akorn - Mighty Old Tales Retold

How Six Men Got on in the World

There was once a man who understood all kinds of arts; he served in war and behaved well and bravely, but when the war was over he received his dismissal, and three farthings for his expenses on the way. "Stop," he said. "I shall not be content with this."

The Three Sons of Fortune

A father once called his three sons before him, and he gave to the first a cock, to the second a scythe, and to the third a cat. 

Jorinda and Joringel

There was once an old castle in the middle of a large and thick forest, and in it an old woman who was a witch dwelt all alone.

The Thief and his Master

Hans wished to send his son to learn a trade, so he went into the church and prayed to our Lord God to know which would be most advantageous for him. Then the clerk got behind the alter and said, "Thieving. Thieving."

The Twelve Hunters

There was once a King's son who was betrothed to a maiden whom he loved very much. And when he was sitting beside her and very happy, news came that his father lay sick and dying, and desired to see him at once again before his end. 

The Hare's Bride

There was once a woman and her daughter who lived in a pretty garden with cabbages; and a little hare came into it, and during the wintertime ate all the cabbages.

Thousandfurs

There was once upon a time a King who had a wife with golden hair, and she was so beautiful that her equal was not to be found on earth. It came to pass that she lay ill,...

The Golden Goose

There was a man who had three sons, the youngest of whom was called Dumbling, and was despised, mocked, and put down on every occasion.

The Three Feathers

There was once upon a time a King who had three sons, of whom two were cleaver and wise, but the third did not speak much, and was simple, and was called the Simpleton. 

The Queen Bee

Two kings' sons once went out in search of adventures, and fell into a wild, disorderly way of living, so that they never came home again. The youngest, who was called Simpleton, set out to seek his brothers, but when at length he found them they mocked him for thinking that he could get through the world with his simplicity, when they both could not make their way, and yet were so much cleverer.