The Folktale Project

In 'How Rabbit Caught the Sun in a Trap' we hear the story of a sun catcher who hated not being first to the hunt (even though he was).

Title: Myths and Legends of the Great Plains Author: Unknown Ed…

In 'The Legend of The Peace Pipe' we get a view of the origins of the peace pipe from the Omaha nation.

Title: Myths and Legends of the Great Plains Author: Unknown Editor: Katharine Berry Judson

Hel…

We often romanticize it, but in the individual stories of soldiers we see the true brutality of war. The American folktale of 'Father and Son' tells such a tale and the impact that it can have on gen…

In the Japanese folktale of 'Hana-Saka-Jiji' we meet two old couples who couldn't be more opposite of each other, and in the end each gets their due.

From: Japanese Fairy Tales Author: Grace James

He…

The meddlesome father in this story of love from Japan may be a Deity, but that unfortunately doesn't make him any less of a villain to 'The Star Lovers'.

From: Japanese Fairy Tales Author: Grace Jam…

Heading back to Japan this week we start with a story that tells us why moths and other insects are drawn to a flame. And of course it's blamed on a female insect. 🙄

From: Japanese Fairy Tales Author…

In 'Blondine's Awakening – Beau-Minon - A French Folktale' our Princess awakens to find herself alone in the enchanted Forest of Lilacs. Or is she really alone?

From: Old French Fairy Tales Author: C…

In Part 3 of Blondine, 'The Forest of Lilacs' we get a bit of breather as the young Princess comes to the realization that she is lost in the enchanted forest.

From: Old French Fairy Tales Author: Co…

This week we're catching up with the story of Blondine with Part 2, 'Blondine Lost' where we see the young Princess become lost in an enchanted forest.

From: Old French Fairy Tales Author: Comtesse S…

Our final story from the Philippines this week is one of my favorite types of stories - an origin tale that tries to explain an animal's behavior. In this case it's 'Why Dogs Wag Their Tails'.

From: …

As someone who truly hates conflict I absolutely understand the protagonist of 'The Mistaken Gifts'. But let's all remember to get confirmation of all of our wedding proposals, OK?

From: Philippine F…

Our final fairy tale from New Zealand is a story about two different types of fairies playing in the Bush in New Zealand. It doesn't get much better than that.

From: Piccaninnies

Author: Isabel Maud …

'Fairy Tenderheart' only wants to see an end to war and finds help in The Oldest Fairy and a magic flower.

From: Wonderwings and other Fairy Stories

Author: Edith Howes

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'Christmas Tree' is the story about how fashion came to the Piccaninnies in New Zealand and has nothing at all to do with Christmas.

From: Piccaninnies

Author: Isabel Maud Peacocke

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'Catskin' is a version of the Cinderella story, and what is missing with the evil stepmother and sisters is more than made up with a cook who constantly calls Catskin "you dirty, impudent slut!"

From…

'How Jack Went to Seek His Fortune' is a fun version of 'The Bremen Town Musicians' and an excellent foil to the American idea of the solitary Hero's Journey. Jack can't get his fortune without the a…

'The Old Woman and Her Pig' is the silliest of silly English folktales. And for a progressive tale that's saying quite a bit.

From: English Fairy Tales

Author: Joseph Jacobs

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'The Old Gravestone' is a love letter by Hans Christian Andersen to the art of storytelling in quite possibly the saddest way possible. Because it's Hans Christian Andersen.

From: Folkekalender for D…

In 'The Happy Family' Hans Christian Andersen gives us a pretty solid allegory for the myopic view of nationalism.

From: Folkekalender for Danmark Author: Hans Christian Andersen

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'The Teapot' is Hans Christian Andersen at his finest. A sweet, sad and poignant tale that is almost a complete rebuttal to last Friday's story of divine classism from the Brothers Grimm.

From: Folke…