Why the Flying Fox Sleeps Upside Down is a traditional folktale that explains the unusual way flying foxes rest. Instead of perching on branches like birds or curling up on the ground like other animals, flying foxes hang upside down with their heads pointing toward the earth. This story explores how their unique habit began and reveals a deeper message about belonging, rejection, and silent rebellion. Through this tale, readers discover not only the origin of a strange behavior but also the emotions behind it.
Every animal has its own way of resting. Some sleep on the ground, some hide inside burrows, and others perch on tree branches. But bats, especially flying foxes, rest in a way unlike any other creature. They hang upside down, gripping branches with their feet while their heads point toward the earth. This unusual habit did not exist long ago, and bats once perched upright like birds. Something in the past changed their behavior forever.
The Legend of the Red Earth Highlands is a traditional tale from Vietnam’s Central Highlands that explains why the soil in this region carries its deep, distinctive red color. Passed down through generations, the story blends nature, emotion, and cultural belief to portray how love, sacrifice, and tragedy shaped the land. Though simple, this legend reflects the spirit of the highland people and their connection to the earth they call home.
Long ago, there lived a young man with strength so extraordinary that people believed he was born from the mountains themselves. He could lift a massive boulder with one hand as easily as someone lifts a small pebble. Because of his incredible power, everyone simply called him Strong. Despite his strength, he lived a quiet, hardworking life. He spent his days tending the fields, growing crops, and caring for his elderly mother. People respected him not just for his strength but for his gentle heart and devotion to his family.
The Crocodile and the Brahmin is a classic Indian folktale that explores the dangers of blind kindness and the importance of wisdom when helping others. The story follows a gentle Brahmin who saves a crocodile from dying in the heat, only to face betrayal moments later. Through this simple but powerful tale, readers are reminded that good intentions must be paired with good judgment, and that true wisdom often comes from seeing beyond appearances.
On a scorching summer afternoon in northern India, a humble pilgrim was walking along the dry banks of the Ganges River. The heat was intense and the river had shrunk to a thin, muddy stretch. As he passed a cracked patch of riverbed, he heard a faint cry for help. A large crocodile lay stranded on the drying mud, its skin pale and cracked. It looked as if it was moments away from death.
The Path to Heaven is a Vietnamese folktale about a kind and hardworking young man who seeks answers from the heavens about why life is unfair. Along his journey, he helps others, receives magical gifts, and learns the rewards of courage, generosity, and selflessness.
Long ago, there was a kind and strong young man who worked tirelessly in the fields and collected firewood in the forest faster than anyone else, yet he remained poor and hungry. Despite his strength and hard work, life seemed unfair, and he could not understand why he suffered so much while others prospered. Determined to find answers, he decided to journey to the heavens to ask why hardworking people like him had to endure hardship. He traveled from sunrise to sunset, crossing forests and hills, before stopping to rest at a house at the foot of a mountain. The kind hostess asked him why he was on such a long journey, and he spoke honestly. He explained that he wanted to understand why strong and diligent people like himself still lived in poverty and struggle.
The Sacred Stone is a Vietnamese folktale about a poor but kindhearted family whose fate changes after they discover a mysterious stone with extraordinary power. The story has been passed down through generations, reminding readers about the value of honesty, gratitude, and using blessings wisely.
A long time ago, a poor couple named Mr. Lam and his wife worked tirelessly to support their five young children. No matter how early they woke up or how late they stayed in the fields, their income was never enough. When a devastating drought struck the region, famine spread everywhere and jobs disappeared. With no food left in the house, Mr. Lam took his hoe into the forest, desperate to find wild yams to keep his children alive. But after digging for hours under the burning sun, he found nothing. Exhaustion and fear overwhelmed him. Thinking about his starving children, he sat down and cried helplessly.
In this folktale, a clever traveler named Cuoi outwits a greedy local lord who tries to claim everything as his own. Using quick thinking and a bit of humor, Cuoi teaches the arrogant man an unforgettable lesson by turning a flock of wild ducks into the perfect trick.
One day, Cuoi traveled to Muong Vang. After a long walk, he stopped to rest beside a large, quiet lake. In the middle of the water, a flock of wild ducks swam freely. Cuoi counted them one by one. There were so many that he eventually lost track. While he was watching the ducks, the sound of horse bells suddenly rang behind him. Startled, Cuoi turned around and saw a proud local lord sitting high on a red horse. The lord glared at him and shouted, “What are you doing here? Move aside. Do you not know who owns this land?”
