At seven, when I go to bed,
I find such pictures in my head:
Castles with dragons prowling round,
Gardens where magic fruits are found;
Category: All Stories
A Christmas Dream, and How it Came True
“I always find heaps of goodies in my stocking. Don’t like some of them, and soon get tired of those I do like. Then there is a Christmas tree somewhere, with a doll on top, or a stupid old Santa Claus. Really, mamma, I’ve had so many Christmases all alike that I don’t think I can bear another one.”
A Dog’s Tale
The tale of wonderful collie who learns all that is important from her cultured mother. When moved to a lovely family a long way off, she has everything she could dream of. One night, a fire breaks out in the house…
A Fall Song
Golden and red trees
Nod to the soft breeze,
As it whispers, “Winter is near;”
A Ghost Story
On a dreadful stormy night
My dear Tommy had a fight
With great Peter Snookum Snee,
Cat of fighting pedigree.
A Good Play
We built a ship upon the stairs
All made of the back-bedroom chairs,
And filled it full of sofa pillows
To go a-sailing on the billows.
A Kidnapped Santa Claus
The seven demons are getting lonely because all the children are being so good and don’t need to visit their caves anymore. This Christmas, they have come up with a plan to make the children unhappy so that they will be naughty…
A Naughty Pumpkin’s Fate
This little pumpkin had a good life, but was never happy. Then Halloween night came along… not a great night if you’re a pumpkin! Find out his fate!
An Autumn Greeting
‘Come’, said the Wind to the Leaves one day.
‘Come over the meadow and we will play.’
Ashputtel
A Cinderella Story: the poor sister who slaves after her siblings and is not allowed to go to the ball. But Ashputtel has a magic bird in the garden who helps her.
At the Seaside
When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.
My holes were empty like a cup,
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more.
Autumn Fires
In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Away in a Manger
The wonderful carol of Away in a Manger about the time when Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph in a stable.
Beauty and the Beast
Beauty goes to live with a beast so that her father’s life will be spared, but life is not what she feared.
Bed in Summer
In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.
Binnorie
The jealous princess takes her sister to the mill-stream of Binnorie to drown her. But will she be silenced forever?
Briar Rose
The other story of Sleeping Beauty. A king and queen reigned in a country a great way off, where there were fairies.
Buttercups and Daisies
Buttercups and daisies-
Oh the pretty flowers,
Coming ere the springtime
To tell of sunny hours.
Cap O’Rushes
Disappointed with his youngest daughter’s answer as to how much she loves him, the King throws her out of the castle. She finds work as a maid and slowly her fortune changes, but can she prove her love to him?
Cat and Mouse in Partnership
This Cat and Mouse partnership seems to be going well, until Mouse finds out that their food reserve is all gone. An accusation returns this relationship to a more conventional one.
Cat-Skin
This unhappy princess runs away and finds herself a job as a poor scullery-maid. But the truth slowly begins to emerge.
Christmas Under the Snow
The wonderful story of the Barnes family at Christmas time. What will they do? All snowed in and no Christmas dinner!
Cinderella
This poor girl is treated like a servant by her sisters. They leave for the Prince’s ball, and a fairy Godmother visits Cinderella, changing her fortune forever.
Clever Elsie
Hans marries Elsie because of how clever she is. But he soon finds out that she is not as clever as everyone thought.
Clever Gretel
This greedy cook finds she has eaten all her masters dinner and comes up with a clever way to hide it!
Doctor Knowall
Seeing how well a doctor could live, this poor peasant decides to call himself one too! Now Dr Knowall, he receives a request for help from a rich lord…but does he really know all?
Down to Sleep
It’s November and the forest settles “down to sleep” for the long, cold winter ahead.
Eldorado
Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
Escape at Bedtime
The lights from the parlour and kitchen shone out
Through the blinds and the windows and bars;
And high overhead and all moving about,
There were thousands of millions of stars.
