Two men were journeying together. On the way, one of them noticed an axe lying on the ground. No sooner did he set his eyes on it than he picked it up, as if it had been his own all…
The Christmas Cuckoo
Frances Browne Once upon a time, when the air was cold and the ground was white with snow, two shoemakers went out to look for firewood. Their names were Scrub and Spare, and they lived in a rough little hut…
Disarmed
A lion fell in love with a farmer’s daughter and wanted to marry her. The farmer could not bear to give up his girl to the wild beast, but he dared not refuse. So he told the lion that he…
An Unreasonable Reproof
It was a Sunday morning. Free from school, the child, in his big straw hat and with a flower in his mouth, was as gay as the birds in the sky. Crossing the bridge, he noticed the fish drifting happily…
The Miller’s Donkey
A miller and his son set out to town, walking behind their donkey. On the road, they came across a group of girls. Seeing them walk like that, the girls began to laugh, “What fools to crawl at the donkey’s…
The Goose Who Laid Golden Eggs
Once upon a time there lived a poor peasant. He was too old to work. One day, he was standing on the road, cold and hungry. Suddenly a stranger appeared before him, carrying a beautiful white goose. “Take care of…
The Three Brothers
Once upon a time there were three brothers living all alone in a faraway land. Their names were Strong-Arm, Wise-Head and Good-Heart. Strong-Arm spent all his time very happily running, jumping, throwing spears and swimming in the river. Wise-Head too…
Beauty and the Beast
Once upon a time, there lived a very rich merchant. He had a beautiful house, surrounded by gardens full of flowers and rare birds. He had four sons and three daughters, who had everything for which they could possibly wish.…
A Tale of Survival from the Great Tsunami
Long ago in Japan, a village stood beside the sea. When the water was calm, the village children played in the gentle waves, shouting and laughing. But sometimes the sea was angry, and waves came tearing up the beach to…
A Hungry Little Bear
“Stop splashing, Little Bear!” Mother Bear said crossly. “I brought you to the river to teach you how to catch fish. You are not trying to catch fish. You are playing and splashing.” “But it is fun to splash in…