Around the World

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This story tells us that having a kind heart and keeping your promises always pays off. When the poor boy keeps his promise to the old man, he is given a pair of magic shoes, a bag full of money, and a golden castle. Despite the fact that his rich landlord tries to steal the wealth from him, everything turns out well eventually.

Austrian tale

The Golden Pears

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In this Austrian folk tale you will hear about a tree that produced the best pears in the whole kingdom and about three brothers who wanted to take the sweet pears to the king as a gift. What happened to them and how were they rewarded for their behaviour?

Chinese Tale

The Four Dragons

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This tale explains how the four largest Chinese rivers came into being. It was thanks to four kind-hearted dragons who decided to stand up to the cruel ruler of the rain to help people during the great drought.

Brothers Grimm

The Elves and the Shoemaker

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In this traditional fairy tale, you will read about an extraordinary thing that happened to a poor, ordinary shoemaker. Read on to discover what magic took place in his workshop and enjoy this story of kindness, generosity and mutual help.

African Tale

The Turtle, the Hippo and the Elephant

This story is about a smart little turtle that tricks an elephant and a hippo in order to gain their friendship. This African fairy tale also explains how turtles and tortoises came to exist.

Ancient Mayan Legend

Deer Fur

The legend explains how deer happen to have that discreetly camouflaged golden colour in their fur. Before, it was beautifully radiant and they were easy prey. But a chance encounter helped them lead much calmer lives.

Short stories

Korean Tale

The Blacksmith and the Carpenter

If we want to be successful, we need to think through our plans well. After a short visit in a village, a noble scholar decided to move in. But because of his impulsive decision, he found out too late about the unbearable noise coming from the workshops next to his house. He decided to get rid of his neighbours with a trick. However, his bad intentions brought him bad results.

Greek Fable

Hades and Persephone

Could it be that a kidnapped daughter and her mother are the cause of the changing seasons? According to Greek mythology, Persephone was abducted into the realm of the dead by Hades, the god of the underworld. Due to the enormous grief felt by her mother, the crops dried up and winter came to the Earth for the first time. To prevent an eternal winter, a certain deal had to be struck with Hades …

Japanese Legend

The Story of Chrysanthemum

This Japanese story explains why the chrysanthemum – a hugely adored flower of the Orient – has so many petals. It is thanks to a mother who saved her sick child with her wit.

Finnish Tale

The Extraordinary Companions

Having friends by your side will make every long journey easy. This adventurous story is about a young man who travels to win the princess’ heart. On his way to the castle, he meets brave helpers who help him to overcome the obstacles and difficult tasks that he meets along the way.

African Tale

The Legend of The Sun

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.

Greek Fable

King Midas and the Golden Touch

In this traditional Greek story about King Midas, you will learn why we need to think carefully about what we wish for. Sometimes even when we have the best intentions, our decisions can bring disaster – as King Midas discovered, when he wished for everything he touched to turn to gold. Fortunately, it all turned out well in the end!

Cuban Tale

The Beef Tongue

Even useful things can harm us when misused. A young helper named Orula is given the task of cooking the best and the worst meal on earth. He makes two of the same dish. How does he explain it? You’ll learn in this classic Cuban tale.

Short stories

Polish Legend

The Wawel Dragon

This Polish legend tells about Wawel Hill, under which a terrible dragon settled and ravaged the whole countryside. However, the people eventually managed to defeat the dragon, thanks to the ingenuity of an ordinary shoemaker.

Short stories

Mexican Legend

The Legend of Vanilla

Beautiful Xanath, who comes from a wealthy family, falls in love with a poor young man. They start meeting secretly because her parents would never accept someone from a penniless family. A god who lives in a nearby temple also falls in love with Xanath. But despite his wealth, he fails to win the girl's heart. He punishes Xanath in anger because there are some things in life no money can buy. We can’t buy the most important things in life such as health or love.

Vietnamese Tale

The Sisters Tam and Cam

In this story, you will learn about a Vietnamese Cinderella named Tam. She, too, suffers a lot because of her cruel stepmother and her sister Cam. She does not give up, and she eventually gets justice and a happy ending.

Finnish Tale

The Four Masters

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United we stand. This folk tale tells us that when we get together for a good cause, we can overcome the most difficult obstacles.

Bulgarian Tale

The Forty Brothers and Their Blind Sister

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United, we can do much more. Forty brothers lived with their blind sister and their old father in modesty and love. But when their father found himself on his deathbed, the brothers quarreled over the only field they were to inherit from him.