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.

Sweet Porridge

Sweet Porridge

9
 min
3
+
4.75

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 Golden Craft

The Golden Craft

8
 min
5
+
4.74

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 Wooden Boy

The Wooden Boy

11
 min
3
+
4.74

A folk tale about a boy who was carved from a log. When the wooden boy grows up, an evil witch and her husband want to bake him for dinner. But the young lad deals with them well and returns home safe and sound, flying on a wild goose.

The Prince and the Frog

The Prince and the Frog

11
 min
5
+
4.74

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.

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?

The Three Golden Hairs

The Three Golden Hairs

17
 min
5
+
4.71

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 Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

25
 min
8
+
4.7

A touching story with a sad ending about a little mermaid who falls in love with a prince. Because of love, the mermaid becomes human and sacrifices not only her voice, but ultimately her own life.

Jack the Pea Boy

Jack the Pea Boy

15
 min
3
+
4.69

Those who are smart will overcome any difficulties. Pavol Dobšinský’s story tells us about a boy who is small as a pea but also incredibly strong.

The Seven Little Goats

The Seven Little Goats

11
 min
3
+
4.69

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
+
4.69

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?

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 Enormous Turnip

The Enormous Turnip

11
 min
1
+
4.67

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.

The Goat and the Hedgehog

The Goat and the Hedgehog

7
 min
1
+
4.67

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.

Shake, My Satchel!

Shake, My Satchel!

13
 min
5
+
4.67

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.

Thumbelina

Thumbelina

20
 min
8
+
4.67

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.

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood

15
 min
3
+
4.67

Don’t talk to strangers. This famous fairy tale reminds us that talking to strangers can be dangerous. Luckily, this story has a happy ending.

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

17
 min
3
+
4.66

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 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.

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.