The Enchanted StoryBook(FairyTales From Around The World

Table of contents

1. 1The Gilded Cover and the Whispering PromiseOur journey begins with the opening of a special book, its cover shimmering with untold tales. The gentle narrator, the Whispering Weaver, welcomes you, promising adventures from across the globe. Listen closely, for magic awaits within these pages.
2. 2The Starry Sky of PersiaWe travel to ancient Persia, where a tale of a clever merchant and a mischievous djinn unfolds. Learn about wit and wisdom under a sky dusted with countless stars. What would you wish for if you met a djinn?
3. 3A Blank Canvas for a Persian DreamThis page is yours! After the Persian tale, imagine the merchant's cleverness or the djinn's playful antics. Draw your own scene, perhaps a bustling bazaar or a hidden oasis. Let your imagination paint the story.
4. 4The Whispering Woods of GermanyVenture into the dark, enchanting forests of Germany for a story of brave siblings and a gingerbread house. Discover the importance of kindness and courage when faced with the unknown. What creatures might live in these woods?
5. 5Drawing the Gingerbread EnchantmentNow, draw the mysterious gingerbread house! Is it inviting or a little scary? Picture the siblings' journey through the woods. Your drawing will bring this German fairy tale to life.
6. 6The Sun-Kissed Plains of AfricaJourney to the vast plains of Africa for a tale of Anansi the spider, a trickster full of wisdom and tales. Learn how stories themselves can be treasures, passed down through generations. What lessons does Anansi teach?
7. 7Anansi's Web of CreationsSpin your own tale with Anansi! Draw the clever spider, or perhaps the animals he encounters. What stories would you weave if you were as wise as Anansi? This page is for your unique African adventure.
8. 8The Frozen North of ScandinaviaBrave the icy winds of Scandinavia for a story of a brave princess and a fearsome ice dragon. Discover the power of a pure heart and unwavering courage against the coldest of foes. Can kindness melt a frozen heart?
9. 9An Ice Dragon's Lair, Your DesignImagine the princess's bravery or the dragon's icy domain. Draw the shimmering ice palace or the princess's determined spirit. This blank page awaits your Scandinavian saga.
10. 10The Misty Mountains of JapanClimb the misty mountains of Japan for a tale of a humble woodcutter and a magical crane. Learn about gratitude and the unexpected rewards of compassion. What secrets do the mountains hold?
11. 11The Crane's Woven WondersPicture the graceful crane or the woodcutter's simple home. Draw the beautiful cloth the crane weaves, or the serene mountain landscape. Let your art capture this Japanese tale of kindness.
12. 12The Emerald Jungles of IndiaVenture into the lush jungles of India for a story about a clever monkey and a wise old elephant. Explore themes of friendship and using your intelligence to help others. How can cleverness and strength work together?
13. 13Jungle Friends, Your MasterpieceDraw the mischievous monkey or the gentle elephant. Create a scene from the jungle, perhaps showing their clever plan or their strong bond. This page is for your Indian jungle adventure.
14. 14The Rolling Hills of IrelandWander through the green hills of Ireland for a tale of mischievous leprechauns and a pot of gold. Learn that true riches are often found in unexpected places and friendships. What magic do the leprechauns guard?
15. 15Leprechaun's Treasure, Your VisionDraw your own leprechaun, perhaps hiding near a rainbow! Or sketch the rolling green hills. This page is for your interpretation of Irish folklore and its hidden magic.
16. 16The Golden Sands of EgyptExplore the ancient land of Egypt with a story of a pharaoh's lost treasure and a brave explorer. Discover the allure of history and the thrill of uncovering secrets buried for centuries. What wonders lie in the pyramids?
17. 17Pyramid Secrets, Your DiscoveryImagine the grand pyramids or the hidden treasure. Draw the explorer's journey or the ancient hieroglyphs. This blank page is your Egyptian archaeological dig.
18. 18A Tapestry of Tales, A World of WonderAs we turn the final pages, the Whispering Weaver reflects on the journey. The stories, like threads, have woven a tapestry of global wonder. Remember the magic, the lessons, and the joy of imagination.
19. 19Your Own Story BeginsThe book closes, but the enchantment lingers. The Weaver bids farewell, encouraging you to carry the spirit of these tales. Your imagination is the most magical book of all. What story will you tell next?
20. 20The Enchanted StoryBookThe Enchanted Storybook Fairy Tales from Around the World A Collection of Magical Stories for Children Table of Contents The Moon Princess of Japan The Girl Who Befriended the Sun — West Africa The Little Red Hen of the Carpathian Forest — Romania The Magic Drum — India The Boy Who Followed the Northern Lights — Scandinavia The Singing Shell — Polynesia The Dragon of the Jade Mountain — China The Golden Eagle and the Shepherd Boy — Central Asia The Princess and the Baobab Tree — Africa The Rainbow Bird — Australia The Little Fisherman and the Sea Queen — Ireland The Star Maiden — Native North America The Enchanted Garden of Persia The Rabbit Who Outsmarted the Lion — Africa The Fairy of the Silver Well — Eastern Europe The Snow Maiden of the Mountains — The Balkans The Golden Phoenix — China The Girl Who Collected Wishes — South America The Forest Spirit and the Lost Child — Eastern Europe The Last Story Beneath the Stars 1. The Moon Princess of Japan Long ago, in a quiet village surrounded by bamboo forests, there lived an old bamboo cutter named Haru. One evening, while walking through the forest, Haru saw something shining inside a stalk of bamboo. He carefully cut the stalk open. Inside sat a tiny girl no bigger than his hand. She had silver-black hair and eyes that seemed to hold the light of the moon. Haru and his wife carried the little girl home and raised her as their own daughter. They named her Tsuki, which means Moon. As Tsuki grew, she became the most graceful girl in the village. Flowers opened when she walked past them, birds followed her through the forest, and at night the moon seemed to shine especially brightly above her home. One evening, Tsuki looked toward the sky and became very sad. Her mother asked, "What troubles you, my child?" "I belong to the Moon," Tsuki whispered. "Soon they will come for me." Her parents held her tightly. "We do not care where you came from," said Haru. "You are our daughter." That night, silver clouds gathered above the village. Moonlight poured through the trees, and beautiful beings descended from the heavens. Tsuki hugged her parents. "I will never forget you." Before she left, she placed a tiny silver flower in her mother's hands. "Whenever you miss me, look at the moon." Then Tsuki rose into the silver light and disappeared among the stars. Her parents never forgot her. And every full moon, they sat together beneath the bamboo trees and looked upward. Sometimes, they thought they could see a girl in a shining white dress smiling down from the Moon. 2. The Girl Who Befriended the Sun In a village beneath the great African sky lived a little girl named Amara. Amara loved mornings. Every day she climbed the hill behind her home and greeted the rising Sun. "Good morning!" she called. One morning, the Sun answered. "Good morning, Amara." Amara nearly fell over with surprise. "You can speak!" "So can you," laughed the Sun. From that day forward, they became friends. The Sun told Amara stories about distant mountains, golden deserts, green forests, and oceans sparkling beneath its light. But one year, terrible clouds covered the sky. The village became dark. The crops stopped growing, and everyone became frightened. Amara climbed the hill. "Sun!" she called. "Where are you?" "I am still here," came the faint reply. Amara looked around and noticed that the clouds were being pushed across the sky by a cold northern wind. So she gathered the children of the village. Together they sang, danced, and beat their drums. Their music rose into the clouds. The wind paused. The clouds began to move. A golden ray of sunlight appeared. Then another. Soon the entire sky was bright. The villagers cheered. The Sun laughed. "Never forget, Amara: even the smallest voice can help bring light into a dark place." And from that day forward, the people of the village greeted every sunrise with a song. 3. The Little Red Hen of the Carpathian Forest Deep within the Carpathian Mountains lived a little red hen named Rina. Rina had a tiny cottage beneath an old pine tree. One autumn morning she discovered a handful of golden wheat. "I shall plant this," she said. She asked the fox, the wolf, and the bear to help her. "Not I," said the fox. "Not I," said the wolf. "Certainly not I," grumbled the bear. So Rina planted the wheat herself. She watered it. She protected it from the birds. She watched it grow. By winter, the wheat had become beautiful golden grain. Rina harvested it and carried it to the village mill. When she returned, she had enough flour to bake a wonderful loaf of bread. The smell drifted through the forest. The fox appeared. "May I have some?" The wolf came running. "Me too!" Even the bear arrived. Rina smiled. "You may all have some." "But we did not help," said the wolf. "No," answered Rina. "But perhaps you will help next time." The animals looked ashamed. "We will," they promised. And the following spring, when Rina planted her wheat again, she found three helpers waiting outside her cottage. The fox carried water. The wolf turned the soil. And the bear planted the seeds. Rina laughed. "Now that is much better!" 4. The Magic Drum In a small village in India lived a boy named Arjun. One afternoon he found an old drum beneath a banyan tree. When he tapped it, the drum whispered: "Ask for what is good, and I shall help you." Arjun thought carefully. He could have asked for gold. Instead he asked for food for the hungry families in his village. The drum sounded once. The next morning, baskets of rice, fruit, vegetables, and bread appeared in the village square. Arjun used the drum again to help repair broken houses. Then he used it to bring books to the village children. Soon everyone wanted to know where the wonderful gifts came from. Arjun finally told them about the drum. The village elders smiled. "Magic is most powerful when it is shared." Together they cared for the drum. But they discovered something even more wonderful. Whenever the villagers worked together, they could accomplish things the drum could never do alone. And eventually, the magic drum became less important than the kindness it had taught them. 5. The Boy Who Followed the Northern Lights In a village far to the north lived a boy named Erik. Every winter night, Erik watched ribbons of green and violet light dance across the sky. One evening, he whispered: "I wish I could follow them." A tiny star fell gently into the snow. "Then follow me," it said. Erik followed the star through a snowy forest. He met a reindeer who had lost its herd, a little owl who could not find its nest, and an old woman whose fire had gone out. Erik helped every one of them. At last the star said: "You have followed the Northern Lights all night." Erik looked upward. The sky shimmered brighter than ever. "I thought I was looking for magic," he said. The star twinkled. "You were." "What is it?" "Kindness." And when Erik returned home, the Northern Lights danced above his village like a thousand glowing ribbons. 