Brabo and the giant

“Brabo and the Giant” is a Dutch folktale that tells the story of a brave Roman soldier who challenged a fearsome giant terrorizing the Scheldt river. This giant, known as Antigoon, demanded a toll from passing ships, and those who refused had their hands cut off. Brabo, unwilling to let this cruelty continue, confronted the […]

Prince Spin Head and Miss Snow White

“Prince Spin Head and Miss Snow White” – a captivating Dutch folk tale that weaves a magical story of love, transformation, and inner beauty. Discover a unique twist on familiar fairytale themes as you delve into the lives of a misunderstood prince and a pure-hearted maiden. This charming narrative explores the power of kindness and […]

Santa Klaas and Black Pete

“Sinterklaas and Black Pete” – a beloved Dutch folk tale, vividly recounts the yearly arrival of Saint Nicholas from Spain. This festive story centers around the generous Sinterklaas, who brings gifts to well-behaved children. He is accompanied by his sidekick, Black Pete, a controversial figure whose origins and role have been debated. The tale is […]

The boar with the golden bristles

“The Boar with the Golden Bristles” is a captivating Dutch folk tale that transports readers to a world of magic and wonder. This timeless story follows the adventures of a brave young hero as he embarks on a perilous quest. His mission? To capture the elusive boar with golden bristles, a creature of immense power […]

The boy who wanted more cheese

“The Boy Who Wanted More Cheese” is a charming Dutch folktale that explores themes of contentment, greed, and the importance of appreciating what one has. The story follows a young boy who, despite having a generous portion of cheese, is never satisfied and constantly craves more. His insatiable desire leads him on a journey filled […]

The cat and the cradle

“The Cat and the Cradle” is a Dutch folktale that revolves around a cunning cat and a naive baby left in a cradle. This classic story explores themes of trust, responsibility, and the potential dangers that can arise when those are misplaced. Dive into the world of old Dutch folklore with this charming yet cautionary […]

The curly-tailed lion

“The Curly-Tailed Lion” – a Dutch folk tale brimming with wit and charm. This delightful story follows the adventures of a lion with a distinctive curly tail, setting him apart from his peers. The lion’s unusual tail becomes a source of both amusement and unexpected advantage as he navigates the challenges of the African savanna. […]

The elves and their antics

“The Elves and Their Antics” is a captivating Dutch folktale brimming with mischievousness and unexpected twists. The story follows the escapades of playful elves who use their magic for both good and, at times, frustrating pranks. Discover how these tiny creatures interact with the human world, often leaving bewildered villagers in their wake. This classic […]

The entangled mermaid

“The Entangled Mermaid” – a captivating Dutch folktale that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the allure of the sea. The story follows a fisherman who encounters a beautiful mermaid trapped in a net. He frees her, and in return, she grants him a wish. However, his wish leads to unforeseen consequences, as he and […]

The farm that ran away and came back

“The Farm That Ran Away and Came Back” – a heartwarming Dutch folktale that explores themes of contentment, community, and the importance of home. This enchanting story follows a farm that, dissatisfied with its current life, decides to uproot itself and seek greener pastures. As the farm journeys through various landscapes, it encounters different experiences […]

The goblins turned to stone

“The Goblins Turned to Stone” – a captivating Dutch folk tale that explores themes of greed, foolishness, and the consequences of disrespecting nature. The story centers around a group of mischievous goblins who are tempted by the allure of hidden treasure. Their relentless pursuit of wealth leads them to a sacred place where they encounter […]

The golden helmet

“The Golden Helmet” – a classic Dutch folktale, immerses readers in a world of mystery and wonder. This enchanting story follows a brave knight and his quest to recover a stolen treasure. The golden helmet, a symbol of power and justice, becomes the focus of intrigue. Journey through treacherous landscapes and encounter cunning adversaries. Experience […]

The ice king and his wonderful grandchild

“The Ice King and His Wonderful Grandchild” is a captivating Dutch folktale filled with magic, love, and resilience. This enchanting story tells of a young woman’s journey to the Ice King’s palace to rescue her beloved, who has been enchanted. She faces perilous challenges and must outsmart the Ice King with her cleverness and pure […]

The kabouters and the bells

“The Kabouters and the Bells” is a Dutch folktale full of magic, community, and the reward of kindness. This enchanting story tells the tale of the kabouters, tiny, gnome-like creatures who secretly helped a village prosper. Their tireless work ensured the villagers’ success, but their anonymity was crucial. A change in the village, marked by […]

The legend of the wooden shoe

“The Legend of the Wooden Shoe” is a Dutch folktale that explains the origin of the iconic wooden shoes, known as klompen. This charming story is woven with themes of love, sacrifice, and the resourcefulness of the Dutch people. The narrative often revolves around a young man who desires to marry a woman but faces […]

The mouldy Penny

“The Mouldy Penny” is a Dutch folk tale that explores themes of greed, karma, and the surprising ways in which fortune can turn. This classic story revolves around a seemingly worthless, mouldy penny and its unexpected journey through the hands of various individuals. Each character’s interaction with the penny reveals their true nature, highlighting the […]

The Oni on his travels

“The Oni on his travels” – a Dutch folk tale about a mischievous Oni who decides to leave his mountain home and explore the world. This classic story explores themes of greed, cleverness, and the consequences of unchecked power. Join the Oni as he encounters villagers, animals, and even other supernatural creatures, testing his strength […]

The princess with twenty petticoats

“The Princess with Twenty Petticoats” – a Dutch folk tale brimming with wit and charm, explores themes of cunning, disguise, and true identity. This lesser-known gem unveils the story of a princess who cleverly outsmarts a persistent suitor through an elaborate ruse involving, you guessed it, twenty petticoats! The story is a delightful exploration of […]

The woman with three hundred and sixty-six children

“The Woman with Three Hundred and Sixty-Six Children” is a Dutch folk tale that explores themes of fertility, envy, and divine intervention. This unique story follows a woman blessed (or burdened) with an extraordinary number of children, one for each day of the year plus one more. Her remarkable situation draws both admiration and jealousy […]

When Wheat Worked Woe

“When Wheat Worked Woe” is a Dutch folk tale about a baker who becomes obsessed with creating the perfect loaf of bread. Driven by greed, he uses more and more wheat, neglecting the needs of his family and community. As his obsession grows, the wheat begins to exert a strange power over him, leading to […]

Why the stork loves Holland

“Why the Stork Loves Holland” is a Dutch folk tale explaining the special connection between storks and the Netherlands. This charming story delves into the origins of the stork’s affinity for the country’s landscape and its people. Legend has it that storks were once ordinary birds, but a specific act of kindness transformed them and […]