There was a king’s son, and there was a minister’s son. They loved each other dearly; they sat together, they stood up together, they walked together, they ate together, they slept together, they got up together.
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Thursday, 30 October 2014
Phakir Chand
Life’s Secret
There was a king who had two queens, Duo and Suo. Both of them were childless. One day a Faquir (mendicant) came to the palace-gate to ask for alms.
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The Story of Muhammad Din
The polo-ball was an old one, scarred, chipped, and dinted. It stood on the mantelpiece among the pipe-stems which Imam Din, khitmatgar, was cleaning for me.
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At Twenty-Two
"A weaver went out to reap but stayed to unravel the corn-stalks. Ha! Ha! Ha! Is there any sense in a weaver?"
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The Rout of the White Hussars
Some people hold that an English Cavalry regiment cannot run. This is a mistake. I have seen four hundred and thirty-seven sabres flying over the face of the country in abject terror
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Wee Willie Winkie
His full name was Percival William Williams, but he picked up the other name in a nursery-book, and that was the end of the christened titles.
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With the Main Guard
"Mary, Mother av Mercy, fwhat the divil possist us to take an' kepe this melancolius counthry? Answer me that, sorr."
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The Finest Story in the World
His name was Charlie Mears; he was the only son of his mother who was a widow, and he lived in the north of London, coming into the City every day to work in a bank.
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Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Romances of Old Japan
Romances of Old Japan - Japanese Folktales.
The Book features 11 stories.
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Monday, 27 October 2014
The Badger-haunted Temple
Once long ago, in southern Japan, in the town of Kumamoto, there lived a young samurai, who had a great devotion to the sport of fishing.
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A Cherry-flower Idyll
About one hundred years ago, in the old capital of Kyoto, there lived a young man named Taira Shunko. At the time this story opens he was about twenty years of age,
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How Kinu Returned from the Grave
In the good old days of long, long, ago, there lived in the city of Osaka a rich merchant. Fortune had smiled upon his enterprises, and his business prospered tenfold,
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Loyal, Even Unto Death
In the old capital of Kyoto, not far from the Imperial Palace, there lived a samurai named Matsuo with his wife O Chiyo, and their little son Kotaro, eight years of age.
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Tsubosaka
In a certain village in the province of Yamato in Japan, close by the hill of Tsubo, there lived a blind man named Sawaichi and his wife, O Sato.
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Ursato, or the Crown of Dawn
Urasato and Tokijiro are lovers. The child, Midori, is born of this liaison. Tokijiro is a samurai in the service of a Daimyo, and has charge of his lord's treasure department.
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The Lady of the Picture
Many years ago, long before the present prosaic era, there lived in Yedo a young man named Toshika. His family belonged to the aristocratic rank of the hatamoto samurai,
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The Reincarnation of Tama
"Felt within themselves the sacred
passion of the second life.
Hope the best, but hold the Present
fatal daughter of the Past.
Love will conquer at the last."
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The Spirit of the Lantern
Some three hundred years ago, in the province of Kai and the town of Aoyagi, there lived a man named Koharu Tomosaburo, of well-known ancestry.
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The Tragedy of Kesa Gozen
The beautiful tragedy of Kesa Gozen has been familiar to me since the days of my early youth, when hand in hand I walked the school garden with Fumiko,
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The Quest of the Sword
His old widowed mother would not die happy unless he were rehabilitated, and to this end he knew that she and his faithful wife, O Yumi, prayed daily before the family shrine.
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Sunday, 26 October 2014
Warriors of Old Japan and Other Stories
Warriors of Old Japan and Other Stories
The story book contains 10 featured stories.
Author: Yei Theodora Ozaki
Illustrator: Shusui Okakura and other Japanese Artists
Published: 1909
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston and New York
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The Story of Lazy Taro
Long, long ago, in the province of Shinano there lived a lad called Monogusa Taro. Monogusa was not his surname. The word means "lazy," or "good-for-nothing,"
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The Princess of the Bowl
Long, long ago, in old Japan, there lived near Katano, in the Kawachi Province, a prince named Bitchu-no-Kami Minetaka or Lord Minetaka,
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The Story of the Pots of Plum, Cherry, and Pine
Long, long ago, in the reign of the Emperor Go-Fukakusa, there lived a famous Regent of the name of Saimyoji Tokiyori. Of all the Hojo Regents he was the wisest and justest,
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Kidomaru the Robber, Raiko the Brave, and the Goblin Spider
You have just read of the brave knight Raiko's exploits at Oyeyama and how he rid the country of the demons who haunted the city of Kyoto and terrified the inhabitants
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The Goblin of Oyeyama
Long, long ago in Old Japan, in the reign of the Emperor Ichijo, the sixty-sixth Emperor, there lived a very brave general called Minamoto-no-Raiko.
