We always hope that the stories we share with you on The Apple Seed spark memories for you to share with the people that you love. Sometimes those memories are sparked by listening to personal stories, and other times by listening to tall tales and fairy tales. So sit back, relax, and get ready to have the memories wash over you as you listen to stories about Day and Night, grasshoppers, and small-tooth dogs. 

 

On today’s episode, enjoy the following:

"Creation of Day and Night" by Susan Strauss from Dreams of Animals: Myths and Personal Stories of Animals (10:40)

Susan Strauss is recognized internationally for her stories about the natural world. She combines mythic/traditional stories with personal anecdotes and scientific information to provoke an experience of natural archetypes: animals, mountains, trees, and plants. In this story from Ms. Strauss, you'll learn how day and night came to be.

      

"Why the Sky is Far Away" by Liz Weir from Here, There and Everywhere (4:08)

In an episode featuring stories about lessons learned from the natural world - myths and legends about plants, animals, and other natural phenomena - here's another story explaining how something came to be the way it is. This one from West Africa is from Liz Weir, a longtime friend of The Appleseed from Ireland, and is about why the sky is far away. 

 

"Giggly Biggly and the Invitation" by Jim Weiss from Animal Tales (9:08)

Here's a little piece from Jim Weiss that features Giggly Biggly, a polar bear, as well as other delightful animals including a raccoon and a delivery kangaroo. It's a story about a wedding invitation, a party, and a new outfit just right for the occasion. It's a story you're sure to enjoy 'biggly'. 

 

"The Grasshopper and the Ants" by Donna Washington from A Tureen of Tales (8:33) 

Only Donna Washington could tell another storyteller's story, in this case Aesop, and make it her own. Here's Donna's rendition of "The Grasshopper and the Ants" from Aesop's Fables. Donna's story is about hard work and it recognizes that there's room for just about everyone. 

 

"The Small-Tooth Dog" by Priscilla Howe from 5 Stories (6:41)

Up next is a live recording of a story from Priscilla Howe called "The Small-Tooth Dog" about a talking dog who saves a man from a band of robbers.

 

"Monkey and Frog” by Laura Simms from Four Legged Tales: Animal Stories From Here and Away (4:05)

Laura Simms has collected animals stories from all over the world. And you're sure to recognize this story from West Africa, or at least elements of it. This is a story about a monkey who is a great cook, manages a home well, and has a friend who is a frog. But Mr. Frog is lazy. So it sounds a little bit like the old story of "The Grasshopper and the Ants", the story we brought you earlier from Donna Washington. The truth is, some of the stories that we love the most from one place have echoes in stories all over the world. We hope this story reminds you of other stories you know and love.