The Andrew Lang Library

In which a daring youth, armed with lynx claws, undertakes the perilous climb of a Glass Mountain crowned by a golden castle and guarded by a fearsome eagle, determined to reach the enchanted Princess and her treasure. Meanwhile, the tale also reveals the early life of Prince Alphege, whose birth amidst court intrigue sets the stage for adventures shaped by magic and vigilant guardianship.

In which a young princess, held captive by a spiteful fairy, discovers a magical prince who can only communicate through a dazzling rainbow, and undertakes a perilous quest to secure fire from a fearsome monster. Along her journey, she encounters three kind fairy sisters who offer her enchanted gifts and respite, while her faithful animal companions aid her in evading her malicious pursuer.

In which a resourceful man assembles a remarkable company of six extraordinary companions, each with a unique talent, and together they embark on a journey through a wide and wondrous world. Their adventures lead them to a royal challenge and a cunning attempt to thwart the King's designs, showcasing courage, wit, and friendship amidst trials both fiery and frosty.

In which a miller’s misfortune leads to a solemn bargain with the mysterious nixy of the mill-pond, entwining the fate of his youngest son with the watery enchantress. The tale follows the boy’s wife in her courageous quest to reclaim her husband from the depths, aided by an old witch’s wise counsel and the power of golden gifts beneath the full moon’s light.

In which a young Prince, endowed with magical gifts and a kind heart, becomes entangled in a strange adventure involving a lovely Princess carried away by an eagle and confined to an enchanted palace guarded by a mysterious cloud. With the guidance of a Fairy godmother and a clever transformation, the Prince endeavours to win the Princess’s trust and devise a means of delivering her from captivity...

In which a prince, driven by a steadfast love, embarks on a perilous quest to find and rescue a princess held captive by mysterious powers, aided by magical tokens and encounters with enchanted beings. His journey leads him through wondrous palaces, labyrinths of despair, and ultimately beneath the sea, where patience and courage face grave trials.

In which a brave and faithful Prince, aided by a magic stone, endeavours to rescue his beloved Rosalie from the clutches of a fearsome giant and the malevolent Prince of the Air, encountering perilous trials and enchanted places along the way. In which a kind-hearted Princess undertakes a lonely vigil to aid a cursed Prince in the form of a black crow, enduring fearful nights and hardship until th...

In which a poor Herd-boy binds the foot of a wounded Giant and is rewarded with a magical belt that grants invisibility and a loaf that produces gold, leading him to secret gifts and an eventual change of fortune. Meanwhile, the youngest son of a fairy, destined to rule the air and wary of love, ventures beyond his mother's realm and becomes enmeshed in the mystery of a vanished princess and a pro...

In which Prince Saphir, guided by an enchanting little green frog, undertakes a series of perilous tasks within a wondrous cedar-wood and a fairy-haunted castle in pursuit of a rare and magnificent bird. With gentle magic and mysterious transformations along the way, he finds himself entwined with a maiden named Serpentine, whose origins and destiny are as curious and beguiling as the enchanted jo...

In which a brave prince, aided by a faithful horse and a wise abbess, undertakes a secretive and perilous quest to rid his kingdom of a fearsome seven-headed serpent that has long terrorised his people. Meanwhile, the tale also introduces a poor youth named Ferko, whose misfortunes at the hands of his envious brothers lead him toward a curious glen where whispered promises of miraculous healing ma...

In which a kind-hearted youth named Ferko, gifted with a miraculous healing water, aids a wolf, a mouse, and a queen bee, who each promise to repay his kindness in time of need. Thrust into perilous tasks by a suspicious king and his envious brothers, Ferko finds unexpected help from the grateful creatures as he faces challenges that test his courage and resourcefulness.

In which a hungry Hunter discovers mysterious cabbages that change human form and cleverly uses them to teach a lesson in faithlessness, leading to a joyful union. And in which the sorrowful King Peridor receives an unusual visit from a dazzling bird whose arrival stirs hope, while young Prince Saphir becomes enchanted by a magical mirror reflecting a distant and beautiful maiden.