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The Story of Benkei
Those who have read the story of the great warrior Yoshitsune will certainly remember that his retainer Benkei was a gigantic bonze as remarkable for his physical strength as he was
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The Story of Yoshitsune
In old Japan more than seven hundred years ago a fierce war was raging between the two great clans, the Taira and the Minamoto, also called the Heike and the Genji.
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Gen Sanmi Yorimasa, The Knight
Long, long ago in Japan there lived a brave knight named Gen Sanmi Yorimasa. Yorimasa was his own name, while Gen was the great clan to which he belonged,
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Hachiro Tametomo, The Archer
Long, long ago there lived in Japan a man named Hachiro Tametomo, who became famous as the most skilful archer in the whole of the realm at that time. Hachiro means "the eighth,"
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Madame Yukio Ozaki
In the attempt to describe a character it is wise to begin, if possible, with its distinguishing attribute, the one which will leave its mark on the time,
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Friday, 24 October 2014
The Battle of the Crabs
One day the land crabs had a meeting and one of them said:
“What shall we do with the waves? They sing so loudly all the time that we cannot possibly sleep.”
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The Spider and the Fly
Mr. Spider wanted to marry Miss Fly. Many times he told her of his love and begged her to become his wife, but she always refused for she did not like him.
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Thursday, 23 October 2014
The Hawk and the Hen
A hawk flying about in the sky one day decided that he would like to marry a hen whom he often saw on earth. He flew down and searched until he found her,
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Why Dogs Wag their Tails
A rich man in a certain town once owned a dog and a cat, both of which were very useful to him. The dog had served his master for many years and had become
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Mansumandig
One day a man said to his wife: “My wife, we are getting very poor and I must go into business to earn some money.”
“That is a good idea,” replied his wife. “How much capital have you?”
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The Virtue of the Cocoanut
One day a man took his blow-gun and his dog and went to the forest to hunt. As he was making his way through the thick woods he chanced upon a young cocoanut tree growing in the ground.
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The First Monkey
Many years ago at the foot of a forest-covered hill was a small town, and just above the town on the hillside was a little house in which lived an old woman and her grandson.
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The Sun and the Moon
Once upon a time the Sun and the Moon were married, and they had many children who were the stars. The Sun was very fond of his children,
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Juan Gathers Guavas
One day Juan’s father sent him to get some ripe guavas, for a number of the neighbors had come in and he wanted to give them something to eat.
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The Adventures of Juan
Juan was always getting into trouble. He was a lazy boy, and more than that, he did not have good sense. When he tried to do things,
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The Story of Benito
Benito was an only son who lived with his father and mother in a little village. They were very poor, and as the boy grew older and saw how hard his parents struggled
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The Creation Story
When the world first began there was no land, but only the stea and the sky, and between them was a kite. One day the bird which had nowhere to light grew tired of flying about,
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The White Squash
In a queer little bamboo house in front of a big garden lived a man and his wife all alone. They had always been kind and good to everyone,
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The Story of a Monkey
One day when a monkey was climbing a tree in the forest in which he lived, he ran a thorn into his tail. Try as he would, he could not get it out, so he went to a barber in the town and said:
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The Presidente who had Horns
Once there was a presidente who was very unjust to his people, and one day he became so angry that he wished he had horns so that he might frighten them.
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The Poor Fisherman and His Wife
Many, many years ago a poor fisherman and his wife lived with their three sons in a village by the sea. One day the old man set his snare in the water not far from his house,
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The Monkey and the Turtle
A monkey, looking very sad and dejected, was walking along the bank of the river one day when he met a turtle.
“How are you?” asked the turtle, noticing that he looked sad.
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The Christianized Tribes Introduction
When the Spaniards discovered the Philippines in the sixteenth century, they found the tribes along the coasts of the different islands already somewhat influenced by trade with China,
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The Story of Bantugan
Before the Spaniards occupied the island of Mindanao, there lived in the valley of the Rio Grande a very strong man, Bantugan, whose father was the brother of the earthquake and thunder.
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Mythology of Mindanao
A long, long time ago Mindanao was covered with water, and the sea extended over all the lowlands so that nothing could be seen but mountains.
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Moro Introduction
About the year 1400 something happened which changed the beliefs and customs of many of the tribes of the southern Philippines and made of them a powerful and dreaded people.
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The Widow’s Son
In a little house at the edge of a village lived a widow with her only son, and they were very happy together. The son was kind to his mother,
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The Sun and the Moon
The Sun and the Moon were married, but the Sun was very ugly and quarrelsome. One day he became angry at the Moon and started to chase her.
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The Children of the Limokon
In the very early days before there were any people on the earth, the limokon (a kind of dove) were very powerful and could talk like men though they looked like birds.
