Fairy tale information

Long ago in Sky World, Bear lumbered out of his den, and at the same time, the birds awoke, too."Time to hunt," Chickadee called to Robin."I'm ready to hunt Bear," Robin answered. He called to the others, to Owl, Heron and Hawk.All that season they followed Bear as he fattened himself on summer's abundant food, and when autumn came, Robin shot an arrow at Bear's chest, which killed Bear."We will prepare a marvelous feast," Robin said, and Chickadee agreed, but suddenly Robin looked down at his feathers, which were covered with Bear's blood. Frantic, he began to fly around, shaking his feathers. A few drops of blood fell to the Earth, making the leaves on the trees turn dazzling red. "Look at your breast," Chickadee cried, and Robin looked down. Sure enough, his breast was as red as the map ...

A long time ago, the people worshipped many gods. One day a man named Bochica came to the land of Colombia. He taught the people how to care for themselves. He taught them how to plant crops, make clothing, and build houses. Bochica taught the people about good conduct. They must work together, and they must be kind and generous to each other. "You needn't turn to the gods for everything," Bochica told the people. "You can care for yourselves." From then on, the people continued to praise their gods, but they no longer waited helplessly for whatever might come.Bochica married a woman named Huythaca, and for many years, they were happy. As she grew older, Huythaca began to wish for more attention from her husband. She complained that he spent too much time taking care of others. "Stay with ...

Long ago, the Tsar decided to travel abroad. "I would like to come along," his wife said, but the Tsar refused. After a few days' journey, the Tsar reached a nation where a wicked king ruled. This king threw the Tsar into the dungeon and kept him there for three years. The Tsarina finally learned where her husband was, and came up with a plan to save her husband. She dressed as a minstrel, and set off on the road. When the Tsarina arrived at the wicked king's palace, she walked into the courtyard, and began to play her harp. When the king heard the music, he cried to his guards, "I love that music; go find who is playing the harp." The guards dashed into the courtyard and brought the harpist to the king."Your music is beautiful. Stay here, and I will reward you," said the king. The Tsarina ...

Spearfinger, once upon a time, could appear in any shape she wished. She was a master of disguise. However, beneath her disguises, she was a stone monster whom no one could harm. She was most dangerous in the autumn, for then she could walk out of the mountains hidden in smoke from bonfires. One day, late in October, out of that smoke she appeared to a group of children, disguised as an old woman. The children saw only an old woman, and they offered her a seat. Then she smiled at a little girl. "Sit on my lap, and I will brush your hair," she said. The innocent girl sat upon her lap and then, with her special stone finger, Spearfinger stabbed the child's side. The girl never felt a thing. Later the girl walked home, and that night she grew very sick. Then the villagers knew. Spearfinger ha ...

Long ago, in Japan, a young farmer named Sei was sowing his fields.Suddenly, he spied a snake slithering across the ground, preparing to eat a spider. Sei took pity on the spider and drove the snake away.The next day, someone knocked on Sei's door. Opening it, Sei saw a young woman standing there, who offered to weave for him. Sei welcomed the young woman and led her to his weaving room. "You can work here," he said. That evening, upon returning from work, Sei found that the woman had woven a dozen beautiful pieces of cloth. "Impossible," he said. "How could you finish so much?" The young woman said, "You mustn't ask me that, and never come into the weaving room while I am working. Promise me that." "I promise," Sei replied. Day after day, the woman wove for him. After many weeks, Sei's cu ...