Showing results by author "Andrew Lang" in All Categories

I have created this special collection of stories because…in my youth and even today I love the fantasy and magic of fairytales, and I grew up longing for a prince charming of my own one day. Of course being a little boy, back then, I tended to imagine myself in the role of a princess as that seemed the only option.

He had likewise, by another wife, a young daughter, but of unparalleled goodness and sweetness of temper, which she took from her mother, who was the best creature in the world. No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over than the mother-in-law began to show herself in her true colors. She could not bear the good qualities of this pretty girl, and the less because they made her own daughters appear the more odious. She employed her in the meanest work of the house.

'The Donkey Skin' is a strange fairy tale of a princess who escapes an unwanted marriage by running away from the palace dressed in a donkey skin, to a hard life of poverty as a hen-wife. When a young prince happens to catch a glimpse of her without her donkey skin, he falls in love with her. But how is he to find the beautiful maiden again?

There once was a fisherman who sold all his catches to the king. One day, the fisherman caught a golden crab, which he set aside instead of selling it to the king. Much to the surprise of the fisherman and his wife, the golden crab could talk! He requested that the fisherman go to the king and tell him that he wished to marry his youngest daughter.

An entertaining retelling of this classic folk tale from Arabian Nights.

This is a story from the Tales from the Arabian Nights collection.

Helen of Troy has been the inspiration for writers for centuries. According to the myth, her beauty was the cause of the Trojan War that would rage on for 10 long years, a war that brought death and suffering to thousands. Because of the universal appeal of the story of Helen of Troy, differing versions of the tale can be found throughout history. From the ancient poet Homer to the dramatist Euripides, from classical academic scholars to Stephen Fry to Hollywood, Helen seems to continue to intrigue us all.

The blue fairy book is one of the most famous collections of fairy tales of all time. Andrew Lang, prolific writer and collector of folk tales, published it at the end of the 19th century. It contains fairy tales from all over the world, including: The bronze ring, East of the sun and west of the moon, Aladdin and the wonderful lamp, The white cat, Beauty and the beast, Ali Baba and the forty thieves, The history of Whittington, Gulliver's voyage to Lilliput, Jack the giant-killer, and many more! Also included: a pdf document with complete track list.

A poor miller with a beautiful daughter had an audience with the king. In order to appear important, the miller told the king that he had a daughter who could spin straw into gold. The king was impressed by this talent and asked for the girl to come to him. When the girl was brought to him he led her into a room full of straw, gave her a spinning wheel and spindle, and told her that if all the straw was not spun into gold by morning, she will die....

'The Two Frogs' is the story of two amphibians who live in different cities in Japan. Each desires to see the world, so each sets out on a journey towards the other's home city. When they meet at the top of a mountain, the two frogs make friends and devise a plan to work out whether their journey is worthwhile - with unintended consequences.

This condensed version of the King Arthur narrative was compiled by folklorist Andrew Lang from traditional sources and features all the familiar iconography: the sword in the stone, Excalibur, the Round Table, Camelot, Merlin, knights and chivalry, and the quest for the Holy Grail.

A timeless legend of chivalry, magic, and destiny, The Tale of King Arthur and the Round Table weaves together the epic adventures of King Arthur, his noble knights, and the mystical powers that shaped their world. From the sword in the stone to the founding of Camelot, the formation of the Round Table, and the quest for the Holy Grail, this collection of Arthurian tales explores the values of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice.

Paris steals Helena of the fair hands. This calls for revenge. The Greeks, among them Ulysses, Achilles, and many other war heroes, go to Troy and begin what will be a ten-year-long war, with many heroic deeds in historic events. The death of Hector, the fight of the Amazons, the treacherous wooden horse: This audiobook is world history told in entertaining stories!!! Included is a pdf document with track list.

Make bedtime the best part of the day with this delightful collection of 25 five-minute stories, specially written to help children wind down, relax, and fall asleep with a smile. Each story in 5 Minute Bedtime Stories for Children is the perfect length for busy evenings, gentle enough to calm little minds, and packed with heartwarming characters, magical moments, and comforting themes. Whether it's one story or a few, this collection makes bedtime easy, enjoyable, and full of imagination.

To save herself from certain death, the beautiful Scheherazade must beguile a Persian sultan with her enchanting stories. In two of her most well-known tales, Aladdin's and Ali Baba's cleverness and quick-thinking save the day - and a great treasure. Andrew Lang's masterful version of these ancient Middle Eastern folk tales will captivate listeners of all ages, just as they did when Scherazade was the storyteller.

This is a story from the Tales from the Arabian Nights collection.

"The Red Fairy Book" is one of the most famous collections of fairy tales of all time. Andrew Lang, prolific writer and collector of folk tales, published it at the end of the 19th century. It contains fairy tales from all over the world, including: The twelve dancing princesses, Thumbelina, The red shoes, Jack and the beanstalk, Drakestail, The true history of Little Goldenhood, The Norka, Dapplegrim, and many more! Also included: a pdf document with complete track list.

There was an old couple who were not able to have children and so they constantly prayed to be blessed with one - even one the size of a hazelnut. And that is exactly what they were given - a child the size of a hazelnut who never grew! When he reached the age of 15, his mother asked him what he planned on doing with his life, as he was so small but clever. He replied that he wanted to be a messenger, a thing which made his mother laugh because of his size. He proved her wrong though and showed that he could use his size as an advantage.

A king who was a fantastic hunter one day got himself lost in the forest. Unable to find his way back home, an old woman appeared and said she would help him get home, provided that he married her daughter. Although her daughter was beautiful and the king agreed, he did not trust his new wife. And so he hid away in a palace in the woods his seven children, six sons and a daughter, from his previous wife. The new queen began to suspect something was amiss, so she bribed the servants to reveal the truth to her.

Robert O'Hara Burke (1821-1861) was one of the great Victorian explorers. In 1860 he was appointed to lead the Victorian Exploring Expedition, which aimed to cross the Australian continent from south to north. The expedition left Melbourne on Monday, 20 August 1860 with a total of 19 men, 27 (rum fuelled) camels, and 23 horses. The expedition was dogged by disputes and poor leadership decisions from the start. Even at the first staging post the second in command and the medical officer resigned.