The Wise Little Girl

Once upon a time in the immense Russian steppe, lay a little village where nearly all the
inhabitants bred horses. It was the month of October, when a big livestock market was held yearly in
the main town. Two brothers, one rich and the other one poor, set off for market. The rich man rode a
stallion, and the poor brother a young mare.
At dusk, they stopped beside an empty hut and tethered their horses outside, before going to sleep
themselves on two heaps of straw. Great was their surprise, when, next morning they saw three
horses outside, instead of two. Well, to be exact the newcomer was not really a horse. It was a foal, to
which the mare had given birth during the night. Soon it had the strength to struggle to its feet, and
after a drink of its mother's milk, the foal staggered its first few steps. The stallion greeted it with a
cheerful whinny, and when the two brothers set eyes on it for the first time, the foal was standing
beside the stallion.
"It belongs to me!" exclaimed Dimitri, the rich brother, the minute he saw it. "It's my stallion's foal."
Ivan, the poor brother, began to laugh.
"Whoever heard of a stallion having a foal? It was born to my mare!"
"No, that's not true! It was standing close to the stallion, so it's the stallion's foal. And therefore it's
mine!" The brothers started to quarrel, then they decided to go to town and bring the matter before the
judges. Still arguing, they headed for the big square where the courtroom stood. But what they didn't
know was that it was a special day, the day when, once a year, the Emperor himself administered the
law. He himself received all who came seeking justice. The brothers were ushered into his presence,
and they told him all about the dispute.
Of course, the Emperor knew perfectly well who was the owner of the foal. He was on the point of
proclaiming in favor of the poor brother, when suddenly Ivan developed an unfortunate twitch in his
eye. The Emperor was greatly annoyed by this familiarity by a humble peasant, and decided to punish
Ivan for his disrespect. After listening to both sides of the story, he declared it was difficult, indeed
impossible, to say exactly who was the foal's rightful owner. And being in the mood for a spot of fun,
and since he loved posing riddles and solving them as well, to the amusement of his counselors, he
exclaimed.
"I can't judge which of you should have the foal, so it will be awarded to whichever of you solves the
following four riddles: what is the fastest thing in the world? What is the fattest? What's the softest and
what is the most precious? I command you to return to the palace in a week's time with your
answers!" Dimitri started to puzzle over the answers as soon as he left the courtroom. When he
reached home, however, he realized he had nobody to help him.
"Well, I'll just have to seek help, for if I can't solve these riddles, I'll lose the foal!" Then he
remembered a woman, one of his neighbors, to whom he had once lent a silver ducat. That had been
some time ago, and with the interest, the neighbor now owed him three ducats. And since she had a
reputation for being quick-witted, but also very astute, he decided to ask her advice, in exchange for
canceling part of her debt. But the woman was not slow to show how astute she really was, and
promptly demanded that the whole debt be wiped out in exchange for the answers.
"The fastest thing in the world is my husband's bay horse," she said. "Nothing can beat it! The
fattest is our pig! Such a huge beast has never been seen! The softest is the quilt I made for the bed,
using my own goose's feathers. It's the envy of all my friends. The most precious thing in the world is
my three-month old nephew. There isn't a more handsome child. I wouldn't exchange him for all the
gold on earth, and that makes him the most precious thing on earth!"
Dimitri was rather doubtful about the woman's answers being correct. On the other hand, he had to
take some kind of solution back to the Emperor. And he guessed, quite rightly, that if he didn't, he
would be punished.
In the meantime, Ivan, who was a widower, had gone back to the humble cottage where he lived with

