Sandman Stories Presents

1. THE GRINDING - STONE THAT GROUND FLOUR BY ITSELF -The first story features Anansi being too greedy once again, and paying the price for it. 2. WHY THE SEA -TURTLE WHEN CAUGHT BEATS ITS BREAST WITH ITS FORE-LEGS -In the second story, we learn how turtles saved mankind, and we repaid them with cruelty. 3. HOW BEASTS AND SERPENTS FIRST CAME INTO THE WORLD -In the third story, we learn how Anansi's...

In this final story, a fisherman is rewarded for bringing a delicious fish to the king. The queen however does not think he deserves to be rewarded and devises a riddle. Can the fisherman think on his feet? Who will get the reward? Source: The Cat and the Mouse A Book of Persian Fairy Tales edited with an introduction by Hartwell James with forty illustrations by John R. Neill Music: Kiyanoosh Pay...

In this story, a farmer wishes for a daughter. He is blessed when he brings home a pussy-willow and a daughter is born. This daughter, Cat-Kin, is taken away to the island of jewels by the Queen Mother. Cat-Kin is then gifted with the jewels that represent Korean personalities and culture. Slightly edited to remove some of the casual racism. Enjoy! Source: Korean fairy tales by W.E. Griffis (1922)...

In this story, Brother Rabbit and Brother Hyena are walking around and listening to the animals talk. They come across Brother Elephant and Sister Whale boasting about being the strongest. While Brother Hyena takes it as a hint to get going, Brother Rabbit has an idea to trick them both. Listen in while Brother Rabbit gets up to his old tricks. Source: Louisiana folk-tales : in French dialect and...

In this story, a prince and a princess have dreams about each other. After getting engaged, the prince gets tricked, and it is up to the princess to save the day. Add in a dash of 39 sword wielding maidens and the best ruler ever, and you have the story of the betrothed of destiny. Enjoy  Source: The Golden Maiden and other folk tales and fairy stories told in Armenia by A.G. Seklemian 1898&n...

In the first episode, Orisha Oko , the Yoruba god of farming and hunting, tries to keep people from practicing bad magic. If you were found guilty of practicing magic, the demon Polo would cut off your head. After Oko left, a man tried to continue the tradition, but could not be a powerful as Oko and Polo. What happened then? In the second story, Moremi is the wise and beautiful queen of the Ile-I...

In the first story, a body falls apart because it can't figure out how to work together. What good are the ears to the stomach? And with that, an emperor learns his lesson. In the second story, Fox is proud of his running and abuses poor little Crab. Unfortunately for Fox, Crab is smarter than he looks and takes Fox to task. In the third story, a girl named Rose is picked on by her classmates beca...

In the first story, we learn why the moon has spots on its face. In the second story, we learn how the Itneg began to farm and use medicine, and why it doesn't always work. And in the final story, we learn of a talking jar that must be caught through magic. Source: Philippine Folk Tales, by Mabel Cook Cole 1916 (Gutenburg) Ocean SFX: Sunset on the beach (Philippines). Calm sea waves recorded durin...

Today's story is about a woman who believes fate, more than father, determines her destiny. Through her independent thinking, she is able to get wealth and a wonderful princely friend. But when her sisters put broken glass in his chair, he becomes ill and cannot visit her. How can she right her sister's wrongs? Source: SIMLA VILLAGE TALES OR, FOLK TALES FROM THE HIMALAYAS BY ALICE ELIZABETH DRACOT...

In today's story, a young man sets out to find fear. What in the world will scare this young man? Would a hand coming out of a grave scare you? What about stumbling upon a camp of brigands? Would a spirit slowly strangling you to death make you afraid? or a chef flipping you the bird? Listen to the story and find fear with the young man. Source: Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales by Ignác Kúnos 1914 M...

In the first story, a laborer first loses a table that sets itself with a feast; and then loses a sifter that drops gold coins into his pockets. How can he get them back from the thieving innkeeper? In the second story, a new father has run out of god parents. So, for his youngest daughter, he asks St. Anthony to be her godfather. St. Anthony accepts and gets her a job in the king's castle. In ord...

In the first story, Anansi tricks his own family in order to treat himself to a feast. The trouble comes when he meets a quiet fellow who carries a big stick. In the second, Anansi is helped by some fellow fishermen, but he abuses them greatly. How much can they take? And in the final story, a woman wishes for a child. When she digs up a magical sweet potato, she is granted that wish on one condit...

