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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.

Vardiello and the Hen

Italian Tale

Vardiello and the Hen

9
 min
5
+
4.44

Vardiello isn’t a very clever son, but he thinks he is. When his mother leaves him alone in the house he gets into deeper and deeper trouble. Find out how a hen led to him hiding in the oven!

Around the World
Deer Fur

Ancient Mayan Legend

Deer Fur

5
 min
5
+
4.74

The legend explains how deer happen to have that discreetly camouflaged golden colour in their fur. Before, it was beautifully radiant and they were easy prey. But a chance encounter helped them lead much calmer lives.

Around the World
The Monster Bulgasari

Korean Tale

The Monster Bulgasari

10
 min
5
+
4.44

This thrilling and perhaps slightly scary story from the Asian continent tells how a monk on the run accidentally creates a prickly monster. It feeds on everything made of metal, and no one can stop it. Find out how the whole Kingdom of Korea is turned upside down, just because its king has wrongfully persecuted all of the monks.

Around the World
The Blacksmith and the Carpenter

Korean Tale

The Blacksmith and the Carpenter

9
 min
5
+
4.79

If we want to be successful, we need to think through our plans well. After a short visit in a village, a noble scholar decided to move in. But because of his impulsive decision, he found out too late about the unbearable noise coming from the workshops next to his house. He decided to get rid of his neighbours with a trick. However, his bad intentions brought him bad results.

Around the World
Ivan and the Greedy Innkeepers

Ukrainian Tale

Ivan and the Greedy Innkeepers

12
 min
8
+
3.64

The star of this traditional Ukrainian fairy tale is a clever man called Ivan. The people of his village didn’t like the local innkeepers because they encouraged people to drink too much alcohol. So Ivan decided to teach them a lesson! In this story, you’ll discover how things ended up for those greedy innkeepers.

Around the World
Brother Tiger

Korean Tale

Brother Tiger

8
 min
5
+
4.7

This Korean story is about a woodcutter who escapes danger with his wits. And not only does he save his life from the tiger, he also gets enough food for many years to come. He does all of this by reminding the tiger of the importance of having respect and love for family.

Around the World
The Carambola Tree and the Magic Raven

Vietnamese Tale

The Carambola Tree and the Magic Raven

8
 min
5
+
4.58

In this traditional Vietnamese tale you will find out about a magic raven and about why it’s not worth being greedy. You’ll also learn about a tasty exotic fruit.

Around the World
The Poor Farmer and the Rich Miser

Indian Tale

The Poor Farmer and the Rich Miser

9
 min
5
+
4.25

In this Indian story, we learn the fate of a poor farmer living in poverty and having almost nothing. He has to give everything to his neighbour, a money-lender. When he is given a rare magic horn that will fulfill his every wish, the greedy rich man finds out. Of course the neighbour wants to take advantage of the horn's power immediately. The farmer comes up with an idea, thanks to which he gets rid of the rich man's greed once and for all.

Around the World
The Crystal Heart

Vietnamese Tale

The Crystal Heart

10
 min
8
+
4.0

Mi Nuong falls in love with a song that she hears one day from outside her window. She thinks it must have been a young gentleman singing it just for her. But this fantasy and her superficiality end up causing a lot of suffering – both to others and to herself.

Around the World
The Little Straw Bull

Ukrainian Tale

The Little Straw Bull

12
 min
5
+
4.31

Once there was an old man and an old woman who were so poor they couldn’t even afford a single ox. So they had to figure out a way to earn some money. It started with making a little bull out of straw and resin. From there, they used lots of cunning and exercised good teamwork… And their reward was great. Let this charming Ukrainian folktale delight and inspire you.

Around the World
The Gossiper

Ukrainian Tale

The Gossiper

11
 min
5
+
4.69

This Ukrainian folk tale will not only reveal how much trouble a gossipy person can cause, but it will also show you how gossip can be effectively undone.

Around the World
The Billy Goat and the Ram

Ukrainian Tale

The Billy Goat and the Ram

8
 min
3
+
4.0

In this traditional Ukrainian fairy tale you will hear about the adventures of two animal friends. One is bold, the other is strong, and together they are able to face all kinds of tricky situations using their cunning, even outsmarting three hungry wolves.

Around the World
The Fern Flower

Polish tale

The Fern Flower

16
 min
5
+
4.59

In this Polish tale you will read about curious young Johnny, who sets out to find a magical fern flower that will make his dreams come true. Did you know that it’s said that ferns flower for just one night a year? That doesn’t stop Johnny though. But what will he do with his magical reward, which he is forbidden from sharing with anyone else?

Around the World
Jim and the Dragon

Czech tale

Jim and the Dragon

8
 min
5
+
4.4

In this story, you will discover how life changes in one small town when a terrible dragon takes up residence in a nearby cave. What will the dragon do and who will be brave enough to challenge it?

Around the World
The Legend of the Dombra

Kazakh Legend

The Legend of the Dombra

5
 min
8
+
4.25

Have you ever heard of the dombra, a musical instrument from the Far East? In this Kazakh legend, you will learn about the magical sounds of the dombra and its association with the famous Genghis Khan.

Around the World
Crocodile Skin

African Tale

Crocodile Skin

3
 min
3
+
4.29

The African folk tale reveals why crocodiles have such a rough and scaly skin. It wasn’t always like this though. The story teaches that much pride can be harmful.

Around the World
Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

Czech tale

Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

8
 min
8
+
4.58

This well-known Czech legend connected with the fortress at Vyšehrad in Prague tells the story of the pitiless ruler Kengrave and bold Sir Humphrey, who dared revolt against his cruelty. What part does his trusty horse Slicker play in their tale? Read the story to find out.

Around the World
The Pied Piper of Hamelin

German Tale

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

14
 min
5
+
4.77

In this German folktale, you meet a mysterious piper who comes to rid the town of Hamelin from the rats that are plaguing it. But what happens when the mayor doesn’t pay him for this service as he had agreed to do? Well, it isn’t pretty. Though, in a very unexpected way, all comes good in the end.

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.