Brabo and the giant

<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Brabo and the giant </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk682GdQXnX-5HEAz3uLAxHZachVFKsAz8MK7_4Wn2FmLIgUfwG-Rw2TrdVHi74m4dsPX6cu3ZqxVSjMGLpe_Q0tCG0huXYe8b6pIOzlTuzhGRpKg3JLa5L286C9RIDo6IXs_vK2OyTeBx/s1600/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk682GdQXnX-5HEAz3uLAxHZachVFKsAz8MK7_4Wn2FmLIgUfwG-Rw2TrdVHi74m4dsPX6cu3ZqxVSjMGLpe_Q0tCG0huXYe8b6pIOzlTuzhGRpKg3JLa5L286C9RIDo6IXs_vK2OyTeBx/s1600/download.jpeg" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> <br /></div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Ages ago, when the giants were numerous on the earth, there lived a big fellow named Antigonus. That was not what his mother had called him, but some one told him of a Greek general of that name; so he took this for his own. He was rough and cruel. His castle was on the Scheldt River, where the city of Antwerp now stands. Many ships sailed out of France and Holland, down this stream. They were loaded with timber, flax, iron, cheese, fish, bread, linen, and other things made in the country. It was by this trade that many merchants grew rich, and their children had plenty of toys to play with. The river was very grand, deep, and wide. The captains of the ships liked to sail on it, because there was no danger from rocks, and the country through which it flowed was so pretty.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> So every day, one could see hundreds of white-sailed craft moving towards the sea, or coming in from the ocean. Boys and girls came down to stand in their wooden shoes on the banks, to see the vessels moving to and fro. The incoming ships brought sugar, wine, oranges, lemons, olives and other good things to eat, and wool to make warm clothes. Often craftsmen came from the wonderful countries in the south to tell of the rich cities there, and help to build new and fine houses, and splendid churches, and town halls. So all the Belgian people were happy.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> But one day, this wicked giant came into the country to stop the ships and make them pay him money. He reared a strong castle on the river banks. It had four sides and high walls, and deep down in the earth were dark, damp dungeons. One had to light a candle to find his way to the horrid places.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> What was it all for? The people wondered, but they soon found out. The giant, with a big knotted club, made out of an oak tree, strode through the town. He cried out to all the people to assemble in the great open square.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "From this day forth," he roared, "no ship, whether up or down the river, shall pass by this place, without my permission. Every captain must pay me toll, in money or goods. Whoever refuses, shall have both his hands cut off and thrown into the river.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Hear ye all and obey. Any one caught in helping a ship go by without paying toll, whether it be night, or whether it be day, shall have his thumbs cut off and be put in the dark dungeon for a month. Again I say, Obey!"</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> With this, the giant swung and twirled his club aloft and then brought it down on a poor countryman's cart, smashing it into flinders. This was done to show his strength.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> So every day, when the ships hove in sight, they were hailed from the giant's castle and made to pay heavy toll. Poor or rich, they had to hand over their money. If any captain refused, he was brought ashore and made to kneel before a block and place one hand upon the other. Then the giant swung his axe and cut off both hands, and flung them into the river. If a ship master hesitated, because he had no money, he was cast into a dungeon, until his friends paid his ransom.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Soon, on account of this, the city got a bad name. The captains from France kept in, and the ship men from Spain kept out. The merchants found their trade dwindling, and they grew poorer every day. So some of them slipped out of the city and tried to get the ships to sail in the night, and silently pass the giant's castle.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> But the giant's watchers, on the towers, were as wide awake as owls and greedy as hawks. They pounced on the ship captains, chopped off their hands and tossed them into the river. The townspeople, who were found on board, were thrown into the dungeons and had their thumbs cut off.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> So the prosperity of the city was destroyed, for the foreign merchants were afraid to send their ships into the giant's country. The reputation of the city grew worse. It was nicknamed by the Germans Hand Werpen, or Hand Throwing; while the Dutchmen called it Antwerp, which meant the same thing. The Duke of Brabant, or Lord of the land, came to the big fellow's fortress and told him to stop. He even shook his fist under the giant's huge nose, and threatened to attack his castle and burn it. But Antigonus only snapped his fingers, and laughed at him. He made his castle still stronger and kept on hailing ships, throwing some of the crews into dungeons and cutting off the hands of the captains, until the fish in the river grew fat.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Now there was a brave young fellow named Brabo, who lived in the province of Brabant. He was proud of his country and her flag of yellow, black and red, and was loyal to his lord. He studied the castle well and saw a window, where he could climb up into the giant's chamber.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Going to the Duke, Brabo promised if his lord's soldiers would storm the gates of the giant's castle, that he would seek out and fight the ruffian. While they battered down the gates, he would climb the walls. "He's nothing but a 'bulle-wak'" (a bully and a boaster), said Brabo, "and we ought to call him that, instead of Antigonus."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The Duke agreed. On a dark night, one thousand of his best men-at-arms were marched with their banners, but with no drums or trumpets, or anything that could make a noise and alarm the watchmen.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Reaching a wood full of big trees near the castle, they waited till after midnight. All the dogs in the town and country, for five miles around, were seized and put into barns, so as not to bark and wake the giant up. They were given plenty to eat, so that they quickly fell asleep and were perfectly quiet.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> At the given signal, hundreds of men holding ship's masts, or tree trunks, marched against the gates. They punched and pounded and at last smashed the iron-bound timbers and rushed in. After overcoming the garrison, they lighted candles, and unlocking the dungeons, went down and set the poor half-starved captives free. Some of them pale, haggard and thin as hop poles, could hardly stand. About the same time, the barn doors where the dogs had been kept, were thrown open. In full cry, a regiment of the animals, from puppies to hounds, were at once out, barking, baying, and yelping, as if they knew what was going on and wanted to see the fun.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> But where was the giant? None of the captains could find him. Not one of the prisoners or the garrison could tell where he had hid.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> But Brabo knew that the big fellow, Antigonus, was not at all brave, but really only a bully and a coward. So the lad was not afraid. Some of his comrades outside helped him to set up a tall ladder against the wall. Then, while all the watchers and men-at-arms inside, had gone away to defend the gates, Brabo climbed into the castle, through a slit in the thick wall. This had been cut out, like a window, for the bow-and-arrow men, and was usually occupied by a sentinel. Sword in hand, Brabo made for the giant's own room. Glaring at the youth, the big fellow seized his club and brought it down with such force that it went through the wooden floor. But Brabo dodged the blow and, in a trice, made a sweep with his sword. Cutting off the giant's head, he threw it out the window. It had hardly touched the ground, before the dogs arrived. One of the largest of these ran away with the trophy and the big, hairy noddle of the bully was never found again.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> But the giant's huge hands! Ah, they were cut off by Brabo, who stood on the very top of the highest tower, while all below looked up and cheered. Brabo laid one big hand on top of the other, as the giant used to do, when he cut off the hands of captains. He took first the right hand and then the left hand and threw them, one at a time, into the river.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> A pretty sight now revealed the fact that the people knew what had been going on and were proud of Brabo's valor. In a moment, every house in Antwerp showed lighted candles, and the city was illuminated. Issuing from the gates came a company of maidens. They were dressed in white, but their leader was robed in yellow, red, and black, the colors of the Brabant flag. They all sang in chorus the praises of Brabo their hero.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Let us now drop the term of disgrace to the city--that of the Hand-Throwing and give it a new name," said one of the leading men of Antwerp.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "No," said the chief ruler, "let us rather keep the name, and, more than ever, invite all peaceful ships to come again, 'an-'t-werf' (at the wharf), as of old. Then, let the arms of Antwerp be two red hands above a castle."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Agreed," cried the citizens with a great shout. The Duke of Brabant approved and gave new privileges to the city, on account of Brabo's bravery. So, from high to low, all rejoiced to honor their hero, who was richly rewarded.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> After this, thousands of ships, from many countries, loaded or unloaded their cargoes on the wharves, or sailed peacefully by. Antwerp excelled all seaports and became very rich again. Her people loved their native city so dearly, that they coined the proverb "All the world is a ring, and Antwerp is the pearl set in it."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> To this day, in the great square, rises the splendid bronze monument of Brabo the Brave. The headless and handless hulk of the giant Antigonus lies sprawling, while on his body rests Antwerp castle. Standing over all, at the top, is Brabo high in air. He holds one of the hands of Antigonus, which he is about to toss into the Scheldt River.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> No people honor valor more than the Belgians. Themselves are to-day, as of old, among the bravest. </div>

