akorn - Mighty Old Tales Retold

Brother Lustig

There was once a great war, and when it came to an end, many soldiers were discharged. Then Brother Lustig also received his dismissal, and besides that, nothing but a small loaf of bread and four kreuzers in money, with which he departed. St. Peter had, however, placed himself in his way in the shape of a poor beggar...

The Death of the Little Hen

Once upon a time the little hen went with the little cock to the nut hill, and they agreed together that whoever among them found a kernel of a nut should share it with the other.

The Water Nixie

A little brother and sister were once playing by a well, and while they were thus playing, they both fell in. A water nixie lived down below...

The Old Man and His Grandson

There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at dinner he could hardly hold the spoon...

Clever Gretel

There was once a cook named Gretel, who wore shoes with red heels, and when she walked out with them on, she turned herself this way and that, and thought, "You certainly are a pretty girl!"

The Pink

There was once upon a time a Queen to whom God had given no children. Every morning she went into the garden and prayed to God in heaven to bestow on her a son or a daughter.

The Fox and the Cat

It happened that the cat met the fox in the forest, and as she thought to herself, "He is clever and full of experience, and much esteemed in the world," she spoke to him in a friendly way. 

The Fox and His Cousin

The wolf gave birth to a cub and invited the fox to be godfather.

The Wolf and the Fox

The wolf had the fox with him, and whatever the wolf wished, that the fox was compelled to do, for he was weaker, and he would gladly have been rid of his master. 

The Wolf and the Man

Once upon a time the fox was talking to the wolf about the strength of man; how no animal could withstand him, and how all were obliged to employ cunning in order to preserve themselves from him.