The Peacock Maiden and the Prince of Laos is a traditional Lao folk tale that tells the story of Prince Phonnavong and Duongnali, a celestial maiden from the land of Champa. Set in ancient Laos, the tale blends romance, myth, and adventure to explore loyalty, destiny, and the power of true love, while also explaining the legendary origins of the peacock dance in Lao culture.
Long ago in the land of Laos, there lived a prince named Phonnavong. He was handsome, intelligent, and morally upright, so the king and queen loved him deeply. When he came of age, many officials hoped to marry their daughters to him, but none of them truly won his heart. Even the prime minister’s beautiful daughter failed to impress him because of her clever but dishonest nature.
The Weaver Who Chose His Craft is a traditional folk tale set in southern India. It tells the story of Xaca, a poor but highly skilled carpet weaver who is given a rare chance to change his fate. Through his encounter with the Mountain Spirit, the story explores the value of honest work, personal skill, and choosing dignity over power or easy wealth.
In a city in southern India lived a carpet weaver named Xaca. He was highly skilled and meticulous, but his work was slow. It took him nearly a full year to finish a single carpet, so despite his talent, his family lived in poverty. People admired the quality of his carpets, yet admiration alone could not put food on the table.
The Cocoon of Change is a short moral tale by Valentin Berestov, a Russian writer known for his stories for children. Through the simple journey of a caterpillar that hides itself from the world, the story explores self perception, promises, and personal transformation. In a clear and gentle way, it reminds readers that true change comes with time and growth, not from fear or hiding.
A caterpillar believed that it was very beautiful. Every morning, it looked at its reflection in drops of dew. It carefully studied its flat face and slowly arched its fuzzy back so it could admire the bright yellow stripe along its sides. The caterpillar felt proud and thought that anyone who did not see it was missing something special.
The Mountain of Gold and the Price of Greed is a traditional folktale about two couples whose choices lead them to very different fates. Set near a forest and a cornfield, the story shows how honesty and contentment bring unexpected rewards, while greed turns opportunity into disaster. Through a simple but powerful narrative, this tale reminds readers that true wealth is shaped by character, not desire for more.
Long ago, there lived a poor farming couple who cleared a small field at the edge of the forest to grow corn. When the corn began to form young ears, monkeys came every day to eat it, forcing the couple to guard the field tirelessly from morning to night.
The King’s Precious Cat is a story about Quynh, a clever courtier who teaches a lesson about wisdom and patience. When the king’s beloved cat goes missing, Quynh shows how clever thinking can reveal the truth and solve problems.
The king had a very precious cat, chained with a golden collar and fed only the finest food. Everyone in the palace knew this cat was treated like royalty, enjoying delicacies that no ordinary cat could dream of. Quynh, a clever and mischievous courtier, noticed this and decided to teach the cat a lesson while also demonstrating his own ingenuity. One day, while attending court, he secretly took the king’s cat, replaced its golden chain with a simple iron one, and prepared its meals in a very unusual way. He set out two bowls of food: one filled with meat and fish, as the cat was used to, and the other with plain rice, vegetable scraps, and shrimp heads. When the cat, expecting its usual luxury, ran straight to the fancy bowl, Quynh stood beside it with a rod and whipped the cat every time it tried to eat. Starving and frustrated, the cat had no choice but to eat the plain vegetable bowl. Over time, it learned to ignore the luxury food, and Quynh finally released it, satisfied with the lesson he had taught.
This story comes from traditional Laotian folklore and tells the adventures of Clever Fox, a smart and mischievous trickster. Using his wit and quick thinking, Clever Fox repeatedly outsmarts a powerful local lord, showing that cleverness can triumph over strength and authority.
Everyone in Laos knows the clever stories of Clever Fox, a smart and mischievous trickster who always outsmarts the local lords. His cleverness and quick thinking made it almost impossible for anyone, even powerful landlords, to trick him.
Thomas Edison, a famous American inventor, also created one of the first electric cars, inspired by an elderly woman who wished for an easy, horse-free way to travel. This story shows how Edison turned simple ideas into amazing inventions.
Thomas Edison was one of America’s most celebrated inventors, and when he created the electric light, people from nearby towns rushed in to see the invention for themselves. At that time, electricity was still magical to most people, so the chance to witness a glowing lightbulb felt like seeing the future. Among the curious visitors was an elderly woman who walked nearly twelve kilometers just to reach the demonstration site. By the time she arrived, her legs trembled from fatigue, and she sat on the roadside, massaging her tired feet and pounding her lower back for relief.
The Legend of Damb'ri, the Fireborn Hero is a powerful folktale from Vietnam’s Central Highlands that tells of a young man who rose from tragedy to protect his people. The story centers on Damb'ri, a humble villager who gains extraordinary strength after discovering a sacred lake, allowing him to stand against the cruelty of King Prum. Through courage, sacrifice, and unbreakable spirit, Damb'ri becomes a symbol of resilience and the fierce love of the M’nông people for their homeland.