Brabo and the giant

Brabo and the giant  Ages ago, when the giants were numerous on the earth, there lived a big fellow named Antigonus. That was not wha...

Read more »

The toy-goose

<h1 align="center" class="GL" style="font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: larger; line-height: 0.9em;"> The toy-goose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXdrcQvAwKLcn2xCjSm6hVwTJYNAFEUvwAINr-ffnbwIDdb_Mi7Ensm6TgNfeddAlc4l5Fq6J6efBQY-r7dwZtyrn3LFbuq6uij7xE1RmNbvJc9C-5_wSH8fiqndTzqqmroB-RdKJPkYj/s1600/unnamed+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="470" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXdrcQvAwKLcn2xCjSm6hVwTJYNAFEUvwAINr-ffnbwIDdb_Mi7Ensm6TgNfeddAlc4l5Fq6J6efBQY-r7dwZtyrn3LFbuq6uij7xE1RmNbvJc9C-5_wSH8fiqndTzqqmroB-RdKJPkYj/s320/unnamed+%25287%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> </h1> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> <br /></div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> A Flea, a Grasshopper, and a Toy-goose once wanted to see which of them could jump highest, and so they invited the whole world and everybody else who would like to come, to see the frolic. When the three met together in the room, everyone thought they were remarkable jumpers.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Well, I'll give my daughter to the one who jumps highest!" said the king; "for it would not be fair to let these people jump for nothing!"</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The first one to step forward was the Flea; he had such perfect manners and bowed on every side, for he had noble blood in his veins, and more than that, he associated only with human beings, which makes a great difference.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Then came the Grasshopper; he was certainly very much larger, however, he carried himself well, and wore the green uniform he was born with. Moreover, as he said, he belonged to a very old family in the land of Egypt, and was well thought of here at home.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The fact was, when he was brought out of the fields he was put in a house, three storeys high, all made of court-cards with the colored side turned in; both doors and windows were cut out in the waist of the Queen of Hearts. "I sing so well," he said "that sixteen native crickets who had chirped since they were born, and still had no house of cards to live in, grew thinner than they were before out of vexation when they heard of me."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> So it was that the Flea and the Grasshopper were able to give a good account of themselves, and saw no reason why they should not marry the princess.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The Toy-goose said nothing; and people thought it was because he knew all the more; the house-dog sniffed at him with his nose, and assured them the Toy-goose was of good family. The old councilor, who had three orders given him for holding his tongue, said that the Toy-goose was a prophet; for one could see on his back if there would be a severe or mild winter, and that was more than one could see on the back of the man who writes the almanacs.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Well, I shall say nothing," said the king, "however I have my own opinion."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The trial was to take place at once, so the Flea jumped first. He jumped so high that nobody could see where he went to; so they said he had not jumped at all; which was shameful.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The Grasshopper jumped only half as high; but he jumped right into the king's face, which, the king said was most unpleasant.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The Toy-goose stood still for a long time, thinking to himself; at last the people believed he would not jump at all.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "I only hope he is not ill," said the house-dog; when, pop! he made a side jump right into the lap of the princess, who was sitting on a little golden stool close by.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Then the king said, "There is nothing above my daughter; therefore he has made the highest jump that can be made: to do this, one must have a good mind and the Toy-goose has shown that he has a good mind. He has a mind of his own!"</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> And so he won the princess.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "It's all the same to me, she may have the old Toy-goose, for all I care," said the Flea. "I jumped the highest; but, in this world a fine appearance is what people look at nowadays."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The Flea then went into a foreign land and enlisted, where it is said, he was killed.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The Grasshopper sat on a green bank, and thought on worldly things; and he said, "Yes, a fine appearance is everything—a fine appearance is what people care about." And then he began chirping his melancholy song from which we have taken this story; and which may or may not be true, although it is printed.</div>

The toy-goose

The toy-goose A Flea, a Grasshopper, and a Toy-goose once wanted to see which of them could jump highest, and so they invited the who...

Read more »

