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.

The Monster Bulgasari

The Monster Bulgasari

10
 min
5
+
4.55

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.

The Monkey and the Turtle

The Monkey and the Turtle

8
 min
8
+
4.54

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.

The Evil Sons

The Evil Sons

5
 min
8
+
4.54

This Indian story is about an old man who, at the end of his life, carefully divides all his property between three sons. Sadly for him, he receives no gratitude from them at all in return. Annoyed, the old man eventually comes up with a way to give his ungrateful sons the lesson they truly deserve.

The Dragons and the Crows

The Dragons and the Crows

10
 min
5
+
4.53

One can fix mistakes and bad decisions with determination. The ruler of the crows makes a fateful decision, upending the lives of his subjects. All the crows have to leave their city, which is then occupied by dragons. Eventually, he comes up with a plan to return all the crows back home.

Why the Sun Never Married

Why the Sun Never Married

7
 min
3
+
4.53

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 Legend of the Milky Way

The Legend of the Milky Way

8
 min
5
+
4.53

This old Chinese legend tells the story of two lovers – the beautiful heavenly weaver, daughter of the Emperor of the Heavens, and a cowherd from the world of humans. Unfortunately, their love makes them forget about all their duties, and so they end up separated forever by the Milky Way.

Hades and Persephone

Hades and Persephone

10
 min
5
+
4.53

Could it be that a kidnapped daughter and her mother are the cause of the changing seasons? According to Greek mythology, Persephone was abducted into the realm of the dead by Hades, the god of the underworld. Due to the enormous grief felt by her mother, the crops dried up and winter came to the Earth for the first time. To prevent an eternal winter, a certain deal had to be struck with Hades …

The Eight Suns

The Eight Suns

6
 min
5
+
4.52

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.

Rabbi Loew and the Golem

Rabbi Loew and the Golem

10
 min
5
+
4.52

Let this story carry you off to Renaissance Prague, a city of mystery and alchemy, where Rabbi Loew managed to do something unheard of: bring the legendary golem, a clay statue, to life.

The Lion and the Hare

The Lion and the Hare

8
 min
5
+
4.51

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.

The Three Slackers

The Three Slackers

10
 min
5
+
4.5

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?

The Delicious Stone Tteok

The Delicious Stone Tteok

10
 min
5
+
4.5

This old folk tale reminds us that when we are smart, we can overcome the most difficult obstacles, even if we are at an obvious disadvantage.

Philemon and Baucis

Philemon and Baucis

9
 min
8
+
4.47

This is an ancient Greek story of generosity, a beautiful relationship and lifelong love between spouses Philemon and Baucis. For their kindness and service to the Greek gods, they wanted nothing more than to die at the same time so they wouldn't have to be without each other. Their story teaches us about the value of lifelong true love, and about peacefully accepting that all life has an end.

Mr Cat from Catville

Mr Cat from Catville

9
 min
5
+
4.47

Often things are not the way they seem to be. A funny story about an old cat who decides to leave his comfortable home and go into the woods among the wild animals. Along the way, without even knowing, he manages to gain respect even from much stronger animals.

The Monkey and the Drum

The Monkey and the Drum

11
 min
5
+
4.47

When a clumsy monkey gets a thorn in its tail, it has no choice but to rely on human help. However, it very quickly abuses this help and shows its greed. In this way the monkey gets a lot of things from people in exchange.

Why Kangaroos Hop

Why Kangaroos Hop

6
 min
3
+
4.45

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.

Vardiello and the Hen

Vardiello and the Hen

9
 min
5
+
4.45

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!

The Singing Flute

The Singing Flute

9
 min
5
+
4.43

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.

Questions about

Around the World

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.