• Authors
  • >
  • Pavol Dobsinsky

Pavol Dobsinsky

Fairy tales and stories from Pavol Dobsinsky.

Folk stories
The Three Trees

Pavol Dobsinsky

The Three Trees

15
 min
5
+
4.65

Looking for the easiest path doesn’t always pay off. The three brothers go out into the world to look for brides. The two older ones always choose only the easiest path. But the youngest one doesn’t avoid any obstacles. In the end, he is the one who sets the cursed land free and wins the heart of the princess.

Folk stories
The Three Coins

Pavol Dobsinsky

The Three Coins

10
 min
5
+
4.7

A folk tale about wisdom and modesty from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection. The king meets a simple farmer who has been working hard every day for many years, and only gets paid three coins at the end of the day. When he explains how he can manage with so little money, the king is more than surprised.

Folk stories
The Three-Blossomed Rose

Pavol Dobsinsky

The Three-Blossomed Rose

17
 min
5
+
4.85

The story, adapted from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection, tells us that love is not about beauty but about being kind and human.

Folk stories
Hey, Ho – Ground, Open Up!

Pavol Dobsinsky

Hey, Ho – Ground, Open Up!

15
 min
3
+
4.65

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.

Animal stories
The Goat and the Hedgehog

Pavol Dobsinsky

The Goat and the Hedgehog

7
 min
3
+
4.69

A famous story for children from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection. It is about a goat that scares away many, even strong and fearless animals, but in the end a small brave one finds a way to deal with her.

Folk stories
Wise Matthew and the Fools

Pavol Dobsinsky

Wise Matthew and the Fools

11
 min
5
+
4.4

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.

Folk stories
The Horned Servant

Pavol Dobsinsky

The Horned Servant

13
 min
5
+
4.68

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the famous storyteller Pavol Dobšinský. This is a story about a devil who steals the last piece of bread from a woodcutter. When Lucifer finds it out, he punishes the devil, making him serve the woodcutter the whole year.

Folk stories
The King of the Wind

Pavol Dobsinsky

The King of the Wind

13
 min
3
+
4.74

If we go after our goal and are not discouraged by obstacles, we will always find someone to help us. A young lad sets out in search of his sister, who has been stolen by the king of the wind.. But when he finds her after a long journey to the wind castle, he must complete several of the king's tasks to get his sister back. How will he deal with them?

Folk stories
Elbow Beard

Pavol Dobsinsky

Elbow Beard

13
 min
8
+
4.52

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.

Folk stories
Old Bucky and the Wolf

Pavol Dobsinsky

Old Bucky and the Wolf

7
 min
3
+
4.61

This story (adapted from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection) about a brave dog tells us that wisdom can win over strength and that honesty and loyalty always pay off.

Folk stories
Jack the Pea Boy

Pavol Dobsinsky

Jack the Pea Boy

15
 min
3
+
4.85

Those who are smart will overcome any difficulties. Pavol Dobšinský’s story tells us about a boy who is small as a pea but also incredibly strong.

Animal stories
The Enchanted Stag

Pavol Dobsinsky

The Enchanted Stag

19
 min
5
+
4.71

A story based on Pavol Dobšinský’s tale. When two siblings manage to escape from an evil stepmother, she casts a curse on them, and the boy turns into a stag. However, as it usually goes in every good fairy tale, good eventually wins over evil.

Folk stories
Mary and the Twelve Months

Pavol Dobsinsky

Mary and the Twelve Months

14
 min
5
+
4.77

This classic story is about good winning over evil. When her evil stepmother sends Mary out to the forest to get violets and strawberries, the twelve months will help her out with their supernatural powers.

Folk stories
The Golden Thread

Pavol Dobsinsky

The Golden Thread

13
 min
5
+
4.69

Hannah's mother's boasting puts a lazy, valiant girl in a difficult situation - she must learn to weave gold. Luckily, a mysterious dwarf offers her a helping hand. But he asks a high price for his help.