Prince Kindhearted

<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> <br /></div> <h1 align="center" class="GL" style="font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: larger; line-height: 0.9em;"> Prince Kindhearted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEFAdn_JK-8KSqVM8MA73L1MoKJfHznjSJeNsmWs9DvjfCVj9SPrUUD5p50UWHHiRhOPAkGYzyiyJPp5DmuXzcCUEYbuzsfhEglgAq0yYWCTmRepe7S-sXJThCzCppNKbpvZZoPQPF9jD/s1600/unnamed+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEFAdn_JK-8KSqVM8MA73L1MoKJfHznjSJeNsmWs9DvjfCVj9SPrUUD5p50UWHHiRhOPAkGYzyiyJPp5DmuXzcCUEYbuzsfhEglgAq0yYWCTmRepe7S-sXJThCzCppNKbpvZZoPQPF9jD/s320/unnamed+%25286%2529.jpg" width="276" /></a></div> </h1> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> <br /></div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Once upon a time there lived a king who had but one son, and he was called the Kindhearted. When the prince was twenty years old, he asked the king, his father, to let him go traveling. His father fitted him out for the journey, gave him a true servant to guard him, and his fatherly blessing. The prince took leave of his father, mounted a brave steed and went to different countries, to see God's world, to learn many things, and to return home a wiser and a better man.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Once when the prince was slowly riding through a silent field, he suddenly perceived an eagle in pursuit of a swan. The white swan was almost caught by the eagle's sharp claws, when the prince, carefully aiming, fired his pistol. The eagle fell dead, and the happy swan came down and said: "Prince Kindhearted, I thank you for your help. It is not a swan that is thanking you, but the enchanted daughter of the Knight Invisible. You have not saved me from an eagle's claws, but from the terrible magician King Koshchey. My father will pay you well for your services. Remember whenever you are in need, to say three times: 'Knight Invisible, come to my help!'" The swan flew away as soon as it had finished speaking, and the prince looked after it, then continued his journey.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> He crossed many high mountains, traversed deep rivers, passed foreign countries, and at last he came to a great desert, where there was nothing to see but sky and sand. No man lived there, no animal's voice was ever heard, no vegetable ever grew there; the sun was shining so brightly and burning so terribly that all the rivers were dried up, their beds were lost in the sand, and there was not a drop of water anywhere. The young prince anxious to go everywhere and see everything and not noticing how dry things were, kept going farther and farther, and deeper and deeper, into the desert. But after a while he became terribly thirsty. In order to find some water he sent his servant in one direction and he himself went in another. After a long time he succeeded in finding a well. He called to his servant, "I have found a means of getting some water," and they both were happy. But their happiness did not last, for the well was very deep and they had nothing with which to reach the water.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The prince said to the servant: "Dismount, I will let you down into the well by some long ropes and you shall draw up some water."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "No, my prince," answered the servant, "I am much heavier than you are, and Your Majesty's hands will not be able to hold me. You take hold of the ropes, and I will let you down into the well."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The prince, the ropes tied around him, went down into the well, drank the cold water, and taking some of it for the servant, pulled the ropes, as a sign for the servant to draw him up again.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> But instead of pulling him up, the servant said: "Listen, you, kingly son! From your cradle-days until now you have lived a happy life, surrounded by luxury and love, and I have always led the life of a miserable wretch. Now you must agree to become my servant, and I will be the prince instead of you. If you will not exchange, say your last prayer, for I am going to drown you."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Do not drown me, my true servant, you will not gain anything by it. You will never find such a good master as I am, and you know what a murderer may expect in the next world."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Let me suffer in the next world, but I will make you suffer in this one," answered the servant and he began to loosen the ropes.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Stop!" cried the prince, "I will be thy servant and you shall be the prince. I will give you my word for it."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "I do not believe your word. Swear that you will write down what you promise me, now, for words are lost in the air, and writing always remains as a testimony against us."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "I swear!"</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The servant let down into the well a sheet of paper and a pencil, and told the prince to write the following: "The bearer of this is Prince Kindhearted, traveling with his servant, a subject of his father's kingdom."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The servant glanced over the note, pulled the prince out of the well, gave him his shabby clothes, and put on the prince's rich dress. Then having changed armor and horses, they went on.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> In a week or so they came to the capital of a certain kingdom. When they approached the palace, the false prince gave his horse to the false servant and told him to go to the stable, and he himself went straight into the throne chamber and said to the king: "I come to you to ask for the hand of your daughter, whose beauty and wisdom are known all over the world. If you consent, you will have our favor; if not, we will decide it by war."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "You do not speak to me in a nice way at all, not as a prince ought to speak, but it may be that in your country you are not used to better manners. Now listen to me, my future son-in-law. My kingdom is now in the hands of an enemy of mine. His troops have captured my best soldiers and now they are approaching my capital. If you will clear my kingdom from these troops, my daughter's hand will be yours as a reward."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "All right," answered the false prince, "I will drive your enemies away. Do not worry if they come to the capital. To-morrow morning not one enemy will be left in your land." In the evening he went out of the palace, called his servant and said to him: "Listen, my dear! Go out to the city walls, drive away the foreign troops, and for this service I will return to you your note, by which you denied your kingdom and swore to be my servant."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The honest Prince Kindhearted put on his knightly armor, mounted his steed, went out to the city walls and called in a loud voice: "Knight Invisible! Come to my help!"</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Here I am," said Knight Invisible, "what do you wish me to do for you? I am ready to do everything for you, because you saved my child from the terrible Koshchey."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Prince Kindhearted showed him the troops, and the Knight Invisible whistled loudly and called: "Oh you, my wise horse, come to me quickly!"</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> There was a rustling in the air, it thundered, the earth trembled, and a wonderful horse appeared, having a golden mane, from his nostrils a fire was burning, from his eyes bright sparks were flying, and from his ears thick clouds of smoke were coming.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Knight Invisible jumped upon the horse and said to the prince: "Take this magic sword and attack the troops from the left, and I upon my golden-maned horse will attack them from the right."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> They both attacked the army. From the left the soldiers were falling like wood, from the right like whole forests. In less than an hour the entire army vanished. Some of them remained upon the spot, dead; some of them fled. Prince Kindhearted and the Knight Invisible met upon the battle-field, shook hands in a friendly way, and in a minute the Knight Invisible and his horse turned into a bright red flame, then into thick smoke, which disappeared in the darkness. The prince returned quietly to the palace.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The young princess felt very sad that evening. She could not sleep and so leaned out of her window, whence she overheard the conversation between the prince and the servant. Then she saw what was going on behind the city walls. She also saw the Knight Invisible disappear in the darkness, and Prince Kindhearted return to the palace. She saw the false prince coming out of the palace, taking the knightly armor from the servant, and Prince Kindhearted entering the stable to rest.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The next morning, the old king, seeing his land freed from the enemies, felt very happy, and gave the prince many rich presents. But when he announced the engagement of his daughter to him, she stood up, took the hand of the real prince, who helped to serve at the table, led him before the old king and said: "My dearest father and king, and all you that are present here! This man is my bridegroom, sent to me by God, for he is your savior, and the real prince. And that one who calls himself a prince, is a traitor; a false and dishonest man." Then the princess told everything she knew and said: "Let him show some proof that he really is a prince."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The false prince gave to the king the note, which was given to him in the well. The king opened it and read aloud: "The bearer of this note, the false and untrue servant of Prince Kindhearted, asks for pardon and expects a just punishment. The note was given to him in the well by Prince Kindhearted."</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Is it really so?" cried the wretch and he became pale as death.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Yes, read it yourself, if you do not believe it," answered the king.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "I cannot read," said the poor fellow. He knelt before his master and begged for mercy, but he received what he deserved.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Prince Kindhearted and the princess were happily married, and I was present at the wedding feast and also felt happy.</div>

Prince Kindhearted

Prince Kindhearted Once upon a time there lived a king who had but one son, and he was called the Kindhearted. When the prince was ...

