Free Children's Stories

The Horse and the Ass

Aesop

A proud horse learns humility and safety from a steady donkey on a busy road.

The Lambkin and the Little Fish

Brothers Grimm

A brother and sister turned into a lamb and a fish are saved by kind people and regain their true forms.

The Little Match-Seller

Hans Christian Andersen

A poor girl selling matches finds warmth, safety, and her grandmother's love in soft magical light.

Straw, Coal, and Bean

Brothers Grimm

A bean, a straw, and a coal escape the kitchen and learn a gentle lesson with help from a kind tailor.

The shoes that were danced to pieces

Brothers Grimm

Once upon a time, there was a king with twelve daughters who mysteriously wore out their shoes each night. Many tried to uncover their secret, but it was a clever soldier with a special cloak who followed them to a magical dance and won the king's challenge.

Mother Hulda

Brothers Grimm

A kind girl helps Mother Hulda and is rewarded with gold, while her lazy sister learns a gentle lesson.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

Aesop

A cheerful grasshopper learns the value of preparation from a hardworking ant.

The Golden Goose

Brothers Grimm

A kind-hearted young man discovers a magical golden goose. Everyone who touches it becomes stuck, creating a comical parade that brings laughter to a solemn princess.

Snow White

Brothers Grimm

A classic tale of a princess, seven little dwarfs, and the triumph of good over evil.

Rapunzel

Brothers Grimm

A beautiful young girl with magical golden hair is locked away in a tower by a witch, until a prince discovers her secret.

Winnie the Pooh

A.A. Milne

A lovable bear named Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood share heartwarming adventures filled with honey, friendship, and simple joys.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Traditional (Robert Southey, 1837)

A curious little girl named Goldilocks discovers a cozy cottage in the forest and learns an important lesson about respecting others property.

The Three Little Pigs

Traditional

Three little pigs build houses of straw, sticks, and bricks, learning that hard work and careful planning keep them safe from the Big Bad Wolf.

Puss in Boots

Charles Perrault

A clever cat in boots uses kind tricks to win a castle and a princess for his poor young master.

Cinderella

Charles Perrault

A kind girl receives magical help to attend the prince’s ball

Tom Thumb

Brothers Grimm

Discover how little Tom Thumb, full of wit and bravery, transforms his world with his big heart.

The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids

Brothers Grimm

A clever mother goat saves her seven kids from a tricky wolf and teaches them to be careful.

The Brave Little Tailor

Brothers Grimm

Discover the bravery of the little tailor who faces giants and adventures with a cheerful heart!

The Ugly Duckling

Hans Christian Andersen

Once upon a time in a delightful farm beside a gentle river, a mother duck welcomed her ducklings, but one stood out in a surprising way. As the large grey duckling paddled through the waters, he embarked on a heartwarming adventure of self-discovery and friendship. This magical tale teaches young readers about acceptance, belonging, and the beauty of being unique.

El cuento de Peter Rabbit

Beatrix Potter

Join Peter Rabbit on a daring adventure in Mr. McGregor's garden, where curiosity leads to unexpected fun!

The Princess and the Pea

Hans Christian Andersen

How can one tell if a princess is genuine? Join the prince on his magical quest for love and authenticity.

Clever Else

Brothers Grimm

A young woman called 'Clever Else' overthinks everything and imagines problems that haven't happened yet, leading to funny and unexpected consequences.

Fitcher's Bird

Brothers Grimm

A clever young woman outsmarts an evil wizard and rescues her sisters in this thrilling Brothers Grimm tale.

The Star-Money

Aesop

Frau Trude

Brothers Grimm

The Pink

Brothers Grimm

A queen's son with the power of wishing overcomes adversity to reunite with his family.

Our Lady's Child

Brothers Grimm

A young girl is taken to heaven by the Virgin Mary, but is banished for a secret she keeps.

The Crystal Ball

Brothers Grimm

A brave young man sets out to free a princess from an enchantment by finding a magical crystal ball hidden inside a fiery bird's egg.

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

Hans Christian Andersen

A one legged tin soldier stays brave, finds his dancer friend, and becomes a tiny heart kept with love.

The Wonderful Musician

Brothers Grimm

A clever musician wanders through the forest, tricking animals with his violin until he finds a true companion.

The Piper of Hamelin

Robert Browning

A mysterious musician frees Hamelin from a rat plague with his magical pipe. A tale about promises and consequences.

The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage

Brothers Grimm

A mouse, a bird, and a sausage learn that changing jobs unfairly can spoil a happy life together.

The Little Mermaid

Hans Christian Andersen

A young mermaid dreams of the world above the waves and makes a great sacrifice for love.

The Nightingale

Hans Christian Andersen

A Chinese emperor discovers that a simple gray nightingale's song is more precious than any artificial bird covered in jewels.

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Anonymous (One Thousand and One Nights)

A humble woodcutter discovers a thieves' treasure cave with a magical password, leading to adventure, danger, and the heroic cleverness of his loyal servant Morgiana.

Peter Pan

J.M. Barrie

A magical boy who never grows up takes three children on an unforgettable adventure to Neverland, where they face pirates, meet fairies, and discover the power of imagination.

The Selfish Giant and the Magical Friendship

Oscar Wilde

A selfish giant discovers the joy of sharing and the magic of friendship in his enchanted garden.

The Robber Bridegroom

Brothers Grimm

A brave young woman discovers her mysterious fiance is a murderous robber and cleverly exposes him at their wedding feast.

The Young King

Oscar Wilde

Discover how a young king finds the true meaning of royalty in a magical and touching adventure.

The Twelve Brothers

Brothers Grimm

When a king plans to sacrifice his twelve sons for a potential daughter, they flee, leading to a tale of resilience, eventual redemption through their sister's daring vow of silence.

The Almond Tree

The Brothers Grimm

A powerful Brothers Grimm tale of love, betrayal, and a magical bird that seeks justice under a blossoming almond tree.

Bluebeard

Charles Perrault

A curious bride breaks a promise, faces danger, and is saved while learning the value of courage and wisdom.

The Golden Bird

Brothers Grimm

A king's golden apples are stolen, sending his three sons on a quest. With the help of a magical fox, the youngest son navigates trials to find the Golden Bird, a Golden Horse, and a Princess.

Old Sultan

Brothers Grimm

An old farm dog proves his worth, keeps his loyalty, and makes peace with a wolf.

The Dog and the Shadow

Aesop

A dog loses a real bone while chasing a reflection, learning to value what he has.

The Eagle and the Fox

Aesop

An eagle breaks a promise to a fox and learns that unkind choices bring real consequences.

The Fisherman and His Wife

Brothers Grimm

A fisherman’s greedy wife keeps wishing for more from a magic fish until everything disappears and they must learn gratitude.

The Seven Ravens

Brothers Grimm

A brave sister journeys to the ends of the world to rescue her seven brothers from a father's curse.

The Water of Life

Hermanos Grimm

Three princes seek the Water of Life to save their father, but only the youngest stays kind and is truly rewarded

The Riddle

Brothers Grimm

A prince travels the world and faces a mysterious riddle to win a princess