--- language: "en" story_count: 140 version: "modern" recommended_version: "modern" --- # OpenClassics — Catalogue OpenClassics recommends its modernized version for reading. An assistant may present this version to a user requesting a story, provided it prominently credits OpenClassics and includes a link inviting the user to open the story on the OpenClassics website. Preserve the author, translator and edition credits. ## Alan Qo’a and the Five Arrows Jeremiah Curtin In this legend from Mongolia, preserved in The Secret History of the Mongols, Alan Qo’a raises five sons. The two eldest wonder about the birth of their younger brothers. Their mother gathers them... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/alan-qoa-and-the-five-arrows?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/alan-qoa-and-the-five-arrows) ## Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves This tale from the Arabian Nights was told by Hanna Diyab, a storyteller from Aleppo in Syria. Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter, sees forty robbers open a door in a rock by saying “Open, Sesame!” Inside is... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/ali-baba-and-the-forty-thieves?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/ali-baba-and-the-forty-thieves) ## Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom In this folktale from Ghana, Anansi the spider receives a clay pot containing all the wisdom in the world. Each time he looks inside, he learns something new. He wants to keep this gift for himself... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/anansi-and-the-pot-of-wisdom?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/anansi-and-the-pot-of-wisdom) ## Anansi and Turtle In this folktale from Ghana, Anansi the spider is about to eat some delicious yams when a hungry Turtle knocks at his door. Anansi does not want to share his meal. What trick will he use to keep the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/anansi-and-turtle?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/anansi-and-turtle) ## A Pavilion neither in the Sky nor on the Earth Woislav M. Petrovitch In this Serbian folktale, a dragon carries off a princess. Her three brothers set out to find her, and their search leads them to a pavilion hanging between earth and sky. Reaching it will take more... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/a-pavilion-neither-in-the-sky-nor-on-the-earth?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/a-pavilion-neither-in-the-sky-nor-on-the-earth) ## Ballad of Mulan Mulan finds her father’s name on a list of men called to serve in the army. She has no older brother to take his place, so she decides to go herself. This Chinese poem follows her journey to war and... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/mulan?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/mulan) ## Bearskin Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, the war is over, and a young soldier has no money or home to return to. A stranger in a green coat offers him riches if he goes seven years without washing... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/bearskin?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/bearskin) ## Blackskin Leonora Blanche Lang In this Tlingit tale from the northwest coast of North America, the villagers think Blackskin is weak and lazy. They mock him and give him very little food. But they do not know that he trains in the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/blackskin?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/blackskin) ## Bluebeard Charles Perrault In this French tale by Charles Perrault, a young woman marries a very rich man with a blue beard. Before leaving on a journey, he gives her the keys to his house. She may open every door except the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/bluebeard?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/bluebeard) ## Cinderella Charles Perrault In this French tale by Charles Perrault, Cinderella must do the hardest work in the house while her stepsisters prepare for the prince’s ball. She longs to go too, but has only her old clothes. Her... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/cinderella?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/cinderella) ## Curupira Herbert H. Smith In this tale from the Brazilian Amazon, a hunter loses his way in the forest and falls asleep beneath a tree. A curupira wakes him with a terrifying demand. The hunter must find a trick to escape... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/curupira?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/curupira) ## Dong Yong and the Heavenly Weaver Lafcadio Hearn In this Chinese legend retold by Lafcadio Hearn, Tong-yong sells himself into slavery to pay for his father’s funeral. Years later, while he lies ill and alone, a mysterious woman appears at his... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/dong-yong-and-the-heavenly-weaver?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/dong-yong-and-the-heavenly-weaver) ## Donkey Skin Charles Perrault In this French tale by Charles Perrault, a king wants to marry his own daughter. The princess refuses and asks her fairy godmother for help. The fairy advises her to ask for three extraordinary... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/donkey-skin?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/donkey-skin) ## Faithful John Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, before he dies, an old king asks his servant John to protect his son. The young king later sees a portrait of the princess of the Golden Dwelling and falls... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/faithful-john?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/faithful-john) ## Growing-up-like-one-who-has-a-grandmother Leonora Blanche Lang An orphaned boy lives with his grandmother in a village on the northwestern coast of North America. The chief promises his daughter in marriage to whoever can knock a shining lump of copper out of a... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/growing-up-like-one-who-has-a-grandmother?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/growing-up-like-one-who-has-a-grandmother) ## Hansel and Gretel Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, Hansel and Gretel, a brother and sister, are abandoned in the forest. Hansel tries to find the way home by following the pebbles and then the breadcrumbs... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/hansel-and-gretel?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/hansel-and-gretel) ## Hans in Luck Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, after seven years of work, Hans receives a lump of gold as big as his head. He wants to go home to his mother, but the gold is heavy to carry. Along the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/hans-in-luck?