Once upon a time . . . a miller died leaving the mill to his eldest son, his donkey
to his second son and . . . a cat to his youngest son. "Now that's some difference!" you might say; but there you are, that's how the miller was! The eldest son kept the mill, the second son took the donkey and set off in search of his fortune . . . while the third sat down on a stone and sighed, "A cat! What am I going to do with that?" But the cat heard his words and said, "Don't worry, Master. What do you think? That I'm worth less than a half-ruined mill or a mangy donkey? Give me a cloak, a hat with a feather in it, a bag and a pair of boots, and you will see what I can do." The young man, by no means surprised, for it was quite common for cats to talk in those days, gave the cat what he asked for, and as he strode away, confident and cheerful the cat said.....more

Once upon a time there was a little White Rabbit with two beautiful long
pink ears and two bright red eyes and four soft little feet- such a pretty little White Rabbit. But he wasn't happy!....more....

Once upon a time there were three Billy-Goats who were to go up to
the hillside to make themselves fat, and the name of all the three was Gruff. On the way up was a bridge over a river they had to cross; and under the bridge lived a great ugly Troll.....more...

Once upon a time, in olden times when wishing still helped one, there lived a king
whose daughters were all beautiful, but the youngest was so beautiful that the sun itself, which has seen so much, was astonished whenever it shone in her face. Close by the king's castle lay a great dark forest, and under an old lime-tree in the forest was a well, and when the day was very warm, the king's child went out into the forest and sat down by the side of the cool fountain, and when she was bored she took a golden ball, and threw it up on high and caught it, and this ball was her favorite plaything...more

HOME      BACK

More Stories
Read the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams