The Key of Gold: 23 Czech Folk Tales

Joseph Baudis (1883 - )
Translated by Joseph Baudis (1883 - )

Not your common fairy tales, this collection is a mixture of morals, quirkiness, and sarcasm. In it one finds ironic derivatives (if not roots) of well known fairy tales such as “The Brave Little Taylor” and “Beauty and the Beast,” as well as some more unusual settings to impart the popular fairy tale themes of justice and happily ever after. Most stories are told with wry humor and often shocking irreverence for the expected fairy tale turn out. This is NOT a book for children, but one for adults who love fairy tales, and enjoy making fun of them.

DISCLAIMER: Story 09 contains some racially offensive material in its ending. Due to the LibriVox mission of reading, rather than rewriting, literature in the public domain, it has not been omitted from this anthology.

(Summary by MariaSC)

Genre(s): Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Introduction Maria Celano
00:05:13
Play 01 The Twelve Months Maria Celano
00:17:35
Play 02 VÍTAZKO Maria Celano
00:28:23
Play 03 Boots, Cloak, and Ring Brian Knapp
00:13:56
Play 04 Silly Jura Jessica Orlando
00:06:02
Play 05 Sleepy John Peter Yearsley
00:09:04
Play 06 Three Doves Christiane Levesque
00:31:26
Play 07 The Bear, the Eagle, and the Fish Maria Celano
00:06:31
Play 08 Kojata Maddie
00:07:38
Play 09 Shepherd Hynek Brian Knapp
00:21:01
Play 10 The Three Roses Alys AtteWater
00:04:15
Play 11 The Enchanted Princess featherheadfop
00:11:42
Play 12 The Twin Brothers Alys AtteWater
00:10:26
Play 13 The Waternick Christiane Levesque
00:06:19
Play 14 The Man Who Met Misery Maddie
00:04:57
Play 15 Nine at a Blow Brian Knapp
00:06:35
Play 16 A Clever Lass Maddie
00:05:48
Play 17 The Soldier and the Devil Christiane Levesque
00:06:24
Play 18 Old Nick and Kitty Elizabeth Palmer
00:03:31
Play 19 The Knight Bambus featherheadfop
00:04:12
Play 20 Francis and Martin Christiane Levesque
00:04:11
Play 21 Witches at the Cross Christiane Levesque
00:01:27
Play 22 The Witch and the Horseshoes Elizabeth Palmer
00:01:53
Play 23 The Haunted Mill Christiane Levesque
00:01:38