Top 10 Best Fairy Tales from Around the World for Kids

Once upon a time, there was a king and queen who lived in great wealth, having everything they could wish for, except for one thing—a child.

The queen lamented day and night, saying:

– I feel like a barren field where nothing grows!

Finally, heaven took pity and granted them a child, but it was no ordinary child—it was a baby donkey. Upon seeing the donkey, the queen cried out in despair, wishing they had never had a child rather than this one, and ordered the child to be thrown into the river as food for the fish.

The king said:
– No, if heaven has given us this child, then it is my child, and it will be the heir to the throne after I am gone, wearing the crown.

The donkey was cared for lovingly and grew up happily. Its ears stood straight up, and it was a playful creature who loved music. One day, it approached a wandering musician and said:
– Teach me how to play the instrument so I can play as well as you.

The wandering musician replied:
– Oh my, how could you possibly learn? Your toes are so large! I'm afraid the strings will snap under the pressure.

Despite the rejection, the donkey insisted on learning and practiced diligently. In time, it became as skilled as the wandering musician.

One day, the donkey set out on a journey, accompanied by a loyal servant. After traveling over rugged hills, they arrived at a kingdom ruled by an old king who had only one beautiful daughter, the princess. Standing before the palace gates, the donkey said:
– Let’s stop here.

The donkey knocked on the palace door and called out:
– A guest has arrived; open the door for me.

When no one answered, the donkey sat down and began to play the instrument with its front hooves. The sweet music caught the attention of the gatekeeper, who hurried to inform the king:
– Outside the palace gates, a donkey is playing an instrument as skillfully as a renowned musician.

The king declared:
– Then open the gates and let the wandering musician in.

The donkey entered the palace, playing its instrument with its front hooves, and everyone inside laughed in amazement at the donkey's talent. The donkey was invited to dine with the servants, but it refused, saying:
– I am no ordinary donkey; I am a noble one.

The others said:
– In that case, you can eat with the soldiers.

The donkey replied:
– No, I wish to sit next to the king.

The king laughed and said:
– Very well, if that is what you wish, come and sit by me.

The king then asked the donkey:
– Donkey, do you like the princess?

The donkey looked at the princess and nodded, saying:
– Yes, I have never seen anyone as beautiful as her.

The king said:
– If that is the case, sit next to her.

The donkey replied:
– I would be honored.

The donkey sat next to the princess, eating with grace and dignity.

After staying in the palace for a while, the noble donkey thought:
– These things do not help me, I will return home.

The donkey made its way to the king to bid farewell. The king, who had grown fond of the donkey, asked:
– Why are you leaving? You look so sad. Stay with me, and I will give you anything you want. Do you want gold?

The donkey shook its head.
– How about jewels and treasures?
– No.
– I will give you half my kingdom, would that please you?
– No, that will not do either!

The king asked:
– Then what would make you happy? Would you like to marry the beautiful princess?
– Yes, that would make me very happy.

The donkey brightened with joy, for that was exactly what it had hoped for. A grand wedding was held, and that evening, the bride and groom were led to the bridal chamber. The king, curious about how the donkey would behave, had a servant secretly watch over them.

Once inside the chamber, the groom looked around, and when he was sure they were alone, he locked the door. Then, he removed the donkey's hide. He revealed himself to be a handsome prince and said:
– Now you see, I am worthy of you.

The princess smiled and embraced the prince, kissing him with all her love. But as dawn broke, the prince put on the donkey's hide once again. No one could have guessed the secret behind the donkey's skin.

The king visited his daughter the next morning and asked:
– Is the donkey amusing? I bet you must be disappointed. He is not a true man.
– No, Father, I am not sad. I love him dearly. He is a wonderful man.

The king was astonished, and the servant told the king what he had witnessed. The king said:
– This cannot be true.
– If you do not believe it, stay up tonight to see for yourself. You should throw the donkey's hide into the fire to see what happens.

The king agreed:
– Your advice is good.

That night, while the couple slept, the king quietly entered the room. In the moonlight, he saw a handsome young man lying beside the princess, with the donkey's hide lying beside the bed. The king seized the hide and threw it into the fire, watching until it was reduced to ashes. He stayed up all night to see what would happen when the prince no longer had the donkey's hide.

As dawn arrived, the prince woke up and looked for his hide but could not find it. Panicked, he said:
– Now I must flee!

As he was about to leave, he encountered the king. The king asked:
– Where are you going in such a hurry? What are you thinking? Stay here! I will give you half my kingdom, and when I am gone, the entire kingdom will be yours.
– I hope that what starts well will end well. I will stay here with you.

The king gave the prince half the kingdom, and a year later, the king passed away. The prince ruled the kingdom, and after the king's death, the prince inherited the entire kingdom and lived in wealth and prosperity.

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Iraq, there were two brothers, Casim and Ali Baba. Casim, the elder brother, inherited all the wealth left by their parents and married a wealthy woman, leading a life of luxury and abundance. On the other hand, Ali Baba, not wanting to fight his brother for their inheritance, married a poor woman and lived a modest, struggle-filled life. Every day, Ali Baba went into the forest to cut wood and sell it for a living. Despite Ali Baba’s hardship, Casim and his wife were indifferent and often treated him with coldness and disdain. However, Ali Baba never complained or felt resentful, and he continued to visit his brother and sister-in-law regularly out of respect.