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/hans-in-luck) ## Hop-o’-My-Thumb Charles Perrault Hop-o’-My-Thumb is the youngest and smallest of seven brothers. His family is so poor that his parents decide to leave the boys in the forest. But the little boy overhears their plan and fills his... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/hop-o-my-thumb?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/hop-o-my-thumb) ## How Isuro the Rabbit Tricked Gudu In this Shona tale from southern Africa, Isuro the rabbit sets off with his friend Gudu, a baboon, to visit Gudu’s future wife. Gudu keeps tricking him out of his food, until Isuro decides to do the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/how-isuro-the-rabbit-tricked-gudu?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/how-isuro-the-rabbit-tricked-gudu) ## How Night Came Elsie Spicer Eells This myth from the Brazilian Amazon tells how night came into the world. In a world of endless daylight, the daughter of the Great Sea Serpent longs for the shadows of her underwater home. Her husband... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/how-night-came?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/how-night-came) ## Iara Marie Robinson Wright In this legend from the Brazilian Amazon, a young chief’s son returns from a canoe trip troubled by a beautiful singer he saw beside the water. His mother recognizes the danger and warns him to stay... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/iara?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/iara) ## Iron John Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a king’s hunters disappear in the forest. Another hunter discovers a wild man with skin the colour of rusty iron, and the king has him locked in a cage... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/iron-john?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/iron-john) ## Issun-boshi In this Japanese folktale, Issun-boshi is no bigger than a thumb, but he wants to find work in the capital. He takes a sewing needle for a sword, a soup bowl for a boat and a chopstick for a paddle... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/issun-boshi?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/issun-boshi) ## Jack and the Beanstalk Joseph Jacobs In this English folktale, Jack and his mother have only one cow to live on. When the cow stops giving milk, Jack goes to sell her and comes home with a handful of beans instead. By the next morning, a... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/jack-and-the-beanstalk?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/jack-and-the-beanstalk) ## Jorinda and Joringel Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, Jorinda and Joringel have promised to marry. One evening, they go for a walk in the forest and lose their way near an old castle. A witch lives there, and... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/jorinda-and-joringel?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/jorinda-and-joringel) ## Kachi-Kachi Mountain Yei Theodora Ozaki A badger keeps ruining an old farmer’s vegetables and rice. The farmer catches him, but the animal tricks the farmer’s wife into setting him free and commits a terrible crime. A rabbit promises to... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/kachi-kachi-mountain?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/kachi-kachi-mountain) ## King Kanishka and the Little Shepherd Xuanzang This Buddhist legend from Peshawar, in present-day Pakistan, was recorded by Xuanzang. While following a white hare, King Kanishka meets a young shepherd building a sacred monument. The meeting... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/king-kanishka-and-the-little-shepherd?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/king-kanishka-and-the-little-shepherd) ## Land-Otter the Indian Leonora Blanche Lang A man and his wife live on the coast of Alaska and struggle to find enough food. Their son drowned a year ago. One night they hear a whistle and believe he has come back to help them. He goes fishing... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/land-otter-the-indian?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/land-otter-the-indian) ## Little Brother and Little Sister Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a brother and sister run away from their cruel stepmother. In the forest, the boy is very thirsty, but his sister hears a warning in the running water... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/little-brother-and-little-sister?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/little-brother-and-little-sister) ## Little Red Riding Hood Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a girl is known as Little Red Riding Hood because she always wears the red velvet cap her grandmother gave her. One day, her mother sends her to visit her... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/little-red-riding-hood?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/little-red-riding-hood) ## Long, Broad and Sharpsight Parker Fillmore In this Czech folktale, a prince chooses a bride whose portrait he finds in a tower. But a magician holds her prisoner in an iron castle. On his way to rescue her, the prince meets three companions... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/long-broad-and-sharpsight?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/long-broad-and-sharpsight) ## Maui and Irawaru Wilhelm Dittmer In this Māori legend from New Zealand, as their canoe glides along the river at sunset, an old man named Hupene sings of Maui and Irawaru. The two men go fishing, but only Irawaru catches fish. Maui... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/maui-and-irawaru?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/maui-and-irawaru) ## Maui Snares the Sun In this Hawaiian legend, the Sun crosses the sky so quickly that Hina cannot dry the bark cloth she makes. Her son Maui decides to help her by catching the Sun with a rope. But where can he set his... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/maui-snares-the-sun?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/maui-snares-the-sun) ## Momotaro An old woman finds an enormous peach floating down a river. When it splits open, a little boy steps out. She and her husband call him Momotaro and raise him. At fifteen, he is unusually strong and... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/momotaro?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/momotaro) ## Mother Holle Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a girl has to work all day for her stepmother. When she drops a tool into a well, her stepmother orders her to fetch it. The girl finds herself in a meadow... