The Theft of Thor's Hammer: A Hilarious Norse Epic of Disguise and Deception
How Thor, the thunder god, cross-dressed as Freya to outwit the giant king Thrym and reclaim his lost hammer.
Top Wisdom Stories on GatherTales
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The Kojiki: Birth of Islands and the Dawn of Kami
How Izanagi and Izanami Shaped Japan's Lands and the Realm of Gods
The Popol Vuh: The Hero Twins and the Birth of the Maya World
The Ancient Maya Creation Epic of Hunahpu and Xbalanque
Children of the Jaguar: A Mayan Tale of Twins and the Underworld
A richly detailed Mayan myth where twin siblings challenge underworld gods through wit, courage, and ancestral wisdom
Legend of the Golden Condor
An ancient Inca seer and a magnificent condor unite to protect the empire through prophecy and courage
Galactic Diplomat
When empathy stands between peace and a volley of lasers in deep space
Hainuwele the Coconut Girl
How a Fallen Goddess Brought Forth the World’s Crops
Hermes Steals Apollo’s Cattle & Invents the Lyre
How the mischievous newborn god outwitted Apollo and forged music from mischief under moonlit skies
Eshu and the Two Farmers
A Yoruba Chaos-Deity's Lesson on Seeing Both Sides
Coyote Steals Fire
How a Cunning Trickster Brought the Warmth of Fire to People in a Cold World
Why Bats Fly at Night: A Nigerian Folktale
A tale of a broken vow under the moon and the wisdom that follows
The Boy Who Found Fire: An Aboriginal Origin of Dawn and the Fire Sticks
When curiosity leads a young dreamer beyond the horizon, the world awakens with flame and daylight
Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom
How a cunning spider tried to hoard knowledge but ended up sharing it with all of humanity
The Lion and the Jackal of the Savannah
How a clever jackal’s playful pranks taught a proud lion the meaning of humility
The Tortoise with a Pretty Daughter
A lively Nigerian fable where a vain tortoise’s pride in his daughter’s beauty leads to humorous misadventures and a lesson in humility.
The Hare and the Lion: South African Fable of Cunning and Courage
A clever hare outwits a brutal lion to restore harmony and hope to a fearful animal kingdom.
The Man Who Never Lied
A Nigerian farmer uses perfect honesty to outwit a powerful king and teach the value of truth.
The Cave of Time: Echoes Across Eternity
An unforgettable journey through shifting eras reveals the deep currents of history and the power of human courage.
The Origin of Fire: The Flame of Civilization
How the first spark illuminated human ingenuity and reshaped the world
The Monkey and the Crocodile: A Tale of Cleverness and Adaptability
An ancient Indian folktale of quick thinking, friendship, and the art of survival on the riverbank
The Girl Who Married a Lion
A Zimbabwean girl weds a stranger who is secretly a lion, leading her to learn courage, trust, and devotion.
The Fire Children
In the ancient Dreaming, two curious siblings unlock the secret of flame and light the spark of humanity.
The Elephant and the Tortoise: A Cameroon Humility Tale
When pride meets cunning, even the mightiest learn humility in the heart of Cameroon’s sunlit forests
The Crocodile and the Monkey: A Tale of Wit and Survival
A timeless American folktale where a clever monkey uses intelligence to outsmart a hungry crocodile along a misty riverbank