Long ago in the Central Highlands, the Buk So waterfall roared day and night. Its sound brought life to the forest, but King Prum, who lived nearby, despised it. He claimed the waterfall’s constant thunder made him restless, ruined his appetite, and kept him awake. Angered by something as natural as the sound of falling water, the king ordered his soldiers to destroy the rocks and silence the waterfall so he could sleep peacefully. His command unleashed disaster across the land.
Why the Flying Fox Sleeps Upside Down is a traditional folktale that explains the unusual way flying foxes rest. Instead of perching on branches like birds or curling up on the ground like other animals, flying foxes hang upside down with their heads pointing toward the earth. This story explores how their unique habit began and reveals a deeper message about belonging, rejection, and silent rebellion. Through this tale, readers discover not only the origin of a strange behavior but also the emotions behind it.
Every animal has its own way of resting. Some sleep on the ground, some hide inside burrows, and others perch on tree branches. But bats, especially flying foxes, rest in a way unlike any other creature. They hang upside down, gripping branches with their feet while their heads point toward the earth. This unusual habit did not exist long ago, and bats once perched upright like birds. Something in the past changed their behavior forever.
The Legend of the Red Earth Highlands is a traditional tale from Vietnam’s Central Highlands that explains why the soil in this region carries its deep, distinctive red color. Passed down through generations, the story blends nature, emotion, and cultural belief to portray how love, sacrifice, and tragedy shaped the land. Though simple, this legend reflects the spirit of the highland people and their connection to the earth they call home.
Long ago, there lived a young man with strength so extraordinary that people believed he was born from the mountains themselves. He could lift a massive boulder with one hand as easily as someone lifts a small pebble. Because of his incredible power, everyone simply called him Strong. Despite his strength, he lived a quiet, hardworking life. He spent his days tending the fields, growing crops, and caring for his elderly mother. People respected him not just for his strength but for his gentle heart and devotion to his family.
The Crocodile and the Brahmin is a classic Indian folktale that explores the dangers of blind kindness and the importance of wisdom when helping others. The story follows a gentle Brahmin who saves a crocodile from dying in the heat, only to face betrayal moments later. Through this simple but powerful tale, readers are reminded that good intentions must be paired with good judgment, and that true wisdom often comes from seeing beyond appearances.
On a scorching summer afternoon in northern India, a humble pilgrim was walking along the dry banks of the Ganges River. The heat was intense and the river had shrunk to a thin, muddy stretch. As he passed a cracked patch of riverbed, he heard a faint cry for help. A large crocodile lay stranded on the drying mud, its skin pale and cracked. It looked as if it was moments away from death.
The Path to Heaven is a Vietnamese folktale about a kind and hardworking young man who seeks answers from the heavens about why life is unfair. Along his journey, he helps others, receives magical gifts, and learns the rewards of courage, generosity, and selflessness.
Long ago, there was a kind and strong young man who worked tirelessly in the fields and collected firewood in the forest faster than anyone else, yet he remained poor and hungry. Despite his strength and hard work, life seemed unfair, and he could not understand why he suffered so much while others prospered. Determined to find answers, he decided to journey to the heavens to ask why hardworking people like him had to endure hardship. He traveled from sunrise to sunset, crossing forests and hills, before stopping to rest at a house at the foot of a mountain. The kind hostess asked him why he was on such a long journey, and he spoke honestly. He explained that he wanted to understand why strong and diligent people like himself still lived in poverty and struggle.
The Sacred Stone is a Vietnamese folktale about a poor but kindhearted family whose fate changes after they discover a mysterious stone with extraordinary power. The story has been passed down through generations, reminding readers about the value of honesty, gratitude, and using blessings wisely.
A long time ago, a poor couple named Mr. Lam and his wife worked tirelessly to support their five young children. No matter how early they woke up or how late they stayed in the fields, their income was never enough. When a devastating drought struck the region, famine spread everywhere and jobs disappeared. With no food left in the house, Mr. Lam took his hoe into the forest, desperate to find wild yams to keep his children alive. But after digging for hours under the burning sun, he found nothing. Exhaustion and fear overwhelmed him. Thinking about his starving children, he sat down and cried helplessly.
In this folktale, a clever traveler named Cuoi outwits a greedy local lord who tries to claim everything as his own. Using quick thinking and a bit of humor, Cuoi teaches the arrogant man an unforgettable lesson by turning a flock of wild ducks into the perfect trick.
