HIGH in the Andes Mountains a frog lived in a cool stream. The frog had been born with a right leg much longer than the left leg. “If only I had two perfect legs like my brothers and sisters,” bemoaned the frog whenever she saw her limping reflection in the water. She could tell her brothers… Continue reading The Frog and the Condor
Fisherlad and the Mermaids Ring
ONCE IN SCOTLAND a young lad was so smitten with a bonny lass that he did nothing but think of her night and day. At last he summoned his courage, offered her his heart and asked for hers to return. Flattered was she but alas! her heart was already offered to another. She sweetly smiled… Continue reading Fisherlad and the Mermaids Ring
The Enormous Nose
Once a king made the unfortunate mistake of joking about the large nose of an enchantress who lived in the forest. Instantly the enchantress appeared before the King. Fixing her angry eyes on him and wagging her finger before his face, she said, “There will come a time when you shall have a son. This… Continue reading The Enormous Nose
Boots and His Brothers
Once upon a time there was a man who had three sons called Peter, Paul, and Boots. The father was so poor he didn’t even have one penny to rub against the other. So one day he told his sons they must go out into the world, for at home there was nothing to look… Continue reading Boots and His Brothers
Hakus Power
I AM SO tired of being a stonecutter,” Haku sighed. The Emperor, held aloft in a curtained chair, passed by in a magnificent royal procession. “I have been poor all my life. If only I were the powerful Emperor instead, I would be carried on high by servants, above all others.” Suddenly, inexplicably, Haku was the Emperor,… Continue reading Hakus Power
Birbal Finds a Thief
One fine morning, a minister went to Emperor Akbar’s court to tell the Emperor some bad news. His gold coins were all gone! They must have been stolen the night before! Emperor Akbar was shocked to hear this. The place where the minister lived was the safest in the kingdom. Surely no one could have… Continue reading Birbal Finds a Thief
Birbal and the Mango Tree
Ram and Sham were in a fight. Both of them said they owned the same mango tree. They went up to Birbal and asked him to decide the matter, once and for all. Who was the true owner of the mango tree? Birbal said, “There is only one way to settle the matter. First,… Continue reading Birbal and the Mango Tree
Emperor Akbar and the Half-Reward
One day, the Emperor Akbar went to the jungle to hunt, but when he followed a new trail, he got lost. He called for help but it was no use. The sun was setting. The Emperor called out, “Ah! Here I am, all alone in the woods, in the dark!” A young man named Mahesh… Continue reading Emperor Akbar and the Half-Reward
The Girl Fish
Once upon a time there lived on the bank of a stream a man and a woman who had a daughter. They never could make up their minds to punish her for her faults or to teach her nice manners. As for work — she laughed in her mother’s face if she asked her to… Continue reading The Girl Fish
Girl Who Changed Her Fate
Once there was a widow who was puzzled why no suitors came to court her three lovely daughters. One day, a very old woman who was known to understand such goings-on came to the widow’s house. The widow offered the old woman tea and sweets and asked her why no suitors came to call. “Truly… Continue reading Girl Who Changed Her Fate