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.

Mary and the Twelve Months

Mary and the Twelve Months

14
 min
5
+
4.75

This classic story is about good winning over evil. When her evil stepmother sends Mary out to the forest to get violets and strawberries, the twelve months will help her out with their supernatural powers.

The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling

9
 min
3
+
4.74

A famous story by Hans Christian Andersen about a duckling which thought it was ugly. The duck hatches a nest full of beautiful yellow ducklings, but one of them (which hatched last) is somewhat grey. Every animal mocks him, so the duckling decides to leave so as not to suffer their laughter.

The Daisy

The Daisy

12
 min
8
+
4.71

This sad and cruel story of the little flower points to what is really important in life: love, humility, gratitude and consideration for everything around us. The little daisy doesn’t mind not being counted among the favourite flowers in the garden. She enjoys the sun and the singing of the skylark. However, life takes a turn for the worse when she gets trapped with the skylark in a cage - simply for the amusement of the children.

The Golden Pears

The Golden Pears

12
 min
5
+
4.71

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 Lawyer from the Village

The Lawyer from the Village

8
 min
8
+
4.7

It’s always worth fighting for justice. Once a craftsman accidentally forgets to pay his debt to an innkeeper, who in turn charges him an unfairly high late fee. Eventually an old man helps him out at the court.

The Little Match Girl

The Little Match Girl

12
 min
8
+
4.7

This touching story reminds us to be more attentive, empathetic, and caring. It has a sad ending and is about a poor girl who wanders the streets alone in winter. No one either notices, or helps her.

The Horned Servant

The Horned Servant

13
 min
5
+
4.69

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the famous storyteller Pavol Dobšinský. This is a story about a devil who steals the last piece of bread from a woodcutter. When Lucifer finds it out, he punishes the devil, making him serve the woodcutter the whole year.

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.

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

15
 min
5
+
4.68

Never lose your faith, even in hard times. Good will always win in the end. A world famous classic tale about a naïve boy named Aladdin. An evil wizard uses him to obtain a magic lamp. When he gets trapped in the tomb, the powerful genie who lives in the lamp helps him.

The Three Trees

The Three Trees

15
 min
5
+
4.67

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 Three Feathers

The Three Feathers

10
 min
5
+
4.67

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 Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

25
 min
8
+
4.67

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.

Rosie and the Peacock King

Rosie and the Peacock King

26
 min
8
+
4.67

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?

Jack the Pea Boy

Jack the Pea Boy

15
 min
3
+
4.66

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 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.

How Jack Went to Seek His Fortune

How Jack Went to Seek His Fortune

10
 min
5
+
4.66

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.

Puss in Boots

Puss in Boots

20
 min
5
+
4.65

Things are often not what they appear to be. After a miller’s death, his youngest son inherits nothing except for a small cat. When the other two brothers kick him out, he sets out with the animal to seek his fortune. Soon the younger brother learns that he is in fact the luckiest among all the sons. The cat, thanks to his trickiness, turns the boy’s simple life into an unexpected adventure.

John the Simpleton

John the Simpleton

13
 min
5
+
4.63

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Once upon a time there were three brothers. Two were educated and wise, but the third was called John the simpleton, because he didn't get much sense. All three decide to win the heart of the princess. She promises to marry the lad who entertains her best.

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.