his small daughter. Only seven years old, the little girl was often left alone, and as a result, was
thoughtful and very clever for her age. The poor man took the little girl into his confidence, for like his
brother, he knew he would never be able to find the answers by himself. The child sat in silence for a
moment, then firmly said.
"Tell the Emperor that the fastest thing in the world is the cold north wind in winter. The fattest is the
soil in our fields whose crops give life to men and animals alike, the softest thing is a child's caress
and the most precious is honesty."
The day came when the two brothers were to return before the Emperor. They were led into his
presence. The Emperor was curious to hear what they had to say, but he roared with laughter at
Dimitri's foolish answers. However, when it was Ivan's turn to speak, a frown spread over the
Emperor's face. The poor brother's wise replies made him squirm, especially the last one, about
honesty, the most precious thing of all. The Emperor knew perfectly well that he had been dishonest
in his dealings with the poor brother, for he had denied him justice. But he could not bear to admit it in
front of his own counselors, so he angrily demanded:
"Who gave you these answers?" Ivan told the Emperor that it was his small daughter. Still annoyed,
the great man said.
"You shall be rewarded for having such a wise and clever daughter. You shall be awarded the foal that
your brother claimed, together with a hundred silver ducats... But... but..." and the Emperor winked at
his counselors.
"You will come before me in seven days' time, bringing your daughter. And since she's so clever, she
must appear before me neither naked nor dressed, neither on foot nor on horseback, neither bearing
gifts nor empty-handed. And if she does this, you will have your reward. If not, you'll have your head
chopped off for your impudence!"
The onlookers began to laugh, knowing that the poor man would never to able to fulfill the Emperor's
conditions. Ivan went home in despair, his eyes brimming with tears. But when he had told his
daughter what had happened, she calmly said.
"Tomorrow, go and catch a hare and a partridge. Both must be alive! You'll have the foal and the
hundred silver ducats! Leave it to me!" Ivan did as his daughter said. He had no idea what the two
creatures were for, but he trusted in his daughter's wisdom.
On the day of the audience with the Emperor, the palace was thronged with bystanders, waiting for
Ivan and his small daughter to arrive. At last, the little girl appeared, draped in a fishing net, riding the
hare and holding the partridge in her hand. She was neither naked nor dressed, on foot or on
horseback. Scowling, the Emperor told her.
"I said neither bearing gifts nor empty-handed!" At these words, the little girl held out the partridge.
The Emperor stretched out his hand to grasp it, but the bird fluttered into the air. The third condition
had been fulfilled. In spite of himself, the Emperor could not help admiring the little girl who had so
cleverly passed such a test, and in a gentler voice, he said.
"Is your father terribly poor, and does he desperately need the foal."
"Oh, yes!" replied the little girl. "We live on the hares he catches in the rivers and the fish he picks
from the trees!"
"Aha!" cried the Emperor triumphantly. "So you're not as clever as you seem to be! Whoever heard of
hares in the river and fish in the trees! To which the little girl swiftly replied.
"And whoever heard of a stallion having a foal?" At that, both Emperor and Court burst into peals of
laughter. Ivan was immediately given his hundred silver ducats and the foal, and the Emperor
proclaimed.
"Only in my kingdom could such a wise little girl be born!"

The Princess and the Pea

Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess; but she would have to
be a real princess. He travelled all over the world to find one, but nowhere could he get what he
wanted. There were princesses enough, but it was difficult to find out whether they were real ones.
There was always something about them that was not as it should be. So he came home again and
was sad, for he would have liked very much to have a real princess.
One evening a terrible storm came on; there was thunder and lightning, and the rain poured down in
torrents. Suddenly a knocking was heard at the city gate, and the old king went to open it.
It was a princess standing out there in front of the gate. But, good gracious! what a sight the rain and
the wind had made her look. The water ran down from her hair and clothes; it ran down into the toes
of her shoes and out again at the heels. And yet she said that she was a real princess.
"Well, we'll soon find that out," thought the old queen. But she said nothing, went into the bed-room,
took all the bedding off the bedstead, and laid a pea on the bottom; then she took twenty mattresses
and laid them on the pea, and then twenty eider-down beds on top of the mattresses.
On this the princess had to lie all night. In the morning she was asked how she had slept.
"Oh, very badly!" said she. "I have scarcely closed my eyes all night. Heaven only knows what was in
the bed, but I was lying on something hard, so that I am black and blue all over my body. It's horrible!"
Now they knew that she was a real princess because she had felt the pea right through the twenty
mattresses and the twenty eider-down beds.
Nobody but a real princess could be as sensitive as that.
So the prince took her for his wife, for now he knew that he had a real princess; and the pea was put
in the museum, where it may still be seen, if no one has stolen it.
There, that is a true story.