6. The Singing Shell On a beautiful island surrounded by blue ocean lived a girl named Lani. One morning she found a shell on the beach. When she placed it against her ear, she heard singing. The song spoke of dolphins, coral gardens, distant islands, and ancient stars. Lani carried the shell home. But that night the sea became unusually quiet. The next morning Lani returned the shell to the ocean. Immediately the waves began to sparkle. A pod of dolphins appeared. An old fisherman smiled. "The sea gave you a gift," he said. "You understood that gifts must sometimes be returned." From then on, Lani became a protector of the beach. She taught other children to care for the ocean. And whenever she found a beautiful shell, she left it beside the water. 7. The Dragon of the Jade Mountain High among the mountains of China lived a young dragon named Lin. Unlike the other dragons, Lin did not want treasure. He wanted friends. One day he discovered a village suffering from a long drought. Lin flew into the mountains and found a hidden spring. He opened a channel through the rocks, allowing the water to flow down toward the village. The villagers rejoiced. The emperor heard about the mysterious dragon and sent soldiers to find him. But when they reached the mountain, Lin was nowhere to be found. Instead they discovered a jade-colored flower growing beside the spring. The villagers called it the Dragon Flower. And whenever they saw it blooming, they remembered that true treasures are not always things that can be placed inside a treasure chest. 8. The Golden Eagle and the Shepherd Boy A young shepherd named Timur lived beneath enormous mountains. One day he found a golden eagle with an injured wing. Instead of being afraid, Timur carefully helped the bird. For many weeks he brought it food and water. Eventually the eagle became strong enough to fly. Before leaving, it circled above Timur three times. Years later, Timur became lost in the mountains during a terrible snowstorm. Suddenly he heard wings above him. The golden eagle returned. It flew ahead, stopping whenever Timur fell behind. Following the eagle, Timur found the path home. He realized then that kindness has a way of finding its way back to us. 9. The Princess and the Baobab Tree Princess Nala lived in a kingdom surrounded by golden grasslands. At the center of the kingdom stood an enormous baobab tree. People said the tree was older than the kingdom itself. One day Nala heard the tree whisper: "Every kingdom needs a heart." "What is the heart of a kingdom?" she asked. "Not a palace," replied the tree. "Not a crown." "Not gold." "Then what?" "The people." Nala remembered those words. When she became queen, she opened the palace gardens to everyone. She built schools. She listened to farmers. She cared for travelers. And whenever someone praised her crown, she pointed toward the great baobab. "A kingdom is only as strong as the kindness of its people." 10. The Rainbow Bird In Australia, according to one magical tale, a small bird named Yara dreamed of seeing every color in the world. She flew across forests, rivers, and mountains. She saw red desert earth. Blue ocean. Green leaves. Golden grass. Purple flowers. One evening, rain fell while the Sun was setting. A rainbow appeared. Yara flew through it. When she emerged, her feathers shimmered with every color she had seen. From that day forward, whenever people saw a rainbow-colored bird in the forest, they remembered that the world is beautiful because it contains many different colors. 11. The Little Fisherman and the Sea Queen On the coast of Ireland lived a young fisherman named Finn. One stormy night he found a silver fish caught in his net. The fish spoke. "Please let me go." Finn immediately released it. The next morning the sea was calm. On the shore stood a beautiful woman wearing a cloak that shimmered like waves. "I am the Sea Queen," she said. "You showed kindness when no one was watching." She offered Finn a treasure. But Finn asked only for one thing: "Let the sea remain healthy so that everyone can fish." The Sea Queen smiled. "So shall it be." And the waters around Finn's village remained full of life for generations. 12. The Star Maiden Long ago, a girl named Aiyana lived beneath a sky filled with stars. Every night she wondered about them. One evening a tiny star appeared beside her. "Why do you shine?" Aiyana asked. "Because darkness needs small lights." Aiyana thought about this. The next day she helped an elderly neighbor. Then she comforted a frightened child. Then she shared her food with a hungry traveler. That evening, she looked toward the sky. There were more stars than ever. Her grandmother smiled. "Every kind deed is another little light in the world." 13. The Enchanted Garden of Persia Far away, behind a magnificent palace, was a garden no one could enter. Its gates were locked. Its roses never faded. Its fountains sang. A young girl named Soraya discovered a tiny door hidden behind ivy. Inside she found a garden spirit. "Why is this garden locked?" Soraya asked. "Because people came here only to take," replied the spirit. Soraya promised never to take anything. Instead she watered the flowers and cared for the birds. The garden opened its gates. Soon everyone was welcome. But there was one rule: "Take nothing except memories." The garden remained beautiful forever. 14. The Rabbit Who Outsmarted the Lion A mighty lion frightened every animal in the forest. One day he demanded that the animals bring him food. A clever rabbit was chosen. The rabbit arrived late. "Why are you late?" roared the lion. "I met another lion," said the rabbit. "Another lion?" "Yes. He says he is the king of the forest." The furious lion demanded to see him. The rabbit led him to a deep pool. The lion looked into the water. He saw his own reflection. "There he is!" cried the lion. He roared. The reflection roared. The lion became frightened and ran away. The rabbit returned to the animals. "Sometimes courage means using your mind instead of your strength." 15. The Fairy of the Silver Well In a village surrounded by forests stood an old silver well. People said a fairy lived beneath it. A poor girl named Elena visited the well every morning. One day she found an old woman struggling to carry water. Elena helped her. The old woman smiled. "You have a generous heart." Then she disappeared. The next morning, Elena found a silver coin beside the well. But Elena did not keep it. She used it to buy bread for the village children. That evening the fairy appeared. "You have passed the test," she said. "Your reward is not silver." She touched the well. From that day forward, the village well never ran dry. 16. The Snow Maiden of the Mountains A lonely shepherd once discovered a tiny girl sleeping beneath a blanket of snow. He carried her home. When spring arrived, the girl became stronger. She loved flowers, birds, and sunlight. But when summer came, she began to fade. The shepherd finally understood. She belonged to winter. Before she disappeared, she gave him a crystal flower. "Whenever winter comes, remember me." Years passed. Every winter the shepherd placed the flower beside his window. And each winter morning, the mountains glittered with frost like a thousand crystal flowers. 17. The Golden Phoenix A young prince once found a golden feather. An old storyteller told him: "The Phoenix loses one feather whenever it helps someone." The prince followed the feather and discovered the Phoenix. Its golden wings were magnificent. "Why do you give away your feathers?" asked the prince. "Because beauty means little unless it brings goodness into the world." The prince returned home. He gave away his royal treasures to help the poor. Years later, when he became king, his people remembered him not for his riches but for his generosity. 18. The Girl Who Collected Wishes In a village surrounded by mountains lived a girl named Lucia. She collected wishes in little glass jars. One child wished for a puppy. Another wished for a new book. An old woman wished to see her grandchildren. Lucia could not grant every wish. So she did something better. She helped people whenever she could. She found a puppy for one child. She shared her books with another. She helped the old woman send a letter to her grandchildren. At the end of the year, Lucia opened all her jars. They were empty. But her village was filled with happiness. Lucia smiled. She had finally discovered where wishes belong. Not inside jars. Inside acts of kindness. 19. The Forest Spirit and the Lost Child A little boy became lost in an ancient forest. He was frightened. Then he heard a gentle voice. "Do not be afraid." A small forest spirit appeared beside a tree. The spirit showed him berries to eat and led him to a stream. Together they followed the sound of distant bells. At last they reached the edge of the forest. The boy turned around. "Will I ever see you again?" The spirit smiled. "Whenever you walk through a forest with respect, I will be near." The boy never forgot. As he grew older, he became a protector of forests and taught others to care for the natural world. 20. The Last Story Beneath the Stars One evening, children from every corner of the world gathered beneath the same night sky. A child from the mountains brought a story. A child from the desert brought another. A child from an island brought a story of the sea. A child from a forest brought a story about trees. They discovered something wonderful. Although their languages were different, their stories shared the same wishes. Everyone wanted friendship. Everyone wanted courage. Everyone wanted love and kindness. Everyone dreamed of a world where children could laugh and feel safe. The Moon listened. The stars listened. And the oldest star of all whispered: "That is why stories travel across the world." "Why?" "Because a good story reminds us that people everywhere have more in common than they realize." The children smiled. Then they each told one final story. And beneath the endless sky, the stories traveled farther than any bird could fly. They crossed mountains. They crossed oceans. They crossed forests and deserts. And they eventually reached children who had never met one another. For wherever there is a child who dreams, there is a place for a fairy tale. The End And perhaps... ...the next story is waiting for you. If you’d like, I can also �⁠turn this into a much larger 50- or 100-tale children’s fairy-tale book, with each tale inspired by a different country or culture.