One day, as usual, Ali Baba went into the forest to gather firewood. After finishing his work, he loaded the wood into two bags on either side of his donkey. Just as he was about to head back home, he noticed a cloud of dust from a distance, followed by the sound of galloping horses growing louder. In a panic, Ali Baba hid his donkey in a thick bush and kept his ears open.

Then, the sound of the horses suddenly stopped. A group of fierce riders, armed with swords and knives, stopped near a large rock that looked like a mountain. The rock was covered in thick moss and vegetation, making it blend perfectly with the surroundings. Anyone passing by would never have noticed it.

Ali Baba counted 40 men and 40 horses. Each one of them took a large bag off the horse's back. Some had two bags, others three. The group approached the rock, and the leader raised his hands to the sky and shouted:
-Open Sesame!

Miraculously, the rock, which Ali Baba had passed many times before without noticing, opened like a door, revealing a deep cave inside. The whole group entered, and the leader, the last to enter, raised his hands again and said:
-Close Sesame!

The door shut instantly, and the rock returned to its normal state, looking like just another part of the mountain. Ali Baba, still hidden, waited for nearly an hour before he heard the same command again:
-Open Sesame!

One by one, the men exited the cave. The leader gave the command again:
-Close Sesame!

The group mounted their horses and rode off, leaving behind a cloud of dust and the sound of hooves echoing in the distance. Only when the riders had disappeared did Ali Baba dare to step out from his hiding place. His curiosity piqued, he approached the rock and, following what he had heard, said:
-Open Sesame!

The door opened, and Ali Baba stepped inside, finding it just as he had imagined – a massive treasure trove. He saw an unimaginable wealth: diamonds, gold, silver, jewels, silks, and beautiful carpets, more than one could ever dream of, even in the palaces of kings. Ali Baba thought to himself:

-These 40 men must be thieves! They’ve been robbing places and hiding their loot here. I must leave before they return, or it could be the end of me!

But who could resist such treasure? Ali Baba, unable to resist, quickly filled his bags with gold, silver, and jewels, hiding them under the firewood. He recited the magical phrase to close the door behind him and left without a trace.

Back home, Ali Baba locked the doors and began to show his wife the spoils of his discovery. His wife, startled, thought he had stolen from the rich, and expressed her disapproval:
-We may be poor, but we’ve always lived honestly. Why would you steal?

Realizing his wife misunderstood, Ali Baba explained everything to her. After hearing the full story, his wife’s mood lightened, and together they marveled at the treasure they couldn’t even begin to count. Ali Baba suggested:
-Why don’t you borrow the grain measure from my brother Casim to help us count more easily?

His wife agreed and hurried to Casim’s house to borrow the measure. Casim’s wife, puzzled, thought to herself:
-How strange! Ali Baba and his wife have always been poor. They could barely afford enough rice for a meal. Why would they need such a large measure? Could they have suddenly come into a fortune?

Casim’s wife took the measure, secretly applying some pitch to the bottom of it to see what kind of rice Ali Baba was using. Ali Baba’s wife thanked her and left quickly.

At home, Ali Baba and his wife spent hours counting the treasure, filling the measure with gold, silver, and jewels. After they were done, his wife returned the measure to Casim. Unbeknownst to them, a gold coin had stuck to the bottom of the measure where the pitch had been applied.

When Casim’s wife found the gold coin, she was astonished and immediately called for her husband:
-Look! Ali Baba must be so rich that he has to use a measure to count gold!

When Casim arrived home, his wife told him everything, and Casim, filled with jealousy, vowed to confront Ali Baba:
-I’ll go to Ali Baba’s house and see what’s going on. If he really is rich, I’ll report him to the authorities!

Casim stormed over to Ali Baba’s house. Ali Baba, surprised by his sudden visit, greeted him warmly. Casim, coldly, said:
-You’re wealthy now, but why pretend to be poor all this time?

Ali Baba, flustered, denied it:
-No, I’m not wealthy. You know I’ve always lived in poverty.

Casim, holding up the measure with the gold coin, sneered:
-Then what is this? Gold that you’ve been measuring?

Realizing his secret was out, Ali Baba confessed everything to his brother: how he had discovered the thieves’ cave, the treasure, and how he used the magic words to open and close the door.