The Emperor's New Clothes

Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he
spent all his money in dress. He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care
to go either to the theater or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying
his new clothes. He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor,
one is accustomed to say, "he is sitting in council," it was always said of him, "The Emperor is sitting
in his wardrobe."
Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.
One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance. They gave out that they
knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns, the clothes
manufactured from which should have the wonderful property of remaining invisible to everyone who
was unfit for the office he held, or who was extraordinarily simple in character.
"These must, indeed, be splendid clothes!" thought the Emperor. "Had I such a suit, I might at once
find out what men in my realms are unfit for their office, and also be able to distinguish the wise from
the foolish! This stuff must be woven for me immediately." And he caused large sums of money to be
given to both the weavers in order that they might begin their work directly.
So the two pretended weavers set up two looms, and affected to work very busily, though in reality
they did nothing at all. They asked for the most delicate silk and the purest gold thread; put both into
their own knapsacks; and then continued their pretended work at the empty looms until late at night.
"I should like to know how the weavers are getting on with my cloth," said the Emperor to himself,
after some little time had elapsed; he was, however, rather embarrassed, when he remembered that a
simpleton, or one unfit for his office, would be unable to see the manufacture. To be sure, he thought
he had nothing to risk in his own person; but yet, he would prefer sending somebody else, to bring
him intelligence about the weavers, and their work, before he troubled himself in the affair. All the

people throughout the city had heard of the wonderful property the cloth was to possess; and all were
anxious to learn how wise, or how ignorant, their neighbors might prove to be.
"I will send my faithful old minister to the weavers," said the Emperor at last, after some deliberation,
"he will be best able to see how the cloth looks; for he is a man of sense, and no one can be more
suitable for his office than be is."
So the faithful old minister went into the hall, where the knaves were working with all their might, at
their empty looms. "What can be the meaning of this?" thought the old man, opening his eyes very
wide. "I cannot discover the least bit of thread on the looms." However, he did not express his
thoughts aloud.
The impostors requested him very courteously to be so good as to come nearer their looms; and then
asked him whether the design pleased him, and whether the colors were not very beautiful; at the
same time pointing to the empty frames. The poor old minister looked and looked, he could not
discover anything on the looms, for a very good reason, viz: there was nothing there. "What!" thought
he again. "Is it possible that I am a simpleton? I have never thought so myself; and no one must know
it now if I am so. Can it be, that I am unfit for my office? No, that must not be said either. I will never
confess that I could not see the stuff."
"Well, Sir Minister!" said one of the knaves, still pretending to work. "You do not say whether the stuff
pleases you."
"Oh, it is excellent!" replied the old minister, looking at the loom through his spectacles. "This pattern,
and the colors, yes, I will tell the Emperor without delay, how very beautiful I think them."
"We shall be much obliged to you," said the impostors, and then they named the different colors and
described the pattern of the pretended stuff. The old minister listened attentively to their words, in
order that he might repeat them to the Emperor; and then the knaves asked for more silk and gold,
saying that it was necessary to complete what they had begun. However, they put all that was given
them into their knapsacks; and continued to work with as much apparent diligence as before at their
empty looms.
The Emperor now sent another officer of his court to see how the men were getting on, and to
ascertain whether the cloth would soon be ready. It was just the same with this gentleman as with the
minister; he surveyed the looms on all sides, but could see nothing at all but the empty frames.
"Does not the stuff appear as beautiful to you, as it did to my lord the minister?" asked the impostors
of the Emperor's second ambassador; at the same time making the same gestures as before, and
talking of the design and colors which were not there.
"I certainly am not stupid!" thought the messenger. "It must be, that I am not fit for my good, profitable
office! That is very odd; however, no one shall know anything about it." And accordingly he praised the
stuff he could not see, and declared that he was delighted with both colors and patterns. "Indeed,
please your Imperial Majesty," said he to his sovereign when he returned, "the cloth which the
weavers are preparing is extraordinarily magnificent."
The whole city was talking of the splendid cloth which the Emperor had ordered to be woven at his
own expense.
And now the Emperor himself wished to see the costly manufacture, while it was still in the loom.
Accompanied by a select number of officers of the court, among whom were the two honest men who
had already admired the cloth, he went to the crafty impostors, who, as soon as they were aware of
the Emperor's approach, went on working more diligently than ever; although they still did not pass a
single thread through the looms.
"Is not the work absolutely magnificent?" said the two officers of the crown, already mentioned. "If
your Majesty will only be pleased to look at it! What a splendid design! What glorious colors!" and at
the same time they pointed to the empty frames; for they imagined that everyone else could see this
exquisite piece of workmanship.
"How is this?" said the Emperor to himself. "I can see nothing! This is indeed a terrible affair! Am I a
simpleton, or am I unfit to be an Emperor? That would be the worst thing that could happen--Oh! The
cloth is charming," said he, aloud. "It has my complete approbation." And he smiled most graciously,

