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 Magic Sandals

The Magic Sandals

9
 min
8
+
4.91

Helping others selflessly makes us true heroes. A beautiful story about a kind-hearted messenger who helps the weak even at the cost of losing his job. Although he doesn’t manage to deliver an important message, everything ends up well. As a reward, he is given a pair of magic sandals. Thanks to them, he can both do his job and help others!

The Prince and the Frog

The Prince and the Frog

11
 min
5
+
4.88

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 Golden Thread

The Golden Thread

13
 min
5
+
4.88

Hannah's mother's boasting puts a lazy, valiant girl in a difficult situation - she must learn to weave gold. Luckily, a mysterious dwarf offers her a helping hand. But he asks a high price for his help.

The Three Golden Hairs

The Three Golden Hairs

17
 min
5
+
4.86

A famous story about a kind-hearted lad, a cruel king, and wise Grandfather Knowall. A boy who has been raised by a fisherman and his wife almost since birth must one day embark on a long and dangerous journey. To win the heart of the princess, he has to fulfill the king’s task and get three golden hairs from the wise Grandfather Knowall.

The Glass Hill

The Glass Hill

13
 min
5
+
4.85

A story which shows us that greed and longing for wealth do not lead to a happy life. A Slovak folk tale about two different brothers. The elder is evil and greedy. He has money in abundance, but he will not help out the younger, poorer brother, who is brave and good, even in the most difficult moments.

King Thrushbeard

King Thrushbeard

24
 min
8
+
4.85

This folk tale teaches that being arrogant does not pay off. True wealth and beauty come from our modesty, sincerity, and kindness.

The Cunning Heron and the Crayfish

The Cunning Heron and the Crayfish

13
 min
5
+
4.85

This story is rather old but the lesson not to trust promises that seem too sweet is still valid. When the old heron can no longer hunt on its own, it comes up with a plan to get food with no effort. Many naïve pond residents pay for it with their lives. Only the careful crayfish uncovers the heron’s true intentions and saves its own life.

The Three-Blossomed Rose

The Three-Blossomed Rose

17
 min
5
+
4.84

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

The Enchanted Stag

The Enchanted Stag

19
 min
5
+
4.83

A story based on Pavol Dobšinský’s tale. When two siblings manage to escape from an evil stepmother, she casts a curse on them, and the boy turns into a stag. However, as it usually goes in every good fairy tale, good eventually wins over evil.

The Donkey, the Table and the Stick

The Donkey, the Table and the Stick

15
 min
5
+
4.82

This English fairy tale is about a boy named Jack who sets out to roam the world. He gets many magical gifts for his hard work, but the greedy innkeeper always robs him of everything. Will Jack manage to punish the greedy man in the end?

The Three Coins

The Three Coins

10
 min
5
+
4.81

A folk tale about wisdom and modesty from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection. The king meets a simple farmer who has been working hard every day for many years, and only gets paid three coins at the end of the day. When he explains how he can manage with so little money, the king is more than surprised.

The Golden Craft

The Golden Craft

8
 min
5
+
4.81

An old folk tale, the lessons of which are valid to this day. While the royal family is sailing, a strong wind rises and their ship sails far away to an unknown land. There no one knows who they are. To survive, they have to learn how to herd sheep. The king quickly realises: if he had mastered a craft, they wouldn’t have ended up this way.

Cinderella

Cinderella

28
 min
5
+
4.81

In one of the most famous classic fairy tales of all time, we learn about modest Cinderella, who has to stand the heartless behaviour of her stepmother and half-sisters. However, thanks to the help of a magic fairy, she will finally have a happy ending.

The Seven Little Goats

The Seven Little Goats

11
 min
3
+
4.81

The notoriously instructive tale by the Grimm brothers about naughty little goats and a big bad wolf. The mother goat leaves her little kids alone in the house, and the hungry wolf immediately senses the opportunity for a tasty lunch. The wolf tries to get to the little goats in many ways. They open a door eventually thinking it is their mother. But a big lesson awaits them...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

24
 min
5
+
4.8

This is a world famous story where good again wins over evil. When the beautiful Snow White escapes from the evil queen, seven dwarves living in a modest hut deep in the woods help her out.

Sweet Porridge

Sweet Porridge

9
 min
3
+
4.78

The story is about the magic words “Thank you”! One day Johnny goes to the mountain to collect something to snack on. Then he hears a cry for help. He ends up helping out an old lady who has fallen into a swamp. To repay him, she gives Johnny a clay pot. It’s not an ordinary pot, though - as Johnny will soon discover.

The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen

20
 min
5
+
4.78

A fairytale by Hans Cristian Andersen about the fight between good and evil. The pieces from the devil's mirror, which turn a person into a heartless being, hit a boy named Kai. One day he disappears and ends up in the Ice Palace of the Snow Queen. His brave friend Gerda sets out to look for him. A long and dangerous journey awaits her.

The Rooster, the Cat, and the Club

The Rooster, the Cat, and the Club

11
 min
5
+
4.75

Patience pays off, and waiting for the right opportunity will bring results in the end. This is a story about three brothers who get a really modest inheritance from their father: a cat, a rooster, and a club. However, thanks to being smart, all three manage to make their fortunes using only the seemingly ordinary and almost useless things.

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.