Once upon a time, there was a young, beautiful girl whose mother had passed away when she was very small. Her stepmother, a cruel woman, found every opportunity to torment her. She made the girl do all the heavy chores, no matter how difficult, and although the girl worked tirelessly to finish the tasks, the stepmother was never satisfied, always complaining that she hadn’t done a good job. The more the girl tried, the harder the stepmother made her work. One day, the wicked woman gave her an impossible task: five kilos of feathers to be plucked clean. If she didn’t finish by evening, the girl would be punished. She cried as she worked, knowing that no matter how hard she tried, the task was beyond her ability. Exhausted, the girl began to despair, lamenting her fate. As she sat there, a kind, gentle voice spoke to her, reassuring her not to worry. Looking up, the girl saw an old woman who, with a warm smile, offered to help. She promised the girl that if she shared her troubles, she would help her. The girl poured out her heart, explaining that if she failed the task, her stepmother would beat her. The old woman comforted her, urging her to rest while she took care of the task. The girl fell asleep, and when she awoke, the feathers were plucked, the room cleaned, and the old woman was gone. The stepmother returned, surprised to see the task completed, but still mocked the girl for not finding more work to do. The next day, the cruel woman gave her another impossible task: to empty a pond with a leaky bucket. No matter how hard the girl worked, the task was never going to be finished. Once again, the old woman appeared, promising to help. She waved her hand, and the water evaporated, leaving the pond dry by sunset. The stepmother, furious, gave the girl yet another impossible task: to build a magnificent palace by evening. The girl was overwhelmed but had no choice but to try. Again, the old woman came to her aid, moving the stones with a touch and quickly constructing the palace. The girl was stunned when she woke to find the palace completed, and the old woman gone. The stepmother, astonished, visited the palace and demanded to inspect every corner, even the kitchen and cellar, where a disaster struck. As the stepmother ventured into the cellar, the door collapsed on her, killing her instantly. The girl inherited the palace and soon became the talk of the land. Princes came to ask for her hand, but none met her expectations. Finally, a prince arrived, and they became engaged. Years passed, and one day, while sitting beneath a great oak tree, the prince left to seek his father’s approval for their marriage. The girl waited beneath the tree, but the prince did not return. Days turned into weeks, and still, there was no sign of him. Heartbroken, she set off on a journey, hoping to find him. After many years, she arrived at a farm, where she worked as a shepherdess, hiding her precious clothes and jewels beneath a stone. One day, as she tended her sheep, a calf followed her, and she would sing to it, lamenting the prince’s forgotten promise. As she sang, the calf lay down beside her, comforting her in her sorrow. Her story spread, and when a grand festival was held at the palace, she saw the prince again. He passed by on horseback, not recognizing her, but she knew him immediately. Her heart broke, but she vowed to find him. The following day, she dressed in a gown made of golden light, and when she entered the palace, the prince was captivated by her beauty. Yet, he still did not recognize her. She disappeared into the crowd. The next evening, she wore a silver gown, and once again, the prince danced with her, forgetting everything else. Finally, on the third night, she wore a gown adorned with sparkling stars. The prince, now fully aware, approached her, remembering their past. They embraced, and he led her away, back to the magical palace that was now hers. They were married, and their happiness was celebrated by all the people. From that day on, the girl never knew sorrow again.

Long ago, three young assistants made a vow to always work together in the same city.

There came a time when none of them had any work. They had nothing to eat, and their clothes were becoming threadbare. Faced with this situation, one of them said:

- What should we do now? We can’t stay here any longer, we have to go to another city. If we still can’t find work there, we’ll have to inform the boss and part ways.

The others agreed that it was the best option. Together, they set out. Along the way, they encountered a wealthy-looking man who asked who they were. They replied:

- We are three young assistants looking for work. We’ve always been together, but if we can’t find a job, we will part ways.

The man said:

- That’s unnecessary. If you follow my advice, you’ll never lack for work or money. You’ll become rich and powerful, with wealth and fine horses.

One of them said:

- As long as it doesn’t compromise our professional integrity, we are willing to do it.

The man replied:

- I don’t seek any personal gain from you.

One of the others noticed that the man had one human leg and one horse’s leg, making them hesitant to continue the conversation. At that moment, a demon spoke:

- Just agree, it doesn’t concern you. It’s about someone else. I have already taken half of their soul and only need the other half.

Now understanding the situation, the three assistants agreed. The demon then told them what to do. If anyone asked, the first one should say: "All three of us." The second should say: "Only for money." The third should say: "That’s true!"

They were only allowed to speak in this exact order and couldn’t say anything else. If they followed the agreement, they would always have money. If they didn’t, they would get nothing. The demon gave them a large sum of money and told them to stay at an inn in the city. When they arrived, the innkeeper greeted them eagerly and asked:

- What would you like to eat?

The first assistant replied:

- All three of us.

The innkeeper said:

- Yes, I thought so.

The second assistant said:

- Only for money.

The innkeeper replied:

- Yes, of course, that makes sense.

The third assistant said:

- That’s true!

The innkeeper said:

- Yes, exactly like that.

The food was promptly served. After eating, they asked for the bill. The innkeeper presented the check, and the first assistant said: "All three of us." The second assistant said: "Only for money." The third assistant said: "That’s true!" They handed over the money without counting. The other guests in the inn watched, amazed, and said:

- They really know how to spend money.

The innkeeper added:

- Yes, they’re big spenders, but a bit naïve.

The three assistants sat in the inn, repeating only: "All three of us. Only for money. That’s true." But they observed everything around them. A tall, wealthy merchant was also in the inn. He waved to the innkeeper and said:

- Innkeeper, please hide this money for me. Those three crazy assistants might steal it.

The innkeeper took the money and hid it in a room. Upon feeling its weight, he realized it was all gold.

Later that night, the innkeeper and his wife went to the merchant’s room with an axe. They killed him and returned to their own room to sleep.

The next morning, the merchant’s body was found in a pool of blood. People gathered, gossiping. The innkeeper said:

- It was those three crazy assistants. No one else could have done it.

