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Around the World

Let's travel around the world together? Will we first visit the seal hunters in Greenland or the African tribes? And how about getting to know the story of the Vietnamese Cinderella? Immerse yourself with the children in the secrets of traditional stories from all over the world: from the Far East through vast Africa to the eternally frozen plains of the far north.

Why Dogs Smell Their Tails

Mexican Legend

Why Dogs Smell Their Tails

5
 min
3
+
4.12

When the people of long ago Mexico behaved badly towards their faithful companions, the dogs gathered for a great meeting to put an end to it. They agreed to ask one of the greatest Aztec gods for help, so they wrote him a letter. In our story, based on an ancient legend, you can find out what happened. And a reminder to always treat our four-legged friends respectfully and kindly.

Around the World
The Three Slackers

Austrian tale

The Three Slackers

10
 min
5
+
4.73

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?

Around the World
The Serpent of Warsaw

Polish Legend

The Serpent of Warsaw

8
 min
5
+
4.83

This Polish legend takes you to Warsaw. In ancient times, the city was said to be stalked by a terrible monster that no one knew how to overcome. But a young tailor comes up with the clever idea of using an unusual weapon against the creature — let’s find out together what it was!

Around the World
The Lion and the Hare

African Tale

The Lion and the Hare

8
 min
5
+
4.54

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.

Around the World
The Mouse Bride

Finnish Tale

The Mouse Bride

16
 min
5
+
4.84

A story in which everything turns for the better thanks to the patience and faith of the main character. When the king decides to hand over the kingdom to one of his three sons, he sends them to find skillful brides. However, the youngest son marries a little gray mouse, so he worries about how she will handle his father's tasks, which he has prepared for the brides-to-be.

Around the World
The Monkey and the Turtle

Philippine Tale

The Monkey and the Turtle

8
 min
8
+
4.41

Don’t expect to see the fruit of your work without putting in the effort required. A turtle and a monkey pull a banana tree out of the river. They immediately divide it into two parts. The monkey insists on getting the top, which has nice green leaves. The lower part (without leaves) is all that remains for the turtle. The turtle takes care of its part all the more, and soon it is covered in bananas and ready for harvesting - while the monkey watches as the top of the tree slowly dries up.

Around the World
The Singing Flute

Venezuelan Tale

The Singing Flute

9
 min
5
+
4.4

Modesty and kindness can help us achieve a lot. Three brothers set out to search for a healing flower for their father. Only the youngest one has any success, but when he meets his brothers on his way, he realises that together they will stop at nothing to get the flower.

Around the World
The Magic Mill

Latvian Tale

The Magic Mill

13
 min
5
+
4.6

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.

Around the World
A Long Name

Chinese Tale

A Long Name

8
 min
5
+
4.33

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.

Around the World
The Magic Boots

Estonian Tale

The Magic Boots

13
 min
5
+
4.51

This story tells us that having a kind heart and keeping your promises always pays off. When the poor boy keeps his promise to the old man, he is given a pair of magic shoes, a bag full of money, and a golden castle. Despite the fact that his rich landlord tries to steal the wealth from him, everything turns out well eventually.

Around the World
The Hunter and the Snake

Native American Tale

The Hunter and the Snake

11
 min
5
+
4.58

This tale reminds us that we have to appreciate those who have been taking care of us our whole lives. When the snake and the hunter try to resolve their dispute, they ask three judges to help them decide who is right. But the advice of each of them is based on their previous experience of coliving with a person.

Around the World
The Old Farmer and the Tricksters

Finnish Tale

The Old Farmer and the Tricksters

13
 min
5
+
4.87

Cheating doesn’t pay off and this is what the two tricksters in the story learn. Although they trick the old farmer, he then gives them a good lesson.

Around the World
The Clever Rabbit and the Hungry Lion

Indian Tale

The Clever Rabbit and the Hungry Lion

13
 min
5
+
4.47

We can beat even a much stronger enemy with our brain. The little hare finds out it has been chosen by other animals as food for the lion. It decides to save its skin with the help of its wits and its knowledge of nature.

Around the World
Three Pieces of Wisdom

Finnish Tale

Three Pieces of Wisdom

17
 min
5
+
4.71

It is worth listening to the advice of older and more experienced people. Once upon a time, a young man married the king’s daughter trying to get rich. The king gave them an incredible dowry. He quickly wasted his easily obtained wealth, so they had to live in poverty. Eventually, he managed to change his fate thanks to some wise pieces of advice.

Around the World
The Sacred Stone of Namuncura

Native American Tale

The Sacred Stone of Namuncura

9
 min
8
+
4.34

This interesting tale from South America teaches us that we have to take good care of the things we are in charge of. Deep in the Amazon rainforest there once lived a native Indian tribe. The inhabitants of the settlement by the river had been taking care of a miraculous stone for many years. They believed its great power would protect them from danger. One of the seniors decides not to take care of the stone anymore, and strange things begin to happen.

Around the World
The Search For the Most Powerful Being

Indian Tale

The Search For the Most Powerful Being

9
 min
8
+
4.63

The greatest riches are closer to us than it might seem, we just have to be attentive enough. When the parents of a beautiful daughter decide to look for the best possible groom for her, the men of the village seem too ordinary to them. But they are in for a big surprise.

Around the World
The Beef Tongue

Cuban Tale

The Beef Tongue

5
 min
8
+
4.68

Even useful things can harm us when misused. A young helper named Orula is given the task of cooking the best and the worst meal on earth. He makes two of the same dish. How does he explain it? You’ll learn in this classic Cuban tale.

Around the World
The Blue Jackal

Indian Tale

The Blue Jackal

7
 min
5
+
4.47

A jackal jumps into a bucket of blue paint. The other animals come to fear him because they have never seen a blue creature before. When the jackal realises that everyone is afraid of him, he declares himself King. Eventually, the self-proclaimed king finds out that a lie only goes so far.

Around the World

Frequently asked questions

What regions and cultures are featured in Readmio’s "Around the World" stories?

Readmio’s "Around the World" stories feature a diverse range of regions and cultures from across the globe. For example, you can explore the traditional tales of the Native Amerikans in the story The Hunter and The Snake, discover the rich cultural heritage of African tribes, or enjoy the enchanting Vietnamese Cinderella story The Sisters Tam and Cam. These stories span continents, including the Far East, Africa, Europe and the Americas, offering a broad spectrum of cultural experiences and traditions.

Are there any traditional stories included in the "Around the World" section?

Yes, the "Around the World" section includes several traditional stories from various cultures. Examples include the Korean folk tale The Delicious Stone Tteok  or the ancient Mayan Legend The Rabbit’s Ears.These stories are designed to immerse children in the richness of global cultural heritage and offer a window into the traditions and beliefs of different societies.

How can children benefit from reading stories from different cultures?

Reading stories from different cultures offers numerous benefits for children. By engaging with stories from various cultures, children can learn about different customs, values, and traditions, which enhances their cultural awareness and promotes inclusivity. Additionally, these stories can spark curiosity and a lifelong interest in exploring and respecting different cultures.

What age groups are the "Around the World" stories suitable for?

We believe these stories are suitable for a wide range of age groups. The stories are crafted to be engaging and accessible from the youngest children up to the age of 10. The narratives are designed to be age-appropriate, with content that is both educational and entertaining. For older children, the stories provide a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and can be used as a starting point for further exploration of global traditions and histories.