Wisdom & Cleverness
Resourceful escapes, sharp observations, advice and ingenious tricks shape these tales. Look beyond who wins: what information did a character use, whose help mattered and who was harmed? Comparing an effective trick with a well-judged decision makes room for different readings of cleverness and wisdom.
Norse Folk Tales
How Sif Lost Her Hair
Loki cuts off all of Sif's golden hair as a prank, and to escape Thor's anger he must get the dwarfs to make her new hair out of real gold.
Bengal Folk Tales
The Clever Wife
A merchant jokes that his wife should build a well and give him a son while he is away for a year, and she cleverly manages both, outwitting a king.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
King Shibi and the Dove
A frightened dove flies into King Shibi's robe, and when the eagle chasing it demands its prey, the king offers his own flesh instead.
Aesop's Fables
Ages 6-8
The Bundle of Sticks
A father tired of his sons' quarrels hands them a bundle of sticks none can break, then shows how easily the sticks snap one at a time.
Aesop's Fables
Ages 3-5
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
A country mouse visits his cousin in town and tastes rich food, but every opening door sends them fleeing, so he goes home to simple peace.
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Ages 9-12
The Six Swans
A witch-queen turns six brothers into swans; their sister must sew starwort shirts in silence for six years—even when fire waits at the stake.
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Cinderella (Aschenputtel)
Ashputtel’s hazel tree and bird allies dress her for three balls; a golden slipper fits only her—while false sisters pay a bitter price.
Celtic Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Salmon of Knowledge
Young Finn is told to cook the magic Salmon of Knowledge for his teacher and not taste a bite, but a burnt thumb changes everything for him.
Celtic Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Voyage of Bran
A silver branch and a stranger’s song call Bran across the sea to the Land of Women, but the journey home holds a terrible surprise for his crew.
Aesop's Fables
Ages 3-5
The North Wind and the Sun
The North Wind and the Sun argue over who is stronger and test it on a traveller's cloak. Fierce gusts fail where gentle warmth wins.
Aesop's Fables
Ages 3-5
The Crow and the Pitcher
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach, so she drops in pebble after pebble until the water rises to her beak.
Chinese Folk Tales
All Ages
The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea
The Eight Immortals ride across the ocean on a crutch, a fan, a paper mule and more, until a greedy dragon prince steals a musical instrument and starts a war.