akorn - Mighty Old Tales Retold

The Spindle, the Shuttle, and the Needle

There was once a girl whose father and mother died while she was still a little child. All alone, in a small house at the end of the village, dwelt her godmother, who supported herself by spinning, weaving, and sewing. 

The Hare and the Hedgehog

This story, my dear young folks, seems to be false, but really is true, for my grandfather, from whom I have it, used always, when relating it, to say complacently, "It must be true my son, or else no one could tell it to you."

The True Bride

There was once upon a time a girl who was young and beautiful, but she had lost her mother when she was quite a child, and her stepmother did all she could to make the girl's life wretched. 

The Poor Boy in the Grave

There was once a poor shepherd boy whose father and mother were dead, and he was placed by the authorities in the house of a rich man, who was to feed him and bring him up. The man and his wife, however, had bad hearts...

The Nail

A merchant had done good business at the fair; he had sold his wares, and lined his moneybags with gold and silver. Then he wanted to travel homewards, and be in his own house before nightfall.

The Giant and the Tailor

A certain tailor who was great at boasting but ill at doing, took it into his head to go abroad for awhile, and look about the world.

The Little Folks' Presents

A tailor and a goldsmith were traveling together, and one evening when the sun had sunk behind the mountains, they heard the sound of distant music, which become more and more distinct. It sounded strange, but so pleasant that they forgot all their weariness...

The Nix of the Millpond

There was once upon a time a miller who lived with his wife in great contentment. They had money and land and their prosperity increased year by year more and more. But ill luck comes like a thief in the night...

Eve's Various Children

When Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise, they were compelled to build a house for themselves on unfruitful ground, and eat their bread only by the sweat of their brow. Adam dug up the land, and Eve span. Every year Eve brought another child into the world...

The Goose Girl at the Well

There was once upon a time a very old woman, who lived with her flock of geese in a desolate place among the mountains, and had a little house there. The house was surrounded by a large forest, and every evening the old woman took her crutch and hobbled into it.