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In the Beginning
In the beginning there were four beings, and they lived on an island no larger than a hat. On this island there were no trees or grass or any other living thing besides
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The Story of the Creation
In the very beginning there lived a being so large that he can not be compared with any known thing. His name was Melu, and when he sat on the clouds, which were his home,
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Lumabet
Soon after people were created on the earth, there was born a child named Lumabet, who lived to be a very, very old man. He could talk when he was but one day old,
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Origin
In the beginning there lived one man and one woman, Toglai and Toglibon. Their first children were a boy and a girl. When they were old enough,
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Bulanawan and Aguio
Langgona and his wife had twin boys named Bulanawan and Aguio. One day, when they were about two years old, the mother took Bulanawan to the field with her when she went to pick cotton.
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How Children Became Monkeys
One day a mother took her two children with her when she went to color cloth. Not far from her home was a mud hole where the carabao liked to wallow,
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Magbangal
Magbangal was a good hunter, and he often went to a certain hill where he killed wild pigs for food. One night as it was nearing the planting season,
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The Flood Story
A long time ago there was a very big crab which crawled into the sea. And when he went in he crowded the water out so that it ran all over the earth and covered all the land.
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The Wild Tribes of Mindanao Introduction
About one thousand miles to the south and east of the Tinguian and Igorot is the Island of Mindanao, which is inhabited by mortals and immortals entirely unknown to the mountain tribes of the north.
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Tilin, The Rice Bird
One day when a mother was pounding out rice to cook for supper, her little girl ran up to her and cried:
“Oh, Mother, give me some of the raw rice to eat.”
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The Tattooed Men
Once there were two young men, very good friends, who were unhappy because neither of them had been tattooed. They felt that they were not as beautiful as their friends.
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The Serpent Eagle
Once there lived two boys whose mother sent them every day to the forest to get wood for her fires. Each morning, as they started out,
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How the First Head was Taken
One day the Moon, who was a woman named Kabigat, sat out in the yard making a large copper pot. The copper was still soft and pliable like clay,
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Lumawig on Earth
One day when Lumawig, the Great Spirit, looked down from his place in the sky he saw two sisters gathering beans. And he decided to go down to visit them.
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The Creation
In the beginning there were no people on the earth. Lumawig, the Great Spirit, came down from the sky and cut many reeds.He divided these into pairs which he placed
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Igorot Introduction
Three or four days’ journey to the south and east of the Tinguian live the Igorot; but so difficult are the trails over the mountains and through the swift rivers
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Dogedog
Dogedog had always been very lazy, and now that his father and mother were dead and he had no one to care for him, he lived very poorly. He had little to eat.
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The Alligator’s Fruit
Two women went to gather some wild fruit from a vine which belonged to the alligator.
“You must be careful not to throw the rind with your teeth marks on it where the alligator can see it,”
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The Carabao and the Shell
One very hot day, when a carabao went into the river to bathe, he met a shell and they began talking together.
“You are very slow,” said the carabao to the shell.
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The Man with the Cocoanuts
One day a man who had been to gather his cocoanuts loaded his horse heavily with the fruit. On the way home he met a boy whom he asked how long it would take to reach the house.
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The Turtle and the Lizard
A turtle and a big lizard once went to the field of Gotgotapa to steal ginger, When they reached the place the turtle said to the lizard:
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The Boy who Became a Stone
One day a little boy named Elonen sat out in the yard making a bird snare, and as he worked, a little bird called to him: “Tik-tik-lo-den” (come and catch me).
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Wednesday, 22 October 2014
The Mistaken Gifts
When Siagon was about eight years old his parents began looking for a girl who would make a suitable wife. At last when they had decided on a beautiful maiden,
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Sogsogot
One day, a long time ago, some men went to the mountains to hunt deer and wild pig, and among them was one named Sogsogot.
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Man and the Alan
A Tinguian was once walking along a trail in the wood when he heard a strange sound in a large tree near him, and looking up he was startled to see that it was the home of the Alan—spirits who live in the wood.
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The Alan and the Hunters
Two men once went to hunt wild pig in the mountains, and after some time they speared and killed one, but they had no fire over which to singe it.
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The Striped Blanket
Three Tinguian once went to the mountains to hunt deer. They took their blankets with them, for they expected to be gone several days, and the nights in the mountains are cold.
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The Tree with the Agate Beads
More than a hundred seasons ago, a Tinguian went one day to the mountains to hunt. Accompanied by his faithful dog, he made his way steadily up the mountain side,
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Magsawi
A great many years ago some Tinguian left their little village in the valley early one morning and made their way toward the mountains.
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How the Tinguian Learned to Plant
In the very old times the Tinguian did not know how to plant and harvest as they now do. For food they had only the things that grew in the forests and fish from the streams.
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Philippine Folk Tales
Philippine Folk Tales
The series features 61 folktales from the Philippines.