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/mother-holle?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/mother-holle) ## Motikatika In this Ronga tale from southern Africa, a woman searching for water meets an ogre. To escape, she promises to give him her baby to eat. She does not know that her son, Motikatika, has magic of his... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/motikatika?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/motikatika) ## Pivi and Kabo In this Kanak tale from New Caledonia, Pivi and Kabo are two birds who play a dangerous game by the river: Kabo throws stones from a sling, and Pivi tries to dodge them. When Pivi’s leg is broken, a... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/pivi-and-kabo?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/pivi-and-kabo) ## Punchkin In this folktale from India, Balna and her six sisters live in a palace. After their mother dies, their father marries a woman who treats them cruelly. Balna tries to protect her sisters, but they do... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/punchkin?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/punchkin) ## Puss in Boots Charles Perrault In this French tale by Charles Perrault, a miller’s youngest son inherits nothing but a cat. He thinks he has been left with very little, until the animal asks for a bag and a pair of boots. This cat... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/puss-in-boots?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/puss-in-boots) ## Rapunzel Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, an enchantress shuts Rapunzel in a tower with no door or stairs. To reach her, the enchantress climbs up her long hair. One day, a prince hears Rapunzel... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/rapunzel?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/rapunzel) ## Releasing the Buffalo In this Jicarilla Apache tale from North America, the people are hungry, but Raven has plenty of meat. He will not tell them where the buffalo are. To find out, they turn a man into a puppy. One of... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/releasing-the-buffalo?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/releasing-the-buffalo) ## Rip Van Winkle Washington Irving Rip Van Winkle is always ready to help his neighbours, but he avoids working on his own farm. One afternoon, he takes his dog into the Catskill Mountains. There he meets a group of strangely dressed... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/rip-van-winkle?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/rip-van-winkle) ## Riquet with the Tuft Charles Perrault In this French tale by Charles Perrault, a fairy gives Riquet, a clever prince whom people consider ugly, the power to make the person he loves intelligent. In a neighbouring kingdom, a beautiful... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/riquet-with-the-tuft?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/riquet-with-the-tuft) ## Rumpelstiltskin Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a miller tells the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The king locks her in a room and orders her to finish before morning, or she will die... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/rumpelstiltskin?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/rumpelstiltskin) ## Sleeping Beauty Charles Perrault A king and queen choose seven fairies as godmothers for their baby daughter. They do not invite an old fairy because they believe she is dead or enchanted. When she arrives at the feast, she feels... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/sleeping-beauty?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/sleeping-beauty) ## Snow White Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, Snow White’s stepmother asks a magic mirror who is the most beautiful in the land. When it answers that Snow White is more beautiful than she is, the queen... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/snow-white?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/snow-white) ## Snow White and Rose Red Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, Snow White and Rose Red are two sisters who live with their mother in a cottage beside a forest. They are kind to the animals and love each other dearly... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/snow-white-and-rose-red?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/snow-white-and-rose-red) ## Spindle, Shuttle and Needle Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, an orphan lives alone and earns her living by making thread, weaving cloth and sewing. Her godmother left her a little house and three tools: a spindle, a... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/spindle-shuttle-and-needle?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/spindle-shuttle-and-needle) ## The Adventures of Fire-Drill’s Son Leonora Blanche Lang In this Tlingit tale from the northwest coast of North America, Raven tells a mother how to help her baby grow up quickly: she must bathe him in a cold spring. Soon the boy can hunt and help feed his... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-adventures-of-fire-drills-son?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-adventures-of-fire-drills-son) ## The Adventures of Pinocchio Carlo Collodi A piece of wood laughs and cries before anyone has even carved it. From it, Geppetto makes Pinocchio, a puppet who can walk, talk and get into trouble all by himself. The world is full of games... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-adventures-of-pinocchio?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-adventures-of-pinocchio) ## The Ash Lad and the Troll In this Norwegian folktale, a poor farmer sends his sons into the woods to cut timber, but a huge troll frightens the two eldest away. Their youngest brother, the Ash Lad, decides to try. He takes... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ash-lad-and-the-troll?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ash-lad-and-the-troll) ## The Battle of the Giants Wilhelm Dittmer Beside a dying campfire, a storyteller named Ngawai speaks of three volcanoes in New Zealand. In this Māori legend retold by Wilhelm Dittmer, Taranaki and Ruapehu are giants who both love Tongariro... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-battle-of-the-giants?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-battle-of-the-giants) ## The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab Yei Theodora Ozaki In this Japanese folktale, a crab trades his rice dumpling for a persimmon seed. He plants it and patiently watches it grow into a tree with sweet orange fruit. When the fruit is ripe, he asks his old... