A poor and foolish king marries off his three daughters to the Sun, the Moon, and the Raven and then tries to copy their special talents.
The King Who Tried to Fry an Egg on His Head
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes
To honor her father’s promise, a beautiful young girl agrees to become the slave of a witch and her two daughters, enduring their cruelty with the help of her talking pet goat.
Stretch, Swallow & Stare
Stretch was not like other people. She could stretch her body taller than the tallest tree. People didn’t trust her because she was different. That’s why she lived in the forest. Swallow could eat more food than anyone. The villagers made fun of her because she was short and fat. That’s why she left town. Stare’s eyes were so strong they could burn through anything she looked at. Everyone was afraid of her. That’s why she stayed alone. And then there was Ira – small, skinny, and short-sighted – with nobody in the world to help him search for his missing sister. Somehow these four unlikely characters come together and overcome all obstacles – even the most evil magic in the land.
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship
When the Czar proclaims that he will marry his daughter to the man who brings him a flying ship, the Fool of the World sets out to try his luck.
A Wagonload of Fish
Trying to satisfy his nagging wife, a peasant catches a wagonload of fish, only to be relieved of them by a hungry fox.
Dragon Feathers
This spirited folktale from Austria’s Ziller Valley tells the story of a poor woodcutter’s son who learns that he must pluck three feathers from the wings of a terrible dragon in order to win the hand of his beloved.
The Golden Bracelet
In order to win the hand of his love, indolent Prince Haig learns to weave beautiful golden cloth, a craft that later saves his life.
Baba Yaga
The witch Baba Yaga uses a trick to capture a young man, but he cleverly avoids being eaten.
Hajime in the North Woods
Baby Hajime spends a night talking and laughing with the animals in the North Woods but chooses to return to his parents in the morning.
The Emperor’s Garden
The villagers’ plan to create a splendid garden for their emperor gets bogged down in jealous arguments, happily resolved when the emperor himself comes to visit.