akorn - Mighty Old Tales Retold

What Old Johanne Told

The wind whistles in the old willow tree. It is as if one were hearing a song; the wind sings it; the tree tells it. If you do not understand it, then ask old Johanne in the poorhouse; she knows all about it; she was born here in the parish.

Aunty Toothache

Where did we get this story? Would you like to know?
We got it from the basket that the wastepaper is thrown into.
Many a good and rare book is taken to the delicatessen store and the grocer's, not to be read, but to be used as wrapping paper for starch and coffee, beans, for salted herring, butter, and cheese.

The Gate Key

Every every key has a history, and there are many kinds of keys -- a chamberlain's key, a watch key, Saint Peter's key. We could tell you about all the keys; but now we will only tell about the Councillor's gate key. 

The Cripple

There was an old manor house where a young, splendid family lived. They had riches and many blessings; they liked to enjoy themselves, and yet they did a lot of good. They wanted to make everybody happy, as happy as they themselves were.

The Gardener and the Noble Family

About four miles from the city stood an old manor house with thick walls, towers, and pointed gables. Here lived, but only in the summer season, a rich and noble family. Of all the different estates they owned, this was the best and the most beautiful; on the outside it looked as if it had just been cast in a foundry, and the inside was made for comfort and ease. 

"Dance, Dance, Doll of Mine!"

"Yes, this is a song for very small children!" declared Aunt Malle.

The Great Sea Serpent

There was a little sea fish of good family, the name of which I don't remember; that the more learned will have to tell you. The little fish had eighteen hundred brothers and sisters, all the same age; they didn't know their father or mother, so they had to care for themselves and swim about on their own, but that was a lot of fun.

Great-Grandfather

Great-grandfather was so lovable, wise and good. All of us looked up to Great-grandfather.

What the Whole Family Said

What did the whole family say? Well, listen first to what little Marie said.

LuckyPeer - Part VI

At the great yearly exhibition of paintings, Peer and Felix met one day, before the portrait of a pretty young lady, the daughter of the widow baroness, as the mother was generally called; the latter's salon was the rendezvous for the world of distinction and for everyone of importance in art and science. The young baroness was in her sixteenth year, an innocent, beautiful child.