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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 Poor Farmer and the Rich Miser

Indian Tale

The Poor Farmer and the Rich Miser

9
 min
5
+
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
The Crystal Heart

Vietnamese Tale

The Crystal Heart

10
 min
8
+
4.35

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
5
+
4.64

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
The Gossiper

Ukrainian Tale

The Gossiper

11
 min
5
+
4.76

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
+
4.22

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
8
+
4.29

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. The fern flower only blooms one night a year, but that doesn’t stop Johnny. He’s forbidden from sharing the tempting reward with anyone, and his obsession with wealth overtakes him - leading to a tragic end.

Around the World
Jim and the Dragon

Czech tale

Jim and the Dragon

8
 min
5
+
4.32

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
8
+
4.35

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
Crocodile Skin

African Tale

Crocodile Skin

3
 min
3
+
4.47

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
Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

Czech tale

Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

8
 min
8
+
3.94

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
The Pied Piper of Hamelin

German Tale

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

14
 min
5
+
4.78

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
Why Bread Turned Into Stone

Polish tale

Why Bread Turned Into Stone

7
 min
5
+
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
Sir Twardowski

Polish tale

Sir Twardowski

7
 min
5
+
4.2

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
Brave Santiago

Colombian Tale

Brave Santiago

14
 min
5
+
4.57

Ages ago, in a Colombian village, the young inhabitants decide to evict all the elderly, forcing them to find another settlement elsewhere. Only one young man objects to this idea. As a result, he joins the old folks and they establish a fine new village. But when Santiago goes back to the old village to find love, he discovers turmoil. Do the young people realise what they have done?

Around the World
Kuartam the Toad

Ecuadorian legend

Kuartam the Toad

6
 min
5
+
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
Myth of the Minotaur

Greek Fable

Myth of the Minotaur

9
 min
8
+
4.48

This well-known Greek legend takes us into the lives of the kings and queens, as they intermingle with gods and magic in these ancient times. Eventually the story brings us, along with Theseus, into a huge, complex labyrinth in the middle of which lurks a fierce creature called the Minotaur. In order to save human lives, Theseus must slay the Minotaur. But can the hero survive this challenge, and will he ever find his way out of the maze?

Around the World
Pandora’s Box

Greek Fable

Pandora’s Box

9
 min
5
+
4.41

Who is Pandora and what is hidden in the magic box she was given by Zeus? Here we venture to the ancient world, at a time when the Greek gods roamed among the humans and generally had the upper hand. This tale has us pondering over the meaning of good and bad, happy and sad, and all of the many facets of everyday existence. It teaches us that the positive and negative are utterly connected, and helps us see that life is fascinating.

Around the World
Why the Moonlight isn’t Warm

Vietnamese Tale

Why the Moonlight isn’t Warm

10
 min
5
+
4.44

This is the legend of the moon in the early days of its existence, when it shone as brightly as the sun and heated the Earth all night long. The excessive heat caused much distress, threatening all living things. People everywhere looked for ways to protect the planet from burning up. This was finally achieved thanks to a skilled archer and his talented wife, who worked together to send a beautifully embroidered silk veil into the sky to cover the moon and quell the heat. It reminds us that long ago, humans still found a way to explain phenomena they did not understand.

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.

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