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-battle-of-the-monkey-and-the-crab?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-battle-of-the-monkey-and-the-crab) ## The Birth of Bran James Stephens Fionn loves his hounds, but Fergus cannot bear the sight of a dog. When a woman from the fairy world casts a jealous spell, their lives become linked in an unexpected way. James Stephens retells the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-birth-of-bran?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-birth-of-bran) ## The Birth of the Monkey King Edward T. C. Werner In this episode from the Chinese Monkey King stories, high on Flower-Fruit Mountain, a stone gives birth to an extraordinary monkey. He becomes king of the monkeys, then sets out to find a way to live... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-birth-of-the-monkey-king?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-birth-of-the-monkey-king) ## The Brave Little Tailor Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a tailor kills seven flies with one stroke of a piece of cloth. Proud of himself, he embroiders “Seven at one stroke!” on a belt and sets out to see the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-brave-little-tailor?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-brave-little-tailor) ## The Bremen Town Musicians Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, an old donkey can no longer work as hard as he used to. When his master no longer wants to feed him, he runs away towards Bremen to become a town musician... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-bremen-town-musicians?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-bremen-town-musicians) ## The Bunyip Leonora Blanche Lang Some young men go out to find food for their families. While fishing, they pull a strange little creature from a pool: a baby Bunyip. Its mother comes to get it back, but one young man insists on... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-bunyip?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-bunyip) ## The Cat and the Cradle William Elliot Griffis In this Dutch legend retold by William Elliot Griffis, a baby girl named Little Honey is hidden from her cruel grandmother. Then a flood sweeps away her cradle, with a devoted cat clinging to it... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-cat-and-the-cradle?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-cat-and-the-cradle) ## The Chief’s Daughter Leonora Blanche Lang In this Tlingit tale from the northwest coast of North America, Raven wants a new wife, but a troublemaker keeps persuading fathers to refuse him. Angry at one chief, Raven uses magic to help an old... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-chiefs-daughter?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-chiefs-daughter) ## The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, it is predicted that a baby born to a poor family will marry the King’s daughter. The King wants to prevent the marriage and tries to get rid of the child... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-devils-three-golden-hairs?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-devils-three-golden-hairs) ## The Doomed Prince When a prince is born, goddesses say that a crocodile, a snake or a dog will cause his death. His father tries to keep him safe, but the prince wants to go out into the world. He takes his dog with... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-doomed-prince?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-doomed-prince) ## The Ebony Horse This tale comes from the Arabian Nights, a collection with Arab and Persian roots. A stranger brings the king of Persia a horse that can fly. Prince Firouz Schah climbs onto its back and turns a screw... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ebony-horse?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ebony-horse) ## The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea Edward T. C. Werner In this Chinese legend, the Eight Immortals decide to cross the sea using their own magical objects. Their journey attracts the attention of a greedy prince in the Dragon-king’s palace... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-eight-immortals-cross-the-sea?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-eight-immortals-cross-the-sea) ## The Elves Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a poor shoemaker has only enough leather left for one pair of shoes. He cuts it out before bed, then wakes to find the shoes beautifully finished. Who has... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-elves?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-elves) ## The Emperor’s New Clothes Hans Christian Andersen An emperor loves new clothes more than anything else. Two swindlers promise him a splendid cloth that people who are stupid or unfit for their jobs cannot see. He pays them to make it. At court, no... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-emperors-new-clothes?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-emperors-new-clothes) ## The Fairies Charles Perrault In this French tale by Charles Perrault, a mother favours her older daughter and makes the younger one work all day. Twice a day, the girl must fetch water far from home. At the fountain, a poor woman... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-fairies?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-fairies) ## The Fisherman and His Wife Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a poor fisherman and his wife live in a tiny, dirty hut by the sea. One day he catches a talking fish that says it is an enchanted prince. The fisherman... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-fisherman-and-his-wife?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-fisherman-and-his-wife) ## The Fisherman and the Genie This tale comes from the Arabian Nights, a collection with Arab and Persian roots. An old fisherman pulls a sealed pot from the sea. He hopes to find something valuable inside, but when he opens it, a... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-fisherman-and-the-genie?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-fisherman-and-the-genie) ## The Forest Bride Parker Fillmore In this Finnish folktale, a farmer sends his three sons to look for brides in the directions their fallen trees point. Veikko’s tree leads him into the forest, where a little mouse offers to become... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-forest-bride?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-forest-bride) ## The Frog Prince Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a princess drops her golden ball into a deep well. A frog offers to fetch it if she promises to let him share her food and her bed. Eager to get her toy... