Fairy Tales From England

Read Stories From England Online

The collection of Stories From England spans a wide range of themes, from fairy tales to moral lessons, and from royal intrigues to adventures involving talking animals. This compilation highlights the richness of England’s storytelling tradition, featuring some of the most well-known stories that have been passed down through generations.
Adventures and Folklore
The themes of adventure and exploration are prominent throughout English storytelling. In The Story of the Four Little Children Who Went Round the World, four children, accompanied by a cat and an older Quangle-Wangle, embark on a journey around the world. After their boat is destroyed by a Sea-Spider, they continue their adventures, finally returning home on a rhinoceros. Another classic of exploration is The Kite That Went To The Moon, where Tom and Anna dream of flying a kite to the moon. Though their kite does not lift off, they discover it soaring among the stars, marking the start of a fantastical journey.

The fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk follows Jack’s ascent up a magical beanstalk to a giant’s castle, where he secures a chicken that lays golden eggs and a harp that plays by itself. His ultimate triumph over the giant marks him as a hero who restores his family’s fortune. Similarly, Dick Whittington and His Cat tells the story of a poor orphan who, after a series of misfortunes and adventures, becomes the Lord Mayor of London. His beloved cat plays a pivotal role in bringing him wealth through its rat-catching abilities, ultimately leading to Dick’s rise in society.
Family and Friendship
A recurring theme in many English stories is the importance of family and friendship. In The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Lucie, a young girl, finds herself lost and discovers Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, a hedgehog who is a washerwoman to local animals. Their meeting leads to an unexpected friendship, where Lucie helps Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle with the laundry, eventually gaining a sense of connection with the animal world. Similarly, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher centers around a frog who, while fishing, faces a series of comedic and perilous events. Despite these setbacks, his friends help him find a sense of contentment, and he shares his catch with them at the end of the tale.

Pooh and Piglet Go Hunting and Nearly Catch a Woozle is another beloved story that highlights the deep friendship between Pooh and Piglet. In their pursuit of a mysterious creature called a Woozle, they end up chasing their own tracks, showing how their shared adventures lead to humorous situations. This theme is similarly explored in Piglet Is Entirely Surrounded by Water, where Piglet faces rising floodwaters. Through determination and the help of his friends, he is eventually rescued by Pooh and Christopher Robin, illustrating the value of friendship in times of need.
Identity and Transformation
English stories often explore themes of identity, disguise, and transformation, with characters navigating shifting roles and complex social dynamics. Twelfth Night is a classic Shakespearean play where Viola, disguised as Cesario, finds herself caught in a web of mistaken identities, causing romantic confusion among the main characters. Ultimately, true love prevails as identities are revealed, and Viola is reunited with Orsino. In As You Like It, Rosalind escapes to the Forest of Arden, where she disguises herself as a man and finds love with Orlando, leading to a series of reconciliations and marriages by the end of the story.

Another famous story that delves into disguise is The Tale of Two Bad Mice. Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca, two mice, break into a doll’s house and cause chaos in an attempt to steal the beautiful but inedible food. Their mischief, however, is ultimately followed by a sense of responsibility as they leave a payment and clean up the mess they made.
Tragedy and Loss
Tragic tales of loss and the consequences of human folly are also part of the English storytelling tradition. In King Lear, Lear divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their professions of love for him, leading to his downfall and madness after being betrayed by his two eldest daughters. The tragic consequences culminate in the death of his beloved daughter Cordelia, which brings his own death in sorrow. Similarly, Romeo and Juliet tells the story of two lovers caught in a feud between their families, ultimately leading to their untimely deaths. This tragic end forces the families to reconcile, but at great cost.

The Rose-Tree is another tale of familial loss, where a girl is murdered by her stepmother, and her brother seeks to avenge her death. The girl’s spirit, carried in a song from a bird that emerges from a rose tree, leads to the stepmother’s eventual downfall.

These stories, along with others in the collection, reflect a rich and varied tapestry of themes that highlight English folklore, history, and literature. They feature a diverse range of characters, from heroic figures to comedic adventurers, offering timeless lessons about the human experience.