'The Ingrates' tells us about the ways of the world as it is, and not at all as we'd like it to be. And it's not the best reflection of ourselves. Title: Italian Popular Tales Author: Thomas Frederick Crane Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.

In the Italian folktale of 'Vineyard I Was and Vineyard I Am' three people handle a misunderstanding in the most adult way possible, talking through the issue at hand and not overreacting (too much). Title: Italian Popular Tales Author: Thomas Frederick Crane Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

'The Half-Chick' is the perfect cautionary tale about being rude and dismissive to those you meet along your journey. Because everyone needs a little help sometimes. From: The Green Fairy Book Editor: Andrew Lang Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In 'Elivra, the Sainted Princess' we see the conflict between the historical King Wamba and his secretly Christian daughter, Elvira. From: Tales from the Lands of Nuts and Grapes Author: Charles Sellers and Others Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In 'The Wicked King' the King is truly wicked, but the more interesting character (in my opinion) is his enabler, the executioner. From: Tales from the Lands of Nuts and Grapes Author: Charles Sellers and Others Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

'The Three Ruling Gods' tells us the story of how the Gods of the Water, Earth and Heavens came to be, and why they appear the way they do. From: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: R. Wilhelm Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In the Chinese tale of 'The Silkworm Goddess' we learn about the origin of the Goddess who is tasked with protecting the silkworm. And it's quite the story. From: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: R. Wilhelm Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In the first of three new stories from China we have 'The Great Flood' a story that has familiar elements from the Judeo-Christian tradition, Russian folklore and others. From: The Chinese Fairy Book Author: R. Wilhelm Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

'The Knave of Bergen' is the tale of an executioner who was, thankfully, able to think on his feet. From: Legends of the Rhine Author: Wilhelm Ruland Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

The magistrates in 'The Cathedral Clock' are some of the most shortsighted rulers to have ever come into power. No pun intended. From: Legends of the Rhine Author: Wilhelm Ruland Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.  Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0

The German folktale of 'The Toy of the Young Giantess' is all about remembering to keep perspective in mind. From: Legends of the Rhine Author: Wilhelm Ruland Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In 'How Rabbit Caught the Sun in a Trap' we hear the story of a sun catcher who hated not being first to the hunt (even though he was). Title: Myths and Legends of the Great Plains Author: Unknown Editor: Katharine Berry Judson Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In 'The Legend of The Peace Pipe' we get a view of the origins of the peace pipe from the Omaha nation. Title: Myths and Legends of the Great Plains Author: Unknown Editor: Katharine Berry Judson Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

We often romanticize it, but in the individual stories of soldiers we see the true brutality of war. The American folktale of 'Father and Son' tells such a tale and the impact that it can have on generations.   From: Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land Author: Charles M. Skinner Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In the Japanese folktale of 'Hana-Saka-Jiji' we meet two old couples who couldn't be more opposite of each other, and in the end each gets their due. From: Japanese Fairy Tales Author: Grace James Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

The meddlesome father in this story of love from Japan may be a Deity, but that unfortunately doesn't make him any less of a villain to 'The Star Lovers'. From: Japanese Fairy Tales Author: Grace James Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

Heading back to Japan this week we start with a story that tells us why moths and other insects are drawn to a flame. And of course it's blamed on a female insect. 🙄 From: Japanese Fairy Tales Author: Grace James Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In 'Blondine's Awakening – Beau-Minon - A French Folktale' our Princess awakens to find herself alone in the enchanted Forest of Lilacs. Or is she really alone? From: Old French Fairy Tales Author: Comtesse Sophie Ségur Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.

In Part 3 of Blondine, 'The Forest of Lilacs' we get a bit of breather as the young Princess comes to the realization that she is lost in the enchanted forest. From: Old French Fairy Tales Author: Comtesse Sophie Ségur Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

This week we're catching up with the story of Blondine with Part 2, 'Blondine Lost' where we see the young Princess become lost in an enchanted forest. From: Old French Fairy Tales Author: Comtesse Sophie Ségur  Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

Our final story from the Philippines this week is one of my favorite types of stories - an origin tale that tries to explain an animal's behavior. In this case it's 'Why Dogs Wag Their Tails'. From: Philippine Folk Tales Author: Mabel Cook Cole Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

As someone who truly hates conflict I absolutely understand the protagonist of 'The Mistaken Gifts'. But let's all remember to get confirmation of all of our wedding proposals, OK? From: Philippine Folk Tales Author: Mabel Cook Cole Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

Our final fairy tale from New Zealand is a story about two different types of fairies playing in the Bush in New Zealand. It doesn't get much better than that. From: Piccaninnies Author: Isabel Maud Peacocke Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

'Fairy Tenderheart' only wants to see an end to war and finds help in The Oldest Fairy and a magic flower. From: Wonderwings and other Fairy Stories Author: Edith Howes Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

'Christmas Tree' is the story about how fashion came to the Piccaninnies in New Zealand and has nothing at all to do with Christmas. From: Piccaninnies Author: Isabel Maud Peacocke Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

'Catskin' is a version of the Cinderella story, and what is missing with the evil stepmother and sisters is more than made up with a cook who constantly calls Catskin "you dirty, impudent slut!" From: English Fairy Tales Author: Flora Annie Steel Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

'How Jack Went to Seek His Fortune' is a fun version of 'The Bremen Town Musicians' and an excellent foil to the American idea of the solitary Hero's Journey. Jack can't get his fortune without the animal friends he meets along the way. From: English Fairy Tales Author: Joseph Jacobs Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.

