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.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Sky O’Dawn
A foundling who talks to the stars grows up to amaze Emperor Wu with magic dew, a horse of the gods, and tales of lands beyond the sun.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Sam-Chung and the Water Demon
On his way to the land of the Immortals, the pilgrim Sam-Chung finds a village forced to feed its children to a river demon, and his helpers fight back.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Dragon-Princess
An emperor sends three brothers with jade, wax, and roasted swallows into a dragon cave, and the dragon-princess repays him with pearls of wonderful power.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Old Dschang
A poor old gardener pays a huge bride-price for an official’s daughter, and years later her brother finds the couple living as immortals in the hills.
Chinese Folk Tales
Kwang-Jui and the God of the River
A scholar who frees a captured fish is murdered by a boatman who steals his post, but the River God keeps him safe until his son brings justice.
Chinese Folk Tales
Giauna the Beautiful
A scholar joins a mysterious family, is healed by Giauna, and later risks his life to protect them during a supernatural storm.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
A Legend of Confucius
A magical Kilin foretells the greatness of Confucius, and centuries later a proud emperor who opens the sage’s tomb finds a warning waiting.
Russian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Baba Yaga
Sent to a witch by their stepmother, orphan twins remember their grandmother's advice, share food with every creature, and escape with a towel and comb.
Russian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Woe Bogotir
A poor man picks up a ragged spirit called Bitter Woe who rides on his shoulders and drinks away his goods, until he tricks Woe into a pit full of gold.
Russian Folk Tales
Ivanoushka the Simpleton
Mocked as a fool, Ivanoushka rides his father's magic horse to win a princess, then sells his treasures to his boastful brothers for toes, fingers and ears.
Russian Folk Tales
Seven Simeons
A lonely tsar recruits seven peasant brothers with odd talents, from building a sky-high pillar to stealing, to carry off a proud island king's daughter.
Japanese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Momotaro, or the Story of the Son of a Peach
A boy born from a giant peach sets out with a dog, a monkey and a pheasant to conquer the devils who have been raiding Japan from their island castle.