One day, Cuoi traveled to Muong Vang. After a long walk, he stopped to rest beside a large, quiet lake. In the middle of the water, a flock of wild ducks swam freely. Cuoi counted them one by one. There were so many that he eventually lost track. While he was watching the ducks, the sound of horse bells suddenly rang behind him. Startled, Cuoi turned around and saw a proud local lord sitting high on a red horse. The lord glared at him and shouted, “What are you doing here? Move aside. Do you not know who owns this land?”
In an old forest ruled by a cruel gray tiger, the animals lived in constant fear. When the white rabbit’s turn came to be eaten, he chose not to surrender. With courage and a quick mind, he crafted a clever plan that would challenge the tiger and protect the entire forest.
In an ancient forest, all the animals lived peaceful, happy lives. Everything changed when a gray tiger from another region suddenly appeared. It stormed through the trees, roaring so loudly that the entire forest trembled. Terrified by its power, the animals had no choice but to follow its demand: every day, one animal had to sacrifice itself so the tiger could eat. Deer, antelope, weasels, peacocks, and even the clever fox eventually became its meals. Many other creatures fled to distant parts of the forest to survive.
The Story of Aioga is a Nanai folktale about a beautiful but vain and lazy girl. Obsessed with her own appearance, she refuses to help her mother with chores. Her pride and laziness lead to unexpected consequences, transforming her into a swan and teaching a timeless lesson about humility, hard work, and true beauty.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful Nanai girl named Aioga. Everyone in her village admired her beauty, and many said no one could match her looks. Aioga was very proud and spent hours admiring herself, sometimes in a polished copper basin and sometimes in the clear river water, feeling more pleased each time she saw her reflection. She was extremely lazy and obsessed with her own appearance, refusing to help with chores. One day, her mother asked her to fetch water. Aioga immediately made excuses, fearing she might fall in, scratch her hands, or tear her gloves. Despite her parents offering solutions, from sewing the gloves to wearing leather mitts, Aioga stubbornly refused, choosing instead to continue admiring herself.
The Two Greedy Bears tells the story of two bear cubs who are eager to explore the forest on their own. Excited by freedom and the wonders of nature, they discover a large piece of cheese. Their greed leads to conflict, and they learn an important lesson about sharing, patience, and the consequences of selfishness.
Once upon a time, deep in a forest where no human had ever set foot, there lived a mother bear and her two cubs. The mother bear was old, but every day she worked hard to find food for her children. Seeing how much their mother struggled, the two cubs said, “Mom, we are grown up now. Tomorrow, please let us go out and find food by ourselves.” The mother bear was happy to see their growing independence. She hugged them tightly and gave them many reminders. Although worried, she also felt immense joy as she watched her cubs take their first steps toward self-reliance.
The Little Bird by Lev Tolstoy tells the story of a young boy named Seryozha who receives a bird trap for his birthday. Excited to catch a bird, he learns important lessons about kindness, responsibility, and the consequences of his actions. The story explores a child’s curiosity, innocence, and the growth that comes from understanding the value of life.
Seryozha was excited for his birthday. He received many gifts, including a toy wolf, a horse, paintings, and more. But the gift he loved the most was a bird trap sent by his cousin. The trap worked like this: a small wooden plate held some seeds outside the cage. When a bird landed on it to eat, the plate would tip, and the cage would snap shut. Overjoyed, Seryozha ran to show his mother. She frowned. “That toy isn’t good. Why catch birds? Why hurt them?” she asked. Seryozha replied confidently, “I will put the bird in a cage and take care of it. I’ll let it sing.”
The Lion and the Clever Forest Worker is a traditional fable that highlights the timeless themes of intelligence, strategy, and the limits of brute strength. The story comes from classic folklore and uses animal and human characters to illustrate important life lessons. It shows how careful planning and cleverness can overcome raw power, offering readers a meaningful moral that has endured across generations.
Once upon a time, an old lion wandered through the forest, limping and singing proudly to himself. He roared about his strength and dominance, claiming there was no creature mightier than him. As he strutted along, he encountered an old bear, missing a leg from a previous encounter with humans. The bear warned the lion that humans were far stronger, ten or even a hundred times mightier than any forest creature. Curious and proud, the lion demanded to meet this human and was told to go to the open plains to see them clearly. Excited, he dashed out of the forest, eager to challenge this unknown power.
The Three Magical Flowers is a classic folktale that tells the story of a young boy who discovers three magical flowers, each granting a single wish. Through his adventures, the tale explores themes of desire, curiosity, and the search for true happiness. It is a timeless story that uses simple yet imaginative storytelling to teach valuable life lessons.
Once upon a time, in a small village, there was a boy named Rít. Orphaned at a young age, he was taken in by the village blacksmith, who raised him as his own. Soon, Rít learned to help at the forge, assisting his adoptive father in crafting hoes, knives, and other tools for the villagers.