Author: Mabel Cook Cole Published: 1916 Publisher: A.C. McClurg & Co., Chicago
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Filipino Folktales
The section contains Filipino folktales. The short stories are taken from different series of Philippine folkTales available freely online.
Folktales (or folk tales) are stories passed down through generations, mainly by telling. Different kinds of folktales include fairy tales (or fairytales),...
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The Sun and the Moon
Once the Sun and the Moon quarreled with each other, and the Sun said:
“You are only the Moon and are not much good.
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The Story of the Tikgi
“Tikgi, tikgi, tikgi, we will come to work for you. Let us cut your rice.”
Ligi had gone to the field to look at his growing rice,
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The Story of Kanag
When the rice had grown tall and it was near the time for it to ripen, Aponitolau and Aponibolinayen grew fearful lest the wild pigs should break in and destroy all their crop,
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The Story of Dumalawi
Aponitolau and Aponibolinayen had a son whose name was Dumalawi. When the son had become a young man, his father one day was very angry with him,
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The Story of Gaygayoma Who Lives up Above
One day, while Aponitolau sat weaving a basket under his house, he began to feel very hungry and longed for something sweet to chew.
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Gawigawen of Adasen
Aponibolinayen was sick with a headache, and she lay on a mat alone in her house. Suddenly she remembered some fruit that she had heard of but had never seen,
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Aponibolinayen
The most beautiful girl in all the world was Aponibolinayen of Nalpangan. Many young men had come to her brother, Aponibalagen, to ask for her hand in marriage,
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Aponibolinayen and the Sun
One day Aponibolinayen and her sister-in-law went out to gather greens. They walked to the woods to the place where the siksiklat grew, for the tender leaves of this vine are very good to eat.
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Tinguian Introduction
The dim light of stars filtered through the leafy canopy above us, and the shadowy form of our guide once more appeared at my horse’s head.
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Tuesday, 21 October 2014
The Games and Sports of Japanese Children
How often in Japan one sees that the children of a larger growth enjoy with equal zest games which are the same, or nearly the same,
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Games
The games we are daily playing at in our nurseries, or some of them, have been also played at for centuries by Japanese boys and girls.
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Second Sight
A traveller arrived at a village, and looking about for an inn, he found one that, although rather shabby, would, he thought, suit him.
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The Two Daughters
At Akita, in the province of Inaba, lived an independent gentleman,[1] who had two daughters, by whom he was ministered to with all filial piety.
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The Parsley Queen
How curious that the daughter of a peasant dwelling in a obscure country village near Aska, in the province of Yamato, should become a Queen! Yet such was the case.
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Sunday, 19 October 2014
Child-Life In Japan and Japanese Child Stories
Child-Life In Japan and Japanese Child Stories
The series features seven Japanese folktales. Author: Mrs. M. Chaplin Ayrton Editor: William Elliot Griffis Published: 1901 Publisher: D.C. Heath & Co., Boston, USA
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The Filial Girl
A girl once lived in the province of Echigo, who from her earliest years tended her parents with all filial piety. Her mother, when,
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Fishsave
There was once upon a time a little baby whose father was Japanese ambassador to the court of China, and whose mother was a Chinese lady. While this child was still in its infancy the ambassador had to return to Japan.
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The Chrysanthemum Show
Yoshi-san and his Grandmother go to visit the great temple at Shiba. They walk up its steep stairs, and arrive at the lacquered threshold. Here they place aside their wooden clogs,
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First Month
Little Good Boy had just finished eating the last of five rice cakes called "dango," that had been strung on a skewer of bamboo and dipped in soy sauce, when he said to his little sister, called Chrysanthemum:—
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Seven Scenes of Child-Life in Japan
These little boys all live a long way off in islands called "Japan." They have all rather brown chubby faces, and they are very merry.
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Friday, 17 October 2014
The Sad Story of the Yaoya's Daughter
There was a wandering ballad-singer who came to a great house in Yedo where they wished to be entertained.
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Karma
The young man, Ito Tatewaki, was returning homeward after a journey which he had taken to the city of Kioto. He made his way alone and on foot,
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The Moon Maiden
There was an old bamboo cutter called Také Tori. He was an honest old man, very poor and hard-working, and he lived with his good old wife in a cottage on the hills.
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Hana-Saka-Jiji
In the early days there lived a good old couple. All their lives long they had been honest and hard-working, but they had always been poor.
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The Beautiful Dancer of Yedo
This is the tale of Sakura-ko, Flower of the Cherry, who was the beautiful dancer of Yedo. She was a geisha, born a samurai’s daughter,
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The Nurse
Idé the samurai was wedded to a fair wife and had an only child, a boy called Fugiwaka. Idé was a mighty man of war, and as often as not he was away from home upon the business of his liege lord.
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The Tongue-cut Sparrow
Once upon a time there was an old man who lived all alone. And there was an old woman who lived all alone.
