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 Enchanted Stag

The Enchanted Stag

19
 min
5
+
4.73

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.

Thumbelina

Thumbelina

20
 min
8
+
4.72

A classic story by the world-famous author Hans Christian Andersen. Various traps await the charming Thumbelina. First, she is kidnapped by a frog who wants Thumbelina as a bride for her son, and later she is threatened with marriage to a blind, heartless mole. Eventually she finds her longed for happiness and love.

Rosie and the Peacock King

Rosie and the Peacock King

26
 min
8
+
4.72

This French tale is about Princess Rosie, who has been locked in a tower for years due to a threatening prophecy. Her brothers finally set her free and set out to find the peacock king to marry their sister. Along the way, however, they encounter many obstacles and unexpected situations. Will the three siblings finally have a happy ending?

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

24
 min
5
+
4.72

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.

How Jack Went to Seek His Fortune

How Jack Went to Seek His Fortune

10
 min
5
+
4.72

This fairy tale is about a boy named Jack who sets out to roam the world. Along the way, various animal friends join him, and when they encounter a house full of bandits, they do not get scared. On the contrary, they join forces and get the whole house for themselves, along with all the stolen treasure.

The Donkey, the Table and the Stick

The Donkey, the Table and the Stick

15
 min
5
+
4.71

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 Goat and the Hedgehog

The Goat and the Hedgehog

7
 min
1
+
4.7

A famous story for children from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection. It is about a goat that scares away many, even strong and fearless animals, but in the end a small brave one finds a way to deal with her.

The Enormous Turnip

The Enormous Turnip

11
 min
1
+
4.69

All together we can overcome even the most difficult obstacles. A well-known tale about a grandfather who grows such an enormous turnip from a small seed in the garden that he can't even pull it out of the ground. Luckily, he has good helpers and they manage to pull out the turnip all together.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

12
 min
5
+
4.69

A classic tale from Charles Perrault’s collections about a beautiful princess who falls asleep for a hundred years on the day of her fifteenth birthday. After a long time, rumours about the cursed kingdom, in which everything has fallen into eternal sleep, reach a young prince. He sets his mind to freeing the sleeping princess and saving the whole kingdom.

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

19
 min
5
+
4.69

A world famous tale teaches us that lying doesn’t pay off. When a lone woodworker carves out a wooden puppet just for pleasure, it suddenly comes to life. The extraordinary puppet becomes a restless and adventurous boy called Pinocchio. But when he lies, his little nose starts growing.

The Three Trees

The Three Trees

15
 min
5
+
4.68

Looking for the easiest path doesn’t always pay off. The three brothers go out into the world to look for brides. The two older ones always choose only the easiest path. But the youngest one doesn’t avoid any obstacles. In the end, he is the one who sets the cursed land free and wins the heart of the princess.

The Golden Craft

The Golden Craft

8
 min
5
+
4.68

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.

The Three Feathers

The Three Feathers

10
 min
5
+
4.66

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the Brothers Grimm. An old king decides to give his kingdom to one of his three sons. To choose the most suitable heir, he gives them three tasks.

The Peacock and the Crane

The Peacock and the Crane

5
 min
5
+
4.66

Nature takes something from us, and gives something in return. The peacock is so obsessed with its own beauty that over time it begins to completely ignore the other animals. They aren't beautiful enough for it to talk to them. They decide to teach it a small lesson.

Rapunzel

Rapunzel

9
 min
5
+
4.66

A jealous witch wanted to have the beautiful Rapunzel all to herself, so she locked her up in a tower with no door. The only way up there was on Rapunzel’s long, golden plait. A prince, however, decided to thwart the witch’s plans and set Rapunzel free.

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

17
 min
3
+
4.65

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the Brothers Grimm. The story is about two siblings who get lost in a forest and come across a gingerbread house. However, they have no idea yet that there is a danger waiting for them: an evil witch.

The Seven Little Goats

The Seven Little Goats

11
 min
3
+
4.65

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...

The Golden Pears

The Golden Pears

12
 min
5
+
4.64

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?

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.