Read more »

The two brothers and the white-bearded old man

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmHWYFVhyHlfA2YEVDF1FJjqnv14KxM3r8gBAX0TaqiJXja2tVansHOTPoWrOTkLmH_gqIkXqItOoNXOniXVepwzeDav_4Q2YJcWdzox2JLO08hLhbVPWW_qcMcsdmL7-5LSiTBPswlIV/s1600/unnamed+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="322" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmHWYFVhyHlfA2YEVDF1FJjqnv14KxM3r8gBAX0TaqiJXja2tVansHOTPoWrOTkLmH_gqIkXqItOoNXOniXVepwzeDav_4Q2YJcWdzox2JLO08hLhbVPWW_qcMcsdmL7-5LSiTBPswlIV/s320/unnamed+%25285%2529.jpg" width="225" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="show_box" style="background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back2.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 2px 0px 2px 0px; font-size: 5vh; height: 6vh; left: 0px; position: fixed; text-align: center; top: 0px; width: 360px; z-index: 11;"> <br /></div> <div class="GM box8" id="box8" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1vh; margin-right: 1vh; margin-top: 5vh; overflow: hidden; padding: 1vh; perspective: 1000px; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); z-index: 1;"> <div class="ad" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 2px 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 1px; color: #66cccc; float: right; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; text-align: justify; top: -2px; z-index: 0;"> The two brothers and the white-bearded old man </div> <div style="clear: both;"> </div> <div class="GM" id="text" style="left: 0px; margin: auto; max-width: 1200px; right: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> <div align="justify" class="GM"> Once upon a time there were two brothers. They decided to start venturing from town to town and from village to village to to seek happiness. Along the way they saw an old man with white beard heading towards them.</div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> The old man stopped and asked the boys where they were headed. When he found out he told them:</div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> "I want to help you." He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a handful of golden coins. " Which one of you wants these?" he asked.</div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> "I want them." replied the big brother immediately. The old man hand in his other pocket and pulled out a precious gem, shining like the sun, and asked again:</div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> "Which one of you want to have the gem?</div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> "I want it." hasty answered the big brother and the old man gave him the gem. Then the old man put down the sack he was carrying on his back and said:</div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> "Now who is gonna help me bring this sack to the village?"</div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> The big brother said nothing. On the other hand the little brother pulled up his sleeves and bended down to help him. The old man smiled and said:</div> <div align="justify"> <span class="GM">"Take it with you, my boy, along with everything that is inside."</span></div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> "No it's not mine."</div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> " Take it, take it." said the old man. "It's my gift to you."</div> <div align="justify" class="GM"> The little brother opened the sack. And what did his eyes see? The bag was filled with precious gemstones. He stood up to thank the old man, but he was nowhere to be found.</div> </div> </div>

The two brothers and the white-bearded old man

The two brothers and the white-bearded old man  Once upon a time there were two brothers. They decided to start venturing from t...

Read more »

