will surprise you as well!

Around the World
The Man Who Never Lied

African Tale

The Man Who Never Lied

7
 min
5
+
4.8

It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times. This lovely tale from the African continent teaches us not to believe everything we hear.

Around the World
The Brewery of Egg-Shells

Irish Tale

The Brewery of Egg-Shells

7
 min
8
+
4.8

When a mother goes to the cradle in the morning, she realizes her baby has been swapped with a fairy. She gets a lot of different advice, but only takes the advice of a famous healer to get her baby boy back.

Around the World
Bedtime stories
Short stories
Folk stories
Human body
Wellbeing
Emotions & empathy
Nature stories
Science stories
Around the World
Animal stories
Aesop's fables
For toddlers
For 3+ years old
For 5+ years old
For 8+ years old
Christmas stories

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.