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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 Rice Cake

Vietnamese Tale

The Rice Cake

7
 min
5
+
4.75

The Emperor of Vietnam has to choose an heir from among his sons. But how can he choose when all of the men are smart and capable? In order to decide, he invents a special task for each of them to perform. The next emperor would be the one who best achieves it. Luckily for the old emperor, the outcome made his choice crystal clear.

Around the World
Donkey Skin

French tale

Donkey Skin

14
 min
5
+
4.65

A kind princess was told she must marry a cruel prince. To free herself from this horror, she gives the prince a series of difficult tasks to achieve, expecting that he would fail and she could safely avoid the wedding. But this ploy doesn’t work, so she’s left with only one option — to flee the palace disguised as a peasant. As a result, her life takes a curious turn.

Around the World
Rabbi Loew and the Golem

Jewish Tale

Rabbi Loew and the Golem

10
 min
5
+
4.55

Let this story carry you off to Renaissance Prague, a city of mystery and alchemy, where Rabbi Loew managed to do something unheard of: bring the legendary golem, a clay statue, to life.

Around the World
The Brave Tailor

Central European tale

The Brave Tailor

12
 min
5
+
4.63

This well-known story about a small but brave tailor will lead you to a kingdom that is troubled by giants and other magical creatures. The little tailor isn’t afraid of any of them and ends up being royally rewarded for his ingenuity and bravery.

Around the World
The Frog Princess

Russian Tale

The Frog Princess

15
 min
5
+
4.66

In this traditional Russian tale you will read about prince Ivan and his unusual bride, who helps him complete several seemingly impossible tasks. But then Ivan loses his magical princess. Will he manage to find her again?

Around the World
The Hatchet Porridge

Russian Tale

The Hatchet Porridge

8
 min
5
+
4.89

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
Salt over Gold

Central European tale

Salt over Gold

10
 min
3
+
4.77

This folk tale reminds us of the value of salt and other ordinary things that we often fail to realise are precious to us. Discover just how valuable they can be in this story about the wise, frugal princess Maria and the king who valued gold and precious gemstones more than his own daughter’s love.

Around the World
The Impatient Peasant

Vietnamese Tale

The Impatient Peasant

5
 min
5
+
4.21

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
How the Tiger got its Stripes

Vietnamese Tale

How the Tiger got its Stripes

8
 min
5
+
4.37

The tiger noticed that the big, powerful buffalo obeyed his master, a weak and helpless farmer. It was bugging him that everyone was talking about the farmer possessing something called wisdom. He was keen to find out what ‘wisdom’ actually was, where it comes from, and how to get it. In this fairy tale, that wisdom is revealed. And you’ll see just how it is connected to the tiger obtaining its stripes.

Around the World
Why Ducks Sleep the Way They Do

Vietnamese Tale

Why Ducks Sleep the Way They Do

7
 min
3
+
4.36

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
The Toad Who Asked for Rain

Vietnamese Tale

The Toad Who Asked for Rain

6
 min
5
+
4.37

The whole earth is afflicted by a huge drought and so a little toad decides to go and ask the gods for rain. The gods don’t take his visit seriously at first, but he comes up with a clever plan to attract their attention.

Around the World
The Golden Axe

Vietnamese Tale

The Golden Axe

8
 min
5
+
4.75

This Vietnamese fairy tale tells of a poor lumberjack who loses his axe in the river. He wants nothing more than to get it back. A mysterious old man offers to return his axe - but it's actually a test. And the old man isn't even an ordinary old man...

Around the World
King Midas and the Golden Touch

Greek Fable

King Midas and the Golden Touch

10
 min
5
+
4.74

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!

Around the World
The Golden Pears

Austrian tale

The Golden Pears

12
 min
5
+
4.73

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?

Around the World
The Little Tailor

Austrian tale

The Little Tailor

11
 min
5
+
4.39

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
The Legend of the Milky Way

Chinese legend

The Legend of the Milky Way

8
 min
5
+
4.69

This old Chinese legend tells the story of two lovers – the beautiful heavenly weaver, daughter of the Emperor of the Heavens, and a cowherd from the world of humans. Unfortunately, their love makes them forget about all their duties, and so they end up separated forever by the Milky Way.

Around the World
The Elves and the Shoemaker

Brothers Grimm

The Elves and the Shoemaker

10
 min
3
+
4.72

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.

Around the World
King Midas and the Donkey Ears

Greek Fable

King Midas and the Donkey Ears

11
 min
5
+
4.61

Let’s take a trip to Ancient Greece, back into that mythical time when gods roamed the earth. One day, King Midas gets mixed up in a godly contest and is rewarded for his impudence with a pair of donkey’s ears. He is ashamed, and tries to hide them. But how can he live with his secret? And will anyone find out?

Around the World
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Emotions & empathy
Nature stories
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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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