Fairy tale information

"Don't set sail using someone else's star," Tortoise's wife often cautioned him. This was her favorite proverb, and it was a good one to repeat to her husband, for he had his heart set on learning to fly."I must visit my friend, Osprey," Tortoise told his wife."Use your own star, dear husband. Osprey is your friend. He'll understand." But Tortoise fretted about this problem. Osprey had often invited Tortoise to visit him at his treetop home, but Tortoise always found an excuse not to come, for he was reluctant to admit he had no way of getting up there.One day, Tortoise said to his wife. "I can fly, if only you will help me.""My dear, no one should sail using someone else's star.""But this is my dream!" Tortoise said. The next morning, Osprey appeared at Tortoise's home. Mrs. Tortoise answ ...

One day, Hodja, a very wise yet very foolish man, felt the air getting cooler. So, he went out to find firewood for his hearth. Finding a suitable tree, Hodja climbed up, sat on a dead branch and began to cut that branch. Soon, a stranger came by. He was shocked, as he thought Hodja was wise. "Hodja!" the stranger cried. "Stop sawing!" Hodja called down to the stranger. "I can't. I need firewood.""But, cutting that branch, you will surely fall." Hodja laughed. "How do you know that? Are you a fortune teller?" "No," said the stranger, "but sir..." Hodja said nothing, and he continued sawing. Moments later, Hodja sawed through the branch and fell to the ground. He was unharmed, and, spotting the stranger, he cried, "You are a sage! I must ask you: when am I going to die?" The stranger had no ...

Long ago a group of people known as the Menehune traveled across the Pacific, searching for a home. At long last they reached beautiful Hawaii. This, they decided, would be their home. They were small in stature, but ambitious and very strong. For hundreds of years, the Menehune enjoyed peace and prosperity. They thrived in every way until sailors from Tahiti invaded their land. The Tahitians were larger than the Menehune, and the Menehune cowered at the sight of these people who threatened to take over their land. Fearing for their safety, the Menehune fled to the mountains, and there they hid. "What are they like?" those who had never seen the Menehune asked, and the few who had seen them talked of tiny, muscular beings who loved to sing and dance. Their voices, people said, sounded as b ...

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 ...