Fall, Leaves, Fall
Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away
Lengthen Night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
Foreign Lands
Up into the cherry tree
Who should climb but little me?
I held the trunk with both my hands
And looked abroad on foreign lands.
Fraidie Cat
I shan’t tell you what’s his name:
When we want to play a game,
Frederick and Catherine
Catherine is very silly and makes many mistakes, exasperating her poor husband. When she gives away the last of their gold, they head out to get it back, one mistake at a time!
From a Railway Carriage
Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
And charging along like troops in a battle,
All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
Fundevogel
These half-siblings are the best of friends, so when Lina hears of a plan to kill Fundevogel, they runaway together.With a little magic, they disguise themselves in order to escape their pursuers.
Hans in Luck
Hans has a very different view on luck and when he sells his silver for a horse, he embarks on a journey that leaves him feeling like the luckiest man in the world!
Hansel and Gretel
After thier wicked step-mother leaves the children in the woods, they find a gingerbread house and meet a witch who wants to eat them.
How doth the Little Crocodile
How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!
How Jack Went to Seek his Fortune
Jack accumulates animal friends on his journey to seek his fortune. Needing a place to rest, he makes a plan to see off some robbers living in a house.
How Pleasant to know Mr Lear
How pleasant to know Mr. Lear,
Who has written such volumes of stuff.
Some think him ill-tempered and queer,
But a few find him pleasant enough.
How the Leaves Came Down
“I’ll tell you how the leaves came down,”
The great tree to his children said,
“You’re getting sleepy, Yellow and Brown,
Yes, very sleepy, little Red.
It is quite time to go to bed.”
How the Leopard Got its Spots
The leopard and the Ethiopian go off in search of their run-away food. They come across the jungle and learn to adapt to their new surroundings.
Hush Little Baby
Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,
Papa’ going to buy you a mockingbird.
I remember, I remember
I remember, I remember,
The house where I was born,
The little window where the sun
Came peeping in at morn;
I Saw a Peacock
I Saw a Peacock, with a fiery tail,
I saw a Blazing Comet, drop down hail,
Iron Hans
When the king’s son’s ball falls into the cage of the wild man, he opens the door to retreive it, setting the creature free. Grateful, the thing looks after the boy and comes to him when called, presenting whatever he wishes. But will anyone know the truth of who the boy really is?
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
It’s raining, it’s pouring;
The old man is snoring.
Jabberwocky
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves,
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
Jack and His Golden Snuff-Box
Never having met any other than his own parents, Jack heads off into the world and before long meets a lovely girl whose father offers her hand if he can pass three tasks. But when one goes awry, he has one year to set things straight, with a little help from his friends.
Jack and the Beanstalk
A young boy exchanges his cow for some beans and his angry mother throws them into the garden. But by morning, a giant beanstalk leads Jack to another world.
Jack Hannaford
After Jack Hannaford’s visit, we are all left wondering who is silliest; the man or his wife!
Jimmy Scarecrow’s Christmas
Jimmy Scarecrow led a sad life in the winter. Jimmy’s greatest grief was his lack of occupation. He liked to be useful, and in winter he was absolutely of no use at all.
Johnny Cake
One morning the old woman made a Johnny-cake, and put it in the oven to bake. “You watch the Johnny-cake while your father and I go out to work in the garden.”
Jorinda and Jorindel
There was once an old castle, that stood in the middle of a deep gloomy wood, and in the castle lived an old fairy. Now this fairy could take any shape she pleased.
King Grisly-Beard
When the princess is to choose a husband, she stands her suitors in a line and mocks each of them, calling one ‘Grisly-Beard’. Embarassed by her arrogance, her father determines to marry her to the next man to enter the castle. As it happens, it is a poor fiddler, who walks her through King Grisly-Beard’s beautiful kindom before arriving at his dirty hole.
Lazy Jack
A story about a very lazy boy!
