The Forest Rabbit and the Gray Tiger is a traditional folktale that tells the story of a clever rabbit and a fearsome tiger in the heart of the forest. Through a tense encounter between intelligence and brute strength, the tale shows how quick thinking and wisdom can overcome even the most powerful enemy.
That morning, the Forest Rabbit hopped along the woodland path in a cheerful mood, proud of how he had recently outsmarted the Old Wolf, who ended up burned and left with a badly scorched tail after trying to steal food. The Rabbit felt light and carefree, enjoying his clever victory, until a sudden chill ran through his body.
The Turtle Dove is a Vietnamese folktale about greed, cleverness, and the misuse of authority. Through a brief encounter between a corrupt local official and two quick witted boys, the story shows how desire can blind those in power and lead to public shame.
A certain local official was widely known for his greed. One mild and overcast day, he brought several guards with him to inspect a river dike. From a distance, he noticed two young boys arguing fiercely over something in a large grassy field, though he could not clearly see what it was. Curious, he walked closer. All he saw was a single straw hat placed upside down between the two boys. Realizing the man was an official with guards, the boys felt nervous, yet they continued to cling tightly to the hat and argue loudly.
The Magpie and the Crow is a Vietnamese folktale that explores how reputation and perception influence the way people respond to us. Through a simple encounter between two birds, the story shows that the same action can lead to very different outcomes, depending on who performs it and how they are known.
A Guest Bird once landed on the gate of a house and called out a few clear notes. Hearing the sound, the homeowner was delighted and said to his child that when a Guest Bird calls, it means an honored visitor is coming, so the bird deserved a reward. The child obeyed, went inside, and brought out a handful of food to offer the bird.
The Two Warts is a traditional Czech folktale that tells the humorous story of an old woodcutter who loses a wart after dancing with mischievous forest spirits, and a greedy rich man who ends up with two warts trying to imitate him. The tale highlights themes of luck, cleverness, and the folly of envy.
Long ago, there lived an old woodcutter whose right cheek bore a large wart. One stormy evening, as he was deep in the forest chopping wood, heavy rain and fierce wind prevented him from returning home. Seeking shelter, he hid inside a hollow tree. As dusk fell, he heard laughter, chatter, and the sound of many footsteps approaching. Puzzled, he muttered to himself, “How strange! I thought I was alone in this part of the forest.”
This humorous Vietnamese folktale tells the story of a man who tries to give his clever cat grand names, only to discover that its true nature never changes. The tale highlights the humor in human pride, the simplicity of logical thinking, and the truth that no matter what label we assign, a thing remains what it truly is.
Once upon a time, there was a man who owned a cat. He believed his cat was the wisest, cleverest, and most extraordinary creature anyone could imagine. Thinking that a simple name like “Cat” would not do justice, he decided to give it a grand name and called it “Sky.”
The Ever-Changing Sign is a funny Vietnamese folktale about a fish shop owner whose sign keeps changing because of passing customers’ comments, teaching a humorous lesson about people’s criticism.
In a small fish shop, the owner proudly hung a large sign that read, “Fresh Fish for Sale.” No sooner had it gone up than a passerby stopped, chuckled, and said, “Has this place been selling bad fish all this time that now it has to claim the fish are fresh?” Embarrassed by the comment, the owner quickly erased the word fresh from the sign.
The Origin of the Quoc Bird is a traditional Vietnamese folktale that tells the story of two devoted friends, Quac and Nhan. The tale explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and selfless devotion, showing how true bonds endure through hardship. It also explains the mythical origin of the quoc bird, highlighting the cultural significance of loyalty and the consequences of greed and disrespect.
Once there were two inseparable friends, Quac and Nhan. Both were orphans from poor scholarly families. Quac had studied more, so he became a teacher for children. Although his income was modest, Quac often helped Nhan whenever he could. In return, when Quac fell seriously ill one time, it was Nhan’s care and constant attention that saved his life. Despite their strong bond, circumstances forced them apart, each following a different path. Quac continued his life teaching children, while Nhan wandered from place to place, taking odd jobs to survive. Eventually, his honesty and hard work impressed a wealthy merchant, who trusted him completely and even married his daughter to Nhan. Through this marriage, Nhan acquired considerable wealth, yet he never forgot his vow to Quac, a promise to stand by each other through life’s ups and downs.