In an old forest ruled by a cruel gray tiger, the animals lived in constant fear. When the white rabbit’s turn came to be eaten, he chose not to surrender. With courage and a quick mind, he crafted a clever plan that would challenge the tiger and protect the entire forest.
In an ancient forest, all the animals lived peaceful, happy lives. Everything changed when a gray tiger from another region suddenly appeared. It stormed through the trees, roaring so loudly that the entire forest trembled. Terrified by its power, the animals had no choice but to follow its demand: every day, one animal had to sacrifice itself so the tiger could eat. Deer, antelope, weasels, peacocks, and even the clever fox eventually became its meals. Many other creatures fled to distant parts of the forest to survive.
The Story of Aioga is a Nanai folktale about a beautiful but vain and lazy girl. Obsessed with her own appearance, she refuses to help her mother with chores. Her pride and laziness lead to unexpected consequences, transforming her into a swan and teaching a timeless lesson about humility, hard work, and true beauty.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful Nanai girl named Aioga. Everyone in her village admired her beauty, and many said no one could match her looks. Aioga was very proud and spent hours admiring herself, sometimes in a polished copper basin and sometimes in the clear river water, feeling more pleased each time she saw her reflection. She was extremely lazy and obsessed with her own appearance, refusing to help with chores. One day, her mother asked her to fetch water. Aioga immediately made excuses, fearing she might fall in, scratch her hands, or tear her gloves. Despite her parents offering solutions, from sewing the gloves to wearing leather mitts, Aioga stubbornly refused, choosing instead to continue admiring herself.
The Two Greedy Bears tells the story of two bear cubs who are eager to explore the forest on their own. Excited by freedom and the wonders of nature, they discover a large piece of cheese. Their greed leads to conflict, and they learn an important lesson about sharing, patience, and the consequences of selfishness.
Once upon a time, deep in a forest where no human had ever set foot, there lived a mother bear and her two cubs. The mother bear was old, but every day she worked hard to find food for her children. Seeing how much their mother struggled, the two cubs said, “Mom, we are grown up now. Tomorrow, please let us go out and find food by ourselves.” The mother bear was happy to see their growing independence. She hugged them tightly and gave them many reminders. Although worried, she also felt immense joy as she watched her cubs take their first steps toward self-reliance.
The Little Bird by Lev Tolstoy tells the story of a young boy named Seryozha who receives a bird trap for his birthday. Excited to catch a bird, he learns important lessons about kindness, responsibility, and the consequences of his actions. The story explores a child’s curiosity, innocence, and the growth that comes from understanding the value of life.
Seryozha was excited for his birthday. He received many gifts, including a toy wolf, a horse, paintings, and more. But the gift he loved the most was a bird trap sent by his cousin. The trap worked like this: a small wooden plate held some seeds outside the cage. When a bird landed on it to eat, the plate would tip, and the cage would snap shut. Overjoyed, Seryozha ran to show his mother. She frowned. “That toy isn’t good. Why catch birds? Why hurt them?” she asked. Seryozha replied confidently, “I will put the bird in a cage and take care of it. I’ll let it sing.”
The Lion and the Clever Forest Worker is a traditional fable that highlights the timeless themes of intelligence, strategy, and the limits of brute strength. The story comes from classic folklore and uses animal and human characters to illustrate important life lessons. It shows how careful planning and cleverness can overcome raw power, offering readers a meaningful moral that has endured across generations.
Once upon a time, an old lion wandered through the forest, limping and singing proudly to himself. He roared about his strength and dominance, claiming there was no creature mightier than him. As he strutted along, he encountered an old bear, missing a leg from a previous encounter with humans. The bear warned the lion that humans were far stronger, ten or even a hundred times mightier than any forest creature. Curious and proud, the lion demanded to meet this human and was told to go to the open plains to see them clearly. Excited, he dashed out of the forest, eager to challenge this unknown power.
The Three Magical Flowers is a classic folktale that tells the story of a young boy who discovers three magical flowers, each granting a single wish. Through his adventures, the tale explores themes of desire, curiosity, and the search for true happiness. It is a timeless story that uses simple yet imaginative storytelling to teach valuable life lessons.
Once upon a time, in a small village, there was a boy named Rít. Orphaned at a young age, he was taken in by the village blacksmith, who raised him as his own. Soon, Rít learned to help at the forge, assisting his adoptive father in crafting hoes, knives, and other tools for the villagers.
The Clever Rabbit and the Patient Crocodile is a folktale about intelligence, careful thinking, and survival. The story uses animals to reflect human traits and teach important life lessons. It is loved for its simple yet meaningful message, passed down through many generations.
During a dry season, a wild rabbit ventured out of the forest, weakened by hunger. He crept into a vegetable garden at dusk but was caught and injured by the farmer, leaving him with a lame leg. Limping toward the river, he met a young blind deer grazing nearby. The deer was strong and fast, but constantly at risk because it could not see the dangers around the riverbank. The rabbit proposed a partnership: he would be the eyes, spotting danger early, while the deer would provide speed and strength. Recognizing the advantage of cooperation, the blind deer agreed.
How Young Thomas Edison Saved His Mother is a well known educational story inspired by the childhood of Thomas Alva Edison, one of America’s greatest inventors. The story highlights creative thinking, quick problem solving, and love for family, showing how a young boy’s intelligence and calm reasoning helped save his mother in a moment of great danger.
One evening, Edison had just left for the train station when his mother was suddenly struck by severe abdominal pain at home. His father was still at work, and the house fell into panic. When his sister Tania returned from visiting a friend, she rushed to her mother’s side in alarm.
Who Deserves More Praise is a gentle moral story that focuses on obedience, kindness, and true goodness. Through the actions of two siblings given the same task, the story shows that doing good is not about seeking praise, but about thinking of others and helping when help is needed.
In a quiet home, two Gray Rabbit brothers lived with their mother. Their father worked far away, so both brothers wanted to prove they were the most loving and obedient child. The older brother was more mature and often gave in to his younger sibling. The younger one, however, always wanted more praise from their mother and tried to stand out.
The Brave Purple Toad is a traditional Vietnamese folktale that celebrates courage, intelligence, and quick thinking. The story shows how a small and seemingly weak creature outsmarts a powerful tiger, teaching a timeless lesson that wisdom can overcome strength and bravery does not depend on size.
Deep in the forest lived a fierce and cruel tiger. Every animal feared him, and he believed himself to be untouchable. One day, as the tiger passed by the cave of Purple Toad, the toad decided it was time to teach the arrogant tiger a lesson using intelligence instead of strength.
The Price of a Cooked Chicken is a traditional Chinese folktale that highlights the power of logic, fairness, and common sense in everyday life. The story follows a poor farmer who faces an unreasonable debt and shows how wisdom can expose greed and injustice. Through a simple conflict, the tale delivers a clear moral about honesty and the true meaning of justice.
Long ago, a poor farmer bought a cooked chicken on credit from a shopkeeper. He planned to pay later once he had enough money. After some time, the farmer returned to settle the debt. The shopkeeper pulled out his abacus and pretended to calculate for a long while. At last, he said the farmer owed three hundred coins.
This story explores the timeless theme of loyalty, kindness, and the true measure of character. It highlights how actions reveal a person’s heart, showing that wealth or status does not determine who is genuinely good. Readers of all ages can reflect on the importance of integrity, family bonds, and recognizing true virtue in others.
Long ago, there were two brothers who lost their parents at a young age. They lived together in the same house, shared everything, and worked side by side. Life was simple and peaceful, and their bond was very strong.
This story is a well-known Vietnamese folktale that highlights cleverness, honesty, and the consequences of greed. It shows how quick thinking and integrity can outsmart those who are selfish and arrogant. Readers of all ages can enjoy the humor and moral lessons it offers.
Long ago, there was a wealthy man who was extremely greedy and miserly. When the Lunar New Year approached, he craved some wine but refused to give any money. He ordered his farmhand, the plowman, to go to the market and buy a bottle without paying for it.
This story comes from a classic collection of Vietnamese folktales. It explores timeless lessons about choices, consequences, and the value of living with honesty and integrity. Readers of all ages can appreciate the wisdom it offers about life, responsibility, and moral guidance.
Long ago, there was a wealthy merchant family known for their cunning and deceit. The father had crafted a special scale filled with mercury, cleverly designed so that it would weigh heavier or lighter depending on his benefit. When selling goods, the scale tipped to his advantage, making the products appear lighter and the money larger. When buying, the scale worked the opposite way. Through this trickery, he always profited, and his wealth grew quickly. The family was blessed with two handsome and intelligent children who excelled in their studies, and people admired them as a household of great fortune.
