This story revolves around a Parsee, who lives alone on a secluded island by the Red Sea, and a poorly mannered Rhinoceros. The Parsee bakes a large and delicious cake, only for the Rhinoceros to come along and rudely eat it, much to the Parsee's dismay. In retribution, the Parsee fills the Rhinoceros's skin with cake crumbs when the animal removes it for a swim. Once the Rhinoceros puts his skin back on, the crumbs cause him unbearable discomfort, leading him to rub and scratch until his skin forms folds. This tale humorously explains the reason for the unique appearance of rhinoceroses, symbolizing that bad manners and thoughtlessness may lead to inconvenient consequences.

The story follows the transformation journey of a prideful Kangaroo who wishes to become unique and popular among other animals. Seeking help from various gods, he encounters tough love from Nqong, the Big God, who enlists the relentless pursuit of Yellow-Dog Dingo to ensure the Kangaroo's request is fulfilled. This chase through the vast Australian landscape forces Kangaroo to evolve, developing longer and stronger legs, allowing him to hop and stand out from other animals. Despite achieving the change he desired, Kangaroo reflects on the consequences of his vanity, realizing that the transformation was more arduous and less magical than he imagined. Meanwhile, Dingo is left hungry and confused, yet inadvertently responsible for the Kangaroo's new form. The story humorously highlights themes of self-awareness, caution in what one wishes for, and the unforeseen consequences of one's desires.

The Light Princess by George MacDonald is a fairy tale about a princess cursed by a wicked witch to lose her gravity—both physically and emotionally. Unable to feel the weight of sorrow or love, she floats through life until she learns the true meaning of sacrifice and connection through her bond with a brave prince. The story explores themes of love, selflessness, and the transformative power of human emotion.

The Hungry Tiger of Oz by L. Frank Baum is the twentieth book in the Oz series, written by Ruth Plumly Thompson, who continued the series after Baum's passing. In this adventure, the Hungry Tiger and Betsy Bobbin team up with Prince Reddy of Rash, who has been transformed into a reed, to rescue the kidnapped Queen of Rash. Their journey takes them through magical lands filled with new friends, clever puzzles, and dangerous villains, ultimately restoring the prince and queen while celebrating the enduring magic of Oz.

King Horn' is a medieval romance which tells the tale of a young prince named Horn, whose life takes a tumultuous turn when intruders invade and annihilate his homeland of Suddenne. Horn, the son of King Murry, is cast adrift with his companions by Saracens, finally landing in Westerness. There, Horn matures into a skilled knight, capturing the heart of Princess Rimenhild. Banished from the kingdom by a false accusation, Horn embarks on a journey to reclaim his honor. Throughout his travels, Horn distinguishes himself through valour, ultimately returning in time to thwart an unwanted marriage between Rimenhild and another suitor. The story culminates with Horn's triumph over his adversaries, the restoration of his honor, and the fulfillment of his love for Rimenhild, capturing themes of valour, resilience, and the enduring power of love.

Ozoplaning with the Wizard of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson (not L. Frank Baum, as it was written after his death) is the 33rd book in the Oz series. The story revolves around the Wizard of Oz introducing ozoplanes, futuristic aircraft, to Oz. Dorothy, the Wizard, and several familiar characters embark on an aerial adventure, encountering new lands and characters, including the mysterious realm of Stratovania, while overcoming challenges to return safely to the Emerald City.

The story revolves around a Whale who once ate all the fish in the sea until only a clever and small 'Stute Fish remained. The 'Stute Fish cleverly suggests to the hungry Whale the taste of Man, directing him to a resourceful shipwrecked Mariner. The Whale, enticed, swallows the Mariner and his raft but soon regrets it as the Mariner causes havoc inside his belly. The Mariner, using his wit, constructs a grating with his jack-knife and suspenders inside the Whale's throat, preventing it from eating anything but small fish. In exchange for being taken back to his homeland, the Mariner exits the Whale, leaving the grating in place, explaining why whales can no longer swallow large creatures. The Mariner returns home, and both he and the Whale live happily ever after, with the small 'Stute Fish hiding from potential retribution. This fable captures a whimsical origin story, combining cleverness, resourcefulness, and humor to explain why whales today eat only small fish.

The story offers a whimsical tale set in a Neolithic era featuring a man named Tegumai Bopsulai, his wife Teshumai Tewindrow, and their daughter Taffimai Metallumai, affectionately known as Taffy. It humorously depicts how the first letter was supposedly invented. As Tegumai accidentally breaks his spear while fishing and has no extra, Taffy tries to communicate with a stranger to send a message home by drawing pictures, leading to a series of misunderstandings. Taffy's drawings are interpreted as a plea for help against attacking enemies, causing the whole tribe to assemble in confusion. The narrative encapsulates how early communication via pictures led to the conception of writing, while also emphasizing themes of family bonding, creativity, and the innocence of childhood curiosity. The story is light and engaging, providing a creative explanation for the evolution of written communication.

This story portrays a charming and imaginative tale about the creation of the alphabet by a young girl named Taffy and her father Tegumai from a Neolithic Tribe. In their quest to communicate effectively without speaking, Taffy and Tegumai invent basic pictograms that represent different sounds and objects, eventually evolving into a primitive version of an alphabet. Through playful exchanges and lessons in phonetics and creative thinking, the story highlights the origins of written language, and fosters an understanding of how symbols and sounds can be connected to convey messages. It's a delightful way to introduce younger learners to the concept of language development, illustrating the curiosity and inventiveness that can stimulate learning and growth.

This story tells a mythical tale about the formation of the world and the role animals play in it, emphasizing the whimsical and imaginative origins of natural phenomena. It begins with the Eldest Magician organizing the Earth and Sea and instructing animals on their roles, reflecting themes of order and preordained roles in the natural world. However, Pau Amma, the crab, defies this order by refusing to be obedient, leading to his own story of pride and humility. The tale cleverly aligns natural events, such as tides and crab behavior, with magical interpretations. Pau Amma's rebellion results in him being humbled by the Eldest Magician, and the story ends with a moral about the importance of playing one's intended role while acknowledging the playful yet enlightening perspective on how various geographic features and life patterns were established. The story also suggests an eternal cycle where even the smallest entities hold great significance, reinforcing themes of responsibility and consequence.