Family Folktales

The youngest of twelve sons, no one expects anything of Esben. How many times will he have to save his brothers before they realize how much they need him?

A witch agrees to allow a man to pick all the rampion from her garden that his pregnant wife wants – in exchange for the baby about to be born. How well can the witch control the girl once a handsome prince comes along?

A miller agrees to a bargain with a nixy, promising her the youngest thing in his house in exchange for great riches. When he returns home and discovers his wife has just given birth to a son, will there be a way to save his child?

Following the death of his father, a beloved prince begins paying attention to the bad influences surrounding him. After he is transformed by a fairy into a ferocious beast, will he ever regain his human form and be able to take his rightful place on the throne?

A widowed king (who is also a wizard) leaves his castle in the form of an eagle to explore the world. But things become problematic when he flies off with a lovely young princess in his talons! Will his handsome son be able to save the day?

What would you do if you were hungry and caught a fish that promised you good luck and the means to go adventuring in exchange for his life? This is the story of two brothers who made such a bargain. Was it a wise choice, or were they tricked by the fish?

A prince seeks the hand of the Emperor’s daughter, but she rejects him. What will happen when he disguises himself and takes a position as the Emperor’s swineherd?

A lazy young fellow becomes a woodcutter, but after finding a cache of honey and sharing it with his coworkers, they abandon him and say he was killed by a lion. When Hassebu escapes his trap, what adventures await him?

When a creepy enchanter sets his sights on marrying the lovely Princess Potentilla, it’s up to the handsome Prince Narcissus to save her. Can he do it on his own, or will there be a bit of magic involved in his attempts?

Bears, magic, murder, and revenge all play a part in this Native American tale!

A baboon and a rabbit outsmart each other in this tale from Zimbabwe. But who will prove to be the cleverer of the two?

A prince is sent on a quest by his stepmother, the queen; will he find what he seeks, or even return home?

A young man is determined to marry a princess. Will he be able to accomplish the King’s impossible tasks on his own, or will he need a bit of help from someone who wants him to succeed?

A Clever duckling loans money to the King, who refuses to repay the loan. When Drakestail and his unusual friends seek repayment, how far will the king go to avoid paying what he owes?

A soldier is foiled in his attempt to marry a princess; as a result, he spends years searching for her. Will he find her before she marries another?

Three women challenge each other to see whose husband is the stupidest; the winner will drink free on their weekly outings!

Three sisters are left at home when their father goes on a journey for the king; despite his clear instructions, he finds that two of them disobeyed him while he was away, and the third has incurred the wrath of the king. Will Maria be able to aid her father in the impossible task set by the king and save her own life?

A family’s daughter has disappeared while tending the flocks, and two of her brothers have never returned from their searches for her. Will the youngest son find them, or meet the fate of the others?

A wicked stepmother sends her stepdaughter out into the snow, expecting her to die. But the Frost King is pleased with her answers to his questions and rewards the kind girl generously. When the woman sends her brat of a daughter out to seek the Frost King’s riches, what do you think will happen?

An owl and an eagle, best friends, decide they must find wives to tend their home and care for them. When the pair disappear for days, their wives set out with their children to find them. What challenges will the women face?

A princess is determined to marry the Green Knight, whom she met in her dreams. Will her wicked stepmother find a way to keep the lovers apart forever?

A wicked count requires a young woman to spin her wedding shift and his burial shroud out of nettles from the cemetery before he will allow her to marry her beloved. No one has spun nettles before; is she up for the task?

A couple is thrilled when they have a child the size of a hazel-nut, but they find it difficult to be supportive when he announces his plan to become a messenger. When he goes out to seek his fortune, will his small size be a help or a hindrance?

Two young men fall in love with the same woman, and one conspires to abandon his friend on an island. But what will happen when he draws blood from a lovely young elf maiden?

A poor woman on her way to market is accosted by a head with no body, which then follows her home! Might there be a way for the two to help each other?