The innkeeper called the three assistants in and asked:

- Did you kill the merchant?

The first assistant said: "All three of us." The second said: "Only for money." The third said: "That’s true!"

The innkeeper said:

- You see, they confessed. All three were thrown into prison awaiting trial.

The three assistants became more frightened as the situation grew serious. That night, the demon appeared and said:

- Hang on for just one more day. Don’t give up. No one will dare harm you.

The next morning, they were brought to court. The judge asked:

- You three are accused of murder, correct?

- All three of us.

- Why did you kill the merchant?

- Only for money.

- You are cruel. Aren’t you afraid of your sins?

- That’s true!

The judge declared:

- You admit to the crime and remain defiant. Take them away for execution.

The three assistants were led to the execution grounds. The innkeeper stood among the witnesses. The assistants were bound to posts, swords drawn, awaiting the order. Just then, a red carriage drawn by four foxes appeared, roaring and sparking as it approached. A white cloth waved from the window. The executioner said:

- There is a pardon!

A voice from the carriage called out: "Pardon, pardon!" The demon stepped out, grand as a noble, and said:

- These three are innocent. Now, tell everyone the truth of what you’ve seen and heard.

The eldest assistant spoke:

- We didn’t kill the merchant. The real killer is among you.

He pointed to the innkeeper and continued:

- Search the innkeeper’s cellar. The bodies of those he murdered are still hanging there. That’s undeniable evidence.

The judge sent men to investigate, and they found the bodies exactly as described. The truth was revealed, and the innkeeper was arrested and taken to the execution grounds.

Afterward, the demon told the three assistants:

- I have claimed his soul. You are free now, and you can live out your days with the fortune I gave you.

In a distant land, there lived a kind-hearted young man. One day, while strolling along the beach, he stopped in front of a small pool of water. In the pool, a little fish was being chased by a larger fish. He called out to the little fish:

- Hey, little fish, if you keep swimming in this shallow pool, someone hungry might catch and eat you. Let me help you back to the deep water, so you can swim freely.

The young man carefully lifted the fish from the pool and set it free in the sea. Feeling good about his kind act, he continued on his walk, but soon he heard a voice calling out:

- Hello, please wait for me!

He turned around to see a beautiful girl, unlike anyone he had ever seen. He thought she must be a goddess and assumed she had mistaken him for someone else. He kept walking, but the girl called out again:

- Please, wait for me!

This time, the young man stopped and asked:

- Are you calling me?

The girl smiled and said:

- Yes, I am a messenger from the kingdom of Nerya. You just saved the king’s only daughter, and he sent me to invite you to come with me.

The young man said:

- But I can’t swim.

- Don’t worry, I will transform into a jellyfish. You can sit on my back, and I’ll take you there.

The young man climbed onto the jellyfish, which carried him to the kingdom of Nerya. Before arriving, the jellyfish whispered to him:

- When the king asks what you would like as a gift, tell him you wish for the miraculous ear to be placed in a wall niche. It’s a unique item in the kingdom, but the king will surely grant it since you saved his daughter.

Upon arrival in the kingdom, the young man was welcomed warmly. A grand feast and a ball were held in his honor. After the festivities, he wished to return home. The king asked him what he desired from the kingdom. The young man replied that he wanted nothing but the miraculous ear to be placed in a niche in the wall. The king, though surprised, agreed, for the young man had saved his daughter.

The king ordered the ear to be brought to him and handed it to the young man. The jellyfish then carried him back to the shore. Once there, the jellyfish left, and the young man sat alone on the beach. Just then, a group of sparrows flew by, chatting with each other. Curious, the young man decided to try out the miraculous ear. He placed it to his ear and was amazed to hear the sparrows talking.

- Humans think they know everything, but they know nothing. Right under this tree, in the water, there’s a stone that covers a chunk of gold that they don’t even notice.

The sparrows laughed and flew away. Intrigued, the young man went to the tree and found the stone. He lifted it, and sure enough, there was a chunk of gold beneath it, just as the sparrows had said.

The young man put the gold in his pocket and continued on his way. As he walked, a pair of crows flew by, cawing loudly as they landed in a pine tree. The young man once again used the miraculous ear, and he heard them talking:

- Humans are foolish. They’ve brought in all the famous doctors, but none of them can cure the nobleman’s daughter. Her illness isn’t something medicine can cure. There’s a snake on the roof, and if someone removes it and feeds it, the girl will recover immediately.

Excited, the young man hurried to the nobleman’s house. He saw a sign that read, "Whoever cures my daughter’s illness shall be rewarded with anything they desire."

He entered the house and said:

- I’ve come to cure the girl.

The doctors in the room laughed and mocked him:

- How absurd! We can’t cure her, and this beggar wants to try?

But the nobleman, who had only one daughter, decided to give the young man a chance, hoping for any improvement. The young man entered the girl’s room, examined her, and then turned to the nobleman:

- Her illness is caused by a mistreated snake on the roof.

The nobleman immediately ordered his servants to remove the roof. When they did, they found the snake, fed it some rice, and it regained its strength and slithered away. The girl, who had been bedridden, immediately sat up. The servants continued to feed the snake, and it regained full strength. Soon, the girl was completely cured. The snake slithered away, and the young man later married the girl.