21. 21Enchanted StoryBook Part 2The Girl Who Painted the Sky A Tale from JapanLong ago, in a village nestled between two mountains, there lived a girl named Hana who loved to paint. Every morning she rose before the sun and climbed to the highest hill with her brushes and her pots of color. She painted the clouds pink and gold, and the villagers below would look up and smile, believing the sky had dressed itself beautifully just for them.One autumn, a great gray dragon came and swallowed all the color from the world. The mountains turned ash white. The rivers ran silver and cold. The flowers forgot what shade they were. The villagers wept, for without color, they could not tell the ripe fruit from the unripe, the safe path from the dangerous one, or the morning from the night.Hana climbed to the dragon's cave high above the clouds. She did not bring a sword or a spell. She brought only her brushes and her paints.The dragon sat in the darkness, enormous and gray, surrounded by all the stolen colors swirling inside his belly like trapped butterflies."Why have you taken the color from the world?" Hana asked.The dragon turned his great head slowly. "Because no one ever painted me," he said, and his voice was very quiet for such a large creature. "I have lived a thousand years and no one has ever looked at me and found me beautiful."Hana sat down on the cold stone floor. She opened her paints. She looked at the dragon for a long time, studying the way the faint light caught the scales along his neck, the way his eyes held a deep and ancient sadness.Then she painted him. She painted him in deep indigo and forest green and the warm amber of old honey. She painted the dignity in his long spine and the wisdom in his ancient eyes. She painted him as he truly was, which was magnificent.When she finished, the dragon looked at the painting and was still for a very long time.Then he breathed out slowly, and all the colors of the world came rushing back, flooding down the mountain and into the valleys and rivers and fields below, brighter than they had ever been before.The dragon curled around the painting and slept, and he was never gray again.And Hana climbed back down the mountain, her brushes still wet with color, and the sky above her was the most beautiful it had ever been.The Tortoise and the River King A Tale from West AfricaIn the time before memory, when the animals still held councils and the rivers had names they told only to the fish, there was a great drought. The wells dried. The watering holes cracked open like old clay pots. The animals gathered at the edge of the great river and begged the River King to share his water.The River King was proud and ancient. He rose from the deep water in a robe of green and silver and looked down at the gathered animals."I will give water to the one who can answer my riddle," he said. "What is the thing that grows stronger the more you give it away?"The lion roared his answer: "Strength!" But the River King shook his head.The eagle cried from the sky: "Speed!" But the River King turned away.The elephant trumpeted: "Memory!" But the River King was silent.One by one the animals tried and failed. At last, old Tortoise, who had been sitting quietly at the back of the crowd, slowly made his way forward."I know the answer," said Tortoise.The animals laughed. What could slow, small Tortoise know that the great ones did not?"Tell me then," said the River King.Tortoise looked up at him without hurry. "Kindness," he said. "The more you give it away, the more it grows, in the one who gives and in the one who receives."The River King was silent for a long moment. Then he smiled, and it was like sunlight breaking through deep water."You are correct," he said. And he opened the river wide, and the water flowed out to every corner of the land, and the drought ended.From that day forward, Tortoise was given a seat at every council, not because he was the fastest or the strongest, but because he understood what truly mattered.And the animals never forgot the answer to the riddle.The Boy Who Listened to the Forest A Tale from the AmazonDeep in the great green forest where the trees grew so tall their tops touched the clouds, there lived a boy named Tupã who could not speak. He had never spoken a single word in all his seven years, and the other children sometimes forgot to include him in their games.But Tupã could listen better than anyone in the village. He could hear the difference between the wind that brought rain and the wind that brought nothing. He could hear when the river was rising before anyone else felt it. He could hear the forest breathing at night, slow and deep, like a sleeping giant.One dry season, a great fire started at the edge of the forest. The smoke rose in a black tower and the villagers ran to fight it with water and branches, but the fire was too fast and too hungry.Tupã stood very still at the edge of the village and listened.He heard the forest speaking in the language of crackling leaves and shifting air. He heard where the fire was going before it went there. He heard the one place where the earth was wet and deep, a hidden stream beneath the roots of the oldest trees.He ran to the village elder and pulled at her hand and pointed. She looked at him and then at the forest and then back at him."Show me," she said.Tupã led the villagers through the smoke to the hidden stream. They dug and dug until the water came up, and they carried it in every pot and gourd and bowl they had, and they stopped the fire before it reached the village.That night, the elder sat beside Tupã and said, "You have spoken more clearly today than anyone with words."Tupã smiled. And somewhere deep in the forest, the trees breathed out slowly, grateful and green.The Seamstress of Stars A Tale from ScandinaviaIn the far north, where the winter nights last so long that children are born and grow old in the dark, there lived an old woman named Sigrid who sewed the northern lights.Every evening she sat at her loom at the top of the world and wove the colors into the sky. Green for the sleeping forests. Blue for the frozen sea. Purple for the mountains dreaming under snow. And sometimes, when she was feeling particularly joyful, she added a thread of gold.One winter, a young boy named Erik climbed the long ice road to find her. He had walked for seven days and his boots were worn through and his fingers were numb."Please," he said, "my village has been dark for three months. The lights have not come. The children are afraid and the old people are sad and we have forgotten what color looks like."Sigrid looked at him over her loom. "The lights did not come," she said, "because someone in your village stopped looking up."Erik thought about this. "My father," he said slowly. "He lost his fishing boat in the storm. He has not looked up since."Sigrid nodded. She reached into her basket and pulled out a single thread of the brightest gold he had ever seen. She handed it to him."Give this to your father," she said. "Tell him it is a thread from the sky, and that the sky has not forgotten him."Erik carried the golden thread all the way home. He placed it in his father's hand without a word.His father looked at it for a long time. Then he walked outside and looked up.That night, the northern lights came back, greener and brighter than they had ever been, and they danced above the village until morning.Sigrid, at her loom at the top of the world, smiled and added an extra thread of gold.The Merchant's Daughter and the Clever Djinn A Tale from the Middle EastOnce in a city of white walls and blue tiles, there lived a merchant who had three daughters. The eldest was clever with numbers. The middle was clever with words. The youngest, whose name was Zara, was clever with questions.One day a djinn appeared in the marketplace in the shape of an old man selling nothing at all. He told the merchant he would grant one wish to whichever daughter could ask him a question he could not answer.The eldest daughter asked: "What is the largest number in the world?" The djinn smiled and named a number so large it took three days to say aloud.The middle daughter asked: "What is the most beautiful word in any language?" The djinn smiled and spoke a word in a language no one had ever heard, and it was so beautiful that everyone who heard it wept.Then Zara stepped forward. She thought for a moment, and then she asked: "What question do you most wish someone would ask you?"The djinn went very still. He looked at Zara for a long time. No one had ever asked him that before, in all his thousands of years."I wish," he said at last, very quietly, "that someone would ask me if I am lonely.""Are you lonely?" Zara asked.The djinn sat down on the ground right there in the marketplace, and for the first time in a thousand years, he told the truth.He and Zara talked all afternoon. She asked him about the places he had seen and the centuries he had lived through and the things he had loved and lost. And he answered every question, because she was the first person who had ever truly wanted to know.When the