The Obedient Boy and the God Zanahary is a traditional Malagasy folktale about a kind and humble orphan boy who overcomes challenges through patience, respect, and obedience. Guided by the village elder, he completes a difficult journey with integrity, earning the favor of the god Zanahary and transforming his life. The story highlights the importance of virtue, self-discipline, and respect for wisdom in achieving true reward and happiness.
Once upon a time, there was a family whose parents had passed away when the children were still young. Among seven brothers, the youngest was born weak and unattractive, and because of this, his older brothers often treated him coldly and excluded him, even though he was gentle and kind-hearted. Feeling sad about his difficult life, the boy decided to seek advice from the oldest elder in the village. He asked politely, “Sir, I want to meet the god Zanahary. How can I do that?”
Isaac Newton: The Journey of a Young Genius tells the story of how a boy born into a humble farming family in England grew into one of the most influential scientists in history. From facing ridicule at school to dedicating himself to learning and self-education, Newton’s early life reveals the power of determination, curiosity, and hard work in shaping a true genius.
Isaac Newton was born into a humble farming family in England. At the age of twelve, he moved to the city to begin his formal education. At first, he was an ordinary student with no special distinction. However, a significant event during his second year at school marked a turning point in his academic journey.
The Shepherd’s Daughter is a classic Persian folktale about a prince who falls in love with the daughter of a humble shepherd. Determined to marry her, he must prove his dedication by learning a skill, showing that true love requires effort, patience, and cleverness. This story highlights courage, resourcefulness, and the power of devotion in overcoming challenges.
Once upon a time, a king of Persia had a son who fell deeply in love with a shepherd’s daughter. The prince wanted to marry her, but the king was concerned. He said, “I am the king, and you are my son. One day I will pass, and you will inherit the throne. How can you marry a shepherd’s daughter?” The prince replied firmly, “Father, I love her, and I want her to be my queen.” The king realized he could not change his son’s mind, so he sent a messenger to the shepherd’s daughter to ask for her hand in marriage.
The Old Man and His Jar of Silver is a classic Vietnamese folktale about an elderly man who works tirelessly in his rice fields and the forest to earn a living. Despite saving a jar of silver over the years, he worries about his lazy son, who has never learned the value of hard work. This story explores the importance of effort, responsibility, and understanding the true value of money through the son’s journey from idleness to labor and self-reliance.
Once upon a time, there was an elderly man known for his hard work and diligence. His rice fields were fertile and abundant. After tending to his crops, he would venture into the forest to chop wood and make charcoal to sell. Every time he sold the charcoal, he would set aside a small portion of his earnings, and by the time he grew old, he had saved a jar full of silver coins.
The Lotus in the Jade Well is a Vietnamese folktale about Mac Dinh Chi, a poor and unattractive boy whose intelligence, perseverance, and hard work help him overcome hardship and become the kingdom’s top scholar. The story highlights resilience, talent, and moral integrity.
Mac Dinh Chi was born into a poor family in Vietnam long ago. He was small, dark-skinned, and considered unattractive by the standards of his time, but despite these challenges, he worked every day cutting firewood in the forest to help his parents survive. From a very young age, his life was marked by hardship and responsibility, yet he showed a strong spirit and determination to learn.
Tam and Cam is a classic Vietnamese folktale that explores kindness, jealousy, injustice, and ultimate justice. The story follows Tam, a gentle and hardworking girl who suffers under a cruel stepmother and a jealous stepsister, Cam. Through a series of magical events rooted in traditional Vietnamese beliefs, Tam’s patience and goodness are eventually rewarded, while wrongdoing faces its consequences. This tale has been passed down for generations as a moral story about resilience, compassion, and the triumph of virtue over cruelty.
Tam and Cam were half sisters born to the same father but different mothers. Tam was the daughter of the first wife, while Cam was the child of the second wife. After their father died, Tam was forced to live with her stepmother, Cam’s biological mother, who treated her with cruelty and favoritism. From a young age, Tam lived a life of quiet hardship, obedience, and endurance, while Cam was spoiled and protected.
The Siege of Syracuse is a famous historical tale from the early third century BC, set in the ancient Greek city of Syracuse during the Second Punic War. It tells how the brilliant scientist Archimedes used intelligence, engineering, and innovative war machines to defend his homeland against the powerful Roman general Marcus Claudius Marcellus. The story highlights a timeless truth: knowledge and ingenuity can overcome even the greatest military force.
