Native American Stories

Maoriland Fairy Tales by Edith Howes.

Most of the tales have some basis in history. It is an oral language so all histories have to be remembered and retold. To help with this memory retelling the carvings all have relative information and prompts, stories of Atua (sort of gods) and other people (pakeha) that have been encountered are all blended into the stories. One of the amazing things to listen to is a person's whakapapa (family line). My son's father can tell his whakapapa right back to first landing in the canoe Aotea. It takes hours with the stories of battles, moving and resettling and then the invasion of British soldiers and settlers. Those pale fairies in one of the recent stories would most probably have been Malaysian or Portugese fishermen/explorers. The Tikanga (way to behave/live) is quite strict and the stories support keeping people in line.

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South African Folk-Tales by James A. Honeÿ.

James Albert Honeij (Honey) has collected a variety of South African folktales from previously published sources in English translation, to which he has also added some folktales translated from Afrikaans, along with some stories that he remembers hearing as a child. There are San stories, along with Khoekhoe stories, as well as some stories from Bantu traditions of southern Africa. The focus is on animal stories, including many stories about the trickster jackal.

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Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Emerald Story Book.

There is no richer theme for children’s stories than the miracle of Spring. Some of the myths and legends are interesting or amusing because flowers, insects, or birds are presented as personalities and emphasise human qualities or feelings. Some of the stories and poems contribute to the child’s store of knowledge by attracting his attention to some fact, beauty, or blessing in nature which may have escaped his notice. Still others make an appeal by suggesting or affirming the abiding hope symbolised in the thought, “See the land her Easter keeping.” The child’s heart is filled with the joy of spring,—with the rapture expressed in the thrush’s song which Mrs. Ewing describes. “Fresh water and green woods, ambrosial sunshine and sun-flecked shade, chattering brooks and rustling leaves, glade and sward and dell. Lichens and cool mosses, feathered ferns and flowers. Green leaves!

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Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Three Elephant Power and Other Stories by Banjo Paterson.

From Banjo Paterson, bush poet and favorite son of Australia, here is a collection of colorful stories from Australia that offer a window into the past and the culture of the region.

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Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Children's stories that never grow old.

A timeless collection of beloved children's tales, beautifully adapted by Mary Stone and brought to life with enchanting illustrations by John R. Neill.

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Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Talking Thrush And Other Tales From India by W. H. D. Rouse.

This is the second collection by this author of charming folk tales from India. Parents or those in loco parentis should be aware that as in all folk literature, in addition to humor and wisdom, here is some degree of suffering and death. These tales may not be suitable for the very young.

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Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Golden Porch by W. M. L. Hutchinson.

Embark on a captivating journey exploring the uncharted realms of ancient Greek storytelling! Drawing inspiration from the timeless Odes of Pindar instead of the usual myths, it presents renowned sagas such as Jason's epic and the enchanting birth of Castor and Pollux, but also lesser-known tales as told by one of the greatest of the Greek Poets of the Classic age, here retold by an avid classicist with a special affinity to Greek Mythology.

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Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Zanzibar Tales by George W. Bateman.

If you have read any accounts of adventure in Africa, you will know that travelers never mention animals of any kind that are gifted with the faculty of speech, or gazelles that are overseers for native princes, or hares that eat flesh. No, indeed; only the native-born know of these; and, judging by the immense and rapid strides civilization is making in those parts, it will not be long before such wonderful specimens of zoölogy will be as extinct as the ichthyosaurus, dinornis, and other poor creatures who never dreamed of the awful names that would be applied to them when they were too long dead to show their resentment.

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Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

"American Indian Stories" by Zitkala-Sa is a poignant collection that captures the rich tapestry of Native American life through personal narratives and cultural reflections. The themes of identity, displacement, and the struggle to preserve cultural heritage resonate deeply, highlighting the enduring impact of colonialism on indigenous communities. Zitkala-Sa's eloquent storytelling offers listeners a window into the complexities of American Indian experiences, emphasizing the importance of understanding and honoring these stories in contemporary society. The work serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of Native peoples, urging us to confront historical injustices while celebrating the beauty of their traditions. This audiobook is essential for anyone seeking to appreciate the profound depth of American Indian narratives and the ongoing relevance of their voices today.

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Myths and Legends Around the World by Collection 06-Various.

You get to choose what you want to read! We are looking for representations of many different cultures within each collection.

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Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.