sun set, the djinn stood and bowed to her."YouGood evening! Here's your collection of original children's fairy tales from around the world.A Treasury of Children's Fairy Tales from Around the WorldThe Girl Who Painted the Sky A Tale from JapanLong ago, in a village nestled between two mountains, there lived a girl named Hana who loved to paint. Every morning she rose before the sun and climbed to the highest hill with her brushes and her pots of color. She painted the clouds pink and gold, and the villagers below would look up and smile, believing the sky had dressed itself beautifully just for them.One autumn, a great gray dragon came and swallowed all the color from the world. The mountains turned ash white. The rivers ran silver and cold. The flowers forgot what shade they were. The villagers wept, for without color, they could not tell the ripe fruit from the unripe, the safe path from the dangerous one, or the morning from the night.Hana climbed to the dragon's cave high above the clouds. She did not bring a sword or a spell. She brought only her brushes and her paints.The dragon sat in the darkness, enormous and gray, surrounded by all the stolen colors swirling inside his belly like trapped butterflies."Why have you taken the color from the world?" Hana asked.The dragon turned his great head slowly. "Because no one ever painted me," he said, and his voice was very quiet for such a large creature. "I have lived a thousand years and no one has ever looked at me and found me beautiful."Hana sat down on the cold stone floor. She opened her paints. She looked at the dragon for a long time, studying the way the faint light caught the scales along his neck, the way his eyes held a deep and ancient sadness.Then she painted him. She painted him in deep indigo and forest green and the warm amber of old honey. She painted the dignity in his long spine and the wisdom in his ancient eyes. She painted him as he truly was, which was magnificent.When she finished, the dragon looked at the painting and was still for a very long time.Then he breathed out slowly, and all the colors of the world came rushing back, flooding down the mountain and into the valleys and rivers and fields below, brighter than they had ever been before.The dragon curled around the painting and slept, and he was never gray again.And Hana climbed back down the mountain, her brushes still wet with color, and the sky above her was the most beautiful it had ever been.The Tortoise and the River King A Tale from West AfricaIn the time before memory, when the animals still held councils and the rivers had names they told only to the fish, there was a great drought. The wells dried. The watering holes cracked open like old clay pots. The animals gathered at the edge of the great river and begged the River King to share his water.The River King was proud and ancient. He rose from the deep water in a robe of green and silver and looked down at the gathered animals."I will give water to the one who can answer my riddle," he said. "What is the thing that grows stronger the more you give it away?"The lion roared his answer: "Strength!" But the River King shook his head.The eagle cried from the sky: "Speed!" But the River King turned away.The elephant trumpeted: "Memory!" But the River King was silent.One by one the animals tried and failed. At last, old Tortoise, who had been sitting quietly at the back of the crowd, slowly made his way forward."I know the answer," said Tortoise.The animals laughed. What could slow, small Tortoise know that the great ones did not?"Tell me then," said the River King.Tortoise looked up at him without hurry. "Kindness," he said. "The more you give it away, the more it grows, in the one who gives and in the one who receives."The River King was silent for a long moment. Then he smiled, and it was like sunlight breaking through deep water."You are correct," he said. And he opened the river wide, and the water flowed out to every corner of the land, and the drought ended.From that day forward, Tortoise was given a seat at every council, not because he was the fastest or the strongest, but because he understood what truly mattered.And the animals never forgot the answer to the riddle.The Boy Who Listened to the Forest A Tale from the AmazonDeep in the great green forest where the trees grew so tall their tops touched the clouds, there lived a boy named Tupã who could not speak. He had never spoken a single word in all his seven years, and the other children sometimes forgot to include him in their games.But Tupã could listen better than anyone in the village. He could hear the difference between the wind that brought rain and the wind that brought nothing. He could hear when the river was rising before anyone else felt it. He could hear the forest breathing at night, slow and deep, like a sleeping giant.One dry season, a great fire started at the edge of the forest. The smoke rose in a black tower and the villagers ran to fight it with water and branches, but the fire was too fast and too hungry.Tupã stood very still at the edge of the village and listened.He heard the forest speaking in the language of crackling leaves and shifting air. He heard where the fire was going before it went there. He heard the one place where the earth was wet and deep, a hidden stream beneath the roots of the oldest trees.He ran to the village elder and pulled at her hand and pointed. She looked at him and then at the forest and then back at him."Show me," she said.Tupã led the villagers through the smoke to the hidden stream. They dug and dug until the water came up, and they carried it in every pot and gourd and bowl they had, and they stopped the fire before it reached the village.That night, the elder sat beside Tupã and said, "You have spoken more clearly today than anyone with words."Tupã smiled. And somewhere deep in the forest, the trees breathed out slowly, grateful and green.The Seamstress of Stars A Tale from ScandinaviaIn the far north, where the winter nights last so long that children are born and grow old in the dark, there lived an old woman named Sigrid who sewed the northern lights.Every evening she sat at her loom at the top of the world and wove the colors into the sky. Green for the sleeping forests. Blue for the frozen sea. Purple for the mountains dreaming under snow. And sometimes, when she was feeling particularly joyful, she added a thread of gold.One winter, a young boy named Erik climbed the long ice road to find her. He had walked for seven days and his boots were worn through and his fingers were numb."Please," he said, "my village has been dark for three months. The lights have not come. The children are afraid and the old people are sad and we have forgotten what color looks like."Sigrid looked at him over her loom. "The lights did not come," she said, "because someone in your village stopped looking up."Erik thought about this. "My father," he said slowly. "He lost his fishing boat in the storm. He has not looked up since."Sigrid nodded. She reached into her basket and pulled out a single thread of the brightest gold he had ever seen. She handed it to him."Give this to your father," she said. "Tell him it is a thread from the sky, and that the sky has not forgotten him."Erik carried the golden thread all the way home. He placed it in his father's hand without a word.His father looked at it for a long time. Then he walked outside and looked up.That night, the northern lights came back, greener and brighter than they had ever been, and they danced above the village until morning.Sigrid, at her loom at the top of the world, smiled and added an extra thread of gold.The Merchant's Daughter and the Clever Djinn A Tale from the Middle EastOnce in a city of white walls and blue tiles, there lived a merchant who had three daughters. The eldest was clever with numbers. The middle was clever with words. The youngest, whose name was Zara, was clever with questions.One day a djinn appeared in the marketplace in the shape of an old man selling nothing at all. He told the merchant he would grant one wish to whichever daughter could ask him a question he could not answer.The eldest daughter asked: "What is the largest number in the world?" The djinn smiled and named a number so large it took three days to say aloud.The middle daughter asked: "What is the most beautiful word in any language?" The djinn smiled and spoke a word in a language no one had ever heard, and it was so beautiful that everyone who heard it wept.Then Zara stepped forward. She thought for a moment, and then she asked: "What question do you most wish someone would ask you?"The djinn went very still. He looked at Zara for a long time. No one had ever asked him that before, in all his thousands of years."I wish," he said at last, very quietly, "that someone would ask me if I am lonely.""Are you lonely?" Zara asked.The djinn sat down on the ground right there in the marketplace, and for the first time in a thousand years, he told the truth.He and Zara talked all afternoon. She asked him about the places he had seen and the centuries he had lived through and the things he had loved and lost. And he answered every question, because she was the first person who had ever truly wanted to know.When the sun set, the djinn stood and bowed to her."You