Once upon a time, there was a poor farmer with six children. The small plot of land his family owned, which would later be inherited by his eldest son, TaRo, was barely enough to feed the entire family. The parents decided to send their second son, DiRo, at the age of ten, to become a monk. Though DiRo didn't want to go, his departure would reduce the number of mouths to feed. The family knew that a monk at a small temple in the neighboring village was willing to take him in. The temple was humble and not wealthy, and the monk, although venerable, was getting old and needed help with the temple’s maintenance and, eventually, someone to succeed him as the temple's head. So one day, DiRo shaved his head, donned a black robe, and went to the temple to start his monastic life. The small wooden house was a little way from the village, near a pond at the edge of the forest. To reach the temple, one had to walk across rice fields and follow narrow embankments. The temple, old and weathered from constant rain, had nearly erased the inscription on its gate. DiRo liked the temple, but what fascinated him the most was the forest. Whenever he had free time, he would run into the forest, pick flowers, or lie on the grass, gazing up at the sky through the thick canopy. The monk was a very disciplined person, but he did not ask DiRo to do too much work. His chores included gathering firewood, fetching water, cleaning the temple, dusting wooden statues in the hall, and occasionally helping in the kitchen. The hardest task was studying. DiRo found learning to read and write difficult, and memorizing scriptures was even harder, even though he had a good heart. But he disliked studying. Whenever the monk would teach him or ask him to memorize the scriptures, DiRo would ignore him. Yet when left to study on his own, he would sneak away into the forest. The monk tried to reason with him, scolded him, but nothing worked. Whenever he held a scripture, DiRo's eyes would wander to the trees outside, which seemed to call to him, the scent of flowers beckoning him, while the sound of birds singing was even more alluring. So, every time the monk wasn't looking, DiRo would run into the forest. The entire summer passed like this, and the monk grew frustrated. DiRo repeatedly left the scriptures on the grass to wander into the woods. As a grand festival approached, the monk, having lost all hope, called DiRo and said, ‘I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t think you will ever become a good monk. A monk who doesn’t know proper etiquette or memorize scriptures is useless, and can only be a burden on the community. Therefore, I am sending you back to your parents, even though it pains me to do so. You should go home before you waste any more time.’ The monk’s words hit DiRo like a thunderclap, and tears flowed from his eyes. If only he didn’t have to study, he would have loved to be a monk. Seeing how emotional DiRo was, the monk took pity on him. He went to a lacquered chest, pulled out four scrolls, and handed them to DiRo, saying, ‘I don’t know how to help you, but I want you to know that I don’t hold any anger. These four scrolls contain pictures of this temple and some of the Buddha’s teachings. When you feel sad or discouraged, these scrolls will help you. Keep them with you, and now, go home.’ DiRo, not daring to defy the monk, took the scrolls, tucked them under his robe, and, still crying, began walking home. He thought to himself, ‘How will my parents react when they see me suddenly coming back like this?’ But as he walked a few steps, the rustling of leaves and the sweet scent of flowers filled his senses, and his sadness faded. Instead of returning home, he ran back into the forest, where he could now explore freely. DiRo chased butterflies, hid behind bushes to watch a lizard basking on a rock, and listened to birds singing in the trees. When he felt it was time to leave, thinking the day must be getting late, the sky suddenly darkened in a strange way, as if a storm was coming. The forest became eerily silent, and DiRo felt a chill run through him. After a while, DiRo spotted a small, elderly woman hobbling toward him. Her back was bent, and she wore a wide cloth hat and a tattered dress. ‘I’m so lucky to meet you here, little monk,’ she said, smiling and showing her missing teeth. ‘I need your help. It’s the anniversary of my husband’s death today, and I wanted to ask the venerable monk at the temple to chant prayers for his soul. But I can’t walk that far. Since you’re here, would you mind going to the temple and praying for him instead? Surely, you wouldn’t refuse an old woman like me.’ DiRo hesitated. He felt grateful to escape the gloomy forest, but what about the chanting? Should he admit he didn’t know how to chant the prayers? He couldn’t say that to the old woman, or she might think he was making excuses. So, he reluctantly agreed to go with her. They reached a small hut, which DiRo had never seen before. Inside, there was a small altar in one corner and a hearth in another. DiRo knelt before the altar, recalling the prayers he had seen the monk chant in the temple. He stumbled through the words, sweating and embarrassed, but the old woman listened intently, seeming pleased with his efforts. When DiRo finished, the old woman smiled and thanked him. ‘You’re a good boy,’ she said. ‘I’m grateful for your kindness. But now it’s getting late, and the path back to the village is dangerous. Please stay the night with me. I don’t have much to offer, just some barley porridge, but I think you’ll find it comforting.’ DiRo, hungry and tired, gratefully ate the porridge. Afterward, the old woman made a bed for him on the floor. DiRo fell asleep immediately but soon woke up feeling uneasy. Perhaps it was because of the heavy porridge or the stuffy air in the hut. He tossed and turned, trying to sleep, when he suddenly woke up to something strange. He felt something warm and furry brush against his hand. By the dim light of the hearth, he realized he had touched the leg of the old woman. DiRo froze in fear, realizing that the old woman might not be human, but a fox or some other creature that had lured him into her lair. He quietly got up, trying to sneak past her. But before he could leave, the old woman suddenly stirred, asking, ‘Where are you going in the middle of the night, child?’ ‘I need to go outside,’ DiRo replied, his voice steady despite his fear. ‘It’s dark out there, and you might get lost or fall into a ravine. Let me tie a rope around you to keep you safe,’ she said. She tied a rope around DiRo’s waist and let him out. As soon as he was outside, the old woman began pulling on the rope and calling to him. DiRo, in a panic, remembered the scrolls the monk had given him. Perhaps they could help him escape. He untied one of the scrolls, tied it to the rope, and ran. Each time the old woman tugged on the rope, DiRo’s voice would echo back to her, ‘I’m coming, grandmother!’—as if he were still there. When she realized he was escaping, she became furious and started sniffing the ground to find his trail. When she spotted him, she chased after him, running with terrifying speed. As DiRo ran, he heard the sound of the woman’s breathing and low growls behind him. He turned to find not the old woman, but a terrifying monster—a hungry, monstrous creature. Its eyes glowed like fire, and its long, red tongue dripped with hunger. DiRo was horrified but quickly threw the second scroll at the creature. A river appeared between them, its waters rushing violently. DiRo took the opportunity to run, but as he glanced back, he saw the creature drinking the river dry. The monster grew closer, but DiRo continued to flee. He threw the third scroll, and a wall of fire appeared, blocking the creature’s path. Finally, DiRo reached the village, and with the monster still chasing him, he pounded on the temple door, crying for the monk to open up. The monk, still groggy from sleep, opened the door just as the monster lunged. The monk quickly slammed the door shut, and the monster disappeared with a terrible scream. The next morning, as the sun rose, the monk sat DiRo down and praised him for his perseverance. From that day on, DiRo became a diligent student, and the temptation of the forest could no longer pull him away from his studies.

