An African boy carrying home precious water for his family shares it with a succession of animals and eventually has his kindness repaid in an unexpected way.
Nobiah’s Well: A Modern African Folktale
reward
The Leopard’s Drum: An Asante Tale from West Africa
Because Osebo the leopard won’t share his magnificent drum with anyone, Nyame the Sky-God offers a reward to whichever animal presents the drum to him.
The Beggar’s Magic: A Chinese Tale
Retells an ancient Chinese tale of magic in which unselfishness is rewarded.
Rimonah of the Flashing Sword
Goodness and bravery are rewarded in this version of Snow White.
Skysisters
Two Ojibway sisters set off across the frozen north country to see the SkySpirits’ midnight dance. It isn’t easy for the younger sister to be silent, but gradually she begins to treasure the stillness and the wonderful experiences it brings. After an exhilarating walk and patient waiting, the girls are rewarded by the arrival of the SkySpirits — the Northern Lights — dancing and shimmering in the night sky. This powerful story, with its stunning illustrations, captures the chill of a northern night, the warmth of the family circle and the radiance of a child’s wonder.
The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Tooth Dog: A Folktale From Great Britain
A rich man is rescued from harm by a smelly, slobbery dog. As a reward, he asks for the man’s beautiful daughter. In this tale from England, Margaret Read MacDonald puts a new spin on the classic story, Beauty and the Beast.
Andrei’s Search
Andrei and Vova set out in the great city of St. Petersburg to find Andrei’s mama.
Jig, Fig, and Mrs. Pig
In this variation on the Perrault fairy tale ‘The Fairies,’ magic chastises a rude young pig and rewards his hard-working female servant.