Wisdom & Cleverness
Explore 315 folk tales about wisdom and cleverness from cultures around the world. These stories celebrate the power of the mind — featuring clever jackals, wise sages, resourceful heroes, and quick-thinking tricksters who outwit stronger opponents through intelligence rather than force. From Panchatantra’s cunning animals to Aesop’s shrewd fables, these moral stories about wisdom teach children that brains are mightier than brawn.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Ten Thousand Devils
Ten Thousand Devils: [Han Chun-kyom was the son of a provincial secretary. He matriculated in the year 1579 and graduated in 1586. He received the last wishes
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Sim Chung
Sim Chung: THE DUTIFUL DAUGHTER. Sim, was highly esteemed in the Korean village in which he resided. He belonged to the Yang Ban, or gentleman class, and when
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Shoes For Hats
Shoes For Hats: Many centuries ago when Korea was named Chosen, or the Land of Morning Splendor, the island-kingdom out in the eastern sea, where the sun
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Longka, The Dancing Girl
After Eastern Ocean islanders learn of Korea's wealth, they seek to possess Longka, a dancing girl whose virtue and wisdom keep her steadfast against all temptation.
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Old Timber Top
In Kang Wen, River Meadow province, forest fairies and Old Timber Top teach that greed and the desire to conquer nature lead only to loss and destruction.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Im, The Hunter
Im Kyong-up, a legendary general and sage, uses cryptic wisdom and unconventional thinking to solve impossible problems and serve justice with moral clarity.
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Hong Kil Tong
Hong Kil Tong: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF AN ABUSED BOY. During the reign of the third king in Korea there lived a noble of high rank and noted family, by name Hong.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Hong’s Experiences In Hades
Hong's Experiences In Hades: Hong Nai-pom was a military graduate who was born in the year A.D. 1561, and lived in the city of Pyeng-yang. He passed his
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Haunted Houses
Haunted Houses: There once lived a man in Seoul called Yi Chang, who frequently told as an experience of his own the following story: He was poor and had no
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Fancha And The Magpie
A thousand years ago, Fancha and a magpie form an unlikely partnership, using wisdom and courage to overcome tyranny and restore justice through clever means.
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Charan
Some say love is not found in the Oriental world, yet Charan's tale of enduring devotion and self-sacrifice proves that true love transcends all hardship.
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
Cheung Puk-Chang, The Seer
Cheung Puk-Chang, The Seer: The Yol-ryok Keui-sul, one of Korea’s noted histories, says of Cheung Puk-chang that he was pure in purpose and without selfish