The nightingale

<div class="show_box" style="background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back2.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 2px 0px 2px 0px; font-size: 5vh; height: 6vh; left: 0px; position: fixed; text-align: center; top: 0px; width: 360px; z-index: 11;"> <br /></div> <div class="show_box_down" style="background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back2.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; bottom: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 2px 0px; font-size: 5vh; height: 3vh; left: 0px; position: fixed; text-align: center; width: 360px; z-index: 161;"> <a class=" show_menu_down" href="https://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/European_folktale_2.html#sea_visible" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 100px 100px 100px 2px; bottom: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(153, 153, 153) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; font-size: 5vh; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s; z-index: 10;"><div class="link_menu_down" style="background-image: url("../media/icons/zoom-in.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; height: 2em; width: 2em;"> </div> </a><span class="GXL" style="font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"></span><a class="show_opt_down" href="https://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/European_folktale_2.html#set_visible" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 100px 100px 2px; bottom: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(153, 153, 153) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; font-size: 5vh; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s; z-index: 10;"><div class="link_opt_down" style="background-image: url("../media/icons/settings.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; height: 2em; width: 2em;"> </div> </a><div class="apple_sea" id="sea_visible" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 30px 0px 0px 5px; box-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 2px 0px; height: 616px; position: fixed; top: 0px; transform: translate3d(-800px, 0px, 0px); transition: transform 0.4s ease-in-out 0s; width: 1px; z-index: 200;"> <div class="sea_hidden" style="background: url("../media/button_back.jpg") fixed rgb(253, 251, 202); bottom: 0px; height: 40px; left: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 70px; padding-top: 10px; position: absolute; width: 46vh;"> <a class="show_menu_down" href="https://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/European_folktale_2.html#a" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background: white; border-radius: 100px 100px 100px 2px; bottom: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(153, 153, 153) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; font-size: 5vh; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s; z-index: 10;"><div class="link_menu_down" style="background-image: url("../media/icons/zoom-in.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; height: 2em; width: 2em;"> </div> </a><div> <div dir="ltr" id="___gcse_0"> <form accept-charset="utf-8" class="gsc-search-box gsc-search-box-tools" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 283.359px;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="gsc-search-box" style="border-spacing: 0px; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; width: 283px;"><tbody> <tr><td class="gsc-input" style="padding-right: 12px; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="gsc-input-box" id="gsc-iw-id1" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(188, 205, 240);"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="gstl_50 " id="gs_id50" style="padding: 0px; width: 198px;"><tbody> <tr><td class="gsib_a" id="gs_tti50" style="padding: 4px 8px 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 178px;"><input autocomplete="off" class="gsc-input" dir="ltr" id="gsc-i-id1" name="search" placeholder="Customised Search" size="10" spellcheck="false" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("https://www.google.com/cse/static/images/1x/googlelogo_lightgrey_46x16dp.png"); background-origin: initial; background-position: left center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: initial; border-style: none; border-width: initial; font-size: 16px; height: auto; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 48px; width: 178px;" title="search" type="text" /></td><td class="gsib_b" style="vertical-align: middle;"><div class="gsst_b" dir="ltr" id="gs_st50" style="font-size: 16px; padding: 0px 2px; position: relative; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap;"> </div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> </td><td class="gsc-search-button" style="margin-left: 2px; vertical-align: middle; width: 71px;"><button class="gsc-search-button gsc-search-button-v2" style="background-color: #cecece; background-image: none; border-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); border-radius: 2px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; filter: none; font-size: 0px; margin-left: 2px; padding: 6px 27px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;"><svg height="13" viewbox="0 0 13 13" width="13"><path d="m4.8495 7.8226c0.82666 0 1.5262-0.29146 2.0985-0.87438 0.57232-0.58292 0.86378-1.2877 0.87438-2.1144 0.010599-0.82666-0.28086-1.5262-0.87438-2.0985-0.59352-0.57232-1.293-0.86378-2.0985-0.87438-0.8055-0.010599-1.5103 0.28086-2.1144 0.87438-0.60414 0.59352-0.8956 1.293-0.87438 2.0985 0.021197 0.8055 0.31266 1.5103 0.87438 2.1144 0.56172 0.60414 1.2665 0.8956 2.1144 0.87438zm4.4695 0.2115 3.681 3.6819-1.259 1.284-3.6817-3.7 0.0019784-0.69479-0.090043-0.098846c-0.87973 0.76087-1.92 1.1413-3.1207 1.1413-1.3553 0-2.5025-0.46363-3.4417-1.3909s-1.4088-2.0686-1.4088-3.4239c0-1.3553 0.4696-2.4966 1.4088-3.4239 0.9392-0.92727 2.0864-1.3969 3.4417-1.4088 1.3553-0.011889 2.4906 0.45771 3.406 1.4088 0.9154 0.95107 1.379 2.0924 1.3909 3.4239 0 1.2126-0.38043 2.2588-1.1413 3.1385l0.098834 0.090049z"></path></svg></button></td></tr> </tbody></table> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="apple_set" id="set_visible" style="background-color: white; height: 616px; position: fixed; right: 0px; top: 0px; transform: translate3d(800px, 0px, 0px); transition: transform 0.4s ease-in-out 0s; width: 1px; z-index: 200;"> <div class="set_hidden" style="bottom: 0px; height: 20vh; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 20px; position: absolute; right: 0px; transition: transform 0.4s ease-in-out 0s; width: 18vh;"> <a class="show_opt_down" href="https://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/European_folktale_2.html#a" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 100px 100px 2px; bottom: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(153, 153, 153) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: blue; font-size: 5vh; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s; z-index: 10;"><div class="link_opt_down" style="background-image: url("../media/icons/settings.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; height: 2em; width: 2em;"> </div> </a><input class="btn small" name="buttons" style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(211, 211, 211); border-radius: 200px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; bottom: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; font-size: 4vh; height: 10vh; left: 0px; position: absolute; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 10vh;" type="submit" value="a" /><input class="btn medium" name="theme" style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(211, 211, 211); border-radius: 200px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; font-size: 6vh; height: 10vh; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 10vh;" type="submit" value="a" /><input class="btn large" name="theme" style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(211, 211, 211); border-radius: 200px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; font-size: 8vh; height: 10vh; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 10vh;" type="submit" value="a" /></div> </div> <div class="left" id="menu2" style="background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; float: left; height: 739.188px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden scroll; position: fixed; top: 0px; transform: translate3d(-255px, 0px, 0px); transition: transform 0.4s ease-in-out 0s; width: 160px; z-index: 15;"> <a class=" show_menu" href="https://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/European_folktale_2.html#a" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background: white; border-radius: 2px 100px 100px; box-shadow: rgb(153, 153, 153) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: blue; font-size: 5vh; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s; z-index: 10;"><div class="link_menu" style="background-image: url("../media/icons/list.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; height: 2em; width: 2em;"> </div> </a><div align="center" class="header" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background: url("../media/menu_art/nationalities.jpg") 0% 0% / contain rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); border-radius: 600px; box-shadow: rgb(102, 102, 102) -1px 0px 2px 0px; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; height: 102px; opacity: 1; position: relative; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); width: 150px; z-index: 2;"> <div class="txt" style="color: white; font-size: 10px; left: 12px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 3px; position: absolute; text-align: right; text-shadow: black -0.2vh 0px, black 0px 0.2vh, black 0.2vh 0px, black 0px -0.2vh; top: 40px;"> Stories for children<br />from around the world</div> </div> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="http://worldoftales.com/" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Home</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Folktales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar hover1" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/African_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">African folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Nigerian_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Nigerian folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/South_African_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">South African folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Tanzanian_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Tanzanian folktales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar hover2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Asian folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Arabic_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Arabic folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Chinese_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Chinese folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Indian_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Indian folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Japanese_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Japanese folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Filipino_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Filipino folktales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Australian_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Australian folktales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar hover3" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">European folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Celtic_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Celtic folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Germanic_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Germanic folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Romanic_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Romanic folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Slavic_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Slavic folktales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar hover4" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 1.8em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/North_American_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">North American folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Native_American_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Native American folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/United_States_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">US folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Canadian_fairy_tales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Canadian folktales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar hover5" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 1.8em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/South_American_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">South American folktales</a></li> <li style="float: none; font-size: smaller; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Brazilian_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Brazilian folktales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Users_folktales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Users folktales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/fairy_tales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Fairy tales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/fairy_tales/Andersen_fairy_tales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Andersen's fairy tales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/fairy_tales/Grimm_fairy_tales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Grimms' fairy tales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/fairy_tales/Andrew_Lang_fairy_tales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Lang's fairy tales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/fairy_tales/Perrault_fairy_tales.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Perrault's fairy tales</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/fables.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Fables</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/fables/Aesop_fables.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">Aesop's fables</a></li> </ul> <ul class="navbar" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: smaller; height: 0.6em; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.4em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 14;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/fables/LaFontaine_fables.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 2px 0px; color: black; display: block; font-weight: bold; opacity: 0.8; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none;">La Fontaine's fables</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/Users_stories.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Users stories</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/other_stories.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Other stories</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/all_books.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Books A-Z</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/useful.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Useful links</a></li> </ul> <ul class="menu2" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; float: left; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 2px; min-height: 1.7em; opacity: 0.9; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em; perspective: 1000px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; width: 142px; z-index: 12;"> <li style="float: none; list-style: none;"><a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/feedback.html" style="background: white; box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 15px; opacity: 0.9; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: white -0.2vh 0px, white 0px 0.2vh, white 0.2vh 0px, white 0px -0.2vh;">Contact</a></li> </ul> <div class="newsbox" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-image: url("../media/button_back.jpg"); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; clear: both; margin-top: 10px; perspective: 1000px; text-align: center; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); width: 150px;"> <div align="center" class="news" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background: white; border-radius: 10px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 1px 3px 0px; font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 5px; opacity: 0.9; perspective: 1000px; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px);"> <strong>News</strong></div> <div class="newstext" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background: white; border-radius: 10px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 1px 3px 0px; font-size: smaller; margin: 5px; opacity: 0.9; padding: 5px; perspective: 1000px; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px);"> <strong>New(ish) Layout</strong><br />World of Tales has a fresh new look! I hope you like it! I will be clearing bugs in the next days. If you see something you don't like, please<a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/feedback.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;"> let me know</a>.</div> <div class="newstext" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background: white; border-radius: 10px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 1px 3px 0px; font-size: smaller; margin: 5px; opacity: 0.9; padding: 5px; perspective: 1000px; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px);"> <strong>New menu</strong><br />I added a new menu. It is the menu I will be using on the Android app I'm developing. I will continue adding features from both the iOS and Android apps as time premits.</div> <div class="newstext" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background: white; border-radius: 10px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 1px 3px 0px; font-size: smaller; margin: 5px; opacity: 0.9; padding: 5px; perspective: 1000px; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px);"> <strong>World of Tales iOS app now live!</strong><br />If you are looking to buy an offline ad free version of this website for iOS, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/world-tales-stories-for-children/id967831100?ls=1&mt=8" rel="nofollow" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;">check here</a>. More info coming soon.</div> </div> <div style="background-color: white; bottom: 10px; box-shadow: black 0px 0px 2px; height: 300px; left: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 20px; padding-top: 100px; position: relative; right: 0px; text-align: center; width: 144px;"> Want an ad-free version of World of Tales for your mobile device?<a href="https://www.worldoftales.com/app_page.html" style="color: blue; text-decoration-line: none;"><div class="banner_butt" style="background-color: #0099ff; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 153, 255); box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px 2px 0px inset, rgb(102, 102, 102) 1px 1px 2px 0px; color: white; height: 40px; left: 0px; margin: 10px auto; position: relative; right: 0px; width: 80px;"> Find out more</div> </a>Buy Now!</div> <div style="clear: both;"> </div> </div> <div class="GM box8" id="box8" style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 0px 3px 0px; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1vh; margin-right: 1vh; margin-top: 5vh; overflow: hidden; padding: 1vh; perspective: 1000px; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); z-index: 1;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0UEMhKhN5rHpD4kSoqhbo6iA_socsdV5ZgHvOOx8q00XnbfSCwoyAwQwc8o1crpaz6MJip3IomH_Gj9ZvWj_fKnHoWHB-y73U9wYKa04myvhQCF6D2acD347ttsbwqPLiQ8PEjGZ8l97/s1600/images+%25287%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="418" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0UEMhKhN5rHpD4kSoqhbo6iA_socsdV5ZgHvOOx8q00XnbfSCwoyAwQwc8o1crpaz6MJip3IomH_Gj9ZvWj_fKnHoWHB-y73U9wYKa04myvhQCF6D2acD347ttsbwqPLiQ8PEjGZ8l97/s320/images+%25287%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div> <div align="center" class="box3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); border-radius: 0px 2px 2px 0px; color: #cccccc; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 14vh; padding-top: 4px;"> <br /></div> <h1 align="center" class="GL" style="font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: larger; line-height: 0.9em;"> The nightingale</h1> <h2 align="center" class="GM" style="font-family: CustomFont, Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 0.9em;"> <br />One day a nobleman caught a nightingale and wanted to put it in a cage. But the bird spoke to him:</h2> <div style="clear: both;"> </div> <div class="GM" id="text" style="left: 0px; margin: auto; max-width: 1200px; right: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> <div align="justify"> - Let me go and I will give you a good advice. It may be of use to you some day.</div> <div align="justify"> The rich man agreed to let it go.</div> <div align="justify"> The nightingale gave him these advices:</div> <div align="justify"> - Never be sorry for something that cannot be brought back, my lord. And never trust idle words.</div> <div align="justify"> The nobleman heard the advises and let the nightingale go. The bird flew out and said:</div> <div align="justify"> - Too bad you let me go. If only you knew about my treasure. I have a huge very expensive gem under my wing. If you had taken it, you would become even richer.</div> <div align="justify"> When he heard that, the nobleman began to regret letting bitterly about the bird go, jumped up and tried to catch it.</div> <div align="justify"> The nightingale turned towards him and said:</div> <div align="justify"> - Now I know, master, that you are a greedy and foolish man: you were sorry for something that cannot be brought back. And you believed my idle words! Look at what a little bird I am. How could I be hiding a large gem under my wing?</div> <div align="justify"> And after these words the bird flew away.</div> <div> <br /></div> </div> </div>

