Europe
Explore European fairy tales and folk narratives, from household tales and fairy realms to enchanted castles and difficult quests. The collection filters help distinguish Grimm, Celtic, Norse and other sources; their individual tellings can have very different audiences and endings.
150 stories are in this region right now.
See also: Turkey, Russia, Ancient Greece.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Sigurd and the Dragon Fafnir
When the dwarf Andvari curses his stolen ring, the gold passes from the gods to a greedy family, until young Sigurd faces the dragon Fafnir on Gnita Heath.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Theft of Thor’s Hammer (Thrymskvida)
When the giant Thrym steals Thor’s hammer and demands Freyja as his bride, the gods come up with a plan that leaves Thor dressed in a wedding veil.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Creation of the World from Ymir’s Body
In the beginning there was only fire, ice and a great yawning gap, until a giant grew out of the melting frost and the gods shaped the world from his body.
Norse Folk Tales
The Mead of Poetry
Two jealous dwarfs brew a magic mead that turns anyone who drinks it into a poet, and Father Odin sets out in disguise to win it from the giants.
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Ages 9-12
Rapunzel
Given away through her father's bargain, Rapunzel grows up in a locked tower, plans an escape and later reunites with the prince through her familiar voice.
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Ages 6-8
The Bremen Town Musicians
An old donkey, dog, cat, and rooster set out to be town musicians; their midnight “concert” scares robbers from a cottage for good.
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Ages 6-8
Rumpelstiltskin
A miller’s boast traps his daughter in a room of straw; a strange little man spins gold—then claims her first child unless she learns his name.
European Fairy Tales
The Glass Mountain
Where knights on fine horses have failed, a cheerful schoolboy with lynx claws on his hands and feet sets out to climb the slippery Glass Mountain.
European Fairy Tales
Ages 9-12
The Three Golden Hairs of Grandfather Knowitall
A king tries everything to stop a charcoal-burner’s son from marrying his daughter, even sending him to fetch three golden hairs from the Sun himself.
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Ages 9-12
Pied Piper of Hamelin | German Legend of Promises Broken (9-12+)
A piper in a red and yellow coat rids Hamelin of its rats, but when the mayor breaks his promise to pay, the piper plays a different tune.
Celtic Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Selkie Wife
A Shetland man hides the sealskin of a sea-maiden so she must stay and marry him, until one of their children finds the skin hidden behind a corn stack.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Odin’s Quest for Wisdom
Father Odin longs to be the wisest being in the world, but the old giant who guards the well of wisdom asks for a terrible price in return for one drink.