The Treasure of the Minaret
A medieval Mudejar custom in Salares where suitors bid atop an ancient minaret to win a bride and fund village festivals
Top Romance Stories on GatherTales
Stories of romance explore the many facets of this powerful emotion, from passionate romance and familial bonds to the love of friends, pets, or even abstract ideals. They delve into the joys, sorrows, and complexities of love, showcasing its ability to inspire, heal, and transform.
The Lover’s Bridge of Innsbruck: A Tale of Eternal Vows
On the wooden footbridge over the River Inn, two souls bind their hearts with a padlock in a promise that time can’t erode.
Echo and Narcissus: A Tale of Vanity and Unspoken Love
A haunting retelling of how unspoken longing and self-obsession entwine in a sunlit Greek glade.
Pyramus and Thisbe of Babylon: A Tragic Love Beyond Walls
Two lovers in ancient Babylon, kept apart by a garden wall, face a fateful misunderstanding that seals their doom.
El Sombrerón: The Haunting Serenade of Guatemala
A mysterious small man in a grand hat weaves curses with haunting songs under moonlight.
Welcome to the Underworld: A Modern Greek Myth Retelling
When Persephone vanishes into a neon-lit underworld, Hades must confront ancient bonds and modern desire.
Khan's Riddles: A Kyrgyz Saga of Love and Wit
In ancient Kyrgyz lands, suitors face the Khan’s cunning riddles to win a lover’s hand.
Wood of One Hundred Oaks - A Tale of Love's Strength
A heartfelt journey in an enchanted ancient grove
Cinder & Glass: The Reforged Heart
A modern retelling of servitude, opportunity, and the transformative power of love.
The Enchanted Pursuit: Apollo and Daphne’s Fated Dance
An ancient Greek myth of fervent desire, heart-wrenching escape, and the transformative power of nature.
Cupid and Psyche: A Divine Love's Journey
A myth of passion, trust, and trials in ancient Greece
Mysteries of El Trauco: The Enchanted Whisper of Chiloé
A haunting folktale of irresistible allure and eternal longing in the Chiloé Islands.
The Ghost Bride of Han River
A love lost to the river, a spirit bound by sorrow, and a whisper that lingers through the night.
The Bride of Wadi Qelt
A forbidden love, a broken vow, and a spirit that lingers in the winds of Wadi Qelt.
The Water Goblin of Bohemia
A tale of forbidden love, eternal sorrow, and a curse that lingers beneath the waters of Bohemia.
The Gold-Spinning Bride of Zagorje
A girl who spins gold, a curse-bound prince, and a count’s greed—fate weaves its own tale in the hills of Zagorje.
The Nine-Tailed Gumiho’s Tear
A love that defied fate, a betrayal that spanned centuries, and a tear that held the power to rewrite destiny.
The Enchanted Fig Tree of Hebron
A timeless love, whispered through the leaves of an enchanted fig tree.
The Cursed Siren of Cahuita
A haunting melody. A timeless curse. A love that defies fate.
The Healing Lake of Sovata
A lake born of heartbreak, where love and legend endure beyond time.
The Golden Reed and the Singing Maiden
A prince, a cursed maiden, and a golden reed—one journey will change their fate forever.
The Laughing River of Kabul
A timeless tale of love, loss, and the river that never forgets.
The Fisherman and the Mermaid of Gaza
A fisherman’s love for a mermaid challenges fate in a world where land and sea remain divided.
The Merman’s Bride
A forbidden love between land and sea—one choice will seal her fate forever.