This is the story of a kind farmer who offered shelter to God for the night, and in return, he was granted three wishes. From that day on, the farmer enjoyed a prosperous life in a new home. Meanwhile, a greedy rich man also sought the three wishes but was punished by them.

Once upon a time, when God still lived among humans on Earth, one day He was on His way home but nightfall had already arrived. Tired, He stopped before two houses facing each other. One was large and beautiful, and the other small and unattractive. The grand house belonged to the rich man, and the modest one belonged to the poor man. God thought, 'I must ask the rich man for shelter tonight.'

When the rich man heard a knock on the door, he opened the window and asked what the stranger wanted. God replied:

- May I sleep here tonight?

The rich man looked at the traveler from head to toe. Seeing that God was dressed humbly and had no money, he shook his head and said:
- My house is full of provisions, there’s no room for a guest. If I let anyone stay, soon I’ll have nothing left and will have to beg for food. Go find another place to stay!

He shut the window, leaving the stranger standing outside. God then turned to the house across the street. The poor man opened the door immediately and invited the traveler in. He said:
- Stay with us tonight. It’s too dark to continue traveling.

God felt relieved and entered the house. The host’s wife warmly welcomed Him, saying, 'Please make yourself at home. Though we are poor, we’re happy to offer what we have.' The host then began cooking potatoes, while his wife went to milk their goats so they could offer milk to both their guest and themselves. The simple meal was served, and they all ate together. Though the meal was modest, the guest was happy, for the host’s kindness made the meal taste better. After dinner, the wife told her husband:
- Let’s give our bed to the guest. I’ll sleep on the straw tonight. He must be tired from traveling all day.

The husband agreed: - That’s a good idea.

He then told the guest, 'You may sleep on our bed tonight, while we’ll sleep on the straw.' But the guest refused, wanting to sleep on the straw. The couple insisted, and finally, the guest agreed to sleep on the bed while they slept on the straw. The next morning, the host got up early and prepared a hearty breakfast for the guest.

When the guest woke up with the sunlight streaming through the window, the host and guest ate breakfast together. Afterward, the guest prepared to leave. Before exiting, He turned to the host and said:
- You two are so kind. I will grant you three wishes.

The host replied:
- I just wish for a peaceful life, enough to eat every day, and good health. I’m not sure what to wish for with the third one.

The guest said: - Would you like a new house to replace this hut?

The host responded: - Oh, a new house would be wonderful!

God blessed the couple, and when they saw their new house, God departed.

The rich man, upon waking up, looked out the window and was stunned to see that the old hut was gone, replaced by a large, beautiful house with red tiles. He opened his eyes wide and called his wife:
- Look, this is incredible! Yesterday it was just a hut, and now it’s a magnificent house. We must go and ask them how this happened!

The rich man’s wife rushed over and asked the poor couple how they had gotten such a house. The husband explained:

- Last night, a traveler came and asked to sleep here. When He left this morning, He gave us three wishes: to live in peace, to always have enough to eat, and to have good health. He also gave us this beautiful new house.

The rich man’s wife hurried home and told her husband the entire story. The husband said:

- I deserve to be punished! If only I had known! That traveler came to our house asking for a place to stay, and I turned Him away.

The wife advised: - Hurry! We can still catch up with Him and ask for our three wishes!