The nightingale

Stories for children from around the world Home Folktales African folktales Nigerian folk...

Read more »

The Kelpie and the nine children from the Highlands

<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: source-sans-pro, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.625rem; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Kelpie and the nine children from the Highlands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9evV88CvriCLfyU8-Ni5LMCHkJX_IEV-aTI_OOpYorfF7TwXZHE49LFBxsUPfU7vAJ2HMLF4HY1mGTptmfGd-IcfreIwR8IiIq5k0CM1VUPkzpyx-Qz0wbcXTOnf3z1uc1RvjYN5zbCaz/s1600/images+%25286%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9evV88CvriCLfyU8-Ni5LMCHkJX_IEV-aTI_OOpYorfF7TwXZHE49LFBxsUPfU7vAJ2HMLF4HY1mGTptmfGd-IcfreIwR8IiIq5k0CM1VUPkzpyx-Qz0wbcXTOnf3z1uc1RvjYN5zbCaz/s320/images+%25286%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div> </span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.75rem; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">The tale:</span> A group of children was roaming around one Sunday near Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands when they saw a very large and friendly horse. There was room enough for all of them on its back, so they climbed up. When the horse took off at a gallop the frightened children tried to jump off, but they were all stuck fast. Only one, who happened to have a bible in his pocket, survived to tell the tale, and only because he was smart enough to cut off one of his fingers, glued to the horse’s mane, with his pocket-knife.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.75rem; margin-bottom: 20px;"> This boy supposedly saw the horse dive into a loch with his shrieking cargo. None of the children were ever seen again, but the next day searchers found some pieces of liver and guts floating on the surface of the pond.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.75rem; margin-bottom: 20px;"> It transpires in the tale that the horse had been a water-horse or a kelpie: a creature that likes to fool humans into thinking it is an ordinary horse – or an ordinary man (often with tell-tale sand and weed in his hair) – who will drag you underwater to your doom.</div>

The Kelpie and the nine children from the Highlands

The Kelpie and the nine children from the Highlands The tale:  A group of children was roaming around one Sunday near Lochaber in the S...

Read more »

The mermaid of Galloway

The mermaid of Galloway<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY5Uepke1Vg1Tnb88c4PDmq8W-zmrF6m0njisWdVoCNLNc8S5ewz7zVVORnD-BUlb5xD7nG_lKdYFz_n30avX3ycqcBi0Lo_yIOczbpb1Xt4ke4dP3er_tdIEyobmo5nyKqZ5JzbfTdGg/s1600/The20Mermaid20of20Galloway2028oil20on20canvas29-c7bb5e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY5Uepke1Vg1Tnb88c4PDmq8W-zmrF6m0njisWdVoCNLNc8S5ewz7zVVORnD-BUlb5xD7nG_lKdYFz_n30avX3ycqcBi0Lo_yIOczbpb1Xt4ke4dP3er_tdIEyobmo5nyKqZ5JzbfTdGg/s320/The20Mermaid20of20Galloway2028oil20on20canvas29-c7bb5e1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> , Scotland<br /> The tale: We are today familiar with tales of mermaids singing at sea, combing their golden hair and trying to attract sailors to be their lovers down below the waves. But fresh water has its mermaids too.<br /> <br /> In one such folklore tale, the mermaid of Galloway lived in a beautiful burn, or watercourse, and every evening she would perch on a seat-shaped rock and give medical advice to the people who gathered to ask for her help. But a highly religious woman thought that this was the devil’s work, and, clutching her bible for protection, pushed the mermaid’s seat into the pond. The next evening when the mermaid appeared, she was distressed by the loss of her seat, and cried out, “You may look to your toom (empty) cradle/And I’ll look to my stane. And meikle [a lot] we’ll think, and meikle we’ll look/But words we’ll ne’er hae nane!” The next morning the religious woman’s baby was found dead in its cradle. In retaliation the local folk filled in the Dalbeattie Burn with stones and dirt, and the mermaid was never seen again.<br /> <br /> Fresh water is perceived to be life-giving and healing; the many sacred wells associated with saints speak to older traditions of kindly female spirits dwelling in watery plac es.<br /> <br /> <br />

The mermaid of Galloway

The mermaid of Galloway , Scotland The tale: We are today familiar with tales of mermaids singing at sea, combing their golden hair and ...