Lily and the Lion
The daughter fulfills her fathers promise by going to where the lion lives, only to find him an enchanted prince! But the spell on him becomes deeper and her journey begins in earnest.
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Cap is taking some treats to her grandmother when she meets the hungry wolf. Running late, she arrives at the house to find a nasty surprise.
Lullaby, oh, Lullaby
Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
Flowers are closed and lambs are sleeping;
Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
Monday’s Child
Monday’s child is fair of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace,
Mother Holle
A girl falls down a well and wakes in a magical land. She works there for Mother Holle and receives a handsome reward. Her jealous sister decides to follow in her footsteps…
Mouse and Mouser
It seems some friendships are never meant to be; as the Mouse and the Cat show here.
Mr & Mrs Spikkey Sparrow
On a little piece of wood,
Mr. Spikky Sparrow stood;
Mrs. Sparrow sate close by,
A-making of an insect pie,
Mr. Vinegar
Upon finding some money, this poor couple decide to purchase a cow and sell the milk and cheese. But when Mr.Vinegar buys the cow, he becomes distracted and makes a few bad decisions.
My Shadow
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
Nix Nought Nothing
The unfortunate name of ‘Nix Nought Nothing’ leads to a misunderstanding and the King’s boy is given to a giant! With the help of the giant’s daughter, he escapes. But will his parents know him now that he’s a man?
Old Sultan
The wolf helps Old Sultan win the love of his family, only to request help of his own. But Old Sultan cannot help and their friendship takes a knock. Thank goodness the three-legged cat turns up!
Picture-books in Winter
Summer; fading, winter comes-
Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs
Window robins, winter rooks,
And the picture story-books.
Pirate Story
Three of us afloat in the meadow by the swing,
Three of us aboard in the basket on the lea.
Winds are in the air, they are blowing in the spring,
And waves are on the meadow like the waves there are at sea.
Rain in Summer
How beautiful is the rain!
After the dust and heat,
In the broad and fiery street,
In the narrow lane,
How beautiful is the rain!
Rapunzel
Rapunzel is locked in a tower by her evil step-mother, but a Prince finds her and they plan her escape.
Robin Redbreast
Goodbye, goodbye to Summer!
For Summer’s nearly done;
The garden smiling faintly,
Cool breezes in the sun;
Rumpelstiltskin
A girl is locked in a tower. If she wants to live, she must spin straw into gold! She can do no such thing! So when a goblin offers his help, she accepts. His price, however, is high and now it is time to collect his payment.
Shippeitaro
A soldier falls asleep in a dark forest. Find out what he wakes up to!
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Snow White is so beautiful that her jealous, evil stepmother tries to kill her. So she runs away and meets an interesting group who look after her. But the step-mother finds out where she is…
Snow-White and Rose-Red
These two sisters are the best of friends and love to spend the day playing with animals in the woods. But one day they find a little dwarf whose beard is stuck.
Snowdrop
Snowdrop is so beautiful that her jealous, evil step-mother tries to kill her. So she runs away and meets an interesting group who look after her. But the step-mother finds out where she is…The Story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Spring
Sound the flute!
Now it’s mute!
Bird’s delight,
Day and night…
Star Light
Star Light Star bright,
The first star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.
Summer Sun
Great is the sun, and wide he goes
Through empty heaven without repose;
And in the blue and glowing days
More thick than rain he showers his rays.
Sweetheart Roland
A dark and sad tale from the Brothers Grimm.
Hearing of a plot to kill her, this girl escapes from her step-mother and runs off with her boyfriend. They use some magic to disguise themselves and decide that Roland would go to the village first and return for her. But a long time later, he has not returned…
Read more about Sweetheart Roland …
Swing, Swing
Swing, swing,
Sing, sing,
Here’s my throne, and I am King!
Teeny-Tiny
A lovely little story from Joseph Jacbos
This teeny-tin woman lives in a teeny-tiny world and a teeny-tiny voice has frightened her.
