Ages 9-12
Stories suggested for ages 9–12, with longer journeys, competing motives and difficult choices. Some contain frightening scenes or violence described in the page’s guidance. These age suggestions support selection and discussion; they do not make every traditional story equally suitable for every reader.
African Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Elephant and Tortoise
After Elephant quarrels with Rain, he leaves little Tortoise guarding the last lagoon, but Lion drinks anyway and Elephant’s punishment backfires.
African Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Jackal and Monkey
Caught swinging in the Boer’s snare after stealing lambs, Jackal convinces a mocking Monkey that swinging is fun, and Monkey takes his place.
African Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Crocodile’s Treason
In a drought, Crocodile wins a peace treaty so Lion’s animals will escort the water creatures past the Boer’s farm, but he has planned a betrayal.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Three Princesses of Whiteland
A fisherman unknowingly promises his unborn son to a head that rises from the sea, and years later a runaway boat carries the boy off to Whiteland.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Giant Who Had No Heart in His Body
Boots sets out to find his missing brothers; animal helpers and a captive princess lead him to the hidden egg containing a giant’s heart.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Soria Moria Castle
Halvor leaves home by ship and frees three princesses from trolls, but a boast costs him the ring that could bring him back to Soria Moria Castle.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
East of the Sun and West of the Moon
On a stormy autumn night, a great white bear taps on a poor farmer’s window and offers to make the family rich if the youngest daughter will go with him.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Yun Se-pyong, the Wizard
A wizard so feared that his own family keeps away sets out to rid Seoul of a rival magician, who hides from him by turning into a beetle under a crock.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Woodman and the Mountain Fairies
A woodcutter climbs the mountain to cut fuel and stops to watch two long-haired fairies playing a board game on flat stones, quite forgetting the time.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Wild-Cat Woman
Late one night a young scholar is eating roasted chestnuts brought by his wife when the door opens and a second wife walks in, carrying the very same basket.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Visit of the Man of God
Hiding among the trees, a woodcutter watches a shining warrior from heaven threaten to flood the land while a Buddhist monk begs him for mercy.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Vision of the Holy Man
On a calm night in a fishing village, a wandering holy man stares out to sea and warns the merchant To-jong that a giant wave will strike within hours.