and looked closely at the empty looms; for on no account would he say that he could not see what two
of the officers of his court had praised so much. All his retinue now strained their eyes, hoping to
discover something on the looms, but they could see no more than the others; nevertheless, they all
exclaimed, "Oh, how beautiful!" and advised his majesty to have some new clothes made from this
splendid material, for the approaching procession. "Magnificent! Charming! Excellent!" resounded on
all sides; and everyone was uncommonly gay. The Emperor shared in the general satisfaction; and
presented the impostors with the riband of an order of knighthood, to be worn in their button-holes,
and the title of "Gentlemen Weavers."
The rogues sat up the whole of the night before the day on which the procession was to take place,
and had sixteen lights burning, so that everyone might see how anxious they were to finish the
Emperor's new suit. They pretended to roll the cloth off the looms; cut the air with their scissors; and
sewed with needles without any thread in them. "See!" cried they, at last. "The Emperor's new clothes
are ready!"
And now the Emperor, with all the grandees of his court, came to the weavers; and the rogues raised
their arms, as if in the act of holding something up, saying, "Here are your Majesty's trousers! Here is
the scarf! Here is the mantle! The whole suit is as light as a cobweb; one might fancy one has nothing
at all on, when dressed in it; that, however, is the great virtue of this delicate cloth."
"Yes indeed!" said all the courtiers, although not one of them could see anything of this exquisite
manufacture.
"If your Imperial Majesty will be graciously pleased to take off your clothes, we will fit on the new suit,
in front of the looking glass."
The Emperor was accordingly undressed, and the rogues pretended to array him in his new suit; the
Emperor turning round, from side to side, before the looking glass.
"How splendid his Majesty looks in his new clothes, and how well they fit!" everyone cried out. "What
a design! What colors! These are indeed royal robes!"
"The canopy which is to be borne over your Majesty, in the procession, is waiting," announced the
chief master of the ceremonies.
"I am quite ready," answered the Emperor. "Do my new clothes fit well?" asked he, turning himself
round again before the looking glass, in order that he might appear to be examining his handsome
suit.
The lords of the bedchamber, who were to carry his Majesty's train felt about on the ground, as if they
were lifting up the ends of the mantle; and pretended to be carrying something; for they would by no
means betray anything like simplicity, or unfitness for their office.
So now the Emperor walked under his high canopy in the midst of the procession, through the streets
of his capital; and all the people standing by, and those at the windows, cried out, "Oh! How beautiful
are our Emperor's new clothes! What a magnificent train there is to the mantle; and how gracefully the
scarf hangs!" in short, no one would allow that he could not see these much-admired clothes;
because, in doing so, he would have declared himself either a simpleton or unfit for his office.
Certainly, none of the Emperor's various suits, had ever made so great an impression, as these
invisible ones.
"But the Emperor has nothing at all on!" said a little child.
"Listen to the voice of innocence!" exclaimed his father; and what the child had said was whispered
from one to another.
"But he has nothing at all on!" at last cried out all the people. The Emperor was vexed, for he knew
that the people were right; but he thought the procession must go on now! And the lords of the
bedchamber took greater pains than ever, to appear holding up a train, although, in reality, there was
no train to hold.

