Literary taleThe Absolute Truth
A trivial event involving a single lost feather escalates through gossip and exaggeration into a sensationalized tragedy about multiple chickens dying, illustrating how rumors distort reality.
Fairy-tale library
Published folk and literary tales with traceable sources.
Meaning and values
Literary tale
Literary taleThe King's New Clothes
A vain king is tricked by swindlers into parading naked in public because he and his courtiers are too afraid of being perceived as foolish to admit they cannot see a non-existent magical fabric, until an innocent child speaks the truth.
Literary taleSpeedwalkers
A satirical fable where various animals and objects debate the criteria for awarding prizes for speed, ultimately revealing that the judging process is corrupted by bias, arbitrary rules, self-interest, and flawed logic rather than true merit.
Literary taleA Ditmarshen Tale-Fable
The narrator recounts a series of absurd, physically impossible tall tales to illustrate the nature of lying and eventually admits that these stories are falsehoods released from a pipe of lies.
Literary taleSit-down-sit
An ancient, seemingly passive observer named Siden possesses a supernatural moral authority that exposes and punishes evil while rewarding goodness, ultimately revealing that true power lies in unwavering integrity rather than physical action.
Literary taleDamn cart
A grieving widow attempting suicide is deceived by demons disguised as her deceased husband and companions, but she is saved at the last moment by making the sign of the cross, leading her to dedicate her life to God.
Folk taleNot curious
A seemingly foolish and physically imperfect youngest brother uses his wit and a tall tale to outsmart a stubborn guardian, securing fire for his family while proving that cleverness triumphs over physical ability or conventional intelligence.
Literary taleLittle Red Riding Hood
A young girl's disobedience and naivety lead her into danger when she strays from the path to talk to a wolf, resulting in tragedy that is only reversed by the intervention of a skilled hunter.