It’s a darn good thing I was a bandy-legged boy because otherwise, I would have been swallowed up by the mountain. It took all the other children in town. The only ones left outside were me, and my limping friend, and another boy who ran into the mountain just as it...
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Maiden Who Loves Animals
Themes: Gratitude | Humility | Kinship
When I came to the hut in the woods, I was very upset because I had not found my father. I had gone out to bring him food, and now he would have nothing to eat. The windows of the cottage were lit up, so I knocked on the door, and a rough voice cried, "Come in." I...
Thankful Wazir
One can never know what good will come of bad and so I give thanks for everything. When the king cut off his finger, I suggested that it might improve his hearing. When he lost his temper and sent me to prison, I thanked him. Of course, I had no idea what went on with...
Queen Bee
Themes: Friendship | Gratitude | Reciprocity
Three brothers came along and stood under the tree where we have our nest. The two who thought themselves to be clever wanted to make a fire under the tree to get the honey. The third brother said, "Leave the bees in peace. I will not allow you to burn them." His...
Dame Carp
Themes: Gratitude | Reciprocity | Salvation
I am leaping after flies when I land hard on the earth. I lie in the grass, gasping for air. Then two hands slide underneath me, and I am raised up. I prepare myself to be killed and eaten. But no, I am gently lowered into the cool, refreshing water. I sink to the...
Crab Fisherman’s Wife
Themes: Gratitude | Reciprocity
We have a golden crab. We feed him, and he fills our plate with gold. He fulfills all our wishes, and we are resolved to fulfill his. Needless to say, he is very intelligent. There is so much more to him than meets the eye. He has asked me to go to the king and...
Orphan Herd-Boy
Themes: Compensation | Gratitude | Hunger
I was sitting with my flocks one night when I heard the sound of crying. I got up and followed the sound, and what did I find but a giant who had hurt his foot trying to uproot an oak. He wanted me to bind his foot, and I did, and now he has rewarded me in the most...
Princess Freed from Dragons
Themes: Compensation | Freedom | Friendship | Gratitude
Nine draken kept me prisoner in my castle, but Janni has come, and his dogs have slain the dragons. I am free, along with all the other prisoners! I would marry this handsome youth who comes from nowhere, but Janni has put me off. He says, "For the kindness that I...
Much-Loved Prince
Themes: Admiration | Gratitude | Protection
After I was born, the fairies gathered around my cradle, and they said that it was written in the Books of Fate that I should die by a crocodile, a serpent, or a dog. Nothing could save me, they said. Well, I have met all three and I am still here. Why? I will tell...
Astonished Cobbler
Themes: Gratitude | Support | Wonder
Times had become so lean that I could no longer afford the leather to make shoes. I had only enough material to make one last pair. That night, I cut out the shoes, intending to stitch them in the morning, and I went to bed. I had done everything I could as well as I...
Little Kitchenmaid
Themes: Fatigue | Gratitude | Inspiration
Everyone is asking if the legendary nightingale in the book actually exists. They think the singer is the writer's invention, but I know better. I hear the nightingale singing in the woods every day, He is there when I am going to work in the palace, and he is there...