22. 22Nursery Phymes and. Lullabies!From EnglandThe Little Hedgehog's WalkThe little hedgehog walks at night, Beneath the moon's soft silver light, He tucks his nose beneath a leaf, And dreams of berries, small and sweet.Roll up tight, little one, roll up tight, The stars will keep you safe tonight.From JapanThe Paper CraneFold the paper, fold it true, Once for red and once for blue, Fold it small and fold it neat, Give your crane a pair of feet.Send it flying, send it high, Paper cranes can touch the sky.From TurkeyThe Bazaar SongCome to the bazaar, come and see, Figs and honey, sweet as can be, Pomegranates red as the setting sun, Spices and silks for everyone.Clap your hands and stamp your feet, Every color, every sweet!From West AfricaThe Drumming RainThe rain drums down on the baobab tree, Drum, drum, drum, just listen to me, The frogs all sing and the river runs wide, And the little fish dance on the bright silver tide.Drum, little rain, drum all night long, The earth is thirsty and loves your song.From IndiaThe Mango TreeUnder the mango tree I sit, Where the yellow butterflies flit, The mangoes hang like golden bells, And the warm sweet air with honey smells.Swing, little mango, swing and sway, I'll come back to you another day.From MexicoThe Firefly DanceLittle firefly, blink and glow, Show me which way I should go, Through the corn and through the night, Lead me home with your tiny light.Blink once, blink twice, blink three times bright, Little firefly, good night, good night.From ScandinaviaThe Snow FoxThe snow fox runs on silent paws, Across the ice without a pause, Her coat is white as winter's breath, She leaves no track, she makes no step.Sleep now, child, the fox runs free, She'll guard the night for you and me.From the Middle EastThe Date Palm SongTall date palm, tall date palm, Standing in the golden calm, Your fruit is sweet, your shade is cool, You are the desert's greatest jewel.Sway, tall palm, sway in the breeze, You are the kindest of all the trees.From ChinaThe Lantern FestivalRed lantern, gold lantern, floating up high, A hundred bright lanterns light up the sky, Make a wish as they rise, make a wish as they glow, Watch them drift where the warm evening breezes blow.Float up, little lantern, float up and away, Carry my wish to the end of the day.From the AmazonThe River's LullabyThe river sings a silver song, It has been singing all night long, The pink dolphin leaps and dives, And the jungle hums with a thousand lives.Sleep, little one, the river knows, Which way the wind of dreaming blows.From IrelandThe Selkie's ChildThe selkie swims in the cold green sea, She sings a song for you and me, Half of her heart is under the wave, Half of her heart is warm and brave.Hush now, child, the sea is deep, The selkie sings you off to sleep.From Native AmericaThe Eagle's GiftThe eagle flies where the four winds meet, Above the mountains, above the sleet, He sees the rivers, he sees the plain, He sees the sun come back again.Fly high, eagle, fly and soar, You carry the sky forevermore.That's your collection — thirteen original nursery rhymes from thirteen corners of the world. Would you like more from any particular region, or shall I add a few more traditions?
23. 23Rhymes and Lullabies Part 2NURSERY RHYMES AND LULLABIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD ENGLAND TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Then the traveler in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark; He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveler in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. HUMPTY DUMPTY Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the king's horses And all the king's men Couldn't put Humpty together again. JACK AND JILL Jack and Jill went up the hill To fetch a pail of water; Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after. Up Jack got, and home did trot, As fast as he could caper; He went to bed and bound his head With vinegar and brown paper. HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE Hey diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon. FRANCE FRÈRE JACQUES Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques, Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous? Sonnez les matines, Sonnez les matines, Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong. GERMANY HÄNSCHEN KLEIN Hänschen klein Ging allein In die weite Welt hinein. Stock und Hut Stehn ihm gut, Ist gar wohlgemut. Doch die Mutter weinet sehr, Hat ja nun kein Hänschen mehr. Da besinnt Sich das Kind, Kehrt nach Haus geschwind. Deutschland ist ein schönes Land, Wo ich viele Freunde fand. Hänschen klein Kehrt nun ein, Wieder bei der Mutter sein. ALLE MEINE ENTCHEN Alle meine Entchen Schwimmen auf dem See, Köpfchen in das Wasser, Schwänzchen in die Höh. Alle meine Täubchen Gurren auf dem Dach, Fliegt eins in die Lüfte, Fliegen alle nach. Alle meine Hühner Scharren in dem Stroh, Finden sie ein Körnchen, Sind sie alle froh. SPAIN CINCO LOBITOS Cinco lobitos Tiene la loba, Blancos y negros Detrás de la escoba. Cinco tenía, Cinco criaba, Y a todos los cinco Tetita les daba. ITALY GIRO GIRO TONDO Giro giro tondo, Casca il mondo, Casca la Terra, Tutti giù per terra! IRELAND THE RATTLIN' BOG Chorus: Hi-ho, the rattlin' bog, The bog down in the valley-o! Hi-ho, the rattlin' bog, The bog down in the valley-o! And on that bog there was a tree, A rare tree, A rattlin' tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! And on that tree there was a branch, A rare branch, A rattlin' branch, And the branch on the tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! And on that branch there was a twig, A rare twig, A rattlin' twig, And the twig on the branch, And the branch on the tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! And on that twig there was a nest, A rare nest, A rattlin' nest, And the nest on the twig, And the twig on the branch, And the branch on the tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! And in that nest there was a bird, A rare bird, A rattlin' bird, And the bird in the nest, And the nest on the twig, And the twig on the branch, And the branch on the tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! NORWAY BÆ, BÆ, LILLE LAM Bæ, bæ, lille lam, Har du noe ull? Ja, ja, kjære barn, Jeg har kroppen full. Søndagsklær til far, Og søndagsklær til mor, Og to par strømper Til bitte lille bror. DENMARK MESTER JAKOB Mester Jakob, Mester Jakob, Sover du? Sover du? Hører du ej klokken? Hører du ej klokken? Bim bam bom, Bim bam bom. NETHERLANDS SLAAP KINDJE SLAAP Slaap, kindje, slaap, Daar buiten loopt een schaap. Een schaap met witte voetjes, Dat drinkt zijn melk zo zoetjes. Slaap, kindje, slaap, Daar buiten loopt een schaap. Een schaap met witte voetjes, Dat drinkt zijn melk zo zoetjes. JAPAN DONGURI KOROKORO Donguri korokoro Dondon korokoro, Donguri korokoro Dondon korokoro. Oike ni hamatte Saa taihen, Dojo ga dete kite Konnichiwa! CHINA TWO TIGERS 两只老虎，两只老虎， 跑得快，跑得快。 一只没有耳朵， 一只没有尾巴， 真奇怪，真奇怪。 Liǎng zhī lǎohǔ, liǎng zhī lǎohǔ, Pǎo de kuài, pǎo de kuài. Yì zhī méiyǒu ěrduo, Yì zhī méiyǒu wěiba, Zhēn qíguài, zhēn qíguài. INDIA MACHHLI JAL KI RANI HAI Machhli jal ki rani hai, Jeevan uska paani hai. Haath lagao dar jayegi, Bahar nikalo mar jayegi. PHILIPPINES BAHAY KUBO Bahay kubo, kahit munti, Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. Singkamas at talong, Sigarilyas at mani, Sitaw, bataw, patani. Kundol, patola, Upo't kalabasa, At saka mayroon pa, Labanos, mustasa, Sibuyas, kamatis, Bawang at luya. Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga. INDONESIA BURUNG KAKATUA Burung kakaktua, Hinggap di jendela. Nenek sudah tua, Giginya tinggal dua. Trek-jing, trek-jing, Trek-jing tra-la-la. Trek-jing, trek-jing, Trek-jing tra-la-la. THAILAND CHANG CHANG CHANG Chang chang chang, Nong khoei hen chang rue plao? Chang man tua yai mai bao, Jomuk yao yao, Khang man mi nga, Khang man mi nga. MEXICO NARANJA DULCE Naranja dulce, Limón partido, Dame un abrazo Que yo te pido. Si fueran falsos Mis juramentos, En otros tiempos Se olvidarán. Toca la marcha, Mi pecho llora. Adiós, señora, Yo ya me voy. A LA VÍBORA DE LA MAR A la víbora, víbora De la mar, de la mar, Por aquí pueden pasar; Los de adelante corren mucho, Y los de atrás se quedarán. Tras, tras, tras. BRAZIL CIRANDA, CIRANDINHA Ciranda, cirandinha, Vamos todos cirandar. Vamos dar a meia volta, Volta e meia vamos dar. O anel que tu me deste Era vidro e se quebrou. O amor que tu me tinhas Era pouco e se acabou. ARGENTINA AND LATIN AMERICA ARROZ CON LECHE Arroz con leche, Me quiero casar Con una señorita De San Nicolás. Que sepa coser, Que sepa bordar, Que sepa abrir la puerta Para ir a jugar. Con ésta sí, Con ésta no, Con esta señorita Me caso yo. CHILE CABALLITO BLANCO Caballito blanco, Llévame de aquí. Llévame a mi pueblo, Donde yo nací. Tengo, tengo, tengo, Tú no tienes nada. Tengo tres ovejas En una