Read more about Teeny-Tiny …
The Ass and the Grasshopper
The Bat and the Weasels
An animal fable by Aesop.
Moral: It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.
Read more about The Bat and the Weasels …
The Beginning of the Armadillos
The hedgehog and the tortoise have avoided being ‘lunch’ for the young jaguar as he just can’t tell which is which. Until now. They must learn each others skills if they are to further confuse him and avoid being eaten.
The Blue Light
Another fairytale by the Grimm Brothers.
Having been fired by the king for being too wounded to work, this Soldier wanders into a wood, hungry and thirsty, whereupon he meets a witch. While working for her, he finds a very special blue light! How his life changes!
Read more about The Blue Light …
The Boy Hunting Locusts
One of Aesop’s Fables.
Moral: Carelessness has consequences.
Read more about The Boy Hunting Locusts …
The Cat That Walked By Himself
Hear and attend and listen; for this befell and behappened and became and was, O my Best Beloved, when the Tame animals were wild. But the wildest of all the wild animals was the Cat. He walked by himself, and all places were alike to him.
The Cock and the Jewel
Another of Aesop’s Fables.
Moral: The disharmony between needs and possessions.
Read more about The Cock and the Jewel …
The Daddy Long-Legs and the Fly
A funny poem by Edward Lear.
Once Mr. Daddy Long-legs, Dressed in brown and gray,
Walked about upon the sands, Upon a sumer’s day;
Read more about The Daddy Long-Legs and the Fly …
The Dog and the Shadow
A hungry dog some meat had seized,
And, with the ample booty pleased,
His neighbour dogs forsook;
In fear for his delightful prize,
He look’d around with eager eyes,
And ran to cross the brook.
The Dog and the Sparrow
Another story from the Brothers Grimm.
A sparrow and a dog become good friends, but one day a tragic event leaves the sparrow angry for revenge. This dark tale follows his trail of punishment till the very end.
Read more about The Dog and the Sparrow …
The Duck & the Kangaroo
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo,
“Good gracious! how you hop!
Over the fields and the water too,
As if you never would stop!
The Elves and the Shoemaker
The famous tale by the Brothers Grimm.
A shoemaker and his wife are very poor and have very little leather left to make and sell shoes. But some secret night-time visitors start helping and the shoemaker’s success improves.
Read more about The Elves and the Shoemaker …
The Emperor’s New Clothes
The funny fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.
This emperor loves clothes and commissions two men to make him one of their famous suits. It is said that it can only be seen by clever people, so why can no one see it?
Read more about The Emperor’s New Clothes …
The Father and his Sons
The Field of Boliauns
A Fairy tale by Joseph Jacobs
Find out what happens when Tom meets a Leprechaun in a hedge. Tom didn’t even believe in Leprechauns! And now, he’s talking to one. Hmmm.. what about the Leprechauns’ gold, he wonders…
The Fir Tree
A Christmas story by Hans Christian Andersen.
Out in the woods stood a nice little Fir Tree. The place he had was a very good one: the sun shone on him: as to fresh air, there was enough of that, and round him grew many large-sized comrades, pines as well as firs. But the little Fir wanted so very much to be a grown-up tree.
Read more about The Fir Tree …
The Fisherman and his Wife
A funny lesson from the Brothers Grimm.
When the fisherman tells his wife of the enchanted fish-prince he released, she demands he returns to request a favour in return. Granted her wish, her greed grows and grows.
Read more about The Fisherman and his Wife …
The Fly-Away Horse
Oh, a wonderful horse is the Fly-Away Horse –
Perhaps you have seen him before;
Perhaps, while you slept, his shadow has swept
Through the moonlight that floats on the floor.
The Foolish Fir-Tree
A lovely Christmas poem by Henry Van Dyke.
.A Little fir grew in the midst of the wood
Contented and happy, as young trees should.