In the early third century BC, the city of Syracuse, homeland of the brilliant scientist Archimedes, faced an imminent threat of invasion. The Roman fleet, fully armed and well supplied, was preparing for war under the command of the famed general Marcus Claudius Marcellus, determined to defeat the Greek forces on the island of Sicily.
The Magic Spell is a traditional Indian folktale set during the reign of King Bohadura in Kashmir. The story centers on a powerful spell that can transfer life, revealing the true nature of those who use it. Through royal intrigue, deception, and transformation, the tale delivers a timeless lesson about how magic and power reward the good but destroy the wicked.
Long ago, during the reign of King Bohadura of Kashmir, an extraordinary event took place that would forever warn people about the danger of power mixed with evil intentions.
Stingy to the Very End is a Vietnamese folktale that tells the story of a wealthy man whose extreme stinginess governs his entire life. Despite his riches, he lives in constant fear of spending money, even when it comes to basic needs. Through a simple trip to the city and a tragic outcome, the tale conveys a timeless moral about the danger of placing money above human life, dignity, and common sense.
Long ago, there lived a wealthy man who was extremely stingy. He never allowed himself to eat well or dress properly. His only concern in life was hoarding money and growing richer, even if it meant living worse than the poor. One day, a friend invited him to visit the city, but he hesitated and refused. He was afraid that if he went, he would be expected to treat his friend, and the thought of spending money terrified him.
Phaethon and the Chariot of the Sun is a well known Greek myth that tells the story of Phaethon, the son of Helios, the god of the Sun. Driven by pride and the desire to prove his divine heritage, Phaethon asks to control the Sun Chariot for one day, a request that leads to disaster. Set in the world of ancient Greek mythology, the story explores ambition, responsibility, and the dangers of power without wisdom, making it one of the most enduring cautionary tales in Western literature.
Phaethon was the son of Helios, the Greek god who drove the chariot of the Sun, and the mortal woman Clymene. He grew up with his mother in a beautiful eastern valley, far from his father’s blazing palace in the sky. From a young age, Phaethon gazed in awe at the golden Sun Chariot crossing the heavens each day and dreamed that one day he would guide those divine horses himself.
Wu Song Fights the Tiger at Jingyang Ridge is one of the most famous episodes from Water Margin, one of China’s Four Great Classical Novels. The story follows Wu Song, a fearless warrior known for his strength and courage, as he travels alone across Jingyang Ridge and confronts a man eating tiger that has terrorized local villagers. Set during the Song dynasty, this legendary encounter highlights bravery, raw physical power, and moral justice, turning Wu Song into a lasting symbol of heroic spirit in Chinese folklore.
Wu Song strode forward for nearly five miles before reaching the foot of Jingyang Ridge. Along the way, he noticed a large tree with a wide strip of bark torn away, exposing a pale surface covered with writing. He stepped closer, looked up, and read the warning carved into the wood. It said that a huge man eating tiger had recently appeared on Jingyang Ridge and had already killed many travelers. Anyone crossing the ridge was advised to travel only in groups and pass through during specific daylight hours, otherwise they risked losing their life.
Galileo and the Pendulum tells how young Galileo discovered the principles of pendulum motion by observing a swinging lamp. His careful experiments revealed that a pendulum’s swing depends on the length of its string, not its weight, showcasing his curiosity and scientific insight.
When Galileo Galilei was just 19 years old, he was a medical student, but like all university students of his time, he was required to attend church services regularly. Despite attending mass, Galileo found the sermons dull and uninteresting, and his mind often wandered to the fascinating problems of science that captured his curiosity more. One day, he noticed a lamp hanging from the church ceiling swinging back and forth. It had likely been nudged while being lit, but what intrigued Galileo was that the lamp continued to swing for a long time and with a regular rhythm. He observed that although the swings gradually became smaller, the time it took for each swing remained almost the same. Curious, he used the beat of his own pulse to measure the timing and confirmed his observation.
The Wise Magistrate is a traditional folktale about a highly skilled judge known for his fairness and cleverness. Faced with tricky cases and disputes, he uses keen observation, logical thinking, and a deep understanding of human behavior to uncover the truth. Through his clever judgments, the story highlights the importance of wisdom, justice, and insight in solving even the most challenging problems.
Once upon a time, there was a highly skilled judge known throughout the land for his wisdom and fairness. Whenever a difficult or tricky case appeared, he could always uncover the truth and deliver a just verdict, earning the respect of everyone in the village.