cabaña. Una me da leche, Otra me da lana, Y otra mantequilla Para toda la semana. GREECE FEGGARAKI MOU LAMPRO Φεγγαράκι μου λαμπρό, φέγγε μου να περπατώ, να πηγαίνω στο σχολειό, να μαθαίνω γράμματα, γράμματα, σπουδάγματα, του Θεού τα πράγματα. UKRAINE OY KHODYT SON Ой ходить сон коло вікон, А дрімота — коло плота. Питається сон дрімоти: — Де ми будем ночувати? — Де хатинка тепленькая, Де дитина маленькая, Там ми будем ночувати, Дитину колисати. TRADITIONAL LULLABIES LULLABY OF THE NIGHT Sleep, little child, and close your eyes, The Moon is shining in the skies. The stars are watching from above, The night is filled with peaceful love. Sleep while the gentle breezes sigh, And silver clouds go drifting by. The nightingale begins to sing, And dreams arrive on quiet wings. SLEEP, LITTLE CHILD Sleep, little child, sleep, The stars are shining bright. The Moon is sailing softly Across the velvet night. Sleep, little child, sleep, Let peaceful dreams appear. The world is quiet around you, And loving hearts are near. THE MOON'S LULLABY Little Moon above the tree, Shine your gentle light on me. Silver stars are glowing bright, Guarding children through the night. Clouds are drifting soft and slow, While the sleepy breezes blow. Close your eyes and dream away, Morning brings another day. A LITTLE STAR'S LULLABY Little star, so far away, Watch me while I sleep today. Shine your silver light above, Fill my dreams with peace and love. Moonbeams dance across my room, Night flowers softly start to bloom. Close your eyes, my little one, Dream until the morning sun. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE IRISH LULLABY Sleep now, my little one, Sleep beneath the moon. The stars above are shining, And morning will come soon. The hills are dark and peaceful, The rivers softly flow. The little birds are dreaming, And gentle winds now blow. Sleep now, my little one, The night is calm and deep. May peaceful dreams surround you, And carry you to sleep. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE JAPANESE LULLABY Moon above the quiet hill, Silver clouds are drifting still. Little child, close your eyes, Dream beneath the evening skies. Stars are shining, soft and bright, Guarding you throughout the night. Rest beneath the Moon's soft glow, While the gentle night winds blow. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE INDIAN LULLABY Sleep, little child, sleep, The Moon is shining bright. The stars are like tiny flowers Scattered through the night. Sleep, little child, sleep, The birds have gone to rest. May dreams of flowers and sunshine Fill your heart with happiness. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE RUSSIAN LULLABY Sleep, little one, sleep, The night is soft and deep. The Moon looks through the window, While peaceful shadows sleep. The little birds are silent, The forest rests below. The stars are bright above you, And gentle dream winds blow. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE SPANISH LULLABY Duérmete, mi niño, Duérmete ya, Que viene la noche Y te arrullará. Duérmete, mi niño, Cierra los ojos, La Luna te mira Desde allá arriba. Sleep, my little child, Sleep now and dream, While Moonlight shines softly With a silvery gleam. TRADITIONAL COUNTING RHYME ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE One, two, Buckle my shoe; Three, four, Knock at the door; Five, six, Pick up sticks; Seven, eight, Lay them straight; Nine, ten, A big fat hen. THIS LITTLE PIGGY This little piggy went to market, This little piggy stayed home, This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none, And this little piggy went Wee, wee, wee, All the way home. MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was white as snow; And everywhere that Mary went, The lamb was sure to go. It followed her to school one day, Which was against the rule; It made the children laugh and play To see a lamb at school. And so the teacher turned it out, But still it lingered near, And waited patiently about Till Mary did appear. ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream. LONDON BRIDGE London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady. Build it up with wood and clay, Wood and clay, wood and clay. Build it up with wood and clay, My fair lady. RING AROUND THE ROSIE Ring-a-ring-a-roses, A pocket full of posies; Ashes, ashes, We all fall down. OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! And on that farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O! With a moo-moo here, And a moo-moo there, Here a moo, there a moo, Everywhere a moo-moo. Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! HUSH, LITTLE BABY Hush, little baby, Don't say a word. Mama's going to buy you A mockingbird. And if that mockingbird won't sing, Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring won't shine, Mama's going to buy you a silver mine. ROCK-A-BYE BABY Rock-a-bye baby, On the tree top, When the wind blows, The cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, The cradle will fall, Down will come baby, Cradle and all. BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP Baa, baa, black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, Three bags full. One for my master, One for my dame, And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane. LITTLE BO-PEEP Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep, And doesn't know where to find them; Leave them alone, And they'll come home, Bringing their tails behind them. LITTLE MISS MUFFET Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey; There came a big spider And sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away. PETER PETER PUMPKIN EATER Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater, Had a wife and couldn't keep her; He put her in a pumpkin shell, And there he kept her very well. JACK BE NIMBLE Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over The candlestick. PAT-A-CAKE Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, Baker's man! Bake me a cake As fast as you can. Pat it and prick it And mark it with B, And put it in the oven For baby and me. HICKORY DICKORY DOCK Hickory dickory dock, The mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck one, The mouse ran down, Hickory dickory dock. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE One, two, three, four, five, Once I caught a fish alive. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, Then I let it go again. Why did you let it go? Because it bit my finger so. Which finger did it bite? This little finger on the right! SIMPLE SIMON Simple Simon met a pieman Going to the fair. Said Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your ware." Said the pieman to Simple Simon, "Show me first your penny." Said Simple Simon to the pieman, "Indeed, I have not any." HOT CROSS BUNS Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! One a penny, Two a penny, Hot cross buns! If you have no daughters, Give them to your sons. One a penny, Two a penny, Hot cross buns! THE GRAND OLD DUKE OF YORK Oh, the grand old Duke of York, He had ten thousand men. He marched them up to the top of the hill, And he marched them down again. And when they were up, They were up. And when they were down, They were down. And when they were only halfway up, They were neither up nor down. POLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the kettle on, We'll all have tea. Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, They've all gone away. THE NORTH WIND DOTH BLOW The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will the robin do then, Poor thing? He'll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing! THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat. They took some honey, And plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above And sang to a small guitar, "O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are!" THE END