Dongeng Bahasa Inggris - Malin Kundang

.
Cerita Bahasa Inggris tentang Malin Kundang, Selamat Membaca...
Once upon a time, in the coastal area of Sumatra, lives a poor family. The
family had a kid named Malin Kundang. Due to very poor condition of
their families, Malin kundang's father decided to go to the country side.
Malin kundang and his mother hope that he could bring some money and
support their daily needs. Time after time, they wait for him, but he did
not come. They even believed that he is already dead.
Feeling sad, Malin kundang thought that he could make a living in the
country side in the hope that later on when returning to my hometown;
he has become a very rich. Finally Malin kundang go sailing along with a
merchant ship captain in his hometown that has been successful.
Kehidupan Malin Kundang Sebagai Pelaut
During his stay on the ship, Malin kundang lot to learn about seamanship
on the crew that has been experienced. Malin studied hard on his friends
shipping on more experienced, and ultimately he's very good at shipping.
Many islands have been, up to a day in the middle of the trip, suddenly
Malin kundang ships were attacked by pirates. All merchandise traders
who were on the ship seized by pirates. Even most of the crew and people
on the ship were killed by the pirates. Malin kundang very lucky he was
not killed by the pirates, because when it happened, Malin immediately
hid
in
a
small
space
enclosed
by
the
timber.
Malin Kundang floats amid sea, until finally the host ship stranded on a
beach. With the rest of the existing power, Malin Kundang walked to the
nearest village from the beach. Arriving in the village, Malin Kundang told
the ntives about the incident that happened to him. Malin village where
villagers stranded is very fertile. With tenacity and perseverance in work,
over time Malin had become a very rich. He has many fruit merchant
ships with the children of more than 100 people. After becoming rich,
Malin Kundang marry a girl to become his wife.
Kembalinya Malin
After a long marriage, Malin and his wife make the voyage with a large
and beautiful ship with the crew and a lot of bodyguards. Malin kundangs
wife want to know his husbands hometowns. In the other side, poor Malin
kundang mothers was worried about his son, and goes to the beach
everyday, hope that her son will be back from the journey. She saw a very

beautiful ship landed on the town harbour. Malin's mother who always
checks every ship that arrived, hoping there is his son among the
passenger, surprised to see a man. She founds out that he is her son
Malin
kundang.
Malin Kundang stepped down from the ship. Once close enough, his
mother saw the birthmarks on Malin kundangs arm. She is now convinced
that Malin is her son. Missed so much, she hug his son and asked "Malin
Kundang, my son, why did you go so long without sending any news to
me?". Arrogantly, Malin immediately released her mother's arms and
pushed him up to fall. "Old women, I do not know who you are" said Malin
Kundang at his mother. Malin Kundang pretended not to recognize her
mother, because of shame with her mother who is old and wearing
tattered clothes. "She was your mother?" Malin's wife asks him. "No, he
was just a beggar who pretended to be admitted as a mom to get my
property".
Kutukan Ibu Malin
Hearing statement and treated arbitrarily by his son, the mother of Malin
kundang is very angry. He did not expect him to be rebellious child.
Because anger is mounting, Malin's mother tipped his hand, saying "Oh
God, if he my son, I curse him became a stone." Malin's mother goes
away with sad feelings. Knowing that his only son, which she always loves
and
missed
all
days,
come
and
treat
her
like
that.
Malin kundang and his crew departed shortly after visiting the
hometown.Soon after departed, the calm, nice weather suddenly
changed. The winds roared fierce and storms come to destroy the ship
Kundang. Malin himself knows that it might be the curse from his own
mother. That makes Malin prays, to beg a mercy from the God. The ship
are destroyed and dumped into the beach. Malin's body and the
shipwrecks scattered. After that Malin' body slowly becomes rigid and in
time they finally shaped into a rock. Malin's mothers feel sorry about her
son's
fate.
But
it
was
too
late.
In moslem tradition, it is believed that prays from the parents are easily
granted by God, either bad or goods. This story told people to be humbles
and do not forget his family after being successful, the story also told the
parents that they must not easily pray a bad things to their children, and
guide their children with care and lots of patients

