The Andrew Lang Library

In which a clever little drake named Drakestail sets out with a merry song to reclaim the money lent to a spendthrift King, accompanied by an unlikely band of friends concealed within him. Through a series of cheeky adventures and narrow escapes, Drakestail navigates the royal palace and its perils with wit and the aid of his loyal companions.

In which a strange and gaily clad ratcatcher arrives in the distressed town of Hamel, promising to rid it of a terrible plague of rats with the enchanting sound of his bagpipes. The Town Council's crafty dealings and the magical music lead to unexpected and sorrowful consequences for the townsfolk, weaving a tale as curious as it is solemn.

In which a gentle King’s daughter, cruelly mistreated by her wicked stepmother, finds solace and secret sustenance from a mysterious Blue Bull who becomes her protector and guide through enchanted woods guarded by fearsome trolls. Arriving disguised in humble guise at a distant castle, she wins the heart of a prince through wondrous transformations and subtle tests, revealing her true nobility in...

In which a young woman’s family occupy themselves so foolishly in a cellar that a prospective suitor departs in bemusement, vowing to return only when he finds greater silliness elsewhere. The journey that follows reveals a series of comical blunders by strangers, leading the young man back to marry the lady and start a family.

In which a young prince, born to humble fishermen and raised in a king’s palace, ventures to the mysterious Whiteland to free three enchanted princesses from the earth and wins the hand of the youngest. Upon returning home, he embarks on a fantastical quest aided by mystical gifts and encounters with elemental rulers, all in a bid to reclaim his beloved Queen and restore their rightful union.

In which a man, driven by the desire to escape death and preserve his wealth, journeys to a land where no one dies but is instead summoned away by an unheeded mysterious voice, leading him to warn his family against obedience to it. Amid initial peace, the eerie call's tragic inevitability unfolds, revealing an inescapable destiny that even firm resolve cannot alter.

In which a joyful King and Queen fall prey to the envy of a cruel monarch who imprisons them, and a compassionate little mouse reveals itself to be a fairy who offers hope and aid to the imprisoned princess. The tale unfolds amidst enchantment, disguise, and steadfast affection, weaving a narrative where kindness and courage strive against adversity in a land divided between joy and sorrow.

In which a fair and gentle princess, overshadowed by a spiteful duchess, encounters Percinet, a noble page with a magical heritage, whose devotion brings her solace and aid amid the treacheries of court and cruel tasks imposed by a jealous queen. Together they navigate trials of enchantment and adversity, revealing the power of loyalty and love within a realm both wondrous and fraught with peril.

In which a kindly but thoughtless boy named Jack trades his mother's cow for strange beans that grow an enormous beanstalk reaching up to a mysterious castle in Fairyland, where he encounters giants and enchanted treasures. Guided by a fairy and buoyed by his courage and honour, Jack undertakes a perilous adventure to reclaim his family's lost heritage and restore their fortunes.

In which a simple-minded youngest prince bravely confronts a mysterious and formidable beast called the Norka, descending into an enchanted underworld where he encounters wondrous palaces and bewitching maidens. Through cleverness and valour, he weaves his way back to the surface, navigating trials and intrigues that intertwine the realms of fairy magic and earthly affairs.

In which a poor girl, tormented by a wicked witch and aided by a magical birch tree growing from her mother’s grave, attends a royal feast in splendid disguise and attracts the attention of a prince, while the witch’s daughter meets with misfortune. Through trials and enchantments involving transformation and cleverness, the tale unfolds to reveal justice and happiness prevailing in a world of won...

In which three princesses, left alone in their father’s palace during his absence at war, succumb to curiosity and open a forbidden book that foretells their futures, most notably the youngest’s marriage to a pig from the North. The tale then follows the youngest princess’s trials as she embraces her strange fate, embarking on a wondrous and arduous journey to seek her enchanted husband and ultima...

In which a brother and sister, escaping the cruelty of their stepmother, find refuge in a forest where magical streams transform the brother into a little roebuck, and they create a humble life together that is both tender and fraught with challenges. Their fortunes change when a king discovers them, and the story unfolds with the unveiling of dark enchantments and the triumph of truth and love.

In which a beloved princess named Rosette is confined to a tower by her grieving parents to prevent a dark prophecy involving her brothers, and upon their untimely passing, her brothers seek a suitor worthy of her heart—the mysterious King of the Peacocks. Their quest leads to misadventures and deception, while Rosette herself faces peril and kindness before the truth and happiness are restored in...

In which a youthful wanderer apprentices himself to a band of robbers and learns the cunning craft of thievery, winning their respect through daring feats and clever deceit. He ultimately seeks the hand of the Governor’s daughter, proving his skill by outwitting her father and his household with remarkable and witty exploits.

In which a wayward youth named Halvor finds himself on a strange coast where he braves fearsome Trolls to rescue three Princesses from enchanted castles, aided by magical sword and draughts. After joyous reunion and enchantments, Halvor embarks on a quest to return home, encountering wondrous characters and trials that lead him back to the castle and to a fateful marriage.

In which Prince Ivan’s three sisters marry enchanted birds who carry them away to distant realms, and the Prince embarks on a quest to find his wife, the brave Princess Marya Morevna, whose mysterious imprisonment by the fearsome Koschei the Deathless sets the scene for daring adventures. Along the way, Ivan encounters magical helpers, faces perilous challenges, and navigates the dark world of Bab...

In which a sorrowful king confines his three princely sons to a tower at the behest of their dying mother, only for them to face perilous trials upon release instigated by their stepmother’s cunning demand. Alongside a most remarkable and adventurous Black Thief, they embark on a desperate quest to capture a magical steed guarded by a fearsome knight, encountering enchantments, giants, and grave d...

In which a princess named Mayblossom, carefully guarded against the malice of the spiteful Fairy Carabosse, grows up in an enchanted tower and faces the challenges of her impending marriage and confinement. Through a series of magical interventions and adventurous escapes, she experiences both the perils of love and the ultimate restoration of happiness.

In which the editor graciously introduces a fresh collection of fairy tales drawn from a variety of European sources, promising a trove of lesser-known enchantments alongside familiar favourites. This preface gently acknowledges the contributions of translators and friends, setting the stage for a new journey into the realms of fairyland.

In which a thoughtful cow-boy named Michael, known as the Star Gazer, ventures from his village to the castle of Beloeil in pursuit of a princess’s hand, seeking to unveil the mysterious nocturnal escapades of twelve princesses whose satin shoes wear through each night. Through dreams, magic laurels, and discreet courage, he follows them to a dazzling ballroom hidden beneath the silver, gold, and...

In which two brothers set out to seek their fortunes bearing cakes baked with either blessing or curse, and learn of the dreadful Red Etin and his three-headed terror. The tale follows the third young man, who, armed with a fairy’s gift and wise counsel, bravely confronts the fearsome beast and uncovers the secrets hidden within the Etin’s castle.

In which three princes, each setting out to find the most extraordinary rarity to win the hand of their cousin the princess, journey to distant lands and acquire magical and wondrous treasures of great renown. Prince Ahmed, uncovering hidden marvels and forming a mysterious alliance with the fairy Paribanou, finds himself entwined in the intrigues of his father’s court, where power and enchantment...

In which three sisters seek their fortunes, each summoned by mysterious coaches or a fearsome Black Bull, leading to wondrous castles and strange adventures that require patience, courage, and a watchful heart. The tale unfolds with enchantments, tokens of hope in the form of precious fruits, and the steadfast spirit of a maiden who endures trials to reunite with her companion and claim her destin...

In which a brave lad named Jack, inspired by tales of knights and magic, sets out on a bold quest to rid the land of fearsome giants and rescue those oppressed by their dreadful power. Through a series of cunning feats and enchanted gifts, he overcomes monstrous foes and brings peace to the troubled realm, earning honour and reward.