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Mountains are full of stories. Some of them are ancient stories that
have been passed down from grandparents to grandchildren for thousands
of years. Others are new stories that capture the excitement, mystery,
or beauty of mountain life. Click to explore
some of the common motifs found in mountain folktales
Folktales from the World's Mountains
Follow the links below to read folktales gathered from the mountains
of the world.
Armenia
Light and Darkness
White and black yarn rolling down the mountain bring the sunrise and sunset.
Australia
Boonah
Boonah and his tribe get into trouble with the mountain spirit.
China
The Four Dragons
Four dragons bring water to the farmers but get in trouble with the Jade
Emperor.
Wisdom of the Mountain
Loa-li seeks the road to enlightenment on his journey down the mountain.
Ethiopia (Ethiopian Highlands)
Abegaz and the Lion
Abegaz searches for the mighty lion of the mountain to cure his wife.
Fire on the Mountain
A young boy is challenged a rich man to prove his bravery.
Germany
The Drachenfels
A true-hearted maiden battles a dragon.
The Dwarfs in Schalk Mountain
The dwarfs in Schalk Mountain need a human godparent for their child.
Silver Fir Cones (Hartz Mountains)
A miner's wife meets a mysterious dwarf in the forest.
Japan
Legend of Lake Ohnami
The beautiful but mysterious daughter of a village headman longs to go
up the mountain.
Mekko Valley
A conceited woman challenges the goddess of Mt. Hakusan.
The Stonecutter
A stonecutter is not satisfied with his life, and asks the mountain spirit
to grant his wishes.
Kenya (Mount Kenya)
Gikuyu Creation Myth
The Kikuyu people begin life on Mount Kenya.
Korea
The Beast's Cave
A hard-working woman is fed up with her foolish husband.
The Boy's Sacrifice
A boy finds mysterious help for his sick mother.
Three Sons under the Stars
Three sons go on adventures to find out who will be the prince.
The White Tiger (Kumgang Mountains)
A boy is determined to avenge his father's death.
Morocco (Atlas Mountains)
Tislet and Isli
Two lovers from enemy tribes defy their parents.
Nepal (Himalayas)
The Story of 'Dhon Cholecha'
A young girl is treated cruelly by her family but finds animal friends.
The Woodcutter
A poor woodcutter and his wife feed the birds and insects, even when they
are hungry.
The Seven Sisters
Abandoned by their parents, the sisters must use their wits to survive.
Norway
Your Hen is in the Mountain
An evil troll catches the hen, then catches the three daughters of the
house.
Peru (Andes)
The Condor and the Shepherdess
A condor disguises himself as a young man to win the heart of a human girl.
The Myth of Achikay
A young girl must save herself and her brother from the ogress Achikay.
Scotland
King Malcolm and the Herd-boy
A huge wild boar is terrorizing the people of the Scottish highlands.
(Note: you may wish to compare this story to the remarkably similar story
of William Tell from the Swiss Alps. A beautifully illustrated version
of the William Tell story, by Margaret Early, is available from the publisher
Harry N. Abrams in New York)
Slovakia
Salt is Worth More than Gold
Marushka must prove her love to her father before he dies.
Tibet (Himalayas)
The Old Ogre
An old woman enlists the help of animals to battle a terrifying ogre.
Ukraine (Carpathian Mountains)
How the Carpathian Mountains were Born
A young wanderer battles a mighty giant.
USA (Appalachian Mountains)
Jack and the King's Girl
The king's daughter has never laughed, but she hasn't met Jack
before, either.
John Henry and Big Bend Mountain
Legendary railroad man John Henry battles the steam drill.
USA (Native)
How Coyote Stole Fire
Coyote must brave perils and have help from friends to bring fire to humans.
The Creation of Man-Kind and the Flood (Pima legend from Black Mountain
in Arizona)
Earth doctor, coyote, and Elder Brother experiment with creation.
How the World Began (Seneca creation myth, Appalachian Mountains, North
America)
Sky-woman and turtle form the first earth, but many challenges wait.
USA (Rocky Mountains)
Teddy Roosevelt recounts a legend of the Rockies
The great conservationist president tells a goblin-story of the frontier.
The Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain can't be seen, but it sure causes trouble.
List of mountain folktales compiled by Elizabeth Byers and Cynthia Elder.
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