Short Fairy Tales
5-minute stories for busy families and quick classroom reads.
50 stories in this collection
MONICA SALEEBY
WILLIAM ELLIOT GRIFFIS, D.D
Works by Wm. Elliot Griffis
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THE SEA PRINCESS
OH, WHERE DO FAIRIES HIDE THEIR HEADS?
THE STAG AT THE POOL
The useful is better than the beautiful, and one should not despise what is practical in favor of wh...
THE WAR-HORSE AND THE ASS
Pride will have a fall, and those who are arrogant may one day find themselves in a humble position.
THE SHEPHERD BOY AND THE WOLF
No one trusts a liar even when he speaks the truth.
THE ASS, THE COCK, AND THE LION
Pride often leads to ruin.
THE LION, THE BEAR, AND THE FOX
When two parties fight over a prize, a third, more cunning party may take advantage of their conflic...
THE HARE and THE TORTOISE
Slow and steady wins the race.
THE FOX AND THE WOOD-CUTTER
Actions speak louder than words, and true help requires consistency between them.
THE MOUSE AND THE FROG
Self-help is best, implying that relying on others, especially those with conflicting natures, can l...
THE HORSE AND THE LOADED ASS
Be kind to the weak, for you may one day find yourself in their shoes, or suffer worse consequences ...
THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW
We should know our weakness and our strength.
THE DOG AND THE ASS
When your friends need you, go to their assistance, as you do not know when you may need them.
THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN
Gentleness and persuasion are often more effective than brute force.
THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES
Self-help is the best help, and one should not rely on others to do what needs to be done.
BELLING THE CAT
What seems an easy plan may be hard to carry out, and some things are easier said than done.
THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE
If men had all they wished, they would be often ruined.
THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE ASS
Happy is the man who learns from the misfortunes of others.
THE FATHER AND HIS SONS
United we stand, divided we fall.
THE GLOW-WORM AND THE DAW
Wisdom and cleverness can overcome brute force and wickedness.
THE FOX AND THE VILLAGERS
Bad news, especially concerning a known threat, spreads much faster and garners more immediate atten...
THE FROG AND THE SNAKE
Beware of making friends with those who would exploit or harm your own kind, as such friendships can...
THE ASSEMBLY OF ANIMALS
What one boasts about as a strength can often be the very thing that leads to their downfall.
THE COCK AND HIS THREE HENS
People often love for different reasons, and what they claim to value may not be their true motivati...
THE BLACK DOG AND THE WHITE DOG
It is one thing to say, and another thing to do; empty boasts are easily exposed.
THE SUNLING
Never jest with fools, as their misunderstanding can lead to disastrous consequences.
THE THREE FISHES
We should all endeavor to be wise and act with foresight.
THE TORRENT AND THE RIVER
Quiet people are stronger than the noisy, and appearances can be deceiving.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF AH-TOP
Obsessive vanity can lead to absurd and self-defeating outcomes.
THE THIEF AND THE FOX
Lies, especially absurd ones, are easily exposed by those with wit.
THE FOOLS AND THE DRUM
Ignorance and stubbornness can lead to self-inflicted harm and unintended consequences.
THE GLOWWORM AND THE JACKDAW
Do not be easily deceived by appearances or promises of easy gain.
THE SEA, THE FOX, AND THE WOLF
Do not trust those who boast of power they do not possess, and be wary of those who seek to exploit ...
THE FOX AND THE STORK
One bad turn deserves another, or treat others as you wish to be treated.
THE CROW AND THE PITCHER
Small, consistent efforts can overcome great obstacles.
THE FROG AND THE OX
Self-conceit and attempting to be something you are not can lead to self-destruction.
THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL
Distrust advice that is given by someone who stands to gain from it, especially if it seems to ratio...
BELLING THE CAT
It is easy to propose impossible remedies, but much harder to execute them.
THE ASS AND THE LAP-DOG
Clumsy jesting is no joke, and one should understand their place and abilities before imitating othe...
THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER
It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.
THE MILKMAID AND HER PAIL
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched, meaning do not make plans based on future events...
THE LION AND THE MOUSE
Even the smallest among us can prove to be a great friend and offer significant help.
THE LION’S SHARE
Those in power will often exploit the labor of others for their own gain, leaving nothing for their ...
THE FOX AND THE CROW
Do not trust flatterers, as their praise often hides ulterior motives.
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
THE BAT, THE BIRDS, AND THE BEASTS
He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends.
THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS
All parts of a system, even those seemingly passive, contribute to the well-being of the whole, and ...
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