Myths

Myths: Old and Popular Short Stories from Mythology

Few stories are as old or as widely loved as myths. Long before they were written down, these tales were sung by poets, told around hearths, and carried across oceans by sailors and storytellers—explaining how the world began, why the seasons turn, and what gods, heroes, and monsters once walked the earth. On Ririro you’ll find a curated collection of myths in English, drawn from Greek, Roman, Norse, and Irish mythology, alongside lesser-known tales from Japan, Egypt, and the Americas. Most are short enough to read in one sitting, many include audio and PDF downloads, and every story is free to read online.

Greek Myths

The Greek myths are the oldest popular short stories still widely read today—tales of gods on Mount Olympus, heroes braving the labyrinth, and mortals undone by their own pride. From Ovid’s tragic lovers to Hawthorne’s vivid retellings, the Greek mythology collection below is the heart of Ririro’s myths library and a wonderful entry point for first-time readers and lifelong fans alike.

1. Echo and Narcissus
The myth of Narcissus, the beautiful youth so entranced by his own reflection that he wastes away beside a forest pool, paired with Echo, the nymph cursed to repeat only the last words she hears. Ovid’s haunting tale gave the English language the words “narcissism” and “echo”—a short, unforgettable Greek myth about vanity and longing, ideal for readers aged 9 to 13.

2. Cupid and Psyche
One of the most beloved old love stories in mythology, this fifteen-minute tale follows the mortal Psyche as she searches for her hidden husband, the god of love himself. Andrew Lang’s retelling weaves jealousy, devotion, and impossible tasks into a popular short myth that still feels astonishingly modern—a favorite for middle and high schoolers exploring classic mythology.

3. The Trojan Horse
The famous Greek myth of the wooden horse that ended a ten-year war—Odysseus’s cunning stratagem hidden inside a gift. A short, action-driven retelling perfect for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, and a wonderful classroom companion to lessons on ancient history, strategy, and the consequences of pride.

4. Pegasus
The winged horse of Greek mythology soars through this short, friendship-driven tale, ideal for third and fourth graders just beginning to explore myths. Emilie Poulsson’s gentle retelling makes Pegasus a perfect first myth—five minutes long, full of wonder, and a lovely introduction to the magical creatures of ancient Greece.

5. King Midas
The popular old myth of the king whose every touch turned to gold—and who learned, far too late, what real wealth looks like. A short five-minute read for kids that has shaped how we talk about greed for more than two thousand years.

6. Theseus and the Minotaur
The hero Theseus descends into the labyrinth beneath Crete to face the half-bull, half-man Minotaur, armed only with a sword and the thread Princess Ariadne presses into his hand. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s vivid retelling is one of the most popular Greek myths in the collection, with audio available for an immersive read.

7. Icarus and Daedalus
A father builds wings of wax and feathers to escape his island prison—and his son flies too close to the sun. A short, tragic Greek myth about ambition and obedience, retold by Josephine Preston Peabody for readers aged 9 to 13.

8. Orpheus and Eurydice
The musician who charmed the gods of the underworld with his lyre—and lost his beloved Eurydice in a single backward glance. A five-minute Greek myth full of heartbreak and longing, perfect for middle schoolers and adults drawn to the great love stories of mythology.

Irish Myths

Ireland’s mythology runs as deep as its peat bogs—stories of giants, heroes, and tricksters that survived oral retelling for centuries before they reached the page. The Irish myths below introduce readers to the great cycles of Celtic storytelling, where boundaries between the human world and the otherworld are always wonderfully thin.

1. The Legend of Stingy Jack
The Irish myth behind the jack-o’-lantern: a sly old trickster outwits the Devil twice, only to find that neither Heaven nor Hell will take him in. Doomed to wander with a glowing turnip in hand, Jack becomes the figure modern Halloween still remembers—a short, accessible Irish tale and a wonderful conversation-starter about consequences.

2. How Finn McCool Became the Leader of the Fianna
The origin myth of Ireland’s greatest hero, Finn McCool, and the magical salmon that gave him his wisdom. T.W. Rolleston’s retelling is a ten-minute Irish myth ideal for first through fourth graders—an exciting first taste of Celtic mythology with adventure and old-world magic on every page.

3. The Tale of Vivionn the Giantess
A lesser-known Irish myth featuring a brave giantess and the warriors of ancient Ireland. A short three-minute read that gives older children a glimpse into the lyrical, larger-than-life world of Gaelic storytelling.

Norse Myths

Norse mythology is a world of frost giants, thunder gods, and a great tree that holds the cosmos together. These old, popular short stories from Scandinavia trade Mediterranean sunshine for snow and shadow—tales of Thor, Odin, Loki, and the doomed god Balder that have shaped centuries of fantasy storytelling, from Wagner to Marvel.

1. The Death of Balder
The most heartbreaking of all Norse myths—the death of the beloved god Balder, undone by a single sprig of mistletoe and Loki’s cruelty. A twenty-minute read for older middle schoolers and adults, this tragedy sits at the very center of Norse mythology and explains why mistletoe still carries the weight of love and loss.

2. How Thor’s Hammer Was Lost and Found
A funny, fast-moving Norse myth in which Thor’s stolen hammer leads to a wedding disguise no one will see coming. E.M. Wilmot-Buxton’s retelling is a popular short tale for fifth and sixth graders—perfect for readers who love their mythology with a dose of humor.

3. The Story of the Norse About How Everything Began
The Norse creation myth in fifteen vivid minutes—dragons, dwarfs, elves, giants, and the gods who built the worlds out of frost and fire. A wonderful introduction to Norse mythology for readers aged 9 to 13 ready to step into Yggdrasil’s branches.

4. How Thor Went to Jotunheim
A Norse myth of Thor, Loki, and a fateful journey into the land of giants—where nothing is quite what it seems. A wonderfully readable old tale for older children, full of humor, deception, and unexpected wisdom.

5. The Dwarves and the Elves
A short Norse myth explaining the origins of the dwarves and elves of Scandinavian folklore—a ten-minute read for fifth and sixth graders curious about the fantasy creatures that fill so many modern books and films.