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Broken Images
Once there lived two brothers who were princes in the land. The elder brother was a hunter.
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The Matsuyama Mirror
A long, long time ago there lived in a quiet spot a young man and his wife. They had one child, a little daughter, whom they both loved with all their hearts.
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Momotaro
If you’ll believe me there was a time when the fairies were none so shy as they are now. That was the time when beasts talked to men,
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Tamamo, the Fox Maiden
A pedlar journeyed with his pack upon the great high-road which leads to the city of Kioto. He found a child sitting all alone by the wayside.
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Urashima
Urashima was a fisherman of the Inland Sea. Every night he plied his trade.
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Thursday, 16 October 2014
The Jelly-Fish Takes A Journey
Once upon a time the jelly-fish was a very handsome fellow. His form was beautiful, and round as the full moon.
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Wednesday, 15 October 2014
The Strange Story of the Golden Comb
In ancient days two samurai dwelt in Sendai of the North. They were friends and brothers in arms.
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The Spring Lover and the Autumn Lover
This is a story of the youth of Yamato, when the gods still walked upon the Land of the Reed Plains and took pleasure in the fresh and waving rice-ears of the country-side.
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The Land of Yomi
From the glorious clouds of High Heaven, from the divine ether, the vital essence, and the great concourse of eternal deities,
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The Espousal of the Rat's Daughter
Mr. Nedzumi, the Rat, was an important personage in the hamlet where he lived—at least he was so in his own and his wife’s estimation.
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Green Willow and other Japanese Fairy Tales
Green Willow and other Japanese Fairy Tales
Green Willow and other Japanese Fairy Tales
The series contains 38 Japanese folktales. Author: Grace James Published: 1912 Publisher: Macmillan And Co., Limited, London
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A Legend of Kwannon
In the days of the gods, Ama-no-Hashidate was the Floating Bridge of Heaven. By way of this bridge came the deities from heaven to earth,
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The Fire Quest
The Wise Poet sat reading by the light of his taper. It was a night of the seventh month. The cicala sang in the flower of the pomegranate,
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The Cold Lady
Once an old man and a young man left their village in company, in order to make a journey into a distant province.
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The Singing Bird of Heaven
Ama Terassu, the Glorious, the Light of High Heaven, commanded, saying, “His Augustness, my August Child, who is called the Conqueror,
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The Robe of Feathers
Mio Strand is in the Province of Suruga. Its sand is yellow and fine, strewn with rose shells at the ebb tide.
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The Maiden of Unai
The Maiden of Unai was fair as an earthly deity, but the eyes of man might not behold her. She dwelt in a hidden place in her father’s house,
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The Bell of Dōjōji
The monk Anchin was young in years but old in scholarship. Every day for many hours he read the Great Books of the Good Law and never wearied,
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Tuesday, 14 October 2014
The Mallet
There were once two farmer men who were brothers. Both of them worked hard in seed-time and in harvest-time.
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Flower of the Peony
Aya, sweet maid, was the only child of a daimyo of the Province of Omi. Mother had she none, and her father was a noble lord and a warrior.
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The Wind in the Pine Tree
It was a Deity from High Heaven that planted the Pine Tree.
So long ago that the crane cannot remember it,
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Monday, 13 October 2014
Reflections
Long enough ago there dwelt within a day’s journey of the city of Kioto a gentleman of simple mind and manners, but good estate.
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Horaizan
Jofuku was the Wise Man of China. Many books he read, and he never forgot what was in them. All the characters he knew as he knew the lines in the palm of his hand. Jofuku was the Wise Man of China. Many books he read, and he never forgot what was in them. All the characters he knew as he knew the lines in the palm of his hand.
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The Star Lovers
All you that are true lovers, I beseech you pray the gods for fair weather upon the seventh night of the seventh moon.
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The Black Bowl
Long ago, in a part of the country not very remote from Kioto, the great gay city, there dwelt an honest couple.
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The Good Thunder
Folks say that Rai-den, the Thunder, is an unloving spirit, fearful and revengeful, cruel to man.
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The Sea King and the Magic Jewels
This is a tale beloved by the children of Japan, and by the old folk—a tale of magical jewels and a visit to the Sea King’s palace.
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Sunday, 12 October 2014
The Peony Lantern
In Yedo there dwelt a samurai called Hagiwara. He was a samurai of the hatamoto, which is of all the ranks of samurai the most honourable.
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The Tea-Kettle
Long ago, as I’ve heard tell, there dwelt at the temple of Morinji, in the Province of Kotsuke, a holy priest.
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The Flute
Long since, there lived in Yedo a gentleman of good lineage and very honest conversation. His wife was a gentle and loving lady.
