'The Light of the Fly' is a poem from the Philippines all about how the firefly got his lantern. Host  Find out where to subscribe to The Folktale Project at  Support The Folktale Project

The Light of the Fly - A Philippine Folktale

We're starting 2024 with some complete tales from "The Blue Fairy Book" before returning with the next story in Andrew Lang's great compendium. This is 'The Forty Thieves'.  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Forty Thieves - Full Story

Today Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou celebrate their love with a wedding feast, but the prince begins to miss his father.  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at !

The Story of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou, Pt. 5

Today the Sultan's Magician will find her way into the palace of the Fairy Paribanou and start some more mischief.  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Story of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou, Pt. 7

Today the Magician brings news and a scheme back to the Sultan of the Indies.  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Story of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou, Pt. 8

Can the Fairy Paribanou fulfill the Sultan of the Indies' request? Of course! Will he make another, more outlandish request? Of course!  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Story of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou, Pt. 9

Today Prince Ahmed heads off to find the second gift his father has requested as proof of his love. Will this be the final test? Of course not!  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Story of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou, Pt. 10

Today we have the conclusion of the Story of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou. And we meet Schaibar, Paribanou's brother.  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Story of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Paribanou, Pt. 11

Today we have all of the stories of Jack the Giant-Killer in one epic tale. TW - lots of giant murder (obviously).  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The History of Jack the Giant-Killer

Today's story is the second to last in The Blue Fairy Book - 'The Black Bull of Norroway'.  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Black Bull of Norroway

Today brings the final story from "The Blue Fairy Book" - 'The Red Etin'. Enjoy!  Book: The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Red Etin

Today we begin a new story book - "The Chinese Fairy Book" with 'Women's Words Part Flesh and Blood'.  Book: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: Dr. R. Wilhelm Translator: Frederick H. Martens Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

Women's Words Part Flesh and Blood

Three brothers-in-law and a drinking game lead to a bit of sexism in this Chinese tale.  Book: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: Dr. R. Wilhelm Translator: Frederick H. Martens Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Three Rhymsters

TW: Death, Gore Today's Chinese fairy tale tells of not being greedy.  Book: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: Dr. R. Wilhelm Translator: Frederick H. Martens Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

How Greed for a Trifling Thing Led a Man to Lose a Great One

TW: Death Today we have two stories from ancient China, the first about assumptions and the second about greed.  Book: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: Dr. R. Wilhelm Translator: Frederick H. Martens Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

Who was the sinner? + The Magic Cask

A story of exceptionally bad parenting and the least believable "Happily Ever After" awaits you in 'The Cave of Beasts'.  Book: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: Dr. R. Wilhelm Translator: Frederick H. Martens Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Cave of Beasts

The story of 'The Bird with Nine Heads' really isn't about the titular bird, but I guess it's more memorable that way.  Book: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: Dr. R. Wilhelm Translator: Frederick H. Martens Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Bird with Nine Heads

After a special announcement we get to this week's story - 'The Herd Boy and The Weaving Maiden' a tale of star crossed lovers.  Book: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: Dr. R. Wilhelm Translator: Frederick H. Martens Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Herd Boy and The Weaving Maiden

Today's story comes from Armenia and is kind of a love story? Maybe if you squint?  Book: The Golden Maiden Author: A. G. Seklemian Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The World's Beauty - An Armenian Folktale

'The Fairy Orlanda' is another tale of love, this time from "Italian Popular Tales". Maybe I just don't get love stories? Book: Italian Popular Tales Author: Thomas Frederick Crane Host:  Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.

The Fairy Orlanda

'The Horse-Dew and the Witch' is not only a proper love story, but there's a touch of Baba Yaga in the witch that's just perfect!  Book: Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales Author: Ignácz Kúnos Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Horse-Dew and the Witch - A Turkish Fairytale

'Urashima' is the sad story of a fisherman from Japan. Sad, and yet very sweet in its telling.  Book: Japanese Fairy Tales Author: Grace James Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

Urashima - A Japanese Fairytale

Today's story from 'Jewish Fairy Stories' is a tale all about doing good with what heaven blesses us. Something we should all certainly aspire to.  Book: Jewish Fairy Stories Editor: Aunt Naomi Translator: Gerald Friedlander Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Coins of Elijah - A Jewish Fairytale

This week's tale is one of my favorite versions of the "Toads and Diamonds" story - 'The Three Heads of the Well'.  Book: English Fairy Tales Editor: Flora Annie Webster Steel Host:   Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;.  To get more full stories and early access to all of the Folktale Project subscribe on Patreon at ! &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Three Heads of the Well - An Englisih Fairytale