Read more about The Foolish Fir-Tree …
The Four Clever Brothers
A story from the Grimm Brothers.
After four years apart, four brothers and thier father meet to demonstrate their new skills. Learning of a distress call from the King,they set off to help. But which of them should win the prize?
Read more about The Four Clever Brothers …
The Fox and the Cat
A short story by the Brothers Grimm.
Honoured to meet Fox, Cat starts a polite conversation, only to be belittled and embarrassed. But then, fate steps in to make a point.
Read more about The Fox and the Cat …
The Fox and the Horse
An animal story by Brothers Grimm
Having been sent away by his master for being too old to work, the horse wanders into a wood where he meets a fox…
Read more about The Fox and the Horse …
The Frog Prince
The famous tale by the Brothers Grimm.
A frog fetches a princess’ ball out of the pond, but she doesn’t keep her side of the promise. So he finds her castle and insists on eating and sleeping there for three nights, as agreed.
Read more about The Frog Prince …
The Gift of the Magi
A happy/sad Christmas story by O. Henry
This poor couple love each other very much and want to buy each other the nicest presents. But they have very little money. Find out what they do, what presents they give and how much they pay for them!
The Golden Bird
A fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm.
The youngest brother is the only one who heeds the advice of the fox and manages to win the treasure for their father. But his brothers deceive him and take it all for themselves, until the fox appears again to help.
Read more about The Golden Bird …
The Golden Goose
The fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
Dummling is the youngest son and is not as strong or clever as his brothers. But he is kinder and this trait leads him on a journey his brothers could only dream of.
Read more about The Golden Goose …
The Goose-Girl
Another short story for children by the Brothers Grimm.
Her maid has stolen her horse and clothes and arrives at the prince’s castle looking like the bride. But the poor princess, wearing the maid’s clothes, is offered a job looking after the geese. It is lucky that she has some magic as this alerts the king to his son’s false bride. Find out how.
Read more about The Goose-Girl …
The Happy Prince
A beautiful story about a statue of a prince and the swallow who befriends him.
The Jumblies
They went to sea in a Sieve, they did,
In a Sieve they went to sea:
In spite of all their friends could say,
On a winter’s morn, on a stormy day,
In a Sieve they went to sea!
The Juniper-Tree
A wicked stepmother kills her son so that her daughter can be the sole heir to her husband’s wealth. But she is so ashamed that she makes her daughter feel responsible. Once buried, the boy returns as a bird to take revenge.
The King of the Golden Mountain
A short story by the Brothers Grimm.
A fairy had told Heinel of his iminent fortune and so he happily sets sail on rough waters. Finding an enchanted land, he undergoes the pains to break the spell and marries the beautiful princess. But after years there, he longs to see his father and makes a promise to his wife.
Read more about The King of the Golden Mountain …
The Land of Nod
From breakfast on through all the day
At home among my friends I stay,
But every night I go abroad
Afar into the land of Nod.
The Land of Story-Books
A Robert Louis Stevenson Poem.
.
At evening when the lamp is lit,
Around the fire my parents sit;
The Lion and the Mouse
Another of Aesop’s Fables
Moral: It is possible for even a mouse to confer benefits on a lion.
Read more about The Lion and the Mouse …
The Little Match Girl
The short story by Hans Christian Andersen.
Thousands of lights were burning on the green branches, and gaily-colored pictures, such as she had seen in the shop-windows, looked down upon her. The little maiden stretched out her hands towards them when—the match went out. The lights of the Christmas tree rose higher and higher, she saw them now as stars in heaven; one fell down and formed a long trail of fire.
The Little Peasant
A short story by the Brothers Grimm.
This poor Peasant uses his cunning to make a little money. His trickery proves very lucrative!
Read more about The Little Peasant …
The Lobster-quadrille
“Will you walk a little faster?” said a whiting to a snail,
“There’s a porpoise close behind us, and he’s treading on my tail.