Dongeng Bahasa Inggris - Legenda Danau Toba

.
Cerita Bahasa
Membaca :

Inggris

tentang

Legenda

Danau

Toba,

Selamat

Once upon a time there was a prosperous village in a far away island
called Sumatra. In northern part of the island, lived a farmer whose name
was Toba. He lived alone in a hut by a small forest. He worked on his
farmland to grow rice and vegetables that he sells to local market. Once
day he wanted to catch some fish so he went to a river and fished there.
He was very surprised when he got a big fish. The fish was as big as
human being. Soon he went home and put the fish in his kitchen. He
planned to cook the fish for his dinner that night. When he got to his
house that afternoon he took a bath. Then as he walked into his bedroom
after taking a bath Toba was very shocked. Do you want to know what
happened?
There stood in his living room a very beautiful girl. The girl greeted him
nicely. For a moment Toba was speechless. When he could control his
emotion he asked her.
Who are you? Whats your name? Why suddenly you are here in my
house?
Pardon me if I surprised you Mr. Toba, but you took me here. I was the
fish that you caught in the river. Now that I become a human being again,
I would like to thank you and I will be your servant to express my
thankfulness
Were you the fish?
Yes, I was the fish. Look at your kitchen.
Toba immediately rushed to his kitchen and the fish was nowhere to be
seen. He saw some gold coins instead.
Whose coins are these? Why there are some coins here?
Those coins are mine. As I changed into human being my scales changed
into gold coins
Ok you can live here and work for me. Your room is over there
Thank you very much Mr. Toba
Since that day the beautiful girl lived in Tobas house. Since she was very
beautiful Toba fell in love with her and not long after that they got

married. The girl married to Toba on one condition that he would never
tell anybody about her past. Toba agreed to the condition. Several months
later Tobas wife delivered to a baby boy. Their son was healthy. Soon he
grew up into a handsome boy. Toba named him Samosir. Unfortunately
Samosir was a lazy boy. He did not want to work at all. When his father
worked hard in his rice field and farm, Samosir just slept. When he was
awake he talked a lot and he ate a lot. Toba was very disappointed with
his sons nature. He hoped that one day Samosir would change into a
diligent boy. Day in and day out but Samosir never changed.
Toba used to go to his farm and rice field early in the morning. Then at
midday his wife would bring him food. They used to eat lunch at their
farm. As he was a teenager Toba and his wife tried to change his
behavior. They ordered Samosir to bring food for his father for lunch while
her mother stayed at home to do household chores. But Samosir never
did his duty well. He always woke up very late. He woke up after midday.
Then one day his mother forced him to bring the food.
Sam, wake up. Go to the farm and bring the food for your father. He
must be very tired and hungry now.
But Mom, I am tired and hungry too
What makes you tired? You just wake up. Go now. You father needs the
food
Toba reluctantly went to the farm. But he did not go to the farm
immediately. He stopped somewhere in the street and ate the food. It was
already late afternoon when he got to the farm. His father was
disappointed. Then he was angry as he realized that his son had eaten his
food. He said sarcastically.
O, you are stupid lazy boy. You are son of a fish!
Samosir was hurt. He went home right away and as he got home he told
his mother about his fathers words. Samosirs mother was shocked. She
was also deeply hurt.
O Toba. You break your promise so I cannot live with you here anymore.
Now you have to accept to consequence of what you did. Samosir, now go
to the hill, find the tallest tree and climb it
Why mom? What will happen?
Just do it, never ask any question. Good bye
As soon as she finished saying that suddenly the weather changed. Sunny
day suddenly turned into cloudy day. Not long after that the rain poured

heavily. The rain last for several days. Consequently the area was flooded.
The whole area became a big lake. Then it was called Lake Toba and in
the middle of the lake there is an island called Samosir Island. Meanwhile
Tobas wife disappeared.
Lake Toba is located in the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Today it
becomes a tourist destination.