Showing results by author "Caroline Wheal" in All Categories

Although the great civilisations of the Aztecs and Incas did not survive their contact with the invaders from Europe, their myths and legends live on. Some are recorded in ancient writings; some are still popular, traditional stories in modern day Mexico and Peru. Here is a collection of the best and most entertaining tales.

Wondrous dragons live in jewelled palaces under the ground and stars and animals speak. Emperors live out their exquisite lives surrounded by the most refined art and luxury. Yet all these stories are rooted in a love of ordinary things and timeless regard for honesty and simplicity. Virtue is more prized than riches and there is more delight in the song of a bird than in all the craft that man could ever devise.

Italy is a land forever associated with beauty: in music, in art and in nature. Down the centuries these stories were brought home by travellers, soldiers and merchants, returning crusaders, gypsies and pilgrims. Much loved and often repeated they grew in the telling to become wholly Italian in their nature - which is as much to say that today they are very beautiful indeed.

Adapted by Caroline Wheal and marvelously read by Janet Suzman, this delightful collection of stories is drawn from widely different cultures from all over the continent of Africa.

Honour, duty, courage - all these are qualities revered in Japanese tradition. Add to these magic, mystery and above all wit and humour and you are instantly transported into the magical world of Japanese fairy tales.

How Anansi got his Stories; Anansi and the Sweet Potatoes, The Three Pumpkins, The Girl & the Crow, The Wild Man of the Forest, The Story of Rose Petal, The Tree of Life.