The Master and His Pupil
A story by the Grimm Brothers.
A silly servant to the great ‘know-all master’ decides to gather some secrets while the master is away.But not knowing the language, he speaks a spell that sends things spiralling out of control!
Read more about The Master and His Pupil …
The Miser in the Bush
The short story by the Brothers Grimm.
A poor peasant goes on his travels with just three pennies. But he offers them to a bird who rewards him with three wishes. Find out how he makes use of them!
Read more about The Miser in the Bush …
The Mouse, the Cock and the Cat
A Silly young Mouse
Ventur’d out of the house,
In spite of his mother’s advice;
And, deaf to regard,
Ran along the farm-yard,
But return’d to the nest in a trice.
The New Vestments
There lived an old man in the kingdom of Tess,
Who invented a purely original dress;
And when it was perfectly made and complete,
He opened the door, and walked into the street.
The Night Before Christmas
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…
The North Wind
The North wind doth blow and we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?
The Old Witch
This little girl ignores her parents and goes to visit the witch! But what happens to her? Oh no!
The Old Woman and Her Pig
This woman goes to great lengths to get her pig home; requesting the help of a host of strangers who all need a little persuasion.
The Owl & the Pussycat
The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Into the street the Piper stept, Smiling first a little smile,
As if he knew what magic slept. In his quiet pipe the while;
The Pink
Another Fairytale by the Brothers Grimm.
The Queen’s baby has a gift:he can wish for anything and it will appear before him. The Cook decides to kidnap him and hides him away, but the poor queen is accused of carelessness for losing him and is sentenced to seven years in a tower. Years later, the boy finds out who he is…
Read more about The Pink …
The Pobble who has no Toes
An charming poem by Edward Lear.
.
The Pobble who has no toes, Had once as many as we;
When they said ‘Some day you may lose them all’;
He replied ‘Fish, fiddle-de-dee!’
The Princess and The Pea
An enchanting tale by Hans Christian Andersen.
How can you tell a real princess? This Queen knows and she tests her method on a guest!
Read more about The Princess and The Pea …
The Queen Bee
A short story by the Brothers Grimm.
When the youngest brother joins them on their journey, the two elder brothers mock him as he is a dwarf and cannot do as much as them. But they discover an enchanted castle made of marble. Who can break the spell?
Read more about The Queen Bee …
The Rainbow
Boats sail on the rivers,
And ships sail on the seas;
But clouds that sail across the sky
Are prettier than these.
The Raven
Another short story by the Brothers Grimm.
Wandering alone in the woods, a man meets a raven who is really an enchanted girl. He agrees to help break the spell, but can he pass the tests ahead of him?
Read more about The Raven …
The Remarkable Rocket
Nobody knows better how remarkable this rocket is than the Remarkable Rocket himself. He considers the Prince very honoured to have him perform at the wedding. But being a sensitive soul, his tears dampen more than just the occassion and his ‘letting off’ is not quite what he expected.
The Robber Bridegroom
Having never visited her fiance, the girl reluctantly accepts an invitation to a party at his house. But after witnessing a scene of horror there, she flees and relays the events to her father. Find out how she brings him to justice.
The Rock and the Bubble
Oh! a bare, brown rock
Stood up in the sea,
The waves at its feet
Dancing merrily.
The Rose-Tree
A dark tale of a stepdaughter seeking revenge for her own murder.
The Salad
Another Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale.
With the help of a magic cloak and bird heart, this poor huntsman becomes wealthy and sets off to see the world. But when he meets a beautiful woman with a greedy witch mother, things change very quickly. Can he restore his wealth and keep the woman he loves?
Read more about The Salad …
The Selfish Giant
The wonderful classic from Oscar Wilde.
The Giant returns from abroad to find children playing in his garden, so he throws them out and locks the gate. But why, then, is he not happy? Why do the flowers not grow and the sun not shine? This Giant goes on a beautiful journey all in his back garden!
