The Fisherman and His Wife
A German Folktale of Greed and the Perils of Dissatisfaction
Top Folktale Stories on GatherTales
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The Nightingale of Copenhagen
A poetic folktale of a bird whose song healed a kingdom’s heart under moonlit skies
The Little Match Girl of Copenhagen
A Poignant Tale of Hope and Hardship on a Frosty New Year’s Eve
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: The Hidden Treasure of the Mountains
A richly woven tale of discovery, loyalty, and courage, uncovering a secret cave brimming with unimaginable wealth.
Mullah in the Turkish Bath: A Sufi & Persian Tale
A witty folk story from Iran about humility, laughter, and unexpected rewards in an Ottoman bathhouse
Luck of a Child: A Kurdish Tale
A vivid legend of faith, generosity, and divine intervention in an ancient Iraqi village
The Fairy Shilling: An Irish Tale
A mystical Irish coin that defies loss, returning to its owner across hills, rivers, and fairy realms
The Magic Pot of Endless Want
An ancient Indian folktale teaching balance and caution with supernatural gifts
The Mermaid Legend of Palm Harbor
An enchanting folktale of coastal mermaids and moonlit waters along Florida’s shores
The Two Doves of Nablus
A timeless Palestinian folktale of two doves returning each spring to a sacred olive tree, symbolizing enduring devotion amidst war and hope.
The Lantern Maker of Ramallah
A tale of light, longing, and the resilient spirit of Palestine’s olive groves
The Secret Well of Calabar
A Nigerian legend of healing waters hidden in Calabar’s enchanted forest
The Trickster Tortoise and the Rainmaker
How a cunning tortoise tried to seize the skies, only to learn that nature has its own justice
The Golden Goblin and the Scholar
A humble scholar’s journey in ancient China reveals that wisdom outweighs riches
The Rainmaker of Benguela
An Angolan folktale of a revered rainmaker who summons storms with song and dance to protect the land from drought.
The Two Sisters and the Giant Hyena
Two Courageous Sisters Outsmart a Fearsome Hyena in an Ethiopian Highlands Folktale
The Talking Hippos of Mopti
A Malian folktale of wise hippos who speak under moonlight, offering riddles and warnings to fishermen
The Achiwawa Bird’s Warning
An immersive journey into the Andean highlands where an elusive bird’s mournful call guides villagers away from hidden dangers.
The Midnight Masquerade of Dennery
A haunting Saint Lucian folktale of ghostly masqueraders dancing through Dennery’s streets until dawn
The Cocoa Fairy of Limón
A Costa Rican folktale of a gentle fairy blessing cacao growers who honor the land and forest spirits
The Rolling Pumpkin: A Persian Tale of Courage and Motherly Love
How one determined grandmother crossed wild forests and fierce beasts to see her daughter again
The Silver Lake of Tokaj
A modern folktale of nature's hidden wisdom in the heart of Hungary's Tokaj region
The Kamba Rain Song
A young girl’s journey to awaken the sky with ancient melodies and bring life-giving rain to her parched village.
The Mermaid’s Pearl in Isla de la Juventud
A Cuban folktale of a mermaid whose lost pearl holds the secret to eternal youth and guides sailors to safety