Stories About Kings

Read Stories About Kings Online

This collection features a variety of stories centered around kings, from fairy tales to classic myths. The stories span across different themes such as justice, wisdom, family, and transformation.

Kings and their Kingdoms

In many stories, kings govern kingdoms and face challenges that require wisdom or courage. King Grumbelo is a well-meaning but dull ruler who is encouraged to find a queen to bring joy to his people. The Coming of the King tells the story of children who prepare for the visit of a king, only to meet a traveler who shares kindness with them instead. The Kingdom of the Lion explores the challenges faced by a wise king trying to promote peace among animals, while The King of the Polar Bears features a king who regains his throne after being temporarily dethroned.

Kings and their Trials

Several stories focus on kings who must prove themselves or face trials. The Magician’s Tea-Party follows King Wistful, who is bored with his life until a journey allows him to see his kingdom with new eyes. A Scandal in Bohemia involves a king’s secret struggle with a woman, revealing the human side of royalty. The Worthy One presents a challenge where a king’s sons must confess their father’s sins to inherit the throne, with the silent son being crowned the rightful heir. In King Alfred and the Cakes, King Alfred faces a moment of humility when he burns cakes, leading him to reflect on his leadership.

Royal Love and Family

Many stories revolve around the relationships between kings and their families, especially in cases of love or betrayal. Sun, Moon, and Talia is a tale of a king’s daughter, Talia, who falls into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by a king’s love. In Jullanar of the Sea, a king marries a woman who initially appears to be a mute slave, only to later discover she is royalty. The Story of Conn-Eda involves a king’s son who faces betrayal from his stepmother but ultimately overcomes challenges and finds love.

Transformation and Magic

Several stories explore themes of transformation, both magical and metaphorical, among kings. The Frog Princess tells the story of a prince who is transformed into a frog and eventually returns to his true form after a princess breaks the spell. The Golden Touch follows King Midas, who gains the ability to turn everything he touches into gold, only to regret the wish when it causes his downfall. The Ice King involves a young man who confronts the Ice King and breaks his spell, ending the harsh winter.

Kings in Conflict and Power Struggles

Conflict among kings often shapes the fate of entire kingdoms. In King Lear, King Lear’s decision to divide his kingdom among his daughters leads to tragedy, as his chosen heirs betray him. The Story of the Fisherman and His Wife depicts a fisherman’s wife whose insatiable desires lead to the collapse of their once-modest life. Macbeth tells the tale of King Macbeth, whose ambition and paranoia lead to his downfall after murdering King Duncan to seize the throne.

Kings and Their Legacy

A number of stories reflect on the legacy kings leave behind, especially in the face of misfortune or self-realization. King Bubbles explores the absurdity of a king’s obsession with bubbles, and how it affects his kingdom. In The Queen Of Quok, a young king manages to change his fate through cleverness and magic, ultimately reclaiming his wealth and position. The Golden Bird follows a king’s sons who fail to protect a treasure, yet the youngest succeeds in retrieving it, gaining wisdom and the king’s approval.

Kings and the Supernatural

Kings often interact with the supernatural, whether through magical beings, curses, or quests. The Poppies tells the story of a king who is cursed to sleep for years after seeking a cure for his insomnia, only to awaken to a new reality. The Sea King’s Gift features a fisherman and his wife whose wishes granted by the Sea King lead to their eventual loss of riches. The Bones of Djulung focuses on a girl who helps a magical fish, which ultimately leads to a king marrying her after her connection to the fish’s bones is revealed.

These stories of kings and their realms reveal various aspects of royalty: the responsibilities of ruling, the consequences of greed or folly, the power of love and family, and the enduring impact of decisions made. Through trials, magic, conflict, and resolution, these kings navigate their destinies, leaving their marks on the kingdoms they govern.