In which three soldiers, driven by hardship, enter into a curious pact with a fiery Dragon and seek the aid of his grandmother to outwit a riddle that binds them. In a separate tale, a kind-hearted hunter receives magical gifts from an old woman, but finds his treasure and trust tested when he falls under the influence of a witch and her daughter.

In which a princess, lost in a great wood, makes a solemn promise to a mysterious voice from an iron stove and embarks upon a journey that involves strange companions and enchanted trials in order to find her way home. Amidst magical gifts and hidden identities, she encounters marvels and hardships that test her heart and courage before a final reunion brings joy and kingdom to flourish.

In which a fisherman’s catch of a golden crab leads to a remarkable marriage with a princess, where enchantments and trials reveal the true nature behind appearances. Through perseverance, loyalty, and the aid of a mysterious old man, love conquers the strange curses that bind the enchanted prince.

In which there lived an Emperor so devoted to finery that his love for new clothes overshadowed all else, and two cunning impostors arrived claiming to weave a wondrous fabric invisible to the unworthy or foolish. The tale unfolds with a delicate display of vanity and pretense, as the Emperor and his court, reluctant to admit their blindness, prepare to parade unseen raiment before the watching po...

In which a brave young man ventures to the East to acquire King Solomon’s magical signet-ring that holds the secret to vanquishing a dreadful dragon terrorising the land, learning the language of birds and navigating mysterious enchantments along the way. His cunning and courage lead him to overcome the monster, though the powers he wrests may bring unforeseen consequences that weigh upon his fate...

In which the gentle editor reflects on the joy and controversy surrounding the publication of fairy tales, defending their charm and value despite learned scepticism. He offers an inviting prelude to a collection rich with stories from many lands, promising delight and wonder to children and the childlike alike.

In which a king’s stepchildren are bewitched into swans by a jealous queen, and their mute sister undertakes a silent, steadfast quest to save them through patient labour and enduring hardship. The story softly unveils the trials of loyalty and love as the young maiden’s courage and quiet resolve inspire a tender hope for reunion and justice.

In which a cat and a mouse enter into a partnership of friendship and shared provisions, only to see the cat’s temptations and sly excuses gradually diminish their winter stores. The tale softly unfolds the nature of trust and cunning under the guise of godmother visits, leading to a sadly familiar conclusion.

In which three musicians, tempted by tales of a haunted castle filled with hidden treasure and enchanted food, take turns to explore its silent halls and encounter a curious little man. The youngest, a flute-player, discovers secrets beyond his companions' imaginings and embarks on a magical adventure that leads him through wondrous realms and ancient spells.

In which a young shepherd sets out to seek his fortune, exchanging his flock for three magical dogs each with remarkable gifts, and comes upon a tragic kingdom plagued by a dreadful dragon demanding a royal sacrifice. His courageous deeds and steadfast honour lead to perilous trials and eventual restoration, aided by loyal companions who depart once their mission is fulfilled.

In which a humble fisherman, upon catching a magical flounder, is persuaded by his ambitious wife to request ever more grandiose gifts, from a cottage to an emperor’s throne and beyond. The tale gently unfolds amid shifting fortunes and the restless desires that might well unsettle a simpler life.

In which a once cherished old cat and dog, both dismissed for their age and failings, escape into the wild and form an unlikely alliance with a clever fox facing a formidable enemy. Together, they engage in a peculiar warfare that leads to renewed respect from their former master, proving that even those discarded may yet possess surprising worth.

In which a foolish youngest prince, aided by a mysterious wolf, sets out to uncover the thief of his father’s golden apples and embarks on a series of extraordinary quests involving enchanted creatures and perilous challenges. With a blend of courage, cunning, and magic, he encounters an emperor’s treasures, wins the heart of a golden mermaid, and ultimately returns home to face the trials of kins...