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.
Russian Folk Tales
Sadko
A poor Novgorod dulcimer player is paid in jewels by the Tzar of the Sea, grows rich, and twelve years later must leap overboard to keep his promise.
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.
Arabian Nights
Ages 9-12
The Fisherman and the Genie
A poor fisherman tricks a furious genie back into his jar, and the four coloured fish he wins lead a curious Sultan to a palace of black marble.
Arabian Nights
Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
A false uncle sends Aladdin into a treasure cave for a lamp; genies raise a palace—until "New lamps for old!" carries it to Africa.
African Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Story of a Dam
Jackal refuses to help dig the drought dam, then drinks from it, tricks the guard Baboon with a pot of “honey,” and is caught by a sticky Tortoise.
African Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Lost Message
The ants hold a council about their enemies but every kind of ant goes its own way, and the message of unity they need is sent by Beetle.
African Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Dance for Water, or Rabbit’s Triumph
Rabbit refuses to help the animals dance water up from a dry riverbed, drinks it anyway, and is caught by a pitch-covered Tortoise, but not for long.
African Folk Tales
Lion Who Took a Woman’s Shape
A lion kills a young woman gathering herbs and returns home in her skin, but the cows, the milk and a little sister sense something terribly wrong.
African Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Lion Who Thought Himself Wiser Than His Mother
After quarrelling with the Only Man, Lion ignores his mother’s warning about the man with pinching weapons and white dogs, and lies in wait at the water.
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
The Three Princesses in the Blue Mountain
Three princesses who must never step outside before they turn fifteen slip into the garden on a sunny day, and a sudden snowdrift sweeps them off.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Husband Who Was to Mind the House
A grumpy husband who thinks his wife never does anything right agrees to swap jobs for a day, but the housework soon turns into one disaster after another.