Legend of the Madremonte: Guardian of the Colombian Wilderness
Uncover the tale of Madremonte, the fierce forest spirit safeguarding Colombia’s wilds with thunderous storms.
Top Ancient Stories on GatherTales
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Song of the Ñandutí Spider
A vibrant folktale weaving artistry, nature, and Paraguayan heritage around the spider’s lacework
Legend of the Muisca Raft
A vivid journey into the ancient Muisca ceremony at Lake Guatavita that inspired the myth of El Dorado.
The Rainmaker’s Secret
How a young child’s simple act of compassion brought rain back to a parched Nigerian village
Legend of the Ceibo Flower
How a brave warrior’s sacrifice gave birth to Argentina’s national blossom
The Silver River: A Heavenly Divide of Love in Argentina
A myth from Argentina’s pampas tells how the Silver River in the night sky forever separates two star-crossed lovers
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
Hainuwele the Coconut Girl
How a Fallen Goddess Brought Forth the World’s Crops
Benu Bird and the Phoenix Fire
An ancient Egyptian myth of the Benu Bird's fiery rebirth reflecting nature's cycles and the hope of climate renewal
Tiddalik Drains the Waterholes: A Tale of Unity
Under a scorching sun, Tiddalik’s thirst dries every pool. The animals must come together to save their home.
Monkey King and the Celestial Peaches
A daring immortal’s feast sparks divine chaos among the gods
Hider of the Sun: The Trickster Monkey Who Dimmed the Sky
An Indonesian myth about a clever monkey who dims the scorching sun to rescue parched fields and restore harmony
Raven Creates the World
How cunning Raven freed the light stolen by a greedy chief to bring dawn to Earth
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
The Guardians of Uluru
Unearthing the ancient Dreamtime legends of Anangu guardians who watch over the great red monolith
The Spirit Canoe
A ghostly boat ferries souls across moonlit lagoons under the palms
How the Elephant Got Its Trunk
A Kenyan Folktale of a Curious Calf and a Cunning Crocodile
The Humpbacked Flute-Player
An Ethiopian Folktale of a Musician Whose Melody Brings Rain to Parched Lands
Why Bats Fly at Night: A Nigerian Folktale
A tale of a broken vow under the moon and the wisdom that follows
Song of the Silk-Cotton Tree
A mystical legend of spirits dwelling in a sacred kapok tree, guiding hearts and harmony of a Sierra Leonean village
The Story of the Lightning and the Thunder
A Nigerian Folktale of Quarreling Spirits That Spark Lightning