The rich man quickly mounted his horse and chased after the traveler. He caught up with Him and apologized for turning Him away the previous night. He invited the traveler to stay at his house on his return. The traveler said:

- When I return, I will stay with you.

The rich man asked if he would receive three wishes like his neighbors. The traveler replied, yes, but advised that it was best not to wish for anything. The rich man thought to himself, 'I must wish for something that brings wealth and make it come true.' As he thought, the traveler said:
- Just go home, and your wishes will be fulfilled.

Now, with three wishes in hand, the rich man rode home, lost in thought about what to wish for. At one point, he loosened the reins, and the horse began to jump around, making it difficult to think. He slapped the horse’s back and said, 'Steady, Liese!'. As soon as he said this, the horse jumped again. Annoyed, the rich man exclaimed:
- I wish you would break your neck!

Immediately, the horse fell to the ground and died. Thus, the first wish was fulfilled. Being miserly, the rich man took the saddle off the horse and strapped it to his own back. He comforted himself:
- At least I still have two wishes left!

Under the scorching sun, he trudged along with the heavy saddle, and his thoughts drifted:

- I wish I had enough riches to decorate my house however I want.

Then he thought:
- If only I were a farmer in Bavaria with three wishes. I would wish for unlimited beer to quench my thirst, and a reserve supply, too.

Suddenly, he thought about his wife, sitting alone at home while he was out in the blazing heat. Without thinking, he muttered:
- I wish she would sit on this saddle so I wouldn’t have to wear it anymore!

As soon as he spoke, the saddle disappeared from his back, and at that moment, he realized that his second wish had come true. He continued walking under the hot sun, eager to return home and think of his third wish. When he arrived and opened the door, he saw his wife stuck to the saddle, grumbling in frustration. He said:

- Don’t worry, I’ll wish for us to be filthy rich.

But his wife yelled at him, calling him foolish, and said:
- Wealth won’t help us when I’m stuck on this saddle! You wished this for me, now you must figure out how to get me off!

With no other choice, the rich man made his third wish. As soon as he spoke, his wife was freed from the saddle. And so, the third wish was fulfilled. In the end, the rich man gained nothing but frustration and exhaustion, and the horse was dead. Meanwhile, the poor man lived a life of peace and prosperity until his passing.

Long ago, there was an elderly fisherman. One day, he went out to sea and cast his net, patiently waiting for it to reach the bottom before hauling it back. But every time he pulled it up, it was filled with nothing but worthless debris. Feeling discouraged, he cast his net one final time that day. This time, he pulled up a large copper jar, sealed tightly with a lead lid. Excited, he thought, 'This jar will fetch a great price at the market.'

He shook the jar and felt its weight. 'I must open it and see what’s inside!' he thought. After some effort with his knife, he pried open the lid, and as he tilted the jar, a thick cloud of smoke poured out, rising high into the sky and spreading across the land. The fisherman was amazed. The smoke gathered and took shape, transforming into a terrifying, monstrous demon.

As the demon took form, it shouted at the fisherman:
– You are going to die!

The fisherman immediately responded:
– Why do you want me dead? I freed you from that jar!

The demon replied:
– Let me tell you my story. I was once a mighty demon, but I committed a grave crime and was punished by being turned into this monster and sealed in that jar, which was thrown into the sea. For hundreds of years, I waited for someone to release me. I promised them wealth and happiness, but no one came. I grew angry and cursed: 'Whoever frees me will die!' And then you came and set me free. So now, you must die!

The fisherman thought to himself: 'I’m human, and this is a demon. I have intelligence. I must use my wits to outsmart it.'

So, the fisherman asked the demon:
– You really intend to kill me?
– Yes! You must die!
– Well, before I die, I have one question for you.
– Ask away.
– How could someone as large as you possibly fit inside that small jar?

The demon, eager to prove its power, responded:
– You don’t believe me?
– I can’t believe it unless I see it with my own eyes.

The demon then shrank, turned into smoke, and soared up to the sky. The smoke gathered and then slowly shrank, until it all squeezed back into the jar. The fisherman quickly sealed the jar with the lead lid. The demon struggled and begged to be released, but it was all in vain. The fisherman threw the jar back into the sea, trapping the demon there forever.

In a village, there was a couple where the wife was so lazy that she never wanted to move a muscle. Her husband asked her to spin thread, but she only did half the job, and after spinning, she left the thread untouched on the spindle. When her husband scolded her, she retorted:

– How am I supposed to wind it? There’s no spindle! If you’re so smart, why don’t you go into the forest and find something to make one for me?

The husband responded:

– If that’s all it takes, I’ll go into the forest and find some wood to make a spindle!

Now the wife grew anxious. She worried that if he found good wood, he would make the spindle, and then she would have to do the spinning and winding work nonstop. After thinking for a while, she came up with a plan. She followed her husband into the forest. While he climbed a tree to pick the wood and began chopping, she hid nearby in the bushes so he wouldn’t see her, and began singing:

“Whoever chops wood to make a spindle will die,
Whoever uses that spindle will meet their end.”

Hearing the voice, the husband paused and listened, unsure of what to make of the strange song. He thought to himself:
– Oh, it’s just a foolish superstition. It’s nothing to worry about.

