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 6-8
The Propitious Magpie
The Propitious Magpie: People say that when the magpie builds its nest directly south of a home that the master of the house will be promoted in office.
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Old Woman Who Became A Goblin
<p>An irreverent old woman’s mockery of a scholar invites shamanic judgment and supernatural transformation.</p>
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
The Mirror That Made Trouble
The Mirror That Made Trouble: The city of Seoul lies near the Han river, which flows all the way across Korea from the high mountains to the level sea. The
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Man Who Lost His Legs
The Man Who Lost His Legs: There was a merchant in Chong-ju who used to go to Quelpart to buy seaweed. One time when he drew upon the shore he saw a man
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Man On The Road
During the 1636 Manchu invasion, a quick-witted man uses observation and calm judgment to survive.
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
The Magic Peach
The Magic Peach: Out on the ocean, so far away that no ship ever sailed there, is an island on which stood the seven storied palace of the royal lady, Su Wang
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Magic Invasion Of Seoul
The Magic Invasion Of Seoul: A gentleman of Seoul was one day crossing the Han River in a boat. In the crossing, he nodded for a moment, fell asleep and
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The King Of Yom-Na (Hell)
The King Of Yom-Na (Hell): [Pak Chom was one of the Royal Censors, and died in the Japanese War of 1592.] In Yon-nan County, Whang-hai Province, there was a
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The King Of The Flowers
The King Of The Flowers: Korea is the land of beautiful scenery and lovely flowers. Snow white and ruby red are their chief colors. In the spring time when the
Korean Folk Tales
All Ages
The King Of The Sparrows
The King Of The Sparrows: The Korean children are awakened every morning by the twittering of the sparrows. These little birds build their nests among the
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Ill-Fated Priest
The Ill-Fated Priest: In Korea, during ancient times when mist covered the mountains and people lived close to nature, there stood a Buddhist monastery high on
Korean Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Awful Little Goblin
The Awful Little Goblin: There was an occasion for a celebration in the home of a nobleman of Seoul, whereupon a feast, to which were invited all the family