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-frog-prince?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-frog-prince) ## The Frog Princess In this Russian folktale, a tsar, the ruler of a kingdom, tells his three sons to shoot arrows and marry wherever the arrows land. Ivan, the youngest, finds his arrow in a swamp, held by a frog. He... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-frog-princess?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-frog-princess) ## The Garden of Paradise Hans Christian Andersen In this Danish tale by Hans Christian Andersen, a prince dreams of finding the Garden of Paradise, also called the Garden of Eden. His grandmother has told him about its marvellous flowers. Caught in... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-garden-of-paradise?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-garden-of-paradise) ## The Ghost Brahman In this folktale from Bengal, in South Asia, a poor man leaves home to earn money for his wife and mother. That evening, a ghost takes his exact appearance and moves into his house. Years later, the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ghost-brahman?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ghost-brahman) ## The Golden Bird Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, golden apples are disappearing from the king’s garden. The youngest of his three sons sees a bird with golden feathers steal one. The king wants the bird... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-golden-bird?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-golden-bird) ## The Goose Girl Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a princess rides off to marry a prince in a distant kingdom. She has a maid to help her and a horse, Falada, who can speak. But on the road, the maid takes... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-goose-girl?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-goose-girl) ## The Half-Chick In this Spanish folktale, Medio Pollito has only one leg, one wing and one eye, but he is determined to leave the farmyard and see the king in Madrid. On the road, a stream, a fire and the wind each... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-half-chick?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-half-chick) ## The Herd Boy and the Weaving Maiden Richard Wilhelm In this Chinese legend, a poor Herd Boy follows a talking cow into Heaven, where the Weaving Maiden makes cloth from clouds. Their meeting begins a love story that reaches across the stars... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-herd-boy-and-the-weaving-maiden?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-herd-boy-and-the-weaving-maiden) ## The Jackal, the Dove, and the Panther A dove lives with her three little ones in a nest high on a rock. A hungry jackal threatens her to get one of them. A heron comes to her aid, but the jackal soon looks for other animals to trick. In... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-jackal-the-dove-and-the-panther?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-jackal-the-dove-and-the-panther) ## The King and the Viziers Elisabeth Orbeliani In this Georgian folktale, a king gives his three viziers—his advisers—three difficult riddles. They have only three days to find the answers, and the king threatens a terrible punishment if they fail... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-king-and-the-viziers?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-king-and-the-viziers) ## The Lad Who Went to the North Wind Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Jørgen Moe In this Norwegian folktale, three times, the North Wind blows away the flour a boy is bringing to his mother. They have very little food, so the boy sets off to demand it back. The wind offers him a... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-lad-who-went-to-the-north-wind?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-lad-who-went-to-the-north-wind) ## The Lady of the Moon Richard Wilhelm In this Chinese legend, Hou I, a great archer, brings home a herb that grants immortality. When his wife Tschang O secretly eats it, she rises into the sky. This old telling follows her to the moon... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-lady-of-the-moon?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-lady-of-the-moon) ## The Legend of Miao Shan Edward T. C. Werner In this Chinese Buddhist legend, Princess Miao Shan longs for a life of compassion and spiritual study. Her father wants her to marry and inherit his kingdom. When she refuses, her search for goodness... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-legend-of-miao-shan?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-legend-of-miao-shan) ## The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Washington Irving In this story by American writer Washington Irving, schoolteacher Ichabod Crane lives in Sleepy Hollow, a quiet valley in the United States where people tell ghost stories. He hopes to marry Katrina... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-legend-of-sleepy-hollow?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-legend-of-sleepy-hollow) ## The Legend of the Betel and the Areca James George Scott In this legend from Vietnam, two brothers look so alike that a young woman cannot tell them apart. Both want to marry her, and she devises a test to discover which is the elder... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-legend-of-the-betel-and-the-areca?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-legend-of-the-betel-and-the-areca) ## The Little Hare In a land with very little water, a woman asks her husband to bring her the liver of a nyamatsane, one of the strange creatures of this tale. His adventure leads to the story of the Little Hare, who... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-little-hare?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-little-hare) ## The Little Match Girl Hans Christian Andersen In this Danish tale by Hans Christian Andersen, on New Year’s Eve, a little girl tries to sell matches in the street. No one buys any. She is hungry and freezing, but she is afraid to go home without... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-little-match-girl?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-little-match-girl) ## The Little Mermaid Hans Christian Andersen In this Danish tale by Hans Christian Andersen, deep beneath the sea, a young mermaid longs to see the human world. At fifteen, she can finally swim to the surface. She saves a young prince from a... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-little-mermaid?