Preserving Timeless
Folktales for Generations
Explore stories that connect us to our roots and reflect our
shared human experience through storytelling.
The Giant of Loch Léin: Irish Folklore
The Giant of Loch Léin: Irish Folklore On a time there lived a king and a queen in Erin (Welsh name for Ireland), and they had an only son. They were very careful and fond of this son; whatever he asked for was granted, and what he wanted he had. When grown to be almost a young man the son went away one day to the hills to hunt. He could find no game,—saw nothing
Brains Over Brawn: Folktale from India
Brains Over Brawn: Folktale from India In two adjoining villages there lived two famous men. The one was called Mr. Mighty-of-his-mouth—one that could accomplish wonders with words alone. The other was called Mr. Mighty-of-his-hands—one who could make no use of that glib instrument the tongue, but was able to bear burdens, cut wood, and perform other physical labour. It so happened that they agreed to live together in the house of the Mr. Mighty-of-his-mouth, to
The Clever Monkey and the Boar: Folktale from Japan
The Clever Monkey and the Boar: Folktale from Japan Long, long ago, there lived in the province of Shinshin in Japan, a traveling monkey-man, who earned his living by taking round a monkey and showing off the animal’s tricks. One evening the man came home in a very bad temper and told his wife to send for the butcher the next morning. The wife was very bewildered and asked her husband: “Why do you wish
Fate’s Unwritten Path: Folktale from India
Fate’s Unwritten Path: Folktale from India A young Brahman (Scholar-sage) in search of knowledge had heard about a great sage and philosopher who lived in the heart of a dense forest, far from the madness of civilization. So he walked for days through the thorns of the jungle and the menace of wild beasts till he reached the lonely cottage on the bank of a river where the great sage lived. The old sage welcomed the young
The Jasmine Prince: Folktale from India
The Jasmine Prince: Folktale from India There was once a king who was called the Jasmine Prince because the scent of jasmines would waft from him for miles whenever he laughed. But for that to happen, he had to laugh naturally, all by himself. If someone else tickled him or forced him to laugh, there would be no scent of jasmines. The Jasmine Prince ruled a small kingdom and paid tribute to a king greater
Widow Who Spoke to Walls: Folktale from India
Widow Who Spoke to Walls: Folktale from India A poor widow lived with her two sons and two daughters-in-law. All four of them scolded and ill-treated her all day. She had no one to whom she could turn and tell her woes. As she kept all her woes to herself, she grew fatter and fatter. Her sons and daughters-in-law now found that a matter for ridicule. They mocked at her for growing fatter by the