A certain man had a donkey, which had carried the corn-sacks to the mill indefatigably for many a long year; but his strength was going, and he was growing more and more unfit for work.
Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children ...
The wife of a rich man fell sick, and as she felt that her end was drawing near, she called her only daughter to her bedside and said ...
Ages ago, when the giants were numerous on the earth, there lived a big fellow named Antigonus.
There was an emperor, who ruled over a whole world, and in this world lived an old shepherd and shepherdess, who had three daughters, Anna, Stana, and Laptitza.
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There was once a king's son; nobody had so many or such beautiful books as he had ...
Now we are about to begin, and you must attend; and when we get to the end of the story, you will know more than you do now ...
There was once a little girl who was very pretty and delicate, but in summer she was forced to run about with bare feet ...
A sprightly tailor was employed by the great Macdonald, in his castle at Saddell, in order to make the laird a pair of trews, used in olden time.
A rich woman sat up late one night carding and preparing wool, while all the family and servants were asleep.
Once upon a time the Devil was seized with a desire to marry.
Once upon a time there was a man with three daughters, who earned his living by gathering wild herbs.
Once upon a time there was a fisherman who had a wife and many children.
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Newtown, or Franchville, as 't was called of old, is a sleepy little town, as you all may know, upon the Solent shore.
In the days of the great Prince Arthur, there lived a mighty magician, called Merlin, the most learned and skilful enchanter the world has ever seen.
There was once a mighty emperor and empress. Both were young and handsome, and as they desired the blessing of children they did every thing that was necessary to secure it, that is they went to the witches and philosophers and asked them to read the stars to find out whether they would have children or not.
Near a town in India called Ikshumati, on a beautiful wide river, with trees belonging to a great forest near its banks, there dwelt a holy man named Mana Kanaka, who spent a great part of his life praying to God.
In the city of Vardhamana in India there lived a powerful king named Vira-Bhuja, who, as was the custom in his native land, had many wives, each of whom had several sons.
Long, long ago there lived far away in India a woodcutter called Subha Datta and his family, who were all very happy together.
One can hardly think of Wales without a harp.
No one intended to leave Martha alone that afternoon, but it happened that everyone was called away, for one reason or another.
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Once upon a time there was a fagot-maker and his wife, who had seven children, all boys. The eldest was but ten years old, and the youngest only seven.They were very poor, and their seven children were a great source of trouble to them because not one of them was able to earn his bread.
Once upon a time there was a king and a queen, who were very sorry that they had no children, - so sorry that it cannot be told.
Once upon a time there was a widow who had two daughters. The elder was so much like her, both in looks and character, that whoever saw the daughter saw the mother.
There was an aged fisherman, who was so poor, that he could scarcely as much as would maintain himself, his wife, and three children.
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English Edition. March 19, 2010