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 Kangaroos Hop

Why Kangaroos Hop

6
 min
3
+
4.42

This Australian legend explains why kangaroos move by jumping on their two hind legs. It is a consequence of their effort to escape unnoticed from a persistent hunter, and learning something new in the process.

The King and the Weaver

The King and the Weaver

10
 min
8
+
4.55

Life experience is often more valuable than theories from books. Sometimes even the poor weaver can be smarter than the sages at the imperial court, who are generously paid for their services.

The Origin of Fire

The Origin of Fire

7
 min
5
+
4.64

Based on a legend from South America, this story shows the lives of people back in the days when they didn’t know fire and tells of how it was eventually discovered.

The Man Who Never Lied

The Man Who Never Lied

7
 min
5
+
4.78

It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times. This lovely tale from the African continent teaches us not to believe everything we hear.

The Tiger and the Persimmon

The Tiger and the Persimmon

6
 min
5
+
4.29

We often fear the unknown. Even the tiger in this story was so frightened that it took off into the mountains in order to get as far away as possible. Do you want to know what the tiger was so terrified of? You’ll find out in this witty folk tale from the Asian Continent.

The Wawel Dragon

The Wawel Dragon

5
 min
5
+
4.71

This Polish legend tells about Wawel Hill, under which a terrible dragon settled and ravaged the whole countryside. However, the people eventually managed to defeat the dragon, thanks to the ingenuity of an ordinary shoemaker.

The Spider Princess

The Spider Princess

5
 min
5
+
4.51

This is a story about the Inca Princess. Instead of doing her royal duties, she was carried away by her cruelty and ignorance. For her behaviour, she was punished and turned into an eternally working spider.

The El Cajas Lagoon

The El Cajas Lagoon

6
 min
5
+
4.6

This tale from Ecuador tells the story of how a disastrous flood came to take the house and possessions of a rich man’s family. This was the punishment wrought upon them for being greedy and soulless. The caring deed of their housemaid doesn’t stay unnoticed, however.

The Woman and Her Bear

The Woman and Her Bear

8
 min
5
+
4.71

A lonely old Inuit woman is given a polar bear cub. She raises it as her son and they are very happy together. The village also likes the bear and includes it in their activities. But as the bear gets older, it gets bigger...

The Brewery of Egg-Shells

The Brewery of Egg-Shells

7
 min
8
+
4.16

When a mother goes to the cradle in the morning, she realizes her baby has been swapped with a fairy. She gets a lot of different advice, but only takes the advice of a famous healer to get her baby boy back.

The Sea Mother's Story

The Sea Mother's Story

10
 min
3
+
4.74

All of the fish disappear from the sea suddenly, and the people of a seaside village begin to suffer from hunger. But one young boy decides to find out the cause of this disaster and unexpectedly finds himself transported to a place under water. There he meets the mother of the sea herself, who reveals to him what has been happening…

Why the Sun Never Married

Why the Sun Never Married

7
 min
3
+
4.65

This Bulgarian legend tells how the sun planned to get married, but the promised wedding never happened. The wedding plans were thwarted by a little hedgehog. She understood the unfortunate results the heat of an entire sunny family in the sky would have. This fairy tale touches on current environmental issues.

The Eight Suns

The Eight Suns

6
 min
5
+
4.66

This traditional story from Laos is about the eight suns that once burned the earth with their strong beams - every day! Only thanks to a clever archer and a rooster did the world manage to strike a balance. With its environmental theme, this old legend is also relevant nowadays.

The Ungrateful Tiger

The Ungrateful Tiger

9
 min
5
+
4.68

A lovely tale about gratitude which surely everyone can take to heart. A fairy tale from the animal kingdom about being grateful, justice and an extraordinary wit that helps save a defenceless human being.

The Russet Dog

The Russet Dog

5
 min
5
+
4.68

This Celtic tale brings you a merry story of a savvy fox. When her beautiful russet coat becomes a home for annoying fleas, the fox thinks of a clever way how to get rid of them.

The Legend of Vanilla

The Legend of Vanilla

6
 min
5
+
4.45

Beautiful Xanath, who comes from a wealthy family, falls in love with a poor young man. They start meeting secretly because her parents would never accept someone from a penniless family. A god who lives in a nearby temple also falls in love with Xanath. But despite his wealth, he fails to win the girl's heart. He punishes Xanath in anger because there are some things in life no money can buy. We can’t buy the most important things in life such as health or love.

The Sisters Tam and Cam

The Sisters Tam and Cam

18
 min
5
+
4.28

In this story, you will learn about a Vietnamese Cinderella named Tam. She, too, suffers a lot because of her cruel stepmother and her sister Cam. She does not give up, and she eventually gets justice and a happy ending.

Iktomi and Muskrat

Iktomi and Muskrat

8
 min
5
+
4.34

Iktomi is a Dakota Native American, a lazy trickster, who is hiding with a pot of soup. When a friend comes by, instead of sharing the soup he tries to trick him with a race. But tricks don’t always work!

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.