Stories for children

Now you’re about to meet Trulls the troll. You may already have met him one rainy day when you were in the woods. Have you ever seen a great mountain that is covered with soft moss?

There was once upon a time an old goat who had seven little kids, and loved them with all the love of a mother for her children. One day she wanted to go into the forest and fetch some food.

It was so beautiful out in the country; it was summer – the wheat fields were golden, the oats were green, and down among the green meadows the hay was stacked.

A soldier came marching along the high road: "Left, right—left, right." He had his knapsack on his back, and a sword at his side; he had been to the wars, and was now returning home.

Once upon a time there were three billy-goats, who were to go up to the hillside to make themselves fat, and the name of all three was “Gruff.”

Once upon a time, many, many years ago, there was a horrible old witch named Pomperipossa. It’s not a very beautiful name, but it’s much more beautiful than she was. Can you imagine how she looked?

Two kings' sons once upon a time went into the world to seek their fortunes; but they soon fell into a wasteful foolish way of living, so that they could not return home again.

Once upon a time there was a miller who left no more riches to the three sons he had than his mill, his ass, and his cat. The division was soon made. Neither the lawyer nor the attorney was sent for.

Once upon a time, a little girl lived with her mother in a small cottage next to a large forest. They were very poor. At this time many people were poor.

Deep in the forest was a small grey cottage. There was smoke coming from the chimney, and wonderful smells came from the window slot. It smelled like Christmas! It was Mother Christmas, who was about to bake gingerbread.

One fine evening a young princess put on her bonnet and clogs, and went out to take a walk by herself in a wood; and when she came to a cool spring of water, that rose in the midst of it, she sat herself down to rest a while.

Many years ago there was an Emperor so exceedingly fond of new clothes that he spent all his money on being well dressed.

Once upon a time, there was a dragon who lived in a great castle high up on a mountain. The dragon had lived there for thousands of years, but no one had seen him.

It was the middle of winter, and the snow-flakes were falling like feathers from the sky, and a queen sat at her window working, and her embroidery-frame was of ebony.

A long time ago, there were a king and queen who said every day, “Ah, if only we had a child,” but they never had one.

Once there was a Prince who wanted to marry a Princess. Only a real one would do. So he traveled through all the world to find her, and everywhere things went wrong.

Once upon a time there was a dear little girl who was loved by everyone who looked at her, but most of all by her grandmother, and there was nothing that she would not have given to the child.

Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel.