German

Stories from the German origin:

• The Hut in the Forest Jan 26, 2025

  

  Once upon a time, there lived a poor woodcutter who had three daughters. The two eldest were proud and vain, always preening before their small mirror and complaining about their humble circumstances. But the youngest daughter was different entirely—she was kind-hearted, gentle, and content with their simple life in the cottage at the edge of the great forest.

• Sharing Joy and Sorrow Jan 25, 2025

  

  Once upon a time, there lived a young tailor who was skilled at his craft and well-liked by everyone in his village. He had a cheerful disposition, was honest in all his dealings, and possessed a generous heart that endeared him to his neighbors. However, despite being surrounded by many acquaintances, he felt lonely, for he had never found a true friend—someone who would stand by him through both good times and bad.

• The Willow-Wren Jan 24, 2025

  

  Once upon a time, in a great forest where many creatures lived in harmony, there arose a dispute that would change the peaceful order of the woodland forever. It all began with a question that seemed simple enough but would prove to have far-reaching consequences: which creature in all the forest was the most noble and deserving of being called king?

• The Sole Jan 23, 2025

  

  Long, long ago, when the world was young and the seas were new, all the fish that swam in the ocean’s depths looked quite different from how they appear today. Their bodies were straight and symmetrical, their fins perfectly balanced, and their mouths properly centered on their faces. Among these ancient fish lived a sole who was particularly proud of her beautiful, straight form and her perfectly shaped mouth.

• The Bittern and the Hoopoe Jan 22, 2025

  

  Once upon a time, long ago when the world was younger and the boundaries between the natural and supernatural worlds were not as firmly drawn as they are today, there lived two birds who were the very best of friends. One was a bittern, a wading bird with beautiful brown and cream plumage that allowed her to blend perfectly with the reedy marshlands where she lived. The other was a hoopoe, an elegant bird with a striking crest of feathers on her head and distinctive black and white striped wings.

• The Owl Jan 22, 2025

  

  Once upon a time, in a peaceful village nestled in a valley surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests, there stood a large, sturdy barn that belonged to a prosperous farmer. This barn had served the community for many years, storing grain through harsh winters and providing shelter for various animals during storms. Its thick wooden walls and solid roof had weathered countless seasons, and the people of the village took great pride in this substantial building that represented their collective prosperity and security.

• The Moon Jan 22, 2025

  

  Long ago, in a time when the world was quite different from what it is today, there was a land where something very strange and wonderful occurred every single night. In this particular country, the moon did not hang high in the sky as it does for us, but instead rested each evening on the topmost branches of a mighty oak tree that grew on a hill overlooking the main village.

• The Duration of Life Jan 22, 2025

  

  In the very beginning, when the world was newly created and all living creatures were still fresh from the hand of their Maker, God called together all the beings He had brought into existence for a very important meeting. This gathering took place in a magnificent celestial court, where the throne of the Almighty was surrounded by clouds of glory and the light of divine wisdom shone down upon all who were present.

• The Messengers of Death Jan 22, 2025

  

  Long ago, there lived a young man who was blessed with exceptional health, strength, and vitality. His name was Hans, and he was the envy of everyone in his village because of his robust constitution and seemingly boundless energy. While others fell ill with the common ailments that plagued most people, Hans remained perfectly healthy year after year. While others grew tired from their daily labors, Hans could work from dawn to dusk without showing any signs of fatigue.

• Master Pfriem Jan 22, 2025

  

  In a bustling town renowned for its skilled craftsmen and artisans, there lived a master craftsman named Pfriem whose reputation for technical excellence was matched only by his reputation for being impossible to please. Master Pfriem was indeed highly skilled in his trade—he could fashion the finest furniture, carve the most intricate details, and solve the most challenging technical problems that other craftsmen brought to him. However, his exceptional abilities had given him an inflated sense of his own importance and an extremely critical attitude toward everyone and everything around him.

• The Goose-Girl at the Well Jan 22, 2025

  

  In a time when the world was filled with magic and wonder, there lived a young count who was renowned throughout the land for his wealth, his noble bearing, and his handsome appearance. This count had everything that a man could desire: vast estates, loyal servants, fine clothes, and the respect of all who knew him. However, despite his many blessings, he suffered from one significant flaw that had prevented him from finding true happiness—he was exceedingly proud and vain, particularly when it came to matters of beauty and social status.

• The Nail Jan 22, 2025

  

  In a bustling village where merchants came and went like the changing seasons, there lived a trader named Hans who was known throughout the land for his sharp eye for profit. Hans was neither the richest nor the poorest of merchants, but what set him apart was his relentless pursuit of every penny, every advantage, every opportunity to increase his wealth.