Folk stories

Storytelling is the cornerstone of civilization. Thanks to stories, humans have preserved and passed on intellectual achievements and moral values for millennia. Let’s celebrate the diversity of humankind by reading those stories to our kids.

The Gossiper

The Gossiper

11
 min
5
+
4.78

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.

Salt over Gold

Salt over Gold

10
 min
3
+
4.78

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.

The Three Little Pigs

The Three Little Pigs

16
 min
3
+
4.74

This is a slight enhancement of the well-known fairy tale. Three playful pigs each build a house in the meadow. Two of them don’t feel like putting much effort into it, simply wanting the task to be achieved as soon as possible, while the other brother works hard and long to construct a sturdy house. Naturally, the hungry wolf exploits the laziness of the two careless pigs…

The Princess and the Pea

The Princess and the Pea

12
 min
5
+
4.71

The young prince is having difficulty finding someone he wants to marry — the princesses he is continually introduced to are less than kind and therefore deemed unsuitable. But then, out of nowhere, a mysterious young woman arrives at the castle gates in disarray. She is lost and soaking wet, yet claims to be a princess. She stays overnight, whence the doubting queen is able to test her claim with the help of a small pea. It’s a test that proves to be conclusive.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk

12
 min
5
+
4.7

Life is tough for an impoverished widow and her son… In order to survive the winter, the boy must sell their only cow. But instead, he trades her for a handful of magic beans. Little does he know that a single bean would grow into an enormous beanstalk overnight! The boy climbs it high up into the sky, where he defeats a fearsome giant and gathers many treasures.

Old Father Frost

Old Father Frost

11
 min
3
+
4.68

Are you ready for a very wintry story? In this traditional Russian folk tale, you will read about Old Father Frost, whose icy staff directs the harsh winter weather, and about a modest, well-behaved girl called Tasha, who eventually finds good fortune despite the unjust treatment she gets from her stepmother.

Donkey Skin

Donkey Skin

14
 min
5
+
4.67

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.

The Frog Princess

The Frog Princess

15
 min
5
+
4.67

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?

The Little Straw Bull

The Little Straw Bull

12
 min
5
+
4.65

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.

The Brave Tailor

The Brave Tailor

12
 min
5
+
4.65

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.

The Baker’s Daughter

The Baker’s Daughter

7
 min
5
+
4.59

A greedy baker in a small English town has been deceiving customers for years with his dishonest way of doing business. One day, his daughter, having learned her father’s devious methods, tries to cheat a poor old woman who comes into the bakery. Little does the girl know that it’s a fairy disguised as an old woman, and that if she insists on being deceitful, she’ll be justly punished.

The Man Who Didn't Want To Be Angry

The Man Who Didn't Want To Be Angry

12
 min
8
+
4.55

Mr Wang steals his neighbour's duck and gets taught a really good lesson – he sprouts feathers! A Chinese god tells him that to get rid of the feathers, his neighbour must give him a good scolding. But what if that neighbour is a calm, kind person and doesn’t want to get angry with anyone? Read about Mr Wang’s struggles in this humorous Chinese fairy tale.

Sirko the Faithful Dog

Sirko the Faithful Dog

8
 min
5
+
4.44

Sirko is a faithful farm dog, but he is sad because he is so old he cannot be useful on the farm any more and so the farmer drove him away. He finds an unlikely companion to help him out – a wolf. This Ukrainian tale is about the pranks the two furry friends get up to, but it also tells us about mutual help and gratitude.

The Billy Goat and the Ram

The Billy Goat and the Ram

8
 min
3
+
4.21

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.

The Borrowed Cauldron

The Borrowed Cauldron

4
 min
8
+
4.14

Meet Nasreddin Hodja, the legendary medieval Turkish sage and trickster, about whom many stories and anecdotes still circulate today in Turkey as well as in Central and Southern Asia. You’ll find there is always a grain of wisdom hidden in these short, humorous tales.

Shake, My Satchel!

Shake, My Satchel!

13
 min
5
+
5.0

Greed never pays off. The wind blows all the seed the poor farmer planted so that he loses crops. So the farmer decides to find the wind and ask for his seeds back. However, the wind gives him an unusual gift.

The Prince and the Frog

The Prince and the Frog

11
 min
5
+
4.89

This old folk tale proves that people’s imagination has no limits. The story is about a king who can’t decide which of his two sons ought to inherit the kingdom. He gives them three tasks. The one who deals best with them, will get the throne.

The Three-Blossomed Rose

The Three-Blossomed Rose

17
 min
5
+
4.86

The story, adapted from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection, tells us that love is not about beauty but about being kind and human.

Questions about

Folk stories

What are folk stories, and why are they important?

Folk stories are traditional tales passed down orally through generations, often reflecting the values, beliefs, and experiences of a particular culture or community. These stories often include heroes, mythical creatures, or moral lessons, serving both as entertainment and a way to preserve cultural heritage.

How are folk stories different from fairy tales or myths?

While folk stories, fairy tales, and myths all belong to the realm of traditional storytelling, they have key differences. Folk stories are generally rooted in the everyday experiences and beliefs of ordinary people and are often passed down by grandparents from generation to generation. Fairy tales, on the other hand, typically involve magical elements, fantastical creatures, and happy endings, aiming to entertain while imparting moral lessons. Myths are more closely tied to religious or spiritual beliefs, often explaining the origins of the world, gods, and human existence.

Why are traditional folk stories passed on from generation to generation?

Traditional folk stories are passed on from generation to generation because they serve as a means of preserving cultural heritage, values, and lessons. These stories often contain important moral teachings, societal customs, and historical events that are integral to a community’s identity. By passing these stories down, each generation ensures that their cultural knowledge, beliefs, and traditions remain alive and relevant.

Are the folk stories on Readmio from different cultures?

Yes, the folk stories for kids at Readmio come from a wide variety of cultures around the world. We are dedicated to sharing the richness of global storytelling traditions, offering stories from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and beyond. This diverse collection allows children and families to explore different cultural perspectives and learn about the traditions, values, and moral lessons that have shaped societies across the globe.

What lessons can children learn from folk stories?

Children can learn a wide range of lessons from folk stories, including moral values, life skills, and cultural understanding. These stories often emphasize important virtues like kindness, honesty, bravery, and perseverance, teaching children to make ethical decisions. Additionally, folk stories often illustrate the consequences of bad behavior, helping children understand cause and effect.

What famous stories are based on traditional folk stories?

Many famous stories and popular tales are based on traditional folk stories. For example, many of the well-known Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, such as "Cinderella," "Snow White," and "Hansel and Gretel," are rooted in European folk traditions.

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