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 Wolf and the Ram

The Wolf and the Ram

5
 min
5
+
4.63

Being smart can help us defeat even the strongest foes. A lamb wanders into the woods. A hungry wolf wants to take advantage of him at once and have him for dinner. But the lamb’s wittiness easily tricked the wolf. He saves his own life not once, but twice - thanks to his agility and intelligence.

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood

15
 min
3
+
4.63

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.

John’s Fable

John’s Fable

5
 min
5
+
4.62

This is a story from a collection of Slovak folk tales. The resourceful servant John wins a chest of coins from his master. His master, being bored, had offered it to anyone who could make up a story so unbelievable that they wouldn’t even believe themselves as they spoke. Everyone who tried had left without success. John, his servant, is the last one to give it a try.

Shake, My Satchel!

Shake, My Satchel!

13
 min
5
+
4.62

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 Fairy

The Fairy

7
 min
5
+
4.62

A classic story showing that modesty, decency and humility always pay off. When a girl helps a fairy dressed up as an old woman, she repays her generously. But the evil stepmother wants only the best also for her own daughter. So she sends her to the edge of the forest to wait for the old woman, help her, and receive a reward. But helping others merely for selfish reasons may not pay off in the end...

The Story of Wood

The Story of Wood

4
 min
5
+
4.61

Laziness never pays off. A legend tells us that a long time ago, people didn’t have to drag the wood from the mountains. It just simply came by itself to the right place. But one day a woman wanted to make her way home easier, and got onto the wood so that it carried her. However, it didn’t move. From that time on, people have had to work hard to take wood home from the mountains.

Jack the Pea Boy

Jack the Pea Boy

15
 min
3
+
4.61

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 Snow Queen

The Snow Queen

20
 min
5
+
4.59

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 Little Tailor

The Little Tailor

11
 min
5
+
4.59

In this Austrian fairy tale, you will travel the world with a tailor who seems rather small and ordinary, but has some magical gifts. Will he be able to withstand the challenges he faces? How can he win a battle with an evil giant?

John the Simpleton

John the Simpleton

13
 min
5
+
4.56

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.

The Rooster, the Cat, and the Club

The Rooster, the Cat, and the Club

11
 min
5
+
4.55

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.

The Three Sillies

The Three Sillies

12
 min
8
+
4.55

This funny story is about human silliness. A traveller, who is busy roaming the world, meets many simple minded people. After visiting a farm, he is sure he can’t possibly see anything more silly. However, his next adventures prove him wrong.

The Three Slackers

The Three Slackers

10
 min
5
+
4.54

These three brothers, who by now were grown men, only knew how to be lazy and idle. They avoided any notion of work, yet they longed for wealth and happiness. In order to survive in the easiest possible way, they decided to look for a treasure chest. But can such slackers manage to find one? And if so, will it be filled with the treasures they were expecting?

The Magic Mill

The Magic Mill

13
 min
5
+
4.54

Greed never pays off. There were two brothers. One was rich, but also evil and greedy. Although the second was kind-hearted, he was as poor as a rat. However, one day he gets lucky. But the greedy brother can’t stand it.

Elbow Beard

Elbow Beard

13
 min
8
+
4.52

A classic story of how good wins over evil. An evil stepmother, who spoils her own daughter, throws her loving and hard-working stepdaughter out of the house. When Elbow Beard, a little old man with a largely long beard, appears, the stepmother and his daughter soon pay for their greed.

Broad, Long and Sharpsight

Broad, Long and Sharpsight

15
 min
8
+
4.52

When we join forces, we can overcome difficult obstacles. An adventurous story about how a young man chooses to win the heart of a princess. Three brave helpers, who he meets on the way to the castle, help him to overcome the obstacles and difficult tasks that stand in his way.

Hey, Ho – Ground, Open Up!

Hey, Ho – Ground, Open Up!

15
 min
3
+
4.5

A Slovak folk tale by Pavol Dobšinský about how being smart and skillful wins over brute force. A well-known tale about two brothers and twelve bandits. The elder brother is greedy. After their father’s death, he keeps all the inheritance for himself. The younger brother is a modest and kind-hearted lad. He’s hardworking and smart which helps him to deal with the bandits.

The Lion and the Hare

The Lion and the Hare

8
 min
5
+
4.49

If someone is stronger, it does not mean they can blame others unjustly. The lion accused the turtle of sniffing off all the aroma from the meat he had roasted. This is why it wasn’t tasty. He even went so far as to ask the sultan to recognise the crime and punish the turtle. Fortunately, the cunning hare helps her out in the end.

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.