Fairy tale information

There were once two brothers who lived on the 80th floor. On coming home one day, they realized to their dismay that the lifts were not working and they had to climb the stairs to get home. After struggling to the 20th floor, panting and tired, they decided to abandon their bags and come back for them the next day. They left their bags and climbed on. When they struggled to the 40th floor, the younger brother started to grumble and both of them began to quarrel. They continued to climb the steps, quarreling all the way to the 60th floor. They then realized that they had only 20 more floors to climb, and they decided to stop quarreling and continue climbing in peace. They silently climbed on and reached their home at last. Each stood calmly and waited for the other to open the door. They th ...

Each year in Wales on Jan. 25, many people longing for love or looking to be freed from love's power travel to an old church on Llanddwyn Island. Everyone remembers the story of how Saint Dwynwen became the protector of lovers everywhere. Dwynwen lived long ago, the daughter of a proud king, Brychan Brycheiniog. On the evening Brychan Brycheiniog held a feast and dance in his court, Dwynwen met a young prince called Maelon Dafrodill. They fell in love that very night. Dwynwen set her heart upon becoming Maelon's wife.Brychan Brycheiniog did not approve of his daughter's choice. "I do not approve of this marriage, so you must not think of this man." Dwynwen was heartbroken, but she was a faithful daughter. She explained to Maelon: "My father does not approve of our marrying, and I will not ...

After the sack of Troy, Ulysses and his soldiers set sail for home. One day their ship reached an island. Ulysses sent half his men to explore. They found a palace surrounded by lions, tigers and wolves. Strangely, the creatures seemed docile and did not attack. Then they heard an alluring song coming from the palace, and Circe appeared. She invited them inside and served them a magnificent feast.Now Ulysses' men were rough sailors, and starving. Circe had the magical power to turn men into whatever animal they most resembled, and so when they fell upon the food, she touched them, one by one, with her wand, and turned them into pigs. One of the men had stayed back to see what would happen. He rushed back to the ship and told Ulysses that an enchantress had bewitched the men. Ulysses set of ...

Once upon a time, in the Russian city of Novgorod, there lived a skilled musician named Sadko. Sadko played his gusli beautifully, and he sang so well that everyone admired him. But praise did not buy bread, and Sadko was poor. One day he sat upon the shores of Lake Ilmen playing his instrument and singing of his woes. Suddenly, the Sea King's daughter, Volkva, rose out of the water and called out, "Thank you, Sadko. Don't be afraid," she said. "I love your music, and I will give you a reward for playing for me." Volkva told him, "You must visit the home of the wealthiest merchant in the city. All the richest men will be there, and they will be drunk and boasting. You will offer a boast that will shame them." Sadko did just as Volkva had instructed. When the rich merchants were done boasti ...

Long, long ago, rain stopped falling in China. The people prayed for rain to the Jade Emperor, for it was he who looked after everything in heaven, on the land and in the sea, but no matter how much they prayed, rain did not fall. Four dragons lived in the East China Sea in those days. They swam to shore to see what was happening, and saw people tearing grass from the caked ground, for the people had nothing else left to eat."We must do something," Long Dragon said, and Yellow Dragon nodded. "We must help them ourselves," said Pearl Dragon, "for the Jade Emperor will never answer their prayers." They suddenly thought of a way to help. They started swimming this way and that, scooping up water with their bodies. Then all four leapt into the sky. Black Dragon flew to the north, Long Dragon f ...