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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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Why the Moonlight isn’t Warm

Vietnamese Tale

Why the Moonlight isn’t Warm

10
 min
5
+
4.47

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
The Three Slackers

Austrian tale

The Three Slackers

10
 min
5
+
4.44

These three brothers, who by now were grown men, only knew how to be lazy and idle. They avoided any notion of work, yet they longed for wealth and happiness. In order to survive in the easiest possible way, they decided to look for a treasure chest. But can such slackers manage to find one? And if so, will it be filled with the treasures they were expecting?

Around the World
Philemon and Baucis

Greek Fable

Philemon and Baucis

9
 min
8
+
4.43

This is an ancient Greek story of generosity, a beautiful relationship and lifelong love between spouses Philemon and Baucis. For their kindness and service to the Greek gods, they wanted nothing more than to die at the same time so they wouldn't have to be without each other. Their story teaches us about the value of lifelong true love, and about peacefully accepting that all life has an end.

Around the World
Pandora’s Box

Greek Fable

Pandora’s Box

9
 min
5
+
4.42

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
The Little Tailor

Austrian tale

The Little Tailor

11
 min
5
+
4.42

In this Austrian fairy tale, you will travel the world with a tailor who seems rather small and ordinary, but has some magical gifts. Will he be able to withstand the challenges he faces? How can he win a battle with an evil giant?

Around the World
A Long Name

Chinese Tale

A Long Name

8
 min
5
+
4.4

Simpler solutions can be much more effective. An old Chinese superstition says that the longer a name, the longer lived and happier a person will be.

Around the World
The Sacred Stone of Namuncura

Native American Tale

The Sacred Stone of Namuncura

9
 min
8
+
4.4

This interesting tale from South America teaches us that we have to take good care of the things we are in charge of. Deep in the Amazon rainforest there once lived a native Indian tribe. The inhabitants of the settlement by the river had been taking care of a miraculous stone for many years. They believed its great power would protect them from danger. One of the seniors decides not to take care of the stone anymore, and strange things begin to happen.

Around the World
The Singing Flute

Venezuelan Tale

The Singing Flute

9
 min
5
+
4.38

Modesty and kindness can help us achieve a lot. Three brothers set out to search for a healing flower for their father. Only the youngest one has any success, but when he meets his brothers on his way, he realises that together they will stop at nothing to get the flower.

Around the World
Why Ducks Sleep the Way They Do

Vietnamese Tale

Why Ducks Sleep the Way They Do

7
 min
3
+
4.38

Ducks have a curious way of sleeping — they stand on one leg. However, according to this Vietnamese fairy tale, there’s a good reason for that. It’s said to have started with four particular ducks who, long ago, were born with only one leg. This predicament greatly displeased them, so they decided to complain to the heavens about it... Which resulted in a funny turn of events!

Around the World
Iktomi and Muskrat

Native American Tale

Iktomi and Muskrat

8
 min
5
+
4.37

Iktomi is a Dakota Native American, a lazy trickster, who is hiding with a pot of soup. When a friend comes by, instead of sharing the soup he tries to trick him with a race. But tricks don’t always work!

Around the World
Mr Cat from Catville

Ukrainian Tale

Mr Cat from Catville

9
 min
5
+
4.35

Often things are not the way they seem to be. A funny story about an old cat who decides to leave his comfortable home and go into the woods among the wild animals. Along the way, without even knowing, he manages to gain respect even from much stronger animals.

Around the World
The Cougar and the Cricket

Mexican Tale

The Cougar and the Cricket

5
 min
3
+
4.33

This Mexican legend is about a strong cougar that mocked and scared all the other animals. However, a tiny cricket and his army of wasps decided to show the cougar that power is not everything.

Short stories
Why Kangaroos Hop

Australian Legend

Why Kangaroos Hop

6
 min
3
+
4.3

This Australian legend explains why kangaroos move by jumping on their two hind legs. It is a consequence of their effort to escape unnoticed from a persistent hunter, and learning something new in the process.

Around the World
The Tiger and the Persimmon

Korean Tale

The Tiger and the Persimmon

6
 min
5
+
4.29

We often fear the unknown. Even the tiger in this story was so frightened that it took off into the mountains in order to get as far away as possible. Do you want to know what the tiger was so terrified of? You’ll find out in this witty folk tale from the Asian Continent.

Around the World
The Rabbit’s Ears

Ancient Mayan Legend

The Rabbit’s Ears

7
 min
3
+
4.27

According to this Mayan story, the little rabbit was unhappy with his appearance, so he went to the wizard to turn him into a powerful beast. Instead, the wizard explained to him that real value did not lie in having a strong body. So that the rabbit would not leave without the promised spell, he instead received a pair of long dexterous ears as a gift.

Around the World
The Spider Princess

Inca Legend

The Spider Princess

5
 min
5
+
4.2

This is a story about the Inca Princess. Instead of doing her royal duties, she was carried away by her cruelty and ignorance. For her behaviour, she was punished and turned into an eternally working spider.

Short stories
The Monkey and the Drum

Indian Tale

The Monkey and the Drum

11
 min
5
+
4.19

When a clumsy monkey gets a thorn in its tail, it has no choice but to rely on human help. However, it very quickly abuses this help and shows its greed. In this way the monkey gets a lot of things from people in exchange.

Around the World
The Brewery of Egg-Shells

Irish Tale

The Brewery of Egg-Shells

7
 min
8
+
4.15

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.

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