World Folktales

Folktales are the stories humanity tells itself - an inexhaustible source of wonder and imagination.  What often appear to be simple, fanciful tales can reveal layer upon layer of metaphor and meaning, shifting with each new telling and each new listener.

The folktales in my repertoire are drawn from every continent in the world and are carefully researched, often in the context of their original languages.  Some are classics, others are little-known treasures.

Within the broad realm of "folktales," there are, of course, stories that are best suited to various ages.
Some stories are for the very youngest listeners, while others are strictly for adults.  Choosing the right story for every audience is an important aspect of my programming.
 
The titles in the list below are intended to provide a suggestion of my overall repertoire of folktales; there are many more stories than are listed here.

European Folktales
The Golden Bird
(Germany)
The Fool of the World
(Russia)

Gallo Cristallo
(Italy)
The Giant's Daughter
(Scotland)

Cap O'Rushes
(England)
The Twelve Months
(Slovakia)
Loqman the Wise
(Armenia)
Why the Sea is Salt
(Denmark)
       
African Stories
Nyange the Cow
(Masai)
Ijapa Comes to Dinner
(Yoruba)
Moss Princess
(Zulu)
Ananse is the Oldest
(Akan)




Asian Stories
Sea & Mountain
(Japan)
Hungbu & Noblu
(Korea)
The Brown Jay
(India)

Mrs. Number Three
(China)
The Rice Spirit
(Cambodia)
The Fly
(Vietnam)
   
       
Native American Stories
Chestnut Pudding
(Iroquois)
Granny Squannit
(Wampanoag)
The Whale's Song
(Inuit)
Spider Grandmother
(Hopi)
       
Australian Aboriginal Stories
The Sea Turtle The Rainbow Snake The Green Frogs Why Platypus Hides
       
South and Central American Stories
Tepozton
(Mexico)
The Laughing Skull
(Dominican Republic)
The Road of Gold
(Incan)
The Tree of Light
(Argentina)