He picked up his axe again, ready to continue, but the same song echoed once more:

“Whoever chops wood to make a spindle will die,
Whoever uses that spindle will meet their end.”

This time, the husband hesitated, feeling uneasy. After a moment, he decided to carry on, but the third time the voice rang out clearly:

“Whoever chops wood to make a spindle will die,
Whoever uses that spindle will meet their end.”

By now, he was deeply disturbed. He climbed down from the tree and headed home. Meanwhile, the wife had taken a shortcut and arrived home ahead of him. When he returned, she pretended not to know anything and casually asked:

– Did you find any good wood for the spindle?

The husband sighed and replied:

– No, I didn’t find any. Looks like we won’t be making a spindle after all.

He then told her about the strange experience in the forest, and after that, they never spoke of it again.

A few days later, the husband noticed the house was a mess, and he grew frustrated. He said to his wife:

– This is ridiculous! You’ve finished spinning, but you left the thread on the spindle like that!

The wife replied:

– Don’t you know? We don’t have a spindle, so why don’t you stand on the rafters while I throw the spindle up to you, and you can catch it and wind the thread that way?

The husband agreed:

– Well, that works, I suppose.

So they tried it her way. After finishing, the husband said:

– The thread is wound now, but we still need to boil it.

The wife became anxious again, but she calmly said:

– Sure, I’ll wake up early tomorrow and boil it.

Inside, she was already planning something new.

The next morning, at the crack of dawn, she got up, lit the fire, and set a pot to boil. But instead of boiling the thread, she threw a handful of tangled hemp into the pot. Then, she went to wake her husband, telling him:

– I need to go out for a while. Please wake up and watch the pot. If you don’t check on it by the time the rooster crows, the thread will turn into a mess of hemp!

The husband, eager to avoid any mistakes, jumped out of bed and rushed to the kitchen. But when he looked into the pot, he was horrified to see only a tangled mass of hemp. He felt embarrassed, thinking that he must have woken up too late and ruined everything. He said nothing, assuming it was his fault. From that day on, he never again mentioned spinning or winding thread.

It seems that the wife truly was a lazy woman.

Once upon a time, there was an old fox with nine tails. Curious about his wife's loyalty, he decided to test her. He lay motionless under the couch, looking as though he had been dead for ages. His wife, the vixen, locked herself in the bedroom, leaving only the housekeeper cat standing by the stove.

Rumors of the old fox's death spread quickly.

One day, there was a knock on the door. The cat opened it, and the young fox at the door spoke:

– Hello, Miss Cat. Is the lady of the house home? Is she sleeping or awake?

The cat replied:
– She’s not asleep, I’m cooking. Where are you from, and what do you want?

The young fox said:
– Thank you, Miss Cat. Could you tell me what the vixen is doing?

The cat answered:
– The fox has gone to the heavens, leaving his poor wife here, all alone and sad.

The young fox asked:
– Please help me, I’d like to make some friends, gather a family here.

The cat agreed:
– Alright, I’ll go and ask her.

The cat hurried off, knocking on the bedroom door, singing:
– Madam Fox, someone is here to visit.
– Who is it? A visitor?

The cat replied:
– Someone has come here,
To gather friends, to form a family.
– Oh dear, what does this visitor look like?
Could it be the nine-tailed fox?

The cat replied:
– It’s a guest from our house. It seems like just “one.”
– Then, never mind, let him go.

Just as this guest left, another came knocking. First, a two-tailed fox, then a three-tailed, four-tailed… up to eight tails, but none were suitable, and all left in disappointment. Finally, the fox with nine tails arrived, just like the old fox. Hearing this, the widow vixen cheered and told the cat:

– Open the door wide,
Send that old fox flying out!

As the wedding ceremony began, the old fox suddenly sprang to life, grabbed a stick, and began chasing everyone out the door.

The Fox's Wedding

When the old fox passed away, a wolf came to propose. He knocked on the door, and the cat answered. The wolf greeted the cat and asked:

– Hello, Miss Cheerful Cat, why are you sitting here alone? What are you up to?

The cat replied:
– Just putting bread in the milk,
What can I do for you, kind sir?

The wolf asked:
– Thank you, Miss Cat. Is the vixen at home?

The cat answered:
– The fox is in the other room,
Weeping and mourning,
For the old fox,
Who has passed away.

The wolf said:
– I wish to marry again,
Please, can I come in?

The cat rushed to the room and knocked, calling out:
– Madam Fox, someone is here,
They wish to marry again,
Please come and meet them.

The vixen asked:
– Does the guest have red pants,
And a sharp snout?

The cat replied:
– No, he is not the one.

One by one, other suitors arrived: a dog, a deer, a rabbit, a bear, a lion, and many others. But none had the qualities of the old fox, so the cat had to keep greeting and sending them away. Finally, a young fox arrived. The vixen asked:

– Is this guest wearing red pants,
And a sharp snout?

The cat replied:
– Yes, that’s him.

The vixen said:
– Please bring him in.

She then instructed the cat to prepare for the wedding.

They cleaned the house,
Threw out the old fox,
And served mice for the feast,
Everyone ate and danced.
The wedding celebration lasted all night, with joy and dancing filling the air.