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Green Willow
Tomodata, the young samurai, owed allegiance to the Lord of Noto. He was a soldier, a courtier, and a poet. He had a sweet voice and a beautiful face,
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How Vaitaal Saved Vikram
When the pyre of the cremation ground was in sight, Vaitaal said to Vikram - "Vikram, This Yogee is very cunning.
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Matter of Succession
Vaitaal said - "Now the time is very short, let me tell you one another story, may be the last one." Vikram said -
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The Meanest Man
Vikram pulled Vaitaal from the tree with full force, put him on his shoulder and started walking fast.
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A Faulty Man
Vikram was walking fast. Vaitaal said - "Vikram, Walk slowly. There is still time, till then I tell you another story, just to pass time.
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Hair in the Mattress
Following him Vikram came to the same tree, got him off the tree, put him on his shoulder and started walking.
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Saturday, 11 October 2014
The Stones of Five Colors and the Empress Jokwa
Long, long ago there lived a great Chinese Empress who succeeded her brother the Emperor Fuki. It was the age of giants,
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How an Old Man Lost His Wen
Many, many years ago there lived a good old man who had a wen like a tennis-ball growing out of his right cheek.
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The Ogre of Rashomon
Long, long ago in Kyoto, the people of the city were terrified by accounts of a dreadful ogre, who, it was said,
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Momotaro
Long, long ago there lived, an old man and an old woman; they were peasants, and had to work hard to earn their daily rice.
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The Story of Prince Yamato Take
The insignia of the great Japanese Empire is composed of three treasures which have been considered sacred, and guarded with jealous care from time immemorial.
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The White Hare and the Crocodiles
Long, long ago, when all the animals could talk, there lived in the province of Inaba in Japan, a little white hare.
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The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab
Long, long ago, one bright autumn day in Japan, it happened, that a pink-faced monkey and a yellow crab were playing together along the bank of a river.
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The Jelly Fish and the Monkey
Long, long ago, in old Japan, the Kingdom of the Sea was governed by a wonderful King. He was called Rin Jin, or the Dragon King of the Sea.
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The Old Man Who Made The Withered Trees To Flower
Long, long ago there lived an old man and his wife who supported themselves by cultivating a small plot of land.
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The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher
Long, long ago Japan was governed by Hohodemi, the fourth Mikoto (or Augustness) in descent from the illustrious Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess.
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The Sagacious Monkey and the Boar
Long, long ago, there lived in the province of Shinshin in Japan, a traveling monkey-man, who earned his living by taking round a monkey
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The Goblin of Adachigahara
Long, long ago there was a large plain called Adachigahara, in the province of Mutsu in Japan. This place was said to be haunted by a cannibal goblin
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The Mirror of Matsuyama
Long years ago in old Japan there lived in the Province of Echigo, a very remote part of Japan even in these days, a man and his wife.
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The Bamboo-cutter and the Moon-child
Long, long ago, there lived an old bamboo wood-cutter. He was very poor and sad also, for no child had Heaven sent to cheer his old age,
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The Man Who Did Not Wish To Die
Long, long ago there lived a man called Sentaro. His surname meant "Millionaire," but although he was not so rich as all that,
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The Story of Princess Hase
Many, many years ago there lived in Nara, the ancient Capital of Japan, a wise State minister, by name Prince Toyonari Fujiwara.
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The Adventures of Kintaro, the Golden Boy
Long, long ago there lived in Kyoto a brave soldier named Kintoki. Now he fell in love with a beautiful lady and married her.
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The Farmer and the Badger
Long, long ago, there lived an old farmer and his wife who had made their home in the mountains, far from any town.
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Japanese Fairy Tales
Japanese Fairy Tales
Japanese Fairy Tales - Japanese Folktales.
The series contains 22 Japanese folktales. Author: Yei Theodora Ozaki Published: 1908 Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, New York.
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Japanese Folktales
The section contains Japanese folktales. The short stories are taken from different series of Asian folktales available freely online.
Folktales (or folk tales) are stories passed down through generations, mainly by telling. Different kinds of folktales include fairy tales (or fairy tales),...
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The Shinansha, of the South Pointing Carriage
The compass, with its needle always pointing to the North, is quite a common thing, and no one thinks that it is remarkable now,
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The Tongue-cut Sparrow
Long, long ago in Japan there lived an old man and his wife. The old man was a good, kind-hearted, hard-working old fellow,
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Friday, 10 October 2014
My Lord Bag of Rice
Long, long ago there lived, in Japan a brave warrior known to all as Tawara Toda, or "My Lord Bag of Rice." His true name was Fujiwara Hidesato,
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Thursday, 9 October 2014
The Magic Bed
The Magic Bed
The Magic Bed - Indian Folktales.
A Book of East Indian Fairy Tales. The book holds five Indian folktales. Author: Hartwell James Published: 1910 Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, London
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The Talking Turtle
Relates the unique and satisfactory end of a turtle who made mischief among the cranes, fishes, parrots and monkeys. The moral is obvious.
