Dutch Fairy Tales for Young Folks

audiobook

Dutch Fairy Tales for Young Folks

by William Elliot Griffis

EN·~4 hours·21 chapters

Chapters

21 total

THE ENTANGLED MERMAID

11:45

THE BOY WHO WANTED MORE CHEESE

10:59

THE PRINCESS WITH TWENTY PETTICOATS

11:33

THE CAT AND THE CRADLE

13:00

PRINCE SPIN HEAD AND MISS SNOW WHITE

12:36

THE BOAR WITH THE GOLDEN BRISTLES

10:21

THE ICE KING AND HIS WONDERFUL GRANDCHILD

9:50

THE ELVES AND THEIR ANTICS

16:14

THE KABOUTERS AND THE BELLS

17:26

THE WOMAN WITH THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SIX CHILDREN

16:05
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Description

In a shimmering pool that mixes fresh and salt water, a proud young mermaid lives with her bearded father, graceful mother, and stylish aunts. Their island home is a model of order, where noisy birds and unruly sea‑creatures are shooed away, and the merfolk spend their days swimming, gathering pearls, and preparing elaborate picnics. The story opens with the mermaid and her family planning a festive gathering while their parents are away on a brief visit.

The mermaids chatter about human fashions, wondering what it would feel like to wear clothes or walk on legs. Their curiosity sparks lively debates, from the practicality of petticoats to the mystery of wooden shoes, all while they adorn themselves with bright seaweed crowns and polished shells. Their playful rivalry over beauty and the selection of a queen adds a touch of courtly drama to the otherwise tranquil setting.

As the party approaches, the young mermaid’s imagination swells with dreams of the world above the water, hinting at adventures that may soon test the boundaries of her underwater realm.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~4 hours (262K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Tonya Allen and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.

Release date

Apr 1, 2005

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

William Elliot Griffis

William Elliot Griffis

1843–1928

A lively American writer, teacher, and minister who helped introduce many English-speaking readers to Japan during a time of rapid change. His books blend firsthand experience, history, and a strong curiosity about the wider world.

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