The Andrew Lang Library

In which a duck patiently tends to her eggs by a Danish canal, only to find one hatches into an awkward and unusually shaped duckling who faces the hardship of rejection and loneliness among both domestic and wild fowl. The story gently follows the duckling’s journey through sorrow and survival until he discovers a wondrous transformation that brings him a place among graceful companions.

In which a hungry wolf and a cunning fox cross paths by moonlight near a quiet village, each harbouring their own desperate hopes for a meal. Their wits and wills are tested in a nocturnal adventure involving moonlit wells and carefully laid plans beneath the summer stars.

In which young Ian Direach, set upon a quest by his stepmother’s cruel spell, journeys through strange lands aided by the cunning fox Gille Mairtean, who transforms and guides him in seeking wondrous gifts to fulfil his task. Along the way, Ian encounters giants, magical women, and royal courts, gaining allies and enchanted treasures that promise to secure his freedom and future.

In which a brave young soldier’s son, resolute to rescue the knight’s three daughters from a watery captivity and the clutches of giants, embarks upon a perilous quest aided by a cunning raven and a magical horse, enduring strange trials and learning hard lessons in obedience and courage. Along the way, he confronts enchantments and riddles, proving himself the truest hero amid the splendour and s...

In which a crafty white rabbit named Isuro accompanies his selfish baboon friend Gudu on a journey, enduring trickery and hunger with quiet wit in a land of dense forests and swift rivers. With patience and cleverness, Isuro navigates the trials set by Gudu, displaying a shrewdness that belies his gentle demeanour.

In which a king, longing to witness Paradise with his own eyes, makes a solemn pact with a holy fakeer and follows him beneath the earth’s surface to glimpse the unseen realm. Yet upon his return, the world has changed so in his absence that he must reckon with the heavy price of his impatient curiosity.

In which a remarkable child named Makoma grows to unparalleled strength and undertakes a journey across wild lands, subduing giants of mountain, river, forest, and fire, and gathering their powers into his great sack. Encountering a formidable river giant and wresting with Sakatirina of five heads, Makoma’s adventures reveal the deeds of a hero destined for grandeur beyond mortal reach.

In which a brave hunter named Gopani-Kufa saves a mighty python and is led to a wondrous underground kingdom where he is promised a great reward, guided by the counsel of a wise wasp spirit. With the gift of a magical mirror that grants wishes, he rises to power and prosperity, yet finds himself facing the inexorable consequences foretold by a dying antelope.

In which the editor distils the curious nature and origin of fairy tales, explaining their journey through diverse lands and cultures, as well as their adaptation for young readers with softened edges and lively dialogue. These tales, collected from far and wide by learned travellers and storytellers, reflect a shared human fancy despite their many origins and are presented here with a gentle resp...

In which a poor cobbler’s catch of a miraculous speaking fish leads to the birth of two extraordinary brothers destined for adventure. One brother bravely confronts a fiery dragon to save a princess, while the other faces the dark enchantments and perils of a haunted castle to uncover its fearful secrets.

In which a clever tortoise and a mischievous monkey engage in various contests and tricks among the forest creatures, outwitting stronger and swifter opponents with cunning and resourcefulness. Their adventures, marked by playful deceptions and daring encounters, reflect the lively and curious spirit of the wild woods where men seldom tread.

In which a poor and simple-hearted old man named Wali Dâd unwittingly becomes the centre of a grand exchange of gifts between nobility, carried by a trusty merchant whose tales embellish the truth with each telling. Through an unexpected and miraculous transformation, Wali Dâd’s humble life is forever changed, revealing the gentle rewards that come to those who cherish virtue above all else.

In which a hunting king, eager to defy a grim prophecy about his daughter’s future, unwittingly sets in motion a series of surprising events that entwine the destinies of a humble boy and a princess. Through trials, courage, and curious turns of fate, the tale softly reveals the intricate workings of destiny and justice in a distant eastern land.

In which the mountain gnome Rübezahl, lord of the underground realm, ventures above to observe and interact with the changing world of men, leading to an enchanted tale of a princess’s mysterious disappearance and captivity in a splendid subterranean palace. With the aid of magical roots and clever stratagems, the princess seeks to reach her beloved prince, whilst the gnome’s unrequited affection...

In which a prince and princess find a curious refuge within the hollow of twin oak trees near their home, and a faraway suitor arrives, unwittingly entangled with a beguiling enchantress. Through secret observation and steadfast courage, truths are revealed that lead to joyful unions and lasting happiness.

In which two wives, ever at odds over whose husband is the more foolish, put their menfolk to curious tests of wit and credulity, provoking a merry spectacle in their quiet village. Neither husband quite comprehends the trials set before him, leading to a conclusion as lively and undecided as the riddle itself.

In which a queen’s beloved cat, Kisa, shows remarkable devotion by seeking help from a fairy to bring joy to the queen’s lonely life, and years later, reveals her true nature while rescuing the princess from a dreadful fate. The tale gently unravels the magic and loyalty that lie hidden beneath the most unlikely of appearances, weaving a story of kindness, enchantment, and the bonds of sisterhood.

In which a mighty lion and his cunning younger brother, the wild cat, share adventures and challenges, relying on a magical golden ball to protect them from dangers lurking in the forest. Their tale wends through quarrels and loss, leading the cat on a patient quest that ends by the water’s edge, where enchantment awaits in unexpected form.

In which a clever fox devises a series of cunning tricks involving reindeer, fish, and woodland creatures to outwit a Lapp and his pursuers in a snowy forest. Along the way, unexpected mishaps befall the fox, leaving enduring marks on certain animals, as the tale gently weaves through the fox’s escapades and stratagems.

In which a prince born under a dark prophecy grows up guarded yet restless, finding love and challenges beyond his father's kingdom, including a daring contest to win a princess’s hand. Together, he and his courageous wife confront the sinister fates foretold at his birth, seeking clever and brave ways to outwit destiny itself.

In which a young gardener’s son undertakes a perilous quest, guided by a clever fox and aided by newfound companions, to retrieve a golden hen from the radiant Sister of the Sun, whose mysterious beauty and trials lead to a series of wonderous adventures. Along the way, the youth faces daunting tasks imposed by a stern king, receives magical gifts, and ultimately proves his worth through courage a...

In which a poor old woman encounters a mysterious talking head that brings sudden wealth and strange commands, leading her to seek the sultan’s approval for an extraordinary marriage. The tale unfolds amidst magical gardens, splendid palaces, and obedient servants, culminating in a curious transformation that challenges appearances and expectations.

In which a miller’s unusual wedding invitation to the wild creatures of the forest sets in motion a series of fateful decisions, as each proud animal is warned by a cautious boy of the dangers that lie ahead. The tale gently unfolds to reveal why these once free and untamed beings have come to dwell in close service to mankind.

In which a weary wood-cutter, discouraged by years of hardship and poverty, decides to forsake his labours and await Fortune’s favour within the confines of his humble home. By a curious turn of events, a mysterious treasure arrives at his doorstep upon the backs of two laden mules, proving that Providence may sometimes smile upon those who patiently abide their hour.

In which a young fisherman is betrayed and left alone on a remote island, where he encounters mysterious visitors from another world and forms an unusual alliance with a richly endowed maiden. Together they establish a new home and face strange challenges, blending human cunning with otherworldly enchantments beneath the northern skies.