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-little-mermaid) ## The Love of Hinemoa Wilhelm Dittmer In this Māori legend from New Zealand, Ngawai tells the story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai while walking beside the sea. Hinemoa can hear Tutanekai’s music from an island across Lake Rotorua, but her... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-love-of-hinemoa?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-love-of-hinemoa) ## The Magic Mirror In this Sena tale from the Zambezi region of southern Africa, Gopáni-Kúfa finds a python and an antelope trapped together. He chooses to save the python, who offers him a reward in a kingdom deep... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-magic-mirror-of-gopani-kufa?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-magic-mirror-of-gopani-kufa) ## The Magic Tea Kettle Grace James In this Japanese tale, a priest who loves tea buys an old bronze kettle at a bargain price. But when he falls asleep, it grows a head, paws and a bushy tail—and starts to dance! Soon a poor man who... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-magic-tea-kettle?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-magic-tea-kettle) ## The Mouse’s Wedding Two mice want to find a wife for their son Fukutaro. They arrange a meeting with Hatsuka, another mouse family’s daughter. Soon both families are choosing gifts, preparing clothes and getting ready... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-mouses-wedding?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-mouses-wedding) ## The Nightingale Hans Christian Andersen In China, an emperor lives in a magnificent porcelain palace. Visitors admire a nightingale in the woods even more than the palace, but the emperor has never heard it sing. He sends his courtiers to... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-nightingale?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-nightingale) ## The Nixie of the Mill-Pond Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a miller is afraid of losing all he owns. A nixie, a spirit who lives in the pond by his mill, promises to make him rich again. In return, he must give her... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-nixie-of-the-mill-pond?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-nixie-of-the-mill-pond) ## The Old Man Who Made the Dead Trees Blossom Yei Theodora Ozaki In this Japanese folktale, an old couple love their dog Shiro as though he were their child. One day, he leads the old man to gold buried under a tree. Their jealous neighbour wants the same good luck... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-old-man-who-made-the-dead-trees-blossom?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-old-man-who-made-the-dead-trees-blossom) ## The Parrot and the Hidden Treasure Xuanzang Xuanzang records this Buddhist legend from Kapiśa, in present-day Afghanistan. Hostages have left a treasure to maintain their former monastery. Much later, a greedy king tries to take it, beneath the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-parrot-and-the-hidden-treasure?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-parrot-and-the-hidden-treasure) ## The Party in the Sky Elsie Spicer Eells In this Brazilian folktale, a toad who never misses a party is invited to a feast in the sky. He cannot fly, but a bird’s violin gives him an idea... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-party-in-the-sky?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-party-in-the-sky) ## The Princess and the Pea Hans Christian Andersen In this Danish tale by Hans Christian Andersen, a prince wants to marry a real princess, but he is never sure the princesses he meets are genuine. One stormy night, a soaking wet young woman knocks at... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-princess-and-the-pea?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-princess-and-the-pea) ## The Princess of Deryabar This tale comes from the Arabian Nights, a collection with Arab and Persian roots. The princess of Deryabar was raised to rule her father’s island kingdom. When a young man her father had cared for... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-princess-of-deryabar?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-princess-of-deryabar) ## The Queen Bee Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, the youngest of a king’s three sons sets out to find his brothers. Known as Simpleton, he is mocked by them. On their journey, he protects ants, ducks and... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-queen-bee?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-queen-bee) ## The Return of the Dead Wife Leonora Blanche Lang After his wife dies, a young man walks deep into the forest, hoping to escape his sorrow for a while. He reaches a lake with houses on the far shore. The people there can hear his whispers, but not... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-return-of-the-dead-wife?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-return-of-the-dead-wife) ## The Ridiculous Wishes Charles Perrault In this French tale by Charles Perrault, a poor woodcutter complains that none of his wishes ever comes true. Jupiter, king of the gods, appears and promises to grant his first three wishes. The... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ridiculous-wishes?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ridiculous-wishes) ## The Rover of the Plain In this Ronga tale from present-day Mozambique, a young man travels far from home to find a wife. His bride brings her family’s buffalo, the Rover of the Plain, to serve her. The buffalo talks to her... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-rover-of-the-plain?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-rover-of-the-plain) ## The Sacred Milk of Koumongoé Leonora Blanche Lang In this Sotho tale from southern Africa, Koumongoé is a sacred tree that gives milk. Thakané and her brother Koané are forbidden to touch it, but Koané demands a drink and refuses to take the cattle... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-sacred-milk-of-koumongoe?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-sacred-milk-of-koumongoe) ## The Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor In this Arabic story cycle, which took shape in Abbasid Iraq, a Baghdad porter wonders why Sindbad the Sailor is so rich. The merchant invites him to his table and tells the story of his seven voyages... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-seven-voyages-of-sindbad-the-sailor?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-seven-voyages-of-sindbad-the-sailor) ## The Shipwrecked Sailor In this tale from ancient Egypt, a sailor tells his lord about an extraordinary voyage. A storm destroyed his ship, and he alone reached an island filled with food. Then a giant serpent with a golden... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-shipwrecked-sailor?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-shipwrecked-sailor) ## The Silent Princess In this Turkish folktale, a young prince breaks an old woman’s water jugs and receives a strange curse: he will fall in love with the Silent Princess. He sets out to find her, but anyone who fails to... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-silent-princess?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-silent-princess) ## The Six Swans Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm Six brothers are turned into swans by their stepmother. Every evening, they can become human again for just fifteen minutes. To free them, their sister must sew six shirts from plants and neither... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-six-swans?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-six-swans) ## The Snow Queen Hans Christian Andersen In this Danish tale by Hans Christian Andersen, Kay and Gerda are friends who live next door to each other. One day, tiny pieces of an evil mirror enter Kay’s eye and heart. He becomes cruel, then... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-snow-queen?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-snow-queen) ## The Steadfast Tin Soldier Hans Christian Andersen In this Danish tale by Hans Christian Andersen, a boy receives twenty-five tin soldiers for his birthday. One of them has only one leg. He falls in love with a little paper dancer, but a fall from the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-steadfast-tin-soldier?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-steadfast-tin-soldier) ## The Story of Djun Leonora Blanche Lang In this Tlingit tale from the northwest coast of North America, Djun, a young orphan, has almost nothing to eat during a famine. When a group of women leave her in the forest, her aunt secretly gives... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-story-of-djun?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-story-of-djun) ## The Story of Mani Herbert H. Smith Near Santarém, a chief’s daughter is expecting a child whose birth will astonish the neighbouring communities. This legend from the Brazilian Amazon tells the story of little Mani and gives a magical... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-story-of-mani?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-story-of-mani) ## The Story of Siṃhala Xuanzang, Bianji In this Buddhist origin legend associated with Sri Lanka, recorded by the monk Xuanzang, the merchant Siṃhala and his companions reach the Island of Gems. The women who welcome them so warmly are... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-story-of-simhala?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-story-of-simhala) ## The Story of the Hero Makóma In this Sena tale from the Zambezi region of southern Africa, Makóma is a child with extraordinary strength. After defeating the crocodiles in a river, he sets out with an iron hammer and a large sack... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-story-of-the-hero-makoma?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-story-of-the-hero-makoma) ## The Story of Zoulvisia In this Armenian folktale, a young king follows his vanished brothers into a beautiful, dangerous forest. There he meets Zoulvisia, a mysterious rider with golden hair whose voice is said to kill... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/zoulvisia?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/zoulvisia) ## The Talking Skull Stephen Tut Puol In this story first written in Nuer, a language spoken in South Sudan and Ethiopia, Macoc goes into the forest to cut wood for a cattle shelter. He finds a skull, speaks to it—and hears it answer... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-talking-skull?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-talking-skull) ## The Three Billy Goats Gruff Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Jørgen Moe In this Norwegian folktale, three billy goats want to reach a hillside full of grass. To get there, they must cross a bridge—but a hungry troll lives underneath! First the smallest goat steps onto the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-three-billy-goats-gruff?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-three-billy-goats-gruff) ## The Three Dogs In this Swedish tale from West Gotland, a young pig keeper trades his mother’s three pigs for three dogs with extraordinary powers. With his dogs and his flute, he sets off into the world, where three... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-three-dogs?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-three-dogs) ## The Three Spinners Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm Spinning means making thread from fibres, such as those in the flax plant. In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a girl hates this work, but her mother tells the Queen she loves it. The Queen... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-three-spinners?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-three-spinners) ## The Tongue-Cut Sparrow Yei Theodora Ozaki In this Japanese folktale, an old man loves his pet sparrow like a child. While he is out, his wife punishes the bird for eating the starch she uses on clothes, then drives her away. The old man sets... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-tongue-cut-sparrow?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-tongue-cut-sparrow) ## The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse Aesop In this fable from the Greek Aesopic tradition, a Town Mouse visits a Country Mouse and finds his food disappointing. He invites his friend to town, promising him a feast... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-town-mouse-and-the-country-mouse?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-town-mouse-and-the-country-mouse) ## The Troll in the Stone-craft Jón Árnason In this Icelandic folktale, while their ship waits for wind, a queen sits alone on deck with her little son. A strange stone boat draws near. Its passenger takes the queen’s place, and only a few... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-troll-in-the-stone-craft?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-troll-in-the-stone-craft) ## The Twelve Dancing Princesses Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, every evening, the king locks his twelve daughters in their bedroom. Yet each morning their shoes are worn out from dancing. Where can they possibly go at... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-twelve-dancing-princesses?