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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
+
4.48

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
+
4.47

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
The Delicious Stone Tteok

Korean Tale

The Delicious Stone Tteok

10
 min
5
+
4.46

This old folk tale reminds us that when we are smart, we can overcome the most difficult obstacles, even if we are at an obvious disadvantage.

Around the World
The Man Who Never Lied

African Tale

The Man Who Never Lied

7
 min
5
+
4.46

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
Mr Cat from Catville

Ukrainian Tale

Mr Cat from Catville

9
 min
5
+
4.45

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 Monkey and the Turtle

Philippine Tale

The Monkey and the Turtle

8
 min
8
+
4.44

Don’t expect to see the fruit of your work without putting in the effort required. A turtle and a monkey pull a banana tree out of the river. They immediately divide it into two parts. The monkey insists on getting the top, which has nice green leaves. The lower part (without leaves) is all that remains for the turtle. The turtle takes care of its part all the more, and soon it is covered in bananas and ready for harvesting - while the monkey watches as the top of the tree slowly dries up.

Around the World
The Turtle, the Hippo and the Elephant

African Tale

The Turtle, the Hippo and the Elephant

9
 min
5
+
4.43

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.

Around the World
Philemon and Baucis

Greek Fable

Philemon and Baucis

9
 min
8
+
4.42

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
The Eight Suns

Lao Legend

The Eight Suns

6
 min
5
+
4.41

This traditional story from Laos is about the eight suns that once burned the earth with their strong beams - every day! Only thanks to a clever archer and a rooster did the world manage to strike a balance. With its environmental theme, this old legend is also relevant nowadays.

Around the World
King Midas and the Donkey Ears

Greek Fable

King Midas and the Donkey Ears

11
 min
5
+
4.4

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
Hades and Persephone

Greek Fable

Hades and Persephone

10
 min
5
+
4.4

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 …

Around the World
The Rabbit’s Ears

Ancient Mayan Legend

The Rabbit’s Ears

7
 min
3
+
4.39

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 Sisters Tam and Cam

Vietnamese Tale

The Sisters Tam and Cam

18
 min
5
+
4.39

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.

Around the World
A Long Name

Chinese Tale

A Long Name

8
 min
5
+
4.38

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 Spider Princess

Inca Legend

The Spider Princess

5
 min
5
+
4.38

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
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
Myth of the Minotaur

Greek Fable

Myth of the Minotaur

9
 min
8
+
4.33

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
Kantchil‘s Pit

Indonesian Tale

Kantchil‘s Pit

7
 min
5
+
4.32

Don’t believe everything you hear. Reality can be very different indeed. Kantchil the monkey falls into a pit. He makes up a story about the end of the world so that the other animals help him get back out.

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.