Today we have a story of brotherly love and a healthy dose of mistrust. But we get a lovely story out of it. Book: Roumanian Fairy Tales Author: Various Compiler: Mite Kremnitz Editor: J. M. Percival Host:  Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;. &nbsp;

The Morning Star and the Evening Star - A Romanian Fairytale

Today a very lucky Dan will share with you the twisted and twisting tale of 'Unlucky Daniel'. Book: Cossack Fairy Tales and Folk Tales Author: Anonymous Illustrator: Noel L. Nisbet Translator: R. Nisbet Bain Host:  Support The Folktale Project by becoming a supporter on Patreon at  or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;. &nbsp;

Unlucky Daniel - A Russian Fairytale

Today's story is a combination of my favorite types of tales and origin story and a tale told by a grandparent to their grandchildren. That it features a bear turning human is just a bonus! Book:&nbsp;Korean Fairy Tales Author: William Elliot Griffis  Support  The Folktale Project  by becoming a supporter on Patreon at   or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi at&nbsp;. &nbsp;

Prince Sandalwood: The Father of Korea - A Korean Folktale

A long time ago, King Aswapati ruled over the Madra Kingdom. He was a virtuous and high-souled King, but was sorrow stricken for he was childless. For eighteen years he underwent austerities and performed a daily sacrifice in honor of the goddess Savitri...

From the book Savitri – The Golden Bridge, the Wonderful Fire (https://books.google.com/books?id=8sDtCQAAQBAJ&lpg=PT25&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false)

Savitri and Satyavan

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My story, said the Third Calender, is quite different from those of my two friends. It was fate that deprived them of the sight of their right eyes, but mine was lost by my own folly.

My name is Agib, and I am the son of a king called Cassib, who reigned over a large kingdom, which had for its capital one of the finest seaport towns in the world.

The Arabian Nights Tales

The Story of the Third Calendar, Son of a King

Rich and happy as I was after my third voyage, I could not make up my mind to stay at home altogether. My love of trading, and the pleasure I took in anything that was new and strange, made me set my affairs in order, and begin my journey through some of the Persian provinces, having first sent off stores of goods to await my coming in the different places I intended to visit. I took ship at a distant seaport, and for some time all went well, but at last, being caught in a violent hurricane, our vessel became a total wreck in spite of all our worthy captain could do to save her, and many of our company perished in the waves.

The Fourth Voyage Of Sinbad The Sailor

Once upon a time a poor farmer and his wife, having finished their day’s labour and eaten their frugal supper, were sitting by the fire, when a dispute arose between them as to who should shut the door, which had been blown open by a gust of wind. “Wife, shut the door!” said the man. “Husband, shut it yourself!” said the woman. “I will not shut it, and you shall not shut it,” said the husband; “but let the one who speaks the first word shut it.” This proposal pleased the wife exceedingly, and so the old couple, well satisfied, retired in silence to bed.

The Farmer, His Wife and The Open Door

You know that there are all sorts in this world, good and bad, people who do not fear God, and feel no shame before their own brother. In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, there once lived a Tsar and Tsaritsa, who had one only daughter, Marya Tsarevna. But the old Tsaritsa died and the Tsar took to him a second wife, who was a witch. And the witch had three daughters, one of whom had one eye, the next two eyes, and the third had three. The stepmother could not abide Marya Tsarevna, and sent the girl with a dun cow on to the heath, and gave her a dry crust as her only food.

The Dun Cow - A Russian Folktale

Once upon a time, there was a father with three sons who had reached the age when they must go out into the world to earn their own living. When the time for parting came he gave to each of them a large melon with the advice that they open the melons only at a place where there was water nearby. The three brothers set out from their father’s house, each taking a different path. As soon as the eldest son was out of sight of the house he opened his melon. A beautiful maiden sprang out of the melon saying, “Give me water or give me milk.” There was no water nearby and neither did the young man have any milk to give her. She fell down dead.

How the Pigeon Became a Tame Bird - A Brazilian Folktale

'How the Giantess Guimara Became Small' is a Brazilian story about how the Princess of the Giants falls in love with a much, much smaller man. Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at .&nbsp;

How the Giantess Guimara Became Small - A Brazilian Folktale

Sandburg's 'How Bimbo the Snip’s Thumb Stuck to His Nose When the Wind Changed' is an American version of my favorite type of story, a progressive tale - and the first with a traffic directing monkey. Keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a Patron at .

How Bimbo the Snip’s Thumb Stuck to His Nose When the Wind Changed - An American Fairytale

Who says you're too old for a good fairy tale? Reading original versions of folktales and fairy tales from around the world every Monday through Friday, this podcast is for everyone who has a love of the mystery that surrounds us and the ways we try to explain it.

Theme music is Kirigami by Graham Bole. (freemusicarchive.org/music/Graham_B…_01_-_Kirigami)

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