akorn - Mighty Old Tales Retold

The Six Swans

Once upon a time, a certain King was hunting in a great forest, and he chased a wild beast so eagerly that none of his attendants could follow him. When evening drew near he stopped and looked around him, and then he saw that he had lost his way. 

Old Sultan

A farmer once had a faithful dog called Sultan, who had grown old, and lost all his teeth, so that he could no longer hold anything tight. One day the farmer was standing with his wife before the door, and said, "Tomorrow I intend to shoot Old Sultan..."

The Juniper Tree

It is now long ago, at least two thousand years, since there was a rich man who had a beautiful and pious wife, and they loved each other dearly. They had however, no children, though they wished for them very much, and the woman prayed for them day and night, but still they had none. 

Fowler's Fowl

There was once a wizard who used to take the form of a poor man, and went to houses and begged, and caught pretty girls.

Thumbling's Travels

A certain tailor had a son, who happened to be small, and no bigger than a thumb, and on this account he was always called Thumbling. He had, however, some courage in him, and said to his father, "Father, I must and will go out into the world."

Godfather Death

A poor man had twelve children and was forced to work night and day to provide them even with bread. When therefore the thirteenth came into the world, he knew not what to do in his trouble, but ran out into the great highway, and resolved to ask the first person whom he met to be godfather.

Frau Trude

There was once a little girl who was obstinate and inquisitive, and when her parents told her to do anything, she did not obey them, so how could she fare well?

The Godfather

A poor man had so many children that he had already asked everyone in the world to be godfather, and when still another child was born, no one else was left whom he could invite.

Mr Korbes

There were once a cock and a hen who wanted to take a journey together.

The Robber Bridegroom

There was once upon a time a miller, who had a beautiful daughter, and as she grew up, he wished that she was provided for, and well married.