Read more about The Selfish Giant …
The Seven Ravens
A short story by the Grimm Brothers.
Having inadvertently turned his seven sons into ravens , the king hides their existence from his new daugther so as not to upset her. But upon hearing of them she leaves the castle in order to find and free them.
Read more about The Seven Ravens …
The Shepherdess and the Sweep
The Hans Christian Andersen Fairy tale.
The little china ornament Shepherdess and Sweep decide to leave their table and venture out into the wide world, only find themselves back where they started…but something has changed.
Read more about The Shepherdess and the Sweep …
The Snow Queen
The famous story by Hans Christian Andersen
The snow-flakes grew larger and larger, till at last they looked just like great white fowls. Suddenly they flew on one side; the large sledge stopped, and the person who drove rose up. It was a lady; her cloak and cap were of snow. She was tall and of slender figure, and of a dazzling whiteness. It was the Snow Queen.
Read more about The Snow Queen …
The Spider and the Fly
The cautionary poem by Mary Howitt.
Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly, ‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
Read more about The Spider and the Fly …
The Story of the Youth Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was
This youth doesn’t know very much and can’t make a living. He is interested in what it is to ‘shudder’ and when his father sends him away to look after himself, he resolves to find out.
The Straw, The Coal and The Bean
In a village dwelt a poor old woman, who had gathered together a dish of beans and wanted to cook them. So she made a fire on her hearth, and that it might burn the quicker, she lighted it with a handful of straw.
The Sun’s Travels
The sun is not a-bed, when I
At night upon my pillow lie;
Still round the earth his way he takes,
And morning after morning makes.
The Swing
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
The Telltale Tile
A lovely story with a happy ending by Olive Thorn Miller
It is Christmas time and Miss Bennet hears that her neigbours may have to go into the poorhouse! Is there anything she can do? She has so little herself. There must be something….
The Three Bears
The original fairy tale by Joseph Jacobs.
Three Bears leave their morining porridge to cool as they take a walk in the forest. Meanwhile a naughty old woman ventures inside and helps herself to whatever she can find. What will the bears do when they get back?
Read more about The Three Bears …
The Three Languages
A Brothers Grimm short story.
After three years of studies, his father is angry to find out how little his son has learned and so disowns him. However, these three languages are the key to the young man’s much higher purpose.
Read more about The Three Languages …
The Three Little Pigs
The original story of the famous fairy tale by Joseph Jacobs.
The Big Bad Wolf meets his match with the third little pig who lives in a house of bricks, so he tries to lure him out earlier and earlier each day…
Read more about The Three Little Pigs …
The Three Sillies
A funny short story by Joseph Jacobs.
The Gentleman had never met such silly people as his fiancee’s family, so he sets off to find some even sillier than them before marrying the daughter.
Read more about The Three Sillies …
The Travelling Musicians
A great story for kids by the Brothers Grimm.
Donkey, dog, cat and cock leave home as they are too old to work. They plan to become musicians in the town, but on the way they find a house that takes their fancy.
Read more about The Travelling Musicians …
The Turnip
A funny short story from the Grimm Brothers.
This poor brother grows the biggest turnip ever seen and offers it to the King, who in return awards great wealth. His rich brother is jealous and tries his own luck.
Read more about The Turnip …
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
A story for kids by the Brothers Grimm.
With the help of some magic, a soldier takes up a King’s challenge to find out why his twelve daughters’ shoes are always worn out in the morning. Many have tried, failed and paid with thier lives. How will his soldier fair?
Read more about The Twelve Dancing Princesses …
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The traditional song about Christmas presents.
On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
The Twelve Huntsmen
A short story by the Brothers Grimm.