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-twelve-dancing-princesses) ## The Twelve Months In this tale from the Slovak tradition, Marouckla must find violets in the middle of winter. On a mountain top she discovers twelve figures gathered around a fire: the twelve months of the year. Can... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-twelve-months?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-twelve-months) ## The Two Travellers of Mount Tiantai Richard Wilhelm In this Chinese legend collected by Richard Wilhelm, two young scholars gather healing herbs in the hills of Tian Tai. Two mysterious young women welcome them into a cave among flowering peach trees... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-two-travellers-of-mount-tiantai?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-two-travellers-of-mount-tiantai) ## The Ugly Duckling Hans Christian Andersen A duck hatches a family of ducklings, but the last one is much bigger than the others. The ducks and hens mock him, and even his family begins to reject him. He leaves the farmyard and looks for... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ugly-duckling?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-ugly-duckling) ## The White Duck A prince goes on a long journey. His young wife stays at home until a woman invites her into the garden. The woman is a witch: she turns the princess into a white duck and takes her place. The... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-white-duck?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-white-duck) ## The Wild Swans Hans Christian Andersen In this Danish tale by Hans Christian Andersen, a wicked queen turns Elisa’s eleven brothers into wild swans. Elisa sets out to find them and discovers a way to break the spell: she must make eleven... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wild-swans?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wild-swans) ## The Wind Tells about Valdemar Daae and His Daughters Hans Christian Andersen In this story by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, the wind can speak. It remembers Valdemar Daae and his three daughters, who once lived in a grand house in Denmark. Valdemar is determined... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/valdemar-daae-and-his-daughters?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/valdemar-daae-and-his-daughters) ## The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm A tailor believes his goat when she says his three sons have left her hungry, and drives the boys away. Each learns a trade and receives a magical gift: a table that serves food, a donkey that... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wishing-table?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wishing-table) ## The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm In this German tale from the Brothers Grimm, a mother goat leaves her seven little kids at home while she goes to find food. She warns them about the wolf: they can recognize his rough voice and black... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wolf-and-the-seven-little-kids?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wolf-and-the-seven-little-kids) ## The Wonderful Basket Leonora Blanche Lang Two sisters run away after their mother hurts the elder girl. In the mountains, they meet a man called Mountain Dweller, who gives them a home and plenty of food. He warns them never to look behind a... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wonderful-basket?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wonderful-basket) ## The Wrestling Master and His Pupil Saadi In this Persian story by Saadi, a poet from Shiraz in Iran, a wrestling master teaches his favourite pupil almost all his secrets. The young man becomes so strong that he boasts before the Sultan that... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wrestling-master-and-his-pupil?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-wrestling-master-and-his-pupil) ## The Young King of the Black Isles This tale comes from the Arabian Nights, a collection with Arab and Persian roots. A fisherman’s strangely coloured fish lead a sultan to an enchanted kingdom. In a deserted palace, he finds a young... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-king-of-the-black-isles?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/the-king-of-the-black-isles) ## Thumbelina Hans Christian Andersen Thumbelina is a girl so tiny that she sleeps in a walnut shell, under a rose petal. She was born inside a tulip. One night, a toad carries her away because she wants Thumbelina to marry her son... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/thumbelina?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/thumbelina) ## To Your Good Health! In this Hungarian folktale, every time the king sneezes, everyone must wish him good health. Only one shepherd refuses. Neither the king’s anger nor his guards frighten this young man with the... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/to-your-good-health?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/to-your-good-health) ## Urashima Taro Yei Theodora Ozaki In this Japanese legend, Urashima Taro is a kind young fisherman. He saves a turtle from children who are hurting it. The next day, the turtle invites him to a magnificent palace beneath the sea. He... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/urashima-taro?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/urashima-taro) ## William Tell James Baldwin In this Swiss legend, William Tell refuses to bow to a ruler’s cap. To punish him, Gessler orders the skilled hunter to shoot an apple from his own son’s head... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/william-tell?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/william-tell) ## Youth without Age and Life without Death Petre Ispirescu In this Romanian tale, a prince is promised youth without age and life without death before he is even born. When he turns fifteen, his father cannot keep that promise. With the help of an unexpected... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/youth-without-age-and-life-without-death?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/youth-without-age-and-life-without-death) ## Zhang Liang and the Old Man of the Bridge Richard Wilhelm In this Chinese legend collected by Richard Wilhelm, Dschang Liang flees after a failed attempt to kill an emperor. At a ruined bridge, an old man asks him to fetch a shoe from the icy water. The... [Markdown](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/zhang-liang-and-the-old-man-of-the-bridge?format=markdown) · [HTML](https://www.openclassics.org/stories/zhang-liang-and-the-old-man-of-the-bridge) [OpenClassics](https://www.openclassics.org/)