Folk stories

Storytelling is the cornerstone of civilization. Thanks to stories, humans have preserved and passed on intellectual achievements and moral values for millennia. Let’s celebrate the diversity of humankind by reading those stories to our kids.

Hey, Ho – Ground, Open Up!

Hey, Ho – Ground, Open Up!

15
 min
3
+
4.62

A Slovak folk tale by Pavol Dobšinský about how being smart and skillful wins over brute force. A well-known tale about two brothers and twelve bandits. The elder brother is greedy. After their father’s death, he keeps all the inheritance for himself. The younger brother is a modest and kind-hearted lad. He’s hardworking and smart which helps him to deal with the bandits.

The Wooden Boy

The Wooden Boy

11
 min
3
+
4.6

A folk tale about a boy who was carved from a log. When the wooden boy grows up, an evil witch and her husband want to bake him for dinner. But the young lad deals with them well and returns home safe and sound, flying on a wild goose.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

12
 min
5
+
4.6

A classic tale from Charles Perrault’s collections about a beautiful princess who falls asleep for a hundred years on the day of her fifteenth birthday. After a long time, rumours about the cursed kingdom, in which everything has fallen into eternal sleep, reach a young prince. He sets his mind to freeing the sleeping princess and saving the whole kingdom.

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood

15
 min
3
+
4.59

Don’t talk to strangers. This famous fairy tale reminds us that talking to strangers can be dangerous. Luckily, this story has a happy ending.

Rapunzel

Rapunzel

9
 min
5
+
4.59

A jealous witch wanted to have the beautiful Rapunzel all to herself, so she locked her up in a tower with no door. The only way up there was on Rapunzel’s long, golden plait. A prince, however, decided to thwart the witch’s plans and set Rapunzel free.

The Enormous Turnip

The Enormous Turnip

11
 min
1
+
4.58

All together we can overcome even the most difficult obstacles. A well-known tale about a grandfather who grows such an enormous turnip from a small seed in the garden that he can't even pull it out of the ground. Luckily, he has good helpers and they manage to pull out the turnip all together.

The Magic Mill

The Magic Mill

13
 min
5
+
4.58

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.

The Little Match Girl

The Little Match Girl

12
 min
8
+
4.58

This touching story reminds us to be more attentive, empathetic, and caring. It has a sad ending and is about a poor girl who wanders the streets alone in winter. No one either notices, or helps her.

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

17
 min
3
+
4.54

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the Brothers Grimm. The story is about two siblings who get lost in a forest and come across a gingerbread house. However, they have no idea yet that there is a danger waiting for them: an evil witch.

The Little Tailor

The Little Tailor

11
 min
5
+
4.53

In this Austrian fairy tale, you will travel the world with a tailor who seems rather small and ordinary, but has some magical gifts. Will he be able to withstand the challenges he faces? How can he win a battle with an evil giant?

The Emperor's New Clothes

The Emperor's New Clothes

13
 min
3
+
4.5

This is a story all the children around the world know. Being constantly adored is the only thing that brings meaning to the emperor’s life. Two crooks who pretend to be weavers take advantage of his weakness. They tailor a breathtaking dress for the emperor. He feels so unique in it. However, there is a catch, which he must surely discover sooner or later....

The Three Slackers

The Three Slackers

10
 min
5
+
4.47

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?

Thumbelina

Thumbelina

20
 min
8
+
4.47

A classic story by the world-famous author Hans Christian Andersen. Various traps await the charming Thumbelina. First, she is kidnapped by a frog who wants Thumbelina as a bride for her son, and later she is threatened with marriage to a blind, heartless mole. Eventually she finds her longed for happiness and love.

Broad, Long and Sharpsight

Broad, Long and Sharpsight

15
 min
8
+
4.45

When we join forces, we can overcome difficult obstacles. An adventurous story about how a young man chooses to win the heart of a princess. Three brave helpers, who he meets on the way to the castle, help him to overcome the obstacles and difficult tasks that stand in his way.

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

19
 min
5
+
4.45

A world famous tale teaches us that lying doesn’t pay off. When a lone woodworker carves out a wooden puppet just for pleasure, it suddenly comes to life. The extraordinary puppet becomes a restless and adventurous boy called Pinocchio. But when he lies, his little nose starts growing.

Wise Matthew and the Fools

Wise Matthew and the Fools

11
 min
5
+
4.42

A witty tale based on a work by Pavol Dobšinský about human foolishness. One day, wise young Matthew sets out in search of a bride. But as he wanders across the world, he chances upon only mad and foolish people. With his wisdom, he will eventually find his bride, but also a good deal of money.

Elbow Beard

Elbow Beard

13
 min
8
+
4.42

A classic story of how good wins over evil. An evil stepmother, who spoils her own daughter, throws her loving and hard-working stepdaughter out of the house. When Elbow Beard, a little old man with a largely long beard, appears, the stepmother and his daughter soon pay for their greed.

The Frog King

The Frog King

8
 min
3
+
4.42

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the Brothers Grimm. This is a tale about a spoiled princess. She is willing to promise anything to a frog for helping her find a lost ball in a well. Although the frog helps her, the princess later refuses to keep her careless promise. However, she has no idea yet that the frog is an enchanted prince.

Questions about

Folk stories

What are folk stories, and why are they important?

Folk stories are traditional tales passed down orally through generations, often reflecting the values, beliefs, and experiences of a particular culture or community. These stories often include heroes, mythical creatures, or moral lessons, serving both as entertainment and a way to preserve cultural heritage.

How are folk stories different from fairy tales or myths?

While folk stories, fairy tales, and myths all belong to the realm of traditional storytelling, they have key differences. Folk stories are generally rooted in the everyday experiences and beliefs of ordinary people and are often passed down by grandparents from generation to generation. Fairy tales, on the other hand, typically involve magical elements, fantastical creatures, and happy endings, aiming to entertain while imparting moral lessons. Myths are more closely tied to religious or spiritual beliefs, often explaining the origins of the world, gods, and human existence.

Why are traditional folk stories passed on from generation to generation?

Traditional folk stories are passed on from generation to generation because they serve as a means of preserving cultural heritage, values, and lessons. These stories often contain important moral teachings, societal customs, and historical events that are integral to a community’s identity. By passing these stories down, each generation ensures that their cultural knowledge, beliefs, and traditions remain alive and relevant.

Are the folk stories on Readmio from different cultures?

Yes, the folk stories for kids at Readmio come from a wide variety of cultures around the world. We are dedicated to sharing the richness of global storytelling traditions, offering stories from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and beyond. This diverse collection allows children and families to explore different cultural perspectives and learn about the traditions, values, and moral lessons that have shaped societies across the globe.

What lessons can children learn from folk stories?

Children can learn a wide range of lessons from folk stories, including moral values, life skills, and cultural understanding. These stories often emphasize important virtues like kindness, honesty, bravery, and perseverance, teaching children to make ethical decisions. Additionally, folk stories often illustrate the consequences of bad behavior, helping children understand cause and effect.

What famous stories are based on traditional folk stories?

Many famous stories and popular tales are based on traditional folk stories. For example, many of the well-known Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, such as "Cinderella," "Snow White," and "Hansel and Gretel," are rooted in European folk traditions.