24. 24Rhymes and Lullabies Part 3More Nursery Rhymes from Around the WorldFrom ItalyThe Little Olive TreeLittle olive tree, silver and green, The prettiest tree that I have ever seen, Your branches hold the summer sun, And your fruit is sweet when the harvest is done.Shake your leaves, little tree, shake and sway, The wind is coming to carry them away.From GreeceThe Fisherman's SongThe fisherman rows in the early light, His net is silver, his boat is white, The dolphins leap beside his bow, And the sea says yes and the sea says no.Row, little boat, row to shore, The sea has given, the sea gives more.From KoreaThe Magpie's MessageThe magpie sits on the garden wall, She chatters and calls to one and all, She says a friend is on the way, Coming to visit before the end of day.Chatter, magpie, chatter and sing, Good news is the finest gift you bring.From RussiaThe Snowflake's JourneyA snowflake fell from a cloud so high, It tumbled and twirled through the winter sky, It landed soft on the tip of my nose, And melted away where the warm wind blows.Fall, little snowflake, fall and spin, Every winter must begin.From EthiopiaThe Honey GathererThe honey gatherer climbs the tree, High above the buzzing bee, He sings a song so the bees won't sting, And brings home honey fit for a king.Hum, little bees, hum and hum, The honey gatherer always comes.From the PhilippinesThe Coconut SongThe coconut tree grows tall and proud, Its head in the sun and its feet in the ground, It gives us milk and it gives us meat, And its shade in the noon is cool and sweet.Sway, tall tree, sway in the breeze, You are the kindest of all the trees.From GermanyThe Clockmaker's CatThe clockmaker's cat sits on the shelf, She winds the clocks all by herself, Tick tock, tick tock, all through the night, She keeps the hours running right.Tick, little clock, tick and chime, The cat is keeping perfect time.From the CaribbeanThe Mango RainWhen the mango rain comes falling down, It washes the dust from the whole of the town, The children run out in the warm wet street, And dance in the puddles with their bare brown feet.Dance, little children, dance and spin, Let the mango rain come rushing in.From PeruThe Condor's ViewThe condor soars where the cold winds blow, Above the mountains capped with snow, He sees the rivers, he sees the plain, He sees the sun come back again.Fly, great condor, fly up high, You are the keeper of the Andean sky.From MoroccoThe Spice MarketCome smell the cinnamon, come smell the rose, Come where the warm wind of the market blows, Saffron and cardamom, pepper and thyme, Every spice has its own little rhyme.Smell, little nose, smell them all, The spice market sings from stall to stall.🌙 Lullabies from Around the WorldFrom JapanThe Moon's ReflectionThe moon has fallen in the pond tonight, A silver circle, soft and bright, Don't be afraid, little one, don't fear, The moon came down just to be near.Close your eyes, the moon will stay, She'll be there when you wake at day.From TurkeyThe Lullaby of the BosphorusThe water runs between two shores, And carries ships to distant doors, The seagulls sleep on the evening tide, And the stars come out on the water wide.Sleep, little one, the water sings, Of faraway and beautiful things.From West AfricaThe Grandmother's SongGrandmother sings in the firelight glow, Her voice is soft and her words are slow, She sings of rivers and ancient trees, And the names of all her ancestors on the breeze.Sleep, little one, her song is long, You are wrapped inside her love and song.From IrelandThe Faerie LullabyThe faeries are dancing on the hill tonight, Their lanterns are tiny and their feet are light, They dance for the sleeping and the dreaming ones, Until the morning comes and the dancing's done.Sleep, little dreamer, sleep and rest, The faeries say you are the best.From ScandinaviaThe Northern Lights LullabyThe lights are dancing green and gold, A story only the winter is told, They ripple and shimmer and fade and glow, Like a river of color through the snow.Sleep, little one, beneath the light, The sky is singing you good night.From IndiaThe Jasmine LullabyThe jasmine opens in the evening air, Its sweetness drifts through everywhere, The stars come out one by one, And the long warm day is finally done.Sleep, little blossom, sleep and dream, The night is softer than it seems.From the AmazonThe Hammock SongSwing in the hammock, swing and sway, The forest is putting the sun away, The monkeys are quiet, the parrots sleep, And the river hums a secret deep.Swing, little one, swing and rest, The forest holds you to its chest.From GreeceThe Olive Grove LullabyThe olive trees are silver in the moon, The crickets sing their summer tune, The sea is breathing far below, And the warm night wind begins to blow.Sleep, little one, the olives keep, Their silver watch while you're asleep.From the Middle EastThe Desert LullabyThe desert is quiet when the sun goes down, Not a sound in the sand, not a sound in the town, The stars come out in their thousands bright, And the cool wind comes with the desert night.Sleep, little one, the stars are near, The desert night has nothing to fear.From Native AmericaThe Cedar LullabyThe cedar tree stands in the evening rain, Its roots go deep in the ancient plain, It has stood through a thousand winters long, And it holds the earth with a quiet song.Sleep, little one, the cedar knows, Which way the wind of dreaming blows.From ItalyThe Firefly LullabyThe fireflies are lighting the garden tonight, A hundred tiny lanterns of light, They blink and they drift through the warm dark air, Like little stars that have fallen there.Sleep, little one, the fireflies glow, And light the path where your dreams will go.That's twenty-one more rhymes and eleven lullabies — enough to fill a lovely book all on their own. Would you like me to organize everything into a full manuscript format, or add rhymes from any specific region you'd like to include?
25. 25Rhymes and Lullabies Part 4ENGLAND TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Then the traveler in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark; He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveler in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. HUMPTY DUMPTY Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the king's horses And all the king's men Couldn't put Humpty together again. JACK AND JILL Jack and Jill went up the hill To fetch a pail of water; Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after. Up Jack got, and home did trot, As fast as he could caper; He went to bed and bound his head With vinegar and brown paper. HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE Hey diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon. FRANCE FRÈRE JACQUES Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques, Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous? Sonnez les matines, Sonnez les matines, Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong. GERMANY HÄNSCHEN KLEIN Hänschen klein Ging allein In die weite Welt hinein. Stock und Hut Stehn ihm gut, Ist gar wohlgemut. Doch die Mutter weinet sehr, Hat ja nun kein Hänschen mehr. Da besinnt Sich das Kind, Kehrt nach Haus geschwind. Deutschland ist ein schönes Land, Wo ich viele Freunde fand. Hänschen klein Kehrt nun ein, Wieder bei der Mutter sein. ALLE MEINE ENTCHEN Alle meine Entchen Schwimmen auf dem See, Köpfchen in das Wasser, Schwänzchen in die Höh. Alle meine Täubchen Gurren auf dem Dach, Fliegt eins in die Lüfte, Fliegen alle nach. Alle meine Hühner Scharren in dem Stroh, Finden sie ein Körnchen, Sind sie alle froh. SPAIN CINCO LOBITOS Cinco lobitos Tiene la loba, Blancos y negros Detrás de la escoba. Cinco tenía, Cinco criaba, Y a todos los cinco Tetita les daba. ITALY GIRO GIRO TONDO Giro giro tondo, Casca il mondo, Casca la Terra, Tutti giù per terra! IRELAND THE RATTLIN' BOG Chorus: Hi-ho, the rattlin' bog, The bog down in the valley-o! Hi-ho, the rattlin' bog, The bog down in the valley-o! And on that bog there was a tree, A rare tree, A rattlin' tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! And on that tree there was a branch, A rare branch, A rattlin' branch, And the branch on the tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! And on that branch there was a twig, A rare twig, A rattlin' twig, And the twig on the branch, And the branch on the tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! And on that twig there was a nest, A rare nest, A rattlin' nest, And the nest on the twig, And the twig on the branch, And the branch on the tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! And in that nest there was a bird, A rare bird, A rattlin' bird, And the bird in the nest, And the nest on the twig, And the twig on the branch, And the branch on the tree, And the tree in the bog, And the bog down in the valley-o! NORWAY BÆ, BÆ, LILLE LAM Bæ, bæ, lille lam, Har du noe ull? Ja, ja, kjære barn, Jeg har kroppen full. Søndagsklær til far, Og søndagsklær til mor, Og to par strømper Til bitte lille bror. DENMARK MESTER JAKOB Mester Jakob, Mester Jakob, Sover du? Sover du? Hører du ej klokken? Hører du ej klokken? Bim bam bom, Bim bam bom. NETHERLANDS SLAAP KINDJE SLAAP Slaap, kindje, slaap, Daar buiten loopt een schaap. Een schaap met witte voetjes, Dat drinkt zijn melk zo zoetjes. Slaap, kindje, slaap, Daar buiten loopt een schaap. Een schaap met witte voetjes, Dat drinkt zijn melk zo zoetjes. JAPAN DONGURI KOROKORO Donguri korokoro Dondon korokoro, Donguri korokoro Dondon korokoro. Oike ni hamatte Saa taihen, Dojo ga dete kite Konnichiwa! CHINA TWO TIGERS 两只老虎，两只老虎， 跑得快，跑得快。 一只没有耳朵， 一只没有尾巴， 真奇怪，真奇怪。 Liǎng zhī lǎohǔ, liǎng zhī lǎohǔ, Pǎo de kuài, pǎo de kuài. Yì zhī méiyǒu ěrduo, Yì zhī méiyǒu wěiba, Zhēn qíguài, zhēn qíguài. INDIA MACHHLI JAL KI RANI HAI Machhli jal ki rani hai, Jeevan uska paani hai. Haath lagao dar jayegi, Bahar nikalo mar jayegi. PHILIPPINES BAHAY KUBO Bahay kubo, kahit munti, Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. Singkamas at talong, Sigarilyas at mani, Sitaw, bataw, patani. Kundol, patola, Upo't kalabasa, At saka mayroon pa, Labanos, mustasa, Sibuyas, kamatis, Bawang at luya. Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga. INDONESIA BURUNG KAKATUA Burung kakaktua, Hinggap di jendela. Nenek sudah tua, Giginya tinggal dua. Trek-jing, trek-jing, Trek-jing tra-la-la. Trek-jing, trek-jing, Trek-jing tra-la-la. THAILAND CHANG CHANG CHANG Chang chang chang, Nong khoei hen chang rue plao? Chang man tua yai mai bao, Jomuk yao yao, Khang man mi nga, Khang man mi nga. MEXICO NARANJA DULCE Naranja dulce, Limón partido, Dame un abrazo Que yo te pido. Si fueran falsos Mis juramentos, En otros tiempos Se olvidarán. Toca la marcha, Mi pecho llora. Adiós, señora, Yo ya me voy. A LA VÍBORA DE LA MAR A la víbora, víbora De la mar, de la mar, Por aquí pueden pasar; Los de adelante corren mucho, Y los de atrás se quedarán. Tras, tras, tras. BRAZIL CIRANDA, CIRANDINHA Ciranda, cirandinha, Vamos todos cirandar. Vamos dar a meia volta, Volta e meia vamos dar. O anel que tu me deste Era vidro e se quebrou. O amor que tu me tinhas Era pouco e se acabou. ARGENTINA AND LATIN AMERICA ARROZ CON LECHE Arroz con leche, Me quiero casar Con una señorita De San Nicolás. Que sepa coser, Que sepa bordar, Que sepa abrir la puerta Para ir a jugar. Con ésta sí, Con ésta no, Con esta señorita Me caso yo. CHILE CABALLITO BLANCO Caballito blanco, Llévame de aquí. Llévame a mi pueblo, Donde yo nací. Tengo, tengo, tengo, Tú no tienes nada. Tengo tres ovejas En una cabaña. Una me da leche, Otra me da lana, Y otra mantequilla Para toda la semana. GREECE FEGGARAKI MOU LAMPRO Φεγγαράκι μου λαμπρό, φέγγε μου να περπατώ, να πηγαίνω στο σχολειό, να μαθαίνω γράμματα, γράμματα, σπουδάγματα, του Θεού τα πράγματα. UKRAINE OY KHODYT SON Ой ходить сон коло вікон, А дрімота — коло плота. Питається сон дрімоти: — Де ми будем ночувати? — Де хатинка тепленькая, Де дитина маленькая, Там ми будем ночувати, Дитину колисати. TRADITIONAL LULLABIES LULLABY OF THE NIGHT Sleep, little child, and close your eyes, The Moon is shining in the skies. The stars are watching from above, The night is filled with peaceful love. Sleep while the gentle breezes sigh, And silver clouds go drifting by. The nightingale begins to sing, And dreams arrive on quiet wings. SLEEP, LITTLE CHILD Sleep, little child, sleep, The stars are shining bright. The Moon is sailing softly Across the velvet night. Sleep, little child, sleep, Let peaceful dreams appear. The world is quiet around you, And loving hearts are near. THE MOON'S LULLABY Little Moon above the tree, Shine your gentle light on me. Silver stars are glowing bright, Guarding children through the night. Clouds are drifting soft and slow, While the sleepy breezes blow. Close your eyes and dream away, Morning brings another day. A LITTLE STAR'S LULLABY Little star, so far away, Watch me while I sleep today. Shine your silver light above, Fill my dreams with peace and love. Moonbeams dance across my room, Night flowers softly start to bloom. Close your eyes, my little one, Dream until the morning sun. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE IRISH LULLABY Sleep now, my little one, Sleep beneath the moon. The stars above are shining, And morning will come soon. The hills are dark and peaceful, The rivers softly flow. The little birds are dreaming, And gentle winds now blow. Sleep now, my little one, The night is calm and deep. May peaceful dreams surround you, And carry you to sleep. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE JAPANESE LULLABY Moon above the quiet hill, Silver clouds are drifting still. Little child, close your eyes, Dream beneath the evening skies. Stars are shining, soft and bright, Guarding you throughout the night. Rest beneath the Moon's soft glow, While the gentle night winds blow. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE INDIAN LULLABY Sleep, little child, sleep, The Moon is shining bright. The stars are like tiny flowers Scattered through the night. Sleep, little child, sleep, The birds have gone to rest. May dreams of flowers and sunshine Fill your heart with happiness. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE RUSSIAN LULLABY Sleep, little one, sleep, The night is soft and deep. The Moon looks through the window, While peaceful shadows sleep. The little birds are silent, The forest rests below. The stars are bright above you, And gentle dream winds blow. A TRADITIONAL-STYLE SPANISH LULLABY Duérmete, mi niño, Duérmete ya, Que viene la noche Y te arrullará. Duérmete, mi niño, Cierra los ojos, La Luna te mira Desde allá arriba. Sleep, my little child, Sleep now and dream, While Moonlight shines softly With a silvery gleam. TRADITIONAL COUNTING RHYME ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE One, two, Buckle my shoe; Three, four, Knock at the door; Five, six, Pick up sticks; Seven, eight, Lay them straight; Nine, ten, A big fat hen. THIS LITTLE PIGGY This little piggy went to market, This little piggy stayed home, This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none, And this little piggy went Wee, wee, wee, All the way home. MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was white as snow; And everywhere that Mary went, The lamb was sure to go. It followed her to school one day, Which was against the rule; It made the children laugh and play To see a lamb at school. And so the teacher turned it out, But still it lingered near, And waited patiently about Till Mary did appear. ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream. LONDON BRIDGE London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady. Build it up with wood and clay, Wood and clay, wood and clay. Build it up with wood and clay, My fair lady. RING AROUND THE ROSIE Ring-a-ring-a-roses, A pocket full of posies; Ashes, ashes, We all fall down. OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! And on that farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O! With a moo-moo here, And a moo-moo there, Here a moo, there a moo, Everywhere a moo-moo. Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! HUSH, LITTLE BABY Hush, little baby, Don't say a word. Mama's going to buy you A mockingbird. And if that mockingbird won't sing, Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring won't shine, Mama's going to buy you a silver mine. ROCK-A-BYE BABY Rock-a-bye baby, On the tree top, When the wind blows, The cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, The cradle will fall, Down will come baby, Cradle and all. BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP Baa, baa, black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, Three bags full. One for my master, One for my dame, And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane. LITTLE BO-PEEP Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep, And doesn't know where to find them; Leave them alone, And they'll come home, Bringing their tails behind them. LITTLE MISS MUFFET Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey; There came a big spider And sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away. PETER PETER PUMPKIN EATER Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater, Had a wife and couldn't keep her; He put her in a pumpkin shell, And there he kept her very well. JACK BE NIMBLE Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over The candlestick. PAT-A-CAKE Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, Baker's man! Bake me a cake As fast as you can. Pat it and prick it And mark it with B, And put it in the oven For baby and me. HICKORY DICKORY DOCK Hickory dickory dock, The mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck one, The mouse ran down, Hickory dickory dock. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE One, two, three, four, five, Once I caught a fish alive. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, Then I let it go again. Why did you let it go? Because it bit my finger so. Which finger did it bite? This little finger on the right! SIMPLE SIMON Simple Simon met a pieman Going to the fair. Said Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your ware." Said the pieman to Simple Simon, "Show me first your penny." Said Simple Simon to the pieman, "Indeed, I have not any." HOT CROSS BUNS Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! One a penny, Two a penny, Hot cross buns! If you have no daughters, Give them to your sons. One a penny, Two a penny, Hot cross buns! THE GRAND OLD DUKE OF YORK Oh, the grand old Duke of York, He had ten thousand men. He marched them up to the top of the hill, And he marched them down again. And when they were up, They were up. And when they were down, They were down. And when they were only halfway up, They were neither up nor down. POLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the kettle on, We'll all have tea. Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, They've all gone away. THE NORTH WIND DOTH BLOW The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will the robin do then, Poor thing? He'll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing! THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat. They took some honey, And plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above And sang to a small guitar, "O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are!" THE END7

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