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The Fish Prince
A Prince is changed into a fish by his cruel mother. The enchantment is broken by the aid of a seven headed cobra, and all ends well.
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The Four Brothers
Relating how a baby with a diamond in his forehead grew to be a man, and what he did for his brothers.
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The Wise Jackal
Once there were two princesses whose father, the Rajah, was too busy with affairs of state to look after them.
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The Magic Bed
One very hot day, a young Prince, or Rajah as they are called in India, had been hunting all the morning in the jungle,
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Wednesday, 8 October 2014
The Brahmarâkshas and the Hair
In a certain village there lived a very rich landlord, who owned several villages, but was such a great miser that no tenant would willingly cultivate his lands,
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The Beggar and the Five Muffins
In a certain village there lived a poor beggar and his wife. The man used to go out every morning with a clean vessel in his hand,
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Retaliation - Palikkuppali
There is a proverb in Tamil̤ called Palikkuppali vâṅgukiradu which would best be translated by the expression “tit for tat,”
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Shall I Fall Down?
In a certain town there lived a wealthy Brâhmiṇ. He wished to build a house—pretty large and spacious—as became his riches.
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Keep it for the Beggar
When anything sweet is prepared in the house on a particular night, and when the children, after feeding to their fill, say to the mother:—
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Tuesday, 7 October 2014
The Gardener's Cunning Wife
In a certain village there lived with his wife a poor gardener who cultivated greens in a small patch in the backyard of his house.
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The Brâhmaṇ Priest who became an Amildâr
In the Karnâta dêśa there reigned a famous king named Châmunḍa, who was served by an household priest, named Gunḍappa,
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The Conquest of Fate
In the Dakshinadêśa there lived a Brâhmiṇ boy who from his childhood was given a very liberal education in Sanskṛit.
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Chandralêkhâ and the Eight Robbers
There was an ancient city named Kaivalyam, in the Pânḍiya country, and in that city there lived a dancing girl named Muttumôhanâ.
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Monday, 6 October 2014
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Sunday, 5 October 2014
Light Makes Prosperity
In the town of Gôvindapâthî there lived a merchant named Paśupati Śeṭṭi, who had a son and a daughter. The son’s name was Vinîta and the daughter’s Garvî,
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Good Will Grow Out of Good
In a certain town there reigned a king named Patnîpriya, to whose court, a poor old Brâhmiṇ, named Pâpabhîru, came every morning,
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Pride Goeth Before a Fall
Corresponding to this English proverb, there is one in Tamil—Ahambhâ vam âlai al̤ikkum—“Self-pride brings destruction;” and the following story is related by the common folk to illustrate it.
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The Monkey with the Tom-Tom
In a remote wood there lived a monkey, and one day while he was eating wood-apples, a sharp thorn from the tree ran into the tip of his tail, he tried his best to get it out but could not.
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The Lost Camel and Other Tales
There was a city called Alakapuri, famous for all the riches that sea and land can yield, and inhabited by people speaking different languages.
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Indian Fairy Tales
Indian Fairy Tales
Indian Fairy Tales - Indian Folktales
Selected and edited by Joseph Jacobs, the series holds 29 Indian folktales. Author: Various Editor: Joseph Jacobs Published: 1910 Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, London
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Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land Volume II: The Isle of Manhattoes and Nearby
Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land Volume II: The Isle of Manhattoes and Nearby
Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land Volume II: The Isle of Manhattoes and Nearby.
The series contains 15 US folktales.
Author: Charles M. Skinner
Published: 1896
Publisher: J.P. Lippincott Company,...
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Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land Volume I: The Hudson And Its Hills
Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land Volume I: The Hudson And Its Hills
Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land Volume I: The Hudson And Its Hills.
The series contains 45 US folktales. Author: Charles M. Skinner Published: 1896 Publisher: J.P. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia and London
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Saturday, 4 October 2014
A Treasury of Eskimo Tales
A Treasury of Eskimo Tales - Story 41 to 71
A Treasury of Eskimo Tales - Native American Folktales.
The series contains 31 folktales gathered from the Eskimo living in North America.
Author: Clara Kern Bayliss
Published: 1922
Publisher: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, USA
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Old Indian Legends
Old Indian Legends - Story 27 to 40
Old Indian Legends - Native American Folktales.
The series contains 14 Native American folktales. Author: Zitkala-Sa Published: 1901 Publisher: Ginn and Company, Boston, London
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The Indian Fairy Book
The Indian Fairy Book - Story 1 to 26
The Indian Fairy Book - Native American Folktales.
The series contains 26 Native American folktales.
