akorn - Mighty Old Tales Retold

Maid Maleen

There was once a King who had a son who asked in marriage the daughter of a mighty King; she was called Maid Maleen, and was very beautiful. As her father wished to give her to another, the prince was rejected...

The Crystal Ball

There was once an enchantress, who had three sons who loved each other as brothers, but the old woman did not trust them, and thought they wanted to steal her power from her.

Old Rinkrank

There was once upon a time a King who had a daughter, and caused a glass mountain to be made, and said that whoever who could cross to the other side of it without falling should have his daughter as wife.

The Grave Mound

A rich farmer was one day standing in his yard in inspecting his fields and gardens. The corn was growing up vigorously and the fruit trees were heavily laden with fruit. The grain of the year before still lay in such immense heaps on the floors that the rafters could hardly bear it. Then he went into the stable...

The Ear of Corn

In former times when God himself still walked the earth, the fruitfulness of the soil was much greater than it is now; then the ears of corn did not bear fifty or sixty, but four or five hundred.

The Drummer

A young drummer went out one evening quite alone into the country, and came to a lake on the shore of which he perceived three pieces of white linen lying. "What fine linen," he said, and put one piece in his pocket.

The Master Thief

One day an old man and his wife were sitting in front of a miserable house resting awhile from their work. Suddenly a splendid carriage with four black horses came driving up, and a richly dressed man descended from it.

The Mongoose

There was once upon a time princess, who, under the battlements in her castle, had an apartment with twelve windows, which looked out in every possible direction, and when she climbed up to it and looked around her, she could inspect her whole kingdom. 

The Crumbs on the Table

A countryman said one day to his little puppies, "Come into the parlor and enjoy yourselves, and pick up the bread crumbs on the table; your mistress has gone out to pay some visits."

The Peasant and the Devil

There was once upon a time a far-sighted, crafty peasant whose tricks were much talked about. The best story is how he once got hold of the Devil...