Read more »

The vampires of Burton-on-Trent

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvG9qIRDd09qWaj9glpiuwcwdtVQGmwhZit-5W8A8WpCXqJmv8AAu2I3og-4snpZffz6n_nLzKc4rRCIlJCIG3iYfhmVZ2dE4jKVhmu9r-i9ukyUgRpJ1gFmqlUCwV8iis7X2X9DZFBTF/s1600/images+%25286%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvG9qIRDd09qWaj9glpiuwcwdtVQGmwhZit-5W8A8WpCXqJmv8AAu2I3og-4snpZffz6n_nLzKc4rRCIlJCIG3iYfhmVZ2dE4jKVhmu9r-i9ukyUgRpJ1gFmqlUCwV8iis7X2X9DZFBTF/s320/images+%25286%2529.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div> The vampires of Burton-on-Trent
<br /> The tale: According to a late Anglo-Saxon chronicle, two peasants who had recently died were seen wandering down the village’s main street with their coffins on their backs. They would hammer on the doors of the living, calling on them by name, and those whose names were called soon sickened – and some of them died.<br /> <br /> The villagers opened up the graves of the two revenants to see what was going on, and found the corpses there strangely undecayed, and the cloths over their faces stained with fresh blood. The folk knew just what to do: they cut off the corpses’ heads and laid them between their legs, and cut out their hearts and burned them. Two black birds were seen flying up from the fire; after that there was no more walking again, and those who had fallen ill sick recovered.<br /> <br /> Medieval chronicles feature many tales of the undead; in one such tale, an undead man tries to get into bed with his widow and nearly crushes her to death; in another a zombie priest gouges out his mistress’s eye. Meanwhile, in another tale a vampire at Alnwick in Northumberland was found in his grave all “bloated with blood”. Writing in the 1190s, William of Newburgh, the chronicler who records the other cases mentioned above, observes that the walking dead are so commonplace these days that they are almost too tedious to catalogue.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6osexAVXtu7nP0L372wHKtK03exA_-6NvstuKMl-CcJTTcVHBSse5U50nt2ShWe2jYlxGw6cxokXjrD6g6wS3wSBuKyBs8eqd2-KJST9FPc90EW8QlGrJ_xW2qs-LzjrggRWMzKq1LWzp/s1600/images+%25286%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6osexAVXtu7nP0L372wHKtK03exA_-6NvstuKMl-CcJTTcVHBSse5U50nt2ShWe2jYlxGw6cxokXjrD6g6wS3wSBuKyBs8eqd2-KJST9FPc90EW8QlGrJ_xW2qs-LzjrggRWMzKq1LWzp/s320/images+%25286%2529.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div> </div>

The vampires of Burton-on-Trent

The vampires of Burton-on-Trent
 The tale: According to a late Anglo-Saxon chronicle, two peasants who had recently died were seen wande...

Read more »

