Once upon a time, there was a proud young pike. One day, it so happened that the foolish pike decided to leave his home in the water and live like the cat. He was either jealous of the cat’s easy, comfortable life or perhaps he was fed up of eating fish dinner every day. He […]
Mr and Mrs Smith had to go on an official tour for five days. They had to leave their children with their Granny. Granny and Grandpa were very happy to see their grandchildren. Granny gave the two children sweets, cake and fruits. Grandpa read them stories. For some time they could divert the attention of
Once, a Tsar had three sons. The Tsar wanted all of them to get married. He told them, “Each of you has to shoot an arrow into the air as far as you can. Then, you will have to marry the girl living at the place where your arrow lands.” As told by their father,
A merchant had a single daughter named Vasilisa. She was very beautiful, so she was known as Vasilisa the Beautiful. When she was eight years old, her mother died. Before dying, Vasilisa’s mother gave her a tiny wooden doll. She instructed Vasilisa to give the doll a little to eat and a little to drink
Flappy, a flea was living with his big family on the back of a Doggy. He was tired of living in a crowd. “It has become a crowded place. Every time I try to leap, I bump into my brothers or sisters. No peace here!” said Flappy while packing his bags to leave. He jumped
A couple had an only daughter. When the man’s wife died, he married again. But the wicked stepmother did not like the girl. She always thought of ways to get rid of her. One day, the wicked stepmother said to the girl, “Go to my sister, your aunt, and ask her for a needle and
Ivan Tsarevitch had three sisters, the first was Princess Marya, the second was Princess Olga, and the third was Princess Anna. After the death of their parents, the sisters married three wizards. Princess Marya married the Falcon and he took her away into his own realm. Princess Olga married the Eagle and he took her
Robo and Jack were friends living in the same area. Robo was a good-hearted gentle rabbit and Jack was a big brown dog. It was a warm winter day. Robo was having a nap in the sun. Suddenly, Jack came barking towards Robo. “Robo,” said Jack, “I want you to take care of my sheep.
A farmer was taking some geese to the town to sell. He had a long rod in his hand and was hurrying them. So, the geese complained to every person passing by, “We are so unfortunate. This farmer is driving us so roughly as if we are common, ordinary geese. The farmer does not know
Once, a travelling circus was passing by the town. It led an elephant through the streets as a chief attraction. A crowd had gathered to look at him. Suddenly, a pug dog came out of the corner. The moment he saw the elephant, he dashed at him and started barking loudly. A shaggy old man
Mark was a rich merchant. One night, three beggars came to his house. They asked to stay at his house for the night. Mark was reluctant. But his daughter, Anastasia, requested him to let them stay. They slept in a loft. Anastasia overheard the beggars talking of the seventh son born to peasant Ivan. They
Alice had a pair of red shoes. They were very pretty but when she walked, they made a funny squeaky sound. Once she wore them to a birthday party and they squeaked, “Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!” All the children thought, there was a mouse in the room and were scared. At home, her mother didn’t like
Trishka was a Russian peasant. One day, he noticed that his Caftan, or long-skirted gown, was torn at the elbows. It was simple, he thought. He cut off a quarter of each sleeve, and patched it on the elbows. The elbows looked fine now, but his arms had lost a quarter of their length. Everyone
Once, an ass saw a nightingale and said, “My friend, I have heard that you have a really beautiful voice. I have been waiting from a long time to hear you sing.” Delighted by the praise, the nightingale began to sing, whistling in myriad ways, with long-drawn, sniveling notes. She sang one song after another.
Once, a merchant was ready to set out on a journey. He asked his three daughters, “What gifts do you all want?” The eldest daughter asked for a golden crown, and the second one requested a crystal mirror. The youngest daughter asked only for the little crimson flower. The merchant set out on his journey.