“Yeh-Shen” may be the oldest version we know of the Cinderella story, but it’s far from the only variation on this familiar tale. Find out about other versions that span the globe.
Category Archives: What Tales Tell
The Atlantis-style myths that turned out to be true
Atlantis isn’t the only myth about a long-lost kingdom beneath the ocean. Read what other lost city myths are told around the world.
Secrets of the Dead: The Real Trojan Horse
Maybe the infamous Trojan Horse wasn’t real, but it could have inspired actual methods used during the Trojan War.
The Curse of King Tut: Facts & Fable
Is the curse surrounding King Tut’s tomb real? Some people think so— read about why.
Rainsticks and Folklore
Tibetans attempt to summon supernatural powers to combat the extreme drought.
J.K. Rowling wrote a new fairy tale
The author of the Harry Potter series threw herself a birthday party that featured a “lost manuscript” displayed in an unexpected way.
The Importance of Scaring Children
Most of the stories we remember hearing as young children avoid content that is gruesome or unsettling. But some writers feel that it’s healthier to share stories with a more frightening side.
El Dorado Legend Snared Sir Walter Raleigh
Almost half a millennium ago in the New World, Spanish explorers heard tales of a land filled with gold and treasure. Soon, the myth of El Dorado was born. Read this article to learn the truth behind the myth. Did El Dorado really exist?
How fairy tales have stood the test of time
There’s definitely one of the tales of the Brothers Grimm that you’ve never heard, because it was developed using artificial intelligence after analyzing their works. Find out what that’s all about and why stories about princesses and shepherds still capture us.
16 January 1549 – Thomas Seymour tries to kidnap Edward VI
Mark Twain’s tale about the young Prince Edward may be fiction, but Edward’s true story is even stranger. Crowned king at age 9, he faced the plotting and scheming of his power-hungry uncles.
Guide to the classics: The Arthurian legend
Are the tales of King Arthur based in fact? TL;DR: Probably not, but they’re a lot of fun!
Coatlicue
Learn about an Aztec legend by getting an up-close look at a terrifying statue.
The real-life diseases that spread the vampire myth
Vampire stories began way before Dracula. Find out about the real-life afflictions that made people believe frightening tales.
About the Brothers Grimm and Fairytales
Once upon a time, fairy tales weren’t for children. They weren’t even written down. Read this history to learn how much fairy tales—even the ones with which we’re most familiar—have changed over time. Be sure to follow the links to older versions of the tales, and find out for yourself!
The Chilling True Story Behind the Pied Piper of Hamelin
Where do fairy tales and legends come from? At least one well-known tale is rooted in a real historic event.
A Fairy Tale Influence
In this interview, fairy tale author Jack Zipes discusses why fairy tales matter, who their audience is, and how they influence the horror genre.
Why Black Panther’s representation matters, according to the cast
If tales of superheroes serve to inspire us and reflect what we value, they should represent all of us. Hear from the director and cast of the blockbuster movie.
Why Myths Still Matter: Hercules and His 12 Healing Labors
Explore the plot and significance of a popular Greek myth.
The Pre-Viking Legend of Ragnarӧk
One of the best-known Norse myths about the end of the universe may have originated in a real-world ancient catastrophe.
Heroes and Legends Before Superman
Stories about superheroes go back long before the creation of comic books. Read about some early heroes whose stories are hundreds or thousands of years old.