Tom Tit Tot

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSF_oYyf9jjnfEpAYTx05iZMyy0uCBFdzSKRCCFQCs68F8aU4MBH1bK1xS9gVU01EFUehG18ETrpvGFYoxyEepTHPX7KDaOrRlAAcAlmLnDgWFBkxINJ7PP9jDVJWK7T7YiotPxnvhQ/s1600/images+%252812%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="269" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSF_oYyf9jjnfEpAYTx05iZMyy0uCBFdzSKRCCFQCs68F8aU4MBH1bK1xS9gVU01EFUehG18ETrpvGFYoxyEepTHPX7KDaOrRlAAcAlmLnDgWFBkxINJ7PP9jDVJWK7T7YiotPxnvhQ/s320/images+%252812%2529.jpeg" width="215" /></a></div> <div id="id00035" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Once upon a time there was a woman, and she baked five pies. And when they came out of the oven, they were that overbaked the crusts were too hard to eat. So she says to her daughter:</div> <div> <div id="id00036" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Darter," says she, "put you them there pies on the shelf, and leave 'em there a little, and they'll come again."—She meant, you know, the crust would get soft.</div> <div id="id00037" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> But the girl, she says to herself: "Well, if they'll come again, I'll eat 'em now." And she set to work and ate 'em all, first and last.</div> <div id="id00038" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, come supper-time the woman said: "Go you, and get one o' them there pies. I dare say they've come again now."</div> <div id="id00039" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The girl went and she looked, and there was nothing but the dishes. So back she came and says she: "Noo, they ain't come again."</div> <div id="id00040" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Not one of 'em?" says the mother.</div> <div id="id00041" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Not one of 'em," says she.</div> <div id="id00042" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Well, come again, or not come again," said the woman "I'll have one for supper."</div> <div id="id00043" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "But you can't, if they ain't come," said the girl.</div> <div id="id00044" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "But I can," says she. "Go you, and bring the best of 'em."</div> <div id="id00045" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Best or worst," says the girl, "I've ate 'em all, and you can't have one till that's come again."</div> <div id="id00046" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, the woman she was done, and she took her spinning to the door to spin, and as she span she sang:</div> <div id="id00047" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;">   "My darter ha' ate five, five pies to-day.<br />  My darter ha' ate five, five pies to-day."</div> <div id="id00048" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The king was coming down the street, and he heard her sing, but what she sang he couldn't hear, so he stopped and said:</div> <div id="id00049" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "What was that you were singing, my good woman?"</div> <div id="id00050" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> The woman was ashamed to let him hear what her daughter had been doing, so she sang, instead of that:</div> <div id="id00051" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;">   "My darter ha' spun five, five skeins to-day.<br />  My darter ha' spun five, five skeins to-day."</div> <div id="id00052" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Stars o' mine!" said the king, "I never heard tell of any one that could do that."</div> <div id="id00053" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Then he said: "Look you here, I want a wife, and I'll marry your daughter. But look you here," says he, "eleven months out of the year she shall have all she likes to eat, and all the gowns she likes to get, and all the company she likes to keep; but the last month of the year she'll have to spin five skeins every day, and if she don't I shall kill her."</div> <div id="id00054" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "All right," says the woman; for she thought what a grand marriage that was. And as for the five skeins, when the time came, there'd be plenty of ways of getting out of it, and likeliest, he'd have forgotten all about it.</div> <div id="id00055" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, so they were married. And for eleven months the girl had all she liked to eat, and all the gowns she liked to get, and all the company she liked to keep.</div> <div id="id00056" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> But when the time was getting over, she began to think about the skeins and to wonder if he had 'em in mind. But not one word did he say about 'em, and she thought he'd wholly forgotten 'em.</div> <div id="id00057" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> However, the last day of the last month he takes her to a room she'd never set eyes on before. There was nothing in it but a spinning-wheel and a stool. And says he: "Now, my dear, here you'll be shut in to- morrow with some victuals and some flax, and if you haven't spun five skeins by the night, your head'll go off."</div> <div id="id00058" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> And away he went about his business.</div> <div id="id00059" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, she was that frightened, she'd always been such a gatless girl, that she didn't so much as know how to spin, and what was she to do to-morrow with no one to come nigh her to help her? She sat down on a stool in the kitchen, and law! how she did cry!</div> <div id="id00060" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> However, all of a sudden she heard a sort of a knocking low down on the door. She upped and oped it, and what should she see but a small little black thing with a long tail. That looked up at her right curious, and that said:</div> <div id="id00061" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "What are you a-crying for?"</div> <div id="id00062" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "What's that to you?" says she.</div> <div id="id00063" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Never you mind," that said, "but tell me what you're a-crying for."</div> <div id="id00064" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "That won't do me no good if I do," says she.</div> <div id="id00065" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "You don't know that," that said, and twirled that's tail round.</div> <div id="id00066" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Well," says she, "that won't do no harm, if that don't do no good," and she upped and told about the pies, and the skeins, and everything.</div> <div id="id00067" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "This is what I'll do," says the little black thing, "I'll come to your window every morning and take the flax and bring it spun at night."</div> <div id="id00068" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "What's your pay?" says she.</div> <div id="id00069" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> That looked out of the corner of that's eyes, and that said: "I'll give you three guesses every night to guess my name, and if you haven't guessed it before the month's up you shall be mine."</div> <div id="id00070" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, she thought she'd be sure to guess that's name before the month was up. "All right," says she, "I agree."</div> <div id="id00071" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "All right," that says, and law! how that twirled that's tail.</div> <div id="id00072" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, the next day, her husband took her into the room, and there was the flax and the day's food.</div> <div id="id00073" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Now there's the flax," says he, "and if that ain't spun up this night, off goes your head." And then he went out and locked the door.</div> <div id="id00074" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> He'd hardly gone, when there was a knocking against the window.</div> <div id="id00075" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> She upped and she oped it, and there sure enough was the little old thing sitting on the ledge.</div> <div id="id00076" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Where's the flax?" says he.</div> <div id="id00077" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Here it be," says she. And she gave it to him.</div> <div id="id00078" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, come the evening a knocking came again to the window. She upped and she oped it, and there was the little old thing with five skeins of flax on his arm.</div> <div id="id00079" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Here it be," says he, and he gave it to her.</div> <div id="id00080" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Now, what's my name?" says he.</div> <div id="id00081" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "What, is that Bill?" says she.</div> <div id="id00082" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Noo, that ain't," says he, and he twirled his tail.</div> <div id="id00083" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Is that Ned?" says she.</div> <div id="id00084" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Noo, that ain't," says he, and he twirled his tail.</div> <div id="id00085" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Well, is that Mark?" says she.</div> <div id="id00086" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Noo, that ain't," says he, and he twirled his tail harder, and away he flew.</div> <div id="id00087" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, when her husband came in, there were the five skeins ready for him. "I see I shan't have to kill you to-night, my dear," says he; "you'll have your food and your flax in the morning," says he, and away he goes.</div> <div id="id00088" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, every day the flax and the food were brought, and every day that there little black impet used to come mornings and evenings. And all the day the girl sat trying to think of names to say to it when it came at night. But she never hit on the right one. And as it got towards the end of the month, the impet began to look so maliceful, and that twirled that's tail faster and faster each time she gave a guess.</div> <div id="id00089" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> At last it came to the last day but one. The impet came at night along with the five skeins, and that said,</div> <div id="id00090" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "What, ain't you got my name yet?"</div> <div id="id00091" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Is that Nicodemus?" says she.</div> <div id="id00092" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Noo, t'ain't," that says.</div> <div id="id00093" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Is that Sammle?" says she.</div> <div id="id00094" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Noo, t'ain't," that says.</div> <div id="id00095" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "A-well, is that Methusalem?" says she.</div> <div id="id00096" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Noo, t'ain't that neither," that says.</div> <div id="id00097" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Then that looks at her with that's eyes like a coal o' fire, and that says: "Woman, there's only to-morrow night, and then you'll be mine!" And away it flew.</div> <div id="id00098" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, she felt that horrid. However, she heard the king coming along the passage. In he came, and when he sees the five skeins, he says, says he,</div> <div id="id00099" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Well, my dear," says he, "I don't see but what you'll have your skeins ready to-morrow night as well, and as I reckon I shan't have to kill you, I'll have supper in here to-night." So they brought supper, and another stool for him, and down the two sat.</div> <div id="id00100" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, he hadn't eaten but a mouthful or so, when he stops and begins to laugh.</div> <div id="id00101" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "What is it?" says she.</div> <div id="id00102" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "A-why," says he, "I was out a-hunting to-day, and I got away to a place in the wood I'd never seen before And there was an old chalk- pit. And I heard a kind of a sort of a humming. So I got off my hobby, and I went right quiet to the pit, and I looked down. Well, what should there be but the funniest little black thing you ever set eyes on. And what was that doing, but that had a little spinning-wheel, and that was spinning wonderful fast, and twirling that's tail. And as that span that sang:</div> <div id="id00103" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;">   "Nimmy nimmy not<br />  My name's Tom Tit Tot."</div> <div id="id00104" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, when the girl heard this, she felt as if she could have jumped out of her skin for joy, but she didn't say a word.</div> <div id="id00105" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Next day that there little thing looked so maliceful when he came for the flax. And when night came, she heard that knocking against the window panes. She oped the window, and that come right in on the ledge. That was grinning from ear to ear, and Oo! that's tail was twirling round so fast.</div> <div id="id00106" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "What's my name?" that says, as that gave her the skeins.</div> <div id="id00107" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Is that Solomon?" she says, pretending to be afeard.</div> <div id="id00108" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Noo, t'ain't," that says, and that came further into the room.</div> <div id="id00109" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Well, is that Zebedee?" says she again.</div> <div id="id00110" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Noo, t'ain't," says the impet. And then that laughed and twirled that's tail till you couldn't hardly see it.</div> <div id="id00111" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "Take time, woman," that says; "next guess, and you're mine." And that stretched out that's black hands at her.</div> <div id="id00112" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, she backed a step or two, and she looked at it, and then she laughed out, and says she, pointing her finger at it:</div> <h5 id="id00113" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> "NIMMY NIMMY NOT, YOUR NAME'S TOM TIT TOT!"</h5> <div id="id00114" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif, "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify; text-indent: 15px;"> Well, when that heard her, that gave an awful shriek and away that flew into the dark, and she never saw it any more.</div> </div> </div>

Tom Tit Tot

Once upon a time there was a woman, and she baked five pies. And when they came out of the oven, they were that overbaked the crusts wer...

Read more »