Having left his beloved wife to visit his bed-ridden father,he learns that his dying wish is for him to marry another! In his grief he consents and makes preparations. The poor wife, hearing of this, makes some preparations of her own. Read more about The Twelve Huntsmen …
The Valiant Little Tailor
A Brothers Grimm short story.
‘Seven in one Blow’ becomes this tailor’s motif after he swats seven flies at once. But thinking he is capable of killing seven men in one blow, people start to fear and respect him. One emperor puts him to the test. Read more about The Valiant Little Tailor …
The Walrus and the Carpenter
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright–
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
The Water of Life
One of the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales.
When the king is ill, his three sons journey to find The Water of Life in order to save him. A test of all three characters, it is the youngest who comes up trumps by finding the water and rescuing his brothers. But will he be rewarded?
Read more about The Water of Life …
The Wedding of Mrs Fox
The kids story by the Brothers Grimm.
Mr Fox wants to test Mrs Fox’s loyalty to him and so pretends to be dead and watches as the suitors line up. But one day he really does die and this time Mrs Fox has her pick of all kinds of animals. Will she marry?
Read more about The Wedding of Mrs Fox …
The White Snake
An animal story by the Brothers Grimm.
The king has a secret dish served to him everynight and the servant is so curious that he has a peak. After just one bite, his life is changed forever. Find out why!
Read more about The White Snake …
The Willow-Wren and the Bear
A children’s story by the Grimm Brothers.
A bear insults the young of the wren he believes is king and the wren declares war. All four footed animals prepare to fight all winged animals. Find out who are victorious.
Read more about The Willow-Wren and the Bear …
The Wind
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
The Wolf and the Lamb
One of Aesop’s fables about animals.
Moral: The Tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny.
Read more about The Wolf and the Lamb …
The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids
Mother Goat leaves to collect food and warns her seven kids to be wary. But who should come a-visiting but the Big Bad Wolf, hungry for some lunch. Will the kids recognise him for what he is?
There was and Old Lady
The funny nonsense rhyme.
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly. Perhaps she’ll die.
Read more about There was and Old Lady …
Tiny Tim
A short Christmas tale by Charles Dickens.
THERE was once a man who did not like Christmas. His name was Scrooge, and he was a hard sour-tempered man of business, intent only on saving and making money, and caring nothing for anyone.
Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse
A short story by Joseph Jacobs.
Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse do everything at the same time, but this time, it is not so. Follow the long series of events that equalisethe balance.
Read more about Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse …
Tom Thumb
The famous story by the Brothers Grimm.
Tom thumb is so small that he can fit inside a snail’s shell, so surely he can’t do much good? Can he? Follow him on this adventure and learn how being small can be a great advantage.
Read more about Tom Thumb …
Tom Tit Tot
A fairytale by Joseph Jacobs.
The king has married a girl on the condition that she spins five yarn bundles a day in the last month of every year. But she cannot, so when a black goblin offers his help, she accepts. His price, however, is high and now it is time to collect his payment.
Read more about Tom Tit Tot …
Topsy Turvey World
If the butterfly courted the bee,
And the owl the porcupine;
If the churches were built in the sea,
And three times one was nine…
Trees
The Oak is called the king of trees,
The Aspen quivers in the breeze…
Two Little Travellers
Two Little Travellers
Two stories about two little girls who go on big journeys. Meet Annie and Maggie. These stories are a little bit sad but end with a nice big smile. Do you like them?
What Happened Christmas Eve
A lovely Christmas tale by Oliver Herfold.
Jessie and Fred had gone to bed very early so they might be the first to shout “Merry Christmas!” but their eyes would not stay shut.
.
Whether the weather
Whether the weather be fine,
Or whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold,
Or whether the weather be hot…
Windy Nights
Whenever the moon and stars are set,
Whenever the wind is high…
Winter
When icicles hang by the wall,
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall,
And milk comes frozen home in pail…
Winter Time
Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Wynken, Blynken and Nod
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night, sailed off in a wooden shoe…