Author: Cornelius Mathews
Published: 1869
Publisher: Allen Brothers, New York
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Canadian Fairy Tales
Canadian Fairy Tales
The Series contains 26 Native American folktales gathered from Canada. Author: Cyrus Macmillan Published: 1922 Publisher: S. B. Gundy, Toronto; John Lane The Bodley Head Ltd., London
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Friday, 3 October 2014
The Good Wife and the Bad Husband
In a remote village there lived a man and his wife, who was a stupid little woman and believed everything that was told her. Whenever people wanted anything from her they used to come and flatter her;
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The Good Husband and the Bad Wife
In a remote village there lived a Brâhmiṇ whose good nature and charitable disposition were proverbial. Equally proverbial also were the ill-nature and uncharitable disposition of the Brâhmaṇî—his wife.
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The Brâhmiṇ Girl that Married a Tiger
In a certain village there lived an old Brâhmiṇ who had three sons and a daughter. The girl being the youngest was brought up most tenderly and became spoilt,
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The Story of Appayya
In a remote village there lived a poor Brâhmaṇ and his wife. Though several years of their wedded life had passed, they unfortunately had no children, and so,
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The Mother-in-Law became an Ass
Little by little the mother-in-law became an ass—vara vara mâmi kaludai pôl ânâl̤, is a proverb among the Tamil̤s, applied to those who day by day go downwards in their progress in study, position,
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Mr. Won't Give and Mr. Won't Leave
In a certain town there lived a clever old Brâhmaṇ, named Won’t-Give(Vidâmundan). He used to go out daily and to beg in all the houses round, under the pretence that he had to feed several Brâhmaṇs in his own house.
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Charity alone Conquers
In the town of Têvai there lived a king called Suguṇa. He had an excellent minister named Dharmaśîla. They ruled for a long time in prosperity over the kingdom. Both of them had sons.
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Raṇavîrasiṅg
Once upon a time in the town of Vañjaimânagar(ancient Indian town), there ruled a king, named Śivâchâr. He was a most just king, and ruled so well that no stone thrown up fell down,
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The Soothsayer's Son
Thus a Soothsayer when on his death-bed wrote the horoscope of his second son, and bequeathed it to him as his only property, leaving the whole of his estate to his eldest son.
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Why Brâhmaṇs cannot Eat in the Dark
Among Hindûs, especially among Brâhmaṇs of the Madras Presidency—and I now see from personal observation that it is the same in the Bombay Presidency also—there is a custom,
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Folklore of Southern India
Folklore of Southern India or Tales of the Sun
Folklore of Southern India or Tales of the Sun
The series contains 26 South Indian Folktales. Author: Mrs. Howard Kingscote and Pandit Natesa Sastri Published: 1890 Publisher: W. H. Allen & Co. 13 Waterloo Place, London & Calcutta
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The Three Deaf Men
When any awkward blunder occurs from a person acting under a mistaken notion, there is a common proverb in Tamil to the effect that the matter ended like the story of the three deaf men—(Muchcheviḍan kadaiyây muḍindadu)
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Thursday, 2 October 2014
Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit
Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit
Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit - Indian Folktales
The nine stories in this book were translated from Sanskrit – an ancient Indian language. Translator: S. M. Mitra Editor: Nancy Bell Published: 1919 Publisher: Macmillan and Co., London
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The Hermit's Daughter
Near a town in India called Ikshumati, on a beautiful wide river, with trees belonging to a great forest near its banks, there dwelt a holy man named Mana Kanaka, who spent a great part of his life praying to God.
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A Clever Thief
A certain man, named Hari-Sarman, who lived in a little village in India, where there were no rich people and everyone had to work hard to get his daily bread, got very weary of the life he had to lead.
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A Crow and his Three Friends
In the branches of a great tree, in a forest in India, lived a wise old crow in a very comfortable, well-built nest. His wife was dead, and all his children were getting their own living;
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The Beetle and the Silken Thread
The strange adventures related in the story of the Beetle and the Silken Thread took place in the town of Allahabad, "the City of God," so called because it is situated near the point of meeting of the two sacred rivers of India,
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The Jewelled Arrow
In the city of Vardhamana in India there lived a powerful king named Vira-Bhuja, who, as was the custom in his native land, had many wives, each of whom had several sons.
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The Magic Shoes and Staff
Far, far away in a town of India called Chinchini, where in days long gone by the ancient gods in whom the people believed are said sometimes to have appeared to those who called upon them for help,
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A Royal Thief-Catcher
In one of the smaller cities of India called Sravasti the people gathered together on a very hot day to stare at and talk about a stranger, who had come in to the town,
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The Story of a Cat, a Mouse, a Lizard and an Owl
This is the story of four creatures, none of whom loved each other, who lived in the same banyan tree in a forest in India. Banyan trees are very beautiful and very useful, and get their name from the fact that "banians,"
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The Magic Pitcher
Long, long ago there lived far away in India a woodcutter called Subha Datta and his family, who were all very happy together. The father went every day to the forest near his home to get supplies of wood,
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