In the first story, the Lioness is impressed by the Ostrich's roar. When the lion cubs find out that the Ostrich has no teeth, they goad their mom into fighting Ostrich. That's a bad idea. In the second story, Crocodile is making plans to move his water animals to a new watering hole. To do so, he must make a treaty with Lion and also avoid the Boer's guns. Is Crocodile to be trusted? Source: SOUT...

In this story, we learn about some of the animals in Korea. We learn why cats and dogs went from best friends to hated enemies. We meet Tippul the innkeeper who has Snap, the dog; and Meow, the cat. Tippul is kind to a mountain spirit and in turn gets a magic stone from Tokgabi that makes his wine bottle never be empty. But, he loses the stone and it is up to Snap and Meow to go and find it. Will...

In story one, we learn why one tribe is called the sons of sticks. In story two, we learn why women like to grow their hair out, as it wasn’t always that way. In story three, we hear about why people say “long live the king” after hearing thunder. In story four, we learn how saving the life of a mouse, saves the life of the king. And finally in story five, we learn about Iroko trees and why Yoruba...

This is the story of a family who lives in the countryside in Bengal. The wife goes to get water from the tank one day and on accident touches a Shakchunni , or female ghost. This ghost stuffs the wife into the trunk of a tree and assumes the woman's life in the family home. Her mother in law notices that things are being done faster and better and is happy with the change. But slowly the husband...

In the first story, a teacher learns a lesson by observing a snipe and a clam at a stalemate being caught by a hunter.  In the second story, a mule learns why it isn't wise to hang out with the wrong crowd. and in the third story, Confucius has a dream about two kinds of trees and learns why it is better to  stand up for what is right in difficult times. Source: CHINESE FABLES AND FOLK S...

Today's story is about Abdul Kareem, the poor laborer on a lord's farm. Abdul works all day and gets paid in food and cloth. One day his boss gives him a little bit of money for doing a wonderful job and Abdul thinks he is suddenly rich. He tells his wife and she asks for some silk, his son ask for a horse and a sword, and his daughter for some slippers. Abdul gives some money to the mosque in Mes...

A young bride tragically dies only four years after getting married. Shortly there after, she comes back to haunt a chest of drawers (tansu). The family is confused and worried and call for a priest to help them out. The priest decides to spend the night a find out what what is making this ghost stick around. Listen to find out what secrets she holds. Source: KWAIDAN: Stories and Studies of Strang...

Here are two stories from Armenia. In the first one, a boy has a dream but he won't tell a soul about it. He solves riddles and teams up with the super team of the ancient world. By their powers combined, can he make his dream come true? And in the second story, a woman learns the power of saying "tush". Her daughter gets married to a very nice bird who lives in the fountain, but when her sisters...

This is the story of a young woman whose beach side home is covered in blue denim. Her friend is curious as to why she has he whole place covered in such a strange material. Sara tells her friend about a ghost she met on a train ride into the city. This story echoes the classic story of the Flying Dutchman. I hope you enjoy it. Source: Twenty-Five Ghost Stories by W. BOB HOLLAND (1904) Music: Surr...

This is the story of a man who moves an entire castle to the middle of Ohio. He really wanted to have the old world feel and a real ghost to show off with. But sadly, he can't seem to get a ghost to come around. He also has a beautiful daughter that he keeps locked up in the donjon tower because she was once pursued by a man who turned out to not be a Duke. Here comes Geoffrey De Pierpont to the r...

The story of bad omens, a phantom coach, and how death arrives to tell us someone has gone. Will you take a ride in this demon car into the Scottish sea? From the collection of Ghost stories of St Andrews in Scotland, by W.T. Linskill. Come listen to the story if you dare. (Not too scary for young ones) Source: St Andrews Ghost Stories by W.T. Linskill Music: TipToes- Myuu Sound Effects: Zapsplat...

Welcome to my Halloween storytelling month. I will be telling stories that contain ghosts and spooky stuff. Nothing will be terribly gruesome, but there is a mention of murder twice in this story if you want to keep little ears away. The narrator is visiting his friend Allan de Beauchamp. Allan is the last in a long line of Beauchamps, going all the way back to a hard drinking, hard partying fello...

This is the second instalment in the Mindanao folk tales.  In story one, the story of Lumabet, a god like man who finally turns into an owl. Lots of twists and turns in this wonderful tale. (Bagobo) In story two, we learn about Melu, who through his skin shavings, creates man. But Tau Tana puts their noses on upside down and the people almost drowned. Finally, Melu made everything right again...