Two brothers who love each other dearly inherit their father’s land and live on opposite sides of a hill. When King Solomon witnesses the brothers’ simple acts of kindness, a miracle occurs, leading to the creation of the holy temple and ancient city of Jerusalem.
Folklore and Fairy Tales
Trouble
A retelling of a traditional Eritrean tale in which a young goatherd disobeys his father by inadvertently trading away the board game that was supposed to keep him out of trouble.
Beat The Story-Drum, Pum-Pum (Aladdin Books)
Five traditional Nigerian tales include “Hen and Frog,” “Why Bush Cow and Elephant are Bad Friends,” “The Husband Who Counted the Spoonfuls,” “Why Frog and Snake Never Play Together,” and “How Animals Got Their Tails.”
Lion And The Ostrich Chicks, And Other African Folk Tales
Includes four traditional tales told by the Hausa, Angolan, Masai, and Bushmen people of Africa.
The Lion Is No Longer King
The King of Beasts loses his crown. This African folktale begins a long time ago, when the lion declares himself king of beasts. The entire animal population of the savanna pays daily respects to a roaring tyrant who works them ragged and allows them no rest.His Majesty’s fearless bodyguard, the mongoose, protects the king from snakes, until one day the mongoose decides instead to play in the babbling stream. Outraged, the king sends two birds, a buffalo and a turtle to fetch him for the purpose of sever punishment. The mongoose explains that all of the animals would be happier if they could play and swim as they wish. The king grows weak from nightmares and finally scurries across the savanna to see the mongoose. The lion arrives just in time to witness the coronation of the new king, the mongoose, who plans to share the pleasures of the savanna with all of the celebrating animals.
The Greatest Treasure
In a traditional Chinese tale retold by the creator of One Grain of Rice, a poor farmer receives a treasure of gold and discovers the true value of simple pleasures.
Three Strong Women
When the famous wrestler Forever Mountain tickles a plump little girl, the consequence is that he must be trained by her, her mother, and her grandmother.
The Chinese Mirror
A retelling of a traditional Korean tale in which a mirror brought from China causes confusion within a family as each member looks in it and sees a different stranger.
The Khan’s Daughter
In this retelling of a Mongolian folktale, a simple shepherd must pass three tests in order to marry the Khan’s beautiful daughter.
The Cloudmakers
A Chinese grandfather and his grandson who are captured by the Arab army barter for their freedom by demonstrating the art of papermaking.