Polish Fairy Tales

A. J. Glinski (1817 - 1866)
Translated by Maude Ashurst Biggs (1857 - 1933)

These are selections from a large collection made by A. J. Glinski, printed at Wilna in 1862. These fairy tales come from a far past and may even date from primitive times. They represent the folklore current among the peasantry of the Eastern provinces of Poland, and also in those provinces usually known as White Russia. They were set down by Glinski just as they were related to him by the peasants. In the translation it was of course necessary to shorten them considerably; the continual repetition—however quaint and fascinating in the original—cannot easily be reproduced. Portions, too, are often told in rhyme, or in a species of rhyming prose that we associate with the ancient ballad. The obvious likenesses between these and the folklore of Germany, the Celtic nations, or to the Indian fairy-tales, will strike every reader. The stories are longer than usual but very rewarding and fun to listen to. (Summary by preface and phil chenevert)

Genre(s): Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 1 - The Frog Princess Woolly Bee
00:16:19
Play 02 2 - Princess Miranda and Prince Hero DVoice
00:18:51
Play 03 3 - The Eagles DVoice
00:11:41
Play 04 4 - The Whirlwind Maria Kasper
00:21:52
Play 05 5 - The Good Ferryman and the Water Nymphs Maria Kasper
00:22:27
Play 06 6 - The Princess of the Brazen Mountain Mike Pelton
00:12:00
Play 07 7 - The Bear in the Forest Hut Maria Kasper
00:22:15