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Thought to have been first written down in the 12th century by an author who is still unknown, "The Nibelungenlied," translated from Middle High German as "The Song of the Nibelungs," is an epic German poem reflecting the oral tradition, heroic motifs, and actual events and individuals from the 5th and 6th centuries. This remarkable work begins with an assurance of both joy and sorrow, though ultimately tragedy reins in "The Nibelungenlied." The early...
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In the year 778 A.D., Charles the Great, King of the Franks, returned from a military expedition into Spain, whither he had been led by opportunities offered through dissensions among the Saracens who then dominated that country. On the 15th of August, while his army was marching through the passes of the Pyrenees, his rear-guard was attacked and annihilated by the Basque inhabitants of the mountains, in the valley of Roncesvaux. About this disaster...
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"The Saga of the Volsungs" is one of the truly great Icelandic sagas. Composed sometime in the twelfth or thirteenth century by an unknown author, it is the story of Sigurd the dragon-slayer. Filled with elements of Norse mythology and great human drama, The Saga of the Volsungs has greatly influenced the fantasy genre of literature. Presented in this volume is the translation of Eiríkr Magnússon and William Morris.
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Here is the tale of the search for the Holy Grail, the vessel that received the blood of Christ upon the day of his Crucifixion. This anonymous story is thought to be a continuation of the French trouvère Chrétien de Troyes' unfinished "Perceval, The Story of the Grail." Written sometime in the early 13th century, this Arthurian Romance remains unique for its high amount of allegorical mysticism and use of Celtic lore. Our hero Perceval here goes...
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First told orally by unknown generations of Welsh storytellers, "The Mabinogion" was subsequently written down in the 13th century in the form of a collection of prose tales. These stories draw on pre-Christian Celtic myth, folklore, and Welsh history and tradition to tell a magical set of stories that reach back to the Iron Age and Arthurian romance. These twelve tales are set in both the land of Wales and a dim otherworld, with a wide cast of vibrant...
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First passed down orally through innumerable generations of minstrels before the presence of Christianity in Scandinavia, and written down eventually by unknown poets, "The Poetic Edda" is a collection of mythological and heroic Old Norse poems. The bulk of the text was preserved for hundreds of years in the Codex Regius of Iceland, a 13th century manuscript which was largely unknown until its rediscovery in the 17th century. Upon this rediscovery...
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The Voyage of Bran is a classic of Irish literature. The story follows Bran mac Febail on his quest to the Otherworld, the realm of the deities. One day while Bran is walking, he hears beautiful music, so beautiful, in fact, that it lulls him to sleep. Upon wakening, he sees a beautiful silver branch in white bloom in front of him. He returns to his royal house, and among his retinue he spots a strangely dressed Otherworld woman, who identifies the...
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First passed down orally through innumerable generations of minstrels before the presence of Christianity in Scandinavia, and written down eventually by unknown poets, "The Poetic Edda" is a collection of mythological and heroic Old Norse poems. It was preserved for hundreds of years in the medieval Codex Regius of Iceland. This body of poetry contains narratives on creation, the Doom of the Gods, the adventures of Thor and hostile giants, and many...
10) Father Frost
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Father Frost is a Russian folktale. Natasha lives with her evil stepmother and sisters. They treat her very badly and send her into the ice cold wood. They expect her to never return. But because of her kindness Father Frost saves the girl. The moral of the story is: be kind and you well rewarded. Recommended for age 6+.
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The old man who made trees blossom is a Japanese folktale. An old man is always patient and kind to everyone. He is rewarded with luck and fortune. His neighbour is jealous and wants to trick him. The moral of the story is: live your life in a good way and you will get good things in return. Recommended for age 8+.
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My Lord Bag of Rice is a Japanese folktale. One day Hidesato decides to go on an adventure. On his way he meets a dragon and isn't afraid. The dragon finds this remarkable and courageous and asks Hidesato for help. The moral of the story is: be brave and courageous and you will be rewarded. Recommended for age 7+.
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Genevieve of Brabant is a popular medieval legend. Genevieve and her husband are betrayed by the new count and she is exiled into the forest. She lives a simple life with her baby son and is helped by the animals. The moral of the story is: be kind to animals and nature. Recommended for age 8+.
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Sinbad the Sailor is a fairy tale from 1001 Arabian Nights. Sinbad the sailor has a great fortune. He tells his friend how he got it. He worked hard, never gave up and was always friendly. The moral of the story is: good things come to those who work hard and are kind. Recommended for age 7+.
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The Flying Dutchman is the famous legend of a ghost ship that is doomed to sail the seas for ever. A captain decided to head out to sea in a big storm. Everybody tries to talk him out of it, but as he's the captain, he decides. Once they set out, strange things begin to happen... The moral of the story is: don't be cocky and don't push your luck. Recommended for age 9+.
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Havamal, or the Ballad of the High One, is the major work of Norse wisdom literature. In one of the key poems in the Poetic Edda we find the counsel of Odin himself. Advice for wanderers, proverbial wisdom, love advice, accounts of Odin's quest after the runes and the mead of poetry, and various spells and incantations fill out this marvellous poem, at once archaic and down to earth. The present translation is in the original alliterative verse, and...
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Arthurian legends have long been the source of countless popular tales. "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is one of the best known and most widely read. During King Arthur's New Year's celebration, a mysterious knight, with green clothes and horse, arrives with a challenge to the knights of the round table-any one of them may swing at the Green Knight with an axe if he too is willing to take a blow one year and one day after. Gawain, one of Arthur's...
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'Puss in Boots' is a true classic of the fairy tale genre, which has delighted readers both young and old, for many centuries. Known varyingly as the 'Master Cat; or, The Booted Cat', 'Il Gatto con Gli Stivali' in Italy and 'Le Maître Chat' in France, this feline trickster has made his way all over the globe. The story tells of a clever cat who uses trickery and deceit in order to gain power, wealth, and the hand of a princess in marriage for his...
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These are wonderful examples of early Hindu writing, with tales showing people how to live ideal lives as husbands, wives kings and servants. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. artwork.
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Une édition de référence de Les Mille et une nuits, Tome II, spécialement conçue pour la lecture sur les supports numériques.
« Sous le règne du calife Haroun Alraschid, il y avait à Bagdad un droguiste qui se nommait Aboulhassan Ebn Thaher, homme puissamment riche, bien fait et très agréable de sa personne. Il avait plus d'esprit et de politesse que n'en ont ordinairement les gens de sa profession, et sa droiture, sa sincérité et l'enjouement...
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