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.

Elbow Beard

Elbow Beard

13
 min
8
+
4.4

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.

An Egg Goes on a Trip

An Egg Goes on a Trip

10
 min
5
+
4.38

Together you can do much more. This traditional folk tale tells us of an egg’s adventure. On its way, the egg finds animal friends and together they defeat scary bandits.

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

19
 min
5
+
4.38

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.

A Long Name

A Long Name

8
 min
5
+
4.37

Simpler solutions can be much more effective. An old Chinese superstition says that the longer a name, the longer lived and happier a person will be.

Wise Matthew and the Fools

Wise Matthew and the Fools

11
 min
5
+
4.36

A witty tale based on a work by Pavol Dobšinský about human foolishness. One day, wise young Matthew sets out in search of a bride. But as he wanders across the world, he chances upon only mad and foolish people. With his wisdom, he will eventually find his bride, but also a good deal of money.

The Three Sillies

The Three Sillies

12
 min
8
+
4.33

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 Buckwheat Tale

The Buckwheat Tale

6
 min
5
+
4.28

This story with a sad ending tells of a young buckwheat growing in a field that became too proud of its own beauty. The buckwheat, blinded by its pride, did not even listen to the advice of the old willow and refused to bow its head even before the dangerous storm.

The Story of Wood

The Story of Wood

4
 min
5
+
4.27

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.

The King of the Wind

The King of the Wind

13
 min
3
+
4.27

If we go after our goal and are not discouraged by obstacles, we will always find someone to help us. A young lad sets out in search of his sister, who has been stolen by the king of the wind.. But when he finds her after a long journey to the wind castle, he must complete several of the king's tasks to get his sister back. How will he deal with them?

The Lion and the Hare

The Lion and the Hare

8
 min
5
+
4.24

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.

Old Bucky and the Wolf

Old Bucky and the Wolf

7
 min
3
+
4.18

This story (adapted from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection) about a brave dog tells us that wisdom can win over strength and that honesty and loyalty always pay off.

The Flying Trunk

The Flying Trunk

24
 min
5
+
4.08

A story with a sad ending about the light-hearted son of a merchant, who wastes all of his inherited money. The only thing left of the fortune in the end is a trunk. However, he is a master storyteller, and is able to come up with really interesting fairy tales. Thanks to them, he enchants the royal family itself.

The Red Shoes

The Red Shoes

6
 min
8
+
4.07

A darker and cruel story by Hans Christian Andersen about a smug and vain little girl. A noble lady takes in an orphaned girl and looks after her with great kindness, but the little girl is conceited and doesn’t behave politely. She gets the red shoes she wants, but they end up teaching her a very harsh lesson.

The Snail and the Rosebush

The Snail and the Rosebush

16
 min
8
+
4.0

A story by a world-famous storyteller about the meaning of life, which aptly points out various character traits. When the snail begins talking to the garden rose, he seems fully determined to move forward. And he can’t help criticizing the rose for its inaction. However, his plan of moving forward ends in nothing but empty words.

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.