The dwarf's spectacles, and other fairy tales

audiobook

The dwarf's spectacles, and other fairy tales

by Max Simon Nordau

EN·~6 hours·22 chapters

Chapters

22 total
1

THE DWARF’S SPECTACLES

0:09
2

WHY THE ROSE-BUSH HAS THORNS

9:01
3

LAST YEAR’S FLY

11:53
4

LIKE SEEKS LIKE

11:06
5

THE PROUD DOLL

18:25
6

THE GRATEFUL SPARROWS

17:47
7

THE SIX LITTLE GLOW-WORMS

14:27
8

THE DWARF’S SPECTACLES

29:25
9

THE GOLDEN BEETLE THAT WENT ON HIS TRAVELS

23:58
10

THE GOLD BRAIDS

14:46

Description

This charming collection gathers a dozen short fairy tales that weave simple wonder with gentle lessons, spoken in a warm, conversational voice that makes each vignette feel like a fireside chat. The stories range from mischievous dwarfs to curious garden creatures, rendered in language that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

In one story a nightingale builds a nest in a rose‑bush and learns why the plant grew sharp thorns after a jealous cat stirs trouble, turning a prickly inconvenience into a gentle reminder about protection. Another tale follows a dwarf who finds magical spectacles that reveal hidden truths, showing how curiosity can turn the ordinary into marvel.

Each story is brief, perfect for bedtime or a quiet afternoon, allowing listeners to drift from one enchanted vignette to the next without losing the thread of imagination. The gentle pacing and soft moral whispers make the collection a comforting companion for young ears and nostalgic hearts alike.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~6 hours (401K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Original publisher

New York: The Knickerbocker Press, 1916.

Credits

Bob Taylor, The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Release date

2025-11-20

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Max Simon Nordau

Max Simon Nordau

1849–1923

A doctor, critic, and fiery public speaker, he became one of the early leading voices of political Zionism while also writing sharp, widely discussed books about modern culture. His life moved between medicine, journalism, and activism, giving his work an unusual mix of argument, urgency, and style.

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