'The Old Woman and Her Pig' is the silliest of silly English folktales. And for a progressive tale that's saying quite a bit. From: English Fairy Tales Author: Joseph Jacobs Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.

'The Old Gravestone' is a love letter by Hans Christian Andersen to the art of storytelling in quite possibly the saddest way possible. Because it's Hans Christian Andersen. From: Folkekalender for Danmark Author: Hans Christian Andersen Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In 'The Happy Family' Hans Christian Andersen gives us a pretty solid allegory for the myopic view of nationalism. From: Folkekalender for Danmark Author: Hans Christian Andersen Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.

'The Teapot' is Hans Christian Andersen at his finest. A sweet, sad and poignant tale that is almost a complete rebuttal to last Friday's story of divine classism from the Brothers Grimm. From: Folkekalender for Danmark Author: Hans Christian Andersen Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

'Eve's Various Children' provides us a divine rationalization for some very serious classism. From: Household Tales Author: The Brothers Grimm Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.

At first blush 'The Grey Mare in the Garret' seems like a ghost story, but in reality it's a love tale set during The Plague in "Folklore and Legends: German". From: Folklore and Legends: German Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. 

In 'The Bright Sun Brings it to Light' the Brothers Grimm bring us a story about the strength of a guilty man's conscience. From: Grimm's Household Tales Author: The Brothers Grimm Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/folktaleproject.   

In the Korean folktale of 'The Rabbit's Eyes' we find a turtle who has nefarious plans and a bunny who is (thankfully) as smart as he is trusting. From: The Unmannerly Tiger, and Other Korean Tales Author: William Elliot Griffis Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/folktaleproject. 

In 'A Bridegroom for Miss Mole' we meet a father determined to find the best husband in the entire world possible for his beautiful daughter. But nobody feels worthy. From: The Unmannerly Tiger, and Other Korean Tales Author: William Elliot Griffis Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/folktaleproject. 

'The Unmannerly Tiger' is our very first folklore from Korea and the story of a very hungry, very proud tiger named "Mountain Uncle" 🐯. From: The Unmannerly Tiger, and Other Korean Tales Author: William Elliot Griffis Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/folktaleproject. 

'The Story of a Monkey' is a Filipino progressive folktale with a surprising twist at the end. From: Philippine Folk Tales Author: Mabel Cook Cole Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/folktaleproject 

'The Story of the Creation' from Mindanao is an amazing creation tale, and that's not just that I love creation folklore. From: Philippine Folk Tales Author: Mabel Cook Cole Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/folktaleproject.

The Filipino folktale of 'The Flood Story' isn't an adaptation of the Judeo-Christian Flood. It's so, so much better. From: Philippine Folk Tales Author: Mabel Cook Cole Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/folktaleproject. 

'Morozko' is a tale of the Russian Jack Frost, a good daughter and a bad daughter, and the world's smartest talking dog. From: Russian Fairy Tales from the Skazki of Polevoi Author: R. Nisbet Bain Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.\ It's that time of year again, nominations are open for The Podcast Awards at https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup.  Thanks so much for listening!

It seems like we all end up knowing someone like Demyan from 'The Tale of the Peasant Demyan'. Someone who is hard hearted and always ready to both be right and to quarrel. From: Russian Fairy Tales from the Skazki of Polevoi Author: R. Nisbet Bain Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.\ It's that time of year again, nominations are open for The Podcast Awards at https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup.  Thanks so much for listening!

This week is a visit to Russia for three new tales, beginning with Bain's 'The Brave Labourer', a story all about the bravery we find when we really don't have a choice in our actions. From: Russian Fairy Tales from the Skazki of Polevoi Author: R. Nisbet Bain Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.\ It's that time of year again, nominations are open for The Podcast Awards at https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup.  Thanks so much for listening!

In 'The Halos of The Saints' we discover that saints and scholars have halos that can blind people. and that foxes are scared of them both! From: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: R. Wilhelm Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject. It's that time of year again, nominations are open for The Podcast Awards at https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup. Thanks so much for listening!

'The Three Rhymesters' is a fun story that praises intelligence and a quick wit. And it praises (to an extent) a young woman, which is unfortunately rare in folklore. From: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: R. Wilhelm Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.  It's that time of year again, nominations are open for The Podcast Awards at https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup.  Thanks so much for listening!

We start off our week of Chinese folklore with a short tale chock full of schadenfreude, 'Who Was the Sinner?' from "The Chinese Fairy Book". From: The Chinese Fairy Book Editor: R. Wilhelm Translator: Frederick H. Martens Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.  It's that time of year again, nominations are open for The Podcast Awards at https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup.  Thanks so much for listening.  

Today we have our annual reading of Charles Skinner's 'Consecration of Washington'. Because nobody deifies their leaders quite like Americans. From: Myths and Legends of Our Own Land Author: Charles M. Skinner Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.  It's that time of year again, nominations are open for The Podcast Awards at https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup.  Thanks so much for listening.

'The Phantom Dragoon' is a rare tale from the Revolutionary United States that praises the ingenuity of a young English scout. A rare story indeed. From: Myths and Legends of Our Own Land Author: Charles M. Skinner Help keep The Folktale Project ad-free by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject.  It's that time of year again, nominations are open for The Podcast Awards at https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup.  Thanks so much for listening.